By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 23, 2007 – An Army sergeant who was awarded the Silver Star for his valiant actions in Iraq was honored by President Bush at the annual State of the Union Address here tonight. Sgt. Tommy Rieman, who is now an administrative assistant for the Army personnel office in the Pentagon, served with a reconnaissance squad in Iraq in 2003.
When his team came under heavy insurgent fire near the Abu Ghraib prison Dec. 3, Rieman used his own body as a shield to protect his gunner, suffering two bullet wounds and 11 shrapnel wounds. He then led his team off the road, responded to a second insurgent attack, and called in a medical evacuation for his injured comrades.
For his actions that day, Rieman was awarded a Silver Star in August 2004 at Fort Bragg, N.C. Today, he was a guest of honor at the president's annual address to Congress.
"Like so many other Americans who have volunteered to defend us, he has earned the respect and gratitude of our whole country," Bush said after telling Rieman's story at the end of his speech. "In such courage and compassion, ladies and gentlemen, we see the spirit and character of America -- and these qualities are not in short supply."
In his address, Bush emphasized the importance of the war in Iraq to the global struggle against terrorism and called on members of Congress to support the troops who have served and will serve in the Middle East.
"For each life saved, we owe a debt of gratitude to the brave public servants who devote their lives to finding the terrorists and stopping them," Bush said.
Rieman was honored in a unique way in 2006 by being selected to be one of the first participants in the "America's Army: Real Heroes" program, which aims to honor soldiers who have shown heroism in the war on terror. Participants will have their lives and military stories recounted in "America's Army," the Army's video game for personal computers and console systems. The soldiers' likenesses are also being made into plastic action figures.
Article sponsored by law enforcement leaders; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Military Cadets Mostly Feel Safe From Sexual Harassment
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 23, 2007 – Most students at the Army, Air Force and Naval academies say they feel safe from sexual harassment when on or off campus, according to findings contained in a 300-page report based on the latest Defense Department-commissioned survey on the subject. The most recent report, titled, "Service Academy 2006 Gender Relations Survey," was conducted by the Defense Manpower Data Center in March and April. The third of a series of such surveys mandated by Congress, it was administered to students at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., and the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colo.
Participants included 2,080 female and 3,969 male students. The overall response rate was 86 percent.
The survey measured five categories of unwanted, gender-related behaviors: sexist behavior, crude or offensive behavior, unwanted sexual attention, sexual coercion, and unwanted sexual contact, according to the report.
Of all female students polled who said they'd been sexually harassed, the vast majority said the transgressor was male. Yet, depending upon the time and place, the overwhelming majority of cadets -- both male and female -- said they felt safe from sexual assault on the grounds of their campus. Most respondents also said they felt safe from sexual harassment off campus.
About 10.5 percent of the women and 1 percent of the men polled at the USMA said they'd experienced unwanted sexual contact during the 2006 academic year. Unwanted sexual contact includes attempted intercourse or unwanted touching of genitalia and other sexually-related areas of the body.
At the Naval Academy, 8.2 percent of women and 1.4 percent of men said they'd been sexually harassed. And 9.5 percent of the women and 1.2 percent of the men surveyed at the Air Force Academy said they'd experienced unwanted sexual contact.
Almost all students polled at the three academies said they'd received training in sexual-assault prevention and response in the year prior to taking the survey. The majority of respondents also said they believe academy leaders are dedicated in stopping sexual assault and sexual harassment.
Questions about stalking behaviors related to sexual harassment were added to the 2006 survey, because Congress expanded the legal parameters of the Uniform Code of Military Justice in 2006 to make stalking a crime. The vast majority of respondents said they'd not experienced stalking during the school year.
Article sponsored by law enforcement leaders; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 23, 2007 – Most students at the Army, Air Force and Naval academies say they feel safe from sexual harassment when on or off campus, according to findings contained in a 300-page report based on the latest Defense Department-commissioned survey on the subject. The most recent report, titled, "Service Academy 2006 Gender Relations Survey," was conducted by the Defense Manpower Data Center in March and April. The third of a series of such surveys mandated by Congress, it was administered to students at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., and the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colo.
Participants included 2,080 female and 3,969 male students. The overall response rate was 86 percent.
The survey measured five categories of unwanted, gender-related behaviors: sexist behavior, crude or offensive behavior, unwanted sexual attention, sexual coercion, and unwanted sexual contact, according to the report.
