By Gerry J. Gilmore
Dec. 8, 2006 – An early withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq or Afghanistan would aid terrorists and cause more instability in those countries, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told military and civilian employees at the Pentagon today. The United States has invested much during anti-terrorist operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, Rumsfeld said at a town hall meeting. And both of those countries have made great strides in governing themselves, he said, since U.S. and coalition military forces toppled the Taliban in Afghanistan and deposed Saddam Hussein in Iraq.
Afghanistan and Iraq, however, still face severe challenges from terrorists determined to topple their new, democratic governments, the defense secretary said.
An early withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan or Iraq before more stability is established would simply create more instability, Rumsfeld said.
"I believe it would be a terrible mistake," he said.
Rumsfeld acknowledged that Americans are concerned about the pace of progress, particularly in Iraq. "There's an impatience in the United States and in the Congress (over Iraq), and there's nobody who sees people being killed and wounded and doesn't feel a sense of urgency about getting it right and doing the right thing and seeing that their loss of life is as minimal as it possibly can be," the defense secretary said.
"The other thing we have to think about, though, is the dire consequences were we to fail there," Rumsfeld said.
The war against terrorism in Iraq will ultimately have to be won by its people, Rumsfeld said. But, for now, U.S. troops are still needed there, he said, to train Iraqi soldiers and police and to help suppress extremist violence until the fledgling Iraqi government can stand on its feet.
Yet, the war in Iraq also won't be won by military means alone, the defense secretary said.
"It has to be won by the Iraqi people," Rumsfeld said. Efforts must continue, he said, to establish accord between Iraq's Shiia and Sunni Muslim citizens and to improve the quality of life for all Iraqis.
"And, it is those diplomatic and economic and political things that have to move forward in that country," Rumsfeld said.
Animosity between Shiia and Sunni Muslims isn't just an Iraqi issue, Rumsfeld said, noting there's a major divide between those groups across the Middle East.
"And what's taking place in Iraq is, in effect, a microcosm of what's taking place in that region," the defense secretary said.
The United States and its allies need to do better against extremists in Afghanistan and Iraq, Rumsfeld said. But, he added, he believes there's no silver bullet that can be employed to quickly defeat insurgents operating in those countries. Rather, the endeavor will simply take time, he said.
"And, we have every chance in the world of succeeding in both those countries, but only if we have the patience and only if we have the staying power," he said.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and, military personnel and police personnel who have become writers.
Friday, December 08, 2006
Exercise Tests Patient Care Savvy
By Staff Sgt. Amaani Lyle, USAF
Dec. 8, 2006 – A year of planning culminated in the orchestration of more than five aircraft, 13 organizations and numerous flight surgeons, nurses, technicians, administrators and air and ground crew who conducted collaborative patient care and transport during Exercise Capital Shield here Dec. 4-7. Under direction of the Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region at Fort McNair, and the Air Force District of Washington surgeon general at Bolling Air Force Base -- both in the District of Columbia -- Guard and Reserve forces from the Air Force, Army and Navy fused resources in several states to demonstrate mass casualty response following a state-of-emergency declaration.
"We threw every kind of event at the exercise participants at a very accelerated pace," said Lt. Col. Christopher Morgan, AFDW medical operations and plans chief. "There was a simulated fire at an apartment complex, and we layered additional injects, such as an interstate fuel truck explosion and a media helicopter crash, to create hundreds of simulated on-scene casualties."
As the disasters intensified and surrounding medical facilities reported saturation, professionals met the challenge of caring for patient overflow here as well as patient transport to North Carolina for further care, said Lt. Col. Jimmie Drummond, 459th Aeromedical Staging Squadron flight surgeon and the exercise's contingency aeromedical staging facility commander.
Receiving, treating and sending patients within a matter of hours is a complex task that calls for meticulous coordination, the colonel said.
"Continuity and fluid patient hand-off is key to a successful mission, and I think the people here pulled it off seamlessly," Drummond said. Patients arrived from the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and exercise participants ensured their suitability to face potential flight stressors such as turbulence and cabin pressure as they fly to their next destination, he explained.
West Virginia Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopters, followed by 121st Aviation Battalion and 1st Helicopter Squadron UH-1 Huey helicopters arrived here to deliver eight critically burned patients to the CASF, a medical care area complete with a power generator and communication capability, created through the efforts of 459th ASTS, the AFDW's 79th Medical Wing and the 459th Maintenance Group.
In the CASF, flight nurses, medical technicians and a District of Columbia Air National Guard 113th Wing chaplain, 1st Lt. Tiji Murphy, comforted patients as they waited to board an Air National Guard C-130 from New Castle, Del.
