Officials Describe Plans to Integrate Women into Combat Roles

By Terri Moon Cronk DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, February 2, 2016 — Senior Army, Navy and Marine Corps officials outlined plans to integrate women into combat roles before the Senate Armed Forces Committee today, and agreed incorporating women into combat ranks is the right path for the future.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, Acting Secretary of the Army Patrick J. Murphy, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert B. Neller updated committee members on the services’ integration efforts.

Marine Corps leadership has “thoughtful and deliberate plans” to execute the transition effectively, Mabus said, adding the 231 female Marines who successfully completed the ground combat arms military occupational specialty training can immediately switch to those previously closed jobs.

The secretary said because the integration process includes training and education evaluation at every level from recruits to the highest levels of leadership, implementing that policy was a priority.

And while “suggestions” have been made to lower standards for female Marines to meet quotas, Mabus emphasized it’s “an unacceptable notion” for every Marine, especially those women who choose to compete for those positions.

“It's unacceptable under the law, to me, [and] to every other senior leader in the Pentagon because it would endanger not only the safety of Marines, but the safety of our nation,” he said.

“Standards can never be lowered for any group or any job. Standards will evolve as threats evolve, but they will evolve for everyone equally,” Mabus said.

The Marine Corps also is ceasing its tradition as the only service branch that separates men and women in boot camp, he added.

Smaller Army Needs Maximizing

“As our Army gets smaller, our success increasingly depends upon our ability to maximize the contributions of every volunteer that fills our ranks,” Murphy said. “A soldier's ability to meet established standards that contribute to our success will remain our overriding factor moving forward.”

And to take advantage of America's diverse and deep talents, the Army began its integration efforts several years ago, leading to three primary conclusions, he said:

-- Every soldier will have the opportunity to compete for every position to include infantry, armor and Special Forces;

-- The Army’s high individual standards performance and professional conduct will continue to be based on requirements of the position and nothing else; and

-- Enforcing the standards fairly and objectively will remain the guiding principle for mission success.

Murphy said he’s confident that integrating women into combat roles, while underpinned by strong leadership, will increase Army readiness.

“We will continue to monitor and report the lessons we learn so the Army can collectively integrate the force and share our experiences,” he said.

Murphy added, “The Army is prepared to act and benefit from integration -- now.”

No Quotas, No Pressure

Fully integrating women into the Army will “maintain, sustain or improve” overall readiness, Milley said.

To be successful in this endeavor, he said, the Army must “maintain and enforce rigorous combat readiness standards, remain a merit-based results-oriented organization and apply no quotas and no pressure.”

To do so, the Army will put in place a “very deliberate methodical and transparent process,” Milley said.

Milley called the Army’s methodical approach to gender-neutral training for all Army officers, noncommissioned officers and junior enlisted members the leadership’s first principle to ensure success.

“Female cadets and officer candidates who meet the gender-neutral standard will be given the opportunity to request either infantry or armor branches” by spring, he said, adding that every active-duty infantry, armor and field artillery battalion today already has women soldiers.

“It is my professional judgement that some women can perform every single job in the United States Army to include infantry, armor and special forces,” Milley said. “Army leaders will continue to assess [integration] and we will adjust the process [so] our standards in combat readiness are maintained. You, the committee, have my word on this.”

Corps’ Integration ‘Responsible’

When Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Dec. 3, 2015 opened all military occupations and positions to women, including combat roles, the Marines Corps began integrating all qualified Marines into previously closed MOSs in a well-planned responsible manner” based on Corps’ research, Neller said in his written statement submitted to the committee.

“We have already awarded additional MOSs to all Marines who earned it through primary MOS-producing schools,” he said, “and two female second lieutenants are now undergoing MOS training at the field artillery officer basic course.”

Marines who were awarded additional MOS qualifications also can now request formal reclassification for combat arms designation, he said.

“The Marine Corps is a learning organization,” Neller said in his written statement. “We will evaluate the success of our plan and inform in-stride adjustments throughout this ongoing process as we recruit, train, develop, deploy and retain the highest-quality force.”

Team Dover rolls out Unit Marshal Program

by Senior Airman William Johnson
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

2/3/2016 - DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- As Team Dover continues to deliver airlift cargo to warfighters downrange and humanitarian relief supplies across the world, it has taken additional security measures to ensure the safety of its own Airmen and their families here at home.

With the recent implementation of Eagle Shield, a combined initiative of selective arming programs, the Unit Marshal Program, or UMP, has officially begun at Dover AFB, Delaware. The UMP is a unit commander's program where they select Airmen to carry an M9 pistol during the duty day within their work centers.