Of all female students polled who said they'd been sexually harassed, the vast majority said the transgressor was male. Yet, depending upon the time and place, the overwhelming majority of cadets -- both male and female -- said they felt safe from sexual assault on the grounds of their campus. Most respondents also said they felt safe from sexual harassment off campus.
About 10.5 percent of the women and 1 percent of the men polled at the USMA said they'd experienced unwanted sexual contact during the 2006 academic year. Unwanted sexual contact includes attempted intercourse or unwanted touching of genitalia and other sexually-related areas of the body.
At the Naval Academy, 8.2 percent of women and 1.4 percent of men said they'd been sexually harassed. And 9.5 percent of the women and 1.2 percent of the men surveyed at the Air Force Academy said they'd experienced unwanted sexual contact.
Almost all students polled at the three academies said they'd received training in sexual-assault prevention and response in the year prior to taking the survey. The majority of respondents also said they believe academy leaders are dedicated in stopping sexual assault and sexual harassment.
Questions about stalking behaviors related to sexual harassment were added to the 2006 survey, because Congress expanded the legal parameters of the Uniform Code of Military Justice in 2006 to make stalking a crime. The vast majority of respondents said they'd not experienced stalking during the school year.
Article sponsored by law enforcement leaders; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
Petraeus Supports Troop Increase in Confirmation Hearing
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 23, 2007 – President Bush's pick for command of Multinational Force Iraq today supported the new strategy for Iraq, emphasizing that additional U.S. forces are essential in accomplishing the mission there. "If we are to carry out the Multinational Force Iraq mission in accordance with the new strategy, the additional forces that have been directed to move to Iraq will be essential, as will greatly increased support by our government's other agencies, additional resources for reconstruction and economic initiatives, and a number of other actions critical to what must be a broad, comprehensive, multifaceted approach to the challenges in Iraq," Army Lt. Gen. David Petraeus said at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Petraeus was nominated Jan. 17 to be promoted to general and take over command of MNFI from Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., who has been nominated to become the Army's chief of staff.
The new strategy for Iraq shifts the U.S. focus in Iraq to securing the population and creating secure conditions to enable the Iraqi government, Petraeus said. Solving security problems will not be the ultimate solution for Iraq, he acknowledged, but the Iraqi government cannot deal with the political issues it must resolve while violence in Baghdad creates life-or-death situations for citizens every day.
"The objective will be to achieve sufficient security to provide the space and time for the Iraqi government to come to grips with the tough decisions its members must make to enable Iraq to move forward," Petraeus said. "In short, it is not just that there will be additional forces in Baghdad; it is what they will do and how they will do it that is important."
When questioned directly, Petraeus said he would not be able to do his job as commander of MNFI without the additional 21,000 troops President Bush has pledged to Iraq. Deploying these additional forces will make it difficult to increase time between deployments for troops who have already been burdened by the war on terror, he said, but plans are under way to sustain increased force levels.
The increase of 92,000 in the overall strength of the Army and Marine Corps, which Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced Jan. 11, will also help alleviate this strain, he said. "Our ongoing endeavors in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere are people-intensive, and it is heartening to know that there will be more soldiers and Marines to shoulder the load," he said.
The coalition will continue to transition control of Iraqi forces and provinces to Iraqis, and the U.S. advisor effort will be reinforced, Petraeus said. The focus on security in Baghdad will require that U.S. and Iraqi commanders become familiar with the areas they are operating in and work together to establish a permanent presence in areas where violence has been eliminated, he said.
In addition to overcoming security challenges, success in Iraq depends on actions in political and economic areas like governance, the distribution of oil revenues, national reconciliation, improvement in the capacity of Iraq's ministries, the establishment of the rule of law, and economic development, Petraeus said. To bolster progress in these areas, all agencies of the U.S. government need to step in and provide assistance, he emphasized.
"Our military is making an enormous commitment in Iraq; we need the rest of the departments to do likewise, to help the Iraqi government get the country and its citizens working, and to use Iraq's substantial oil revenues for the benefit of all the Iraqi people," he said.
The situation in Iraq is serious, and it will take time for the new strategy to be effective, Petraeus noted. The additional U.S. forces will need time to deploy to the region, become familiar with the situation, and set the conditions for successful security operations, he said.
"The only assurance I can give you is that, if confirmed, I will provide Multinational Force Iraq the best leadership and direction I can muster; I will work to ensure unity of effort with the ambassador and our Iraqi and coalition partners; and I will provide my bosses and you with forthright, professional military advice with respect to the missions given to Multinational Force Iraq and the situation on the ground in Iraq," Petraeus said to the committee.
