By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2007 – The Defense Department needs more servicemembers who understand other languages and cultures to meet current and envisioned 21st-century challenges, a senior official said at a Capitol Hill hearing. "Foreign language and regional expertise, which includes cultural awareness, are emerging as key competencies for our 21st-century Total Force," Gail H. McGinn, deputy undersecretary of defense for plans and the department's senior language authority, said in her prepared statement submitted to members of the Senate Armed Services Committee's emerging threats and capabilities subcommittee April 25.
Military operations conducted in Afghanistan and Iraq following the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on the United States highlighted "the reality that the Defense Department needs an improved capability in languages and dialects of strategic interest," McGinn said.
To address this need, the department in 2005 began assembling a cadre of high-proficiency-level language specialists who could be employed in multinational military operations, as well as peacekeeping and civil-military affairs missions, McGinn said.
For example, the department's foreign area officer program develops a corps of commissioned officers who are trained to understand and recognize the nuances of foreign cultures and are skilled in one or more languages spoken in their regional area of expertise, McGinn said. Today, about 1,600 FAOs have been designated, qualified or are in training, she said.
The Army's 09L interpreter/translator program is another success story, McGinn said. The Army launched a pilot program in 2003 to recruit people living in communities in America who understand Arabic, Dari and Pashto to join the Individual Ready Reserve and support operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, she said.
"The program was so successful that in 2006, the Army formally established the 09L Translator Aide as a permanent military occupational specialty with a career path from recruit through sergeant major," McGinn said. To date, the program has trained and deployed more than 317 such linguists, she said, with another 175 people in various stages of training.
Senior leaders also recognized that the department "had to assume a more proactive role in promoting and encouraging language education in the American population," McGinn said. To that end, President Bush announced the National Security Language Initiative in January 2006.
This initiative is designed "to dramatically increase the number of Americans learning critical-need foreign languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Hindi and Farsi," McGinn explained, noting the Defense Department's contribution to the president's initiative is made through the National Security Education Program.
The NSEP "provides scholarships and fellowships to enable U.S. students to study critical languages and cultures in return for federal national security service," McGinn explained.
Other NSLI initiatives such as the Flagship program reach out to kindergarten- to college-age young people who are interested in learning a foreign language that's deemed critical to national security, McGinn noted. One such Chinese-language partnership enlists the University of Oregon and Portland (Oregon) Public Schools.
"While focusing on early language learning, this effort has already succeeded in enrolling 10 students, as freshmen, from the Portland high schools in an experimental advanced four-year Chinese program at the University of Oregon," McGinn reported. Similar partnerships, she added, have been established with Ohio State University and the Dearborn, Mich., public school district.
The Language Corps is another Defense Department initiative that contributes to the president's language-skills outreach program, McGinn said.
"This effort will identify Americans with skills in critical languages and develop the capacity to mobilize them during times of national need or emergency," she explained. "We just awarded a contract to assist us as we begin a three-year pilot (program) to meet our goal of 1,000 Language Corps members."
McGinn said the Defense Department also is coordinating a series of regional meetings with state and local governments, educational institutions, school boards, parents and businesses to communication the need for more foreign-language specialists.
"These summits will take place later this spring and action plans will be produced by the fall (of) 2007," McGinn said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Edwards Readies for Joint Strike Fighter Testing
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2007 – All systems are moving toward "go" here as officials prepare for upcoming tests on the next-generation strike fighter, the F-35 "Lightning II" Joint Strike Fighter. A new mission control room opened its doors earlier this month, equipped so the Integrated Test Force will be able to monitor real-time performance of the aircraft during its test missions here beginning this fall.
The long-awaited aircraft, the first to be developed within the Defense Department to meet the needs of three services, promises state-of-the-art technology at a cost officials say simply couldn't be matched by three separate aircraft programs.
"What's unique about this aircraft is that we're building three variants, all at once," said Marc Trinklein, deputy director for the Integrated Test Force.
These variants are designed for the specific needs of the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, as well as international partners that are helping fund and develop the aircraft, he said. This represents the first time in military procurement history that the United States has partnered with another nation to build an aircraft from the ground up.
Current partners are the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark and Norway, but Trinklein said more are expected to sign on.
This arrangement brings unprecedented economies of scale. The aircraft's three models share many common designs, technologies and maintenance requirements, Trinklein said. For example, all three aircraft can use a common engine, one produced by two different contractors.
At the same time, he said, they'll deliver revolutionary new capabilities adapted for close-air support, tactical bombing and air-to-air combat missions.
The bulk of the F-35s will be the "A" model, configured for the Air Force to replace F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and complement the F-22A Raptor. They will feature conventional takeoff and landing capabilities.
This aircraft, which made its maiden flight at the Lockheed-Martin plant in Fort Worth, Texas, in mid-December, is expected to undergo developmental testing here and at Fort Worth beginning in mid-2009 or early 2010.
Meanwhile, developmental testing for the other two F-35 variants, the "B" and "C" models, will take place at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.
The "B" model, being developed for the Marine Corps, will have short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities. It is designed to replace the Marines' F/A-18C and D Hornet fighters and AV-8B Harrier IIs.
Initial plans called for the models to be developed sequentially, "A" followed by "B," then by "C," but Trinklein said the "B" model has moved to the front of the line. "The Marines have the greatest need due to the age of the Harrier fleet," he said. "They are flying Harriers, and they are very old and not so capable, so they are recognized as the biggest need."
The F-35B is expected to make its first flight in May 2008.
The "C" model F-35 will be adapted for the Navy for carrier landings. It will feature larger, folding wings and stronger landing gear than the other variants and complement the F/A18 "E" and "F" models.
After developmental testing here and at Patuxent River, all three models - six of each, plus two British versions -- will undergo operational testing here beginning in 2011, Trinklein said.
The goal, he said, is to get the first F-35B's fielded to the Marine Corps in 2012. The other two models are expected to follow to their respective services in 2013.
When they're delivered, these aircraft will bring cutting-edge technologies. They'll provide a level of stealth not found in previous Navy and Marine Corps aircraft and a highly advanced radar capability Trinklein said "is incredible compared to what's out in the field now."
An infrared electro-optical targeting system will provide "awesome" detail, and an integrated distributed aperture sensor system will enable a pilot to see infrared imagery from any direction via a helmet-mounted display.
"This is a huge step in situational awareness," Trinklein said. "It's revolutionary to have the pilot to have no blind spots, day or night."
An autonomic logistics system is designed to run without paper, technical orders or even checklists.
The aircraft also will monitor its own systems and issue reports as needed. "It's designed to be predictive," Trinklein said. "It will be able to tell if a system is starting to degrade before it becomes a problem. It will say what part is needed, so that part can be ready when the plane lands."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2007 – All systems are moving toward "go" here as officials prepare for upcoming tests on the next-generation strike fighter, the F-35 "Lightning II" Joint Strike Fighter. A new mission control room opened its doors earlier this month, equipped so the Integrated Test Force will be able to monitor real-time performance of the aircraft during its test missions here beginning this fall.
The long-awaited aircraft, the first to be developed within the Defense Department to meet the needs of three services, promises state-of-the-art technology at a cost officials say simply couldn't be matched by three separate aircraft programs.
"What's unique about this aircraft is that we're building three variants, all at once," said Marc Trinklein, deputy director for the Integrated Test Force.
These variants are designed for the specific needs of the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, as well as international partners that are helping fund and develop the aircraft, he said. This represents the first time in military procurement history that the United States has partnered with another nation to build an aircraft from the ground up.
Current partners are the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark and Norway, but Trinklein said more are expected to sign on.
This arrangement brings unprecedented economies of scale. The aircraft's three models share many common designs, technologies and maintenance requirements, Trinklein said. For example, all three aircraft can use a common engine, one produced by two different contractors.
At the same time, he said, they'll deliver revolutionary new capabilities adapted for close-air support, tactical bombing and air-to-air combat missions.
The bulk of the F-35s will be the "A" model, configured for the Air Force to replace F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and complement the F-22A Raptor. They will feature conventional takeoff and landing capabilities.
This aircraft, which made its maiden flight at the Lockheed-Martin plant in Fort Worth, Texas, in mid-December, is expected to undergo developmental testing here and at Fort Worth beginning in mid-2009 or early 2010.
Meanwhile, developmental testing for the other two F-35 variants, the "B" and "C" models, will take place at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.
The "B" model, being developed for the Marine Corps, will have short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities. It is designed to replace the Marines' F/A-18C and D Hornet fighters and AV-8B Harrier IIs.
Initial plans called for the models to be developed sequentially, "A" followed by "B," then by "C," but Trinklein said the "B" model has moved to the front of the line. "The Marines have the greatest need due to the age of the Harrier fleet," he said. "They are flying Harriers, and they are very old and not so capable, so they are recognized as the biggest need."
The F-35B is expected to make its first flight in May 2008.
The "C" model F-35 will be adapted for the Navy for carrier landings. It will feature larger, folding wings and stronger landing gear than the other variants and complement the F/A18 "E" and "F" models.
After developmental testing here and at Patuxent River, all three models - six of each, plus two British versions -- will undergo operational testing here beginning in 2011, Trinklein said.
The goal, he said, is to get the first F-35B's fielded to the Marine Corps in 2012. The other two models are expected to follow to their respective services in 2013.
When they're delivered, these aircraft will bring cutting-edge technologies. They'll provide a level of stealth not found in previous Navy and Marine Corps aircraft and a highly advanced radar capability Trinklein said "is incredible compared to what's out in the field now."
An infrared electro-optical targeting system will provide "awesome" detail, and an integrated distributed aperture sensor system will enable a pilot to see infrared imagery from any direction via a helmet-mounted display.
"This is a huge step in situational awareness," Trinklein said. "It's revolutionary to have the pilot to have no blind spots, day or night."
An autonomic logistics system is designed to run without paper, technical orders or even checklists.
The aircraft also will monitor its own systems and issue reports as needed. "It's designed to be predictive," Trinklein said. "It will be able to tell if a system is starting to degrade before it becomes a problem. It will say what part is needed, so that part can be ready when the plane lands."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Edwards Test Mission Helping Shape Future Force
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2007 – A team of military and civilian employees and contractors at the Air Force Flight Test Center here is helping to build the Air Force of the future as they improve on air systems in use around the world today in the war on terror. For the past 60 years, this sprawling Mojave Desert base has hosted more major aviation milestones than any other spot on the globe. Then-Capt. Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in his rocket-powered Bell X-1 aircraft here in 1947. Other test pilots here followed his lead, pushing Yeager's speed and altitude records to new limits.
It was also here that the X-15 rocket plane probed the threshold of space, and where the space shuttle landed on its initial return from orbit.
Today, "Team Edwards" is building on that legacy, pushing aviation to new limits and ensuring the safest, most dependable aircraft possible, Col. Chris Cook, commander of the 412th Operations Group, told American Forces Press Service.
Engineers, scientists, logisticians, technicians and test pilots here - "50-pound brains," as Cook calls them -- strive to push the aviation envelope and work out every imaginable "bug" before delivering a new aircraft or system to the field.
"We try to mitigate some of the risk," said Cook, a former test pilot himself. "What we try to make sure is that the second lieutenant flying the aircraft for the first time isn't a test pilot."
For that, Edwards has its own test pilots, trained at the Air Force Test Pilot School here. Most are senior captains or junior majors who come armed with technical degrees and high ratings as aircrew members before being selected for the rigorous year-long program.
One of their most important attributes, Cook said, is the ability to think on their feet - or in just about any other position or situation imaginable. "I have to be able to talk to you about my altitude while upside down and spinning," he said. "Those are the things that separate test pilots from the rest of the world. You have to be able to fly, but you also have to be technically oriented to understand that side of things."
These test pilots work shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the country's brightest engineers, scientists, logisticians and technicians throughout the aircraft research, development, testing and evaluation process, Cook said.
"We try to get involved as early as possible in the concept stage so the testing effort gets planned for early," Cook said.
The goal is to avoid surprises and the need for "rework" that can send a project back to the drawing board or signal its death knell. "Rework is the thing that kills us," Cook said. "The (development) schedule goes out the window and the cost goes way up."
As aircraft systems and platforms are developed, they're put through the test process in what Cook calls "baby steps." Tests typically begin through computer models and in simulators before progressing to real flight operations.
Those tests, too, go in a precise step-by-step sequence. "Sometimes going very fast requires us to go slow," Cook said. "We're very methodical. After all, you have only one opportunity to do it right."
Only when real-life results begin to validate those projected in computer models, the testing expands "from what we know to what we don't know," he said. They're subjected to different altitudes, different speeds and new demands.
"It's kind of like being a blind person," he said. "We have our cane and start to tap around looking for cliffs. There are still cliffs out there we don't even know about."
The meticulous work done here aims to make sure operators never have to encounter those cliffs during real operations, he said. "We want to ensure they have the safest, most reliable systems possible," he said.
Cook said the staff members here recognize they "stand on the shoulders of giants" who served before them. Over Edwards' history, its people have played key roles in developing nearly every aircraft that's entered the Air Force inventory since World War II.
Now, as they focus on new and future systems - the F-22A Raptor, the RQ-4A Global Hawk and the F-35 "Lightning II" Joint Strike Fighter, among them - Cook said he recognizes they're helping shape the future Air Force for generations to come.
