Editors Note: Two of the writers are former military.
Police-Writers.com, a website dedicated to listing state and local police officers who have authored books, added three state and local police officers as well as one federal law enforcement official to the growing list.
Paul Stuligross has been in law enforcement for over 19 years. Currently, a police officer with the Novi Police Department in Michigan, his book, Birth of an Angel (published under the pen name Paul Stuart), “chronicles the life of a cop who has lost his faith and to whom God has decided to assign an angel. The story is told from two perspectives: the perspective of the cop and his friends, and the perspective of the angel. Thus, many of the horrific things the officer sees and cannot understand are at seen differently when the angel experiences the same things.”
O.J. Moravek joined the Newark Police Department 1970 after emerging from the Vietnam era military with an honorable discharge at the rank of corporal. As of 1995, he worked at the Newark Police Department Headquarters reviewing and assigning the detective work and assisting victims of crime. About his book, The Blue Warrior, he stated, "I have been fortunate in having a cat's nine lives. Still, in facing down those situations, I now feel I have something to offer in the way of real life experience to my fellow officers, and the public in general." He donated a portion of the royalties from his book to the Newark Police Department for the continued development of better protective clothing and material for police officers.
Gary Nitchman, MPA, retired as a sergeant from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department where he served as a Public Information Officer. Upon his retirement, he entered the field of law enforcement education and served as an Associate Professor with Rio Hondo College in Whittier, California for ten years and as chairperson of the Administration of Justice Department at the University of Hawaii, Honolulu Community College for six years. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Service Management from the University of Redlands and a Master of Pubic Administration degree from the University of Southern California.
His book, Media Survival Guide, helps the reader explore, “from press releases to live on-scene interviews.” Additionally, his book assists police officers in “confidently and successfully handle encounters with the media and understand the importance of fostering a cooperative rather than adversarial relationship. In an era where a high profile case can put any agency under the media's spotlight, this book is a "must read" for all law enforcement officers.
Paul E. Doyle served as a Special Agent in the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Doyle was a member of the US Army 10th Special Forces Airborne detachment and 2nd Infantry division. A former NEAAU Diamond Belt Heavyweight boxing champion, Doyle has boxed both nationally and abroad. Doyle is a Certified Critical Incident and Crisis Intervention Peer Counselor and a member of a Critical Incident Response Team. Doyle is Chairman of the New England Chapter of the Association of Former Federal Narcotics Agents. He lives in the Boston area with his wife and family.
In Doyle’s Book, Hot Shots and Heavy Hits: Tales of an Undercover Drug Agent, he “bluntly chronicles the riveting, true stories from his years on the inside. Known on the street by his alias, "Paulie Sullivan", he recalls his rookie days, trying to infiltrate the criminal drug world under the tutelage of his veteran partner, through his coming of age as an experienced narc, sharing his keen observations on ruined lives, personal peril, and government red tape along the way.”
Police-Writers.com now hosts 317 police officers (representing 136 police departments) and their 738 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Support Group Helps Soldier Earn Pilot License
By Edie Rosenthal
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 16, 2007 – Army Warrant Officer 1 Derrick Rodriguez is literally in the clouds after graduating from the OH-58D flight course at the Army's Aviation School at Fort Rucker, Ala., where he learned to fly the Kiowa Warrior helicopter. But being in the clouds is not what excites this 26-year-old. “Flying 25 feet off the ground is the greatest adrenaline rush," said Rodriguez, who has dreamed of flying since he was a young boy.
Today he is flying the Army's Kiowa Warrior, a single engine, double-bladed armed reconnaissance helicopter and the first Army helicopter to have an all-glass cockpit.
Rodriguez graduated from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with a degree in Aeronautical Science in 2005, with a scholarship grant provided by the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.
The Special Operations Warrior Foundation is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program highlighting the efforts of grassroots organizations in supporting the men and women of the armed forces.
"My parents always stressed the importance of a college education," Rodriguez said, "but everything fell apart when my father was killed."
Rodriguez was just 10 years old when his family got the tragic news that his father was killed, along with six other soldiers, when their medevac helicopter crashed in Iraq while deployed for Desert Storm. The 1991 death of Master Sgt. Eloy Rodriguez Jr., a Special Forces medic assigned to the Special Forces Command, rocked the entire family.
"Losing my father meant I had to grow up overnight and life had to be taken seriously," Rodriguez said. "But I also took everything my father taught me, and I worked hard to be the best at everything I did. I also knew that there were people in worse situations then me."
As the group has done for the past 26 years, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation put Rodriguez through college. The foundation provides college scholarship grants, not loans, to surviving children of special operations personnel killed in combat or training. The grants are provided cover tuition, books, fees and room and board.
Rodriguez planned become a commercial airline pilot and earn a degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. While enrolled in college, he joined the Florida Army National Guard so he could fly. His unit responded to natural disasters and provided airport security.
As an Army specialist, Rodriguez was recalled for active duty and spent one year on the ground in Iraq outside of Balad. While deployed to Iraq, Rodriguez decided that a commercial airline was not where he was destined to be.
"I had a new challenge - Army helicopters," Rodriguez said. "I enjoyed being out there and getting dirty."
Although his military duties and deployments overseas or assisting stateside with hurricane relief may have caused a slight delay in the timeline for getting his bachelor's degree, he was always an honor student and on the dean's list.
Rodriguez, now a warrant officer in the Army, said he is preparing for new challenges that life brings, including the strong possibility of going on another deployment. Although he does not have any children, he said the foundation provides a great sense of comfort to those who do.
"Special operators put their lives in harm's way knowing, at least, that their children's education will be paid for," said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez also has his eye on the future. He said he hopes to get assigned to the Army's special aviation unit, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.
"All of us at the Warrior Foundation are extremely proud of Derrick and his accomplishments," said John T. Carney Jr., the group's president. "If his sights are set on the 160th SOAR, then I have no doubt that is where his path will lead him. He is a wonderful young man, full of talent."
The Warrior Foundation has seen 111 of its students graduate college, and currently has 109 students enrolled in colleges and universities across the country. Another 500 children who have yet to reach college age are in the foundation's program. In 2006, the Warrior Foundation provided nearly $1 million in scholarship grants and educational counseling to the children of military special operations personnel.
"Words cannot express my gratitude for all that the Warrior Foundation has done for me," Rodriguez said. "It is comforting to know that I will always be part of the Warrior Foundation family."
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 16, 2007 – Army Warrant Officer 1 Derrick Rodriguez is literally in the clouds after graduating from the OH-58D flight course at the Army's Aviation School at Fort Rucker, Ala., where he learned to fly the Kiowa Warrior helicopter. But being in the clouds is not what excites this 26-year-old. “Flying 25 feet off the ground is the greatest adrenaline rush," said Rodriguez, who has dreamed of flying since he was a young boy.
Today he is flying the Army's Kiowa Warrior, a single engine, double-bladed armed reconnaissance helicopter and the first Army helicopter to have an all-glass cockpit.
Rodriguez graduated from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with a degree in Aeronautical Science in 2005, with a scholarship grant provided by the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.
The Special Operations Warrior Foundation is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program highlighting the efforts of grassroots organizations in supporting the men and women of the armed forces.
"My parents always stressed the importance of a college education," Rodriguez said, "but everything fell apart when my father was killed."
Rodriguez was just 10 years old when his family got the tragic news that his father was killed, along with six other soldiers, when their medevac helicopter crashed in Iraq while deployed for Desert Storm. The 1991 death of Master Sgt. Eloy Rodriguez Jr., a Special Forces medic assigned to the Special Forces Command, rocked the entire family.
"Losing my father meant I had to grow up overnight and life had to be taken seriously," Rodriguez said. "But I also took everything my father taught me, and I worked hard to be the best at everything I did. I also knew that there were people in worse situations then me."
As the group has done for the past 26 years, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation put Rodriguez through college. The foundation provides college scholarship grants, not loans, to surviving children of special operations personnel killed in combat or training. The grants are provided cover tuition, books, fees and room and board.
Rodriguez planned become a commercial airline pilot and earn a degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. While enrolled in college, he joined the Florida Army National Guard so he could fly. His unit responded to natural disasters and provided airport security.
As an Army specialist, Rodriguez was recalled for active duty and spent one year on the ground in Iraq outside of Balad. While deployed to Iraq, Rodriguez decided that a commercial airline was not where he was destined to be.
"I had a new challenge - Army helicopters," Rodriguez said. "I enjoyed being out there and getting dirty."
Although his military duties and deployments overseas or assisting stateside with hurricane relief may have caused a slight delay in the timeline for getting his bachelor's degree, he was always an honor student and on the dean's list.
Rodriguez, now a warrant officer in the Army, said he is preparing for new challenges that life brings, including the strong possibility of going on another deployment. Although he does not have any children, he said the foundation provides a great sense of comfort to those who do.
"Special operators put their lives in harm's way knowing, at least, that their children's education will be paid for," said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez also has his eye on the future. He said he hopes to get assigned to the Army's special aviation unit, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.
