There is a certain level you reach in the government, or in a corporation, where what you say is automatically linked with your job. It is one thing to say something over a few beers with friends. Its another to go on the air, as a deputy undersecretary of defense, and to start making comments. He was there in his official capacity, and he is more then responsible for what he said, as a government official. If the DoD wishes to separate themselves then they should simply demote, fire, or dock him of wages.