"We recognize the importance of what we do here and the long-term implications it has for the Air Force," he said. "I tell my guys we're history makers."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2007 – A team of military and civilian employees and contractors at the Air Force Flight Test Center here is helping to build the Air Force of the future as they improve on air systems in use around the world today in the war on terror. For the past 60 years, this sprawling Mojave Desert base has hosted more major aviation milestones than any other spot on the globe. Then-Capt. Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in his rocket-powered Bell X-1 aircraft here in 1947. Other test pilots here followed his lead, pushing Yeager's speed and altitude records to new limits.
It was also here that the X-15 rocket plane probed the threshold of space, and where the space shuttle landed on its initial return from orbit.
Today, "Team Edwards" is building on that legacy, pushing aviation to new limits and ensuring the safest, most dependable aircraft possible, Col. Chris Cook, commander of the 412th Operations Group, told American Forces Press Service.
Engineers, scientists, logisticians, technicians and test pilots here - "50-pound brains," as Cook calls them -- strive to push the aviation envelope and work out every imaginable "bug" before delivering a new aircraft or system to the field.
"We try to mitigate some of the risk," said Cook, a former test pilot himself. "What we try to make sure is that the second lieutenant flying the aircraft for the first time isn't a test pilot."
For that, Edwards has its own test pilots, trained at the Air Force Test Pilot School here. Most are senior captains or junior majors who come armed with technical degrees and high ratings as aircrew members before being selected for the rigorous year-long program.
One of their most important attributes, Cook said, is the ability to think on their feet - or in just about any other position or situation imaginable. "I have to be able to talk to you about my altitude while upside down and spinning," he said. "Those are the things that separate test pilots from the rest of the world. You have to be able to fly, but you also have to be technically oriented to understand that side of things."
These test pilots work shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the country's brightest engineers, scientists, logisticians and technicians throughout the aircraft research, development, testing and evaluation process, Cook said.
"We try to get involved as early as possible in the concept stage so the testing effort gets planned for early," Cook said.
The goal is to avoid surprises and the need for "rework" that can send a project back to the drawing board or signal its death knell. "Rework is the thing that kills us," Cook said. "The (development) schedule goes out the window and the cost goes way up."
As aircraft systems and platforms are developed, they're put through the test process in what Cook calls "baby steps." Tests typically begin through computer models and in simulators before progressing to real flight operations.
Those tests, too, go in a precise step-by-step sequence. "Sometimes going very fast requires us to go slow," Cook said. "We're very methodical. After all, you have only one opportunity to do it right."
Only when real-life results begin to validate those projected in computer models, the testing expands "from what we know to what we don't know," he said. They're subjected to different altitudes, different speeds and new demands.
"It's kind of like being a blind person," he said. "We have our cane and start to tap around looking for cliffs. There are still cliffs out there we don't even know about."
The meticulous work done here aims to make sure operators never have to encounter those cliffs during real operations, he said. "We want to ensure they have the safest, most reliable systems possible," he said.
Cook said the staff members here recognize they "stand on the shoulders of giants" who served before them. Over Edwards' history, its people have played key roles in developing nearly every aircraft that's entered the Air Force inventory since World War II.
Now, as they focus on new and future systems - the F-22A Raptor, the RQ-4A Global Hawk and the F-35 "Lightning II" Joint Strike Fighter, among them - Cook said he recognizes they're helping shape the future Air Force for generations to come.
"We recognize the importance of what we do here and the long-term implications it has for the Air Force," he said. "I tell my guys we're history makers."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
New JKO Portal to Offer Joint Online Training
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2007 – A new system unveiled today is designed to better prepare servicemembers to operate with other services, government agencies, foreign militaries and non-governmental organizations while reducing the time they spend away from home or their units for military classes. David S.C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, joined Air Force Gen. Lance L. Smith, commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command, at the general's headquarters in Suffolk, Va., to officially cut the ribbon on the new Joint Knowledge Online, or JKO, enterprise portal system.
The system will go live worldwide April 30 to deliver coursework and learning tools for people involved in integrated, joint operations, Smith told reporters during a teleconference following the ceremony.
Chu called JKO a major step in the Defense Department's training transformation effort to improve how it prepares its people for their missions around the world. It recognizes that operations now and in the future will be not just joint, but also integrated, meaning they include elements of other U.S. government agencies, foreign militaries and non-governmental organizations, he said.
"For our forces to be effective in that world, they have to prepare with a joint perspective from the start," he said.
JKO's distance-learning classes will give users a chance to learn or brush up on skills they need to operate in a challenging and constantly changing environment, Chu said.
Smith said JKO's unveiling represents a big step toward improving individual training that helps prepare troops to go to war.
"It makes sure that when our soldiers and sailors and airmen and Marines are out there in the field having to fight a war, that those over them, especially in the joint arena, are prepared to make the kind of decisions that need to be made so they can go do their mission, and know that they are trained to do it," Smith said. "So it fills a very important capability for us."
JKO delivers this critical training with consideration to the heavy demands already being placed on their personal time, he said.
"In today's environment, where the operations tempo is so high, ... this will allow soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines to be able to train in many areas at their own pace, in their own houses or their own workspace without having to take more time away from their family and their units," he said.
For example, one of the portal's first offerings, the Joint Individual Augmentee Module, will replace a week-long resident course that was offered in Suffolk, Va. Rather than receiving orders to attend the resident school, students will receive orders directing them to a specific Web site and telling them how to access the coursework.
Other offerings will shorten resident course time by giving students the basics online before they show up for the first day of class.
With unit rotations sometimes giving troops only a year of "dwell time" at home between deploying, "every day counts," Smith said. "And I think this will go a long way toward easing their training scheme as they prepare to go to Iraq or Afghanistan or whatever else it is that they are going to do."
A particularly unique feature of the new portal is that it's open not just to servicemembers, but also to others who will work alongside them in integrated operations.
Smith said giving these groups the opportunity to train for missions they'll conduct together, such as running a provincinal reconstruction team, will put them a step ahead when they hit the ground. "We can make sure we show up to the PRTs or some other function we are doing together at least with the basic knowledge that we can share and talk about," he said.
Chu praised the portal's ability to bring together players in different locations and allow them to interact in virtual exercises. "It allows us to ... rehearse for missions with real incidents that literally replicate what they are going to see on the ground," Chu said.
JKO complements and provides links to service-operated portals, including Army Knowledge Online, Navy Knowledge Online, Air Force Portal and MarineNet. These portals will continue to provide service-specific training.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2007 – A new system unveiled today is designed to better prepare servicemembers to operate with other services, government agencies, foreign militaries and non-governmental organizations while reducing the time they spend away from home or their units for military classes. David S.C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, joined Air Force Gen. Lance L. Smith, commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command, at the general's headquarters in Suffolk, Va., to officially cut the ribbon on the new Joint Knowledge Online, or JKO, enterprise portal system.
The system will go live worldwide April 30 to deliver coursework and learning tools for people involved in integrated, joint operations, Smith told reporters during a teleconference following the ceremony.
Chu called JKO a major step in the Defense Department's training transformation effort to improve how it prepares its people for their missions around the world. It recognizes that operations now and in the future will be not just joint, but also integrated, meaning they include elements of other U.S. government agencies, foreign militaries and non-governmental organizations, he said.
"For our forces to be effective in that world, they have to prepare with a joint perspective from the start," he said.
JKO's distance-learning classes will give users a chance to learn or brush up on skills they need to operate in a challenging and constantly changing environment, Chu said.
Smith said JKO's unveiling represents a big step toward improving individual training that helps prepare troops to go to war.
"It makes sure that when our soldiers and sailors and airmen and Marines are out there in the field having to fight a war, that those over them, especially in the joint arena, are prepared to make the kind of decisions that need to be made so they can go do their mission, and know that they are trained to do it," Smith said. "So it fills a very important capability for us."
JKO delivers this critical training with consideration to the heavy demands already being placed on their personal time, he said.
"In today's environment, where the operations tempo is so high, ... this will allow soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines to be able to train in many areas at their own pace, in their own houses or their own workspace without having to take more time away from their family and their units," he said.
For example, one of the portal's first offerings, the Joint Individual Augmentee Module, will replace a week-long resident course that was offered in Suffolk, Va. Rather than receiving orders to attend the resident school, students will receive orders directing them to a specific Web site and telling them how to access the coursework.
Other offerings will shorten resident course time by giving students the basics online before they show up for the first day of class.
With unit rotations sometimes giving troops only a year of "dwell time" at home between deploying, "every day counts," Smith said. "And I think this will go a long way toward easing their training scheme as they prepare to go to Iraq or Afghanistan or whatever else it is that they are going to do."
A particularly unique feature of the new portal is that it's open not just to servicemembers, but also to others who will work alongside them in integrated operations.
Smith said giving these groups the opportunity to train for missions they'll conduct together, such as running a provincinal reconstruction team, will put them a step ahead when they hit the ground. "We can make sure we show up to the PRTs or some other function we are doing together at least with the basic knowledge that we can share and talk about," he said.
Chu praised the portal's ability to bring together players in different locations and allow them to interact in virtual exercises. "It allows us to ... rehearse for missions with real incidents that literally replicate what they are going to see on the ground," Chu said.
JKO complements and provides links to service-operated portals, including Army Knowledge Online, Navy Knowledge Online, Air Force Portal and MarineNet. These portals will continue to provide service-specific training.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Civilian Leaders Visit Marines in Bahrain
By Carmen L. Gleason
American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2007 – Marines from the 3rd Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team put on an impressive display here today for visiting members of the Defense Department's Joint Civilian Orientation Conference. The 45 business and civic leaders who are participating in a whirlwind tour of military installations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility had the opportunity to interact with Marines, check out their equipment and watch a martial arts demonstration from the Marines deployed here.
Following a briefing from Marine Col. William Hardy, U.S. Marine Forces Central Command, on the involvement of Marine coordination elements and the success of Marines within Iraq and Afghanistan, the participants got a chance to see vehicles, body armor, communications equipment and weapons used by the 3rd FAST during their six-month deployment to the region.
The unit serves as a quick-reaction force in the area to provide security for embassies and other anti-terrorism operations. They will be leaving in two days to return home to Camp Allen, Va., after what they are calling "a quiet deployment" where they saw little action.
"Our mission here was extremely important," said Marine Cpl. James Tucker. "I may be a little biased, but I think that Marines are the most professional fighting force in the world."
There is no better force to have on quick-reaction status, he said. "We served an important role for the governments in this area by being on standby 24 hours a day."
Marine Staff Sgt. Charles Burnett echoed the same pride in his Corps when orchestrating a demonstration of the Marine Corps martial arts program with troops in his unit.
Burnett said the training, which became a mandatory part of Marine boot camp in 1999, is based on a show of continual force.
"You have to make quick judgments and ensure that you get control of combat situations as soon as possible," he explained to the audience.
Participants were impressed as the Marines threw their fellow team members to the ground and responded to mock attacks with a number of holds and offensive and defensive moves.
Just like other martial arts, the Marine Corps martial artists build on discipline and character by discussing warrior case studies during their training, Burnett said. "We talk about past Marines who have been honored for their extraordinary efforts and who have set an example for the rest of us to follow."
"It preaches a warrior ethos that inspires a culture," said Marine Capt. Ed Hinman, platoon commander for the 3rd FAST.
The intangibles they give Marines - assertiveness, confidence, pride - are what's really important about the training, he said.
For JCOC participant James Dicks, the interaction with the Marines had a special significance.
Dicks, a former Marine who has gone on to become a successful chief executive officer and best-selling author of finance, real estate and investing books, credits his success in life to the values he acquired while serving his country.
"When I was a Marine I thought I was 10 feet tall and bulletproof," the Florida native said. "When I got out, I applied those same principles to my business. If I did something that didn't work, I came back again with a different strategy."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2007 – Marines from the 3rd Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team put on an impressive display here today for visiting members of the Defense Department's Joint Civilian Orientation Conference. The 45 business and civic leaders who are participating in a whirlwind tour of military installations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility had the opportunity to interact with Marines, check out their equipment and watch a martial arts demonstration from the Marines deployed here.
Following a briefing from Marine Col. William Hardy, U.S. Marine Forces Central Command, on the involvement of Marine coordination elements and the success of Marines within Iraq and Afghanistan, the participants got a chance to see vehicles, body armor, communications equipment and weapons used by the 3rd FAST during their six-month deployment to the region.
The unit serves as a quick-reaction force in the area to provide security for embassies and other anti-terrorism operations. They will be leaving in two days to return home to Camp Allen, Va., after what they are calling "a quiet deployment" where they saw little action.
"Our mission here was extremely important," said Marine Cpl. James Tucker. "I may be a little biased, but I think that Marines are the most professional fighting force in the world."
There is no better force to have on quick-reaction status, he said. "We served an important role for the governments in this area by being on standby 24 hours a day."
Marine Staff Sgt. Charles Burnett echoed the same pride in his Corps when orchestrating a demonstration of the Marine Corps martial arts program with troops in his unit.
Burnett said the training, which became a mandatory part of Marine boot camp in 1999, is based on a show of continual force.
"You have to make quick judgments and ensure that you get control of combat situations as soon as possible," he explained to the audience.
Participants were impressed as the Marines threw their fellow team members to the ground and responded to mock attacks with a number of holds and offensive and defensive moves.
Just like other martial arts, the Marine Corps martial artists build on discipline and character by discussing warrior case studies during their training, Burnett said. "We talk about past Marines who have been honored for their extraordinary efforts and who have set an example for the rest of us to follow."
"It preaches a warrior ethos that inspires a culture," said Marine Capt. Ed Hinman, platoon commander for the 3rd FAST.