Once on the flight line, members of the 459th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron joined the Delaware Air National Guard's 142nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and the 166th Airlift Wing to prepare the C-130's ramp and cabin for patients.
Within minutes, exercise participants loaded all eight stretchers onto the aircraft, bound for North Carolina.
"I personally didn't feel like I was working with other branches or agencies, because we are one," said Master Sgt. Mike Pierson, a Delaware National Guard medical technician. "Everyone was on the same page from the beginning."
Morgan said the planning and effort goes a long way beyond the exercise.
"We try to make these exercises as realistic as possible to benefit not only the medical care providers, but their patients too," Morgan said. "This seamless transition in patient care is so important because it could very well be my family or your family on that plane."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and, military personnel and police personnel who have become writers.
Dec. 8, 2006 – A year of planning culminated in the orchestration of more than five aircraft, 13 organizations and numerous flight surgeons, nurses, technicians, administrators and air and ground crew who conducted collaborative patient care and transport during Exercise Capital Shield here Dec. 4-7. Under direction of the Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region at Fort McNair, and the Air Force District of Washington surgeon general at Bolling Air Force Base -- both in the District of Columbia -- Guard and Reserve forces from the Air Force, Army and Navy fused resources in several states to demonstrate mass casualty response following a state-of-emergency declaration.
"We threw every kind of event at the exercise participants at a very accelerated pace," said Lt. Col. Christopher Morgan, AFDW medical operations and plans chief. "There was a simulated fire at an apartment complex, and we layered additional injects, such as an interstate fuel truck explosion and a media helicopter crash, to create hundreds of simulated on-scene casualties."
As the disasters intensified and surrounding medical facilities reported saturation, professionals met the challenge of caring for patient overflow here as well as patient transport to North Carolina for further care, said Lt. Col. Jimmie Drummond, 459th Aeromedical Staging Squadron flight surgeon and the exercise's contingency aeromedical staging facility commander.
Receiving, treating and sending patients within a matter of hours is a complex task that calls for meticulous coordination, the colonel said.
"Continuity and fluid patient hand-off is key to a successful mission, and I think the people here pulled it off seamlessly," Drummond said. Patients arrived from the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and exercise participants ensured their suitability to face potential flight stressors such as turbulence and cabin pressure as they fly to their next destination, he explained.
West Virginia Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopters, followed by 121st Aviation Battalion and 1st Helicopter Squadron UH-1 Huey helicopters arrived here to deliver eight critically burned patients to the CASF, a medical care area complete with a power generator and communication capability, created through the efforts of 459th ASTS, the AFDW's 79th Medical Wing and the 459th Maintenance Group.
In the CASF, flight nurses, medical technicians and a District of Columbia Air National Guard 113th Wing chaplain, 1st Lt. Tiji Murphy, comforted patients as they waited to board an Air National Guard C-130 from New Castle, Del.
Once on the flight line, members of the 459th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron joined the Delaware Air National Guard's 142nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and the 166th Airlift Wing to prepare the C-130's ramp and cabin for patients.
Within minutes, exercise participants loaded all eight stretchers onto the aircraft, bound for North Carolina.
"I personally didn't feel like I was working with other branches or agencies, because we are one," said Master Sgt. Mike Pierson, a Delaware National Guard medical technician. "Everyone was on the same page from the beginning."
Morgan said the planning and effort goes a long way beyond the exercise.
"We try to make these exercises as realistic as possible to benefit not only the medical care providers, but their patients too," Morgan said. "This seamless transition in patient care is so important because it could very well be my family or your family on that plane."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and, military personnel and police personnel who have become writers.
Thrift Savings Plan Provides Important Benefits to Troops
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
Dec. 8, 2006 – More servicemembers need to take advantage of the Thrift Savings Plan, because it is an attractive investment option with unique benefits for military members, the military officer in charge of the Armed Forces Tax Council said here today. TSP, a retirement savings plan for servicemembers and civilian federal employees, right now draws participation from about half of the military, Army Maj. John Johnson, director of the Armed Forces Tax Council, said in an interview.
"Certainly we'd like to see that participation rate go up, because it's a great benefit," Johnson said. "It's important that everyone obviously be saving for their retirement in the first place, and if you're going to be saving, the first place you want to put it is in tax-deferred or tax-exempt retirement accounts."
TSP is a tax-deferred fund, which means the money contributed to the account is deducted right away from the person's taxable income, and the money in the fund isn't taxed until it is withdrawn at retirement. This represents a significant savings over the years, Johnson explained.
