Editor’s Note: A copy is available here Counter Insurgency Manual
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 14, 2007 - A contributor to the Counterinsurgency Field Manual yesterday discussed the doctrine that codifies how the U.S. military can most effectively conduct asymmetric warfare. The doctrine, officially titled U.S. Army Field Manual 3-24 and Marine Corps Warfighting Publication 3-33.5, is a unique joint effort published in December 2006 by the two branches to help military and civilian operators face challenges posed by insurgencies that blend with civilian populations.
"In order to win that kind of war, in order to create security and stability in that environment, you cannot kill or capture your way to success," said Army Lt. Col. John A Nagl, a member of the writing team that penned the manual.
"What you have to do to defeat that kind of insurgency, to borrow Mao (Zedong's) phrase, is you have to drain the swamp: that is, decrease the number of people who support the ends of the insurgency," he said. "And the way you do that is by increasing the number of people who support the government and the coalition."
From September 2003 through September 2004, Nagl served as operations officer of 1st Battalion, 34th Armor, in Khalidiyah, Iraq, a city between Ramadi and Fallujah in Anbar province, then one of the country's most contentious regions.
Nagl said the insurgency there comprised one half of 1 percent of the population, equaling roughly 300 people who "actively wanted to kill us." The soldier's tank battalion task force numbered some 800, he said. By conventional logic, the conflict should have resulted in an unequivocal Army victory, but "those 300 were swimming in a sea of people," Nagl said.
The field manual emphasizes the roles of other U.S. government agencies in separating insurgents from civilians. It underscores that among such elements, a "unity of effort" -- the title of the manual's second chapter -- is vital in waging a successful counterinsurgency.
"All elements of the United States government ... must be integrated into the effort to build stable and secure societies that can secure their own borders and do not provide safe havens for terrorists," according to the field manual's foreword, written by Nagl, who now commands 1st Battalion, 34th Armor, at Fort Riley, Kan.
Nagl said the demand for codified doctrine was sorely needed by a U.S. military more prepared for conventional than asymmetric warfare. "It is not unfair to say that in 2003 most Army officers likely knew more about the U.S. Civil War than they did about counterinsurgency," the foreword says.
The notion that U.S. forces were not thoroughly trained in counterinsurgency strategy was echoed by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates in a speech Oct. 10.
"Consider that in 1985 the core curriculum for the Army's 10-month Command and General Staff College assigned 30 hours -- about four days -- for what was is now called low-intensity conflict," Gates told the audience at the Association of the U.S. Army conference.
"This approach may have seemed validated by ultimate victory in the Cold War and the triumph of Desert Storm," he said, "but it left the service unprepared to deal with the operations that followed in Somalia, Haiti, the Balkans, and more recently Afghanistan and Iraq, the consequences and costs of which we are still struggling with today."
Gates called the counterinsurgency manual a milestone and added that the value of its tenants have been validated by recent progress in Iraq.
The manual was the culmination of efforts by a diverse group that includes academics, human rights advocates, representatives from journalism and non-governmental organizations, and top military strategists, including then-Army Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus, now a four-star general and the commander of Multinational Force Iraq.
By all accounts, the 419-page field manual has been widely embraced. Not only was the manual downloaded more than 2 million times within two months of its release, but copies have even been discovered on Jihadi Web sites and in Taliban training camps in Pakistan.
Last year, the State Department hosted an interagency counterinsurgency conference that built a consensus behind the need for an interagency counterinsurgency manual, according to the field manual. In addition, the French government has expressed interest in partnering with the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany in a multilateral effort to frame counterinsurgency guidelines in an international context.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Ceremony Recognizes Extraordinary Troop Support
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 13, 2007 - Americans who offer extraordinary support to the nation's servicemembers got the red-carpet treatment yesterday during a luncheon held in their honor at the famous Rainbow Room restaurant here. Microsoft Corp., in partnership with the United Service Organizations, honored the winners of the first Microsoft Above and Beyond Awards. Microsoft recently became a corporate supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program that connects citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad. USO also is a supporter of the program.
More than 400 nominations were received for the awards. The public was invited to choose the winners from finalists in five categories. The votes totaled more than 30,000.
The winners are:
-- Outstanding Effort Award: Soldiers' Angels. Patti Patton-Bader started the organization when she discovered her son, who was serving in Iraq, was giving the care packages she was sending to troops who weren't getting any mail. Since its beginning, the group has grown to include more than 100,000 volunteers who regularly send care packages to servicemembers as well as other programs that benefit military families.
-- Medical Attention Award: Veterans Airlift Command. Walter Fricke, the organization's founder, is a retired helicopter pilot and a Vietnam veteran who spent six months recovering from a combat injury. His organization's network of volunteer pilots provides transportation to reconnect recovering veterans and their families. The 500 pilots in the network have flown more than 180,000 miles to reunite hundreds of families.