The intangibles they give Marines - assertiveness, confidence, pride - are what's really important about the training, he said.
For JCOC participant James Dicks, the interaction with the Marines had a special significance.
Dicks, a former Marine who has gone on to become a successful chief executive officer and best-selling author of finance, real estate and investing books, credits his success in life to the values he acquired while serving his country.
"When I was a Marine I thought I was 10 feet tall and bulletproof," the Florida native said. "When I got out, I applied those same principles to my business. If I did something that didn't work, I came back again with a different strategy."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Bush Vows to Veto War-Funding Bills with Iraq Withdrawal Provisos
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2007 – President Bush today repeated his pledge that he'll veto any congressional war-funding bills that stipulate a timetable for withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Iraq. Earlier this week, the U.S. House, followed by the Senate, passed war-funding bills that call for a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq to begin later this year.
"I haven't vetoed the first (House) bill yet, but I'm going to," Bush said to reporters with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at his side during a news conference at the presidential compound at Camp David, Md. "And, the reason why I'm going to is because the members of Congress have made military decisions on behalf of the military."
Bush steadfastly maintains that military decisions fall under his purview as commander in chief of the armed forces, while also emphasizing that any withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq before the new Iraqi government can firmly establish itself would hurt military morale and put America in jeopardy.
"And, if the Congress wants to test my will as to whether or not I'll accept a timetable for withdrawal, I won't accept one," Bush said. "I just don't think it's in the interest of our troops."
In mid-February, additional American and Iraqi security forces began to deploy into Baghdad and western Iraq to tamp down insurgent-staged violence enough to provide a window of opportunity for the Iraqi government to get onto its feet. The deployment of U.S. forces into Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq as part of the surge is expected to be completed by June, according to U.S. military officials.
The recent congressional legislation calls for "withdrawing (U.S. forces) before we've even finished reinforcing our troops in Baghdad," Bush said. "They're sending, in my judgment, a bad message to the Iraqis and to our enemy, and, most importantly, to our military folks."
Bush said it was unfortunate that the Iraq issue "has evolved the way it has" on Capitol Hill. Nonetheless, the president emphasized that he's sticking to his guns, and will veto any war-funding legislation calling for an early withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.
"And, my veto will be sustained," the president told reporters.
Bush first noted at the news conference that he and the first lady had enjoyed dinner last evening with Prime Minister Abe and his wife, Akie.
After private discussions with the senior Japanese minister, Bush told reporters that the alliance between the United States and Japan "has never been stronger." Japan is the second-largest donor to the people of Iraq and it's the third-largest donor to the Afghan people, Bush pointed out.
"And, I thank you Shinzo, and I thank the people of Japan for helping these young democracies survive in a troubled world," Bush said. "I firmly believe that we're helping lay a foundation for peace for generations to come."
Abe said Japan "understands and supports U.S. efforts for the stabilization and reconstruction in Iraq, and Japan will carry on its own efforts to this same end."
The U.S.-Japan relationship "is rooted in common values, especially our commitment to freedom and democracy," Bush said, noting that he and Abe discussed possibilities for future partnership between their countries.
The two senior statesmen also "spent a lot of time talking about North Korea and our mutual desire for North Korea to meet its obligations," Bush said, referring to North Korea's pledge to jettison its nuclear weapons program.
Diplomacy is the best and wisest way to persuade North Korean leader Kim Jong Il that it's in his country's best interests to get rid of the nuclear weapons program, Bush said.
"It's his choice to make ultimately, not our choice, as to whether he honors the agreement he agreed to," Bush said of Kim Jong Il's role in negotiations over his country's nuclear weapons program.
The United States and its allies hope that Kim makes "the right choice for his country," Bush said. But, North Korea cannot continue to stall, the president pointed out.
"We've got a strategy to make sure that the pressure we have initially applied is even greater. That's our plan," Bush said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2007 – President Bush today repeated his pledge that he'll veto any congressional war-funding bills that stipulate a timetable for withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Iraq. Earlier this week, the U.S. House, followed by the Senate, passed war-funding bills that call for a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq to begin later this year.
"I haven't vetoed the first (House) bill yet, but I'm going to," Bush said to reporters with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at his side during a news conference at the presidential compound at Camp David, Md. "And, the reason why I'm going to is because the members of Congress have made military decisions on behalf of the military."
Bush steadfastly maintains that military decisions fall under his purview as commander in chief of the armed forces, while also emphasizing that any withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq before the new Iraqi government can firmly establish itself would hurt military morale and put America in jeopardy.
"And, if the Congress wants to test my will as to whether or not I'll accept a timetable for withdrawal, I won't accept one," Bush said. "I just don't think it's in the interest of our troops."
In mid-February, additional American and Iraqi security forces began to deploy into Baghdad and western Iraq to tamp down insurgent-staged violence enough to provide a window of opportunity for the Iraqi government to get onto its feet. The deployment of U.S. forces into Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq as part of the surge is expected to be completed by June, according to U.S. military officials.
The recent congressional legislation calls for "withdrawing (U.S. forces) before we've even finished reinforcing our troops in Baghdad," Bush said. "They're sending, in my judgment, a bad message to the Iraqis and to our enemy, and, most importantly, to our military folks."
Bush said it was unfortunate that the Iraq issue "has evolved the way it has" on Capitol Hill. Nonetheless, the president emphasized that he's sticking to his guns, and will veto any war-funding legislation calling for an early withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.
"And, my veto will be sustained," the president told reporters.
Bush first noted at the news conference that he and the first lady had enjoyed dinner last evening with Prime Minister Abe and his wife, Akie.
After private discussions with the senior Japanese minister, Bush told reporters that the alliance between the United States and Japan "has never been stronger." Japan is the second-largest donor to the people of Iraq and it's the third-largest donor to the Afghan people, Bush pointed out.
"And, I thank you Shinzo, and I thank the people of Japan for helping these young democracies survive in a troubled world," Bush said. "I firmly believe that we're helping lay a foundation for peace for generations to come."
Abe said Japan "understands and supports U.S. efforts for the stabilization and reconstruction in Iraq, and Japan will carry on its own efforts to this same end."
The U.S.-Japan relationship "is rooted in common values, especially our commitment to freedom and democracy," Bush said, noting that he and Abe discussed possibilities for future partnership between their countries.
The two senior statesmen also "spent a lot of time talking about North Korea and our mutual desire for North Korea to meet its obligations," Bush said, referring to North Korea's pledge to jettison its nuclear weapons program.
Diplomacy is the best and wisest way to persuade North Korean leader Kim Jong Il that it's in his country's best interests to get rid of the nuclear weapons program, Bush said.
"It's his choice to make ultimately, not our choice, as to whether he honors the agreement he agreed to," Bush said of Kim Jong Il's role in negotiations over his country's nuclear weapons program.
The United States and its allies hope that Kim makes "the right choice for his country," Bush said. But, North Korea cannot continue to stall, the president pointed out.
"We've got a strategy to make sure that the pressure we have initially applied is even greater. That's our plan," Bush said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Students Donate $20,000 to Help Build Pentagon Memorial
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2007 – About 120 fourth- and fifth-grade students and their chaperones representing J.W. Alvey Elementary School in Haymarket, Va., presented a check for $20,000 to the Pentagon Memorial Fund today during a ceremony at the Pentagon. The donation is a result of the school's third annual service project, a walk-a-thon focusing on service, Candace Rotruck, the school's principal, said. The past two years, beneficiaries of the fundraiser were tsunami victims in Southeast Asia and victims of Hurricane Katrina.
"We wanted to continue (the fundraisers), so this year we have dedicated our fundraiser to the Pentagon Memorial Fund, and our focus has been on service," Rotruck said, adding that the notion includes service to the school, service to the community and service to the country.
That focus led to the motto for this year's fundraiser: "Remember yesterday, Build tomorrow."
"So to help remember yesterday and build tomorrow, and as part of our service to our community and our country, we are here to present you with a check for $20,000," she said as she handed the donation to Jim Laychak, president and chairman of the Pentagon Memorial Fund's board of directors.
Laychack lost his younger brother in the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the Pentagon, and he said he became involved with the project because he wants to make sure the world remembers and honors those who lost their lives here.
"Thank you so very much," Laychak said. "This is a tremendous effort. It's days like today that I know that we're going to (meet the fundraising goal), because school kids throughout the country ... are contributing to this, and this is just a great message for other schools."
He went on to praise the students as shining examples of how positive things can spring forth from something as tragic as the Sept. 11 attacks.
"It makes you realize how much goodness there is out there," Laychak said. "These kids are a part of history. They'll always be able to go there and talk about what they did to help make this (memorial) a reality."
Chris Dalton, a teacher who served as co-chair of the fundraiser's planning committee, said the students really took the helm after deciding to recognize the fifth anniversary of Sept. 11 with the walk-a-thon.
"It was the kids' idea, and the kids provided a lot of service," he said, adding that they made posters and collected all the pledges. "We were there to kind of group them together and make sure that they were on the right track."
Gabi Debardi, a fifth-grader, said the school met its goal of service to school, community and country.
"We have achieved our goal," Debardi said. "I think this is very important, because later in life we'll remember this and we'll help build the Pentagon Memorial."
Debardi was part of the 120-member J.W. Alvey Singing Sunrays student choir that performed three patriotic songs during the ceremony. She said she personally walked 15 laps around the school, which she emphatically described as a big building.
Editor's Note: To find out about more individuals, groups and organizations that are helping support the troops, visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil. America Supports You directly connects military members to the support of the America people and offers a tool to the general public in their quest to find meaningful ways to support the military community.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2007 – About 120 fourth- and fifth-grade students and their chaperones representing J.W. Alvey Elementary School in Haymarket, Va., presented a check for $20,000 to the Pentagon Memorial Fund today during a ceremony at the Pentagon. The donation is a result of the school's third annual service project, a walk-a-thon focusing on service, Candace Rotruck, the school's principal, said. The past two years, beneficiaries of the fundraiser were tsunami victims in Southeast Asia and victims of Hurricane Katrina.
"We wanted to continue (the fundraisers), so this year we have dedicated our fundraiser to the Pentagon Memorial Fund, and our focus has been on service," Rotruck said, adding that the notion includes service to the school, service to the community and service to the country.
That focus led to the motto for this year's fundraiser: "Remember yesterday, Build tomorrow."
"So to help remember yesterday and build tomorrow, and as part of our service to our community and our country, we are here to present you with a check for $20,000," she said as she handed the donation to Jim Laychak, president and chairman of the Pentagon Memorial Fund's board of directors.
Laychack lost his younger brother in the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the Pentagon, and he said he became involved with the project because he wants to make sure the world remembers and honors those who lost their lives here.
"Thank you so very much," Laychak said. "This is a tremendous effort. It's days like today that I know that we're going to (meet the fundraising goal), because school kids throughout the country ... are contributing to this, and this is just a great message for other schools."
He went on to praise the students as shining examples of how positive things can spring forth from something as tragic as the Sept. 11 attacks.
"It makes you realize how much goodness there is out there," Laychak said. "These kids are a part of history. They'll always be able to go there and talk about what they did to help make this (memorial) a reality."
Chris Dalton, a teacher who served as co-chair of the fundraiser's planning committee, said the students really took the helm after deciding to recognize the fifth anniversary of Sept. 11 with the walk-a-thon.
"It was the kids' idea, and the kids provided a lot of service," he said, adding that they made posters and collected all the pledges. "We were there to kind of group them together and make sure that they were on the right track."
Gabi Debardi, a fifth-grader, said the school met its goal of service to school, community and country.
"We have achieved our goal," Debardi said. "I think this is very important, because later in life we'll remember this and we'll help build the Pentagon Memorial."
Debardi was part of the 120-member J.W. Alvey Singing Sunrays student choir that performed three patriotic songs during the ceremony. She said she personally walked 15 laps around the school, which she emphatically described as a big building.
Editor's Note: To find out about more individuals, groups and organizations that are helping support the troops, visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil. America Supports You directly connects military members to the support of the America people and offers a tool to the general public in their quest to find meaningful ways to support the military community.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Soldiers Earn Respect of Visiting Business Leaders
By Carmen L. Gleason
American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2007 – A group of civic and business leaders had the opportunity to learn more about the capability of the U.S. Army during a visit yesterday and today to troops stationed in Kuwait. Forty-five participants of the Defense Department's Joint Civilian Orientation Conference made a stop during their tour of the U.S. Central Command region to learn about the training and missions of today's soldiers.
The group had the opportunity to go through the last-stop training soldiers get before continuing forward for deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, such as Humvee rollover training, medical emergency simulators and video game-like training for weapons qualification.
Although the drill provides realistic training that saves lives, the civilian participants seemed to enjoy every minute of it. Volunteers who were flipped 180 degrees in the mock hull of a Humvee cheered and laughed as they were spun around and had to successfully exit the vehicle.
"If I came across someone who was smiling and laughing after rolling their car, I'd know it was an alcohol-related incident," JCOC participant Sterling Owen, who is the chief of police in Knoxville, Tenn., laughingly said.
"Seriously, this is outstanding training," he said. "Any training received is good, because it teaches you not to panic in emergency situations."
During the second day of their visit, participants rode with soldiers of the 89th Transportation Company during a tactical convoy exercise over an 11-mile route littered with improvised explosive devices, car bombs and other real-life scenarios that the soldiers face when in convoys in Iraq. These soldiers, who are stationed in Kuwait, routinely make the trek from Kuwait to Iraq to deliver supplies to troops forward stationed.