"If you weren't in the TSP or another tax-deferred account, every year, the income in that fund (would) get taxed," he said. "If you look over your whole 40-year career, generally speaking, you're going to pick up a couple hundred thousand dollars by contributing to a tax-deferred account as opposed to a taxed account."
As of this year, military members are unlimited in the amount they can contribute to TSP, Johnson said. When the program was first made available to servicemembers in 2000, they could only contribute up to 5 percent of their income. Now the only limit is the Internal Revenue Service's $15,000 per-year limit on contributions to tax-deferred accounts, he said. He noted that most military members won't come close to that limit if they contribute 5 or 10 percent of their income to TSP.
Deployed troops have different limits in TSP, Johnson said. Because their income is tax-exempt and the IRS has a separate limit for that category, they can contribute up to $44,000 per year, he said.
As another benefit to servicemembers, the Army is testing a program where the service matches soldiers' contributions to TSP, Johnson said. This program only applies to new enlistees who fill critical specialties. The Army will match 5 percent of the pay the soldier contributes to TSP; the first 3 percent will be matched dollar for dollar, and the next 2 percent matched 50 cents on the dollar, he said.
Even for troops who have been in a while and won't get their contributions matched, TSP is a good idea, Johnson said. A major benefit of the program is that the expenses on the accounts are very low - about one-tenth of the average private mutual fund. The money that in the private sector would be used to manage the fund, buy stocks and pay other fees goes straight to the servicemember's bottom line in TSP, he said.
"You'll have a hard time beating TSP," he said.
TSP is not like a savings account, Johnson emphasized, and the money contributed to it should be money that people aren't going to need soon. However, TSP does have a loan program for situations such as a first home purchase, where participants can borrow money from their own account and then pay it back at a market interest rate.
After leaving the military, servicemembers cannot continue contributing to TSP unless they take a federal job, Johnson said. They can leave their money in TSP, though, and continue to draw returns on it. The money in TSP can also be rolled over to another IRA account, he said.
TSP is a great benefit that is overlooked by a lot of military members, Johnson said. Those who can contribute should, and those who can't contribute should seriously evaluate their financial situation and look at how they are preparing for the future, he said.
"You need to get yourself in a position where you can save, and then we just think that the TSP is a great option to put that savings," he said.
Servicemembers can sign up for TSP online at www.tsp.gov, Johnson said. This Web site offers all the tools troops need to get started in the program and manage their accounts.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and, military personnel and police personnel who have become writers.
Dec. 8, 2006 – More servicemembers need to take advantage of the Thrift Savings Plan, because it is an attractive investment option with unique benefits for military members, the military officer in charge of the Armed Forces Tax Council said here today. TSP, a retirement savings plan for servicemembers and civilian federal employees, right now draws participation from about half of the military, Army Maj. John Johnson, director of the Armed Forces Tax Council, said in an interview.
"Certainly we'd like to see that participation rate go up, because it's a great benefit," Johnson said. "It's important that everyone obviously be saving for their retirement in the first place, and if you're going to be saving, the first place you want to put it is in tax-deferred or tax-exempt retirement accounts."
TSP is a tax-deferred fund, which means the money contributed to the account is deducted right away from the person's taxable income, and the money in the fund isn't taxed until it is withdrawn at retirement. This represents a significant savings over the years, Johnson explained.
"If you weren't in the TSP or another tax-deferred account, every year, the income in that fund (would) get taxed," he said. "If you look over your whole 40-year career, generally speaking, you're going to pick up a couple hundred thousand dollars by contributing to a tax-deferred account as opposed to a taxed account."
As of this year, military members are unlimited in the amount they can contribute to TSP, Johnson said. When the program was first made available to servicemembers in 2000, they could only contribute up to 5 percent of their income. Now the only limit is the Internal Revenue Service's $15,000 per-year limit on contributions to tax-deferred accounts, he said. He noted that most military members won't come close to that limit if they contribute 5 or 10 percent of their income to TSP.
Deployed troops have different limits in TSP, Johnson said. Because their income is tax-exempt and the IRS has a separate limit for that category, they can contribute up to $44,000 per year, he said.
As another benefit to servicemembers, the Army is testing a program where the service matches soldiers' contributions to TSP, Johnson said. This program only applies to new enlistees who fill critical specialties. The Army will match 5 percent of the pay the soldier contributes to TSP; the first 3 percent will be matched dollar for dollar, and the next 2 percent matched 50 cents on the dollar, he said.