"All of us at the Warrior Foundation are extremely proud of Derrick and his accomplishments," said John T. Carney Jr., the group's president. "If his sights are set on the 160th SOAR, then I have no doubt that is where his path will lead him. He is a wonderful young man, full of talent."
The Warrior Foundation has seen 111 of its students graduate college, and currently has 109 students enrolled in colleges and universities across the country. Another 500 children who have yet to reach college age are in the foundation's program. In 2006, the Warrior Foundation provided nearly $1 million in scholarship grants and educational counseling to the children of military special operations personnel.
"Words cannot express my gratitude for all that the Warrior Foundation has done for me," Rodriguez said. "It is comforting to know that I will always be part of the Warrior Foundation family."
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
New Pentagon Channel Web Site Debuts Feb. 19
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 16, 2007 – The Pentagon Channel launches a redesign of its Web site Feb. 19, improving its line of products that distribute the channel's military news and information to men and women in uniform. "The Pentagon Channel's focus for 2007 is to leverage the interactivity of Web 2.0 to more efficiently and effectively provide the highest quality military news and information to the men and women in uniform, wherever they are, whenever they want," said Brian Natwick, general manager of the Pentagon Channel.
In addition to its current features of video on demand, live video streaming and podcasting, the redesigned site, www.pentagonchannel.mil, adds two new, highly interactive features. The first includes I-frame technology that allows users to save and send Pentagon Channel video clips so that they can be shared beyond the site. The second is the addition of an upload tool that enables users to upload videos and thus, be even more a part of the Pentagon Channel, Natwick said.
Pentagonchannel.mil also will work on both IBM-style personal computers and Apple's Mac computers, using Flash 7.0 technology to push out video content.
"Harnessing this new technology augments our ability to communicate relevant, timely and credible military news and information to the men and women of the U.S. military," Natwick said.
The Pentagonchannel.mil Web site and the broadcast channel both officially launched May 14, 2004. Since the site's inception, upgrades have included streaming Pentagon Channel programming live around the clock and adding video-on-demand, and audio and video podcast capability.
The Pentagon Channel, the Department of Defense's cable television channel, broadcasts military news and information for and about the 2.6 million members of the U.S. armed forces -- active duty, National Guard and reserve. Broadcasting 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Pentagon Channel helps ensure that U.S. forces remain the best informed in the world, Natwick said.
Today, the Pentagon Channel is available on base to more than a million servicemembers who live and work on 333 military bases, camps and installations in the United States. The channel also is available to the 700,000 servicemembers and their families serving overseas in 177 countries via the American Forces Radio and Television Service.
In addition, the Pentagon Channel reaches more than 12 million households through commercial distribution on satellite and cable systems nationwide.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
Feb. 16, 2007 – The Pentagon Channel launches a redesign of its Web site Feb. 19, improving its line of products that distribute the channel's military news and information to men and women in uniform. "The Pentagon Channel's focus for 2007 is to leverage the interactivity of Web 2.0 to more efficiently and effectively provide the highest quality military news and information to the men and women in uniform, wherever they are, whenever they want," said Brian Natwick, general manager of the Pentagon Channel.
In addition to its current features of video on demand, live video streaming and podcasting, the redesigned site, www.pentagonchannel.mil, adds two new, highly interactive features. The first includes I-frame technology that allows users to save and send Pentagon Channel video clips so that they can be shared beyond the site. The second is the addition of an upload tool that enables users to upload videos and thus, be even more a part of the Pentagon Channel, Natwick said.
Pentagonchannel.mil also will work on both IBM-style personal computers and Apple's Mac computers, using Flash 7.0 technology to push out video content.
"Harnessing this new technology augments our ability to communicate relevant, timely and credible military news and information to the men and women of the U.S. military," Natwick said.
The Pentagonchannel.mil Web site and the broadcast channel both officially launched May 14, 2004. Since the site's inception, upgrades have included streaming Pentagon Channel programming live around the clock and adding video-on-demand, and audio and video podcast capability.
The Pentagon Channel, the Department of Defense's cable television channel, broadcasts military news and information for and about the 2.6 million members of the U.S. armed forces -- active duty, National Guard and reserve. Broadcasting 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Pentagon Channel helps ensure that U.S. forces remain the best informed in the world, Natwick said.
Today, the Pentagon Channel is available on base to more than a million servicemembers who live and work on 333 military bases, camps and installations in the United States. The channel also is available to the 700,000 servicemembers and their families serving overseas in 177 countries via the American Forces Radio and Television Service.
In addition, the Pentagon Channel reaches more than 12 million households through commercial distribution on satellite and cable systems nationwide.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
Corps Reaches Out to Former Marines
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 16, 2007 – The Marine Corps is reaching out to former Marines in its effort to grow the service, the Marine commandant said today. Marine Gen. James Conway said in a media roundtable that the increase of 27,000 Marines by fiscal 2011 will allow Marines to spend more time at home between deployments. He also said the corps will maintain the current quality of recruits.
Part of the effort to grow the force is to contact noncommissioned officers who have separated from the service and offer them the option of coming back in. Conway is sending a letter to every Marine who has gotten out in the last four years. "It'll say that, 'You may have already served your nation, but the job's not done,'" he said.
Everything is negotiable: four-year enlistments, two-year enlistments, airborne school, other military schools, and so on, Conway said. He added that NCOs should be able to come back on active duty with their former ranks. "We don't have a lot of feedback yet," Conway said. "It's still in the early part of the process."
The corps will grow to 207,000 Marines by 2011. Conway said the service will begin recruiting an extra 5,000 per year beginning this year without reducing standards. "We think 5,000 a year is within the arc of the possible, and that's our focus at this point," he said.
The corps will be competing against the other services and especially against the Army, which has been slated to grow by 62,000 over the same period. Conway said the corps will probably put between 300 and 400 more recruiters on the street. He said plans call for the plus-up to be funded out of supplemental requests through 2009 and then become part of the annual budget.
Standards are important to the Marine leadership, Conway said. "We do not want to sacrifice the quality of recruits simply to make the numbers," the commandant said.
Marine recruit standard is higher than that set by the Defense Department. The DoD standard states that 90 percent of all recruits must be high school graduates. The Marine standard is 95 percent, and the service is recruiting 96 percent.
"We think the Marine Corps -- as the most prestigious service of all, with our mission, with the quality of the folks we are bringing in now -- that we need to hold to those standards," he said. "And we need to have every Marine to understand that the Marine on their flank is the same quality of individual that we always have."
DoD officials said that only about one-third of 18- to 24-year-olds qualify to join the military. "We're going to hold to our standards, and we're going to have to be driven off those standards," Conway said.
The 27,000-Marine increase will be put against those units experiencing the heaviest "deployment-to-dwell" ratios, Conway said. "We have some units that are deployed for seven months, ... and then they are home for only five months," the general said. "We start creating additional of those types of units so we're able to put these folks into rotation and reduce the stress on the force."
The Marine Corps would like to get to the point of seven months deployed, 14 months at home station. The general said aviation units, military police and civil affairs are among the most heavily stressed units.
The commandant is adamant that the corps must do something about deployment-to-dwell time. "If you want to find sky-high morale, go to a unit that is getting ready to go, is there or is just back," he said. "Now, that said, we believe as an institution that we have got to do something about the tempo or we're going to start to lose some great young Americans who otherwise might want to stay."
Families have to feel that they have been given proper consideration. Seven months at home is not enough time to have a normal life, he said. "We've had some great young Marines who have deployed two or three times -- Iraq, Afghanistan -- and they are now in (shoreside, non-deployable) billets. I think when those folks get ready to come back, if the leadership hasn't done something about this tempo, (the Marines) are going to face a fork in the road.
"The Marine in the family may say, 'It's my job. I've got to do it.' But the spouse in the family may say, 'Uh-uh, I've been there. I've done that, and I demand more.'"
Growing the force is more than simply going out and hiring more people, Conway said. There are infrastructure concerns, training schedules and billeting arrangements. Marine Corps experts are working on these issues now, he said.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 16, 2007 – The Marine Corps is reaching out to former Marines in its effort to grow the service, the Marine commandant said today. Marine Gen. James Conway said in a media roundtable that the increase of 27,000 Marines by fiscal 2011 will allow Marines to spend more time at home between deployments. He also said the corps will maintain the current quality of recruits.
Part of the effort to grow the force is to contact noncommissioned officers who have separated from the service and offer them the option of coming back in. Conway is sending a letter to every Marine who has gotten out in the last four years. "It'll say that, 'You may have already served your nation, but the job's not done,'" he said.
Everything is negotiable: four-year enlistments, two-year enlistments, airborne school, other military schools, and so on, Conway said. He added that NCOs should be able to come back on active duty with their former ranks. "We don't have a lot of feedback yet," Conway said. "It's still in the early part of the process."
