MILITARY CONTRACTS July 31, 2009

ARMY
Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., was awarded on Jul. 31, 2009 a $1,063,700,000 firm-fixed-price for 1,700 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATV's), Field Service Representative Support, and associated parts support packages to include Authorized Stockage Lists (ASL), Prescribed Load List (PLL), Reprocessing Spares, Battle Damage Repair parts (BDR) and Basic Issue Items (BII). Work is to be performed in McConnellsburg, Pa., with an estimated completion date of Jul. 31, 2010. U.S. Army TACOM LCMC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-D-0111).

NAVY
Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., is being awarded a $1,064,463,100 firm-fixed-priced delivery order #0002 modification 02 under previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract W56HZV-09-D-0111 to exercise an option for 1,700 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATVs), Field Service Representative Support, and associated parts support packages to include Authorized Stockage Lists (ASL), Prescribed Load Lists (PLL), Deprocessing Spares, Battle Damage Repair parts (BDR) and Basic Issue Items (BII). Vehicles and parts support packages will be fielded to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Field Service Representatives will be providing support in Kuwait and Afghanistan. This order is for Marine Corps, Army, Special Operations Command and some test vehicles. Work will be performed in McConnellsburg, Pa., and work is expected to be completed by Jul. 31, 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $15,000,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The US Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity.

AMEC-Nan Joint Venture, LLC, Honolulu, Hawaii, (N62742-09-D-1171); dck/TtEC, LLC, Honolulu, Hawaii (N62742-09-D-1172); Environmental Chemical Corp., Burlingame, Calif., (N62742-09-D-1173); and URS Group, Inc., San Antonio, Texas (N62742-09-D-1174), are being awarded a cost reimbursement and firm-fixed price with award fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award construction contract for construction projects at DOD installations worldwide. The work to be performed provides for new construction, repair, and renovation projects at various DOD installations worldwide. Types of projects include, but are not limited to: new construction, repair, demolition, and renovation including utilities and waterfront work, and construction of medical facilities (hospitals, medical clinics, and/or dental clinics). Work may also include energy and water conservation projects. The maximum dollar value for all four contracts combined is $900,000,000. Work will be performed at various DOD installations worldwide, and work is expected to be completed July 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online with 10 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity.

Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding Inc., Newport News, Va., is being awarded a $49,940,340 modification to previously awarded contract (N62793-03-G-0001) for modernization, ship alterations, repairs, maintenance, and deferred work on board the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during the Post Shakedown Availability (PSA)/Selected Restricted Availability (SRA). Work will be performed in Newport News, Va., and is expected to be completed by December 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $30,726,718 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Newport News, Va., is the contracting activity.

Mid Eastern Builders, Inc., Chesapeake, Va., is being awarded a $36,371,486 firm-fixed-price contract for replacement of fuel storage tanks at Craney Island Fuel Terminal. The work to be performed provides for the demolition of nineteen aged bulk storage tanks and the construction of six new tanks. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, Va., and is expected to be completed by August 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with six proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-09-C-5037).

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $21,317,709 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for engineering services in support of the AN/BYG-1 Tactical Control System. The 228,000 engineering service hours will be used to migrate the AN/BYG-1 Tactical Control System from a Technology Insertion (TI-08) baseline to a TI-10 baseline and integrate Advanced Processing Build (APB-09) and deliver this capability to multiple variants to be delivered to multiple submarine platforms. Work will be performed in Fairfax, Va., (58.6 percent); Middleton, R.I., (26 percent); Fairfax Station, Va., (4 percent); San Diego, Calif., (3.4 percent); Hampton, Va., (2.2 percent); McLean, Va., (1.8 percent); Shoreview, Minn. (1.3 percent); Brigham City, Utah (1 percent); Manassas, Va. (1 percent); Greensboro, N.C. (.5 percent); Arlington, Va. (.1 percent); Breaverton, Ore. (.1 percent), and is expected to be completed by July 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with three proposals solicited and three offers received via the Federal Business Opportunities. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-09-C-6250).