Even for troops who have been in a while and won't get their contributions matched, TSP is a good idea, Johnson said. A major benefit of the program is that the expenses on the accounts are very low - about one-tenth of the average private mutual fund. The money that in the private sector would be used to manage the fund, buy stocks and pay other fees goes straight to the servicemember's bottom line in TSP, he said.
"You'll have a hard time beating TSP," he said.
TSP is not like a savings account, Johnson emphasized, and the money contributed to it should be money that people aren't going to need soon. However, TSP does have a loan program for situations such as a first home purchase, where participants can borrow money from their own account and then pay it back at a market interest rate.
After leaving the military, servicemembers cannot continue contributing to TSP unless they take a federal job, Johnson said. They can leave their money in TSP, though, and continue to draw returns on it. The money in TSP can also be rolled over to another IRA account, he said.
TSP is a great benefit that is overlooked by a lot of military members, Johnson said. Those who can contribute should, and those who can't contribute should seriously evaluate their financial situation and look at how they are preparing for the future, he said.
"You need to get yourself in a position where you can save, and then we just think that the TSP is a great option to put that savings," he said.
Servicemembers can sign up for TSP online at www.tsp.gov, Johnson said. This Web site offers all the tools troops need to get started in the program and manage their accounts.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and, military personnel and police personnel who have become writers.
DoD Civilians Succeed in Life Despite Physical Adversity
By Gerry J. Gilmore
Dec. 8, 2006 – Two Defense Department civilians, James N. Templeman and Donald C. Cobert, have not let severe disabilities keep them from success. Templeman, 51, was born without arms. Today, he holds a doctorate degree in computer science. He's developing a virtual reality system at the Naval Research Laboratory here, that'll be used to train Marines to operate in urban warfare environments.
He decided to study computer science during the mid-1970s. The Washington, D.C., native credited his success in life to his parents, hard work and keeping focused. "I had a very supportive family," Templeman said, noting his parents gave him the confidence and inspiration to compete and succeed in the world.
"They 'mainstreamed' me. I went to public school," he said.
He described how he uses his feet for purposes other than just standing and walking. "I write with my feet and 'mouse' with my feet" at the computer, Templeman said.
Living in a world designed for people with arms caused Templeman to apply his unique perspective across everyday life, he said, which carries over into his work. "I'm constantly looking at things and thinking, 'How can I use it?'" he said. "I think that relates, a bit, to my own research right now."
Templeman was recently recognized for his accomplishments as one of 14 outstanding DoD civilian employees with disabilities.
He said people who want to succeed in life should focus on their individual strengths. "That's where you need to put your effort and just make the most of what you have," he said.
Cobert also bested adversity, having been stricken with polio as a child. The disease paralyzed Cobert's legs and weakened his hands. Today Cobert walks with the use of braces and is a payroll administrator at the Missile Defense Agency at the Navy Annex in Arlington, Va.
He recalled how Catholic school teachers helped to give him confidence to learn how to write. "I was unable to write or actually hold a pen until I was almost 6," Cobert said. "Luckily, I was taught by nuns who had the patience to work me through that 'hump.'"
Cobert later learned to play the guitar. "That's one thing that helped me to develop dexterity in my hands," he said.
He was also a successful wrestler in high school and at college. "I pushed myself, because I wanted to compete," Cobert said, noting he developed his competitive instincts while growing up among four brothers and three sisters.
"When you're in a big family like that, even at dinner you're fighting over the last roll, so you had to kind of develop some strength and speed," he said.
Cobert experienced a successful 22-year career as a business manager at physicians' offices and hospitals in northern Virginia before coming to work for DoD. Disability "is exactly what you make of it," Cobert said, noting the key to success in life is developing, pursuing and achieving goals.
"They have to be realistic goals, but you can never have an ending goal," he said. "Once you're getting close to something that you want to accomplish, you better have two or three goals ahead of that, or you're going to hit that one spot and stop."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and, military personnel and police personnel who have become writers.
Dec. 8, 2006 – Two Defense Department civilians, James N. Templeman and Donald C. Cobert, have not let severe disabilities keep them from success. Templeman, 51, was born without arms. Today, he holds a doctorate degree in computer science. He's developing a virtual reality system at the Naval Research Laboratory here, that'll be used to train Marines to operate in urban warfare environments.
He decided to study computer science during the mid-1970s. The Washington, D.C., native credited his success in life to his parents, hard work and keeping focused. "I had a very supportive family," Templeman said, noting his parents gave him the confidence and inspiration to compete and succeed in the world.
"They 'mainstreamed' me. I went to public school," he said.
He described how he uses his feet for purposes other than just standing and walking. "I write with my feet and 'mouse' with my feet" at the computer, Templeman said.