The corps will grow to 207,000 Marines by 2011. Conway said the service will begin recruiting an extra 5,000 per year beginning this year without reducing standards. "We think 5,000 a year is within the arc of the possible, and that's our focus at this point," he said.
The corps will be competing against the other services and especially against the Army, which has been slated to grow by 62,000 over the same period. Conway said the corps will probably put between 300 and 400 more recruiters on the street. He said plans call for the plus-up to be funded out of supplemental requests through 2009 and then become part of the annual budget.
Standards are important to the Marine leadership, Conway said. "We do not want to sacrifice the quality of recruits simply to make the numbers," the commandant said.
Marine recruit standard is higher than that set by the Defense Department. The DoD standard states that 90 percent of all recruits must be high school graduates. The Marine standard is 95 percent, and the service is recruiting 96 percent.
"We think the Marine Corps -- as the most prestigious service of all, with our mission, with the quality of the folks we are bringing in now -- that we need to hold to those standards," he said. "And we need to have every Marine to understand that the Marine on their flank is the same quality of individual that we always have."
DoD officials said that only about one-third of 18- to 24-year-olds qualify to join the military. "We're going to hold to our standards, and we're going to have to be driven off those standards," Conway said.
The 27,000-Marine increase will be put against those units experiencing the heaviest "deployment-to-dwell" ratios, Conway said. "We have some units that are deployed for seven months, ... and then they are home for only five months," the general said. "We start creating additional of those types of units so we're able to put these folks into rotation and reduce the stress on the force."
The Marine Corps would like to get to the point of seven months deployed, 14 months at home station. The general said aviation units, military police and civil affairs are among the most heavily stressed units.
The commandant is adamant that the corps must do something about deployment-to-dwell time. "If you want to find sky-high morale, go to a unit that is getting ready to go, is there or is just back," he said. "Now, that said, we believe as an institution that we have got to do something about the tempo or we're going to start to lose some great young Americans who otherwise might want to stay."
Families have to feel that they have been given proper consideration. Seven months at home is not enough time to have a normal life, he said. "We've had some great young Marines who have deployed two or three times -- Iraq, Afghanistan -- and they are now in (shoreside, non-deployable) billets. I think when those folks get ready to come back, if the leadership hasn't done something about this tempo, (the Marines) are going to face a fork in the road.
"The Marine in the family may say, 'It's my job. I've got to do it.' But the spouse in the family may say, 'Uh-uh, I've been there. I've done that, and I demand more.'"
Growing the force is more than simply going out and hiring more people, Conway said. There are infrastructure concerns, training schedules and billeting arrangements. Marine Corps experts are working on these issues now, he said.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
Pennsylvania Guardsmen Help Thousands of Storm-Stranded Motorists
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 16, 2007 – About 500 Pennsylvania National Guard members were called up to assist thousands of motorists stranded for almost a day on icy highways, a Pennsylvania state official said today. An immense winter storm that paralyzed the Midwest and eastern United States over the past several days caused nearly 24 hours of gridlock involving hundreds of motorists on a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 78 between Allentown, Pa., and Harrisburg, the state capital, Kevin Cramsey, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said today.
The road closings "really began Wednesday afternoon and pretty much continued all day yesterday," Cramsey said, noting the storm quickly deposited layers of slick ice on I-78 and other state roads, catching local commuters, passers-through and truckers by surprise. The storm's magnitude caused Gov. Edward Rendell to declare a statewide disaster emergency.
Snow, sleet and freezing rain brought by the storm also made portions of Interstates 81 and 80 impassable, Cramsey said during a phone interview from Pennsylvania National Guard headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap.
Ultimately, thousands of motorists were stranded on icy Pennsylvanian roads, Cramsey said.
"It just created this logjam," he said. "Some tractor-trailers couldn't get moving, and it caused some chain-reaction accidents."
The Guardsmen provided water, baby formula and other food to motorists and truckers stranded on I-78 and along other ice-covered roadways, Cramsey said. The Guardsmen also helped direct traffic.
By the time the crisis had eased late yesterday, some 500 Pennsylvania National Guard members, including air crews, had been activated to assist motorists, Cramsey said. A few stranded motorists with health issues were evacuated by state police helicopters, he said.
As of this morning, the traffic congestion is gone and state road crews are busily salting and clearing icy highways, Cramsey said.
"It was a big situation," he said.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 16, 2007 – About 500 Pennsylvania National Guard members were called up to assist thousands of motorists stranded for almost a day on icy highways, a Pennsylvania state official said today. An immense winter storm that paralyzed the Midwest and eastern United States over the past several days caused nearly 24 hours of gridlock involving hundreds of motorists on a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 78 between Allentown, Pa., and Harrisburg, the state capital, Kevin Cramsey, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said today.
The road closings "really began Wednesday afternoon and pretty much continued all day yesterday," Cramsey said, noting the storm quickly deposited layers of slick ice on I-78 and other state roads, catching local commuters, passers-through and truckers by surprise. The storm's magnitude caused Gov. Edward Rendell to declare a statewide disaster emergency.
Snow, sleet and freezing rain brought by the storm also made portions of Interstates 81 and 80 impassable, Cramsey said during a phone interview from Pennsylvania National Guard headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap.
Ultimately, thousands of motorists were stranded on icy Pennsylvanian roads, Cramsey said.
"It just created this logjam," he said. "Some tractor-trailers couldn't get moving, and it caused some chain-reaction accidents."
The Guardsmen provided water, baby formula and other food to motorists and truckers stranded on I-78 and along other ice-covered roadways, Cramsey said. The Guardsmen also helped direct traffic.
By the time the crisis had eased late yesterday, some 500 Pennsylvania National Guard members, including air crews, had been activated to assist motorists, Cramsey said. A few stranded motorists with health issues were evacuated by state police helicopters, he said.
As of this morning, the traffic congestion is gone and state road crews are busily salting and clearing icy highways, Cramsey said.
"It was a big situation," he said.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
Soldier Missing in Action from the Korean War is Identified
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Korean War, have been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
He is U.S. Army Cpl. Jimmie L. Dorser of Springfield, Mo. He will be buried tomorrow in Lake Forest, Calif.
Representatives from the Army met with Dorser's next-of-kin to explain the recovery and identification process, and to coordinate interment with military honors on behalf of the Secretary of the Army.
Dorser was a member of I Company, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division (organized into the 31st Regimental Combat Team). The RCT was engaged against the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces along the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea from Nov. 27-Dec. 1, 1950. The unit was forced to retreat to the south and many men were reported missing in action under the intense enemy fire.
In 2002, a joint U.S. and Democratic People's Republic of North Korea team, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, excavated a mass grave on the eastern side of the Chosin Reservoir. The remains of five individuals were recovered.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from the JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA and dental comparisons in Dorser's identification. The additional remains cannot be attributed to specific individuals at this time and will undergo further 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 police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
He is U.S. Army Cpl. Jimmie L. Dorser of Springfield, Mo. He will be buried tomorrow in Lake Forest, Calif.
Representatives from the Army met with Dorser's next-of-kin to explain the recovery and identification process, and to coordinate interment with military honors on behalf of the Secretary of the Army.
Dorser was a member of I Company, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division (organized into the 31st Regimental Combat Team). The RCT was engaged against the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces along the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea from Nov. 27-Dec. 1, 1950. The unit was forced to retreat to the south and many men were reported missing in action under the intense enemy fire.
In 2002, a joint U.S. and Democratic People's Republic of North Korea team, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, excavated a mass grave on the eastern side of the Chosin Reservoir. The remains of five individuals were recovered.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from the JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA and dental comparisons in Dorser's identification. The additional remains cannot be attributed to specific individuals at this time and will undergo further 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 police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
Recruiting is Solid Despite Difficulties, Defense Official Says
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 16, 2007 – Recruiting and retention remain solid despite a difficult recruiting market, a top Defense Department official said here yesterday. In 2006, the Defense Department gained 180,540 active duty recruits, exceeding its goal by 833 servicemembers, David S.C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said at the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
But an improving economy, increased Army and Marine Corps recruiting goals and high operations tempo challenge current recruiting efforts, Chu said.
"When we face challenges, we carefully monitor the situation and take measures to resolve problems," he said.
Continually reviewing servicemembers' compensation packages ensures their pay and allowances are "fair and equitable," he said.
"We seek expert reviews of some of our most important compensation policies and programs," Chu said. "Last year, the Defense Advisory Committee on Military Compensation reviewed matters pertaining to military compensation, examining approaches to balancing military pay and benefits and incentive structures.
"(The committee) made suggestions for improvements that it believes will assist us in meeting our recruiting and retention objectives," he said.
Chu said officials are using the committee's findings as a starting point for reviewing "the principles and concepts of the compensation system."
Another initiative Chu announced is a public affairs campaign "aimed at bolstering patriotic impulses and the perception of military service."
"Throughout our nation's history, military service had a tremendous formative impact on many of our greatest leaders: presidents, legislators, leaders of industry, educators," he said. "We are increasing our efforts to communicate the value of service to the American people."
