By Gerry J. Gilmore
Dec. 6, 2006 – Lisa Marie Waugh offers tried-and-true advice to people with disabilities who want to get ahead in life: "You should let nothing stop you." Waugh, an intelligence research specialist with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, at Fort Belvoir, Va., has successfully dealt with Stargardt's disease, a malady that has compromised her vision.
"I'm just thankful for what I have," Waugh said.
Waugh was among 14 Defense Department employees honored at the 26th Annual DoD Disability Awards held yesterday in Bethesda, Md.
David S. C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, hosted the event and presented awards to outstanding DoD civilian employees with disabilities. The award ceremony was followed by the start of a federal disability forum that's held each year.
"This is the only annual training conference that focuses exclusively on federal employment of individuals with disabilities," Chu said, noting President Bush is dedicated to help disabled Americans reach their full potential.
The Defense Department is a recognized leader in assisting disabled persons to have full and productive lives, Chu said, noting DoD hired 206 disabled students for permanent and summer jobs this year. Some occupations filled under the program included aerospace engineer, accounting clerk, park ranger, archeologist, cartographic aide, and store worker.
"The program, I believe, has proven to be an excellent pipeline to careers in the (DoD) civilian workforce for those with disabilities," Chu said.
DoD now employs more than 5,000 people with severe disabilities targeted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Chu said. "That is almost 1 percent of our civilian workforce. While that percentage is higher than in some other agencies, we do know that it should be higher still," he said.
The theme for this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month held in October, "Americans with Disabilities: Ready for the Global Workforce," is very fitting, Chu said.
"It's a most appropriate theme, particularly when I think about how much defense has been able to do to improve job opportunities for those with disabilities, including military personnel who've been wounded in combat," Chu said.
The Defense Department is committed to its programs that prepare wounded servicemembers for their futures, he said. The Military Severely Injured Center program serves as a coordinating mechanism and umbrella organization for similar programs managed by each military branch.
New technology and shifting attitudes have enabled many wounded servicemembers to opt to stay on military duty, Chu said. The federal government-wide Computer/Electronics Accommodations Program started by DoD in 1990 helps eliminate barriers in the workplace and assists disabled persons to achieve their full potential. Recent federal legislation has given CAP the authority to serve wounded servicemembers, as well as disabled government civilians, Chu said.
Keynote speaker John R. Vaughn, chairman of the National Council on Disability, urged DoD, other federal agencies and private-sector employers not to forget that disabled people make excellent, productive employees.
Vaughn, a retired businessman who as a young man lost his sight to a degenerative eye disease, said there should be a national campaign with the slogan, "Don't Count Me Out," that highlights the advantages of hiring disabled people.
"We've got to believe in giving everybody a chance to be whatever they can," Vaughn said, noting disabled people meld well with today's fluid, global business environment.
"I don't know of anybody else who is a better champion for change and dealing with change than a person with a disability where their whole life has been turned upside down," Vaughn said.
Chu also presented awards to:
-- Leslie Eden Bell, an attorney with the National Security Agency, at Fort Meade, Md.;
-- Chester Bogart III, a materials handler at Tobyhanna Army Depot, Pa.;
-- Deirdre J. Carter, a copier and duplicating equipment operator at the Defense Logistics Agency, in Whitehall, Ohio;
-- Paul Robert Gabriel, an electronics engineer at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas;
-- Jerome Anthony Knight, a laborer with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, at Fort Eustis, Va.;
-- Derek Alan Lee, a commissary support clerk at the Defense Commissary Agency, at Fort Lee, Va.;
-- Carlene J. Miles, a digital production system assistant with the National Guard Bureau, in Blackstone, Va.;
-- Vicki D. Morgan, an accounting technician with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, in Rome, N.Y.;
-- Christine Rose Murphy, an information technology specialist with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, in Washington, D.C.;
-- Judy C. Spain, a management analyst with the Defense Contract Management Agency, in Indianapolis;
-- Gregory Paul Springer, a systems engineer with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, in Bethesda, Md.; and
-- Dr. James Nelson Templeman, a computer engineer at the Naval Research Laboratory, in Washington, D.C.
Chu also honored three DoD components for their outstanding accomplishments in their affirmative action programs for people with disabilities. The awards are brass cups that are passed on from the previous year's winners.
The Best Military Department award went to the Department of the Army, and the Defense Logistics Agency earned Best Mid-Size Component honors. The Defense Security Service took the Best Small Component award.
The Army and DLA also won last year in their respective categories.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and, military personnel and police officer who have become writers.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Officials Weigh Need for Africa Command
By Jim Garamone
Dec. 6, 2006 – Defense Department officials continue to examine the idea of establishing a U.S. Africa Command, a top DoD official said here this week. A team of DoD officials is looking at all options in examining the need for a new combatant command, Theresa Whelan, deputy assistant secretary of defense for African affairs, said in an interview.
Responsibility for U.S. military operations in Africa is currently divided among three combatant commands. The area from Kenya to Egypt is part of U.S. Central Command. The rest of the continent falls under the auspices of U.S. European Command. The eastern island nations are in U.S. Pacific Command's area of operations.
"We are looking at different ways of organizing DoD for doing business in Africa," Whelan said. "The different circumstances and threats have caused us to take a step back and look at the way we're doing business."
There is no set date for a decision on establishing a new command or finding another means for handling operations in Africa, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said today. Officials are working to decide on the best course of action: to stick with the status quo, to establish a subordinate command, or to stand up a full out combatant command, on par with European Command and Central Command.
The group will make its recommendations through the Joint Chiefs of Staff before presenting them to the chairman and the secretary for a decision.
Whelan said the security environment in Africa has changed fundamentally in the last decade. "You have a situation where the threats are not confined to state actors or geographically confined," she said. "You don't have to look to a state that has a large military to find an entity that can threaten U.S. security in a serious way."
She said the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, brought that home in a very stark and tragic manner. "Africa is an environment that has the potential to be used by these non-state actors to achieve or at least move closer to their ends," she said.
Africa has seen its own attacks. Al Qaeda attacked the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998, killing hundreds of innocent people, most of them local citizens. Other terrorist organizations have been regionally focused in the past, but now are expanding their interests and jumping on the al Qaeda bandwagon, Whelan said.
The United States military always has paid attention to the continent. In the past, the U.S. military has had bases in Ethiopia, Libya, Liberia and Morocco.
Poor governance, wars and population pressures are some of the human-caused problems on the continent, but natural threats need to be dealt with as well, Whelan said. "There are clearly challenges in terms of disease -- AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis -- are major threats," she said. "Your issue is you have these major demographic changes caused by disease and the untimely death of the working-age population. The African population in many countries is now very young or very old, Whelan said.
A U.S. Africa Command would work at "preventing problems from becoming crises and crises from becoming catastrophes," Whelan said. "Instead of the United States being reactive, ... we want to be more proactive in promoting security, to build African capacity to build their own environments and not be subject to the instability that has toppled governments and caused so much pain on the continent."
She likened it to a fire department. Instead of waiting until a fire breaks out, U.S. Africa Command would be like firefighters who work with the community to promote fire safety or help businesses install sprinklers. "It may prevent a fire or lessen the magnitude of damage," she said.
If officials decide to go ahead with a U.S. Africa Command, "you would clearly want to have it based on that continent." But, she said, there are a lot of ways to "skin that cat."
The command may have its main headquarters in the United States, but forward operating bases in Africa.
The command would not necessarily have a large number of people. The needs are so great in Africa that a little can go a long way, she said. The command would coordinate training teams, advisory teams, civil affairs teams, medical and veterinary aid to the continent. It would also help interface with other government agencies and non-governmental aid groups in efforts on the continent.
In short, it would not look like other U.S. combatant commands. "Africa Command will not be a cookie-cutter organization," Whelan said. "If we go this way, it will be something different."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and, military personnel and police officer who have become writers.
Dec. 6, 2006 – Defense Department officials continue to examine the idea of establishing a U.S. Africa Command, a top DoD official said here this week. A team of DoD officials is looking at all options in examining the need for a new combatant command, Theresa Whelan, deputy assistant secretary of defense for African affairs, said in an interview.
Responsibility for U.S. military operations in Africa is currently divided among three combatant commands. The area from Kenya to Egypt is part of U.S. Central Command. The rest of the continent falls under the auspices of U.S. European Command. The eastern island nations are in U.S. Pacific Command's area of operations.
"We are looking at different ways of organizing DoD for doing business in Africa," Whelan said. "The different circumstances and threats have caused us to take a step back and look at the way we're doing business."
There is no set date for a decision on establishing a new command or finding another means for handling operations in Africa, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said today. Officials are working to decide on the best course of action: to stick with the status quo, to establish a subordinate command, or to stand up a full out combatant command, on par with European Command and Central Command.
The group will make its recommendations through the Joint Chiefs of Staff before presenting them to the chairman and the secretary for a decision.
Whelan said the security environment in Africa has changed fundamentally in the last decade. "You have a situation where the threats are not confined to state actors or geographically confined," she said. "You don't have to look to a state that has a large military to find an entity that can threaten U.S. security in a serious way."
She said the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, brought that home in a very stark and tragic manner. "Africa is an environment that has the potential to be used by these non-state actors to achieve or at least move closer to their ends," she said.
Africa has seen its own attacks. Al Qaeda attacked the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998, killing hundreds of innocent people, most of them local citizens. Other terrorist organizations have been regionally focused in the past, but now are expanding their interests and jumping on the al Qaeda bandwagon, Whelan said.
The United States military always has paid attention to the continent. In the past, the U.S. military has had bases in Ethiopia, Libya, Liberia and Morocco.
Poor governance, wars and population pressures are some of the human-caused problems on the continent, but natural threats need to be dealt with as well, Whelan said. "There are clearly challenges in terms of disease -- AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis -- are major threats," she said. "Your issue is you have these major demographic changes caused by disease and the untimely death of the working-age population. The African population in many countries is now very young or very old, Whelan said.
A U.S. Africa Command would work at "preventing problems from becoming crises and crises from becoming catastrophes," Whelan said. "Instead of the United States being reactive, ... we want to be more proactive in promoting security, to build African capacity to build their own environments and not be subject to the instability that has toppled governments and caused so much pain on the continent."
She likened it to a fire department. Instead of waiting until a fire breaks out, U.S. Africa Command would be like firefighters who work with the community to promote fire safety or help businesses install sprinklers. "It may prevent a fire or lessen the magnitude of damage," she said.
If officials decide to go ahead with a U.S. Africa Command, "you would clearly want to have it based on that continent." But, she said, there are a lot of ways to "skin that cat."
The command may have its main headquarters in the United States, but forward operating bases in Africa.
The command would not necessarily have a large number of people. The needs are so great in Africa that a little can go a long way, she said. The command would coordinate training teams, advisory teams, civil affairs teams, medical and veterinary aid to the continent. It would also help interface with other government agencies and non-governmental aid groups in efforts on the continent.
In short, it would not look like other U.S. combatant commands. "Africa Command will not be a cookie-cutter organization," Whelan said. "If we go this way, it will be something different."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and, military personnel and police officer who have become writers.
Navy to Christen USNS Alan Shepard
The Navy will christen the USNS Alan Shepard, the newest ship in the Lewis and Clark class of underway replenishment ships, on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006, during an 8 a.m. PST launching at General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO), San Diego, Calif.
The ship honors the first American in space, Rear Adm. Alan B. Shepard Jr. Like the legendary explorers, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, for whom the first ship of the class was named, Shepard bravely volunteered to explore the unknown and became the first American in space. Thus began one of the most challenging endeavors in human history: the manned exploration of space.
Shepard graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., in 1944. He served aboard destroyers in the Pacific during World War II and later entered flight training, receiving his designation as a naval aviator in 1947. Shepard served several tours in fleet squadrons and was selected to attend the Navy Test Pilot School in 1950. He logged more than 8,000 hours of flying time.
In 1959, Shepard was one of seven men chosen by NASA for the Mercury manned space flight program. Two years later, he became the first American to journey into space in the Freedom 7 spacecraft launched by a Redstone rocket on a suborbital flight. He reached an altitude of 116 miles.
In 1963, he was designated chief of the Astronaut Office with responsibility for monitoring the coordination, scheduling and control of all activities involving NASA astronauts. Shepard made his second space flight as spacecraft commander on Apollo 14 in 1971. He was accompanied on the third U.S. lunar landing mission by Stuart A. Roosa, command module pilot, and Edgar D. Mitchell, lunar module pilot. Shepard logged 216 hours and 57 minutes in space, of which 9 hours and 17 minutes were spent in lunar surface extravehicular activity. He resumed his duties as chief of the Astronaut Office in June 1971 and served in this capacity until he retired from NASA and the Navy on Aug. 1, 1974.
After his Navy and NASA careers, he entered private business in Houston and served as the president of the Mercury Seven Foundation, a non-profit organization now known as the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation that provides college science scholarships for deserving students. Shepard died July 21, 1998, at the age of 74.
John H. Sununu, former governor of New Hampshire, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Laura Churchley will serve as sponsor of the ship named for her father. The launching ceremony will be highlighted in the time-honored Navy tradition when the sponsor breaks a bottle of champagne across the bow to formally christen the ship "Alan Shepard."
The USNS Alan Shepard is the third ship in the Navy's new 11-ship T-AKE 1 Class. T-AKE is a combat logistics force vessel intended to replace the current capability of the T-AE 26 Kilauea-Class ammunition ships, T-AFS 1 Mars-Class combat stores ships and, when operating with T-AO 187 Henry J. Kaiser-Class oiler ships, the AOE 1 Sacramento-Class fast combat support ships. To conduct vertical replenishment, the ship will support two military logistics helicopters.
Designed to operate independently for extended periods at sea while providing replenishment services to U.S., NATO and allied ships, the USNS Alan Shepard will directly contribute to the ability of the Navy to maintain a worldwide forward presence. Ships such as Alan Shepard provide logistic lift from sources of supply either in port or at sea from specially equipped merchant ships. The ship will transfer cargo (ammunition, food, limited quantities of fuel, repair parts, ship store items, and expendable supplies and material) to ships and other naval warfare forces at sea.
The USNS Alan Shepard is 689 feet in length, has an overall beam of 106 feet, a navigational draft of 30 feet, and displaces approximately 42,000 tons. Powered by a single-shaft diesel-electric propulsion system, the ship can reach a speed of 20 knots. As part of the Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force, the ship will be designated USNS. The term stands for United States Naval Ship. Unlike their United States Ship (USS) counterparts, USNS vessels are manned primarily by civil service and civilian mariners working for the U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C.
Additional information about this class of ship is available on line at http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4400&tid=500&ct=4 .
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and, military personnel and police officer who have become writers.
The ship honors the first American in space, Rear Adm. Alan B. Shepard Jr. Like the legendary explorers, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, for whom the first ship of the class was named, Shepard bravely volunteered to explore the unknown and became the first American in space. Thus began one of the most challenging endeavors in human history: the manned exploration of space.