"The main purpose of this program is to enable a capable body and put a weapon in the building so that we have an armed individual on the inside in the event something does happen," said Staff Sgt. John Broughal, 436th Security Forces Squadron unit training manager. "The focus of these marshals is to lockdown, secure and save as many lives as possible."

The 436th SFS trained and educated unit commanders about the UMP and what benefits it could provide to their units. Once commanders agreed to participate in the program, they appointed a Marshal Program Monitor. The program monitor is in charge of notifying the base defense operations center of when and where unit marshals will be working within their unit, ensuring they are always accounted for. The program monitor is also in charge of notifying security forces if there are any changes in the Airman's ability to fulfil the obligations of a unit marshal. Then commanders selected mature and capable Airmen for the program. Finally, these selectees were vetted by the 436th SFS to look for any disqualifying factors.

Airmen from the 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 436th Medical Group were selected to participate in the first UMP training course. Training included use of force, weapon fundamentals, defensive shooting, active shooter response and actions on combat.

Once the unit marshals were qualified on the M9, they moved on to advance skills training on how to shoot with an elevated heart rate and a variety of different shooting positions. The unit marshals also conducted live fire training drills with simunition rounds in 'shoot' or 'don't shoot' scenarios and in a variety of active shooter and disgruntled worker exercises.

"The training was outstanding and the instructors did a great job," said Tech. Sgt. Matt Copley, 436th LRS fuels service center NCO in charge and unit marshal. "The classroom portion was great, you can hear it, you can see it and you can shoot your weapon. However, what we realized during the simunitions training is how real it was and the fact that you are actually being fired at. Sometimes the way you thought you were going to react wasn't the way you did once sim-rounds started moving down range."

The training was originally slated for 40 hours, but because a unit marshal's responsibilities are so vital, the training was extended to more than 60 hours.

"It's not because any one of them did something wrong, it's just that we gave them so much information, and we thought it would benefit them exponentially if we gave them three more working days of training," said Staff Sgt. Joshua Botto, 436th SFS trainer. "This ensures that we are arming qualified and knowledgeable people with a firearm."

Lt. Col. Dana Metzger, 436th SFS commander, and other senior security forces personnel observed each unit marshal's final training scenario before they could be certified as meeting the requirements for training. Metzger stressed that even though unit marshals are trained with the use of force and qualified on a M9, they are not trained as law enforcement officers and do not act as first responders, rather they play a defensive role in their work centers.

"We do not want the marshals to run towards danger, however we want them to protect themselves and protect their personnel." said Metzger. "They are not trained to be police officers that are going to go towards and eliminate the threat. However, if the threat presents itself and they can take that individual or threat out, then they are authorized to do so."

Much like security forces defenders, unit marshals will be required to attended quarterly training and stay qualified on the M9. Furthermore, Broughal and other security forces trainers will check in on unit marshals in their work centers at least once a month.

"At any given time, as trainers, we are going to go over to the marshals and do spot checks on them and see how they are functioning within their work centers," said Broughal. "We also want to see if their co-workers know what to do in a lock down or emergency situation."

Unit marshals will be easily identifiable within their units. They are required to wear a bright reflective sash that says, 'Security' while they are armed with their M9 sidearm. However, in the near future they will transition from the sash to arm brassards.

"Whenever they are armed up we want them to be highly visible to their people," said Metzger. "That way if there is an incident, those people know to run to the unit marshal and get behind him or her or get out of the building and listen to what they have instructed them to do."

The 436th SFS also wants the marshals to be highly visible because they are aware as the program rolls out, it might be a shock to some people to see Airmen who are not cops armed with a firearm on base.

"This is a whole different milestone and a new way of thinking, it's going to be a real eye opener," said Broughal. "It will definitely take time for other work centers to get use to and people might not be comfortable with it at first, but once they see the overall big picture and it gets pushed Air Force wide, I think they will become more accepting of the program and even like it."

Even though these Airmen are the first individuals to complete the training course and be certified as unit marshals at Dover AFB, other Air Force bases are already taking notice and asking for assistance with their own UMPs.

"We already have other bases asking for our training plans, lesson plans, after action reports and our lessons learned because they want to implement this program as well," said Metzger. "That's the great part about all of this. We are now helping other bases establish a program that I honestly think will save lives."

MQ-1B Predator accident report released

Release Number: 160101

2/3/2016 - Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA -- An abbreviated accident investigation board found that a remotely piloted MQ-1B Predator that was intentionally crashed into an uninhabited area of the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility on May 27, 2015, suffered an engine failure due to loss of coolant.