Chu implored the House subcommittee to "partner with us in this effort by joining our speakers' bureau to emphasize the importance, nobility, and value of service.
"The ultimate objective," he said, "is to reach out to parents and influencers in ways that lead them to support their sons' and daughters' decisions to serve."
Chu said the services exceeded their retention goals in 2006, and active duty retention continues on track in 2007.
"The success of our all volunteer force begins with recruiting, and the viability of the force is assured with successful retention."
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 16, 2007 – Recruiting and retention remain solid despite a difficult recruiting market, a top Defense Department official said here yesterday. In 2006, the Defense Department gained 180,540 active duty recruits, exceeding its goal by 833 servicemembers, David S.C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said at the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
But an improving economy, increased Army and Marine Corps recruiting goals and high operations tempo challenge current recruiting efforts, Chu said.
"When we face challenges, we carefully monitor the situation and take measures to resolve problems," he said.
Continually reviewing servicemembers' compensation packages ensures their pay and allowances are "fair and equitable," he said.
"We seek expert reviews of some of our most important compensation policies and programs," Chu said. "Last year, the Defense Advisory Committee on Military Compensation reviewed matters pertaining to military compensation, examining approaches to balancing military pay and benefits and incentive structures.
"(The committee) made suggestions for improvements that it believes will assist us in meeting our recruiting and retention objectives," he said.
Chu said officials are using the committee's findings as a starting point for reviewing "the principles and concepts of the compensation system."
Another initiative Chu announced is a public affairs campaign "aimed at bolstering patriotic impulses and the perception of military service."
"Throughout our nation's history, military service had a tremendous formative impact on many of our greatest leaders: presidents, legislators, leaders of industry, educators," he said. "We are increasing our efforts to communicate the value of service to the American people."
Chu implored the House subcommittee to "partner with us in this effort by joining our speakers' bureau to emphasize the importance, nobility, and value of service.
"The ultimate objective," he said, "is to reach out to parents and influencers in ways that lead them to support their sons' and daughters' decisions to serve."
Chu said the services exceeded their retention goals in 2006, and active duty retention continues on track in 2007.
"The success of our all volunteer force begins with recruiting, and the viability of the force is assured with successful retention."
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
Hall Presents Top Family Readiness Awards
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 16, 2007 – The Defense Department's top reserve official today recognized the nation's top family readiness programs. Thomas F. Hall, assistant defense secretary for reserve affairs, presented the 2006 Reserve Family Readiness Awards in a ceremony at the conclusion of the 2007 Family Readiness Summit. Retired Navy Vice Adm. Norb Ryan, president of the Military Officers Association of America, accompanied Hall.
Hall said today's operational tempo is placing more demands on servicemembers and family members. It is important that programs and services are in place so that servicemembers don't have to worry about family members while away, he said.
"Families always play a very key role in the careers and lives of our young men and women who serve," Hall said. "Without a family that is satisfied, ... more than likely service is not possible. The family has to be on board."
"When a servicemember is deployed, the last thing they need to be worrying about is problems at home," Hall said.
Award winners are:
-- Army National Guard: 2nd Battalion, 128th Infantry, Wisconsin Army National Guard Headquarters, Madison, Wis. According to the award citation, the battalion readiness group received point-of-contact information for 570 of its 573 soldiers. In addition to the four successful phone-tree evolutions during the year, the family readiness group also sent out more than 900 newsletters each month. Ninety-five percent of the unit members received welcome packages of family readiness information, and a survey indicated that 75 percent of the soldiers, spouses and families indicated they coped extremely well to deployment.
-- Army Reserve: 108th Division, Institutional Training, Foreign Army Training Command, Charlotte, N.C. The division provided 100 percent of the 931 mobilized reservists and their families a detailed mobilization book and compact disc containing an online, Web-based program that presented supporting Web sites and mission information. In addition to shipping at least one care package to every mobilized soldier in theater, the family support group collected and distributed more than $23,000 in international calling cards and provided them to the mobilized reservists, the citation stated.
-- Navy Reserve: Detachment 0225, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 25, Rock Island, Ill. In advance of official notification, leadership called together the crew, spouses and other family members to discuss the likelihood of a mobilization and the need for family readiness. Building a coalition of information assets, a weekend drill was set aside specifically for readiness training that included Army Community Services, American Red Cross, Tricare, Army legal presentations and Navy family service representation. Within a month of the training, unit members began to be mobilized. The families congealed into a self-sustaining support group that proved its value when two unit members were killed in action within five weeks of each other. The performance of the unit in theater was bolstered by the success of the family programs put in place before deployment, according to the award citation.
-- Marine Forces Reserve: 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Selfridge, Mich. Nearly 1,100 of the unit's families received monthly newsletters and Internet contact trees, constantly reminding them of services available. More than 300 public relations events built strong relationships with community partners that proved to be beneficial to the families. All the resources are called to bear on casualty reporting and the return of wounded Marines, providing a benchmark level of support to the member and family, according to the award citation.
-- Air National Guard: 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard. The wing set the standard for total force family readiness program management, embracing active-duty airmen and their families as part of a program where active-duty Air Force members work side by side with Air National Guard airmen. New families were provided with informative welcome packets designed to make their move to the Air National Guard seamless. Strong partnerships were forged between the 153rd Airlift Wing Family Readiness Office and the F.E. Warren Airmen and Family Readiness providing an extension of resources to Guard members and their families, according to the award citation.
-- Air Force Reserve: 913th Airlift Wing, Willow Grove, Pa. With 310 of its 1,100 reservists deployed, the family support program instituted a Hearts Apart support group with monthly meetings that included spouses, children, parents, grandparents and others to provide mutual support. When quality of life programs were scheduled, 100 percent of all family members were contacted. Newcomers to the wing were given an orientation package to quickly integrate them into the family program. Reserve families were seamlessly integrated into active duty programs after spouse deployment. The command provided newly remodeled spaces and individual offices for the readiness staff. Building on the basics with service and unit specific initiatives, the family readiness program offered a broad range of services in a very personal way, according to the award citation.
-- Coast Guard Reserve: Port Security Unit 312, San Francisco. The new unit was created from personnel drawn from a wide geographic area, certified ready for operations and more than half of the unit was deployed outside of the U.S. by the end of the year. Few Coast Guard units deploy outside of the United States, and internal expertise is limited in readiness programs. Undaunted, the ombudsman coordinator aggressively coordinated an endless supply of information to 100 percent of the families, coordinated morale and training events with other services, and personally helped families in crisis, according to the award citation.
Editor's Note: Military families can also avail themselves of the Defense Department's America Supports You program, which highlights homefront groups across the nation that are providing a variety of services and support to troops and their families. A listing of these groups and information about their efforts is available at www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
Feb. 16, 2007 – The Defense Department's top reserve official today recognized the nation's top family readiness programs. Thomas F. Hall, assistant defense secretary for reserve affairs, presented the 2006 Reserve Family Readiness Awards in a ceremony at the conclusion of the 2007 Family Readiness Summit. Retired Navy Vice Adm. Norb Ryan, president of the Military Officers Association of America, accompanied Hall.
Hall said today's operational tempo is placing more demands on servicemembers and family members. It is important that programs and services are in place so that servicemembers don't have to worry about family members while away, he said.
"Families always play a very key role in the careers and lives of our young men and women who serve," Hall said. "Without a family that is satisfied, ... more than likely service is not possible. The family has to be on board."
"When a servicemember is deployed, the last thing they need to be worrying about is problems at home," Hall said.
Award winners are:
-- Army National Guard: 2nd Battalion, 128th Infantry, Wisconsin Army National Guard Headquarters, Madison, Wis. According to the award citation, the battalion readiness group received point-of-contact information for 570 of its 573 soldiers. In addition to the four successful phone-tree evolutions during the year, the family readiness group also sent out more than 900 newsletters each month. Ninety-five percent of the unit members received welcome packages of family readiness information, and a survey indicated that 75 percent of the soldiers, spouses and families indicated they coped extremely well to deployment.
-- Army Reserve: 108th Division, Institutional Training, Foreign Army Training Command, Charlotte, N.C. The division provided 100 percent of the 931 mobilized reservists and their families a detailed mobilization book and compact disc containing an online, Web-based program that presented supporting Web sites and mission information. In addition to shipping at least one care package to every mobilized soldier in theater, the family support group collected and distributed more than $23,000 in international calling cards and provided them to the mobilized reservists, the citation stated.
-- Navy Reserve: Detachment 0225, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 25, Rock Island, Ill. In advance of official notification, leadership called together the crew, spouses and other family members to discuss the likelihood of a mobilization and the need for family readiness. Building a coalition of information assets, a weekend drill was set aside specifically for readiness training that included Army Community Services, American Red Cross, Tricare, Army legal presentations and Navy family service representation. Within a month of the training, unit members began to be mobilized. The families congealed into a self-sustaining support group that proved its value when two unit members were killed in action within five weeks of each other. The performance of the unit in theater was bolstered by the success of the family programs put in place before deployment, according to the award citation.