-- Youth Leadership Award: Brittany and Robbie Bergquist of Norwell, Mass. The teenage siblings started Cell Phones for Soldiers after hearing of a soldier who had run up an $8,000 phone bill calling home from overseas. Shocked that the military doesn't cover calls home, they worked to make sure servicemembers can stay in touch with family by recycling old cell phones and using the cash to purchase prepaid calling cards that they send to troops serving overseas.
-- Everyday Difference Award: Army Maj. Todd Schmidt, founder of Operation Dreamseed. The organization has sent hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of textbooks, supplies and clothing to school children in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo. Schmidt got the idea while on patrol in Afghanistan after noting that the more the troops supported community schools, the more forthcoming the citizens were with important information that facilitated the U.S. military mission.
-- USO Promotion and Success Award: Paulette Nelson, of Savannah, Ga. Nelson makes sure that every servicemember passing through Fort Stewart's Hunter Army Airfield gets a welcome home or a farewell. The time of day is of no concern, and she often spends 12 or more hours welcoming troops or seeing them off. She also volunteers in the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport's USO lounge.
Soldiers' Angels, Veterans Airlift Command, Cell Phones for Soldiers and Operation Dreamseed are supporters of the Defense Department's America Supports You program.
"We'd like to thank the exceptional individuals who go above and beyond every day to brighten the lives of our troops in a spirit that is akin to that of the USO," said Brian Whiting, president of USO New York, during the ceremony. "You put a name and a face to the genuine goodness, compassion and solidarity that are hard at work in this country every day.
"So often it is the unthinkable, the unimaginable, that make the headlines," he added. "So it is particularly refreshing to focus on, and to celebrate, a few of the everyday heroes among us."
Michael Allen, director of business strategy and operations for Microsoft's federal division, said the corporation was excited to recognize these very deserving individuals.
"They are amazing people," he said. "Every one of them said, 'This isn't about me. This is about the families. You're giving me a way to, hopefully, inspire others (and) bring more people to what I'm doing. But really, it's about the troops.'"
While all of the award winners were pleased about their awards, they were even more excited about the awareness that recognition from two well-respected organizations would bring to the troops and the need to support them.
"Just to know that Microsoft and the USO know who we are is a huge honor," Brittany Bergquist said. "It's a great feeling for us, and it brings ... awareness to what troops have to go through daily."
Patton-Bader also said the award would remind people of what the nation's troops are enduring.
"It has been a long road since my oldest son returned from Iraq, and my youngest is in Camp Fallujah right now," she said. "This award will hopefully remind people we still have our sons and daughters in harm's way. Only by our collaborative efforts can we hope to give the great support our heroes deserve."
Those collaborative efforts are paying off, according to two senior military leaders who attended the award ceremony.
Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the support these smaller organizations, as well as larger groups such as the USO, offer troops is vital.
"They're just always there for us. These people just give," he said. "They give well beyond what anyone asks them to give."
Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard A. Cody said efforts like those that earned the recipients their awards stand as a lesson to the American public.
"(These groups) show America how they can get behind our soldiers," he said. "They don't have to put a uniform on to support our soldiers. Just a calling card, or (frequent flier) miles or the gifts at Christmas time, even just ... sending messages to those who are downrange telling them that you care about them" remind servicemembers they have support back home, he added.
Actress Joely Fisher emceed the star-studded event, attended by celebrities from TV shows "Rescue Me" and "Friday Night Lights." Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, and Miss Universe also were on hand.
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 13, 2007 - Americans who offer extraordinary support to the nation's servicemembers got the red-carpet treatment yesterday during a luncheon held in their honor at the famous Rainbow Room restaurant here. Microsoft Corp., in partnership with the United Service Organizations, honored the winners of the first Microsoft Above and Beyond Awards. Microsoft recently became a corporate supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program that connects citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad. USO also is a supporter of the program.
More than 400 nominations were received for the awards. The public was invited to choose the winners from finalists in five categories. The votes totaled more than 30,000.
The winners are:
-- Outstanding Effort Award: Soldiers' Angels. Patti Patton-Bader started the organization when she discovered her son, who was serving in Iraq, was giving the care packages she was sending to troops who weren't getting any mail. Since its beginning, the group has grown to include more than 100,000 volunteers who regularly send care packages to servicemembers as well as other programs that benefit military families.
-- Medical Attention Award: Veterans Airlift Command. Walter Fricke, the organization's founder, is a retired helicopter pilot and a Vietnam veteran who spent six months recovering from a combat injury. His organization's network of volunteer pilots provides transportation to reconnect recovering veterans and their families. The 500 pilots in the network have flown more than 180,000 miles to reunite hundreds of families.
-- Youth Leadership Award: Brittany and Robbie Bergquist of Norwell, Mass. The teenage siblings started Cell Phones for Soldiers after hearing of a soldier who had run up an $8,000 phone bill calling home from overseas. Shocked that the military doesn't cover calls home, they worked to make sure servicemembers can stay in touch with family by recycling old cell phones and using the cash to purchase prepaid calling cards that they send to troops serving overseas.