Shepard graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., in 1944. He served aboard destroyers in the Pacific during World War II and later entered flight training, receiving his designation as a naval aviator in 1947. Shepard served several tours in fleet squadrons and was selected to attend the Navy Test Pilot School in 1950. He logged more than 8,000 hours of flying time.
In 1959, Shepard was one of seven men chosen by NASA for the Mercury manned space flight program. Two years later, he became the first American to journey into space in the Freedom 7 spacecraft launched by a Redstone rocket on a suborbital flight. He reached an altitude of 116 miles.
In 1963, he was designated chief of the Astronaut Office with responsibility for monitoring the coordination, scheduling and control of all activities involving NASA astronauts. Shepard made his second space flight as spacecraft commander on Apollo 14 in 1971. He was accompanied on the third U.S. lunar landing mission by Stuart A. Roosa, command module pilot, and Edgar D. Mitchell, lunar module pilot. Shepard logged 216 hours and 57 minutes in space, of which 9 hours and 17 minutes were spent in lunar surface extravehicular activity. He resumed his duties as chief of the Astronaut Office in June 1971 and served in this capacity until he retired from NASA and the Navy on Aug. 1, 1974.
After his Navy and NASA careers, he entered private business in Houston and served as the president of the Mercury Seven Foundation, a non-profit organization now known as the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation that provides college science scholarships for deserving students. Shepard died July 21, 1998, at the age of 74.
John H. Sununu, former governor of New Hampshire, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Laura Churchley will serve as sponsor of the ship named for her father. The launching ceremony will be highlighted in the time-honored Navy tradition when the sponsor breaks a bottle of champagne across the bow to formally christen the ship "Alan Shepard."
The USNS Alan Shepard is the third ship in the Navy's new 11-ship T-AKE 1 Class. T-AKE is a combat logistics force vessel intended to replace the current capability of the T-AE 26 Kilauea-Class ammunition ships, T-AFS 1 Mars-Class combat stores ships and, when operating with T-AO 187 Henry J. Kaiser-Class oiler ships, the AOE 1 Sacramento-Class fast combat support ships. To conduct vertical replenishment, the ship will support two military logistics helicopters.
Designed to operate independently for extended periods at sea while providing replenishment services to U.S., NATO and allied ships, the USNS Alan Shepard will directly contribute to the ability of the Navy to maintain a worldwide forward presence. Ships such as Alan Shepard provide logistic lift from sources of supply either in port or at sea from specially equipped merchant ships. The ship will transfer cargo (ammunition, food, limited quantities of fuel, repair parts, ship store items, and expendable supplies and material) to ships and other naval warfare forces at sea.
The USNS Alan Shepard is 689 feet in length, has an overall beam of 106 feet, a navigational draft of 30 feet, and displaces approximately 42,000 tons. Powered by a single-shaft diesel-electric propulsion system, the ship can reach a speed of 20 knots. As part of the Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force, the ship will be designated USNS. The term stands for United States Naval Ship. Unlike their United States Ship (USS) counterparts, USNS vessels are manned primarily by civil service and civilian mariners working for the U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C.
Additional information about this class of ship is available on line at http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4400&tid=500&ct=4 .
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and, military personnel and police officer who have become writers.
Report: Iraq Situation Serious, But Not Lost
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
Dec. 6, 2006 – The Iraq Study Group released its findings today in a report made available this morning to President Bush and Congress, and later to the general public.
"We believe that the situation in Iraq today is very, very serious," former U.S. Rep. Lee Hamilton, co-chair of the bipartisan panel commissioned by Congress to examine the way ahead in Iraq, said at a news conference following the report's release.
"We do not know if it can be turned around, but we think we have an obligation to try, and if the recommendations that we have made are effectively implemented, there is at least a chance that you can see established a stable government in Iraq and stability in the region," Hamilton said. "The task ahead of us is daunting -- very, very difficult -- and we recognize that, but it is not by any means lost."
Members of the study group agree with the administration's goal in Iraq: to create a country that can govern, sustain and defend itself, former Secretary of State James Baker, co-chair of the group, said at the news conference. However, the group believes a new approach is needed in Iraq, he said.
"As a matter of humanitarian concern, as a matter of national interest, and as a matter of practical necessity, it is time to find a new way forward, a new approach," Baker said.
The report recommends a five-fold increase in the number of U.S. forces training Iraqi troops, he said, but does not endorse a large-scale increase in U.S. forces overall, a "stay the course" solution, or a division of Iraq into three autonomous regions.
The Iraq Study Group included a total of 79 recommendations in its report, Baker said. These recommendations cover military, political and diplomatic issues, as well as criminal justice, oil, reconstruction, the U.S. budget process, the training of U.S. government personnel, and U.S. intelligence, he said.
The group's three most important recommendations are equally important and reinforce each other, Baker said. The first is a change in the primary mission of U.S. forces in Iraq that will enable the U.S. to move its combat forces out of Iraq responsibly. The second recommendation is prompt action by the Iraqi government to achieve milestones, particularly on national reconciliation. The third is a new and enhanced diplomatic and political effort in Iraq and in the region.
"The primary mission of U.S. forces in Iraq should evolve to one of supporting the Iraqi army, which would take over primary responsibility for combat operations," the group's report states. "By the first quarter of 2008, subject to unexpected developments in the security situation on the ground, all combat brigades not necessary for force protection could be out of Iraq.
"At that time, U.S. combat forces in Iraq could be deployed only in units embedded with Iraqi forces, in rapid-reaction and special operations teams, and in training, equipping, advising, force protection, and search and rescue," the report states. "Intelligence and support efforts would continue. A vital mission of those rapid reaction and special operations forces would be to undertake strikes against al Qaeda in Iraq."
It is clear that the Iraqi government will need assistance from the United States for some time to come, especially in carrying out security responsibilities, according to the report.
"Yet the United States must make it clear to the Iraqi government that the United States could carry out its plans, including planned redeployments, even if the Iraqi government did not implement their planned changes," it states. "The United States must not make an open-ended commitment to keep large numbers of American troops deployed in Iraq."
"Our group offers and supports each and every one of our recommendations unanimously," Baker said. "We of course recognize that some people will differ with some of these recommendations; we nevertheless hope very much that in moving forward, others will wish to continue to broaden and deepen the bipartisan spirit that has helped us to come together."
Hamilton and Baker both said that if the group's recommendations are effectively implemented, the chances for success in Iraq will be greatly improved.
After receiving the report this morning, President Bush pledged to take the recommendations seriously and act in a timely fashion. "This report gives a very tough assessment of the situation in Iraq," Bush said. "It is a report that brings some really very interesting proposals, and we will take every proposal seriously, and we will act in a timely fashion."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and, military personnel and police officer who have become writers.
Dec. 6, 2006 – The Iraq Study Group released its findings today in a report made available this morning to President Bush and Congress, and later to the general public.
"We believe that the situation in Iraq today is very, very serious," former U.S. Rep. Lee Hamilton, co-chair of the bipartisan panel commissioned by Congress to examine the way ahead in Iraq, said at a news conference following the report's release.
"We do not know if it can be turned around, but we think we have an obligation to try, and if the recommendations that we have made are effectively implemented, there is at least a chance that you can see established a stable government in Iraq and stability in the region," Hamilton said. "The task ahead of us is daunting -- very, very difficult -- and we recognize that, but it is not by any means lost."
Members of the study group agree with the administration's goal in Iraq: to create a country that can govern, sustain and defend itself, former Secretary of State James Baker, co-chair of the group, said at the news conference. However, the group believes a new approach is needed in Iraq, he said.
"As a matter of humanitarian concern, as a matter of national interest, and as a matter of practical necessity, it is time to find a new way forward, a new approach," Baker said.
The report recommends a five-fold increase in the number of U.S. forces training Iraqi troops, he said, but does not endorse a large-scale increase in U.S. forces overall, a "stay the course" solution, or a division of Iraq into three autonomous regions.
The Iraq Study Group included a total of 79 recommendations in its report, Baker said. These recommendations cover military, political and diplomatic issues, as well as criminal justice, oil, reconstruction, the U.S. budget process, the training of U.S. government personnel, and U.S. intelligence, he said.
The group's three most important recommendations are equally important and reinforce each other, Baker said. The first is a change in the primary mission of U.S. forces in Iraq that will enable the U.S. to move its combat forces out of Iraq responsibly. The second recommendation is prompt action by the Iraqi government to achieve milestones, particularly on national reconciliation. The third is a new and enhanced diplomatic and political effort in Iraq and in the region.
"The primary mission of U.S. forces in Iraq should evolve to one of supporting the Iraqi army, which would take over primary responsibility for combat operations," the group's report states. "By the first quarter of 2008, subject to unexpected developments in the security situation on the ground, all combat brigades not necessary for force protection could be out of Iraq.
"At that time, U.S. combat forces in Iraq could be deployed only in units embedded with Iraqi forces, in rapid-reaction and special operations teams, and in training, equipping, advising, force protection, and search and rescue," the report states. "Intelligence and support efforts would continue. A vital mission of those rapid reaction and special operations forces would be to undertake strikes against al Qaeda in Iraq."
It is clear that the Iraqi government will need assistance from the United States for some time to come, especially in carrying out security responsibilities, according to the report.
"Yet the United States must make it clear to the Iraqi government that the United States could carry out its plans, including planned redeployments, even if the Iraqi government did not implement their planned changes," it states. "The United States must not make an open-ended commitment to keep large numbers of American troops deployed in Iraq."
"Our group offers and supports each and every one of our recommendations unanimously," Baker said. "We of course recognize that some people will differ with some of these recommendations; we nevertheless hope very much that in moving forward, others will wish to continue to broaden and deepen the bipartisan spirit that has helped us to come together."
Hamilton and Baker both said that if the group's recommendations are effectively implemented, the chances for success in Iraq will be greatly improved.
After receiving the report this morning, President Bush pledged to take the recommendations seriously and act in a timely fashion. "This report gives a very tough assessment of the situation in Iraq," Bush said. "It is a report that brings some really very interesting proposals, and we will take every proposal seriously, and we will act in a timely fashion."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and, military personnel and police officer who have become writers.
Gates Vows to Focus on Iraq, Troop Welfare if Confirmed
By Donna Miles
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2006 – Defense secretary nominee Robert M. Gates told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing today that if he's confirmed to the top Pentagon post, his highest calling will be to ensure success in Iraq and look out for the men and women in uniform. Gates told committee members during his opening statement that he's "under no illusion why I am sitting before you today: the war in Iraq." He said he recognizes the importance of improving the situation there.
During a questioning period, Gates said he doesn't believe the coalition is currently winning in Iraq. But, he added, he also agrees with Marine Gen. Peter Pace's assessment, offered Nov. 29 during a Pentagon news conference, that the coalition is not losing, either.
The period ahead is critical in tipping that scale, Gates said.
"Developments in Iraq over the next year or two will, I believe, shape the entire Middle East and greatly influence global geopolitics for many years to come," he said. "Our course over the next year or two will determine whether the American and Iraqi people and the next president of the United States will face a slowly but steadily improving situation in Iraq and in the region or will face the very real risk of a possible reality of a regional conflagration."
Achieving victory will require cooperation and close coordination by the many players involved. "We need to work together to develop a strategy that does not leave Iraq in chaos, and that protects our long-term interests in and hopes for the region," he said.
Gates said he's open to alternative strategies and tactics for operations in Iraq, including those expected soon from the Iraq Study Group, which he was involved with until President Bush nominated him as defense secretary Nov. 8.
He told the committee he also will consult with military leaders and combatant commanders in the field and "will give most serious consideration to the views of those who lead our men and women in uniform."
Gates said he also will consult with leaders in the executive branch and Congress and share that input with the president and National Security Council. "Of course, it is the president who will decide what, if any, changes are made in our approach," he said.
He told committee members the "most humbling" part of his job, if confirmed as defense secretary, will be making decisions that will have life-and-death consequences. "Our country is at war, and if confirmed, I will be charged with leading the men and women who are fighting it," he said.
Gates offered high praise to the U.S. armed forces and said they proudly carry on the tradition of their predecessors, who have fought the country's wars for the past 230 years.
"The patriots who have volunteered to serve in our armed services today have no equal in the world," he said. "I offer this committee my solemn commitment to keep the welfare of our forces uppermost in my mind."
Gates, a former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, told committee members he did not seek a return to government or the job of defense secretary. "I am here because I love my country and because the president of the United States believes I can help in a difficult time," he said. "I hope you will reach a similar conclusion."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online and, police officer and military personnel who have become authors.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2006 – Defense secretary nominee Robert M. Gates told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing today that if he's confirmed to the top Pentagon post, his highest calling will be to ensure success in Iraq and look out for the men and women in uniform. Gates told committee members during his opening statement that he's "under no illusion why I am sitting before you today: the war in Iraq." He said he recognizes the importance of improving the situation there.
During a questioning period, Gates said he doesn't believe the coalition is currently winning in Iraq. But, he added, he also agrees with Marine Gen. Peter Pace's assessment, offered Nov. 29 during a Pentagon news conference, that the coalition is not losing, either.
The period ahead is critical in tipping that scale, Gates said.
"Developments in Iraq over the next year or two will, I believe, shape the entire Middle East and greatly influence global geopolitics for many years to come," he said. "Our course over the next year or two will determine whether the American and Iraqi people and the next president of the United States will face a slowly but steadily improving situation in Iraq and in the region or will face the very real risk of a possible reality of a regional conflagration."
Achieving victory will require cooperation and close coordination by the many players involved. "We need to work together to develop a strategy that does not leave Iraq in chaos, and that protects our long-term interests in and hopes for the region," he said.
Gates said he's open to alternative strategies and tactics for operations in Iraq, including those expected soon from the Iraq Study Group, which he was involved with until President Bush nominated him as defense secretary Nov. 8.
He told the committee he also will consult with military leaders and combatant commanders in the field and "will give most serious consideration to the views of those who lead our men and women in uniform."
Gates said he also will consult with leaders in the executive branch and Congress and share that input with the president and National Security Council. "Of course, it is the president who will decide what, if any, changes are made in our approach," he said.
He told committee members the "most humbling" part of his job, if confirmed as defense secretary, will be making decisions that will have life-and-death consequences. "Our country is at war, and if confirmed, I will be charged with leading the men and women who are fighting it," he said.
Gates offered high praise to the U.S. armed forces and said they proudly carry on the tradition of their predecessors, who have fought the country's wars for the past 230 years.
"The patriots who have volunteered to serve in our armed services today have no equal in the world," he said. "I offer this committee my solemn commitment to keep the welfare of our forces uppermost in my mind."