Members took turns riding in the gunner's turret atop Humvees, where they were told to scan the horizon for possible threats that could break up the convoy and lead to casualties. After going through the exercise, they said they were reassured that soldiers receive such training before going into the combat zone.
"To me it was scary," said John Hagestad, who is the managing director and owner of Sares-Regis Group out of Irvine, Calif. "You see all these littered cars along the way. I'd probably go nuts if I were a soldier thinking that everything out on the road was a bomb."
Soldiers took time to show the guests the different types of improvised explosive devices used by insurgents, ranging from bombs hidden in piles of trash to ones camouflaged to look like street curbs. They were also shown the differences in bombs triggered by ground wires, ones set off my radio controls and others that require pressure to detonate.
"Before coming here I had never even heard the term 'IED,'" said Bob Husband, president and chief executive officer of Heritage Golf Group. "This experience has been really enlightening. The soldiers are doing an amazing job. I'm looking forward to spreading the word to my family and employees."
The group also had the unique opportunity of firing live rounds on numerous Army weaponry, including the M-4 carbine assault rifle, M-2 50 caliber machine gun, M-249 squad automatic weapon, M-240 machine gun and the M-107 sniper rifle.
"This was the most fun I've had all week," said Keith Krach, who earned the moniker "Boom Boom" from his fellow participants following his successes on the firing line at the Udari Range, which is the size of the Great Salt Lake.
"I am so impressed with the discipline and leadership of the troops we saw this week," Krach said. "They could easily go out and be (chief executive officers) in civilian organizations."
Overall, members are coming away from the experience with a newfound respect for the men and women in uniform.
"I had no idea how hard this job was and miserable it is in terms of heat and fear," said Amy Coen, the president of D.C.-based Population Action International. "Both the physical and psychological stresses could be overwhelming. I'm utterly impressed with our military."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2007 – A group of civic and business leaders had the opportunity to learn more about the capability of the U.S. Army during a visit yesterday and today to troops stationed in Kuwait. Forty-five participants of the Defense Department's Joint Civilian Orientation Conference made a stop during their tour of the U.S. Central Command region to learn about the training and missions of today's soldiers.
The group had the opportunity to go through the last-stop training soldiers get before continuing forward for deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, such as Humvee rollover training, medical emergency simulators and video game-like training for weapons qualification.
Although the drill provides realistic training that saves lives, the civilian participants seemed to enjoy every minute of it. Volunteers who were flipped 180 degrees in the mock hull of a Humvee cheered and laughed as they were spun around and had to successfully exit the vehicle.
"If I came across someone who was smiling and laughing after rolling their car, I'd know it was an alcohol-related incident," JCOC participant Sterling Owen, who is the chief of police in Knoxville, Tenn., laughingly said.
"Seriously, this is outstanding training," he said. "Any training received is good, because it teaches you not to panic in emergency situations."
During the second day of their visit, participants rode with soldiers of the 89th Transportation Company during a tactical convoy exercise over an 11-mile route littered with improvised explosive devices, car bombs and other real-life scenarios that the soldiers face when in convoys in Iraq. These soldiers, who are stationed in Kuwait, routinely make the trek from Kuwait to Iraq to deliver supplies to troops forward stationed.
Members took turns riding in the gunner's turret atop Humvees, where they were told to scan the horizon for possible threats that could break up the convoy and lead to casualties. After going through the exercise, they said they were reassured that soldiers receive such training before going into the combat zone.
"To me it was scary," said John Hagestad, who is the managing director and owner of Sares-Regis Group out of Irvine, Calif. "You see all these littered cars along the way. I'd probably go nuts if I were a soldier thinking that everything out on the road was a bomb."
Soldiers took time to show the guests the different types of improvised explosive devices used by insurgents, ranging from bombs hidden in piles of trash to ones camouflaged to look like street curbs. They were also shown the differences in bombs triggered by ground wires, ones set off my radio controls and others that require pressure to detonate.
"Before coming here I had never even heard the term 'IED,'" said Bob Husband, president and chief executive officer of Heritage Golf Group. "This experience has been really enlightening. The soldiers are doing an amazing job. I'm looking forward to spreading the word to my family and employees."
The group also had the unique opportunity of firing live rounds on numerous Army weaponry, including the M-4 carbine assault rifle, M-2 50 caliber machine gun, M-249 squad automatic weapon, M-240 machine gun and the M-107 sniper rifle.
"This was the most fun I've had all week," said Keith Krach, who earned the moniker "Boom Boom" from his fellow participants following his successes on the firing line at the Udari Range, which is the size of the Great Salt Lake.
"I am so impressed with the discipline and leadership of the troops we saw this week," Krach said. "They could easily go out and be (chief executive officers) in civilian organizations."
Overall, members are coming away from the experience with a newfound respect for the men and women in uniform.
"I had no idea how hard this job was and miserable it is in terms of heat and fear," said Amy Coen, the president of D.C.-based Population Action International. "Both the physical and psychological stresses could be overwhelming. I'm utterly impressed with our military."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Group's NBA Clothes a Slam Dunk with Troops
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2007 – Sew Much Comfort's adaptive clothing has always helped injured servicemembers, but now, with the help of the NBA, the troops can proudly display support for their favorite National Basketball Asociation teams. Sew Much Comfort is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program, which connects citizens and corporations with members of the military and their families at home and abroad.
"Through (a) working relationship with America Supports You, we were made aware of the terrific things that Sew Much Comfort was doing for our troops as well as the needs they have," Josh Wachs, vice president of NBA's community relations, said. "The NBA has donated an assortment of NBA apparel - T-shirts, and sweat tops and bottoms - to Sew Much Comfort for injured troops to enjoy."
Ginger Dosedel, founder of Sew Much Comfort, said she's grateful for the NBA's generosity and the connection America Supports You made between the two groups.
She's even more grateful that she can now honor an injured servicemember's request without having to call teams individually with her requests for clothing.
"(The NBA) has sent us hundreds of T-shirts and sweats and athletic shorts for us to adapt," Dosedel said. "For (servicemembers) to be able to get clothing or something that has their home team on it just brings something from home a little closer, and (it's) something that they're very enthusiastic about.
"It's nice for them to have clothing from their home team that supports them in kind of a special way," she added.
Wachs said the NBA will continue making donations to Sew Much Comfort whenever it can.
The hundreds of pieces of clothing NBA has sent Dosedel go through a process that has occurred since Sew Much Comfort began in December 2004.
Each piece is adapted to accommodate any injury a servicemember might have. For instance, pants might be opened up down the outside of the leg and some form of fasteners attached so they're easier for someone with limited leg mobility to get in an out of.
The group got its start with Dosedel's son, Michael, 13.
A childhood illness has made it necessary for Michael to undergo limb-lengthening procedures which require the use of a fixator. The external device makes wearing normal pants impossible, so early on his mom reworked a pair of sweats so that they covered the apparatus and closed completely, a real bonus in the winter.
At 11, Michael noticed there were a lot of servicemembers facing his same situation and no one was making them clothes. And Sew Much Comfort was born.
The clothing is now adapted by seamstresses across the country, who Dosedel describes as "phenomenally ingenious." "They are incredibly gifted in making things functional and practical, and yet they look like they're off the rack," she said.
The breadth of what injuries can be accommodated has grown right along with the group. In fact, a new type of shirt is being designed by the seamstresses that will fit over a device that holds a tracheotomy tube, she said.
All this is in keeping with the organization's mission of providing free adaptive clothing to provide servicemembers with a greater sense of independence, minimize the visual impact of their injury.
"Nothing makes you feel worse than just sitting around feeling sick and looking like you feel sick, and hospital gowns are not conducive to feeling normal," Dosedel said. "(They also) give servicemembers a very functional thank you from the American people to show their support for the troops."
That thank you has recently expanded into what Dosedel describes as "comfort accessories." The group is now providing bed rail organizers and crutch bags that help a servicemember keep track of, or transport, small items. It also provides hats, mitts and socks for those being transported home for further treatment.
The clothes are still the focus, however, and because of the servicemembers' love of sports, Dosedel said she hopes to continue her group's affiliation with the NBA, and maybe even approach the National Football League with the same idea.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2007 – Sew Much Comfort's adaptive clothing has always helped injured servicemembers, but now, with the help of the NBA, the troops can proudly display support for their favorite National Basketball Asociation teams. Sew Much Comfort is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program, which connects citizens and corporations with members of the military and their families at home and abroad.
"Through (a) working relationship with America Supports You, we were made aware of the terrific things that Sew Much Comfort was doing for our troops as well as the needs they have," Josh Wachs, vice president of NBA's community relations, said. "The NBA has donated an assortment of NBA apparel - T-shirts, and sweat tops and bottoms - to Sew Much Comfort for injured troops to enjoy."
Ginger Dosedel, founder of Sew Much Comfort, said she's grateful for the NBA's generosity and the connection America Supports You made between the two groups.
She's even more grateful that she can now honor an injured servicemember's request without having to call teams individually with her requests for clothing.
"(The NBA) has sent us hundreds of T-shirts and sweats and athletic shorts for us to adapt," Dosedel said. "For (servicemembers) to be able to get clothing or something that has their home team on it just brings something from home a little closer, and (it's) something that they're very enthusiastic about.
"It's nice for them to have clothing from their home team that supports them in kind of a special way," she added.
Wachs said the NBA will continue making donations to Sew Much Comfort whenever it can.
The hundreds of pieces of clothing NBA has sent Dosedel go through a process that has occurred since Sew Much Comfort began in December 2004.
Each piece is adapted to accommodate any injury a servicemember might have. For instance, pants might be opened up down the outside of the leg and some form of fasteners attached so they're easier for someone with limited leg mobility to get in an out of.
The group got its start with Dosedel's son, Michael, 13.
A childhood illness has made it necessary for Michael to undergo limb-lengthening procedures which require the use of a fixator. The external device makes wearing normal pants impossible, so early on his mom reworked a pair of sweats so that they covered the apparatus and closed completely, a real bonus in the winter.
At 11, Michael noticed there were a lot of servicemembers facing his same situation and no one was making them clothes. And Sew Much Comfort was born.
The clothing is now adapted by seamstresses across the country, who Dosedel describes as "phenomenally ingenious." "They are incredibly gifted in making things functional and practical, and yet they look like they're off the rack," she said.
The breadth of what injuries can be accommodated has grown right along with the group. In fact, a new type of shirt is being designed by the seamstresses that will fit over a device that holds a tracheotomy tube, she said.
All this is in keeping with the organization's mission of providing free adaptive clothing to provide servicemembers with a greater sense of independence, minimize the visual impact of their injury.
"Nothing makes you feel worse than just sitting around feeling sick and looking like you feel sick, and hospital gowns are not conducive to feeling normal," Dosedel said. "(They also) give servicemembers a very functional thank you from the American people to show their support for the troops."
That thank you has recently expanded into what Dosedel describes as "comfort accessories." The group is now providing bed rail organizers and crutch bags that help a servicemember keep track of, or transport, small items. It also provides hats, mitts and socks for those being transported home for further treatment.
The clothes are still the focus, however, and because of the servicemembers' love of sports, Dosedel said she hopes to continue her group's affiliation with the NBA, and maybe even approach the National Football League with the same idea.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Commander Lauds Combat Support His Soldiers Provide
By Carmen L. Gleason
American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2007 – Although he's proud of what his troops do in Kuwait, the commander of the 3rd U.S. Army and U.S. Army Central Command said today that what his troops do to contribute to combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan that is even more important. As they sat a mere 15 miles away from the Iraqi border, Lt. Gen. Steven Whitcomb briefed 45 business and civic leaders who are participating in the Defense Department's Joint Civilian Orientation Course. The group is visiting the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to learn more about the capabilities of the U.S. military and the role American forces are playing overseas.
"While we can't take you over to Iraq or Afghanistan, it doesn't look different over here," Whitcomb told the group. "This is a tough and unforgiving environment in which to operate."
He said that 80 percent of his troops' efforts are spent supporting the rotation of combat forces in the region. His soldiers also serve as a forward-based service component command to plan and, on order, conduct land operations across the Central Command area of responsibility.
On a daily basis, Whitcomb's troops send more than 3,300 vehicles over 158 miles into Baghdad; they provide 3.3 million gallons of fuel to troops in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq; and they provide more than 780,000 meals to troops in the country.
Kuwait serves as the last stop for U.S. forces before they head into the combat zones of Iraq and Afghanistan. Here, they are able to spend two weeks preparing weapons and conducting last-minute refresher training.
The training is a final check for commanders, Whitcomb said. His trainers and ranges support the needs of the commanders while offering current and relevant training.
Whitcomb said his units also focus on teaching their peers to apply adaptive thinking to their missions, instead of telling them what to think and giving them static specifics.
"This is a smart, adaptive enemy; it's not the first time," he said, "but it's something we have to stay ahead of."
For example, these concepts are enforced when soldiers learn about the latest ways the enemy is hiding and detonating improvised explosive devices. Using cell-phone triggers or remote arming, the enemy can target U.S. soldiers, but through the training soldiers receive, they can learn the tell tale signs that will allow them to recognize and disarm the potential threat.
"Training in the United States is not different from training in Kuwait," Whitcomb said. He said daily updates are reported from in theater back to Kuwait and bases back home that will allow for the ever-changing strategy of the enemy.
Soldiers going through Kuwait also have the opportunity to get refresher medical training provided by former Special Forces medic Brent Cloud.
For the last year, Cloud has helped provide realistic medical training to soldiers with specialized dummies that are complete with expandable lungs and flowing blood that can simulate a number of injuries that could occur on the battlefield.
