By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C.
Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON – Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta will
travel today to Fort Benning, Ga., to speak to deploying soldiers and their
families, a senior Pentagon spokesman told reporters yesterday.
“[The secretary] will be addressing troops
down there in a town hall discussion, and he’ll visit multiple training sites
at the base,” Navy Capt. John Kirby said.
The defense secretary will speak to
about 1,300 soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division’s 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat
Team and will answer questions during the town hall meeting.
“I think it’s safe to say that one thing
that’s on his mind … is concerns over how recent isolated incidents of
misconduct and ethical lapses in judgment have had, and continue to have, a
strategic impact on the military – particularly in Afghanistan,” Kirby said.
“So I think he’s just going to share some of his concerns over that with them as
well.”
The secretary will eat lunch with 10
junior soldiers, observe dismounted squad training demonstrations and meet with
senior leaders. He will also look at their advanced situational awareness
training and observe an infantry battalion during a live-fire exercise and as
soldiers negotiate a confidence course, Kirby said.
Panetta also will express his
appreciation for the sacrifices the troops and their families are making.
“As always, he wants to thank them for their
service and what they’re doing and [show appreciation for] the support that
they get from their families and the extraordinary work that they do every
day,” Kirby said.
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