-- Marine Forces Reserve: 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Selfridge, Mich. Nearly 1,100 of the unit's families received monthly newsletters and Internet contact trees, constantly reminding them of services available. More than 300 public relations events built strong relationships with community partners that proved to be beneficial to the families. All the resources are called to bear on casualty reporting and the return of wounded Marines, providing a benchmark level of support to the member and family, according to the award citation.
-- Air National Guard: 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard. The wing set the standard for total force family readiness program management, embracing active-duty airmen and their families as part of a program where active-duty Air Force members work side by side with Air National Guard airmen. New families were provided with informative welcome packets designed to make their move to the Air National Guard seamless. Strong partnerships were forged between the 153rd Airlift Wing Family Readiness Office and the F.E. Warren Airmen and Family Readiness providing an extension of resources to Guard members and their families, according to the award citation.
-- Air Force Reserve: 913th Airlift Wing, Willow Grove, Pa. With 310 of its 1,100 reservists deployed, the family support program instituted a Hearts Apart support group with monthly meetings that included spouses, children, parents, grandparents and others to provide mutual support. When quality of life programs were scheduled, 100 percent of all family members were contacted. Newcomers to the wing were given an orientation package to quickly integrate them into the family program. Reserve families were seamlessly integrated into active duty programs after spouse deployment. The command provided newly remodeled spaces and individual offices for the readiness staff. Building on the basics with service and unit specific initiatives, the family readiness program offered a broad range of services in a very personal way, according to the award citation.
-- Coast Guard Reserve: Port Security Unit 312, San Francisco. The new unit was created from personnel drawn from a wide geographic area, certified ready for operations and more than half of the unit was deployed outside of the U.S. by the end of the year. Few Coast Guard units deploy outside of the United States, and internal expertise is limited in readiness programs. Undaunted, the ombudsman coordinator aggressively coordinated an endless supply of information to 100 percent of the families, coordinated morale and training events with other services, and personally helped families in crisis, according to the award citation.
Editor's Note: Military families can also avail themselves of the Defense Department's America Supports You program, which highlights homefront groups across the nation that are providing a variety of services and support to troops and their families. A listing of these groups and information about their efforts is available at www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
Family Program Leaders Define Top Concerns
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 16, 2007 – Top military family program leaders from across the services gathered here yesterday intent on answering tough questions on how to better work together. Instead, after a day of discussions, leaders at the 2007 Family Readiness Summit came up with nine issues they will present to senior military leadership.
"Part of our goal was to identify best practices, lessons learned, challenges and requirements, and what we found was that regardless of which group and which questions they were working on, everyone came up with essentially the same list," said James L. Scott III, the director of individual and family policy for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs.
Each of the issues will be defined and will include recommendations by the group. The findings will be attached to a letter from Assistant Defense Secretary Thomas F. Hall to the service secretaries and reserve-component chiefs asking for their support in implementation.
Topping the list as a challenge was defining, and possibly renaming, family assistance centers across the services. The group noted that family programs have many different names across the services, and all have different meanings and provide different services.
"It's so confusing to our families -- even the military members," Scott said. "How do we get to one label?"
Army Col. Anthony E. Baker, chief of family programs for the National Guard Bureau, said the family assistance center is clearly defined in DoD regulations, but that it applies to an installation-level organization and does not mean the same thing for the reserve component, which has centers in geographically dispersed areas.
Members of the group expressed concerns that some family members do not go to the centers because of a possible negative connotation of the word "assistance."
"Nobody wants a handout," Scott said.
Funding also topped the list as a challenge. The group said more money is needed for more full-time personnel. More funds would help avoid burnout for the full-time staff and volunteers. Scott said there needs to be a balance. "We can't buy everything. We can't expect people to donate everything," he said.
Some participants expressed concern that current funding is tied to current operations and that those funds will not always be available. Funding should be consistent and not tied to specific operations, some said.
Also, the group said there should be one policy across the services on whether funds can be used for family member travel for training. Not all services will pay for family member travel for support-related training.
Use of emerging technologies was listed as a best practice and a challenge. Technology makes it easier to push some services down to the individual who is computer savvy, but the range of capabilities is so diverse among family members that new technology cannot be solely relied upon as a delivery system.
Partnering made the list of best practices. Partnering with the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve to help make contacts with local businesses was cited as a good example of partnering.
Also the development of the Web site MilitaryOneSource.com was seen as a best practice. The group members said they would like to see it further developed to include more tailoring to the individual services.
The group listed volunteers as a best practice, citing volunteerism as an integral part of a successful program.
The group also said there needs to be a focus on single soldiers' family needs, as well as the reintegration process after returning from deployment.
The summit's purpose was for group members to brainstorm ways to break down interservice bureaucratic barriers that sometimes prevent military family members from getting the help they need. This is the third such summit since 2001.
"I was very, very pleased. The response was much better than I expected it to be," Scott said. "It was a wonderful and powerful networking opportunity. I had a number of people come up to me and say 'We need to continue this.'"
Editor's Note: Military families can also avail themselves of the Defense Department's America Supports You program, which highlights home front groups across the nation that are providing a variety of services and support to troops and their families. A listing of these groups and information about their efforts is available at www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 16, 2007 – Top military family program leaders from across the services gathered here yesterday intent on answering tough questions on how to better work together. Instead, after a day of discussions, leaders at the 2007 Family Readiness Summit came up with nine issues they will present to senior military leadership.
"Part of our goal was to identify best practices, lessons learned, challenges and requirements, and what we found was that regardless of which group and which questions they were working on, everyone came up with essentially the same list," said James L. Scott III, the director of individual and family policy for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs.
Each of the issues will be defined and will include recommendations by the group. The findings will be attached to a letter from Assistant Defense Secretary Thomas F. Hall to the service secretaries and reserve-component chiefs asking for their support in implementation.
Topping the list as a challenge was defining, and possibly renaming, family assistance centers across the services. The group noted that family programs have many different names across the services, and all have different meanings and provide different services.
"It's so confusing to our families -- even the military members," Scott said. "How do we get to one label?"
Army Col. Anthony E. Baker, chief of family programs for the National Guard Bureau, said the family assistance center is clearly defined in DoD regulations, but that it applies to an installation-level organization and does not mean the same thing for the reserve component, which has centers in geographically dispersed areas.
Members of the group expressed concerns that some family members do not go to the centers because of a possible negative connotation of the word "assistance."
"Nobody wants a handout," Scott said.
Funding also topped the list as a challenge. The group said more money is needed for more full-time personnel. More funds would help avoid burnout for the full-time staff and volunteers. Scott said there needs to be a balance. "We can't buy everything. We can't expect people to donate everything," he said.
Some participants expressed concern that current funding is tied to current operations and that those funds will not always be available. Funding should be consistent and not tied to specific operations, some said.
Also, the group said there should be one policy across the services on whether funds can be used for family member travel for training. Not all services will pay for family member travel for support-related training.
Use of emerging technologies was listed as a best practice and a challenge. Technology makes it easier to push some services down to the individual who is computer savvy, but the range of capabilities is so diverse among family members that new technology cannot be solely relied upon as a delivery system.
Partnering made the list of best practices. Partnering with the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve to help make contacts with local businesses was cited as a good example of partnering.
Also the development of the Web site MilitaryOneSource.com was seen as a best practice. The group members said they would like to see it further developed to include more tailoring to the individual services.
The group listed volunteers as a best practice, citing volunteerism as an integral part of a successful program.
The group also said there needs to be a focus on single soldiers' family needs, as well as the reintegration process after returning from deployment.
The summit's purpose was for group members to brainstorm ways to break down interservice bureaucratic barriers that sometimes prevent military family members from getting the help they need. This is the third such summit since 2001.
"I was very, very pleased. The response was much better than I expected it to be," Scott said. "It was a wonderful and powerful networking opportunity. I had a number of people come up to me and say 'We need to continue this.'"
Editor's Note: Military families can also avail themselves of the Defense Department's America Supports You program, which highlights home front groups across the nation that are providing a variety of services and support to troops and their families. A listing of these groups and information about their efforts is available at www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
Gates, Pace Give Update on Iraq, Afghanistan, Readiness
By Linda D. Kozaryn
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 15, 2007 – Is the Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in Iran? Maybe, maybe not. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told reporters today he hasn't seen "any factual proof of it at this point." If he is in Iran, Gates said, "I don't think he went there for a vacation." The secretary told reporters here he thinks the Shia insurgents are very concerned about the security crackdown in Iraq, and "one possible outcome is that these guys will go to ground."
Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Peter Pace briefed reporters on their most recent trips and fielded questions on Iraq, Afghanistan, European missile defense, the readiness of the U.S. armed forces and other topics.
Gates said he spent Thursday and Friday of last week at his first NATO defense ministers' informal meeting in Seville, Spain. The discussions focused mainly on the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan, the allies meeting their commitments to the mission, and the importance of NATO contributing more money and forces.