For instance, his four-hour classes teach soldiers how to insert nasal pharyngeal into their injured buddy's nose so that he or she can breathe in the event of a blockage. He teaches troops the best way to cut off body armor, how to best remove helmets and even how to do non-traditional, but effective, methods of stopping bleeding.
Although they may be pricey, Cloud said, the $40,000 dummies are worth every penny if training on them can result in saving even one life.
"I'm not going to be on the streets of Baghdad with them," he said. "So I do whatever I can to help them learn how to assess injuries and take of their buddies themselves."
Troops can also train on the Humvee egress assistance trainer to learn how to exit from a vehicle in the event of a rollover.
Increased armor additions have affected the weight of Humvees so that they have become top-heavy and can easily flip even when reaching a modest 25-degree incline.
The trainer helps soldiers learn how to effectively open the Humvee's 700-pound door and exit even if the vehicle is upside-down. Since its inception in mid-2006, more than 24,000 soldiers have been trained, resulting in 40 percent fewer casualties and 60 percent fewer injuries.
"There is no way that was can eliminate the number of rollovers," said Army Maj. Kevin Karr, Army Central Command operations officer. "But we can better train the soldier for the event of a rollover."
As Whitcomb closed his briefing to the civilian guests on the installation, he praised his troops and their efforts in training and supporting those directly in the war effort.
"I'm just a soldier," he said. "And it's great to see Americans who want to come and understand what we're doing here. It's important to remember that these soldiers and civilians are just Americans who've stepped up to the plate for their nation."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2007 – Although he's proud of what his troops do in Kuwait, the commander of the 3rd U.S. Army and U.S. Army Central Command said today that what his troops do to contribute to combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan that is even more important. As they sat a mere 15 miles away from the Iraqi border, Lt. Gen. Steven Whitcomb briefed 45 business and civic leaders who are participating in the Defense Department's Joint Civilian Orientation Course. The group is visiting the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to learn more about the capabilities of the U.S. military and the role American forces are playing overseas.
"While we can't take you over to Iraq or Afghanistan, it doesn't look different over here," Whitcomb told the group. "This is a tough and unforgiving environment in which to operate."
He said that 80 percent of his troops' efforts are spent supporting the rotation of combat forces in the region. His soldiers also serve as a forward-based service component command to plan and, on order, conduct land operations across the Central Command area of responsibility.
On a daily basis, Whitcomb's troops send more than 3,300 vehicles over 158 miles into Baghdad; they provide 3.3 million gallons of fuel to troops in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq; and they provide more than 780,000 meals to troops in the country.
Kuwait serves as the last stop for U.S. forces before they head into the combat zones of Iraq and Afghanistan. Here, they are able to spend two weeks preparing weapons and conducting last-minute refresher training.
The training is a final check for commanders, Whitcomb said. His trainers and ranges support the needs of the commanders while offering current and relevant training.
Whitcomb said his units also focus on teaching their peers to apply adaptive thinking to their missions, instead of telling them what to think and giving them static specifics.
"This is a smart, adaptive enemy; it's not the first time," he said, "but it's something we have to stay ahead of."
For example, these concepts are enforced when soldiers learn about the latest ways the enemy is hiding and detonating improvised explosive devices. Using cell-phone triggers or remote arming, the enemy can target U.S. soldiers, but through the training soldiers receive, they can learn the tell tale signs that will allow them to recognize and disarm the potential threat.
"Training in the United States is not different from training in Kuwait," Whitcomb said. He said daily updates are reported from in theater back to Kuwait and bases back home that will allow for the ever-changing strategy of the enemy.
Soldiers going through Kuwait also have the opportunity to get refresher medical training provided by former Special Forces medic Brent Cloud.
For the last year, Cloud has helped provide realistic medical training to soldiers with specialized dummies that are complete with expandable lungs and flowing blood that can simulate a number of injuries that could occur on the battlefield.
For instance, his four-hour classes teach soldiers how to insert nasal pharyngeal into their injured buddy's nose so that he or she can breathe in the event of a blockage. He teaches troops the best way to cut off body armor, how to best remove helmets and even how to do non-traditional, but effective, methods of stopping bleeding.
Although they may be pricey, Cloud said, the $40,000 dummies are worth every penny if training on them can result in saving even one life.
"I'm not going to be on the streets of Baghdad with them," he said. "So I do whatever I can to help them learn how to assess injuries and take of their buddies themselves."
Troops can also train on the Humvee egress assistance trainer to learn how to exit from a vehicle in the event of a rollover.
Increased armor additions have affected the weight of Humvees so that they have become top-heavy and can easily flip even when reaching a modest 25-degree incline.
The trainer helps soldiers learn how to effectively open the Humvee's 700-pound door and exit even if the vehicle is upside-down. Since its inception in mid-2006, more than 24,000 soldiers have been trained, resulting in 40 percent fewer casualties and 60 percent fewer injuries.
"There is no way that was can eliminate the number of rollovers," said Army Maj. Kevin Karr, Army Central Command operations officer. "But we can better train the soldier for the event of a rollover."
As Whitcomb closed his briefing to the civilian guests on the installation, he praised his troops and their efforts in training and supporting those directly in the war effort.
"I'm just a soldier," he said. "And it's great to see Americans who want to come and understand what we're doing here. It's important to remember that these soldiers and civilians are just Americans who've stepped up to the plate for their nation."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Commander Lauds Combat Support His Soldiers Provide
By Carmen L. Gleason
American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2007 – Although he's proud of what his troops do in Kuwait, the commander of the 3rd U.S. Army and U.S. Army Central Command said today that what his troops do to contribute to combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan that is even more important. As they sat a mere 15 miles away from the Iraqi border, Lt. Gen. Steven Whitcomb briefed 45 business and civic leaders who are participating in the Defense Department's Joint Civilian Orientation Course. The group is visiting the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to learn more about the capabilities of the U.S. military and the role American forces are playing overseas.
"While we can't take you over to Iraq or Afghanistan, it doesn't look different over here," Whitcomb told the group. "This is a tough and unforgiving environment in which to operate."
He said that 80 percent of his troops' efforts are spent supporting the rotation of combat forces in the region. His soldiers also serve as a forward-based service component command to plan and, on order, conduct land operations across the Central Command area of responsibility.
On a daily basis, Whitcomb's troops send more than 3,300 vehicles over 158 miles into Baghdad; they provide 3.3 million gallons of fuel to troops in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq; and they provide more than 780,000 meals to troops in the country.
Kuwait serves as the last stop for U.S. forces before they head into the combat zones of Iraq and Afghanistan. Here, they are able to spend two weeks preparing weapons and conducting last-minute refresher training.
The training is a final check for commanders, Whitcomb said. His trainers and ranges support the needs of the commanders while offering current and relevant training.
Whitcomb said his units also focus on teaching their peers to apply adaptive thinking to their missions, instead of telling them what to think and giving them static specifics.
"This is a smart, adaptive enemy; it's not the first time," he said, "but it's something we have to stay ahead of."
For example, these concepts are enforced when soldiers learn about the latest ways the enemy is hiding and detonating improvised explosive devices. Using cell-phone triggers or remote arming, the enemy can target U.S. soldiers, but through the training soldiers receive, they can learn the tell tale signs that will allow them to recognize and disarm the potential threat.
"Training in the United States is not different from training in Kuwait," Whitcomb said. He said daily updates are reported from in theater back to Kuwait and bases back home that will allow for the ever-changing strategy of the enemy.
Soldiers going through Kuwait also have the opportunity to get refresher medical training provided by former Special Forces medic Brent Cloud.
For the last year, Cloud has helped provide realistic medical training to soldiers with specialized dummies that are complete with expandable lungs and flowing blood that can simulate a number of injuries that could occur on the battlefield.
For instance, his four-hour classes teach soldiers how to insert nasal pharyngeal into their injured buddy's nose so that he or she can breathe in the event of a blockage. He teaches troops the best way to cut off body armor, how to best remove helmets and even how to do non-traditional, but effective, methods of stopping bleeding.
Although they may be pricey, Cloud said, the $40,000 dummies are worth every penny if training on them can result in saving even one life.
"I'm not going to be on the streets of Baghdad with them," he said. "So I do whatever I can to help them learn how to assess injuries and take of their buddies themselves."
Troops can also train on the Humvee egress assistance trainer to learn how to exit from a vehicle in the event of a rollover.
Increased armor additions have affected the weight of Humvees so that they have become top-heavy and can easily flip even when reaching a modest 25-degree incline.
The trainer helps soldiers learn how to effectively open the Humvee's 700-pound door and exit even if the vehicle is upside-down. Since its inception in mid-2006, more than 24,000 soldiers have been trained, resulting in 40 percent fewer casualties and 60 percent fewer injuries.
"There is no way that was can eliminate the number of rollovers," said Army Maj. Kevin Karr, Army Central Command operations officer. "But we can better train the soldier for the event of a rollover."
As Whitcomb closed his briefing to the civilian guests on the installation, he praised his troops and their efforts in training and supporting those directly in the war effort.
"I'm just a soldier," he said. "And it's great to see Americans who want to come and understand what we're doing here. It's important to remember that these soldiers and civilians are just Americans who've stepped up to the plate for their nation."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2007 – Although he's proud of what his troops do in Kuwait, the commander of the 3rd U.S. Army and U.S. Army Central Command said today that what his troops do to contribute to combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan that is even more important. As they sat a mere 15 miles away from the Iraqi border, Lt. Gen. Steven Whitcomb briefed 45 business and civic leaders who are participating in the Defense Department's Joint Civilian Orientation Course. The group is visiting the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to learn more about the capabilities of the U.S. military and the role American forces are playing overseas.
"While we can't take you over to Iraq or Afghanistan, it doesn't look different over here," Whitcomb told the group. "This is a tough and unforgiving environment in which to operate."
He said that 80 percent of his troops' efforts are spent supporting the rotation of combat forces in the region. His soldiers also serve as a forward-based service component command to plan and, on order, conduct land operations across the Central Command area of responsibility.
On a daily basis, Whitcomb's troops send more than 3,300 vehicles over 158 miles into Baghdad; they provide 3.3 million gallons of fuel to troops in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq; and they provide more than 780,000 meals to troops in the country.
Kuwait serves as the last stop for U.S. forces before they head into the combat zones of Iraq and Afghanistan. Here, they are able to spend two weeks preparing weapons and conducting last-minute refresher training.
The training is a final check for commanders, Whitcomb said. His trainers and ranges support the needs of the commanders while offering current and relevant training.
Whitcomb said his units also focus on teaching their peers to apply adaptive thinking to their missions, instead of telling them what to think and giving them static specifics.
"This is a smart, adaptive enemy; it's not the first time," he said, "but it's something we have to stay ahead of."
For example, these concepts are enforced when soldiers learn about the latest ways the enemy is hiding and detonating improvised explosive devices. Using cell-phone triggers or remote arming, the enemy can target U.S. soldiers, but through the training soldiers receive, they can learn the tell tale signs that will allow them to recognize and disarm the potential threat.
"Training in the United States is not different from training in Kuwait," Whitcomb said. He said daily updates are reported from in theater back to Kuwait and bases back home that will allow for the ever-changing strategy of the enemy.
Soldiers going through Kuwait also have the opportunity to get refresher medical training provided by former Special Forces medic Brent Cloud.
For the last year, Cloud has helped provide realistic medical training to soldiers with specialized dummies that are complete with expandable lungs and flowing blood that can simulate a number of injuries that could occur on the battlefield.
For instance, his four-hour classes teach soldiers how to insert nasal pharyngeal into their injured buddy's nose so that he or she can breathe in the event of a blockage. He teaches troops the best way to cut off body armor, how to best remove helmets and even how to do non-traditional, but effective, methods of stopping bleeding.
Although they may be pricey, Cloud said, the $40,000 dummies are worth every penny if training on them can result in saving even one life.
"I'm not going to be on the streets of Baghdad with them," he said. "So I do whatever I can to help them learn how to assess injuries and take of their buddies themselves."
Troops can also train on the Humvee egress assistance trainer to learn how to exit from a vehicle in the event of a rollover.
Increased armor additions have affected the weight of Humvees so that they have become top-heavy and can easily flip even when reaching a modest 25-degree incline.
The trainer helps soldiers learn how to effectively open the Humvee's 700-pound door and exit even if the vehicle is upside-down. Since its inception in mid-2006, more than 24,000 soldiers have been trained, resulting in 40 percent fewer casualties and 60 percent fewer injuries.
"There is no way that was can eliminate the number of rollovers," said Army Maj. Kevin Karr, Army Central Command operations officer. "But we can better train the soldier for the event of a rollover."
As Whitcomb closed his briefing to the civilian guests on the installation, he praised his troops and their efforts in training and supporting those directly in the war effort.
"I'm just a soldier," he said. "And it's great to see Americans who want to come and understand what we're doing here. It's important to remember that these soldiers and civilians are just Americans who've stepped up to the plate for their nation."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Soldier Missing From The Korean War Is Identified
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing from the Korean War, has been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
He is Cpl. Clarence R. Becker, U.S. Army, of Lancaster, Pa. He was buried April 25 in Indiantown Gap, Pa. Representatives from the Army met with Becker's next-of-kin to explain the recovery and identification process and to coordinate interment with military honors on behalf of the secretary of the Army.