Gates, a former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, told committee members he did not seek a return to government or the job of defense secretary. "I am here because I love my country and because the president of the United States believes I can help in a difficult time," he said. "I hope you will reach a similar conclusion."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online and, police officer and military personnel who have become authors.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Gates: Federal Experience Offered Valued Leadership Lessons
By Donna Miles
Dec. 5, 2006 – President Bush's nominee to be the next defense secretary told Congress today that if confirmed, he'll bring important lessons to the job: the importance of working collaboratively with other federal partners and of tapping into the expertise of the professionals who carry out the mission, among them. Speaking to the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing, Robert M. Gates said his experience at the Central Intelligence Agency and in other capacities "has given me an appreciation of how all the different parts of the government need to work together to get anything done."
Gates recalled the early days of the Iraq Study Group he served on, with some federal agencies and organizations running into difficulties working with one another. "So one of the most significant lessons I've learned is the importance of the entire government pulling together as a team," he said.
It's important for these entities "to remember that we all work for the same boss," Gates told the committee. "And that boss, ultimately, is the people of the United States."
Gates called personal relationships critical to accomplishing what's necessary to serve the American people. He joked that the political science professors at Texas A&M University, where he serves as president, don't allow him in their classrooms "because I tell them to throw away the organization charts (and) that personal relationships matter."
His experience working with Congress reinforced "the importance of consultations, the importance of (a) lack of surprises (and) the importance of treating other people's views with respect," Gates told the committee.
Gates credited former CIA director William Webster, for whom Gates served as deputy, with demonstrating the importance of seeking the counsel of professionals within the organization. Webster "taught me a lot about how to get things done in a big organization," particularly in setting a vision for the organization and relying on professionals there to get things done, Gates said.
"When you treat the professionals in an organization who ... perform the mission of the organization with respect and you listen to them and pay attention to them, I think that everybody is better served," he said. "They were there before you, and they will be there after you leave. And if you don't make them part of the solution, they will become part of the problem."
Gates told committee members during his opening statement that he will seek counsel from military leaders and combatant commanders in the field and "will give most serious consideration to the views of those who lead our men and women in uniform."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online and, police officer and military personnel who have become authors.
Dec. 5, 2006 – President Bush's nominee to be the next defense secretary told Congress today that if confirmed, he'll bring important lessons to the job: the importance of working collaboratively with other federal partners and of tapping into the expertise of the professionals who carry out the mission, among them. Speaking to the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing, Robert M. Gates said his experience at the Central Intelligence Agency and in other capacities "has given me an appreciation of how all the different parts of the government need to work together to get anything done."
Gates recalled the early days of the Iraq Study Group he served on, with some federal agencies and organizations running into difficulties working with one another. "So one of the most significant lessons I've learned is the importance of the entire government pulling together as a team," he said.
It's important for these entities "to remember that we all work for the same boss," Gates told the committee. "And that boss, ultimately, is the people of the United States."
Gates called personal relationships critical to accomplishing what's necessary to serve the American people. He joked that the political science professors at Texas A&M University, where he serves as president, don't allow him in their classrooms "because I tell them to throw away the organization charts (and) that personal relationships matter."
His experience working with Congress reinforced "the importance of consultations, the importance of (a) lack of surprises (and) the importance of treating other people's views with respect," Gates told the committee.
Gates credited former CIA director William Webster, for whom Gates served as deputy, with demonstrating the importance of seeking the counsel of professionals within the organization. Webster "taught me a lot about how to get things done in a big organization," particularly in setting a vision for the organization and relying on professionals there to get things done, Gates said.
"When you treat the professionals in an organization who ... perform the mission of the organization with respect and you listen to them and pay attention to them, I think that everybody is better served," he said. "They were there before you, and they will be there after you leave. And if you don't make them part of the solution, they will become part of the problem."
Gates told committee members during his opening statement that he will seek counsel from military leaders and combatant commanders in the field and "will give most serious consideration to the views of those who lead our men and women in uniform."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online and, police officer and military personnel who have become authors.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Bodies of Missing Servicemembers Recovered After Helicopter Crash
Dec. 4, 2006 – Coalition forces have recovered the bodies of all three missing servicemembers lost during an emergency water landing by a helicopter yesterday.
A U.S. Marine Corps CH-46 helicopter from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing made an emergency water landing near the shore of Lake Qadisiyah in western Anbar province. Sixteen personnel were on board, including the crew. Thirteen of the individuals on board were accounted for yesterday, including the body of one Marine who was recovered from the water after the emergency landing.
The rescue effort included all available surveillance and rescue capabilities to include air, amphibious and joint pararescue teams, U.S. officials said. "We have recovered all of our comrades," Marine Lt. Col Bryan Salas said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased." Initial reports confirm the helicopter experienced mechanical difficulties and executed an emergency landing.
The incident was not a result of enemy action. The names of the service members who died are being held pending notification of next of kin.
A U.S. Marine Corps CH-46 helicopter from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing made an emergency water landing near the shore of Lake Qadisiyah in western Anbar province. Sixteen personnel were on board, including the crew. Thirteen of the individuals on board were accounted for yesterday, including the body of one Marine who was recovered from the water after the emergency landing.
The rescue effort included all available surveillance and rescue capabilities to include air, amphibious and joint pararescue teams, U.S. officials said. "We have recovered all of our comrades," Marine Lt. Col Bryan Salas said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased." Initial reports confirm the helicopter experienced mechanical difficulties and executed an emergency landing.
The incident was not a result of enemy action. The names of the service members who died are being held pending notification of next of kin.
Craddock Takes Reins of U.S. European Command
By Tech. Sgt. Devin L. Fisher, USAF
Dec. 4, 2006 – Army Gen. John Craddock took the reins of U.S. European Command during a change of command ceremony at Patch Barracks here today. Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England presided over the ceremony that transferred command to Craddock from Marine Corps Gen. James L. Jones, who served as the EUCOM commander since Jan. 16, 2003.
"U.S. European Command remains in strong capable hands. Our nation is blessed to have a person of (Craddock's) caliber and experience to take on this vital mantle of leadership," England said. He added that the general's 13 years of prior assignments in Europe will prove "invaluable" in this position.
The EUCOM commander's responsibility spans 92 nations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and he commands five U.S. components: U.S. Army, Europe; U.S. Navy, Europe; U.S. Air Force in Europe, U.S. Marine Forces, Europe; and Special Operations Command, Europe.
Craddock, who is the 14th EUCOM commander, ensured the European Command staff that their hard work has been noticed. "Your reputation for excellence and your extraordinary competence have been and continue to be an inspiration for all," Craddock said. "Day in and day out you provide an example of sterling professionalism to more than 90 countries."
He said he is honored and humbled to join the European Command team. "My pledge to you is to give you full measure of effort, 100 percent every day, and to lead by example from the front."
Craddock, who previously served as the commander of U.S. Southern Command, with headquarters in Miami, also will serve as the NATO supreme allied commander for Europe following a Dec. 7 change-of-command ceremony in Mons, Belgium.
"I won't forget that European Command and its components have formed the backbone of the North Atlantic Alliance," Craddock said. "Make no mistake, we will continue to work with our partners to protect the United States and our allies in the war on terrorism while at the same time laying the foundation for peace and prosperity."
England said Jones' extraordinary accomplishments and successes throughout his 40-year military career will have a lasting effect and influence on the future of NATO, European Command, the Marine Corps and the countries within the European Command theater.
"Jones is a magnificent leader and a warrior statesman in the mold of the famous George C. Marshall, but most of all he is a Marine's Marine," England said.
"Under his leadership, (European Command) has had extraordinary success in hardcore warfighting, building and strengthening partnerships from the Balkans to the countries of Africa to Iraq and Afghanistan, to the countries of the former Soviet Union, while simultaneously transforming the command itself, moving towards a more expeditionary posture," he continued. "All these efforts directly support the strategic vision of our nation and of our friends and allies for the transformation necessary to meet the security challenges of the 21st century."
The deputy defense secretary also thanked the men and women of European Command for their service. "(You) stand at the front lines of the great struggle for freedom," England said. "Thank you for your dedication, courage, service and sacrifice ... and for everything you do every day to leave a better world for our children and our grandchildren."
Jones echoed the praise. "You have been magnificent," he said. "You have performed during the most difficult and challenging time of change. You have gone through transformation of not only capabilities, but indeed of philosophy -- one that moves towards regional understanding of the 92-country area of responsibility that we've been privileged to participate in."
Jones said that in addition to reaffirming the command's role to fight and win when required, the European Command staff has added equal importance to the value of deterrence and prevention of potential conflict and confirming the command's commitment to help emerging democracies reach their full potential.
The general praised each of European Command's components and the National Guard for their contribution to the "great team effort."
Jones will retire with more than 40 years of military service after he passes his NATO command to Craddock.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff created EUCOM in 1952 to facilitate American NATO obligations by providing U.S. combat forces for the defense of Europe. The European Command's mission is to support and achieve U.S. interests and objectives throughout 92 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Africa and portions of the Middle East. The command performs a variety of functions including planning for and conducting contingency operations such as noncombatant evacuations and humanitarian relief operations; providing combat-ready forces to both Allied Command Europe and other U.S. unified commands, and conducting intelligence activities and security assistance.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online and military and police personnel who have become authors.
Dec. 4, 2006 – Army Gen. John Craddock took the reins of U.S. European Command during a change of command ceremony at Patch Barracks here today. Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England presided over the ceremony that transferred command to Craddock from Marine Corps Gen. James L. Jones, who served as the EUCOM commander since Jan. 16, 2003.
"U.S. European Command remains in strong capable hands. Our nation is blessed to have a person of (Craddock's) caliber and experience to take on this vital mantle of leadership," England said. He added that the general's 13 years of prior assignments in Europe will prove "invaluable" in this position.
The EUCOM commander's responsibility spans 92 nations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and he commands five U.S. components: U.S. Army, Europe; U.S. Navy, Europe; U.S. Air Force in Europe, U.S. Marine Forces, Europe; and Special Operations Command, Europe.
Craddock, who is the 14th EUCOM commander, ensured the European Command staff that their hard work has been noticed. "Your reputation for excellence and your extraordinary competence have been and continue to be an inspiration for all," Craddock said. "Day in and day out you provide an example of sterling professionalism to more than 90 countries."
He said he is honored and humbled to join the European Command team. "My pledge to you is to give you full measure of effort, 100 percent every day, and to lead by example from the front."
Craddock, who previously served as the commander of U.S. Southern Command, with headquarters in Miami, also will serve as the NATO supreme allied commander for Europe following a Dec. 7 change-of-command ceremony in Mons, Belgium.
"I won't forget that European Command and its components have formed the backbone of the North Atlantic Alliance," Craddock said. "Make no mistake, we will continue to work with our partners to protect the United States and our allies in the war on terrorism while at the same time laying the foundation for peace and prosperity."
England said Jones' extraordinary accomplishments and successes throughout his 40-year military career will have a lasting effect and influence on the future of NATO, European Command, the Marine Corps and the countries within the European Command theater.
"Jones is a magnificent leader and a warrior statesman in the mold of the famous George C. Marshall, but most of all he is a Marine's Marine," England said.
"Under his leadership, (European Command) has had extraordinary success in hardcore warfighting, building and strengthening partnerships from the Balkans to the countries of Africa to Iraq and Afghanistan, to the countries of the former Soviet Union, while simultaneously transforming the command itself, moving towards a more expeditionary posture," he continued. "All these efforts directly support the strategic vision of our nation and of our friends and allies for the transformation necessary to meet the security challenges of the 21st century."
The deputy defense secretary also thanked the men and women of European Command for their service. "(You) stand at the front lines of the great struggle for freedom," England said. "Thank you for your dedication, courage, service and sacrifice ... and for everything you do every day to leave a better world for our children and our grandchildren."
Jones echoed the praise. "You have been magnificent," he said. "You have performed during the most difficult and challenging time of change. You have gone through transformation of not only capabilities, but indeed of philosophy -- one that moves towards regional understanding of the 92-country area of responsibility that we've been privileged to participate in."
Jones said that in addition to reaffirming the command's role to fight and win when required, the European Command staff has added equal importance to the value of deterrence and prevention of potential conflict and confirming the command's commitment to help emerging democracies reach their full potential.
The general praised each of European Command's components and the National Guard for their contribution to the "great team effort."
Jones will retire with more than 40 years of military service after he passes his NATO command to Craddock.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff created EUCOM in 1952 to facilitate American NATO obligations by providing U.S. combat forces for the defense of Europe. The European Command's mission is to support and achieve U.S. interests and objectives throughout 92 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Africa and portions of the Middle East. The command performs a variety of functions including planning for and conducting contingency operations such as noncombatant evacuations and humanitarian relief operations; providing combat-ready forces to both Allied Command Europe and other U.S. unified commands, and conducting intelligence activities and security assistance.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online and military and police personnel who have become authors.
National Guard Responds to Midwest Winter Storms
Dec. 4, 2006 – Hundreds of National Guardsmen responded over the weekend and today to devastating winter storms in Illinois, Missouri and Kansas, National Guard officials reported. Missouri has 262 Guardsmen on state active duty, removing debris, providing generator support, health and welfare checks, and transportation support. Highways there are much improved, with a few closed by downed power lines and fallen trees, and 198,800 Missouri residences are still without power, officials said. Missouri has reported seven storm-related fatalities to date.
As of today, Illinois has no Guardsmen on state active duty, officials said. Over the weekend, 73 Army National Guard personnel on drill status provided emergency support coordination and operations.
Four Guardsmen in Kansas are on state active duty today, providing security for an armory that is being used by Fort Scott City Fire Department after the firehouse roof collapsed, officials said. These Guardsmen will continue their operations until tomorrow.
Winter storms hit the Midwest Nov. 30, dumping large amounts of snow from Texas to Michigan. The National Weather Service was not forecasting additional snow or ice in the affected region today, but temperatures were expected to be around freezing and to drop lower overnight.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online and military and police personnel who have become authors.
As of today, Illinois has no Guardsmen on state active duty, officials said. Over the weekend, 73 Army National Guard personnel on drill status provided emergency support coordination and operations.
Four Guardsmen in Kansas are on state active duty today, providing security for an armory that is being used by Fort Scott City Fire Department after the firehouse roof collapsed, officials said. These Guardsmen will continue their operations until tomorrow.
Winter storms hit the Midwest Nov. 30, dumping large amounts of snow from Texas to Michigan. The National Weather Service was not forecasting additional snow or ice in the affected region today, but temperatures were expected to be around freezing and to drop lower overnight.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online and military and police personnel who have become authors.
'Nothing Happens Until Something Moves' Illustrates TRANSCOM Mission
By Jim Garamone
Dec. 4, 2006 – A Post-It note over one of the computers in the Deployment and Distribution Operations Center here says, "Nothing happens until something moves." You get a feeling for this saying and the mission of U.S. Transportation Command at the Balad Air Base-Anaconda Logistics Support Area complex in Iraq.