From Seville, Gates traveled to Germany for the 43rd Munich Conference on Security Policy, where he met a number of people he said he had met not before, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Ukraine President Victor Yushchenko.
The next leg of his journey, Gates said, was a 30-hour trip to and from Pakistan and an hour-and-20-minute meeting with President Pervez Musharraf. The focus of the visit was the Taliban and the spring offensive in Afghanistan.
"What we've seen in the last several springs is an increasing level of violence by the Taliban after the winter," the secretary said. "What we want to do this spring, is have this spring's offensive be our offensive, and have the initiative in our hands, rather than reacting to them."
While he would not get into specifics about what he discussed with Musharraf, Gates did tell the reporters, "If I were Osama bin Laden, I'd keep looking over my shoulder."
Asked why the U.S. and NATO are planning to install ballistic missile defenses in Europe to counter Iranian missiles that can not yet reach Europe, Gates said defense planners must consider "the acceleration of technological progress."
"If we see a threat out there, and we're looking out to 2015 and beyond, we would be making a very serious mistake ... to assume that by that time frame they would not have the capability to reach targets much farther away than southern Turkey," the secretary said.
"If somebody will guarantee me that Iran will freeze their missile technology as of today, then maybe I'd have a higher comfort level," he said. "If someone will guarantee me that Iran will not be able ballistic missile technology from others that would give them greater capabilities, then maybe I'd rest easier. I don't have those assurances."
Pace traveled to the South Pacific last week, where he met with military and national leaders in Australia and Indonesia. He said Australia is a very longstanding, solid ally. Australian forces have served with U.S. forces in every conflict since World War I and they are now serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Indonesia, topics of discussion included peacekeeping, enhancing military-to-military ties and humanitarian disaster relief operations.
Asked about the readiness of non-deployed military units, Pace said about 40 percent of all the military's equipment is in Iraq and Afghanistan, or in depots for repair.
"Which leaves about 60 percent of the inventory, which is an enormous amount of equipment," the chairman.
Congress has allocated money to repair the equipment, and the military depots are working on the backlog as quickly as they can, he added.
"It is true that for the five brigades that are flowing to plus up in Iraq right now," Pace said, "we are moving equipment from some units to those units so that when they go they are fully trained and have all the equipment they are required to have, so when we put those soldiers and Marines into combat, they are as well protected and trained as those they are joining."
Moving equipment from one unit to another should not cause potential enemies to miscalculate the capability of America's forces, Pace said. The United States has sufficient reserve capacity to respond to additional challenges.
"If there was another threat, we would freeze the units that are in Iraq and Afghanistan in place and mobilize our reserve, and bring on line the enormous capacity of the United States that in a day-to-day war, we don't have to tap," he said.
There are 2.4 million Americans, active duty, Guard and reserve, Pace said. "Two hundred thousand are in the Gulf region, another 200,000 are in Afghanistan, leaving about 2 million Americans still available, with the vast fleet and air forces that we have, to respond to any other challenge that might come our way."
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 15, 2007 – Is the Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in Iran? Maybe, maybe not. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told reporters today he hasn't seen "any factual proof of it at this point." If he is in Iran, Gates said, "I don't think he went there for a vacation." The secretary told reporters here he thinks the Shia insurgents are very concerned about the security crackdown in Iraq, and "one possible outcome is that these guys will go to ground."
Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Peter Pace briefed reporters on their most recent trips and fielded questions on Iraq, Afghanistan, European missile defense, the readiness of the U.S. armed forces and other topics.
Gates said he spent Thursday and Friday of last week at his first NATO defense ministers' informal meeting in Seville, Spain. The discussions focused mainly on the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan, the allies meeting their commitments to the mission, and the importance of NATO contributing more money and forces.
From Seville, Gates traveled to Germany for the 43rd Munich Conference on Security Policy, where he met a number of people he said he had met not before, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Ukraine President Victor Yushchenko.
The next leg of his journey, Gates said, was a 30-hour trip to and from Pakistan and an hour-and-20-minute meeting with President Pervez Musharraf. The focus of the visit was the Taliban and the spring offensive in Afghanistan.
"What we've seen in the last several springs is an increasing level of violence by the Taliban after the winter," the secretary said. "What we want to do this spring, is have this spring's offensive be our offensive, and have the initiative in our hands, rather than reacting to them."
While he would not get into specifics about what he discussed with Musharraf, Gates did tell the reporters, "If I were Osama bin Laden, I'd keep looking over my shoulder."
Asked why the U.S. and NATO are planning to install ballistic missile defenses in Europe to counter Iranian missiles that can not yet reach Europe, Gates said defense planners must consider "the acceleration of technological progress."
"If we see a threat out there, and we're looking out to 2015 and beyond, we would be making a very serious mistake ... to assume that by that time frame they would not have the capability to reach targets much farther away than southern Turkey," the secretary said.
"If somebody will guarantee me that Iran will freeze their missile technology as of today, then maybe I'd have a higher comfort level," he said. "If someone will guarantee me that Iran will not be able ballistic missile technology from others that would give them greater capabilities, then maybe I'd rest easier. I don't have those assurances."
Pace traveled to the South Pacific last week, where he met with military and national leaders in Australia and Indonesia. He said Australia is a very longstanding, solid ally. Australian forces have served with U.S. forces in every conflict since World War I and they are now serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Indonesia, topics of discussion included peacekeeping, enhancing military-to-military ties and humanitarian disaster relief operations.
Asked about the readiness of non-deployed military units, Pace said about 40 percent of all the military's equipment is in Iraq and Afghanistan, or in depots for repair.
"Which leaves about 60 percent of the inventory, which is an enormous amount of equipment," the chairman.
Congress has allocated money to repair the equipment, and the military depots are working on the backlog as quickly as they can, he added.
"It is true that for the five brigades that are flowing to plus up in Iraq right now," Pace said, "we are moving equipment from some units to those units so that when they go they are fully trained and have all the equipment they are required to have, so when we put those soldiers and Marines into combat, they are as well protected and trained as those they are joining."
Moving equipment from one unit to another should not cause potential enemies to miscalculate the capability of America's forces, Pace said. The United States has sufficient reserve capacity to respond to additional challenges.
"If there was another threat, we would freeze the units that are in Iraq and Afghanistan in place and mobilize our reserve, and bring on line the enormous capacity of the United States that in a day-to-day war, we don't have to tap," he said.
There are 2.4 million Americans, active duty, Guard and reserve, Pace said. "Two hundred thousand are in the Gulf region, another 200,000 are in Afghanistan, leaving about 2 million Americans still available, with the vast fleet and air forces that we have, to respond to any other challenge that might come our way."
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
Program Encourages Troops to Save Money, Reduce Debt
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 15, 2007 – A new Defense Department program encourages servicemembers to become better money managers by paying off or avoiding credit card debt and starting savings accounts, a senior official said here today. "Military Saves" is an ongoing, DoD-wide program that also sponsors money management seminars titled, "Moneywise in the Military," held at military installations across the country, Leslye A. Arsht, deputy undersecretary of defense for military community and family policy, said today during an interview with the Pentagon Channel and American Forces Press Service.
"We want financial planning and financial strategies to become a part of everyday life" for servicemembers and their families, Arsht said.
Each seminar features the insights of money management expert Kelvin Boston, host of the PBS television series, "Moneywise," as well as other sessions that discuss the proper use of credit, savings and investment strategies, home ownership and other topics.
The first "Moneywise in the Military" seminar, held in September at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here, attracted more than 200 servicemembers and military spouses, Arsht said.
Participants "listened to experts give them tips and strategies to use to start this kind of (financial) planning that would put them on this positive path to managing their money in a proactive way," Arsht said. "Many servicemembers went away saying they learned a lot of things they didn't know."
The second "Moneywise in the Military" seminar was held Jan. 31 on Fort Dix, N.J., and it drew more than 400 servicemembers and military spouses. The Navy will kick off its "Military Saves Week" activities by holding a "Moneywise in the Military" event in San Diego on Feb. 24.
The Defense Department's "Military Saves" program also offers a Web site, www.militarysaves.org, where servicemembers can access financial management information and register for a money management plan, Arsht said.
When servicemembers are distracted by financial problems, it negatively affects military readiness, Arsht pointed out. The state of a servicemember's personal finances also affects security clearances, she added.
However, servicemembers with money problems shouldn't feel embarrassed or afraid to step forward to obtain help that's free and readily available through military channels, Arsht said.
"All the command wants is for everyone who is in the service to be successful, and having debt and worry keeps you from that," Arsht said. "Everyone along the command chain recognizes that this is a problem. (But) people make mistakes and make bad choices.
"You can work to fix it. And then, once you work to fix it, you can put yourself on a path to financial success that will keep you from doing that again," Arsht said.