On Dec. 1, 1950, Becker went missing in action when the convoy of trucks in which he was riding was ambushed south of Kunuri, North Korea. He was captured and taken prisoner. U.S. servicemen who were held in captivity with Becker said he died in the North Korean Pyoktong POW Camp 5 around May 1951 from malnutrition and disease. He was buried near the camp.
Following the Armistice, the Chinese Army exhumed remains from several POW camp cemeteries and repatriated them in 1954 to the United Nations forces during Operation Glory. Becker's remains could not be identified at the time and were subsequently buried as unknown remains at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific-the Punch Bowl-in Hawaii.
In 2005, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) reexamined Korean War-era documents relating to unknowns buried at the Punch Bowl, which suggested that some of these remains might be identifiable. Later that year, JPAC exhumed a grave there believed to be associated with Becker.
Among other traditional forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from the JPAC also used dental comparisons in Becker's identification. For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO website at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/ or call (703) 699-1169.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
He is Cpl. Clarence R. Becker, U.S. Army, of Lancaster, Pa. He was buried April 25 in Indiantown Gap, Pa. Representatives from the Army met with Becker's next-of-kin to explain the recovery and identification process and to coordinate interment with military honors on behalf of the secretary of the Army.
On Dec. 1, 1950, Becker went missing in action when the convoy of trucks in which he was riding was ambushed south of Kunuri, North Korea. He was captured and taken prisoner. U.S. servicemen who were held in captivity with Becker said he died in the North Korean Pyoktong POW Camp 5 around May 1951 from malnutrition and disease. He was buried near the camp.
Following the Armistice, the Chinese Army exhumed remains from several POW camp cemeteries and repatriated them in 1954 to the United Nations forces during Operation Glory. Becker's remains could not be identified at the time and were subsequently buried as unknown remains at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific-the Punch Bowl-in Hawaii.
In 2005, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) reexamined Korean War-era documents relating to unknowns buried at the Punch Bowl, which suggested that some of these remains might be identifiable. Later that year, JPAC exhumed a grave there believed to be associated with Becker.
Among other traditional forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from the JPAC also used dental comparisons in Becker's identification. For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO website at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/ or call (703) 699-1169.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Army Officer Faces Charges of Aiding Enemy in Iraq
American Forces Press Service
April 26, 2007 – U.S. military officials in Iraq have charged an Army officer with aiding the enemy by providing an unmonitored cell phone to detainees, along with other crimes. Lt. Col. William H. Steele has been charged with offenses under four articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Officials emphasized that the charges constitute only an accusation of wrongdoing, and that Steele is presumed innocent unless and until he's proven guilty in legal proceedings that follow.
Officials allege that Steele aided the enemy by providing an unmonitored cellular phone to detainees between Oct. 1, 2005, and Oct. 31, 2006, in violation of Article 104 of the UCMJ.
A second charge, under Article 134, alleges that Steele had classified material he was not authorized to possess, and that he willfully kept it and failed to deliver it to the proper authority.
Under Article 133 of the UCMJ, Steele also is charged with conduct unbecoming of an officer for allegedly fraternizing with the daughter of a detainee, and for allegedly providing special privileges to and maintaining an inappropriate relationship with an interpreter.
Officials also are charging Steele with storing classified information in his living space, improperly marking classified information, disobeying an order from the 89th Military Police Brigade deputy commander, possessing pornographic videos, and being derelict in his duties by failing to fulfill his obligations as an approving authority in the expenditure of field ordering officer funds - all under the UCMJ's Article 92.
(From a Multinational Corps Iraq news release.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
April 26, 2007 – U.S. military officials in Iraq have charged an Army officer with aiding the enemy by providing an unmonitored cell phone to detainees, along with other crimes. Lt. Col. William H. Steele has been charged with offenses under four articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Officials emphasized that the charges constitute only an accusation of wrongdoing, and that Steele is presumed innocent unless and until he's proven guilty in legal proceedings that follow.
Officials allege that Steele aided the enemy by providing an unmonitored cellular phone to detainees between Oct. 1, 2005, and Oct. 31, 2006, in violation of Article 104 of the UCMJ.
A second charge, under Article 134, alleges that Steele had classified material he was not authorized to possess, and that he willfully kept it and failed to deliver it to the proper authority.
Under Article 133 of the UCMJ, Steele also is charged with conduct unbecoming of an officer for allegedly fraternizing with the daughter of a detainee, and for allegedly providing special privileges to and maintaining an inappropriate relationship with an interpreter.
Officials also are charging Steele with storing classified information in his living space, improperly marking classified information, disobeying an order from the 89th Military Police Brigade deputy commander, possessing pornographic videos, and being derelict in his duties by failing to fulfill his obligations as an approving authority in the expenditure of field ordering officer funds - all under the UCMJ's Article 92.
(From a Multinational Corps Iraq news release.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Vietnam Vet Pace Passes Torch to New Generation of Leaders
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
April 26, 2007 – It seemed very much like the passing of the torch as Marine Gen. Peter Pace spoke to the U.S. Military Academy Class of 2007 here yesterday. Pace probably will be the last chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff with combat experience from Vietnam. He spoke to cadets who, by this time next year, may be leading troops in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Pace graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., in 1967. He arrived at Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, in Hue City, South Vietnam, in the middle of the Tet offensive of February 1968. The general spoke of that experience and 40 years of leadership at all levels with the soon-to-be second lieutenants.
Pace urged the cadets to listen to their platoon sergeants, and showed that a four-star general followed his own advice when he introduced Command Sgt. Maj. William J. Gainey, the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman.
Pace spoke with a voice about an octave lower than normal, the result of "crud" he picked up during a recent trip to Iraq and Afghanistan. Still, he managed to convey the importance of the relationship between a new second lieutenant and a platoon sergeant.
"Every time I've had a leadership responsibility in my 40 years of service, I've had an incredible, strong right arm in the sergeant, staff sergeant, first sergeant, sergeant major who have been my battle buddies," Pace said. "When I found out I was going to be chairman, the first thing that crossed my mind was who was going to be my sergeant major.
"There was absolutely no way I wanted to do this without having a very special, talented senior enlisted person whispering in my ear and telling me when I was headed off on the wrong path and the other things I needed to know," the chairman said.
Pace spoke to the cadets about the lessons he learned in the fighting around Hue City - some of the deadliest fighting of the Vietnam War. He told them to check their moral compass before getting to Iraq or Afghanistan.
"When you are in combat and you see your first soldier wounded or killed, waves of emotion are going to come over you," he said. A moral anchor, he explained, will keep them from doing the wrong things.
"When I was a lieutenant in Vietnam and I was on patrol, the first Marine I lost in combat was a lance corporal named Guido Farinaro of Bethpage, N.Y.," Pace said. "Guido was 19 years old, and killed by a sniper.
"I was infuriated," he continued. "I called in an artillery strike on the village from which this sniper fired. And my platoon sergeant - Reed B. Zachary - didn't say anything to me. He just looked at me, and I knew by his look that I was about to do something really wrong."
Pace called off the artillery strike and ordered a sweep through the village. The only people the unit found were women and children.
"I don't know how I could have lived with myself if I had done what I almost did," he said. "I tell you this story because no matter how well-grounded you are, you need to know each day when you get up, who you want to be when you go to sleep that night -- especially in combat when those waves of emotion sweep over you."
He said the cadets should take the time now to examine their lives to figure out who they want to be at the end of their combat tours. "Because if you don't know your destination, you may find yourself in a place you never wanted to go," he said.
Vietnam also taught Pace to make decisions. He said that his platoon was on point for Golf Company outside Hue City. Each time the platoon came to a crossroads, he would call back to the company commander and ask which way to go.
"The third time I called back for guidance on whether to go left or right, he just chewed me out," Pace said. "If you take out the curse words, he didn't say anything at all. I handed the radio back, and told my radio operator that if he calls I'm not here, because I made the decision that I was going to start making decisions.
"And if I was going to get my butt chewed, which I have had frequently," he continued, "it was going to be for doing something and making decisions, and not for asking for guidance. It is easier to get forgiveness than get permission."
When the cadets graduate on May 26, they will have worked hard for four years and "absolutely earned the right to start at the bottom, and that ain't all bad," Pace said.
He told the cadets that the men and women they will lead are the best America offers. To be a second lieutenant leading a platoon is to have the best job in the military, and general officers would gladly trade places with them to be able to do it again, Pace told the cadets.
"If you asked a senior vice president in IBM if they wanted to get back to their cubby, they'd laugh you out of the building," Pace said, contrasting working the corporate sector with serving in the military. Starting at the bottom in the armed forces isn't bad, he said, "because it's the best part of this organization."
Another benefit, he said, is that people expect lieutenants to make mistakes. "Don't feel bad about that," he said. "Just try not to make the same mistake twice."
He told the cadets to accept the jobs they are given and do the best they possibly can. "The best advice I can give you is to grow where you are planted," he said. "Your soldiers, wherever you are assigned, deserve the best leadership that they can get."
Doing any job well will lead to other jobs, the chairman noted. "There are more good jobs than there are good people," he said.
Pace told the cadets that if they remember only one thing from his remarks, it should be "take care of your soldiers." He said that if the soldiers just know they care, it will help. "A unit that knows its leader cares about it, will always - always - freely give more than any leader can try to demand," he said.
Pace told the cadets that he and they have a lot in common. He said that when he graduated in 1967, the country was at war and he knew he was going to go fight in that war. The country is at war as the cadets of the class of 2007 graduates and the cadets know they will be part of that war.
He said the cadets probably are asking themselves the same questions he asked himself 40 years ago. He told the cadets if they are wondering how they will do in combat and they worry about it, "that's a healthy sign."
He said they have the best training in the world and they will join the best soldiers in the world. "You will know fear," he said. "If you are in a unit and some soldier on your left or right doesn't know fear, move away."
The general said the worst thing a second lieutenant can do in combat is get killed. "It is also the easiest (thing to do)," he said. "And I don't mean it's the easiest because you can pop your head up, or because you're on point and you might get whacked. I mean because as the lieutenant you've got to decide who is going to do the mission that looks impossible and probably will not be survived."
Pace said the cadets will find they'll want to do those missions themselves rather than than pick a soldier. "But your soldiers want to follow you," he said. "They want you to lead. They want you to be telling them what to do. And they want you to be planning the next event. They do not want you to do their job for them. And if you take the easy way and get yourself killed, you have done an enormous disservice to every one of your soldiers."
About 90 percent of what they will tell their soldiers in combat will be by their examples, Pace told the cadets. He said as leaders, they have to carry themselves with confidence and remain calm. "And it is really tough to stay calm when folks are shooting at you, (and) you're trying to work the radio and get things moving," he said.
The chairman promised the cadets that taking the commissioning oath on graduation day will be an event they'll keep with them for life. "I promise you that the instant you put your hand down having sworn that oath, you will never, ever, regret strapping on the leadership of the United States Army," he said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 26, 2007 – It seemed very much like the passing of the torch as Marine Gen. Peter Pace spoke to the U.S. Military Academy Class of 2007 here yesterday. Pace probably will be the last chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff with combat experience from Vietnam. He spoke to cadets who, by this time next year, may be leading troops in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Pace graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., in 1967. He arrived at Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, in Hue City, South Vietnam, in the middle of the Tet offensive of February 1968. The general spoke of that experience and 40 years of leadership at all levels with the soon-to-be second lieutenants.
Pace urged the cadets to listen to their platoon sergeants, and showed that a four-star general followed his own advice when he introduced Command Sgt. Maj. William J. Gainey, the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman.
Pace spoke with a voice about an octave lower than normal, the result of "crud" he picked up during a recent trip to Iraq and Afghanistan. Still, he managed to convey the importance of the relationship between a new second lieutenant and a platoon sergeant.
"Every time I've had a leadership responsibility in my 40 years of service, I've had an incredible, strong right arm in the sergeant, staff sergeant, first sergeant, sergeant major who have been my battle buddies," Pace said. "When I found out I was going to be chairman, the first thing that crossed my mind was who was going to be my sergeant major.
"There was absolutely no way I wanted to do this without having a very special, talented senior enlisted person whispering in my ear and telling me when I was headed off on the wrong path and the other things I needed to know," the chairman said.
Pace spoke to the cadets about the lessons he learned in the fighting around Hue City - some of the deadliest fighting of the Vietnam War. He told them to check their moral compass before getting to Iraq or Afghanistan.
"When you are in combat and you see your first soldier wounded or killed, waves of emotion are going to come over you," he said. A moral anchor, he explained, will keep them from doing the wrong things.
"When I was a lieutenant in Vietnam and I was on patrol, the first Marine I lost in combat was a lance corporal named Guido Farinaro of Bethpage, N.Y.," Pace said. "Guido was 19 years old, and killed by a sniper.
"I was infuriated," he continued. "I called in an artillery strike on the village from which this sniper fired. And my platoon sergeant - Reed B. Zachary - didn't say anything to me. He just looked at me, and I knew by his look that I was about to do something really wrong."
Pace called off the artillery strike and ordered a sweep through the village. The only people the unit found were women and children.
"I don't know how I could have lived with myself if I had done what I almost did," he said. "I tell you this story because no matter how well-grounded you are, you need to know each day when you get up, who you want to be when you go to sleep that night -- especially in combat when those waves of emotion sweep over you."
He said the cadets should take the time now to examine their lives to figure out who they want to be at the end of their combat tours. "Because if you don't know your destination, you may find yourself in a place you never wanted to go," he said.
Vietnam also taught Pace to make decisions. He said that his platoon was on point for Golf Company outside Hue City. Each time the platoon came to a crossroads, he would call back to the company commander and ask which way to go.