At the time of the accident, the aircraft was flying a classified combat support mission in the U.S. CENTCOM AOR.

The board president identified interference as a main factor that contributed to the mishap. According to the investigation report, the crew learned the engine was overheating and began running the associated checklist for addressing the problem. Simultaneously, the pilot in coordination with the mission commander, decided to return the aircraft to base so the checklist was not completed. This interference forestalled the sensor operator from manually turning on the cooling fan as per the checklist instructions.

The aircraft and crew were assigned to the 20th Reconnaissance Squadron, an associate unit at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., under the 432nd Wing at Creech AFB, Nev. The total loss to the U.S. Government is estimated at $2.8 million. There were no additional injuries or damages to other government or private property.

Face of Defense: Airman’s Effort Ensures Continuity for Cadet Honor Guard

By Air Force Tech. Sgt. Andria Allmond, 111th Attack Wing

HORSHAM AIR GUARD STATION, Pa., February 2, 2016 — Michael Leone, the Aerospace Education Officer for Civil Air Patrol Squadron 801 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, said he held back tears while writing an email to thank Air Force Tech. Sgt. Danielle Heidrick.

"I am absolutely speechless," Leone wrote in the email. "I don't even have the words to express my appreciation."

On Jan. 9, Leone and a handful of cadet CAP honor guard members visited 111th Attack Wing Honor Guard here to practice and talk to the Guardsmen. It was during this innocuous event that Leone mentioned troubling news to Heidrick, one of the wing's honor guard members.

"Mr. Leone told us that their unit was being moved to another location, and that location wouldn't be ready for at least six months or more," said Heidrick, who's primary duty is noncommissioned officer in charge of the 111th Force Support Squadron’s fitness assessment cell. "In the meantime, the unit would have to disband and find new ones to train with or not train at all. And I felt that was such a shame for a group of kids who were so passionate about what they do."

Leone expressed similar sentiments about disassembling his honor guard.

"This is personal to me," said Leone, a Navy veteran. "Keeping these kids together is like keeping a family together. And the thought of sending them to separate units or not training at all is heartbreaking."

A Unit in Distress

The CAP Squadron 801 Honor Guard practiced on the second floor of the Liberty Bell Museum located in Zion's United Church of Christ in Allentown. They also utilized local parking lots and open spaces to accommodate larger scale drill maneuvers.

Recently, Leone said, they learned their usual space was no longer available. When they identified an alternate place to practice, he said they were soon informed that it wouldn't be guaranteed for at least six to eight months.

"A few months is a long time for an honor guard to not practice," Leone said. "And that amount of time apart affects morale [and] esprit de corps. These kids worked too hard for us to stand by and let their honor guard be taken away from them."

"These cadets are the future of our military and I don't want us to fail them," he said. "So, I've been desperate to find someone to help us."

Answering the Call

While revealing the plight of his flight to Heidrick, Leone didn't realize that he was speaking to someone who would step up and answer his plea for help.

"My first thought while Mr. Leone was talking was that we have buildings on this base that are not being actively used," Heidrick said. "And we're here -- we're here for drill. So, why not open up a building to them and have them be in this environment with us."

Heidrick explaining that hosting the CAP cadets’ honor guard would not only give them the space they needed to perform their maneuvers, but also lend itself to interaction between Air National Guardsmen and the cadets. She stated that one available building has a classroom attached to provide the setting for the formal education CAP cadets also receive as part of the program.

According to Air Force Instruction 10-2701, Organization and Function of the Civil Air Patrol, the cadet program with the CAP is aimed at supporting the Air Force -- it states that Air Force installations and units are authorized to provide support for aerospace education of cadet members. The instruction also mentions supporting the CAP by introducing American youth to opportunities and careers in the Air Force.

Backed by the AFI, Heidrick said she also feels that she has a personal responsibility to assist the cadets.

"It became very apparent to me early on in my [military] career that what I'm supposed to do here in the Air Force is take care of people in one way or another," said Heidrick, a mother of four. "And I've always done that."

In the Works

In the past, Horsham AGS has hosted CAP members, both cadets and senior leaders, for various training events. Support agreements have been generated to forge a bond between Air National Guardsmen and the volunteer auxiliary of the Air Force.

Currently, Heidrick is drafting up a proposal to allow the CAP Squadron 801 Honor Guard to use the installation during regularly scheduled drills and work alongside their military counterparts. A cursory query into this allocation of assets gained enough positive support from 111th ATKW senior leadership for Heidrick to start the administrative process to make it official.