The "Military Saves" program officially kicks off during "Military Saves Week," Feb. 25 through March 4, Arsht said. "Military Saves" is part of a national initiative called "America Saves," she said, that urges Americans to become better stewards of their personal finances.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 15, 2007 – A new Defense Department program encourages servicemembers to become better money managers by paying off or avoiding credit card debt and starting savings accounts, a senior official said here today. "Military Saves" is an ongoing, DoD-wide program that also sponsors money management seminars titled, "Moneywise in the Military," held at military installations across the country, Leslye A. Arsht, deputy undersecretary of defense for military community and family policy, said today during an interview with the Pentagon Channel and American Forces Press Service.
"We want financial planning and financial strategies to become a part of everyday life" for servicemembers and their families, Arsht said.
Each seminar features the insights of money management expert Kelvin Boston, host of the PBS television series, "Moneywise," as well as other sessions that discuss the proper use of credit, savings and investment strategies, home ownership and other topics.
The first "Moneywise in the Military" seminar, held in September at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here, attracted more than 200 servicemembers and military spouses, Arsht said.
Participants "listened to experts give them tips and strategies to use to start this kind of (financial) planning that would put them on this positive path to managing their money in a proactive way," Arsht said. "Many servicemembers went away saying they learned a lot of things they didn't know."
The second "Moneywise in the Military" seminar was held Jan. 31 on Fort Dix, N.J., and it drew more than 400 servicemembers and military spouses. The Navy will kick off its "Military Saves Week" activities by holding a "Moneywise in the Military" event in San Diego on Feb. 24.
The Defense Department's "Military Saves" program also offers a Web site, www.militarysaves.org, where servicemembers can access financial management information and register for a money management plan, Arsht said.
When servicemembers are distracted by financial problems, it negatively affects military readiness, Arsht pointed out. The state of a servicemember's personal finances also affects security clearances, she added.
However, servicemembers with money problems shouldn't feel embarrassed or afraid to step forward to obtain help that's free and readily available through military channels, Arsht said.
"All the command wants is for everyone who is in the service to be successful, and having debt and worry keeps you from that," Arsht said. "Everyone along the command chain recognizes that this is a problem. (But) people make mistakes and make bad choices.
"You can work to fix it. And then, once you work to fix it, you can put yourself on a path to financial success that will keep you from doing that again," Arsht said.
The "Military Saves" program officially kicks off during "Military Saves Week," Feb. 25 through March 4, Arsht said. "Military Saves" is part of a national initiative called "America Saves," she said, that urges Americans to become better stewards of their personal finances.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
Leaders Meet to Improve Family Support Programs
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 15, 2007 – When a military family member needs help, the sponsor's branch of service shouldn't matter, a top Defense Department officials said here today. Thomas F. Hall, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, addressed a group of about 100 top military family program leaders from across the services who gathered for the 2007 Family Readiness Summit here. The group hopes to brainstorm ways to break down interservice bureaucratic barriers that sometimes prevent military family members from getting the help they need.
Any family member who walks into one of the 700 family readiness centers nationwide should be helped, regardless of branch of service, Hall said.
They (the center) should say, "You are an American trooper or the family member of an American trooper -- come in and you're welcome. Sit down and we'll help you," Hall said.
Each of the services, active and reserve component, sent key decision-makers for family programs to the summit. Some community service organizations such as the Red Cross and veterans services also sent representation.
Hall will send the results of the summit to the service secretaries and reserve component chiefs asking for their support in implementation.
This is the third such summit since 2001, said James L. Scott III, director of individual and family policy on Hall's staff. He said that this is the best way to collaborate on behalf of servicemembers and their families.
"It's extremely powerful," he said. "Any time we get more than two or three people who are passionate about families and supporting them, they come up with the most creative answers on identifying resources."
Scott said this summit's goal is to figure out how to best provide services and support to all military families, with special emphasis on those who are geographically separated from an installation.
"They are entitled to these services, but it is hard for them to access them," Scott said. "Does that make those military members ... less deserving of services and support? No. Perhaps it makes them more deserving. We just have to figure out ways to do it better."
Scott said providing interservice and interagency support to troops and family members just makes sense.
"That's the way we fight. That's the way we need to support. It's just the right answer," he said.
Army Col. Anthony E. Baker, chief of family programs for the National Guard Bureau, said family members really don't care where they get their needs met, so long as there are met. He said studies have shown that the services need to improve their systems for meeting family members' needs.
"All they care about is convenience," Baker said. "They don't care who delivers it, as long as it's delivered. That's what we're trying to do, is figure out how we can deliver the services to them in such a way that it is not inconvenient to them."
He also said a better-prepared family is a stronger family during deployment. But the key is getting the service to the family, especially for those who do not live on or near a military installation.
"We have to deliver those services closer to them. We're not looking for them to come to us. We're looking to go to them," he said.
The group will present its findings tomorrow, followed by the 2006 Reserve Family Readiness Awards ceremony. Hall will recognize the units in each reserve component that demonstrated outstanding family readiness.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 15, 2007 – When a military family member needs help, the sponsor's branch of service shouldn't matter, a top Defense Department officials said here today. Thomas F. Hall, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, addressed a group of about 100 top military family program leaders from across the services who gathered for the 2007 Family Readiness Summit here. The group hopes to brainstorm ways to break down interservice bureaucratic barriers that sometimes prevent military family members from getting the help they need.
Any family member who walks into one of the 700 family readiness centers nationwide should be helped, regardless of branch of service, Hall said.
They (the center) should say, "You are an American trooper or the family member of an American trooper -- come in and you're welcome. Sit down and we'll help you," Hall said.
Each of the services, active and reserve component, sent key decision-makers for family programs to the summit. Some community service organizations such as the Red Cross and veterans services also sent representation.
Hall will send the results of the summit to the service secretaries and reserve component chiefs asking for their support in implementation.
This is the third such summit since 2001, said James L. Scott III, director of individual and family policy on Hall's staff. He said that this is the best way to collaborate on behalf of servicemembers and their families.
"It's extremely powerful," he said. "Any time we get more than two or three people who are passionate about families and supporting them, they come up with the most creative answers on identifying resources."
Scott said this summit's goal is to figure out how to best provide services and support to all military families, with special emphasis on those who are geographically separated from an installation.
"They are entitled to these services, but it is hard for them to access them," Scott said. "Does that make those military members ... less deserving of services and support? No. Perhaps it makes them more deserving. We just have to figure out ways to do it better."
Scott said providing interservice and interagency support to troops and family members just makes sense.
"That's the way we fight. That's the way we need to support. It's just the right answer," he said.
Army Col. Anthony E. Baker, chief of family programs for the National Guard Bureau, said family members really don't care where they get their needs met, so long as there are met. He said studies have shown that the services need to improve their systems for meeting family members' needs.
"All they care about is convenience," Baker said. "They don't care who delivers it, as long as it's delivered. That's what we're trying to do, is figure out how we can deliver the services to them in such a way that it is not inconvenient to them."
He also said a better-prepared family is a stronger family during deployment. But the key is getting the service to the family, especially for those who do not live on or near a military installation.
"We have to deliver those services closer to them. We're not looking for them to come to us. We're looking to go to them," he said.
The group will present its findings tomorrow, followed by the 2006 Reserve Family Readiness Awards ceremony. Hall will recognize the units in each reserve component that demonstrated outstanding family readiness.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
Group Launches Operation Jellybeans to Heroes Unseen
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 15, 2007 – After sending thousands of homemade Valentines and boxes of candy to troops serving overseas, SI Yellow Ribbon Campaign is gearing up for its fourth "Operation Jellybeans to Heroes Unseen." In this operation, the organization sends boxes of Easter goodies to servicemembers to remind them that Americans at home are still thinking about them.
SI Yellow Ribbon Campaign is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program that highlights and facilitates the ways Americans and the corporate sector are supporting the nation's servicemembers.
"We try to include in each box a bag of jelly beans, a small chocolate bunny, a box of Peeps, a bag of assorted candy and a carton of marshmallow eggs, along with the cards ... from all across the country," said Amy Oxford, the group's founder. She added that Easter is the last holiday of the year for which she feels comfortable sending chocolate to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan because of rising temperatures in those locations.
Oxford is asking for donations for Easter packages to arrive at her Illinois headquarters by March 16. Easter falls on April 8, but the early deadline allows time for volunteers to pack and ship the 500 boxes Oxford hopes to ship to the troops so they arrive by the holiday, she explained.
"We would love to send as many as donations would allow," Oxford said. "There is no shortage of (servicemembers to send to)."
So far the group doesn't have much to put in the Easter boxes, but Oxford said she is not overly concerned yet. "The donations haven't started coming in yet, but we've heard of drives that are beginning to launch and people making plans to get ... items," she said.
This doesn't mean that SI Yellow Ribbon Campaign's shelves will be overflowing after she's hopped down to the post office with the Easter packages. Once those are gone, Oxford will continue to ship care packages as requests come in, she said.
"There have been many new names added to the organization's list as troop rotations continue," Oxford said. "There are constant needs and wants submitted to the group, ... not just on holidays, but year round."
