2010 DACOWITS Committee Members Announced

The Department of Defense announced today selection of the new chairwoman and nine appointees to the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS).

The Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services has provided invaluable insight into the issues facing women in the military services," said Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Clifford Stanley. "Their work is vital to development of informed department policy."

Previously comprised of 15 members, the 2010 charter authorizes a total of 35 committee members. "This committee will be more robust to better address emerging and existing issues concerning our women in uniform, and Secretary Gates and I look forward to their continued efforts in this important endeavor," said Stanley.

The committee, established in 1951 during the Korean War by Secretary of Defense George C. Marshall, is an independent advisory committee that provides the department with advice and recommendations on matters and policies relating to the recruitment and retention, treatment, employment, integration, and well-being of highly qualified professional women in the armed forces.

"The department has made great progress in recognizing the contributions and concerns of women in military service. However, there is still work to be done," said Stanley. "The face and capability of our military has changed greatly, not just since the creation of DACOWITS almost 60 years ago, but in the last 10 years. I am thankful for the service of these new committee members and the wise counsel they will provide me and the secretary, to continue to identify and enhance the service of our female service members and as a result, our total force."

The initial incoming members are as follows; additional committee members will be appointed as approved:

• Retired Army Lt. Gen. Claudia J. Kennedy, Hilton Head Island, S.C. (chairwoman)
• Retired Army Reserve Col. Margarethe Cammermeyer, Langley, Wash.
• Nancy D. Campbell, Washington, D.C.
• Retired Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Julia J. Cleckley, Springfield, Va.
• Ruby DeMesme, Oakton, Va.
• Retired Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada, Orlando, Fla.
• Deborah L. James, Mount Pleasant, S.C.
• Retired Army Brig. Gen. Maureen K. LeBoeuf, Cary, N.C.
• Retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Roberta Santiago, Castro Valley, Calif.
• Retired Marine Corps Col. Felipe "Phil" Torres, Helotes, Texas

DACOWITS members include prominent civilian women and men representing a distribution of demography, academia, industry, public service and other professions. Selection is on the basis of experience in the military, or with women's-related workforce issues.

Members are selected for a three-year term, without compensation, to perform a variety of duties including visiting military installations each year, conducting a review and evaluation of current research on military women, and developing an annual report with recommendations on these issues to service leadership and the secretary of defense.

More information about DACOWITS, including the newly-revised charter, can be found at http://dacowits.defense.gov .