If confirmed, this assignment will be Petraeus' fourth deployment of one year or longer since the summer of 2001; three of those deployments were to Iraq. Petraeus led the 101st Airborne Division in Mosul during the first year of Operation Iraqi Freedom, served as the first commander of Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq from June 2004 to September 2005, and commanded the NATO Training Mission Iraq from October 2004 through September 2005. He is currently serving as commander of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, Fort Leavenworth, Kan., where he oversees the organizations that educate Army leaders, draft doctrine, craft lessons learned, and help units prepare for deployment.
Petraeus acknowledged that the command of MNFI will be a heavy burden, but he said he is ready to take on the position. Not only is he eager to serve again with America's deployed troops, he said, but he feels an obligation to help the Iraqis, who are struggling to lead normal lives while their government forges a way ahead that will be anything but easy.
"Hard is not hopeless, and if confirmed, I pledge to do my utmost to lead our wonderful men and women in uniform and those of our coalition partners in Iraq as we endeavor to help the Iraqis make the most of the opportunity our soldiers, sailor, airmen and Marines have given to them," he said.
Article sponsored by law enforcement leaders; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 23, 2007 – President Bush's pick for command of Multinational Force Iraq today supported the new strategy for Iraq, emphasizing that additional U.S. forces are essential in accomplishing the mission there. "If we are to carry out the Multinational Force Iraq mission in accordance with the new strategy, the additional forces that have been directed to move to Iraq will be essential, as will greatly increased support by our government's other agencies, additional resources for reconstruction and economic initiatives, and a number of other actions critical to what must be a broad, comprehensive, multifaceted approach to the challenges in Iraq," Army Lt. Gen. David Petraeus said at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Petraeus was nominated Jan. 17 to be promoted to general and take over command of MNFI from Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., who has been nominated to become the Army's chief of staff.
The new strategy for Iraq shifts the U.S. focus in Iraq to securing the population and creating secure conditions to enable the Iraqi government, Petraeus said. Solving security problems will not be the ultimate solution for Iraq, he acknowledged, but the Iraqi government cannot deal with the political issues it must resolve while violence in Baghdad creates life-or-death situations for citizens every day.
"The objective will be to achieve sufficient security to provide the space and time for the Iraqi government to come to grips with the tough decisions its members must make to enable Iraq to move forward," Petraeus said. "In short, it is not just that there will be additional forces in Baghdad; it is what they will do and how they will do it that is important."
When questioned directly, Petraeus said he would not be able to do his job as commander of MNFI without the additional 21,000 troops President Bush has pledged to Iraq. Deploying these additional forces will make it difficult to increase time between deployments for troops who have already been burdened by the war on terror, he said, but plans are under way to sustain increased force levels.
The increase of 92,000 in the overall strength of the Army and Marine Corps, which Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced Jan. 11, will also help alleviate this strain, he said. "Our ongoing endeavors in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere are people-intensive, and it is heartening to know that there will be more soldiers and Marines to shoulder the load," he said.
The coalition will continue to transition control of Iraqi forces and provinces to Iraqis, and the U.S. advisor effort will be reinforced, Petraeus said. The focus on security in Baghdad will require that U.S. and Iraqi commanders become familiar with the areas they are operating in and work together to establish a permanent presence in areas where violence has been eliminated, he said.
In addition to overcoming security challenges, success in Iraq depends on actions in political and economic areas like governance, the distribution of oil revenues, national reconciliation, improvement in the capacity of Iraq's ministries, the establishment of the rule of law, and economic development, Petraeus said. To bolster progress in these areas, all agencies of the U.S. government need to step in and provide assistance, he emphasized.
"Our military is making an enormous commitment in Iraq; we need the rest of the departments to do likewise, to help the Iraqi government get the country and its citizens working, and to use Iraq's substantial oil revenues for the benefit of all the Iraqi people," he said.
The situation in Iraq is serious, and it will take time for the new strategy to be effective, Petraeus noted. The additional U.S. forces will need time to deploy to the region, become familiar with the situation, and set the conditions for successful security operations, he said.
"The only assurance I can give you is that, if confirmed, I will provide Multinational Force Iraq the best leadership and direction I can muster; I will work to ensure unity of effort with the ambassador and our Iraqi and coalition partners; and I will provide my bosses and you with forthright, professional military advice with respect to the missions given to Multinational Force Iraq and the situation on the ground in Iraq," Petraeus said to the committee.