Located northwest of Baghdad, the complex is the heart of logistics for coalition forces in Iraq. In 2003, it was a runway, some bombed buildings and dust. Today, it is a military city, with C-17s offloading cargo, C-130s picking up goods, a full Level-3 trauma hospital and convoys bringing all the "beans and bullets" servicemembers need to operate in a challenging environment.
But scratch the surface and you realize it's more than just the fact that goods are delivered to a combat area. What is the infrastructure behind the move? How do people on the ground know what is on the plane or in the convoy? How do they know where to send the goods once they arrive? How do they even know what is available in-country?
U.S. Transportation Command is a unified command that oversees military transportation around the world. Three service components work through the command: the Navy's Military Sealift Command, the Air Force's Air Mobility Command and the Army's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command. In addition, the command coordinates commercial air and sea missions that help support deployments around the world.
TRANSCOM synchronizes the various means of delivering combat power. For example, an Army brigade moving to Iraq has certain transportation needs. Heavy equipment may leave the base via train. It moves to a port of embarkation and loads aboard a ship. The ship steams to the port of debarkation and off-loads. The equipment may then load aboard a heavy equipment mover for the trip to the staging base.
While this is going on, soldiers load transport containers with supplies, and trucks may haul those to ports for delivery to the staging area.
Finally, the troops themselves must move. Buses may take these soldiers to commercial aircraft that bring them to an aerial port of debarkation where they then marry up with their equipment.
But even this doesn't capture all the complications inherent in moving 3,500 soldiers and all their equipment. Someone in Transportation Command has to assess whether runways are long enough for the transport aircraft and can bear the weight of the delivery, what kind of off-loading equipment is available at the seaport, what kind of diplomatic clearances the ships and aircraft need, what navigation aids are available, and what threats exist in the region.
And the ships and planes need fuel.
All this is with what TRANSCOM officials call a "mature" receiving area, such as Kuwait. And as people and supplies transit those receiving areas on their way to the front lines, usually a unit is redeploying to its home station at the same time.
Just for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, TRANSCOM has moved more than 3.4 million passengers and 8.3 million tons of dry cargo. It has moved more than 4 billion gallons of fuel. This has meant about 2 million truck and 143,000 railcar shipments, about 71,000 airlift missions and 709 shiploads.
And this still doesn't capture the scope of the command, because the military operates in more than just the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Transportation Command has to meet the rest of the military's needs as well.
Nov. 17 was as good a day as any for a snapshot of the command. The Deployment and Distribution Operations Center was tracking 20 ships carrying Defense Department cargo. Another 20 ships carried DoD cargo in addition to commercial freight. This does not include tankers.
On that day, the center tracked more than 300 airlift missions and airlifted 6,880 passengers and 1,368 short tons of cargo around the world.
"We don't ever forget that we're a supporting - with an emphasis on the 'ing' - command," said Air Force Col. Doug Luhrsen, director of the operations center. "We work with the services and the combatant commands to get them what they need, when they need it."
With all the transportation modes at its disposal, the command must make decisions on how best to send things. "It doesn't make sense to ship Abrams tanks on C-17s," said Craig Koontz, a spokesman for the command. "You ship those by sea."
Airlift is the most responsive and flexible transportation medium, Koontz said, and sometimes a mix of modes is needed. When it became apparent that Humvees in Iraq needed to be armored, he explained, the command sent a certain number of sets via air to get the process moving forward. Once those were delivered, TRANSCOM dispatched a ship with hundreds of sets of armor. The airlifted sets allowed the process to start, the sealifted sets allowed the process to continue. There was no pause or hold-up in placing the armor on the vehicles.
"Everyone is intent on providing the best service we can for the men and women in the combat zones," Luhrsen said. "That is our core. That is why we exist."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online and military and police personnel who have become authors.
Dec. 4, 2006 – A Post-It note over one of the computers in the Deployment and Distribution Operations Center here says, "Nothing happens until something moves." You get a feeling for this saying and the mission of U.S. Transportation Command at the Balad Air Base-Anaconda Logistics Support Area complex in Iraq.
Located northwest of Baghdad, the complex is the heart of logistics for coalition forces in Iraq. In 2003, it was a runway, some bombed buildings and dust. Today, it is a military city, with C-17s offloading cargo, C-130s picking up goods, a full Level-3 trauma hospital and convoys bringing all the "beans and bullets" servicemembers need to operate in a challenging environment.
But scratch the surface and you realize it's more than just the fact that goods are delivered to a combat area. What is the infrastructure behind the move? How do people on the ground know what is on the plane or in the convoy? How do they know where to send the goods once they arrive? How do they even know what is available in-country?
U.S. Transportation Command is a unified command that oversees military transportation around the world. Three service components work through the command: the Navy's Military Sealift Command, the Air Force's Air Mobility Command and the Army's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command. In addition, the command coordinates commercial air and sea missions that help support deployments around the world.
TRANSCOM synchronizes the various means of delivering combat power. For example, an Army brigade moving to Iraq has certain transportation needs. Heavy equipment may leave the base via train. It moves to a port of embarkation and loads aboard a ship. The ship steams to the port of debarkation and off-loads. The equipment may then load aboard a heavy equipment mover for the trip to the staging base.
While this is going on, soldiers load transport containers with supplies, and trucks may haul those to ports for delivery to the staging area.
Finally, the troops themselves must move. Buses may take these soldiers to commercial aircraft that bring them to an aerial port of debarkation where they then marry up with their equipment.
But even this doesn't capture all the complications inherent in moving 3,500 soldiers and all their equipment. Someone in Transportation Command has to assess whether runways are long enough for the transport aircraft and can bear the weight of the delivery, what kind of off-loading equipment is available at the seaport, what kind of diplomatic clearances the ships and aircraft need, what navigation aids are available, and what threats exist in the region.
And the ships and planes need fuel.
All this is with what TRANSCOM officials call a "mature" receiving area, such as Kuwait. And as people and supplies transit those receiving areas on their way to the front lines, usually a unit is redeploying to its home station at the same time.
Just for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, TRANSCOM has moved more than 3.4 million passengers and 8.3 million tons of dry cargo. It has moved more than 4 billion gallons of fuel. This has meant about 2 million truck and 143,000 railcar shipments, about 71,000 airlift missions and 709 shiploads.
And this still doesn't capture the scope of the command, because the military operates in more than just the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Transportation Command has to meet the rest of the military's needs as well.
Nov. 17 was as good a day as any for a snapshot of the command. The Deployment and Distribution Operations Center was tracking 20 ships carrying Defense Department cargo. Another 20 ships carried DoD cargo in addition to commercial freight. This does not include tankers.
On that day, the center tracked more than 300 airlift missions and airlifted 6,880 passengers and 1,368 short tons of cargo around the world.
"We don't ever forget that we're a supporting - with an emphasis on the 'ing' - command," said Air Force Col. Doug Luhrsen, director of the operations center. "We work with the services and the combatant commands to get them what they need, when they need it."
With all the transportation modes at its disposal, the command must make decisions on how best to send things. "It doesn't make sense to ship Abrams tanks on C-17s," said Craig Koontz, a spokesman for the command. "You ship those by sea."
Airlift is the most responsive and flexible transportation medium, Koontz said, and sometimes a mix of modes is needed. When it became apparent that Humvees in Iraq needed to be armored, he explained, the command sent a certain number of sets via air to get the process moving forward. Once those were delivered, TRANSCOM dispatched a ship with hundreds of sets of armor. The airlifted sets allowed the process to start, the sealifted sets allowed the process to continue. There was no pause or hold-up in placing the armor on the vehicles.
"Everyone is intent on providing the best service we can for the men and women in the combat zones," Luhrsen said. "That is our core. That is why we exist."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online and military and police personnel who have become authors.
Scrapbook Project Helps Students Support Troops
By Samantha L. Quigley
Dec. 4, 2006 – An America Supports You corporate team member is coordinating creation of what it calls the world's largest scrapbook as a way for the nation's students to show their support for America's servicemembers. Connect and Join, an Internet-based communications company that provides a safe, secure way for families and deployed servicemembers to stay in touch, is connecting students across the country with servicemembers fighting overseas through its "Connect With the Troops" program.
The company joined America Supports You -- a Defense Department program highlighting ways Americans and the corporate sector support the nation's servicemembers -- in May.
Connect and Join's program has students creating pages that, once compiled, will create the world's largest scrapbook, Linda Dennis, Connect and Join's founder and president, said. The pages are filled with thanks and appreciation for the troops. "We are overwhelmed by the response from the classrooms of America and from the great teachers who have responded to us," she said.
The project is about 24,000 pages along, and is continuing to grow, Dennis said. Those pages are important because the country needs to keep saying, "Thank you," she added.
But servicemembers aren't the only ones who'll benefit from this project, Dennis said, noting that the students get something from it as well. "I think it gives them a great sense of pride (and) ownership in what they do," she said. "It helps them understand what freedom is and not to take it for granted."
Fifth-grade students at White Oaks Elementary School in Burke, Va., worked today to create more pages to add to the scrapbook. They brainstormed words they could use on their pages -- words like "courage," "bravery," and "freedom." Many students chose a word and broke it down, telling what each letter in the word meant to them.
The pages, a record of the students' appreciation and support of the troops, will be compiled into the "World's Largest, Now Greatest, Scrapbook" and presented to the military during halftime of the Armed Forces Bowl football game in Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 23.
The students were proud to have been able to do something for the troops. They also thought the scrapbook would boost the morale of the servicemembers who will see it.
"It feels really good that we're thanking the troops," Emma Puranen, 10, a White Oaks Elementary School fifth grader, said. Her page included sentiments like, "You must be very brave to be in Iraq. People in America are very proud of you and that (servicemembers) should never really forget that," she said.
"It's going to touch their hearts," she added. "They've been away from home for so long and I think it'll (make them) feel really good if they get some messages."
Her beliefs were confirmed when Marine Maj. Matt Morgan surprised the classes by stopping by to collect the pages the students had completed and answer their questions.
"I think any servicemember that's been overseas can tell you that you don't think too much about it," Morgan said. "But then that one day when you're at rock bottom. ... You come back in the squad tent or walk in the chow hall and you see one of these things hanging on the wall, it can mean the world for you."
"It can just turn your whole day around," he said.
Creating the scrapbook was a project that held special meaning to some of the students. Dustin Jutras, 11, lost his brother, a soldier, who died in fighting in Iraq last year. His father and his brother-in-law are both servicemembers.
Dustin he read a letter he'd written to the servicemembers as part of his scrapbook page.
"We are all so proud of you. Only the bravest of our country would fight for freedom and peace, and all of you are heroes," he read. "What you do is wonderful. My brother went to Iraq and was killed doing his job, and I know you are willing to make that sacrifice, and that is brave. Being brave leads you to victory, and I know you'll become victorious."
It was the letters he used to write to his brother that inspired him to write the current one, he said.
One teacher in particular had good reason to be enthusiastic about the project. Marion Fegley, a fifth-grade teacher at White Oaks, comes from a strong military family. One son is a soldier serving in Iraq with the 1st Cavalry Division. The other son is at Fort Benning, Ga., going through Officer Candidate School, and her husband is a retired servicemember.
The scrapbook pages have not only helped her feel as though she's actively supporting her sons and the other servicemembers, but it's provided her a way to use current events as lessons in her classroom. In fact, on the schedule for language arts today was "Troops Letters."
"My classroom has many children who are connected with the military. So we do a lot of projects, and this one was near and dear to our hearts," she said. "We've asked the children to write letters (and) write poems. So they created these beautiful pages, which are going to be part of the world's largest scrapbook."
The thoughts expressed by the children amazed her, she added. "It's true and honest feelings from their hearts," she said.
It was White Oaks Elementary School's Harmony Program that got the students involved with the scrapbook project, said Robert Young, 10, whose cousin is serving in Iraq. Harmony is a program that brings together a small group of students from each of the fifth-grade classes for community service projects.
"This time is was 'The World's Greatest Scrapbook,'" he said. "I think it's great that we could give back to the soldiers, because they've done so much for us," citing defending the country and giving him someone to look up to as examples of what the troops have done for him.
The scrapbook pages are being scanned and will become a permanent part of history as part of the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project, Dennis said. About 500 schools across the country are participating in the project, she added.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online and military and police personnel who have become authors.
Dec. 4, 2006 – An America Supports You corporate team member is coordinating creation of what it calls the world's largest scrapbook as a way for the nation's students to show their support for America's servicemembers. Connect and Join, an Internet-based communications company that provides a safe, secure way for families and deployed servicemembers to stay in touch, is connecting students across the country with servicemembers fighting overseas through its "Connect With the Troops" program.
The company joined America Supports You -- a Defense Department program highlighting ways Americans and the corporate sector support the nation's servicemembers -- in May.
Connect and Join's program has students creating pages that, once compiled, will create the world's largest scrapbook, Linda Dennis, Connect and Join's founder and president, said. The pages are filled with thanks and appreciation for the troops. "We are overwhelmed by the response from the classrooms of America and from the great teachers who have responded to us," she said.
The project is about 24,000 pages along, and is continuing to grow, Dennis said. Those pages are important because the country needs to keep saying, "Thank you," she added.
But servicemembers aren't the only ones who'll benefit from this project, Dennis said, noting that the students get something from it as well. "I think it gives them a great sense of pride (and) ownership in what they do," she said. "It helps them understand what freedom is and not to take it for granted."
Fifth-grade students at White Oaks Elementary School in Burke, Va., worked today to create more pages to add to the scrapbook. They brainstormed words they could use on their pages -- words like "courage," "bravery," and "freedom." Many students chose a word and broke it down, telling what each letter in the word meant to them.
The pages, a record of the students' appreciation and support of the troops, will be compiled into the "World's Largest, Now Greatest, Scrapbook" and presented to the military during halftime of the Armed Forces Bowl football game in Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 23.
The students were proud to have been able to do something for the troops. They also thought the scrapbook would boost the morale of the servicemembers who will see it.
"It feels really good that we're thanking the troops," Emma Puranen, 10, a White Oaks Elementary School fifth grader, said. Her page included sentiments like, "You must be very brave to be in Iraq. People in America are very proud of you and that (servicemembers) should never really forget that," she said.
"It's going to touch their hearts," she added. "They've been away from home for so long and I think it'll (make them) feel really good if they get some messages."
Her beliefs were confirmed when Marine Maj. Matt Morgan surprised the classes by stopping by to collect the pages the students had completed and answer their questions.
"I think any servicemember that's been overseas can tell you that you don't think too much about it," Morgan said. "But then that one day when you're at rock bottom. ... You come back in the squad tent or walk in the chow hall and you see one of these things hanging on the wall, it can mean the world for you."
"It can just turn your whole day around," he said.
Creating the scrapbook was a project that held special meaning to some of the students. Dustin Jutras, 11, lost his brother, a soldier, who died in fighting in Iraq last year. His father and his brother-in-law are both servicemembers.