-- Everyday Difference Award: Army Maj. Todd Schmidt, founder of Operation Dreamseed. The organization has sent hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of textbooks, supplies and clothing to school children in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo. Schmidt got the idea while on patrol in Afghanistan after noting that the more the troops supported community schools, the more forthcoming the citizens were with important information that facilitated the U.S. military mission.
-- USO Promotion and Success Award: Paulette Nelson, of Savannah, Ga. Nelson makes sure that every servicemember passing through Fort Stewart's Hunter Army Airfield gets a welcome home or a farewell. The time of day is of no concern, and she often spends 12 or more hours welcoming troops or seeing them off. She also volunteers in the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport's USO lounge.
Soldiers' Angels, Veterans Airlift Command, Cell Phones for Soldiers and Operation Dreamseed are supporters of the Defense Department's America Supports You program.
"We'd like to thank the exceptional individuals who go above and beyond every day to brighten the lives of our troops in a spirit that is akin to that of the USO," said Brian Whiting, president of USO New York, during the ceremony. "You put a name and a face to the genuine goodness, compassion and solidarity that are hard at work in this country every day.
"So often it is the unthinkable, the unimaginable, that make the headlines," he added. "So it is particularly refreshing to focus on, and to celebrate, a few of the everyday heroes among us."
Michael Allen, director of business strategy and operations for Microsoft's federal division, said the corporation was excited to recognize these very deserving individuals.
"They are amazing people," he said. "Every one of them said, 'This isn't about me. This is about the families. You're giving me a way to, hopefully, inspire others (and) bring more people to what I'm doing. But really, it's about the troops.'"
While all of the award winners were pleased about their awards, they were even more excited about the awareness that recognition from two well-respected organizations would bring to the troops and the need to support them.
"Just to know that Microsoft and the USO know who we are is a huge honor," Brittany Bergquist said. "It's a great feeling for us, and it brings ... awareness to what troops have to go through daily."
Patton-Bader also said the award would remind people of what the nation's troops are enduring.
"It has been a long road since my oldest son returned from Iraq, and my youngest is in Camp Fallujah right now," she said. "This award will hopefully remind people we still have our sons and daughters in harm's way. Only by our collaborative efforts can we hope to give the great support our heroes deserve."
Those collaborative efforts are paying off, according to two senior military leaders who attended the award ceremony.
Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the support these smaller organizations, as well as larger groups such as the USO, offer troops is vital.
"They're just always there for us. These people just give," he said. "They give well beyond what anyone asks them to give."
Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard A. Cody said efforts like those that earned the recipients their awards stand as a lesson to the American public.
"(These groups) show America how they can get behind our soldiers," he said. "They don't have to put a uniform on to support our soldiers. Just a calling card, or (frequent flier) miles or the gifts at Christmas time, even just ... sending messages to those who are downrange telling them that you care about them" remind servicemembers they have support back home, he added.
Actress Joely Fisher emceed the star-studded event, attended by celebrities from TV shows "Rescue Me" and "Friday Night Lights." Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, and Miss Universe also were on hand.
Bush Pays Tribute to Fallen Troops, Thanks Veterans
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 12, 2007 - During a ceremony at the American Legion post in Waco, Texas, yesterday, President Bush told the families of four servicemembers who died in Iraq that "their sacrifice will not be in vain. Bush called it a privilege to join veterans and the fallen servicemembers' families to honor two soldiers and two Marines – all of whom were "sons of Texas" – who gave their lives in freedom's cause, he said.
"The young men we remember today did not live to be called veterans," he said. "They died in a distant land fighting terror, spreading freedom, and protecting their fellow citizens from danger."
Families of fallen servicemembers are filled with "immeasurable pride" with regards to their loved one's valor and selfless devotion, said Bush, who sat next to Janie Shanks, grandmother of Marine Gunnery Sgt. John David Fry, who was 28 when he died in Iraq on March 8, 2006, according to a Los Angeles Times report.
In addition to Fry, the ceremony paid special tribute to Army Spcs. Javier Antonio Villanueva, of Bellmead, and Jeffrey Paul Shaffer, of Waco, and Marine Lance Cpl. Johnny Ray Strong, of Waco.
"Yet this pride cannot fill the hole in their loved ones' aching hearts, or relieve the burden of grief that will remain for a lifetime," the president continued. "In their sorrow, these families need to know, and families all across the nation of the fallen need to know that your loved ones served a cause that is good, and just, and noble.
"And as their commander-in-chief," he continued, "I make you this promise: their sacrifice will not be in vain."
Bush said the country's veterans, many of whom have lost comrades on the battlefield, feel a special bond with America's fallen soldiers and their families. Moreover, when a beloved servicemember fell, many veterans felt determined to pick up the mantle, carry on the fight, and complete the mission, he said, adding that today's generation of servicemembers are fulfilling such resolve in the war on terror.