Clayco, Inc., Livonia, Mich., is being awarded a $19,475,000 firm-fixed price contract for design and construction of two dining facilities at Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune. The contract also contains two unexercised options, which if exercised would increase cumulative contract value to $22,076,412. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, N.C., and is expected to be completed by April 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with six proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-09-C-3210).

Complex Solutions, Inc., Kailua, Hawaii, is being awarded an $18,511,475 time and materials, indefinite-delivery modification to previously awarded contract (N00244-07-D-0035) to exercise option year two for technical and educational support services to the Naval Postgraduate School's Center for Civil Military Relations education and training program. Work will be performed at Monterey, Calif., (6 percent); Kailua, Hawaii or Huntsville, Ala., (4 percent); Army posts around the United States (17 percent); and various locations outside the continental United States (73 percent), and work is expected to be completed by July 2010. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This announcement includes efforts for the Governments of Austria, Egypt and Singapore (less than 1 percent each) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. This contract was awarded competitively through Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with two offers received. The Fleet and Industrial Supply Center San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.

General Microwave, D/B/A Herley Farmingdale, Farmingdale, N.Y., is being awarded a $16,610,728 firm-fixed-price, time and material, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for 450 Radio Frequency (RF) Module units including engineering, technical and repair support services for the U.S Navy, Air Force, and Army. Work will be performed in Jerusalem, Israel, and is expected to be completed in July 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured through an electronic request for proposals and two offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., is the contracting activity (N68936-09-D-0046).

Space Ground Systems Solutions, Inc., Melbourne, Fla., is being awarded a $10,929,037 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Spacecraft Engineering, Software Research, Development and Support for design, development, test, launch and mission operations of Department of Defense assets. This is a new requirement for highly-skilled personnel to support the Navy space programs development, enhancement, testing and configuration management of a collection of software, which is constantly being enhanced to provide state of the art solutions to space applications. This contract contains options, which if exercised, will bring the total cumulative value of the contract to $57,978,456. Work will be performed at the Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C., and is expected to be completed July 2010 (July 2014 with options exercised). Contract funds in the amount of $152,500 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under Request for Proposal (N000173-08-R-SER02), with two offer received. The Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00173-09-C-6001).

Group W Inc.,* Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $10,747,352 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the procurement of analytical support services for the Combined Forces Command (CFC) and United States Forces Korea (USFK) Operations Analysis Branch/CJ35 Plans Division. This analytical support covers a wide range of analytical, data development, post-processor, joint interface, and collaborative analysis and exercise/war gaming support requirements for the Commander, CFC/USFK. Work will be performed in Korea, and is expected to be completed by July 2014. Contract funds in the amount of $1,209,562 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online and Federal Business Opportunities websites, with three proposals solicited and three offers. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head, Md., is the contracting activity (N00174-09-C-0028).

AMEC-Nan Joint Venture, LLC, Honolulu, Hawaii, is being awarded a $9,643,900 firm-fixed-price award fee task order #0001 under a previously awarded Global Multiple-Award Construction contract (N62742-09-D-1171) for a Child Development Center located at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Work will be performed in Kaneohe, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by January 2010. The funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This task order was competitively procured with ten proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62742-09-D-1171).