Dustin he read a letter he'd written to the servicemembers as part of his scrapbook page.
"We are all so proud of you. Only the bravest of our country would fight for freedom and peace, and all of you are heroes," he read. "What you do is wonderful. My brother went to Iraq and was killed doing his job, and I know you are willing to make that sacrifice, and that is brave. Being brave leads you to victory, and I know you'll become victorious."
It was the letters he used to write to his brother that inspired him to write the current one, he said.
One teacher in particular had good reason to be enthusiastic about the project. Marion Fegley, a fifth-grade teacher at White Oaks, comes from a strong military family. One son is a soldier serving in Iraq with the 1st Cavalry Division. The other son is at Fort Benning, Ga., going through Officer Candidate School, and her husband is a retired servicemember.
The scrapbook pages have not only helped her feel as though she's actively supporting her sons and the other servicemembers, but it's provided her a way to use current events as lessons in her classroom. In fact, on the schedule for language arts today was "Troops Letters."
"My classroom has many children who are connected with the military. So we do a lot of projects, and this one was near and dear to our hearts," she said. "We've asked the children to write letters (and) write poems. So they created these beautiful pages, which are going to be part of the world's largest scrapbook."
The thoughts expressed by the children amazed her, she added. "It's true and honest feelings from their hearts," she said.
It was White Oaks Elementary School's Harmony Program that got the students involved with the scrapbook project, said Robert Young, 10, whose cousin is serving in Iraq. Harmony is a program that brings together a small group of students from each of the fifth-grade classes for community service projects.
"This time is was 'The World's Greatest Scrapbook,'" he said. "I think it's great that we could give back to the soldiers, because they've done so much for us," citing defending the country and giving him someone to look up to as examples of what the troops have done for him.
The scrapbook pages are being scanned and will become a permanent part of history as part of the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project, Dennis said. About 500 schools across the country are participating in the project, she added.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online and military and police personnel who have become authors.
Insignia: The Way You Tell Who's Who in the Military
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
One big problem throughout military history has been identifying who's in charge. From the earliest days of warfare to the present, special rank badges meant survival. In the heat of battle, knowing who to listen to was as important as the fighting skills soldiers and sailors developed. They had to know at a glance whose shouted orders to obey.
In the earliest times, rank was not an issue. "Do what Grog says" was enough so long as everyone knew Grog. As armies and navies started growing, however, that kind of intimacy wasn't possible. The badge of rank, therefore, became important. Today's Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard rank insignia are the result of thousands of years of tradition.
Through the ages, the badge of ranks have included such symbols as feathers, sashes, stripes and showy uniforms. Even carrying different weapons has signified rank. The badges of rank have been worn on hats, shoulders and around the waist and chest.
The American military adapted most of its rank insignia from the British. Before the Revolutionary War, Americans drilled with militia outfits based on the British tradition. Sailors followed the example of the most successful navy of the time -- the Royal Navy.
So, the Continental Army had privates, sergeants, lieutenants, captains, colonels, generals, and several now-obsolete ranks like coronet, subaltern and ensign. One thing the Army didn’t have was enough money to buy uniforms.
To solve this, Gen. George Washington wrote, "As the Continental Army has unfortunately no uniforms, and consequently many inconveniences must arise from not being able to distinguish the commissioned officers from the privates, it is desired that some badge of distinction be immediately provided; for instance that the field officers may have red or pink colored cockades in their hats, the captains yellow or buff, and the subalterns green."
Even during the war, rank insignia evolved. In 1780, regulations prescribed two stars for major generals and one star for brigadiers worn on shoulder boards, or epaulettes.
The use of most English ranks carried on even after the United States won the war. The Army and Marine Corps used comparable ranks, especially after 1840. The Navy took a different route.
The rank structure and insignia continued to evolve. Second lieutenants replaced the Army's coronets, ensigns and subalterns, but they had no distinctive insignia until Congress gave them "butterbars" in 1917. Colonels received the eagle in 1832. From 1836, majors and lieutenant colonels were denoted by oak leave; captains by double silver bars -- "railroad tracks"; and first lieutenants, single silver bars.
In the Navy, captain was the highest rank until Congress created flag officers in 1857 -- before then, designating someone an admiral in the republic had been deemed too royal for the United States. Until 1857, the Navy had three grades of captain roughly equivalent to the Army's brigadier general, colonel and lieutenant colonel. Adding to the confusion, all Navy ship commanders are called "captain" regardless of rank.
With the onset of the Civil War, the highest grade captains became commodores and rear admirals and wore one-star and two-star epaulettes, respectively. The lowest became commanders with oak leaves while captains in the middle remained equal to Army colonels and wore eagles.
At the same time, the Navy adopted a sleeve-stripe system that became so complex that when David Glasgow Farragut became the service's first full admiral in 1866, the stripes on his sleeves extended from cuff to elbow. The smaller sleeve stripes used today were introduced in 1869. Chevrons are V-shaped stripes whose use in the military go back to at least the 12th century. It was a badge of honor and used in heraldry. The British and French used chevrons -- from the French word for "roof" -- to signify length of service.
Chevrons officially denoted rank in the U.S. military for the first time in 1817, when cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., wore them on their sleeves. From West Point, chevrons spread to the Army and Marine Corps. The difference then was chevrons were worn points down until 1902, when Army and Marine Corps enlisted personnel switched to the present points up configuration.
Navy and Coast Guard petty officers trace their insignia heritage to the British. Petty officers were assistants to the officers aboard ship. The title wasn't a permanent rank and the men served at the captain's pleasure. Petty officers lost their rank when the crew was paid off at the end of a voyage. In 1841, Navy petty officers received their first rank insignia -- an eagle perched on an anchor. Ratings -- job skills -- were incorporated into the insignia in 1866. In 1885, the Navy designated three classes of petty officers -- first, second and third. They added chevrons to designate the new ranks. The rank of chief petty officer was established in 1894.
During World War II, the Army adopted technician grades. Technicians of a given grade earned the same pay and wore the same insignia as equivalent noncommissioned officers except for a small "T" centered under the chevrons. Technicians, despite the stripes, had no command authority over troops. This evolved into the specialist ranks, pay grades E-4 to E-7. The last vestige today survives plainly as "specialist," pay grade E-4. When there were such people as specialists 7, they wore the current eagle symbol surmounted by three curved gold bars -- often called "bird umbrellas."
When the Air Force became a separate service in 1947, it kept the Army officer insignia and names, but adopted different enlisted ranks and insignia.
Warrant officers went through several iterations before the services arrived at today's configuration. The Navy had warrant officers from the start -- they were specialists who saw to the care and running of the ship. The Army and Marines did not have warrants until the 20th century. Rank insignia for warrants last changed with the addition of chief warrant officer 5. The Air Force stopped appointing warrant officers in the 1950s and has none on active duty today.
Other interesting rank tidbits include:
Ensigns started with the Army but ended with the Navy. The rank of Army ensign was long gone by the time the rank of Navy ensign was established in 1862. Ensigns received gold bars in 1922, some five years after equivalent Army second lieutenants received theirs.
“Lieutenant" comes from the French "lieu" meaning "place" and "tenant" meaning "holding." Literally, lieutenants are place holders.
While majors outrank lieutenants, lieutenant generals outrank major generals. This comes from British tradition: Generals were appointed for campaigns and often called "captain generals." Their assistants were, naturally, "lieutenant generals." At the same time, the chief administrative officer was the "sergeant major general." Somewhere along the way, "sergeant" was dropped.
Gold is worth more than silver, but silver outranks gold. This is because the Army decreed in 1832 that infantry colonels would wear gold eagles on an epaulette of silver and all other colonels would wear silver eagles on gold. When majors and lieutenant colonels received the leaves, this tradition could not continue. So silver leaves represented lieutenant colonels and gold, majors. The case of lieutenants is different: First Lieutenants had been wearing silver bars for 80 years before second lieutenants had any bars at all.
Colonel is pronounced "kernal" because the British adopted the French spelling "colonel" but Spanish pronuniciation "coronel" and then corrupted the pronunciation.
While rank insignia are important, sometimes it isn't smart to wear them. When the rifled musket made its appearance in the Civil War, sharpshooters looked for officers. Officers soon learned to take off their rank insignia as they approached the battle line.
The Air Force actually took a vote on their enlisted stripes. In 1948, then-Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Hoyt Vandenberg polled NCOs at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington and 55 percent of them chose the basic design still used today.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online and military and police personnel who have become authors.
Visit the DoD "The United States Military Rank Insignia" web site at www.defenselink.mil/pubs/almanac/almanac/people/insignias/index.html
American Forces Press Service
One big problem throughout military history has been identifying who's in charge. From the earliest days of warfare to the present, special rank badges meant survival. In the heat of battle, knowing who to listen to was as important as the fighting skills soldiers and sailors developed. They had to know at a glance whose shouted orders to obey.
In the earliest times, rank was not an issue. "Do what Grog says" was enough so long as everyone knew Grog. As armies and navies started growing, however, that kind of intimacy wasn't possible. The badge of rank, therefore, became important. Today's Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard rank insignia are the result of thousands of years of tradition.
Through the ages, the badge of ranks have included such symbols as feathers, sashes, stripes and showy uniforms. Even carrying different weapons has signified rank. The badges of rank have been worn on hats, shoulders and around the waist and chest.
The American military adapted most of its rank insignia from the British. Before the Revolutionary War, Americans drilled with militia outfits based on the British tradition. Sailors followed the example of the most successful navy of the time -- the Royal Navy.
So, the Continental Army had privates, sergeants, lieutenants, captains, colonels, generals, and several now-obsolete ranks like coronet, subaltern and ensign. One thing the Army didn’t have was enough money to buy uniforms.
To solve this, Gen. George Washington wrote, "As the Continental Army has unfortunately no uniforms, and consequently many inconveniences must arise from not being able to distinguish the commissioned officers from the privates, it is desired that some badge of distinction be immediately provided; for instance that the field officers may have red or pink colored cockades in their hats, the captains yellow or buff, and the subalterns green."
Even during the war, rank insignia evolved. In 1780, regulations prescribed two stars for major generals and one star for brigadiers worn on shoulder boards, or epaulettes.
The use of most English ranks carried on even after the United States won the war. The Army and Marine Corps used comparable ranks, especially after 1840. The Navy took a different route.
The rank structure and insignia continued to evolve. Second lieutenants replaced the Army's coronets, ensigns and subalterns, but they had no distinctive insignia until Congress gave them "butterbars" in 1917. Colonels received the eagle in 1832. From 1836, majors and lieutenant colonels were denoted by oak leave; captains by double silver bars -- "railroad tracks"; and first lieutenants, single silver bars.
In the Navy, captain was the highest rank until Congress created flag officers in 1857 -- before then, designating someone an admiral in the republic had been deemed too royal for the United States. Until 1857, the Navy had three grades of captain roughly equivalent to the Army's brigadier general, colonel and lieutenant colonel. Adding to the confusion, all Navy ship commanders are called "captain" regardless of rank.
With the onset of the Civil War, the highest grade captains became commodores and rear admirals and wore one-star and two-star epaulettes, respectively. The lowest became commanders with oak leaves while captains in the middle remained equal to Army colonels and wore eagles.
At the same time, the Navy adopted a sleeve-stripe system that became so complex that when David Glasgow Farragut became the service's first full admiral in 1866, the stripes on his sleeves extended from cuff to elbow. The smaller sleeve stripes used today were introduced in 1869. Chevrons are V-shaped stripes whose use in the military go back to at least the 12th century. It was a badge of honor and used in heraldry. The British and French used chevrons -- from the French word for "roof" -- to signify length of service.
Chevrons officially denoted rank in the U.S. military for the first time in 1817, when cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., wore them on their sleeves. From West Point, chevrons spread to the Army and Marine Corps. The difference then was chevrons were worn points down until 1902, when Army and Marine Corps enlisted personnel switched to the present points up configuration.
Navy and Coast Guard petty officers trace their insignia heritage to the British. Petty officers were assistants to the officers aboard ship. The title wasn't a permanent rank and the men served at the captain's pleasure. Petty officers lost their rank when the crew was paid off at the end of a voyage. In 1841, Navy petty officers received their first rank insignia -- an eagle perched on an anchor. Ratings -- job skills -- were incorporated into the insignia in 1866. In 1885, the Navy designated three classes of petty officers -- first, second and third. They added chevrons to designate the new ranks. The rank of chief petty officer was established in 1894.
During World War II, the Army adopted technician grades. Technicians of a given grade earned the same pay and wore the same insignia as equivalent noncommissioned officers except for a small "T" centered under the chevrons. Technicians, despite the stripes, had no command authority over troops. This evolved into the specialist ranks, pay grades E-4 to E-7. The last vestige today survives plainly as "specialist," pay grade E-4. When there were such people as specialists 7, they wore the current eagle symbol surmounted by three curved gold bars -- often called "bird umbrellas."
When the Air Force became a separate service in 1947, it kept the Army officer insignia and names, but adopted different enlisted ranks and insignia.
Warrant officers went through several iterations before the services arrived at today's configuration. The Navy had warrant officers from the start -- they were specialists who saw to the care and running of the ship. The Army and Marines did not have warrants until the 20th century. Rank insignia for warrants last changed with the addition of chief warrant officer 5. The Air Force stopped appointing warrant officers in the 1950s and has none on active duty today.
Other interesting rank tidbits include:
Ensigns started with the Army but ended with the Navy. The rank of Army ensign was long gone by the time the rank of Navy ensign was established in 1862. Ensigns received gold bars in 1922, some five years after equivalent Army second lieutenants received theirs.
“Lieutenant" comes from the French "lieu" meaning "place" and "tenant" meaning "holding." Literally, lieutenants are place holders.
While majors outrank lieutenants, lieutenant generals outrank major generals. This comes from British tradition: Generals were appointed for campaigns and often called "captain generals." Their assistants were, naturally, "lieutenant generals." At the same time, the chief administrative officer was the "sergeant major general." Somewhere along the way, "sergeant" was dropped.
Gold is worth more than silver, but silver outranks gold. This is because the Army decreed in 1832 that infantry colonels would wear gold eagles on an epaulette of silver and all other colonels would wear silver eagles on gold. When majors and lieutenant colonels received the leaves, this tradition could not continue. So silver leaves represented lieutenant colonels and gold, majors. The case of lieutenants is different: First Lieutenants had been wearing silver bars for 80 years before second lieutenants had any bars at all.
Colonel is pronounced "kernal" because the British adopted the French spelling "colonel" but Spanish pronuniciation "coronel" and then corrupted the pronunciation.
While rank insignia are important, sometimes it isn't smart to wear them. When the rifled musket made its appearance in the Civil War, sharpshooters looked for officers. Officers soon learned to take off their rank insignia as they approached the battle line.