Living in a world designed for people with arms caused Templeman to apply his unique perspective across everyday life, he said, which carries over into his work. "I'm constantly looking at things and thinking, 'How can I use it?'" he said. "I think that relates, a bit, to my own research right now."
Templeman was recently recognized for his accomplishments as one of 14 outstanding DoD civilian employees with disabilities.
He said people who want to succeed in life should focus on their individual strengths. "That's where you need to put your effort and just make the most of what you have," he said.
Cobert also bested adversity, having been stricken with polio as a child. The disease paralyzed Cobert's legs and weakened his hands. Today Cobert walks with the use of braces and is a payroll administrator at the Missile Defense Agency at the Navy Annex in Arlington, Va.
He recalled how Catholic school teachers helped to give him confidence to learn how to write. "I was unable to write or actually hold a pen until I was almost 6," Cobert said. "Luckily, I was taught by nuns who had the patience to work me through that 'hump.'"
Cobert later learned to play the guitar. "That's one thing that helped me to develop dexterity in my hands," he said.
He was also a successful wrestler in high school and at college. "I pushed myself, because I wanted to compete," Cobert said, noting he developed his competitive instincts while growing up among four brothers and three sisters.
"When you're in a big family like that, even at dinner you're fighting over the last roll, so you had to kind of develop some strength and speed," he said.
Cobert experienced a successful 22-year career as a business manager at physicians' offices and hospitals in northern Virginia before coming to work for DoD. Disability "is exactly what you make of it," Cobert said, noting the key to success in life is developing, pursuing and achieving goals.
"They have to be realistic goals, but you can never have an ending goal," he said. "Once you're getting close to something that you want to accomplish, you better have two or three goals ahead of that, or you're going to hit that one spot and stop."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and, military personnel and police personnel who have become writers.
Pace Lauds Rumsfeld; Rumsfeld Expresses Confidence in Gates
By Donna Miles
Dec. 8, 2006 – Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, took today's Pentagon town hall meeting as an opportunity to praise the drive, energy, courage and loyalty Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld brought to his position. Pace shared his thoughts just before Rumsfeld told Pentagon employees he has "every confidence" in incoming Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates.
The chairman, speaking at Rumsfeld's 42nd and last town hall meeting as defense secretary, called Rumsfeld's work ethic incredible.
"Is he demanding?" Pace said. "You bet. If you haven't done your homework when you walk into the secretary's office, you're not going to have a good day."
But Rumsfeld is more demanding on himself than anyone else, the chairman said. "And we have benefited enormously from the drive and energy that he has instilled in this organization from top to bottom, starting with his own daily work ethic and how he does his job," Pace said.
After almost 40 years in uniform, the chairman said he's come to appreciate two kinds of courage. In addition to the concept of courage in combat that military members exhibit, "there's also the courage it takes to speak one's mind", he said.
In meetings that Rumsfeld participates in -- forums in which "there are no shrinking violets" -- the secretary has demonstrated the courage to disagree with how others think and to explain his reasons, Pace told the audience. These insights have sometimes changed, not just the course of a conversation, but "quite literally, the course that our country has taken," he said.
"That kind of courage is rare," the chairman said. "And we who serve in the military and in this department have benefited enormously through the courage that our secretary has shown in those meetings."
Pace also praised Rumsfeld's sense of loyalty -- not just up the chain of command, but also down the chain, to the 2.4 million U.S. servicemembers on active duty and in the reserves and National Guard.
Even in those rare occasions when servicemembers step out of line or do "something stupid," Rumsfeld never tries to dodge blame, Pace said.
"Not once," he said -- repeating "not once" for emphasis - "when folks have laid at the feet of our secretary the blame for something that has gone wrong, not once has he done anything other than accept the responsibility," Pace said. "He has never tried to deflect that to any subordinate, even though it was a subordinate's responsibility."
Pace told today's audience he's come to admire Rumsfeld's integrity and his willingness to share other people's opinions, even if they differed from his own.
"It takes enormous integrity to have the kind of strength of conviction that the secretary has to drive to the conclusion that he believes is correct and, at the same time, ensure that the decision maker has in front of him or her all of the information and all of the various ideas," the chairman said.
Rumsfeld, when asked at about incoming Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, said he believes Gates will bring solid leadership to DoD. "I've had two meetings with him, and we've had a good discussion on a variety of things," Rumsfeld said. "The senior folks in the department have been briefing him."
Rumsfeld noted that everyone has different qualities and leadership styles.
"He'll do a good job," he said of Gates. "He'll come in and he'll find a way to begin the process of serving as secretary of defense in a way that fits his background and the needs of the current time. And I've got every confidence that he'll do a terrific job."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and, military personnel and police personnel who have become writers.