Lockheed Martin, Maritime Systems & Sensors, Moorestown, N.J., is being awarded an $8,132,702 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-5101) for updated Aegis computer program maintenance effort in support of the Norwegian Fridtjof Nansen (F310) Class Frigates. This contract provides a limited in-service support program for the Norwegian New Frigate (NNF) SPY-1F derived Aegis Weapon System (NF-AWS) computer program procured under NAVSEA Contract N00024-00-C-5147. This contract will assist Norway in the maintenance of its NF-AWS which recently underwent a successful Aegis Combat System Ship Qualification Trial. Work will be performed in Moorestown, N.J., and is expected to be completed by December 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Pioneer Contracting Co., Ltd.*, Wahiawa, Hawaii, is being awarded $7,324,060 for firm-fixed-price task order #0002 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62478-08-D-4011) for construction to repair and renovate Building 503 at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Work to provide for the replacement of deteriorated windows with metal framed anti-terrorism force protection compliant windows; re-roofing of the building; upgrading the existing fire alarm systems; providing a fire suppression system; exterior repairs to include replacing exterior doors; exterior painting; interior repairs to include replacement of floor coverings and ceilings at common areas; painting; replacement of bathroom and toilet fixtures; and proper fire exiting configuration at the stairs and corridors to comply with life/safety codes. Work will be performed in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by April 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Hawaii, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity. The work to be performed provides for all design, construction to repair and renovate Building 503 at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Work to provide for the replacement of deteriorated windows with metal framed anti-terrorism force protection compliant windows; re-roofing of the building; upgrading the existing fire alarm systems; providing a fire suppression system; exterior repairs to include replacing exterior doors; exterior painting; interior repairs to include replacement of floor coverings and ceilings at common areas; painting; replacement of bathroom and toilet fixtures; and proper fire exiting configuration at the stairs and corridors to comply with life/safety codes.

Northrop Grumman Technical Services Sector, Herndon, Va., is being awarded a $7,007,705 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price contract (N00421-08-C-0065) to exercise an option for approximately 89,886 hours of engineering and logistics services in support of E-2C, C-2A test and E-2D System Design and Development (SDD) aircraft located at the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron TWO ZERO (VX-20), Patuxent River, Md. Services to be provided include modification and preparation of the aircraft for test operations, correction of safety of flight discrepancies, quality control inspections, engineering investigations, and logistics and parts support. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md., and is expected to be completed in July 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Universal Sodexho, Tacoma, Wash., is being awarded a maximum $180,000,000 fixed-price with economic price adjustment, indefinite- delivery and indefinite-quantity, maintenance, repair, and operations prime vendor contract. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Federal Civilian Agencies. The proposal was originally Web solicited with four responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the third option year period. The date of performance completion is July 31, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM500-05-D-BP07).

Valero Marketing & Supply Co., San Antonio, Texas is being awarded a maximum $28,598,990 fixed-price with economic price adjustment, indefinite-delivery and indefinite-quantity contract for fuel. Other location of performance is in Corpus Christi, Texas. Using service is Foreign Military Sales, Israel. The proposal was originally Web solicited with three responses. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is October 31, 2009. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-08-D-0454).

Science Applications International Corp., Fairfield, N.J., is being awarded a maximum $26,818,289 firm-fixed price, sole source contract for axle assembly parts. Other locations of performance are in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Using service is Marine Corps. The proposal was originally Web solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is June 28, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency, Warren (DSCC-ZG), Warren, Mich., (SPRDL1-09-C-0126).

Woodward HRT, Inc., Valencia, Calif., is being awarded a maximum $15,328,968 firm fixed price, sole source, requirements type contract for parts. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy and Air Force. The proposal was originally DIBBS solicited with one response. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract contains a one year base with four one-year option periods. The date of performance completion is August 3, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR), Richmond, Va., (SPM4A2-09-D-0029).

AIR FORCE
McDonnell Douglass Corp., Long Beach, Calif., was awarded a $64,400,000 modified contract to the C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership contract to incorporate the sustainment support for two Qatar Emiri Air Force C-17 aircraft for FY09-11. At this time, $6,678,700 has been obligated. MSWE/516 AESG/PK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8614-04-V-2004).

Boeing Co., Wichita, Kansas, was awarded a $70,592,076 modified contract to provide for new communication and data management updates to the B-52H Air Frame. At this time, $4,372,000 has been obligated. 651 AESS/SYK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8107-05-C-0001 P00037).

Lockheed Martin Corp., Space Systems Co., Sunnyvale, Calif., was awarded a $20,000,000 modified contract for the Advanced Extremely High Frequency Satellite and will study the technology necessary to potentially support future enhancements to the AEHF system. At this time, no funding has been obligated. Air Force Space & Missile Systems Center, Military Satellite Communications Systems Wing, El Segundo, Calif., is the contracting activity (F04701-02-C-0002).