The Air Force actually took a vote on their enlisted stripes. In 1948, then-Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Hoyt Vandenberg polled NCOs at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington and 55 percent of them chose the basic design still used today.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online and military and police personnel who have become authors.
Visit the DoD "The United States Military Rank Insignia" web site at www.defenselink.mil/pubs/almanac/almanac/people/insignias/index.html
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Midshipmen Sink Cadets in 107th Army-Navy Game
By John J. Kruzel
Dec. 3, 2006 – As the sun sank below Philadelphia's skyline yesterday, gold helmets shone under the Lincoln Financial Field lights while the Naval Academy Midshipmen ground out a 26-14 win over the Black Knights of the Military Academy in the 107th Army-Navy football game. The Midshipmen's hard-fought victory yesterday before a crowd of 68,000 - including thousands of current and graduated midshipmen, cadets, and their families -- puts Navy ahead of Army 51-49-7 in the overall series record and extends the Midshipmen's winning streak to four years.
Coming into the game, the well-calibrated Navy team had committed the fifth-fewest penalties of NCAA Division I teams this season, and oddsmakers expected the Midshipmen to beat the Black Knights by almost three touchdowns. But the firmly-rooted attitude shared by both sides is that the season begins and ends with the Army-Navy Game.
"It's the biggest game of the year," Frank DeMaro, a spokesman for the Military Academy, told American Forces Press Service. "It's our bowl game."
As fans filed into the stands before kickoff, thousands of cadets and midshipmen marched across the field in perfect matrices and jet engines roared over spectators' heads leaving mouths agape, as the percussion sections of the academy marching bands banged the cadence.
First played in 1890, this historic meeting continued through four wars, and is distinct from other college rivalries. Height and weight restraints on the academies' incoming class member, including athletic recruits, make their football lineups look leaner and shorter than those of non-service schools. And because military training is required at Annapolis and West Point, the academies are rare examples of schools that boast cheerleaders trained in both pom-pom technique and hand-to-hand combat.
The Army-Navy game's camaraderie resonates across the globe, from alumni reuniting at tailgate parties in the stadium parking lot before kickoff to deployed forces overseas huddled around televisions with satellite feeds.
The vital role Army and Navy servicemembers play away from the football field and bleachers was emphasized in the invocation presented by Navy chaplain Lt. Cmdr. Richard Bonnet before the game.
"In many ways this game is brother against brother," said Bonnet, "but when this day is over, our athletes will stand side by side on the field and our seniors will prepare to take their place alongside those who protect our precious freedoms around the world."
For Phil Panzarella, a 1979 West Point graduate in Philadelphia for the game, the Army-Navy rivalry is a rare instance in sports that encourages cohesion between opponents. "This is one of the few college games where each team stands at attention for the others' alma mater," Panzarella said. "At the end of the game, it's about patriotism and defending our country and working as one team."
Navy's win guaranteed the 9-3 Midshipmen a post-season bowl game bid and secures their fourth straight Commander in Chief's Trophy, awarded annually for the most successful year in athletic competition among the nation's service academies. The seniors on Navy's football team are the first in the school's history to go 8-0 in matchups against their Army and Air Force counterparts.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online and police officer and military personnel who have authored books.
Dec. 3, 2006 – As the sun sank below Philadelphia's skyline yesterday, gold helmets shone under the Lincoln Financial Field lights while the Naval Academy Midshipmen ground out a 26-14 win over the Black Knights of the Military Academy in the 107th Army-Navy football game. The Midshipmen's hard-fought victory yesterday before a crowd of 68,000 - including thousands of current and graduated midshipmen, cadets, and their families -- puts Navy ahead of Army 51-49-7 in the overall series record and extends the Midshipmen's winning streak to four years.
Coming into the game, the well-calibrated Navy team had committed the fifth-fewest penalties of NCAA Division I teams this season, and oddsmakers expected the Midshipmen to beat the Black Knights by almost three touchdowns. But the firmly-rooted attitude shared by both sides is that the season begins and ends with the Army-Navy Game.
"It's the biggest game of the year," Frank DeMaro, a spokesman for the Military Academy, told American Forces Press Service. "It's our bowl game."
As fans filed into the stands before kickoff, thousands of cadets and midshipmen marched across the field in perfect matrices and jet engines roared over spectators' heads leaving mouths agape, as the percussion sections of the academy marching bands banged the cadence.
First played in 1890, this historic meeting continued through four wars, and is distinct from other college rivalries. Height and weight restraints on the academies' incoming class member, including athletic recruits, make their football lineups look leaner and shorter than those of non-service schools. And because military training is required at Annapolis and West Point, the academies are rare examples of schools that boast cheerleaders trained in both pom-pom technique and hand-to-hand combat.
The Army-Navy game's camaraderie resonates across the globe, from alumni reuniting at tailgate parties in the stadium parking lot before kickoff to deployed forces overseas huddled around televisions with satellite feeds.
The vital role Army and Navy servicemembers play away from the football field and bleachers was emphasized in the invocation presented by Navy chaplain Lt. Cmdr. Richard Bonnet before the game.
"In many ways this game is brother against brother," said Bonnet, "but when this day is over, our athletes will stand side by side on the field and our seniors will prepare to take their place alongside those who protect our precious freedoms around the world."
For Phil Panzarella, a 1979 West Point graduate in Philadelphia for the game, the Army-Navy rivalry is a rare instance in sports that encourages cohesion between opponents. "This is one of the few college games where each team stands at attention for the others' alma mater," Panzarella said. "At the end of the game, it's about patriotism and defending our country and working as one team."
Navy's win guaranteed the 9-3 Midshipmen a post-season bowl game bid and secures their fourth straight Commander in Chief's Trophy, awarded annually for the most successful year in athletic competition among the nation's service academies. The seniors on Navy's football team are the first in the school's history to go 8-0 in matchups against their Army and Air Force counterparts.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online and police officer and military personnel who have authored books.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Commissaries, Fisher House Offer Scholarships
By Gerry J. Gilmore
Dec. 1, 2006 – The Defense Commissary Agency and the Fisher House Foundation have teamed up for the seventh year to offer educational scholarships to children of military families and retirees. The Scholarships for Military Children Program helps children of servicemembers pay for college by providing at least one $1,500 scholarship for each of DeCA's more than 260 commissaries worldwide, DeCA spokesman Kevin Robinson said.
"We consider the commissary to be one of the pillars of the military community," Robinson said. "As such, it is important that we invest in the future of the families we serve."
Nearly 3,000 scholarships, totaling more than $4 million, have been awarded since the program began in 2001, he said.
Authorized applicants include unmarried children under age 21 of active duty, Guard, reserve, or retired military families, Robinson said. Applicants also may range up to 23 years in age if they are enrolled in school.
Scholarship eligibility will be determined using the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System database. Applicants should ensure that they, as well as their sponsor, are enrolled in the DEERS database and have a current ID card.
The application period for this year's DeCA-Fisher House scholarship program began Nov. 1 and closes Feb. 21, 2007, Robinson said.
Application forms for the program are available for pick-up at commissaries worldwide and for download via the Internet at www.commissaries.com, www.militaryscholar.org or www.dodea.edu.
A significant number of scholarships, about 10 percent each year, go to high school students attending DoD schools overseas.
"Every cent that community organizations can mobilize to support college-bound students is an investment in the future," Joseph Tafoya, director of the Department of Defense Education Activity, said.
The Fisher House Foundation administers the scholarship program, Robinson said. Funding for the program is provided by manufacturers and suppliers of groceries and services in the commissary system.
"We're excited to see this worthwhile program gaining recognition and funding from the community at large, Jim Weiskopf, vice president of communications at Fisher House Foundation, said. Increased public support helps ensure that the Scholarships for Military Children program will continue to benefit the military community for years to come.
Fisher House is renowned for building and managing living quarters on the grounds of major military installations and Veterans Affairs medical centers so military family members can be close to hospitalized loved ones. The organization is a member of the Defense Department's America Supports You program, which highlights grassroots and corporate support for U.S. military members and their families.
Donations for the scholarship program can be made through the program's official web link at militaryscholar.org.
Completed applications must be turned in at a commissary by the close of business on Feb. 21, 2007. The application includes an essay section where applicants are to describe how and why they'd change a historical event.
Eligible applicants must be planning to attend or already attending an accredited college or university full time in the fall term of 2007, or be enrolled in a program of studies designed to transfer directly into a four-year program.
(Bonnie Powell, chief of marketing at the Defense Commissary Agency, contributed to this report.)
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and police officers and military personnel who have become writers.
Dec. 1, 2006 – The Defense Commissary Agency and the Fisher House Foundation have teamed up for the seventh year to offer educational scholarships to children of military families and retirees. The Scholarships for Military Children Program helps children of servicemembers pay for college by providing at least one $1,500 scholarship for each of DeCA's more than 260 commissaries worldwide, DeCA spokesman Kevin Robinson said.
"We consider the commissary to be one of the pillars of the military community," Robinson said. "As such, it is important that we invest in the future of the families we serve."
Nearly 3,000 scholarships, totaling more than $4 million, have been awarded since the program began in 2001, he said.
Authorized applicants include unmarried children under age 21 of active duty, Guard, reserve, or retired military families, Robinson said. Applicants also may range up to 23 years in age if they are enrolled in school.
Scholarship eligibility will be determined using the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System database. Applicants should ensure that they, as well as their sponsor, are enrolled in the DEERS database and have a current ID card.
The application period for this year's DeCA-Fisher House scholarship program began Nov. 1 and closes Feb. 21, 2007, Robinson said.
Application forms for the program are available for pick-up at commissaries worldwide and for download via the Internet at www.commissaries.com, www.militaryscholar.org or www.dodea.edu.
A significant number of scholarships, about 10 percent each year, go to high school students attending DoD schools overseas.
"Every cent that community organizations can mobilize to support college-bound students is an investment in the future," Joseph Tafoya, director of the Department of Defense Education Activity, said.
The Fisher House Foundation administers the scholarship program, Robinson said. Funding for the program is provided by manufacturers and suppliers of groceries and services in the commissary system.
"We're excited to see this worthwhile program gaining recognition and funding from the community at large, Jim Weiskopf, vice president of communications at Fisher House Foundation, said. Increased public support helps ensure that the Scholarships for Military Children program will continue to benefit the military community for years to come.
Fisher House is renowned for building and managing living quarters on the grounds of major military installations and Veterans Affairs medical centers so military family members can be close to hospitalized loved ones. The organization is a member of the Defense Department's America Supports You program, which highlights grassroots and corporate support for U.S. military members and their families.
Donations for the scholarship program can be made through the program's official web link at militaryscholar.org.
Completed applications must be turned in at a commissary by the close of business on Feb. 21, 2007. The application includes an essay section where applicants are to describe how and why they'd change a historical event.
Eligible applicants must be planning to attend or already attending an accredited college or university full time in the fall term of 2007, or be enrolled in a program of studies designed to transfer directly into a four-year program.
(Bonnie Powell, chief of marketing at the Defense Commissary Agency, contributed to this report.)
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and police officers and military personnel who have become writers.
Guard Chief: Relief on Way for Guard's Equipment Shortages
By Donna Miles
Dec. 1, 2006 – The National Guard Bureau chief assured members of the Army and Air National Guard during a visit here earlier this week that relief is on the way for the Guard's chronic equipment shortages. The Army National Guard alone will receive almost $29 billion during the next five years to reequip its units, and the Air National Guard will receive a similar sum, Army Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum told National Guard troops serving here along the southwestern U.S. border in Operation Jump Start during his Nov. 29 visit.
That's "almost 29 billion with a 'b,'" Blum said for emphasis.
It also could be "b" for "bravo" for Blum, who's been on something of a crusade -- drawing top-level focus on National Guard equipment shortfalls. He's called the issue one of his biggest challenges, particularly in light of the Guard's vital role in both combat and domestic response missions.
During the National Guard Association's general conference in September, Blum reported that Guard troops "want for nothing in combat," but return home to a "dangerously low resourcing level" for their stateside missions.
This week, Blum told troops serving here of the challenges the Guard faced when Bush announced in mid-May that 6,000 National Guard troops would support the U.S. Border Patrol as it recruits and trains more agents. The operation, expected to last two years, uses National Guard members for support missions, freeing up more Border Patrol agents for front-line law enforcement missions.
"Look, half the problem with this mission was getting equipment, because most of it was overseas, ... and we didn't have that much back here to move around to you," Blum told the group, made up of volunteers from throughout the country.
The good news, he reported, is that there's now "a very real recognition" among Pentagon and congressional leaders of the need to reequip the Guard's worn-out equipment -- and it's being backed up with desperately needed funding.
Congress is "absolutely adamant that the Guard has to get reequipped" and is watching the issue "like a hawk," Blum said.
"They know how important you are, day to day," he told the troops, pointing to the wide range of missions the National Guard is carrying out throughout the United States and overseas.
"The Guard is busy," he said. "We have 55,000 of us in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans, (the) Sinai (and) the Horn of Africa, a couple of hundred of us down at Guantanamo (Bay, Cuba), 6,000 of us on the southwest border this morning."
In addition, some 8,000 to 10,000 Guard members are serving throughout the United States, providing critical infrastructure protection and responding to disasters ranging from floods to forest fires, he said. In addition, just as hurricane season has come to an end, the National Guard already is geared up to respond to winter-weather emergencies, he said.
"It is unbelievable what the Guard is doing today," Blum told the group. "And you are part of the best Guard that this country has ever put on the ground in its 368 year history."
But all that activity has taken its toll on the National Guard's equipment, he quickly acknowledged. Gear, vehicles and other equipment is wearing out far faster than normal -- as much as five times faster, by some Pentagon estimates.
In addition, many Guard units return from Iraq and Afghanistan without their equipment, leaving it behind for replacement troops. Blum supports that measure, noting that it saves time, money and strain on the logistics system. But the flip side of the coin, he said, is that returning units often lack the equipment they need for training or to respond to a domestic crisis.
States across the country have entered into an agreement to share their National Guard resources to fill in gaps as needed. The Emergency Management Assistance Compact proved its value during the multistate response in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when several states mobilized their National Guard assets and sent them to help the Gulf states.
But Blum has long emphasized that this kind of cooperation is not a long-term solution to the Guard's chronic equipment shortages. His big concern, he said, is that when the president or one of the 53 U.S. governors calls on their Guard troops, they won't have the equipment they need to provide the "Minuteman" response that's expected of them.
"It is a problem, and we are working it very hard," Blum told the Operation Jump Start troops.
While assuring them that relief is on the way, Blum counseled patience. "We didn't get here overnight," he said. "It took us three to five years to get here, and it will probably take us that long to get out of the hole we are in."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and police officers and military personnel who have become writers.