"Since the attacks of September the 11th, 2001, more than 2 million Americans have stepped forward to put on our nation's uniform, and during that same period, 1.5 million American troops have made the courageous decision to re-enlist and to stay in the fight," he said. "These men and women saw the future the terrorists intend for our country, and they said with clear voices: 'Not on my watch.'"
Bush said extremists of the same ilk as perpetrators of the Sept. 11 attacks hope to carry out more deadly strikes in the future. He said America's armed forces are fighting in foreign countries "to ensure we do not have to face them in our own land."
"And by spreading the hope of liberty to nations that have not known it," he added, "our troops are helping to defeat the ideology of the terrorists -- and secure a future of peace for generations to come."
Bush thanked veterans in the audience for answering America's call to duty. Their honorable and decent service humbled tyrants, liberated continents, freed millions from oppression, and transformed former enemies in Europe and Asia into allies.
"I thank you for your courage and your patriotism and your devotion to duty," he said. "I thank you for standing up for the men and women of our armed forces, and I thank you for all you do to support the families they leave behind during this time of war."
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 12, 2007 - During a ceremony at the American Legion post in Waco, Texas, yesterday, President Bush told the families of four servicemembers who died in Iraq that "their sacrifice will not be in vain. Bush called it a privilege to join veterans and the fallen servicemembers' families to honor two soldiers and two Marines – all of whom were "sons of Texas" – who gave their lives in freedom's cause, he said.
"The young men we remember today did not live to be called veterans," he said. "They died in a distant land fighting terror, spreading freedom, and protecting their fellow citizens from danger."
Families of fallen servicemembers are filled with "immeasurable pride" with regards to their loved one's valor and selfless devotion, said Bush, who sat next to Janie Shanks, grandmother of Marine Gunnery Sgt. John David Fry, who was 28 when he died in Iraq on March 8, 2006, according to a Los Angeles Times report.
In addition to Fry, the ceremony paid special tribute to Army Spcs. Javier Antonio Villanueva, of Bellmead, and Jeffrey Paul Shaffer, of Waco, and Marine Lance Cpl. Johnny Ray Strong, of Waco.
"Yet this pride cannot fill the hole in their loved ones' aching hearts, or relieve the burden of grief that will remain for a lifetime," the president continued. "In their sorrow, these families need to know, and families all across the nation of the fallen need to know that your loved ones served a cause that is good, and just, and noble.
"And as their commander-in-chief," he continued, "I make you this promise: their sacrifice will not be in vain."
Bush said the country's veterans, many of whom have lost comrades on the battlefield, feel a special bond with America's fallen soldiers and their families. Moreover, when a beloved servicemember fell, many veterans felt determined to pick up the mantle, carry on the fight, and complete the mission, he said, adding that today's generation of servicemembers are fulfilling such resolve in the war on terror.
"Since the attacks of September the 11th, 2001, more than 2 million Americans have stepped forward to put on our nation's uniform, and during that same period, 1.5 million American troops have made the courageous decision to re-enlist and to stay in the fight," he said. "These men and women saw the future the terrorists intend for our country, and they said with clear voices: 'Not on my watch.'"
Bush said extremists of the same ilk as perpetrators of the Sept. 11 attacks hope to carry out more deadly strikes in the future. He said America's armed forces are fighting in foreign countries "to ensure we do not have to face them in our own land."
"And by spreading the hope of liberty to nations that have not known it," he added, "our troops are helping to defeat the ideology of the terrorists -- and secure a future of peace for generations to come."
Bush thanked veterans in the audience for answering America's call to duty. Their honorable and decent service humbled tyrants, liberated continents, freed millions from oppression, and transformed former enemies in Europe and Asia into allies.
"I thank you for your courage and your patriotism and your devotion to duty," he said. "I thank you for standing up for the men and women of our armed forces, and I thank you for all you do to support the families they leave behind during this time of war."
All Military Components Meet, Exceed Recruiting Goals
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 13, 2007 - The first month of fiscal 2008 was a success for all active and reserve military components. In a meeting with Pentagon reporters today, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said all components met or exceeded their recruiting and accession goals for October.
On the active-duty side, the Army made 101 percent of its goal of 4,500, with 4,564 recruits. The Navy made 100 percent of its goal of 2,788 recruits. The Marine Corps made 102 percent of its goal of 2,720, with 2,788 enlisting. The Air Force made 100 percent of its goal of 2,656.
The Guard and reserve components "did very well" in October, Whitman said. The Air National Guard made 134 percent of its goal of 609 accessions, actually signing up 818 airmen. The Army National Guard also had a very good month, signing up 123 percent of its goal of 4,311 soldiers. The Army Guard signed up 5,305 men and women.
The Navy Reserve made 112 percent of its goal of 818, signing up 918 sailors, and the Army Reserve made 104 percent of goal, signing up 3,297 against 3,169. The Marine Corps Reserve and Air Force Reserve both made 100 percent of their goals of 890 and 681, respectively.