"The third time I called back for guidance on whether to go left or right, he just chewed me out," Pace said. "If you take out the curse words, he didn't say anything at all. I handed the radio back, and told my radio operator that if he calls I'm not here, because I made the decision that I was going to start making decisions.
"And if I was going to get my butt chewed, which I have had frequently," he continued, "it was going to be for doing something and making decisions, and not for asking for guidance. It is easier to get forgiveness than get permission."
When the cadets graduate on May 26, they will have worked hard for four years and "absolutely earned the right to start at the bottom, and that ain't all bad," Pace said.
He told the cadets that the men and women they will lead are the best America offers. To be a second lieutenant leading a platoon is to have the best job in the military, and general officers would gladly trade places with them to be able to do it again, Pace told the cadets.
"If you asked a senior vice president in IBM if they wanted to get back to their cubby, they'd laugh you out of the building," Pace said, contrasting working the corporate sector with serving in the military. Starting at the bottom in the armed forces isn't bad, he said, "because it's the best part of this organization."
Another benefit, he said, is that people expect lieutenants to make mistakes. "Don't feel bad about that," he said. "Just try not to make the same mistake twice."
He told the cadets to accept the jobs they are given and do the best they possibly can. "The best advice I can give you is to grow where you are planted," he said. "Your soldiers, wherever you are assigned, deserve the best leadership that they can get."
Doing any job well will lead to other jobs, the chairman noted. "There are more good jobs than there are good people," he said.
Pace told the cadets that if they remember only one thing from his remarks, it should be "take care of your soldiers." He said that if the soldiers just know they care, it will help. "A unit that knows its leader cares about it, will always - always - freely give more than any leader can try to demand," he said.
Pace told the cadets that he and they have a lot in common. He said that when he graduated in 1967, the country was at war and he knew he was going to go fight in that war. The country is at war as the cadets of the class of 2007 graduates and the cadets know they will be part of that war.
He said the cadets probably are asking themselves the same questions he asked himself 40 years ago. He told the cadets if they are wondering how they will do in combat and they worry about it, "that's a healthy sign."
He said they have the best training in the world and they will join the best soldiers in the world. "You will know fear," he said. "If you are in a unit and some soldier on your left or right doesn't know fear, move away."
The general said the worst thing a second lieutenant can do in combat is get killed. "It is also the easiest (thing to do)," he said. "And I don't mean it's the easiest because you can pop your head up, or because you're on point and you might get whacked. I mean because as the lieutenant you've got to decide who is going to do the mission that looks impossible and probably will not be survived."
Pace said the cadets will find they'll want to do those missions themselves rather than than pick a soldier. "But your soldiers want to follow you," he said. "They want you to lead. They want you to be telling them what to do. And they want you to be planning the next event. They do not want you to do their job for them. And if you take the easy way and get yourself killed, you have done an enormous disservice to every one of your soldiers."
About 90 percent of what they will tell their soldiers in combat will be by their examples, Pace told the cadets. He said as leaders, they have to carry themselves with confidence and remain calm. "And it is really tough to stay calm when folks are shooting at you, (and) you're trying to work the radio and get things moving," he said.
The chairman promised the cadets that taking the commissioning oath on graduation day will be an event they'll keep with them for life. "I promise you that the instant you put your hand down having sworn that oath, you will never, ever, regret strapping on the leadership of the United States Army," he said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Army Moves Out to Fix Wounded Warrior Care Across Service
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
April 26, 2007 – Walter Reed Army Medical Center's woes in wounded warrior care have either been fixed, or are being fixed, the vice chief of staff of the Army said here yesterday. "These things that were problems at Walter Reed ... almost all of them have been resolved or are being resolved and we are now moving out to fix it across the Army," said Gen. Richard A. Cody talking to reporters at Walter Reed.
"We've got the right people working the right issues. Our soldiers have been absolutely honest and forthcoming. They want to make it better for the soldiers who come behind them," Cody said.
Cody was at the center for the activation of its new Warrior Transition Brigade. The new brigade structure will serve as the model for all of the Army's medical treatment facilities with a wounded warrior population.
"We'll learn here ... and we're going to take that and cascade it throughout the Army," Cody said.
Cody conceded that some problems, such as some changes to the medical board process, cannot be fixed quickly because those changes are made above the Army level. But all recommendations for those changes have been sent to the Defense Department, he said.
Since March, an Army team tasked with surveying wounded warrior care across the service has visited all Army medical treatment facilities and hospitals, Cody said. The team reported its findings to Cody April 24, but the report is not yet final or released, he said.
The team's preliminary findings were not surprising and mirrored those of the Independent Review Group tasked by the Defense Department, Cody said.
Among other things, the team found that:
-- The medical and physical board process has too many forms and is too problematic and too bureaucratic;
-- Better and standardized training is needed for liaison officers and case managers; and
-- The organization of the Army's medical hold and medical holdover companies needs restructuring.
"We have got to change our bureaucracy and turbocharge it, and make it much more caring and much more accommodating to these soldiers," Cody said.
Army Brig. Gen. Michael Tucker, deputy commanding general of the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command and Walter Reed, reported that his staff has 104 actions in progress.
Tucker cited the following improvements made since March:
-- All wounded warriors have been relocated out of Building 18, a substandard temporary lodging facility;
-- Walter Reed officials have established a soldier and family assistance center that consolidates seven inprocessing locations down to two;
-- Every family member who travels to Washington to be with a wounded warrior is now met at the airport upon arrival by a soldier in uniform and brought to the assistance center;
-- All backlogs of awards have been eliminated;
-- Trained ombudsmen are now on staff at all medical treatment facilities at the patient representative office; and
-- A clothing-issue point is now open, soldiers are measured on arrival and uniforms are delivered to them.
Cody said one reason poor outpatient care was not reported sooner was because the system lacked quality control, especially in monitoring and reviewing case-manager care and the medical and physical board processes.
The general said he will launch an Army inspector general review of the medical system every six months, and simple feedback forms to collect soldier and family input are being developed. Cody also said he will meet with hospital commanders ever four to six weeks to ensure all needed changes are made to gather feedback on their needs.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 26, 2007 – Walter Reed Army Medical Center's woes in wounded warrior care have either been fixed, or are being fixed, the vice chief of staff of the Army said here yesterday. "These things that were problems at Walter Reed ... almost all of them have been resolved or are being resolved and we are now moving out to fix it across the Army," said Gen. Richard A. Cody talking to reporters at Walter Reed.
"We've got the right people working the right issues. Our soldiers have been absolutely honest and forthcoming. They want to make it better for the soldiers who come behind them," Cody said.
Cody was at the center for the activation of its new Warrior Transition Brigade. The new brigade structure will serve as the model for all of the Army's medical treatment facilities with a wounded warrior population.
"We'll learn here ... and we're going to take that and cascade it throughout the Army," Cody said.
Cody conceded that some problems, such as some changes to the medical board process, cannot be fixed quickly because those changes are made above the Army level. But all recommendations for those changes have been sent to the Defense Department, he said.
Since March, an Army team tasked with surveying wounded warrior care across the service has visited all Army medical treatment facilities and hospitals, Cody said. The team reported its findings to Cody April 24, but the report is not yet final or released, he said.
The team's preliminary findings were not surprising and mirrored those of the Independent Review Group tasked by the Defense Department, Cody said.
Among other things, the team found that:
-- The medical and physical board process has too many forms and is too problematic and too bureaucratic;
-- Better and standardized training is needed for liaison officers and case managers; and
-- The organization of the Army's medical hold and medical holdover companies needs restructuring.
"We have got to change our bureaucracy and turbocharge it, and make it much more caring and much more accommodating to these soldiers," Cody said.
Army Brig. Gen. Michael Tucker, deputy commanding general of the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command and Walter Reed, reported that his staff has 104 actions in progress.
Tucker cited the following improvements made since March:
-- All wounded warriors have been relocated out of Building 18, a substandard temporary lodging facility;
-- Walter Reed officials have established a soldier and family assistance center that consolidates seven inprocessing locations down to two;
-- Every family member who travels to Washington to be with a wounded warrior is now met at the airport upon arrival by a soldier in uniform and brought to the assistance center;
-- All backlogs of awards have been eliminated;
-- Trained ombudsmen are now on staff at all medical treatment facilities at the patient representative office; and
-- A clothing-issue point is now open, soldiers are measured on arrival and uniforms are delivered to them.
Cody said one reason poor outpatient care was not reported sooner was because the system lacked quality control, especially in monitoring and reviewing case-manager care and the medical and physical board processes.
The general said he will launch an Army inspector general review of the medical system every six months, and simple feedback forms to collect soldier and family input are being developed. Cody also said he will meet with hospital commanders ever four to six weeks to ensure all needed changes are made to gather feedback on their needs.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Gates, German Defense Leaders Discuss Military
By Linda D. Kozaryn
American Forces Press Service
April 26, 2007 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates met with Germany defense leaders yesterday on the last leg of a three-day trip to Moscow, Warsaw and Berlin to discuss U.S. plans to base a missile defense network in Europe. The network will protect Europe, the United States and Russia from long-range ballistic missiles launched by such rogue nations as Iran and North Korea. At a joint news conference with Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung, Gates pointed out that these missiles can carry weapons of mass destruction.
"Nuclear weapons are not the only danger that is posed by the development of ballistic missiles," he said. "After all, you can have radiological, chemical and biological weapons on a ballistic missile as well. So I think that that's the reason why defense against ballistic missiles is so important."
The secretary traveled to Russia at the beginning of the week to discuss U.S. plans to deploy 10 interceptors in Poland and radar in the Czech Republic. He then went on to meet with Polish and German leaders to brief them on his discussions.
Gates said he welcomed the opportunity to brief Jung and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on his talks and to discus a wide range of subjects. The secretary also noted that German Chancellor Angela Merkel had encouraged President Bush to intensify dialogue with the Russians, especially on missile defense.
"We will continue to consult with the Russians on missile defense, as well as consult closely with our allies," Gates said. He said Putin has asked him to return to Russia, Bush will meet with Putin at the G-8 summit, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will meet with her counterpart at an upcoming NATO ministerial conference.
Through an interpreter, Jung said he was pleased Gates came to Germany to discuss the main issues of their defense and security policy. He said the two nations have excellent bilateral relations.
Jung said German officials are grateful the United States "is building up this protective defensive system for our population, that we are prepared not only to inform and be informed, but that we also intend to actively pursue this in the NATO framework to have a protective function for all of Europe, for the entire European territory."
"My counterpart, Mr. Gates, informed me that his talks in Moscow came to the conclusion that a team of experts should be set up to discuss the details of this program," Jung said. "We have also discussed this with NATO foreign ministers, and will discuss it with NATO defense ministers."
The overall goal is to deploy a defensive system to defend and protect the population," Jung said, noting that "the fears voiced by Russia are completely unfounded. For this reason, I am confident that within NATO we will reach a consensus, but that within the NATO-Russia Council we will also be able to make progress in the interest of the protection of our population."
Jung went on to say German officials are glad they are part of the joint military mission in Afghanistan. "This effort can already be called a success," he said. "It is an immediate link between providing security and reconstruction, and it helps us to win the hearts and minds of the Afghan population and to guarantee peace and stability in the long run."
Responding to a reporter's query about Iraq, Gates said he'd traveled to Jordan and Egypt the previous week "to encourage them to support Prime Minister (Nouri al-)Maliki and his government, to encourage the Sunnis in Iraq to support that government and to encourage Sunni governments throughout the Middle East to do so.
"I would not have made those trips and made that case if I did not believe Prime Minister Maliki could do the job," the secretary said.
The recent bombing that killed nine U.S. servicemembers at an outpost in Diyala, he noted, is an example of the violence U.S. officials expected as pressure was brought to bear on the various killers. U.S. officials said that they would squirt out to other parts of Iraq in the vicinity of Baghdad.
"It's tragic. We wish to God it hadn't happened." Gates said. "But at the same time, I think that it is not unexpected that we will see these kinds of attacks as they try to prevent the Baghdad security plan from being successful, and as they try and prevent political reconciliation in Iraq."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 26, 2007 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates met with Germany defense leaders yesterday on the last leg of a three-day trip to Moscow, Warsaw and Berlin to discuss U.S. plans to base a missile defense network in Europe. The network will protect Europe, the United States and Russia from long-range ballistic missiles launched by such rogue nations as Iran and North Korea. At a joint news conference with Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung, Gates pointed out that these missiles can carry weapons of mass destruction.
"Nuclear weapons are not the only danger that is posed by the development of ballistic missiles," he said. "After all, you can have radiological, chemical and biological weapons on a ballistic missile as well. So I think that that's the reason why defense against ballistic missiles is so important."
The secretary traveled to Russia at the beginning of the week to discuss U.S. plans to deploy 10 interceptors in Poland and radar in the Czech Republic. He then went on to meet with Polish and German leaders to brief them on his discussions.
Gates said he welcomed the opportunity to brief Jung and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on his talks and to discus a wide range of subjects. The secretary also noted that German Chancellor Angela Merkel had encouraged President Bush to intensify dialogue with the Russians, especially on missile defense.
"We will continue to consult with the Russians on missile defense, as well as consult closely with our allies," Gates said. He said Putin has asked him to return to Russia, Bush will meet with Putin at the G-8 summit, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will meet with her counterpart at an upcoming NATO ministerial conference.
Through an interpreter, Jung said he was pleased Gates came to Germany to discuss the main issues of their defense and security policy. He said the two nations have excellent bilateral relations.