Dec. 1, 2006 – The National Guard Bureau chief assured members of the Army and Air National Guard during a visit here earlier this week that relief is on the way for the Guard's chronic equipment shortages. The Army National Guard alone will receive almost $29 billion during the next five years to reequip its units, and the Air National Guard will receive a similar sum, Army Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum told National Guard troops serving here along the southwestern U.S. border in Operation Jump Start during his Nov. 29 visit.
That's "almost 29 billion with a 'b,'" Blum said for emphasis.
It also could be "b" for "bravo" for Blum, who's been on something of a crusade -- drawing top-level focus on National Guard equipment shortfalls. He's called the issue one of his biggest challenges, particularly in light of the Guard's vital role in both combat and domestic response missions.
During the National Guard Association's general conference in September, Blum reported that Guard troops "want for nothing in combat," but return home to a "dangerously low resourcing level" for their stateside missions.
This week, Blum told troops serving here of the challenges the Guard faced when Bush announced in mid-May that 6,000 National Guard troops would support the U.S. Border Patrol as it recruits and trains more agents. The operation, expected to last two years, uses National Guard members for support missions, freeing up more Border Patrol agents for front-line law enforcement missions.
"Look, half the problem with this mission was getting equipment, because most of it was overseas, ... and we didn't have that much back here to move around to you," Blum told the group, made up of volunteers from throughout the country.
The good news, he reported, is that there's now "a very real recognition" among Pentagon and congressional leaders of the need to reequip the Guard's worn-out equipment -- and it's being backed up with desperately needed funding.
Congress is "absolutely adamant that the Guard has to get reequipped" and is watching the issue "like a hawk," Blum said.
"They know how important you are, day to day," he told the troops, pointing to the wide range of missions the National Guard is carrying out throughout the United States and overseas.
"The Guard is busy," he said. "We have 55,000 of us in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans, (the) Sinai (and) the Horn of Africa, a couple of hundred of us down at Guantanamo (Bay, Cuba), 6,000 of us on the southwest border this morning."
In addition, some 8,000 to 10,000 Guard members are serving throughout the United States, providing critical infrastructure protection and responding to disasters ranging from floods to forest fires, he said. In addition, just as hurricane season has come to an end, the National Guard already is geared up to respond to winter-weather emergencies, he said.
"It is unbelievable what the Guard is doing today," Blum told the group. "And you are part of the best Guard that this country has ever put on the ground in its 368 year history."
But all that activity has taken its toll on the National Guard's equipment, he quickly acknowledged. Gear, vehicles and other equipment is wearing out far faster than normal -- as much as five times faster, by some Pentagon estimates.
In addition, many Guard units return from Iraq and Afghanistan without their equipment, leaving it behind for replacement troops. Blum supports that measure, noting that it saves time, money and strain on the logistics system. But the flip side of the coin, he said, is that returning units often lack the equipment they need for training or to respond to a domestic crisis.
States across the country have entered into an agreement to share their National Guard resources to fill in gaps as needed. The Emergency Management Assistance Compact proved its value during the multistate response in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when several states mobilized their National Guard assets and sent them to help the Gulf states.
But Blum has long emphasized that this kind of cooperation is not a long-term solution to the Guard's chronic equipment shortages. His big concern, he said, is that when the president or one of the 53 U.S. governors calls on their Guard troops, they won't have the equipment they need to provide the "Minuteman" response that's expected of them.
"It is a problem, and we are working it very hard," Blum told the Operation Jump Start troops.
While assuring them that relief is on the way, Blum counseled patience. "We didn't get here overnight," he said. "It took us three to five years to get here, and it will probably take us that long to get out of the hole we are in."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and police officers and military personnel who have become writers.
Illinois Group Working Hard at Holidays
By Samantha L. Quigley
Dec. 1, 2006 – With its 4th annual "Holiday Hugs to Our Heroes" drive officially concluded, the SI Yellow Ribbon Campaign is unofficially still working to meet the group's goal of providing holiday packages to 1,000 troops. SI Yellow Ribbon Campaign is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program highlighting ways Americans and the corporate sector support the nation's servicemembers.
"Our goal was to try and hit about 1,000 troops, but it doesn't look like we're going to make that," Amy Oxford, the group's founder, said. "It's just so important to me not to give up on this."
The campaign has benefited from several groups' drives to collect gifts for the care packages and has enough to ship to at least 1,000 troops, but postage is a concern.
Working with flat-rate boxes that ship for $8.10 each, the group has cut its postage costs nearly in half from last year.
"I've got a lot of Christmas items here, and we even had a bunch more come in yesterday," Oxford said. "My problem is it just doesn't look like we're going to have the postage to get it out."
On the bright side, she said she anticipates getting boxes of holiday cheer -- candy, comfort and entertainment items -- to a number of troops. Oxford said the group will comfortably be able to send boxes to about 500 servicemembers.
The group's campaign started in March 2003 by sending packages tailored to the servicemember receiving them. The database of those requesting packages hovers between 2,000 and 2,300 servicemembers serving overseas.
Oxford said she likes to include phone cards in the boxes all year, especially at Christmas. The cards, as well as CDs and DVDs -- Christmas package staples -- are in short supply and she said she'd love to have enough to include in every package she sends out.
"We're going to ship as long as we can, and if they're late, I still think it's the thought that counts," Oxford said.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and police officers and military personnel who have become writers.
Dec. 1, 2006 – With its 4th annual "Holiday Hugs to Our Heroes" drive officially concluded, the SI Yellow Ribbon Campaign is unofficially still working to meet the group's goal of providing holiday packages to 1,000 troops. SI Yellow Ribbon Campaign is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program highlighting ways Americans and the corporate sector support the nation's servicemembers.
"Our goal was to try and hit about 1,000 troops, but it doesn't look like we're going to make that," Amy Oxford, the group's founder, said. "It's just so important to me not to give up on this."
The campaign has benefited from several groups' drives to collect gifts for the care packages and has enough to ship to at least 1,000 troops, but postage is a concern.
Working with flat-rate boxes that ship for $8.10 each, the group has cut its postage costs nearly in half from last year.
"I've got a lot of Christmas items here, and we even had a bunch more come in yesterday," Oxford said. "My problem is it just doesn't look like we're going to have the postage to get it out."
On the bright side, she said she anticipates getting boxes of holiday cheer -- candy, comfort and entertainment items -- to a number of troops. Oxford said the group will comfortably be able to send boxes to about 500 servicemembers.
The group's campaign started in March 2003 by sending packages tailored to the servicemember receiving them. The database of those requesting packages hovers between 2,000 and 2,300 servicemembers serving overseas.
Oxford said she likes to include phone cards in the boxes all year, especially at Christmas. The cards, as well as CDs and DVDs -- Christmas package staples -- are in short supply and she said she'd love to have enough to include in every package she sends out.
"We're going to ship as long as we can, and if they're late, I still think it's the thought that counts," Oxford said.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and police officers and military personnel who have become writers.
DoD Promoting Businesses Owned by Wounded Vets
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
Dec. 1, 2006 – In an effort to increase the supplier base in key acquisition areas and smooth the transition of wounded veterans into the civilian business world, the Defense Department is showcasing its program aimed at small businesses owned by service-disabled veterans. DoD's Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program, developed in response to a 2004 executive order and subsequent legislation, helps wounded veterans start their own businesses, get certification to bid on DoD contracts as a prime or subcontractor, and network with other DoD prime and subcontractors. The organization is sponsoring a conference to showcase what they do in Dallas Dec. 4 to 7.
"I think that if there's any program that I have to manage here that has the greatest amount of job satisfaction and purpose of being in this position, it's the service-disabled veterans program," Frank Ramos, director of small business programs for DoD, said in a media roundtable yesterday.
Ramos, whose family has a rich history of military service, said the veterans of today's conflicts come home to a much more welcome reception than those of other decades, and DoD is trying to make sure they have business opportunities as well.
"When I reflect on what we're trying to do with the service-disabled veteran program, there's a vast difference in terms of how the country, and the public, and the Department of Defense, and the federal government, and the Congress, and the president are seeking to find innovative and fresh approaches to giving these warriors a sense of a transitional role for them to come back into the mainstream community," Ramos said. "We're trying to find niche industries that this new era of service-disabled veterans can come into the entrepreneurial mainstream."
Under this program, DoD drafted a five-year plan to reach a goal established by Congress to have 3 percent of DoD contracts go to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. The plan was stretched over five years because DoD officials knew it would take time to build a base of veteran-owned businesses with the expertise and knowledge to supply to DoD, said Charles Cervantes, director of the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program.
To qualify for the program, businesses must be at least 51 percent owned and controlled by a service-disabled veteran.
Since its inception, the program has achieved some significant accomplishments, Cervantes said. In the past year, the organization grew from 5,000 member businesses registered in DoD's centralized contractor registry to more than 12,000. The contracts landed by these companies grew from $513 million to $1.1 billion, he added. This is still only a fraction of the 3 percent goal, he noted, but is still strong progress.
Another notable accomplishment in the first year was the beginning of the Mentor-Protege Program, in which a small, veteran-owned business is matched with a large corporation, Cervantes said. In the first year, two small businesses -- one in information technology, the other in construction -- participated in this program. Their success stories will be on display at the conference to encourage more participation, he said.
Also under this program, DoD is encouraging teaming agreements, which are partnerships between multiple small businesses to increase capacity and capabilities, Cervantes said. Army Materiel Command recently took a $1.2 billion contract for bullets and split it between five small service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, he said.
At the conference in Dallas, DoD plans to focus on the three major niche areas for service-disabled veterans: information technology, manufacturing and construction. Many veterans bring unique expertise to these fields, and DoD has a large need in these areas, Ramos said.
The conference will feature many high-level experts in procurement and acquisition, Cervantes said. "This is a terrific faculty, and it shows the commitment of our director ... to make these numbers go up dramatically within our five-year plan," he said.
For those small-business owners who can't make it to the conference, the eight key training modules will be taped and put into the Defense Acquisition University's online catalogue, Cervantes said. All of this is part of the effort to educate more service-disabled veterans about how to do business with DoD, he said.
"We want people to know that they can come back, they can have a serious disability and do business," he said. "This statute, this executive order, this plan is not going to go away. It's here for the long term; it's here for people that haven't even been born yet that will fight wars that we haven't even conceived of yet, and they will be beneficiaries of these programs."
In addition to the conference, DoD is working with other agencies and veterans service organizations to promote the service-disabled veteran-owned small business program, Ramos said. Each of the military services has a robust program to educate veterans and servicemembers about their opportunities in doing business with DoD, he said.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and police officers and military personnel who have become writers.
Dec. 1, 2006 – In an effort to increase the supplier base in key acquisition areas and smooth the transition of wounded veterans into the civilian business world, the Defense Department is showcasing its program aimed at small businesses owned by service-disabled veterans. DoD's Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program, developed in response to a 2004 executive order and subsequent legislation, helps wounded veterans start their own businesses, get certification to bid on DoD contracts as a prime or subcontractor, and network with other DoD prime and subcontractors. The organization is sponsoring a conference to showcase what they do in Dallas Dec. 4 to 7.
"I think that if there's any program that I have to manage here that has the greatest amount of job satisfaction and purpose of being in this position, it's the service-disabled veterans program," Frank Ramos, director of small business programs for DoD, said in a media roundtable yesterday.
Ramos, whose family has a rich history of military service, said the veterans of today's conflicts come home to a much more welcome reception than those of other decades, and DoD is trying to make sure they have business opportunities as well.
"When I reflect on what we're trying to do with the service-disabled veteran program, there's a vast difference in terms of how the country, and the public, and the Department of Defense, and the federal government, and the Congress, and the president are seeking to find innovative and fresh approaches to giving these warriors a sense of a transitional role for them to come back into the mainstream community," Ramos said. "We're trying to find niche industries that this new era of service-disabled veterans can come into the entrepreneurial mainstream."
Under this program, DoD drafted a five-year plan to reach a goal established by Congress to have 3 percent of DoD contracts go to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. The plan was stretched over five years because DoD officials knew it would take time to build a base of veteran-owned businesses with the expertise and knowledge to supply to DoD, said Charles Cervantes, director of the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program.
To qualify for the program, businesses must be at least 51 percent owned and controlled by a service-disabled veteran.
Since its inception, the program has achieved some significant accomplishments, Cervantes said. In the past year, the organization grew from 5,000 member businesses registered in DoD's centralized contractor registry to more than 12,000. The contracts landed by these companies grew from $513 million to $1.1 billion, he added. This is still only a fraction of the 3 percent goal, he noted, but is still strong progress.
Another notable accomplishment in the first year was the beginning of the Mentor-Protege Program, in which a small, veteran-owned business is matched with a large corporation, Cervantes said. In the first year, two small businesses -- one in information technology, the other in construction -- participated in this program. Their success stories will be on display at the conference to encourage more participation, he said.
Also under this program, DoD is encouraging teaming agreements, which are partnerships between multiple small businesses to increase capacity and capabilities, Cervantes said. Army Materiel Command recently took a $1.2 billion contract for bullets and split it between five small service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, he said.
At the conference in Dallas, DoD plans to focus on the three major niche areas for service-disabled veterans: information technology, manufacturing and construction. Many veterans bring unique expertise to these fields, and DoD has a large need in these areas, Ramos said.
The conference will feature many high-level experts in procurement and acquisition, Cervantes said. "This is a terrific faculty, and it shows the commitment of our director ... to make these numbers go up dramatically within our five-year plan," he said.
For those small-business owners who can't make it to the conference, the eight key training modules will be taped and put into the Defense Acquisition University's online catalogue, Cervantes said. All of this is part of the effort to educate more service-disabled veterans about how to do business with DoD, he said.
"We want people to know that they can come back, they can have a serious disability and do business," he said. "This statute, this executive order, this plan is not going to go away. It's here for the long term; it's here for people that haven't even been born yet that will fight wars that we haven't even conceived of yet, and they will be beneficiaries of these programs."
In addition to the conference, DoD is working with other agencies and veterans service organizations to promote the service-disabled veteran-owned small business program, Ramos said. Each of the military services has a robust program to educate veterans and servicemembers about their opportunities in doing business with DoD, he said.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and police officers and military personnel who have become writers.
AAFES Civilians Voluntarily Deploying to Middle East
By Judd Antsey
DALLAS, Dec. 1, 2006 – While most Americans plan to spend the next few weeks eating, shopping and generally having a great time with friends and family, many Defense Department civilians will be leaving their homes and families for 6- to-12 month voluntary deployments to support Army and Air Force Exchange Service post and base exchanges throughout Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Friends for more than 25 years, graphic designers Gloria Michael and Kelly Northcutt have talked about deploying to live and work with the troops. With Michael getting closer to retirement, the two friends who live only six houses away from each other in Red Oak, Texas, decided now was the time to trek more than 7,000 miles to support troops half a world away.
Considering it will be her first time to travel outside the United States, Michael is understandably anxious. "I'm a bit nervous, because I haven't traveled a whole lot, but it is important that I take my support to our soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines on the front lines before I retire."