Leone expressed elation upon receiving news that Heidrick was drafting the paperwork to get his cadets what they needed to continue their mission.

"You have made an old sailor quite happy," Leone said about Heidrick in an email.

And again his emotion was shared by Heidrick, but on happier terms this time.

Upon reading his response, Heidrick smiled and stated, "Doesn't that make [helping someone in need] all worthwhile?"

For the love of dogs - MWDs help MOD worker through personal turmoil

by Gina Randall
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

2/2/2016 - RAF MILDENHALL, England -- For Ministry of Defence employee Deborah Black, 100th Security Forces Squadron kennel attendant, her passion for her job and the dogs she cares for each day motivated her to overcome the news she had developed a life-threatening illness.

"My world fell apart when I was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago and following extensive treatment, I returned to work. Being here has significantly helped me put that to the back of my mind and focus on getting on with my job," said Black. "It's been a big benefit in aiding my recovery, both physically and psychologically, as it has distracted me from dwelling on my health issues. The exercise and interaction with the dogs and people I work with has definitely played a big part in my recovery, together with the support of my family and friends. Three years later and I'm good. My most recent mammogram last month was all clear."

The exercise and outdoor lifestyle may have helped her mentally and physically, but it was a life-long passion that brought her to RAF Mildenhall nearly 15 years ago. A journey began that would allow her to extend her family to the Service members she works with each day, both human and canine.

"I wanted to work here because I just love dogs," Black laughed. "I've always loved dogs. Prior to this job, I worked at a pet nutrition unit for a food company for seven years which is where I got most of the canine experience. Following redundancy from there, I saw this job advertised, came for an interview and was offered the position. I still had a passion to work with dogs and decided to take the job. And 15 years on I still love it."

No day at work is the same for Black and she knows the dogs better than anyone -- from the day they arrive on base as a young recruit, to the day their "do not pet" leash is hung up for good.

"This job is very unique in terms of working with dogs. I get to see these highly skilled dogs train and develop in their capabilities, improve and become very competent over the years," Black added. "I get to know the dogs' personalities and behaviors very well as I spend so much time with them daily from the time they arrive off the plane, to the day they retire years later."

It's the characters of the dogs that make Black's day brighter, even through her darkest times.

"The dogs definitely all have individual personalities, a real mish-mash of personalities," Black added with a smile. "To give you examples, Gina, she is really loving, quiet and kind. Oorion is a real macho man, 'look at me' kind of dog, with huge drive. Brock is like a grumpy old man (even though he is not very old) - after he's eaten his food, he lies on his bed and says 'I'm not getting up yet!' They all have their own endearing individual traits."

The dogs have a job to do, just like their handlers, but Black gets to spend time and energy caring for the four-legged warriors who serve their country.

"The dogs bring so much to my day, they make me feel happy and give unconditional love," Black reflected fondly. "You go in the kennels first thing in the morning and they are all there looking at you with expectation. I'm there all the time for the dogs whereas the handlers come and go. The handlers move bases and I am with these dogs until the day they are retired. They stay at this base their whole lives and don't go anywhere apart from on missions. In the past they have deployed with their handlers for six months at a time but recently they only go out on missions."

Black also enjoys working with the humans in the work center.

"I think the military people I work with are wonderful," she said. "I've made so many friends over the years, I think I could go and stay in many of the states in America and I would be very welcome. I still keep in touch with a lot of handlers who have served here. We have a really good relationship at the kennels. I'm the only civilian, but I get included in everything, both at work and socially. It's not like, 'you are the kennel attendant, and you aren't involved.' They actually come to me with all sorts of issues both personal and work-related and I help them out."

When the time comes for Black to say a fond farewell to a dog for the final time after years of faithful service, she is happy to know they will be cared for as a hero deserves. All the dogs are sadly missed, but for Black some will stay in her memories forever.

"I feel very sad when they retire. Nice in the fact that they are going to retire and go home with somebody that they know, but sad in the fact that we won't see them here," Black explained. "I try not to have favorites, but in the past there was Ootto. He was a magnificent big dog, our first Belgian Malinois to come to Mildenhall, and he was probably the stand-out dog of all time. He has passed away now at the age of 12. He had a nice, well-earned retirement back in the states with his former handler who adopted him. He enjoyed retirement for about two years before it was his time."

She recalled that for those who worked with him each day, Ootto was the epitome of the type of dog that handlers hope for as they are assigned a partner for duty.