The services' monthly goals are not constant. "The goal numbers go up and down based on what they have to achieve at the end of the year," Whitman said.
Recruiting officials set goals, and military training personnel set class seats based on historic data showing when Americans traditionally enlist. For example, there are higher goals and more class seats for June, when most high school seniors graduate. But the turnout is encouraging, Whitman said. "This is good news," he said. "In the first month of this fiscal year, in terms of recruiting in active duty and reserve-component forces, it looks pretty good right now."
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 13, 2007 - The first month of fiscal 2008 was a success for all active and reserve military components. In a meeting with Pentagon reporters today, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said all components met or exceeded their recruiting and accession goals for October.
On the active-duty side, the Army made 101 percent of its goal of 4,500, with 4,564 recruits. The Navy made 100 percent of its goal of 2,788 recruits. The Marine Corps made 102 percent of its goal of 2,720, with 2,788 enlisting. The Air Force made 100 percent of its goal of 2,656.
The Guard and reserve components "did very well" in October, Whitman said. The Air National Guard made 134 percent of its goal of 609 accessions, actually signing up 818 airmen. The Army National Guard also had a very good month, signing up 123 percent of its goal of 4,311 soldiers. The Army Guard signed up 5,305 men and women.
The Navy Reserve made 112 percent of its goal of 818, signing up 918 sailors, and the Army Reserve made 104 percent of goal, signing up 3,297 against 3,169. The Marine Corps Reserve and Air Force Reserve both made 100 percent of their goals of 890 and 681, respectively.
The services' monthly goals are not constant. "The goal numbers go up and down based on what they have to achieve at the end of the year," Whitman said.
Recruiting officials set goals, and military training personnel set class seats based on historic data showing when Americans traditionally enlist. For example, there are higher goals and more class seats for June, when most high school seniors graduate. But the turnout is encouraging, Whitman said. "This is good news," he said. "In the first month of this fiscal year, in terms of recruiting in active duty and reserve-component forces, it looks pretty good right now."
Revamped Health Care Web Site Allows Information Sharing
By Jamie Findlater
Special to American Forces Press Service
Nov. 13, 2007 - The Defense Department's military health care system is using its interactive, revamped Web site -- http://mhs.osd.mil -- to share information between U.S. military medical personnel and other government agencies and organizations outside the government. "It's a way to create a partnership for health that brings the servicemembers and family, the military leader and the medical provider-planner together with the objective of patient-focused health care," said Dr. S. Ward Casscells, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs.
Visitors to the site can post comments, take surveys, watch Web cams, subscribe to podcasts, and read unfiltered opinion from Casscells on his blog. They also can find out about special events, educate themselves about important healthy lifestyle changes, and watch videos about the latest health care updates.
Troops can use the site to post a comment about real-life experiences at military hospitals, military health care students can watch a podcast to prepare for a pandemic flu outbreak, and a health care specialist can read the diary of a senior Defense Department policy maker.
A special feature planned for the site is the "Tips from the Top Doc" section, where users can subscribe to get regular news updates and advice to soldiers about health care.
Casscells said he developed the idea for the site to address a growing need for connectivity and information sharing in the health care community, keeping an eye on changing expectations for news and information.
On the site, Casscells offers many of his opinions on health care, and provides his perspective about policy-making decisions and the implementation of military health care initiatives. He said he's highly interested in welcoming new opinions and recognizes the valuable contributions of successful health care professionals worldwide.
Casscells said it is about talking in a language that servicemembers and military professionals understand.
"When our military medical forces work in the theater of war, they gain a sense of being connected with their sister services, as well as a worldwide community of health professionals," Casscells said. "With this Web site, our medical forces can stay connected to each other and to their partners in federal health agencies, non-governmental organizations, industry and academia."
(Jamie Findlater works in New Media at American Forces Information Service.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Nov. 13, 2007 - The Defense Department's military health care system is using its interactive, revamped Web site -- http://mhs.osd.mil -- to share information between U.S. military medical personnel and other government agencies and organizations outside the government. "It's a way to create a partnership for health that brings the servicemembers and family, the military leader and the medical provider-planner together with the objective of patient-focused health care," said Dr. S. Ward Casscells, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs.
Visitors to the site can post comments, take surveys, watch Web cams, subscribe to podcasts, and read unfiltered opinion from Casscells on his blog. They also can find out about special events, educate themselves about important healthy lifestyle changes, and watch videos about the latest health care updates.
Troops can use the site to post a comment about real-life experiences at military hospitals, military health care students can watch a podcast to prepare for a pandemic flu outbreak, and a health care specialist can read the diary of a senior Defense Department policy maker.
A special feature planned for the site is the "Tips from the Top Doc" section, where users can subscribe to get regular news updates and advice to soldiers about health care.