Honeywell International, Inc., Defense & Space Electronic Systems, Clearwater, Fla., was award a $9,744,953 modified contract for 126 Embedded GPS/Inertial Navigation System Production Units for the U.S. Army CH47F, P31 EGI +429 SAASM and AH64. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 647 AESS/PK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (F8626-06-C-2065).

Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio, was awarded a $8,757,992 modified contract to conduct in vitro screening studies to identify active chemicals and select active candidates for efficacy and nonclinical safety testing. At this time, $465,394 has been obligated. 55 Contracting Squadron, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-00-D-3180).

Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio was awarded a $8,741,664 modified contract to conduct analyses to support continued research and development of oximes intended for replacement of 2-PAM. At this time, $579,710 has been obligated. 55 Contracting Squadron, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-00-D-3180).

Northrop-Grumman Space and Mission Systems, Clearfield, Utah, was awarded a $7,930,219 modified contract to provide Minuteman Enhancement Reliability Accelerometer engineering and feasibility study. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 526th ICBMSG/PKE, Hill Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (F42610-98-C-0001).

Navy Task Force Assesses Changing Climate

By Bob Freeman
Special to American Forces Press Service

July 31, 2009 - Rapidly diminishing sea ice, melting glaciers, rising sea levels, increased storm severity -- all are possible consequences of a climate that mounting evidence suggests is changing significantly. As the scientific community works to understand the changing climate, the chief of naval operations has created a task force, headed by Rear Adm. David Titley, the Navy's senior oceanographer, to better understand and evaluate its implications for maritime security.

"Task Force Climate Change was initiated ... to assess the Navy's preparedness to respond to emerging requirements, and to develop a science-based timeline for future Navy actions regarding climate change," Titley explained in a July 28 interview on Pentagon Web Radio's audio webcast "Armed with Science: Research and Applications for the Modern Military."

"Because the Arctic is changing faster than any other place on the planet, our first deliverable will be a strategic roadmap proposing actions for the Navy regarding the Arctic region," Titley said.

This may include an assessment of how maritime strategy applies to the Arctic region, potential improvements in infrastructure, and recommended investments in force structure and capabilities to prepare for the challenges presented by the changing climate, he explained.

Titley was interviewed while staying in Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost city in the United States, located 350 miles north of the Arctic Circle, where he was joining Rear Adm. Nevin Carr, chief of naval research, for a visit to the Coast Guard Cutter Healy, an icebreaker supporting scientific research in the Arctic Ocean. The visit was intended to observe retrieval of several bottom-moored buoy sensors funded by the Office of Naval Research.

"Observations from these buoys will give us a better science-based and fact-based understanding of what is going on in the Arctic," Titley explained.

Global climate change may present many challenges to national security, Titley said. Rising sea levels from the melting of glacial and sea ice are of specific interest to the Navy due to the coastal location of many of its bases. "We need to understand what it will take to protect these valuable investments," he said.

Increasing ocean temperatures may compound the problem. "As the ocean temperature warms, thermal expansion may be a significant ... and under-estimated component of sea level rise," Titley commented.

"We are also very interested in the distribution of extreme weather events," Titley said, explaining that while the mean global temperature may be rising, some regions may experience extreme heating while others are seeing colder-than-normal temperatures.

Titley explained that changing ocean currents and precipitation patterns may produce regional droughts and floods that could have severe consequences for stressed and poor populations, who have the least ability to adapt to a quickly changing environment. "This could result in an increased potential for large-scale humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts," he noted.

The Arctic already is experiencing dramatic changes. "Since satellite observations began in 1979, we have seen a 40 percent decrease in perennial, or multiyear, sea ice," Titley said. This decline in sea ice, he added, is opening up the Arctic for more human activity, including resource exploration and ecotourism in the near term, and the potential for increased commercial shipping and fishing in the decades to come.

