After issuing a new policy enforcing more discipline over military interaction with the media, Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday named to lead U.S. Central Command a general who in 2005 was rebuked for saying "it's fun to shoot some people."

Gates recommended Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis for the job left by Gen. David Petraeus, who assumed command in Afghanistan over the weekend. Petraeus was transferred after Gen. Stanley McChrystal was forced to resign following the publication of a magazine article in which he and his aides were critical of civilian officials.

After the incident, Gates issued an updated media policy reining in interaction with the press. But as he defended that decision against a skeptical press corps on Thursday, the Pentagon chief dismissed concerns that his new pick for Central Command once had media problems of his own.

"That was five years ago," Gates said. "I think that the subsequent five years have demonstrated that the lesson was learned. ... I have every confidence that General Mattis will respond to questions and speak publicly about the matters for which he is responsible in an entirely appropriate way."

Mattis made the controversial comments in February 2005 at a San Diego forum. An audio recording showed him saying: "Actually, it's a lot of fun to fight. You know, it's a hell of a hoot. ... It's fun to shoot some people."


He directed that sentiment toward "guys" in Afghanistan "who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil."

"You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them," he said. The commandant of the Marine Corps at the time "counseled" Mattis over his remarks and released a statement saying he should have chosen them "more carefully."

Mattis, a seasoned war veteran, is best known for leading troops into the bloody battle of Fallujah in Iraq in 2004.

As Gates announced Mattis as his choice, he also explained in more detail the media policy for the U.S. military.

He said he does not want to "impinge" or "impede" the flow of information to the press. "This is not my intent, nor will I tolerate it," Gates said.

He said he concluded several weeks ago, following a series of incidents spanning two administrations in which senior defense officials got into trouble over comments in the press, that the military needs "greater coordination and discipline."

Gates said he does not view the media as the enemy. "This is not about you. This is about us," he said.