Casscells said he developed the idea for the site to address a growing need for connectivity and information sharing in the health care community, keeping an eye on changing expectations for news and information.
On the site, Casscells offers many of his opinions on health care, and provides his perspective about policy-making decisions and the implementation of military health care initiatives. He said he's highly interested in welcoming new opinions and recognizes the valuable contributions of successful health care professionals worldwide.
Casscells said it is about talking in a language that servicemembers and military professionals understand.
"When our military medical forces work in the theater of war, they gain a sense of being connected with their sister services, as well as a worldwide community of health professionals," Casscells said. "With this Web site, our medical forces can stay connected to each other and to their partners in federal health agencies, non-governmental organizations, industry and academia."
(Jamie Findlater works in New Media at American Forces Information Service.)
Gates Honors Marine Corps' Tradition of Service at Birthday Ball
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 13, 2007 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates shared the Marine Corps' 232nd anniversary during the past weekend, praising the Corps' long tradition of service and sacrifice that continues on the front lines today. Speaking during a Marine Corps birthday ball at a Washington hotel on Nov. 10, the secretary said he felt honored to be among patriots and their families who have answered the nation's call in a time of war.
Gates noted that more than 206,000 Marines have deployed since Sept. 11, 2001, to fight in the war on terror. With just 226,000 in the Corps' entire active and reserve force, just a tenth of all U.S. military members, operating with less than 5 percent of the Defense Department's annual budget, Gates called that contribution "punching above your weight -- as Marines have always done."
In addition, he noted that more than 800 Marines have made the ultimate sacrifice.
As America fights a global insurgency fueled by radical extremists, Gates said, it relies on the special qualities and heritage the Marine Corps brings to the fight. "In recent years, the skill and sacrifice of Marines has reflected the complexity of the conflict and the threat posed by an enemy that lurks in the shadows," he said.
The Marines have long been a "two-fisted force," he said, "capable of applying raw courage and combat power to win the big battles" during World War II, Vietnam and, most recently, in Iraq.
At the same time, they've exhibited the "savvy and resourcefulness to succeed at irregular campaigns" from the so-called banana wars in the Caribbean at the turn of the 20th century to the combined-actions platoons in Vietnam during the 1960s and 1970s to the work being conducted with tribes in Iraq's Anbar province today.
"It's been this way from the earliest years of the republic, starting with the fight against the Barbary pirates, arguably America's first 'war on terror,'" the secretary said.
Gates praised the tenacity of Marines serving in Iraq today. He singled out the example of Staff Sgt. Daniel Bogart, who singlehandedly disarmed 65 improvised explosive devices during 170 combat missions in Iraq and disposed of 11,000 pounds of unexploded ordnance. During an Oct. 30, 2004, mission, Bogart and his team were called to the streets of Ramadi to disarm three IEDs. When Bogart was hit by shrapnel from an undetected bomb after disarming two of the three IEDs, he refused to allow medics to tend to him until he had finished the job.
"It was only after he had finished all the tasks that he allowed himself to be medevaced to safety," Gates said.
Today, the sergeant trains other explosive ordnance disposal Marines so they, too, can help prevent these weapons from harming their comrades.
While paying tribute to the Marines, Gates praised their family members who also serve their country in challenging circumstances.
He singled out Shannon Maxwell, who helped nurse her husband, Lt. Col. Tim Maxwell, to health after a mortar attack in October 2006 left him with severe injuries. In addition to helping her own husband, Shannon rallied other military wives and co-founded "Hope for the Warriors" to raise several hundred thousand dollars to help wounded troops' recovery.
"Marines and their families have sacrificed so much for the good of their fellow Americans," Gates said. "I will repeat here the solemn commitment I've made to Congress and the nation to make sure that those troops and their families get the care and support they have earned."
Gates closed by thanking Marines for their service. "Those wearing the eagle, globe and anchor on the front lines of freedom, including more than 25,000 currently in Iraq, deserve to know how much we appreciate their dedication, their service and their sacrifice," he said.
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 13, 2007 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates shared the Marine Corps' 232nd anniversary during the past weekend, praising the Corps' long tradition of service and sacrifice that continues on the front lines today. Speaking during a Marine Corps birthday ball at a Washington hotel on Nov. 10, the secretary said he felt honored to be among patriots and their families who have answered the nation's call in a time of war.
Gates noted that more than 206,000 Marines have deployed since Sept. 11, 2001, to fight in the war on terror. With just 226,000 in the Corps' entire active and reserve force, just a tenth of all U.S. military members, operating with less than 5 percent of the Defense Department's annual budget, Gates called that contribution "punching above your weight -- as Marines have always done."
In addition, he noted that more than 800 Marines have made the ultimate sacrifice.
As America fights a global insurgency fueled by radical extremists, Gates said, it relies on the special qualities and heritage the Marine Corps brings to the fight. "In recent years, the skill and sacrifice of Marines has reflected the complexity of the conflict and the threat posed by an enemy that lurks in the shadows," he said.