Dec. 8, 2006 – Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, took today's Pentagon town hall meeting as an opportunity to praise the drive, energy, courage and loyalty Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld brought to his position. Pace shared his thoughts just before Rumsfeld told Pentagon employees he has "every confidence" in incoming Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates.
The chairman, speaking at Rumsfeld's 42nd and last town hall meeting as defense secretary, called Rumsfeld's work ethic incredible.
"Is he demanding?" Pace said. "You bet. If you haven't done your homework when you walk into the secretary's office, you're not going to have a good day."
But Rumsfeld is more demanding on himself than anyone else, the chairman said. "And we have benefited enormously from the drive and energy that he has instilled in this organization from top to bottom, starting with his own daily work ethic and how he does his job," Pace said.
After almost 40 years in uniform, the chairman said he's come to appreciate two kinds of courage. In addition to the concept of courage in combat that military members exhibit, "there's also the courage it takes to speak one's mind", he said.
In meetings that Rumsfeld participates in -- forums in which "there are no shrinking violets" -- the secretary has demonstrated the courage to disagree with how others think and to explain his reasons, Pace told the audience. These insights have sometimes changed, not just the course of a conversation, but "quite literally, the course that our country has taken," he said.
"That kind of courage is rare," the chairman said. "And we who serve in the military and in this department have benefited enormously through the courage that our secretary has shown in those meetings."
Pace also praised Rumsfeld's sense of loyalty -- not just up the chain of command, but also down the chain, to the 2.4 million U.S. servicemembers on active duty and in the reserves and National Guard.
Even in those rare occasions when servicemembers step out of line or do "something stupid," Rumsfeld never tries to dodge blame, Pace said.
"Not once," he said -- repeating "not once" for emphasis - "when folks have laid at the feet of our secretary the blame for something that has gone wrong, not once has he done anything other than accept the responsibility," Pace said. "He has never tried to deflect that to any subordinate, even though it was a subordinate's responsibility."
Pace told today's audience he's come to admire Rumsfeld's integrity and his willingness to share other people's opinions, even if they differed from his own.
"It takes enormous integrity to have the kind of strength of conviction that the secretary has to drive to the conclusion that he believes is correct and, at the same time, ensure that the decision maker has in front of him or her all of the information and all of the various ideas," the chairman said.
Rumsfeld, when asked at about incoming Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, said he believes Gates will bring solid leadership to DoD. "I've had two meetings with him, and we've had a good discussion on a variety of things," Rumsfeld said. "The senior folks in the department have been briefing him."
Rumsfeld noted that everyone has different qualities and leadership styles.
"He'll do a good job," he said of Gates. "He'll come in and he'll find a way to begin the process of serving as secretary of defense in a way that fits his background and the needs of the current time. And I've got every confidence that he'll do a terrific job."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and, military personnel and police personnel who have become writers.
Milestone Card Presented in Baghdad
By Samantha L. Quigley
Dec. 8, 2006 – World Wrestling Entertainment personalities delivered a milestone "thank you" message to a U.S. servicemember in Baghdad today. Army 1st Lt. Shannon Terry accepted the 2.6 millionth message generated by "A Million Thanks," a troop-support effort that's the brainchild of Orange, Calif., teenager Shauna Fleming.
A Million Thanks and the WWE are members of America Supports You, a Defense Department program highlighting ways Americans and the corporate sector are supporting the nation's servicemembers. WWE personalities are visiting deployed servicemembers on a tour sponsored by Armed Forces Entertainment.
Fleming started A Million Thanks with the goal of gathering a million notes of gratitude for servicemembers fighting in the global war on terrorism. When she reached that goal, then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers challenged her to go for 2.6 million, which symbolically gives each servicemember in the nation's active and reserve components a letter.
That 2.6 millionth letter was delivered today in front of a cheering crowd of about 1,000 servicemembers.
"I have always wanted to go to Iraq to personally hand out the letters I have received from Americans," Fleming said. "But since I can't be there, I know a huge piece of what I do will be there instead."
On her behalf, the WWE presented the framed letter to Terry with a letter of appreciation from Fleming. The soldier knew she was receiving it, but was a bit shocked by the letter carriers. "I was very pleasantly surprised," the WWE fan said.
It was a job the WWE personalities were happy to have. "Being a part of the WWE, along with Armed Forces Entertainment, and being able to come over here to do what we do is a blessing," John Cena said. "But being able to bring a good word of support and good will from home is absolutely fantastic."
