"Well, it has been rather hectic since the 11th of September. And even before then it was quite busy"

Hugh Shelton's quote, "Well, it has actually been rather hectic since the 11th of September. And even before then it was rather busy," can be interpreted in the context of his position and the historical events surrounding 9/11. As the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1997 to 2001, Shelton played a vital role in the military's reaction to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. This quote likely reflects the climax of military and security activities following 9/11, a period marked by urgency, heightened tension, and an expanding scope of military operations.

The expression "rather stressful because the 11th of September" suggests the remarkable increase in activity and pressure dealt with by military management and nationwide security devices in the instant aftermath of the attacks. This was a time when the United States was urgently reevaluating its security methods, introducing the War on Terror, and preparing for military actions abroad, particularly in Afghanistan, to take apart terrorist networks and prevent additional attacks on American soil.

When Shelton adds, "And even before then it was quite hectic," he might be alluding to the already substantial needs put on the military prior to the attacks. This recommends that the United States was currently participated in different global commitments and defense preparations, needing considerable attention and resources. The late 1990s and early 2000s were periods of military readiness and involvement in different global peacekeeping and conflict-related operations.

The juxtaposition of the two statements encapsulates the shift from a period of substantial military engagement to an era dominated by the post-9/ 11 security paradigm shift. This needs adapting to brand-new dangers and implementing extensive modifications in worldwide strategy and domestic security policies. Shelton's succinct comment encapsulates the extensive impact of 9/11 on military and national security characteristics, highlighting continuity and change in military operations throughout a turning point in history.