The Marines have long been a "two-fisted force," he said, "capable of applying raw courage and combat power to win the big battles" during World War II, Vietnam and, most recently, in Iraq.
At the same time, they've exhibited the "savvy and resourcefulness to succeed at irregular campaigns" from the so-called banana wars in the Caribbean at the turn of the 20th century to the combined-actions platoons in Vietnam during the 1960s and 1970s to the work being conducted with tribes in Iraq's Anbar province today.
"It's been this way from the earliest years of the republic, starting with the fight against the Barbary pirates, arguably America's first 'war on terror,'" the secretary said.
Gates praised the tenacity of Marines serving in Iraq today. He singled out the example of Staff Sgt. Daniel Bogart, who singlehandedly disarmed 65 improvised explosive devices during 170 combat missions in Iraq and disposed of 11,000 pounds of unexploded ordnance. During an Oct. 30, 2004, mission, Bogart and his team were called to the streets of Ramadi to disarm three IEDs. When Bogart was hit by shrapnel from an undetected bomb after disarming two of the three IEDs, he refused to allow medics to tend to him until he had finished the job.
"It was only after he had finished all the tasks that he allowed himself to be medevaced to safety," Gates said.
Today, the sergeant trains other explosive ordnance disposal Marines so they, too, can help prevent these weapons from harming their comrades.
While paying tribute to the Marines, Gates praised their family members who also serve their country in challenging circumstances.
He singled out Shannon Maxwell, who helped nurse her husband, Lt. Col. Tim Maxwell, to health after a mortar attack in October 2006 left him with severe injuries. In addition to helping her own husband, Shannon rallied other military wives and co-founded "Hope for the Warriors" to raise several hundred thousand dollars to help wounded troops' recovery.
"Marines and their families have sacrificed so much for the good of their fellow Americans," Gates said. "I will repeat here the solemn commitment I've made to Congress and the nation to make sure that those troops and their families get the care and support they have earned."
Gates closed by thanking Marines for their service. "Those wearing the eagle, globe and anchor on the front lines of freedom, including more than 25,000 currently in Iraq, deserve to know how much we appreciate their dedication, their service and their sacrifice," he said.
Army's Health Assessment Working, Study Finds
By Sgt. Sara Moore, USA
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 13, 2007 - The system of post-deployment health screenings the Army has set up is working to identify mental health problems in soldiers returning from combat and reduce the stigma of seeking mental health care, a study that will be published tomorrow found. The report, titled "Longitudinal assessment of mental health problems among active and reserve component soldiers returning from the Iraq war," which will be published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, looks at the first 88,000 soldiers who went through an initial post-deployment health screening and a second screening three to six months after they returned from combat.
The study found that the second screening, which was put in place after a preliminary Army study suggested that a group of soldiers' health problems were being missed with only one screening, is working to identify more health concerns and potential problems before they become worse, Army Col. Charles Milliken, with the division of psychiatry and neuroscience at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, said today in a conference call with veterans service organizations.
"What we're hoping to do with the screenings is to tackle mental health problems while they're still small and temporary," Milliken said. "When these problems get bigger and more complicated, they're much harder to treat, and it increases the likelihood that they will become a chronic, long-term problem. Through post-deployment screenings, we're attempting to catch problems early and intervene early."
In addition to the two health screenings, the Army also has instituted a program called "battle mind training," which allows soldiers who have recently deployed to interact with each other and learn about common problems faced by returning veterans, Milliken said. This study found that that training, in conjunction with the health screenings, is helping to reduce the stigma of seeking mental health care, he said. Not only do the screenings identify soldiers who need mental health care, but after going through the process, many soldiers are identifying their own problems and seeking help, he said.
Another important finding from the study was that, of soldiers who identified suffering from depression or post-traumatic stress disorder during the first health screening, more than half had improved by the time of the second screening, Milliken said. Many of these soldiers improved without treatment, he said, which shows that the training process itself is acting as an intervention for early mental health problems.
Overall, on both screenings, 20 percent of soldiers were referred for mental health treatment or were already under care at the time of the second screening, Milliken said. This rate is comparable to what the Department of Veterans Affairs reports about the rate of mental health diagnoses for recent combat veterans. Army leaders hope that by identifying these problems early, they can treat the soldiers before the problems progress, he said.
"We are proactively seeking to understand the human dimension of war and apply what we've learned in ways that improve the care that we're providing the soldiers," he said.
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 13, 2007 - The system of post-deployment health screenings the Army has set up is working to identify mental health problems in soldiers returning from combat and reduce the stigma of seeking mental health care, a study that will be published tomorrow found. The report, titled "Longitudinal assessment of mental health problems among active and reserve component soldiers returning from the Iraq war," which will be published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, looks at the first 88,000 soldiers who went through an initial post-deployment health screening and a second screening three to six months after they returned from combat.