If confirmed, this assignment will be Petraeus' fourth deployment of one year or longer since the summer of 2001; three of those deployments were to Iraq. Petraeus led the 101st Airborne Division in Mosul during the first year of Operation Iraqi Freedom, served as the first commander of Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq from June 2004 to September 2005, and commanded the NATO Training Mission Iraq from October 2004 through September 2005. He is currently serving as commander of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, Fort Leavenworth, Kan., where he oversees the organizations that educate Army leaders, draft doctrine, craft lessons learned, and help units prepare for deployment.
Petraeus acknowledged that the command of MNFI will be a heavy burden, but he said he is ready to take on the position. Not only is he eager to serve again with America's deployed troops, he said, but he feels an obligation to help the Iraqis, who are struggling to lead normal lives while their government forges a way ahead that will be anything but easy.
"Hard is not hopeless, and if confirmed, I pledge to do my utmost to lead our wonderful men and women in uniform and those of our coalition partners in Iraq as we endeavor to help the Iraqis make the most of the opportunity our soldiers, sailor, airmen and Marines have given to them," he said.
Article sponsored by law enforcement leaders; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
Army, Marine Chiefs Cite Need to Reset Non-deployed Forces
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 23, 2007 – The senior officers of two military services told a congressional committee today that although soldiers and Marines are performing well overseas in the war against terrorism, more troops and money are needed to refurbish non-deployed military forces. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James T. Conway testified before the House Armed Services Committee.
The Army has obligated $10 billion of $17 billon of funding appropriated by Congress for this fiscal year for replacement and repair of equipment used in Afghanistan and Iraq, Schoomaker told the lawmakers.
"We have received considerable support from this committee and the Congress to increase the readiness of our Army," he said. Consequently, U.S. soldiers deployed to combat terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq are the best equipped, best trained and best led ever, he said.
Yet, the Army is now wrestling with the task of rebuilding its stateside forces while supporting those stationed overseas, Schoomaker said.
"The immediate challenge lies with the readiness of the non-deployed forces," Schoomaker said, noting the Army needs Congress's support to address issues critical to maintaining the Army's overall readiness to respond decisively to potential contingencies.
Schoomaker praised President Bush's recommendation to increase the size of the Army by about 65,000 soldiers. That initiative, he said, recognizes the necessity to boost the Army's ranks during wartime when the all-volunteer force is being challenged with multiple commitments across the globe.
"Our goal is to provide a continuous supply of 20 to 21 brigade combat teams to meet global commitments," Schoomaker explained. "We remain committed to generating all-cohesive units that are fully manned, trained and equipped that are fully ready for the challenges they will face."
The plus-up will require a national commitment to provide and sustain the resources required to reset the Army in a balanced, coordinated fashion, while providing for the needs of soldiers and their families, Schoomaker said.
Also, the Army's active, reserve and National Guard components must be made ready to deploy together at any time, Schoomaker said. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates's recent announcements about changing reserve components' mobilization policies to reflect this goal are essential, the general said.
"Our reserve components comprise 55 percent of our Army's capabilities," Schoomaker said. "We must fully enable them to perform their new role as an integral part of our operational deployable force."
The Army is working to rapidly implement those changes and will need Congress's continued support while doing so, Schoomaker said.
Schoomaker reiterated that the Army is well ahead of using the $17 billion in force-reset funding for fiscal year 2007. He anticipated that refurbishing funding requirements for next fiscal year will total $13.5 billion.
That figure should increase, he added, when overseas forces are bulked up and the overall size of the Army is increased.
"Because the replacement of equipment can take up to three years following the commitment of funds, we seek to make this funding available to use as soon as possible," Schoomaker said. "To overcome the unprecedented stress being placed on our equipment today, reset funding will be required for a minimum of two to three years beyond the duration of the current conflict."
Years of under-funding experienced during the years prior to the war against terrorism created a $100 billion shortfall in Army investment accounts, Schoomaker said. Today, a $56 billion shortage remains in funding to replace or repair worn out equipment, he said.
Schoomaker said the funding shortage has caused the Army to take equipment from non-deployed units and provide it to units sent overseas. This practice "increases risk for our next-to-deploy units and limits our ability to respond to emerging strategic contingencies," he said.
Conway noted his Marines' spirits remain high despite repeated deployments.
"Though the troops in the operating forces are being pushed hard by the operational tempo and the frequency of deployments, morale has never been higher, because they believe they are making a difference," Conway said.
The Marines are grateful for the support of the U.S. government and the American people, Conway said. Marines also appreciate the receipt of better-armored vehicles, force adjustments made to better balance deployment cycles, and President Bush's recommendation to increase the size of the Corps by about 27,000 troops.