Jung said German officials are grateful the United States "is building up this protective defensive system for our population, that we are prepared not only to inform and be informed, but that we also intend to actively pursue this in the NATO framework to have a protective function for all of Europe, for the entire European territory."
"My counterpart, Mr. Gates, informed me that his talks in Moscow came to the conclusion that a team of experts should be set up to discuss the details of this program," Jung said. "We have also discussed this with NATO foreign ministers, and will discuss it with NATO defense ministers."
The overall goal is to deploy a defensive system to defend and protect the population," Jung said, noting that "the fears voiced by Russia are completely unfounded. For this reason, I am confident that within NATO we will reach a consensus, but that within the NATO-Russia Council we will also be able to make progress in the interest of the protection of our population."
Jung went on to say German officials are glad they are part of the joint military mission in Afghanistan. "This effort can already be called a success," he said. "It is an immediate link between providing security and reconstruction, and it helps us to win the hearts and minds of the Afghan population and to guarantee peace and stability in the long run."
Responding to a reporter's query about Iraq, Gates said he'd traveled to Jordan and Egypt the previous week "to encourage them to support Prime Minister (Nouri al-)Maliki and his government, to encourage the Sunnis in Iraq to support that government and to encourage Sunni governments throughout the Middle East to do so.
"I would not have made those trips and made that case if I did not believe Prime Minister Maliki could do the job," the secretary said.
The recent bombing that killed nine U.S. servicemembers at an outpost in Diyala, he noted, is an example of the violence U.S. officials expected as pressure was brought to bear on the various killers. U.S. officials said that they would squirt out to other parts of Iraq in the vicinity of Baghdad.
"It's tragic. We wish to God it hadn't happened." Gates said. "But at the same time, I think that it is not unexpected that we will see these kinds of attacks as they try to prevent the Baghdad security plan from being successful, and as they try and prevent political reconciliation in Iraq."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Commentary: The West Needs a Defense System That Works
By Condoleezza Rice and Robert M. Gates
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 26, 2007 – Sixteen years after the end of the Cold War, the transatlantic community and Russia are not adversaries. Indeed, on a number of issues, we are partners. We both face a number of common challenges, among the most threatening is the possibility that a dangerous state will use ballistic missiles, tipped with nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction, to hold our societies hostage - or worse. Make no mistake: This is a real challenge. Despite our best efforts, including notable successes in Libya and breaking up the A.Q. Khan network, weapons of mass destruction and missile capabilities continue to proliferate. We sincerely hope that the diplomatic efforts now underway will succeed in addressing the challenges we face from states like North Korea and Iran. We have made some progress with Pyongyang, and though Tehran still defies the international community, there are signs that it is feeling the diplomatic pressure.
However, we cannot guarantee success, and governments have a responsibility to defend their people. The logic of Cold War "Mutual Assured Destruction" does not make sense in today's strategic environment. Today, we seek security based on more than the grim premise that we can destroy those who seek to destroy us. We need to be clear that the missile threat from Iran is real and growing, and it is a threat not just to the United States, but to Europe and Russia as well. Looking a few years ahead, other such missile threats will likely emerge as well.
It is with these new realities in mind that we are developing and deploying modest missile defenses. Our goal is to field systems capable of protecting not only the United States and our forces, but also friends and allies like those in the transatlantic community.
We speak of the transatlantic community because we have learned that our security is not divisible; that if our allies are not secure, America is not secure. America cannot "go it alone." To ensure our common security, we need defenses in place well before a threat fully emerges.
Accordingly, we have approached some of our allies with the idea of deploying limited missile defense capabilities: 10 interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar installation in the Czech Republic. While the United States can defend its own territory without these additional capabilities, fielding them would enable us to extend coverage to most of Europe while providing improved protection at home.
Our strategy is to strengthen our ability to detect, defend against, and thus deter a missile attack. Missile defenses are part of contemporary deterrence and promote stability, as we saw last summer, when we activated our system for the first time in response to North Korean missile launch preparations. In that case, our missile defense system allowed our national leadership to consider a wider, more flexible range of responses to a potential attack.
Effective defenses also reduce incentives for states to acquire missiles in the first place, by undermining their military utility and thus promoting our nonproliferation goals.
We have come a long way from early programs and tests in the 1980s and '90s. Since 2001, we have had 26 successful hit-to-kill intercepts out of 34 attempts. And 15 of the last 16 flight tests have been successful in the past couple of years. Given this trend of success, we are confident that these systems will work, and that they will represent a practical 21st century solution to the new threat we all face.
The system we have in mind is limited, and the missiles have no warhead at all. It is oriented against a potential enemy with a small arsenal, attempting to blackmail our people, sow chaos, and sap our collective will.
Development of such a limited system is realistic. Critics of this approach should also be realistic: This system is of no use against a huge nuclear and ballistic missile arsenal, such as that possessed by Russia. Talk of a new "arms race" with Russia is anachronistic and not grounded in reality: America and Russia under the Treaty of Moscow are reducing our strategic nuclear warheads to levels not seen in decades.
Security should be - must be - discussed in a cooperative, multilateral way. That is why the United States has consulted extensively about our plans over the last few years both with Russia and our Allies, including in Moscow, within NATO, and at the NATO-Russia Council, most recently on April 19. NATO and Russia have had good, practical cooperation on theater missile defense for the past seven years. We look forward to continued and expanded cooperation both in NATO and with Russia.
President Bush has reaffirmed to President Putin our desire to cooperate with Russia on missile defense, and a U.S. delegation offered new proposals for potential partnership with Russia in this area in Moscow on April 17. We both have planned visits to Moscow to follow up and advance our consultations with the Russians -- Secretary Gates recently completed a visit on April 24, and Secretary Rice will be visiting next month.
Our collective defense is too important for us to fall prey to scare tactics, slogans from the past, or attempts to drive wedges between us. NATO has a role in missile defense. So do bilateral arrangements between America, our Allies, and hopefully also with Russia.
We all face an emerging common threat, and America has proposed a practical solution. Europe, above all, must know - based on its own modern history - that the time to cooperate is now, not when the threat is imminent.
(Condoleezza Rice is U.S. Secretary of State. Robert M. Gates is U.S. Secretary of Defense.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 26, 2007 – Sixteen years after the end of the Cold War, the transatlantic community and Russia are not adversaries. Indeed, on a number of issues, we are partners. We both face a number of common challenges, among the most threatening is the possibility that a dangerous state will use ballistic missiles, tipped with nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction, to hold our societies hostage - or worse. Make no mistake: This is a real challenge. Despite our best efforts, including notable successes in Libya and breaking up the A.Q. Khan network, weapons of mass destruction and missile capabilities continue to proliferate. We sincerely hope that the diplomatic efforts now underway will succeed in addressing the challenges we face from states like North Korea and Iran. We have made some progress with Pyongyang, and though Tehran still defies the international community, there are signs that it is feeling the diplomatic pressure.
However, we cannot guarantee success, and governments have a responsibility to defend their people. The logic of Cold War "Mutual Assured Destruction" does not make sense in today's strategic environment. Today, we seek security based on more than the grim premise that we can destroy those who seek to destroy us. We need to be clear that the missile threat from Iran is real and growing, and it is a threat not just to the United States, but to Europe and Russia as well. Looking a few years ahead, other such missile threats will likely emerge as well.
It is with these new realities in mind that we are developing and deploying modest missile defenses. Our goal is to field systems capable of protecting not only the United States and our forces, but also friends and allies like those in the transatlantic community.
We speak of the transatlantic community because we have learned that our security is not divisible; that if our allies are not secure, America is not secure. America cannot "go it alone." To ensure our common security, we need defenses in place well before a threat fully emerges.
Accordingly, we have approached some of our allies with the idea of deploying limited missile defense capabilities: 10 interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar installation in the Czech Republic. While the United States can defend its own territory without these additional capabilities, fielding them would enable us to extend coverage to most of Europe while providing improved protection at home.
Our strategy is to strengthen our ability to detect, defend against, and thus deter a missile attack. Missile defenses are part of contemporary deterrence and promote stability, as we saw last summer, when we activated our system for the first time in response to North Korean missile launch preparations. In that case, our missile defense system allowed our national leadership to consider a wider, more flexible range of responses to a potential attack.
Effective defenses also reduce incentives for states to acquire missiles in the first place, by undermining their military utility and thus promoting our nonproliferation goals.
We have come a long way from early programs and tests in the 1980s and '90s. Since 2001, we have had 26 successful hit-to-kill intercepts out of 34 attempts. And 15 of the last 16 flight tests have been successful in the past couple of years. Given this trend of success, we are confident that these systems will work, and that they will represent a practical 21st century solution to the new threat we all face.
The system we have in mind is limited, and the missiles have no warhead at all. It is oriented against a potential enemy with a small arsenal, attempting to blackmail our people, sow chaos, and sap our collective will.
Development of such a limited system is realistic. Critics of this approach should also be realistic: This system is of no use against a huge nuclear and ballistic missile arsenal, such as that possessed by Russia. Talk of a new "arms race" with Russia is anachronistic and not grounded in reality: America and Russia under the Treaty of Moscow are reducing our strategic nuclear warheads to levels not seen in decades.
Security should be - must be - discussed in a cooperative, multilateral way. That is why the United States has consulted extensively about our plans over the last few years both with Russia and our Allies, including in Moscow, within NATO, and at the NATO-Russia Council, most recently on April 19. NATO and Russia have had good, practical cooperation on theater missile defense for the past seven years. We look forward to continued and expanded cooperation both in NATO and with Russia.
President Bush has reaffirmed to President Putin our desire to cooperate with Russia on missile defense, and a U.S. delegation offered new proposals for potential partnership with Russia in this area in Moscow on April 17. We both have planned visits to Moscow to follow up and advance our consultations with the Russians -- Secretary Gates recently completed a visit on April 24, and Secretary Rice will be visiting next month.
Our collective defense is too important for us to fall prey to scare tactics, slogans from the past, or attempts to drive wedges between us. NATO has a role in missile defense. So do bilateral arrangements between America, our Allies, and hopefully also with Russia.
We all face an emerging common threat, and America has proposed a practical solution. Europe, above all, must know - based on its own modern history - that the time to cooperate is now, not when the threat is imminent.
(Condoleezza Rice is U.S. Secretary of State. Robert M. Gates is U.S. Secretary of Defense.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Biological Attack Investigator’s Handbook
“Criminal and Epidemiological Investigation Handbook, Federal Bureau ofInvestigation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the USDepartment of Justice, and the US Army Soldier Biological ChemicalCommand. 2006.”
Available At:
http://www2a.cdc.gov/phlp/docs/CrimEpiHandbook2006.pdf
Book Excerpt:
“Current information indicates that, regardless of location, American assets and citizens will continue to be targets of terrorist activities. Terrorists have demonstrated their willingness to employ non-traditional weapons to achieve their ends. One such class of non-traditional weapons is biological agents. Biological agents pose new challenges to both law enforcement and public health officials in their efforts to minimize the effects of a biological attack and apprehend those responsible for the attack. In the past, it was not uncommon for law enforcement and public health officials to conduct separate and independent investigations. However, a biological attack requires a high level of cooperation between these two disciplines to achieve their respective objectives of identifying the biological agent, preventing the spread of the disease, preventing public panic, and apprehending those responsible. The lack of mutual awareness and understanding, as well as the absence of established communication procedures, could hinder the effectiveness of law enforcement’s and public health's separate, but often overlapping, investigations. Due to the continued likelihood of biological attacks, the effective use of all resources during a biological incident will be critical to ensure an efficient and appropriate response.
The purpose of this handbook is as follows:
To provide an introduction to epidemiological and criminal terrorist investigations so public health and law enforcement personnel have a better understanding of each other's information requirements and investigative procedures.
To identify potential conflicts law enforcement and public health personnel will encounter during their respective biological incident investigations and to provide potential solutions that can be adapted to meet the needs of the various jurisdictions and agencies throughout the United States.
To enhance the appreciation and understanding of each discipline's expertise by all parties.”
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Available At:
http://www2a.cdc.gov/phlp/docs/CrimEpiHandbook2006.pdf
Book Excerpt:
“Current information indicates that, regardless of location, American assets and citizens will continue to be targets of terrorist activities. Terrorists have demonstrated their willingness to employ non-traditional weapons to achieve their ends. One such class of non-traditional weapons is biological agents. Biological agents pose new challenges to both law enforcement and public health officials in their efforts to minimize the effects of a biological attack and apprehend those responsible for the attack. In the past, it was not uncommon for law enforcement and public health officials to conduct separate and independent investigations. However, a biological attack requires a high level of cooperation between these two disciplines to achieve their respective objectives of identifying the biological agent, preventing the spread of the disease, preventing public panic, and apprehending those responsible. The lack of mutual awareness and understanding, as well as the absence of established communication procedures, could hinder the effectiveness of law enforcement’s and public health's separate, but often overlapping, investigations. Due to the continued likelihood of biological attacks, the effective use of all resources during a biological incident will be critical to ensure an efficient and appropriate response.
The purpose of this handbook is as follows:
To provide an introduction to epidemiological and criminal terrorist investigations so public health and law enforcement personnel have a better understanding of each other's information requirements and investigative procedures.
To identify potential conflicts law enforcement and public health personnel will encounter during their respective biological incident investigations and to provide potential solutions that can be adapted to meet the needs of the various jurisdictions and agencies throughout the United States.
To enhance the appreciation and understanding of each discipline's expertise by all parties.”
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
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