The study found that the second screening, which was put in place after a preliminary Army study suggested that a group of soldiers' health problems were being missed with only one screening, is working to identify more health concerns and potential problems before they become worse, Army Col. Charles Milliken, with the division of psychiatry and neuroscience at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, said today in a conference call with veterans service organizations.
"What we're hoping to do with the screenings is to tackle mental health problems while they're still small and temporary," Milliken said. "When these problems get bigger and more complicated, they're much harder to treat, and it increases the likelihood that they will become a chronic, long-term problem. Through post-deployment screenings, we're attempting to catch problems early and intervene early."
In addition to the two health screenings, the Army also has instituted a program called "battle mind training," which allows soldiers who have recently deployed to interact with each other and learn about common problems faced by returning veterans, Milliken said. This study found that that training, in conjunction with the health screenings, is helping to reduce the stigma of seeking mental health care, he said. Not only do the screenings identify soldiers who need mental health care, but after going through the process, many soldiers are identifying their own problems and seeking help, he said.
Another important finding from the study was that, of soldiers who identified suffering from depression or post-traumatic stress disorder during the first health screening, more than half had improved by the time of the second screening, Milliken said. Many of these soldiers improved without treatment, he said, which shows that the training process itself is acting as an intervention for early mental health problems.
Overall, on both screenings, 20 percent of soldiers were referred for mental health treatment or were already under care at the time of the second screening, Milliken said. This rate is comparable to what the Department of Veterans Affairs reports about the rate of mental health diagnoses for recent combat veterans. Army leaders hope that by identifying these problems early, they can treat the soldiers before the problems progress, he said.
"We are proactively seeking to understand the human dimension of war and apply what we've learned in ways that improve the care that we're providing the soldiers," he said.
Host-Nation Dentists Provide Care to Overseas Families
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 13, 2007 - Tricare, the military's health maintenance organization, has enlisted host-nation dentists to provide dental care for overseas-based military family members, a senior military officer said. The recently enacted initiative was launched as the result of survey responses from Tricare-served military families living abroad, according to Air Force Col. (Dr.) Gary C. Martin, director of the Tricare Management Activity's dental care division.
Before the change, overseas-posted military families furnished the upfront dental costs if treated by off-post host-nation dentists in places like Germany or Korea, Martin said.
Surveys indicated that many junior-enlisted families living overseas couldn't afford to pay a $400 or $500 dental bill while waiting for their Tricare Dental Program reimbursement payment to arrive, Martin said.
Tricare has signed agreements with about 45 host-nation dentists located mostly in Germany, where the need seemed greatest, Martin, a military dentist himself, explained.
In a related development, Tricare dental program enrollees who reside overseas will need to be command-sponsored as of Dec. 3 to receive overseas Tricare dental program cost-share benefits, according to a Tricare Management Activity news release. If not command sponsored, overseas enrollees will be responsible for the same cost-shares as beneficiaries living in the United States.
The change was made to align with other Tricare programs and Defense-Department Tricare policy, according to the release.
Military family members living overseas can obtain a listing of the Tricare-preferred dentists from their local military medical clinic or hospital, Martin said, or by accessing Tricare's dental Web site at www.tricaredentalprogram.com.
"We want to make sure that we take care of the health of our beneficiaries. That's our No. 1 goal," Martin said. "And, anything that we can do to enhance that, we certainly want to do it."
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 13, 2007 - Tricare, the military's health maintenance organization, has enlisted host-nation dentists to provide dental care for overseas-based military family members, a senior military officer said. The recently enacted initiative was launched as the result of survey responses from Tricare-served military families living abroad, according to Air Force Col. (Dr.) Gary C. Martin, director of the Tricare Management Activity's dental care division.
Before the change, overseas-posted military families furnished the upfront dental costs if treated by off-post host-nation dentists in places like Germany or Korea, Martin said.
Surveys indicated that many junior-enlisted families living overseas couldn't afford to pay a $400 or $500 dental bill while waiting for their Tricare Dental Program reimbursement payment to arrive, Martin said.
Tricare has signed agreements with about 45 host-nation dentists located mostly in Germany, where the need seemed greatest, Martin, a military dentist himself, explained.
In a related development, Tricare dental program enrollees who reside overseas will need to be command-sponsored as of Dec. 3 to receive overseas Tricare dental program cost-share benefits, according to a Tricare Management Activity news release. If not command sponsored, overseas enrollees will be responsible for the same cost-shares as beneficiaries living in the United States.
The change was made to align with other Tricare programs and Defense-Department Tricare policy, according to the release.
Military family members living overseas can obtain a listing of the Tricare-preferred dentists from their local military medical clinic or hospital, Martin said, or by accessing Tricare's dental Web site at www.tricaredentalprogram.com.
"We want to make sure that we take care of the health of our beneficiaries. That's our No. 1 goal," Martin said. "And, anything that we can do to enhance that, we certainly want to do it."
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