Perhaps even more special to Terry than the method of delivery was who made the card -- Amber and Sean Siegfried of Easton, Pa., for whom she had a special message.
"Continue with your positive attitude, and being an inspiration to us over here," she told the siblings. "You probably don't realize this now, being so young, but you really do make an impact with that kind of attitude, and we really appreciate it."
Amber and Sean said they created the card because servicemembers protect America. "I wanted to thank them because they protect me and my family every day, and protect our rights and freedoms," Amber, 12, said.
It was Sean who first learned of A Million Thanks at school. However, the duo teamed up to decide what it should look like, and they decided that depicting a servicemember holding a child's hand would best symbolize their sentiment. "Showing a servicemember holding a child's hand is a symbol of us caring for what they do in Iraq," Sean said.
Fleming said children have been the biggest contributors to her campaign, so she's pleased that Sean and Amber's letter arrived when it did. "I think it's wonderful that the 2.6 millionth letter we opened was from two wonderful kids from ... Pennsylvania," she said.
While the Siegfried siblings were excited that their card was the 2.6 millionth card A Million Thanks received, Sean was even more excited about who delivered it to Terry. "I was very excited to hear the WWE wrestlers were handing the letter to the soldier," he said. "I am a huge WWE fan."
Fleming said she now knows mountain climbers feel when they reach the summit. "Hitting 2.6 (million letters) was the top of the mountain," she said.
But having reached that goal does not mean Fleming's job supporting the troops is complete. She will continue to collect and distribute letters of support for the troops, and next year brings a new venture as well, she said.
Fleming said visits to wounded troops recovering from their injuries in the United States made her want to do more.
"For 2007, we will be working on fundraising to provide assistance to wounded soldiers and their families," she said. "I saw that there is going to be a huge need for helping soldiers with getting their homes set up to handle wheelchairs and other special needs."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and, military personnel and police personnel who have become writers.
Dec. 8, 2006 – World Wrestling Entertainment personalities delivered a milestone "thank you" message to a U.S. servicemember in Baghdad today. Army 1st Lt. Shannon Terry accepted the 2.6 millionth message generated by "A Million Thanks," a troop-support effort that's the brainchild of Orange, Calif., teenager Shauna Fleming.
A Million Thanks and the WWE are members of America Supports You, a Defense Department program highlighting ways Americans and the corporate sector are supporting the nation's servicemembers. WWE personalities are visiting deployed servicemembers on a tour sponsored by Armed Forces Entertainment.
Fleming started A Million Thanks with the goal of gathering a million notes of gratitude for servicemembers fighting in the global war on terrorism. When she reached that goal, then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers challenged her to go for 2.6 million, which symbolically gives each servicemember in the nation's active and reserve components a letter.
That 2.6 millionth letter was delivered today in front of a cheering crowd of about 1,000 servicemembers.
"I have always wanted to go to Iraq to personally hand out the letters I have received from Americans," Fleming said. "But since I can't be there, I know a huge piece of what I do will be there instead."
On her behalf, the WWE presented the framed letter to Terry with a letter of appreciation from Fleming. The soldier knew she was receiving it, but was a bit shocked by the letter carriers. "I was very pleasantly surprised," the WWE fan said.
It was a job the WWE personalities were happy to have. "Being a part of the WWE, along with Armed Forces Entertainment, and being able to come over here to do what we do is a blessing," John Cena said. "But being able to bring a good word of support and good will from home is absolutely fantastic."
Perhaps even more special to Terry than the method of delivery was who made the card -- Amber and Sean Siegfried of Easton, Pa., for whom she had a special message.
"Continue with your positive attitude, and being an inspiration to us over here," she told the siblings. "You probably don't realize this now, being so young, but you really do make an impact with that kind of attitude, and we really appreciate it."
Amber and Sean said they created the card because servicemembers protect America. "I wanted to thank them because they protect me and my family every day, and protect our rights and freedoms," Amber, 12, said.
It was Sean who first learned of A Million Thanks at school. However, the duo teamed up to decide what it should look like, and they decided that depicting a servicemember holding a child's hand would best symbolize their sentiment. "Showing a servicemember holding a child's hand is a symbol of us caring for what they do in Iraq," Sean said.
Fleming said children have been the biggest contributors to her campaign, so she's pleased that Sean and Amber's letter arrived when it did. "I think it's wonderful that the 2.6 millionth letter we opened was from two wonderful kids from ... Pennsylvania," she said.
While the Siegfried siblings were excited that their card was the 2.6 millionth card A Million Thanks received, Sean was even more excited about who delivered it to Terry. "I was very excited to hear the WWE wrestlers were handing the letter to the soldier," he said. "I am a huge WWE fan."