"As the climate changes and the sea lanes start to open, the United States Navy has a role to play in maritime security, working with our Coast Guard and international partners to ensure the sea lanes remain open and navigation is free for all," Titley said.

Titley discussed the intricate dynamics of ocean currents influencing the changes that are occurring in the Arctic. "The more I learn about the complex Arctic environment," he said, "the more I realize that we still have significant aspects of the basic oceanography to understand before we are going to be able to accurately forecast and model these interactions."

The Navy has a long history of polar operations, Titley noted, and the earliest indications of decreasing ice thickness were reported by Navy submarines in the 1990s. Since then, he added, the Navy has funded various scientific studies there in collaboration with other federal agencies and numerous partners in the world of academia and research.

Titley pointed out that another example of collaboration is the National Ice Center, a joint operation among the Navy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Coast Guard. The center charts sea ice worldwide for safety of navigation and operations, and their measurements have been crucial to quantifying the changes that are occurring in the Arctic, he said.

Titley said the Navy has many assets that can assist in understanding the changing climate. From a wide array of data-gathering sensors and platforms to super-computing facilities that process the data and create predictions, Navy assets continuously work to provide comprehensive knowledge of the physical environment.

"The naval oceanography program exists to provide environmental information to the operating fleet, allowing it to operate more safely and effectively," Titley said.

"I like to say that we are operating in nature's casino; I intend to count the cards," he quipped.

(Bob Freeman works in the Office of the Oceanographer of the Navy.)

GI Bill Transferability Set to Begin

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service

July 31, 2009 - With the Post-9/11 GI Bill's option to transfer unused educational benefits to eligible family members taking effect tomorrow, it's no surprise that more than 25,000 servicemembers have pre-applied, a Pentagon official said today. The wave of applicants has far exceeded the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments' expectations, said Bob Clark, the Pentagon's assistant director for accessions policy.

What's even more impressive is that the Defense Department's Web site for requesting the benefit has been live only since June 29, he added.

"We've seen, roughly, a thousand applications a day for the past week or so, and we expect that to continue," Clark said. "Transferability of these educational benefits has been one of the most requested provisions by family support groups, family advocacy groups and the troops out in the field and fleet, and we're just happy that it starts on the first of August."

The site, https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/TEB/, is accessible using a common access card, Defense Department self-service user identification or a Defense Finance and Accounting Service personal identification number. Spouses and family members must be enrolled under their servicemember sponsor in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System, also known as DEERS, to be eligible for the transfer benefit. Military members also can link to the site through http://www.defenselink.mil/gibill.

With the Post-9/11 GI Bill, servicemembers are eligible for 36 months of educational benefits -- the equivalent of four nine-month academic years. To qualify for the transfer benefit, servicemembers must have six years of service on active duty or in the Selected Reserve on or after Aug. 1 and commit to an additional four years of service.

Servicemembers have the option to use or transfer as much of their benefits as they want to, and they can revoke or redesignate who receives the benefit at any time, Clark said.

He added that servicemembers can add and change names only while on active duty, and not after separating or retiring from active-duty service.

The unused benefits can be transferred to a spouse, two children or any combination, he said. But children cannot start using the benefit until they're 18 or have a high school diploma or equivalent. Clark noted that children enrolled in DEERS lose their military benefits at age 21 unless they are full-time students.

Only eligible dependents' names will appear on the registration Web site, he explained. Once servicemembers register on the site and designate who the benefits will be transferred to, the application will be processed through their appropriate service branch.

After the service verifies eligibility to transfer the benefits, the application will be forwarded and processed again through VA. And finally, when the selected dependent decides to use the benefit, he or she must go to the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site and fill out an online application to request a certificate of eligibility, Clark said.

The certificate then can be taken to the school to be processed by its Veterans Affairs representative and used to request tuition, payment for books and the living stipend, which varies by institution and location, he continued.