"The recently proposed increase in our end strength to 202,000 active-duty Marines will go a long way towards reducing the strain, both on the individual and the institution," Conway said. If the plus-up is approved by Congress, he said, the Marine Corps plans to increase its number by about 5,000 troops annually.
The Corps now is making plans for increased recruiting and retention, Conway said.
"We'll need the continued support of Congress for enlistment bonuses and other programs such as advertising, which will be essential for us to continue meeting these growth challenges," Conway said.
Article sponsored by law enforcement leaders; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 23, 2007 – The senior officers of two military services told a congressional committee today that although soldiers and Marines are performing well overseas in the war against terrorism, more troops and money are needed to refurbish non-deployed military forces. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James T. Conway testified before the House Armed Services Committee.
The Army has obligated $10 billion of $17 billon of funding appropriated by Congress for this fiscal year for replacement and repair of equipment used in Afghanistan and Iraq, Schoomaker told the lawmakers.
"We have received considerable support from this committee and the Congress to increase the readiness of our Army," he said. Consequently, U.S. soldiers deployed to combat terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq are the best equipped, best trained and best led ever, he said.
Yet, the Army is now wrestling with the task of rebuilding its stateside forces while supporting those stationed overseas, Schoomaker said.
"The immediate challenge lies with the readiness of the non-deployed forces," Schoomaker said, noting the Army needs Congress's support to address issues critical to maintaining the Army's overall readiness to respond decisively to potential contingencies.
Schoomaker praised President Bush's recommendation to increase the size of the Army by about 65,000 soldiers. That initiative, he said, recognizes the necessity to boost the Army's ranks during wartime when the all-volunteer force is being challenged with multiple commitments across the globe.
"Our goal is to provide a continuous supply of 20 to 21 brigade combat teams to meet global commitments," Schoomaker explained. "We remain committed to generating all-cohesive units that are fully manned, trained and equipped that are fully ready for the challenges they will face."
The plus-up will require a national commitment to provide and sustain the resources required to reset the Army in a balanced, coordinated fashion, while providing for the needs of soldiers and their families, Schoomaker said.
Also, the Army's active, reserve and National Guard components must be made ready to deploy together at any time, Schoomaker said. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates's recent announcements about changing reserve components' mobilization policies to reflect this goal are essential, the general said.
"Our reserve components comprise 55 percent of our Army's capabilities," Schoomaker said. "We must fully enable them to perform their new role as an integral part of our operational deployable force."
The Army is working to rapidly implement those changes and will need Congress's continued support while doing so, Schoomaker said.
Schoomaker reiterated that the Army is well ahead of using the $17 billion in force-reset funding for fiscal year 2007. He anticipated that refurbishing funding requirements for next fiscal year will total $13.5 billion.
That figure should increase, he added, when overseas forces are bulked up and the overall size of the Army is increased.
"Because the replacement of equipment can take up to three years following the commitment of funds, we seek to make this funding available to use as soon as possible," Schoomaker said. "To overcome the unprecedented stress being placed on our equipment today, reset funding will be required for a minimum of two to three years beyond the duration of the current conflict."
Years of under-funding experienced during the years prior to the war against terrorism created a $100 billion shortfall in Army investment accounts, Schoomaker said. Today, a $56 billion shortage remains in funding to replace or repair worn out equipment, he said.
Schoomaker said the funding shortage has caused the Army to take equipment from non-deployed units and provide it to units sent overseas. This practice "increases risk for our next-to-deploy units and limits our ability to respond to emerging strategic contingencies," he said.
Conway noted his Marines' spirits remain high despite repeated deployments.
"Though the troops in the operating forces are being pushed hard by the operational tempo and the frequency of deployments, morale has never been higher, because they believe they are making a difference," Conway said.
The Marines are grateful for the support of the U.S. government and the American people, Conway said. Marines also appreciate the receipt of better-armored vehicles, force adjustments made to better balance deployment cycles, and President Bush's recommendation to increase the size of the Corps by about 27,000 troops.
"The recently proposed increase in our end strength to 202,000 active-duty Marines will go a long way towards reducing the strain, both on the individual and the institution," Conway said. If the plus-up is approved by Congress, he said, the Marine Corps plans to increase its number by about 5,000 troops annually.
The Corps now is making plans for increased recruiting and retention, Conway said.
"We'll need the continued support of Congress for enlistment bonuses and other programs such as advertising, which will be essential for us to continue meeting these growth challenges," Conway said.
Article sponsored by law enforcement leaders; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
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