"Ootto was such an amazing dog, such an all-round amazing dog," Black said. "He was brilliant at detection and bite work. When he was getting ready to retire, the handler who adopted him would have his small children around him and he was as gentle as a lamb! He was that good. He was just the ultimate MWD."

The U.S. Air Force entrusts its valuable assets to people who are as dedicated to the dogs as it is to the military members and the Air Force mission. And for Black, her leadership couldn't be prouder of her care of their dogs.

"It was very distressing for the entire kennel staff when we heard the news of Mrs. Black's situation a few years back. Not only is she a work colleague, but a true friend who has a big heart," said Tech. Sgt. Samuel Giordano, 100th SFS kennel master. "As scary as it was, we all knew she would be fine. Additionally, none of us would accept that she wouldn't be back working with the dogs. She is truly an irreplaceable asset with her vast experience working with these animals. Mrs. Black is the true continuity of this section. I like to think I am the boss, but really she is!"

For Black, the people she works with have become her extended family and she never takes the job she loves for granted.

"It's totally changed my outlook on life," Black said about her illness. "I try to make the most of everything, every day. Make every moment as enjoyable as possible as you really don't know what is around the corner."

Learned through blood

by Airman 1st Class Javier Alvarez
JBER Public Affairs

2/2/2016 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska  -- If a person yells "bomb" in a crowded theater, most of the audience will disperse.

As chaos ensues, they will run for the exits with little in mind but to get as far away as possible.

While everyone flees, the explosive ordnance disposal technician approaches the site.

What proved to be a hazard and cause panic among so many is an opportunity for the EOD technician to put into play countless hours of training.

Members of the 673d Civil Engineer Squadron EOD flight train tirelessly and are always on call to serve Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and the surrounding community.

"When some sort of emergency response goes on - [whether it be an] issue with [hung] ordnance on an aircraft; or a suspect package at one of the gates; [or] explosive hazards found -during duty hours, or outside of duty hours, we'll respond," said Tech. Sgt.  Jason Halgren, an EOD Craftsman.

EOD is a career field full of hazards that have the potential for loss of life and property.

There is no simple mistake for an EOD technician. Attention to detail is just as necessary a tool as the bomb suits or robotics utilized.

"There's a sense of urgency because there is something that's dangerous and could potentially hurt people," said Halgren. "That's where the training kicks in and you're in that mindset and getting the job done."

Aside from responding to unexploded ordnance, an improvised explosive device or weapons of mass destruction, some EOD missions include providing Defense Support to Civil Authorities for explosive hazards found off the installation. EOD will also provide support to ensure safety during high-profile events and will assist the Secret Service to ensure the safety of the president, vice president and other heads of state.

Technical training for EOD is tough and demanding, where attrition rates are high, said Senior Airman Joshua Harris, an EOD journeyman.

"[It] was about 10 months long," Harris said. "It's designed to be stressful to help deal with those situations that you are going to be facing out in the real world - in a deployed environment [like] in combat downrange."

But the missions can present themselves at anytime and anywhere.

In 2011, Airmen disposed of a sea mine that washed up on the Alaska shore, north of Sitka.

After X-raying the mine, EOD technicians could see where the explosive material inside was. They then placed the plastic explosive to destroy it.

In 2012, JBER Airmen traveled to the island of Adak in the Aleutian island chain to dispose of three World War II-era bombs. The mission spanned several months due to complications with weather.  But ultimately three bombs were excavated and disposed of.

But learning continues all the time. There are also opportunities for EOD technicians to learn from the actions of Airmen past and present, Halgren said.

"We keep the skill sets we learned through blood from Iraq and Afghanistan," Halgren said. "We've had a lot of people put up on the EOD memorial during the wars. That's what we refer to as 'learned through blood.' We learn from what's happened that got people killed as well as remember their life because they were all skilled, knowledgeable people. And [knowing they were] killed by a device proves that it can happen [to anyone]."

EOD technicians work in a unique field in that their service is not used on a daily basis. And while it is a necessary profession, nobody wants to need them - It means bad things were intended to, or can potentially, happen.

"[We] train near-daily to defeat explosive items, and we trust in our training that we are going to use that skill set to assess the situation and take care of it," Halgren said.

Should they do their job right, countless lives will be saved. Yet, EOD technicians remain faceless figures to the people they protect.

"Some of us get a sense of accomplishment whenever we get a call and prevent something from blowing up because we've protected people," Halgren said. "Not in the way doctors or police officers or medics do, but we've protected life - we've saved life - and people can go about their daily business afterwards."