Of the 25,000 who've already applied, more than 15,000 have been approved, and of those, 5,500 dependents already have requested certificates to start their education.

"It has been a very fast, long run-up to the first of August, which is upon us. I see this as a wonderful opportunity for our veterans, our servicemembers, in particular, the families of our career members to give them the opportunity to further their education and reach their dreams," Clark said.

Most servicemembers who have at least six years of military service as of Aug. 1 and agree to serve an additional four years qualify, he said. Department officials have proposed measures to support servicemembers who have at least 10 years of active service but can't serve the additional four because of service or department policy. They would, however, have to serve the maximum time allowed before separating from the military, he said.

Another provision will cover servicemembers who will reach the 20-year service mark, making them retirement-eligible, between Aug. 1, 2009, and Aug. 1, 2013.

Clark explained how servicemembers who complete 20 years of service will be able to transfer the benefits:

-- Those eligible for retirement on Aug. 1, 2009, will be eligible to transfer their benefits with no additional service requirement.

-- Those with an approved retirement date after Aug. 1, 2009, and before July 1, 2010, will qualify with no additional service.

-- Those eligible for retirement after Aug. 1, 2009, but before Aug. 1, 2010, will qualify with one additional year of service after approval to transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.

-- Those eligible for retirement between Aug. 1, 2010, and July 31, 2011, will qualify with two additional years of service after approval to transfer.

-- Those eligible to retire between Aug. 1, 2011, and July 31, 2012, will qualify with three additional years of service after approval to transfer.

Principles, Innovation Reveal Marines' Success, Petraeus Says

By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

July 31, 2009 - The secret to the U.S. Marine Corps' success is a blending of bedrock principles with innovation, the commander of U.S. Central Command said here last night. Using two examples from recent history -- the heroism of the last Marine Medal of Honor recipient and the turnaround in Iraq's Anbar province, -- Army Gen. David H. Petraeus shared his view at an event hosted by the Marine Association Foundation.

"On the one hand, Marines display a stalwart resistance to change in those bedrock values that form the very foundation of what it means to be Marine," he said. "On the other hand, Marines demonstrate a ready embrace of innovation that allows them to adapt to the environments in which they operate and to the enemies they face."

Some of those timeless, unchanging truths that describe the Marine Corps include an unflinching devotion to one's fellow Marines, a ready embrace of hardship and a universal emphasis on the skills and the spirit of the rifleman, he said.

Petraeus said these underlying principles are illustrated in the story of Marine Corps Cpl. Jason Dunham. In 2004, the 22-year-old Marine was killed in action in Karabilah, Iraq, when he used his body to cover a grenade and shield his fellow Marines from the ensuing blast.

Dunham became the 295th Marine to receive the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration, which is bestowed for gallantry in action. The Navy will christen a ship named in the fallen Marine's honor -- the USS Jason Dunham -- next week during a ceremony at Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine.

Petraeus said the Marines' actions in Anbar province illustrate their ability to adapt their strategy to meet unique challenges.

In 2006, Anbar province was one of Iraq's most contentious regions. It was a society that had collapsed under the weight of an endemic insurgency with an infrastructure dilapidated by years of infighting and neglect. But amid the surge of U.S. forces in 2007, al-Qaida operatives overplayed their hands in Anbar, alienating local residents. Meanwhile, the influx of U.S. Marines helped to tamp down violence and create political breathing room, which in turn allowed the forging of key alliances between local tribal sheiks and coalition operators.

"As a result, sheiks started coming forward to coalition forces to discuss an alliance to throw off al-Qaida," Petraeus said. "And this was the opening we needed."

The "Anbar Awakening," a societal purging of extremism by Anbaris, and formation of a civilian security group known as "Sons of Iraq" ushered in a level of stability unprecedented since U.S. operations in Iraq began.

"It is not an exaggeration to say that the Anbar Awakening helped alter the course of events in Iraq," Petraeus said. "And I believe that generations from now, historians will continue to view it as a great example of the principled application of long-standing counterinsurgency principles."