Fleming said she now knows mountain climbers feel when they reach the summit. "Hitting 2.6 (million letters) was the top of the mountain," she said.
But having reached that goal does not mean Fleming's job supporting the troops is complete. She will continue to collect and distribute letters of support for the troops, and next year brings a new venture as well, she said.
Fleming said visits to wounded troops recovering from their injuries in the United States made her want to do more.
"For 2007, we will be working on fundraising to provide assistance to wounded soldiers and their families," she said. "I saw that there is going to be a huge need for helping soldiers with getting their homes set up to handle wheelchairs and other special needs."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and, military personnel and police personnel who have become writers.
Cold War Leaders Learn About Transformation, Role in Terror War
By Sgt. Aimee Millham, USA
Dec. 7, 2006 – In today's global political environment, when something goes awry, the United States - rightly or wrongly -- can often get the brunt of the blame. This was the blunt assessment of retired German army Gen. Leopold Chalupa as he explained why it is so important for he and other former European leaders to tell the story of U.S. Army, Europe. Chalupa's words came during the USAREUR-sponsored Legion of Merit conference Dec. 5, where about 60 recipients of the medal received briefings on the transformation of U.S. forces in Europe and their leading role in the global war on terrorism.
Having attended every LOM conference since the inaugural one in 1980, Chalupa said he appreciates gaining insight on the actions of the U.S. military in Europe, so that he is well informed when explaining to his countrymen the importance of supporting the U.S. military's involvement in the war on terror.
"I tell (German citizens), 'If you had been in the Empire State Building (on Sept. 11, 2001), the impact of what happened would have been far different than when you sit and watch, like we did, on TV,'" Chalupa said.
He and the other non-U.S. conference attendees all hold the LOM, which is awarded to U.S. servicemembers and to foreign governments' military and political figures for exceptionally meritorious conduct - giving validity to the insights and thought-provoking questions these former senior Cold War leaders offered at the meeting.
"Sitting down with former German corps commanders and former chiefs of staff of NATO organizations was absolutely invaluable," said Brig. Gen. James Boozer, USAREUR deputy chief of staff, adding that the views of these former leaders are priceless assets to a command that is simultaneously transforming and at war.
Such interaction with foreign military leaders remains a central reason for continuing to hold the annual conference, especially with the role allied forces continue to play in U.S. operations worldwide.
"The U.S. is a key player, but we can't do this by ourselves," said Col. Lew Boone, USAREUR's public affairs officer. "One of the main tenets of the USAREUR commanding general's strategy map clearly states: 'Building coalition partners and allies,' and that's what we're about."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online; and, military and police personnel who have become writers.
Dec. 7, 2006 – In today's global political environment, when something goes awry, the United States - rightly or wrongly -- can often get the brunt of the blame. This was the blunt assessment of retired German army Gen. Leopold Chalupa as he explained why it is so important for he and other former European leaders to tell the story of U.S. Army, Europe. Chalupa's words came during the USAREUR-sponsored Legion of Merit conference Dec. 5, where about 60 recipients of the medal received briefings on the transformation of U.S. forces in Europe and their leading role in the global war on terrorism.
Having attended every LOM conference since the inaugural one in 1980, Chalupa said he appreciates gaining insight on the actions of the U.S. military in Europe, so that he is well informed when explaining to his countrymen the importance of supporting the U.S. military's involvement in the war on terror.
"I tell (German citizens), 'If you had been in the Empire State Building (on Sept. 11, 2001), the impact of what happened would have been far different than when you sit and watch, like we did, on TV,'" Chalupa said.
He and the other non-U.S. conference attendees all hold the LOM, which is awarded to U.S. servicemembers and to foreign governments' military and political figures for exceptionally meritorious conduct - giving validity to the insights and thought-provoking questions these former senior Cold War leaders offered at the meeting.
"Sitting down with former German corps commanders and former chiefs of staff of NATO organizations was absolutely invaluable," said Brig. Gen. James Boozer, USAREUR deputy chief of staff, adding that the views of these former leaders are priceless assets to a command that is simultaneously transforming and at war.
Such interaction with foreign military leaders remains a central reason for continuing to hold the annual conference, especially with the role allied forces continue to play in U.S. operations worldwide.
"The U.S. is a key player, but we can't do this by ourselves," said Col. Lew Boone, USAREUR's public affairs officer. "One of the main tenets of the USAREUR commanding general's strategy map clearly states: 'Building coalition partners and allies,' and that's what we're about."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online; and, military and police personnel who have become writers.
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