I was taken in by what might be called the Hard Times version of the Communists' advertising or recruiting technique.
I learned how to horseback ride in English style, which is very hard, by the way. I had no idea how challenging it was. I've always ridden horses, but Western is like riding a horse in a rocking chair, as opposed to English, where you have to balance and hold on with your legs.
I had no difficulty as Secretary of Defense moving from the Bush administration to the Obama administration.