With an itinerary that calls for the two "battle buddies" to depart for the Middle East on Dec. 17, both Michael and Northcutt are coming to terms with the fact that this upcoming holiday season will be their first away from spouses, children and grandchildren.
"We made the most out of Thanksgiving and loaded up on holiday cheer," said Northcutt. "Hopefully, we can take some of that warmth and caring we shared to our troops in Iraq or Afghanistan."
While Northcutt and Michael prepare for their first deployment, some civilians, like Kadena Air Base, Japan, Burger King manager Marjorie Granvle, will be redeploying this month. A 13-year AAFES associate, Granvle's last deployment to Bosnia in 2000 was so rewarding that she signed up to spend the first half of 2007 with troops in the desert.
A wife and mother of two who has served the armed forces from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., to her current position in Okinawa, Granvle says her family is supportive of her decision to deploy again. "They are sad to see me leave, but with the faith, love and support that we share in our hearts, we will be together for the holidays. This is my opportunity to support the troops and my country."
More than 450 volunteer AAFES associates like Granvle, Michael and Northcutt are deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. To date, 1,800 AAFES civilians have deployed to provide comfort items and necessities in combat and contingency locations. Servicemembers depend on the PX/BX facilities these associates support for day-to-day health and comfort items such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, snacks, beverages and entertainment items.
The merchandise assortment in the deployed environments typically includes basic health and hygiene items and snacks. Over time, that assortment is expanded to other items needed and requested by troops downrange. Today, AAFES stocks electronics, magazines, DVDs and even small appliances at its 58 PX/BX locations scattered throughout the contingency theater.
(Judd Antsey is assigned to the Army and Air Force Exchange Service.)
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and police officers and military personnel who have become writers.
DALLAS, Dec. 1, 2006 – While most Americans plan to spend the next few weeks eating, shopping and generally having a great time with friends and family, many Defense Department civilians will be leaving their homes and families for 6- to-12 month voluntary deployments to support Army and Air Force Exchange Service post and base exchanges throughout Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Friends for more than 25 years, graphic designers Gloria Michael and Kelly Northcutt have talked about deploying to live and work with the troops. With Michael getting closer to retirement, the two friends who live only six houses away from each other in Red Oak, Texas, decided now was the time to trek more than 7,000 miles to support troops half a world away.
Considering it will be her first time to travel outside the United States, Michael is understandably anxious. "I'm a bit nervous, because I haven't traveled a whole lot, but it is important that I take my support to our soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines on the front lines before I retire."
With an itinerary that calls for the two "battle buddies" to depart for the Middle East on Dec. 17, both Michael and Northcutt are coming to terms with the fact that this upcoming holiday season will be their first away from spouses, children and grandchildren.
"We made the most out of Thanksgiving and loaded up on holiday cheer," said Northcutt. "Hopefully, we can take some of that warmth and caring we shared to our troops in Iraq or Afghanistan."
While Northcutt and Michael prepare for their first deployment, some civilians, like Kadena Air Base, Japan, Burger King manager Marjorie Granvle, will be redeploying this month. A 13-year AAFES associate, Granvle's last deployment to Bosnia in 2000 was so rewarding that she signed up to spend the first half of 2007 with troops in the desert.
A wife and mother of two who has served the armed forces from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., to her current position in Okinawa, Granvle says her family is supportive of her decision to deploy again. "They are sad to see me leave, but with the faith, love and support that we share in our hearts, we will be together for the holidays. This is my opportunity to support the troops and my country."
More than 450 volunteer AAFES associates like Granvle, Michael and Northcutt are deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. To date, 1,800 AAFES civilians have deployed to provide comfort items and necessities in combat and contingency locations. Servicemembers depend on the PX/BX facilities these associates support for day-to-day health and comfort items such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, snacks, beverages and entertainment items.
The merchandise assortment in the deployed environments typically includes basic health and hygiene items and snacks. Over time, that assortment is expanded to other items needed and requested by troops downrange. Today, AAFES stocks electronics, magazines, DVDs and even small appliances at its 58 PX/BX locations scattered throughout the contingency theater.
(Judd Antsey is assigned to the Army and Air Force Exchange Service.)
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and police officers and military personnel who have become writers.
Cadets, Midshipmen Gear Up for Annual Army-Navy Gridiron Showdown
By John J. Kruzel
Dec. 1, 2006 – Thumps from bass drums marked the cadence of the Army and Navy marching bands and cheerleaders as they made their rounds through the halls of the Pentagon in the buildup toward the 107th Army-Navy football game tomorrow. The processions, today and yesterday, respectively, capped off a week of celebration building up to the big game at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field.
The U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen and U.S. Military Academy Black Knights will face off tomorrow, continuing a rivalry that dates back to 1890.
The Midshipmen lead the series 50 wins to Army's 49, and will attempt to extend their three-year winning streak tomorrow.
On the other hand, tomorrow's game represents the final opportunity for West Point's graduating class to secure the coveted bragging rights that accompany a victory. The Black Knights are 20-point underdogs going into the game. If the cadets lose, the class of 2007 will graduate without having beaten Navy during its four years at the Military Academy.
During the lead-up to the Army-Navy Game, tradition and ritual are visible across both campuses, and school spirit is running rampant.
Teams of marathon runners from both schools are on their way to Philadelphia to deliver game balls in time for the 2:30 p.m. kickoff. West Point's runners left New York last night following the school's "Spirit Dinner," Frank DeMaro, a spokesman for the academy, told American Forces Press Service.
Today, a team of midshipman marathoners left Bancroft Hall, on the academy's Annapolis, Md., campus, en route to Philadelphia, carrying a ball dedicated to those who have served and continue to serve the nation in wartime, Naval Academy public affairs officials said.
A full schedule of activities at both schools has boosted enthusiasm for the upcoming game.
"There's always excitement," DeMaro said. "It's the biggest game of the year; it's our bowl game."
At West Point, cadets held the annual "Go Engineer" event last night, pitting the top 20 percent of the corps of cadets against the bottom 20 percent in a game of tackle football. Following the game (in which the top 20 percent team won), the cadets enjoyed a Spirit Dinner in the mess hall.
The Naval Academy sponsored its traditional pep rally and bonfire with fireworks at the academy's Farragut Field Nov. 29. A group of midshipmen met with the chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon yesterday.
Students at both schools said they welcome the festivity and fun surrounding the annual Army-Navy games. "A midshipman once told me, 'This is the only week of the year we're allowed to act like college kids,'" said Frederick Smith, a former Naval Academy instructor.
For alumni, the tradition of the Army-Navy Game -- which emboldens one academy with a year of bragging rights and deprives the other -- often runs deeper than the good-natured ribbing between academies.
"It's a chance to see what your military counterparts are made of," said Lt. Cmdr. Joe Carpenter, who graduated from the Naval Academy in 1992.
But Carpenter said it also offers a chance for students at the two schools to share their common values. "There's a greater sense that you are enjoying a break from reality with other people who have volunteered to take the difficult task of defending our country," he said.
For Army Lt. Col. Brian Maka, a 1987 West Point graduate, the Army-Navy Game conjures up fond childhood memories that led him to a military career. "I wear my (West Point) ring because it was a privilege to go there and fulfilled my dream as a kid," he said. "And I got that dream growing up and watching the Army-Navy Game. It resonated with me."
Maka, a Pentagon spokesman, said he's developed close friendships with many Annapolis graduates during his career and recognizes the similar experiences they've shared -- experiences he said are unique from those most Americans have had.
He enjoys the friendly rivalry between the two services, but said that, ultimately, it doesn't really matter which team wins.
"There's a lot of friendly jabbing and rivalry and trash-talking that happens," Maka said, "but it's all in good fun. In few other college games will you see as much mutual respect for each other's schools."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and police officers and military personnel who have become writers.
Dec. 1, 2006 – Thumps from bass drums marked the cadence of the Army and Navy marching bands and cheerleaders as they made their rounds through the halls of the Pentagon in the buildup toward the 107th Army-Navy football game tomorrow. The processions, today and yesterday, respectively, capped off a week of celebration building up to the big game at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field.
The U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen and U.S. Military Academy Black Knights will face off tomorrow, continuing a rivalry that dates back to 1890.
The Midshipmen lead the series 50 wins to Army's 49, and will attempt to extend their three-year winning streak tomorrow.
On the other hand, tomorrow's game represents the final opportunity for West Point's graduating class to secure the coveted bragging rights that accompany a victory. The Black Knights are 20-point underdogs going into the game. If the cadets lose, the class of 2007 will graduate without having beaten Navy during its four years at the Military Academy.
During the lead-up to the Army-Navy Game, tradition and ritual are visible across both campuses, and school spirit is running rampant.
Teams of marathon runners from both schools are on their way to Philadelphia to deliver game balls in time for the 2:30 p.m. kickoff. West Point's runners left New York last night following the school's "Spirit Dinner," Frank DeMaro, a spokesman for the academy, told American Forces Press Service.
Today, a team of midshipman marathoners left Bancroft Hall, on the academy's Annapolis, Md., campus, en route to Philadelphia, carrying a ball dedicated to those who have served and continue to serve the nation in wartime, Naval Academy public affairs officials said.
A full schedule of activities at both schools has boosted enthusiasm for the upcoming game.
"There's always excitement," DeMaro said. "It's the biggest game of the year; it's our bowl game."
At West Point, cadets held the annual "Go Engineer" event last night, pitting the top 20 percent of the corps of cadets against the bottom 20 percent in a game of tackle football. Following the game (in which the top 20 percent team won), the cadets enjoyed a Spirit Dinner in the mess hall.
The Naval Academy sponsored its traditional pep rally and bonfire with fireworks at the academy's Farragut Field Nov. 29. A group of midshipmen met with the chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon yesterday.
Students at both schools said they welcome the festivity and fun surrounding the annual Army-Navy games. "A midshipman once told me, 'This is the only week of the year we're allowed to act like college kids,'" said Frederick Smith, a former Naval Academy instructor.
For alumni, the tradition of the Army-Navy Game -- which emboldens one academy with a year of bragging rights and deprives the other -- often runs deeper than the good-natured ribbing between academies.
"It's a chance to see what your military counterparts are made of," said Lt. Cmdr. Joe Carpenter, who graduated from the Naval Academy in 1992.
But Carpenter said it also offers a chance for students at the two schools to share their common values. "There's a greater sense that you are enjoying a break from reality with other people who have volunteered to take the difficult task of defending our country," he said.
For Army Lt. Col. Brian Maka, a 1987 West Point graduate, the Army-Navy Game conjures up fond childhood memories that led him to a military career. "I wear my (West Point) ring because it was a privilege to go there and fulfilled my dream as a kid," he said. "And I got that dream growing up and watching the Army-Navy Game. It resonated with me."
Maka, a Pentagon spokesman, said he's developed close friendships with many Annapolis graduates during his career and recognizes the similar experiences they've shared -- experiences he said are unique from those most Americans have had.
He enjoys the friendly rivalry between the two services, but said that, ultimately, it doesn't really matter which team wins.
"There's a lot of friendly jabbing and rivalry and trash-talking that happens," Maka said, "but it's all in good fun. In few other college games will you see as much mutual respect for each other's schools."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and police officers and military personnel who have become writers.
Soldiers Missing in Action from the Korean War Are Identified
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of eight U.S. servicemen, missing in action from the Korean War, have been identified and returned to their families for burial with full military honors.
They are Master Sgt. Alfred H. Alonzo Sr., of Tampa, Fla.; Sgt. 1st Class Robert C. Bucheit, of Hamilton, Ohio; Sgt. Francis E. Lindsay, of Esther, Mo.; Cpl. Joseph Gregori, of West Pittston, Pa.; Cpl. Darrell W. Scarbrough, of Fayetteville, W.Va.; Cpl. Homer L. Sisk Jr., of Ducor, Calif.; Cpl. Charles E. Sizemore, of Rushville, Ind.; and Cpl. William E. Wood, of Moorhead, Minn.; all U.S. Army. Gregori was buried in August; Bucheit was buried in September; Scarbrough, Sisk and Sizemore were buried in October; Alonzo was buried in November; and Lindsay and Wood's burial dates are being set by their families.
Representatives from the Army met with the next-of-kin of these men in their hometowns to explain the recovery and identification process and to coordinate interment with military honors on behalf of the Secretary of the Army.
The soldiers were assigned to the U.S. 8th Cavalry Regiment and attached units (1st Cavalry Division), when their unit came under attack by Chinese forces near Unsan, North Korea on the night of Nov. 1-2, 1950. During the battle, these eight and nearly 400 others from the 8th Cavalry Regiment were declared missing or killed in action.
In 2000, a joint U.S. and Democratic People's Republic of Korea team, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), interviewed a farmer living in the vicinity of Unsan who told the team that while doing land reclamation work, he uncovered remains he believed were those of U.S. soldiers.
The team excavated the burial site and uncovered the remains of at least 10 different individuals. They also recovered other items and identification tags belonging to these eight men.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA and dental comparisons in the identification of the remains. Some of the remains could not be identified and will be held for further research and analysis. For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and police officers and military personnel who have become writers.
They are Master Sgt. Alfred H. Alonzo Sr., of Tampa, Fla.; Sgt. 1st Class Robert C. Bucheit, of Hamilton, Ohio; Sgt. Francis E. Lindsay, of Esther, Mo.; Cpl. Joseph Gregori, of West Pittston, Pa.; Cpl. Darrell W. Scarbrough, of Fayetteville, W.Va.; Cpl. Homer L. Sisk Jr., of Ducor, Calif.; Cpl. Charles E. Sizemore, of Rushville, Ind.; and Cpl. William E. Wood, of Moorhead, Minn.; all U.S. Army. Gregori was buried in August; Bucheit was buried in September; Scarbrough, Sisk and Sizemore were buried in October; Alonzo was buried in November; and Lindsay and Wood's burial dates are being set by their families.
Representatives from the Army met with the next-of-kin of these men in their hometowns to explain the recovery and identification process and to coordinate interment with military honors on behalf of the Secretary of the Army.
The soldiers were assigned to the U.S. 8th Cavalry Regiment and attached units (1st Cavalry Division), when their unit came under attack by Chinese forces near Unsan, North Korea on the night of Nov. 1-2, 1950. During the battle, these eight and nearly 400 others from the 8th Cavalry Regiment were declared missing or killed in action.
In 2000, a joint U.S. and Democratic People's Republic of Korea team, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), interviewed a farmer living in the vicinity of Unsan who told the team that while doing land reclamation work, he uncovered remains he believed were those of U.S. soldiers.
The team excavated the burial site and uncovered the remains of at least 10 different individuals. They also recovered other items and identification tags belonging to these eight men.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA and dental comparisons in the identification of the remains. Some of the remains could not be identified and will be held for further research and analysis. For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online; and police officers and military personnel who have become writers.
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