While donations of care package goodies are needed and welcomed all year, cash donations are appreciated, as well, she said. Though the group has recently switched to flat-rate postal boxes to reduce shipping costs, the mailing cost still runs $8.10 per package.
"Our postage fund is always hurting," she said. "There is never a time when we don't need postage."
Candy may soon be in plentiful supply for the group, however. The group is talking with an Illinois-based chocolate manufacturer that has national recognition, Oxford said.
"The plans aren't finalized, but ... the owner is a veteran and looking forward to doing his part to help out," she said.
Shipping and donation information is available on the SI Yellow Ribbon Web site.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 15, 2007 – After sending thousands of homemade Valentines and boxes of candy to troops serving overseas, SI Yellow Ribbon Campaign is gearing up for its fourth "Operation Jellybeans to Heroes Unseen." In this operation, the organization sends boxes of Easter goodies to servicemembers to remind them that Americans at home are still thinking about them.
SI Yellow Ribbon Campaign is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program that highlights and facilitates the ways Americans and the corporate sector are supporting the nation's servicemembers.
"We try to include in each box a bag of jelly beans, a small chocolate bunny, a box of Peeps, a bag of assorted candy and a carton of marshmallow eggs, along with the cards ... from all across the country," said Amy Oxford, the group's founder. She added that Easter is the last holiday of the year for which she feels comfortable sending chocolate to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan because of rising temperatures in those locations.
Oxford is asking for donations for Easter packages to arrive at her Illinois headquarters by March 16. Easter falls on April 8, but the early deadline allows time for volunteers to pack and ship the 500 boxes Oxford hopes to ship to the troops so they arrive by the holiday, she explained.
"We would love to send as many as donations would allow," Oxford said. "There is no shortage of (servicemembers to send to)."
So far the group doesn't have much to put in the Easter boxes, but Oxford said she is not overly concerned yet. "The donations haven't started coming in yet, but we've heard of drives that are beginning to launch and people making plans to get ... items," she said.
This doesn't mean that SI Yellow Ribbon Campaign's shelves will be overflowing after she's hopped down to the post office with the Easter packages. Once those are gone, Oxford will continue to ship care packages as requests come in, she said.
"There have been many new names added to the organization's list as troop rotations continue," Oxford said. "There are constant needs and wants submitted to the group, ... not just on holidays, but year round."
While donations of care package goodies are needed and welcomed all year, cash donations are appreciated, as well, she said. Though the group has recently switched to flat-rate postal boxes to reduce shipping costs, the mailing cost still runs $8.10 per package.
"Our postage fund is always hurting," she said. "There is never a time when we don't need postage."
Candy may soon be in plentiful supply for the group, however. The group is talking with an Illinois-based chocolate manufacturer that has national recognition, Oxford said.
"The plans aren't finalized, but ... the owner is a veteran and looking forward to doing his part to help out," she said.
Shipping and donation information is available on the SI Yellow Ribbon Web site.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
Navy Lab in Indonesia Serves on Front Line of Medical Research
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 15, 2007 – American and Indonesian personnel at U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 2 here aim to help protect U.S. servicemembers deployed in tropical regions. Lynne Pace, wife of Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, toured the unit Feb. 13 and met with most of the researchers. She was in Indonesia accompanying her husband, who was visiting with defense leaders here.
Seventeen Americans and 143 Indonesians serve on the research unit's staff. Pace praised the dedication of the entire team, and said the American researchers have volunteered for multiple tours.
"They are here for two years, but almost all extend (their tours)," she said. "They know they are doing something important to benefit everybody."
The unit's mission is to conduct research and tests in "tropical medical and infectious diseases to maintain and enhance the health, safety, and readiness of Navy and Marine Corps personnel in the performance of peacetime and contingency missions in Southeast Asia and other tropical and subtropical regions," according to unit officials.
The unit's scientists, doctors and technicians work with their Indonesian counterparts on researching malaria, dengue fever, the Hepatitis E virus, emerging infectious diseases and other health threats. A big part of their work lately has been research into avian influenza, or "bird flu." Indonesia's National Institute of Health Research and Development hosts the American facility, unit officials said.
The unit spends about $5 million a year on salaries and goods from Indonesia, according to officials. Pace said that some of the equipment is purchased while other pieces of equipment are donated by U.S. and Indonesian charities and companies.
"The facilities are not what we are used to in the States," Pace said during an interview. "They do not have a big budget, but they make the most out of what they get."
The unit is very much on the front lines of fighting disease. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, Indonesia has the largest number of avian flu patients. Joint avian flu monitoring by the unit and their Indonesian counterparts will help to pinpoint any outbreaks of the disease or help stop H5N1 bird flu from crossing to humans, officials said.
The research unit has found that the problem in Indonesia isn't the commercial farms, Pace said, but the "small farmers with chickens in the backyard." These families live with the birds and are most susceptible to contracting the disease.
The unit also has helped track hereditary factors in contracting SARS virus, and it continues to search for a malaria vaccine and studies drug-resistant parasites that cause malaria. In addition the research unit serves as a collecting point and a clearinghouse for information, officials said.
The unit has an outpost lab in Cambodia and a partner unit Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 in Cairo.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 15, 2007 – American and Indonesian personnel at U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 2 here aim to help protect U.S. servicemembers deployed in tropical regions. Lynne Pace, wife of Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, toured the unit Feb. 13 and met with most of the researchers. She was in Indonesia accompanying her husband, who was visiting with defense leaders here.
Seventeen Americans and 143 Indonesians serve on the research unit's staff. Pace praised the dedication of the entire team, and said the American researchers have volunteered for multiple tours.
"They are here for two years, but almost all extend (their tours)," she said. "They know they are doing something important to benefit everybody."
The unit's mission is to conduct research and tests in "tropical medical and infectious diseases to maintain and enhance the health, safety, and readiness of Navy and Marine Corps personnel in the performance of peacetime and contingency missions in Southeast Asia and other tropical and subtropical regions," according to unit officials.
The unit's scientists, doctors and technicians work with their Indonesian counterparts on researching malaria, dengue fever, the Hepatitis E virus, emerging infectious diseases and other health threats. A big part of their work lately has been research into avian influenza, or "bird flu." Indonesia's National Institute of Health Research and Development hosts the American facility, unit officials said.
The unit spends about $5 million a year on salaries and goods from Indonesia, according to officials. Pace said that some of the equipment is purchased while other pieces of equipment are donated by U.S. and Indonesian charities and companies.
"The facilities are not what we are used to in the States," Pace said during an interview. "They do not have a big budget, but they make the most out of what they get."
The unit is very much on the front lines of fighting disease. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, Indonesia has the largest number of avian flu patients. Joint avian flu monitoring by the unit and their Indonesian counterparts will help to pinpoint any outbreaks of the disease or help stop H5N1 bird flu from crossing to humans, officials said.
The research unit has found that the problem in Indonesia isn't the commercial farms, Pace said, but the "small farmers with chickens in the backyard." These families live with the birds and are most susceptible to contracting the disease.
The unit also has helped track hereditary factors in contracting SARS virus, and it continues to search for a malaria vaccine and studies drug-resistant parasites that cause malaria. In addition the research unit serves as a collecting point and a clearinghouse for information, officials said.
The unit has an outpost lab in Cambodia and a partner unit Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 in Cairo.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
North Korea Agrees to Nuclear Disarmament
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 14, 2007 – North Korea has agreed to shut down nuclear operations and allow international inspectors into the country, President Bush announced today, hailing it as an important step toward a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. At six-party talks in Beijing, North Korea said that within 60 days it will shut down and seal all operations at the primary nuclear facilities it has used to produce weapons-grade plutonium. North Korea also agreed to allow international inspectors to verify and monitor this progress and to disclose all of its nuclear programs as an initial step toward abandoning them.
In exchange for North Korea's commitments, the five other parties at the table -- China, Russia, Japan, South Korea and the United States -- made commitments to provide economic, humanitarian and energy assistance to the people of North Korea.
"This is a unique deal. First of all, unlike any other agreement, it brings together all of North Korea's neighbors in the region, as well as the United States," Bush said today at a White House news conference.
Bush noted that the agreement is backed by a United Nations Security Council resolution.
The breakthrough came at the six-party talks because other countries joined the U.S. in condemning North Korea's nuclear programs, Bush said. The North Koreans have to prove themselves by actually following through on the deal, he said, but if they do, the people will benefit greatly.
The first aid that will arrive in North Korea will be 50,000 tons of fuel from South Korea as soon as the main weapons manufacturing facility is shut down and all the nuclear programs are declared, Bush said. If the North Koreans disable and abandon all their nuclear facilities, other countries will step in with additional fuel, food and economic assistance, he said. "That's not going to happen until there's some verifiable measures that have been taken," he added.
"This is good progress; it is a good first step," Bush said. "There's a lot of work to be done to make sure that the commitment is made and this agreement becomes a reality. But I believe it's an important step in the right direction."
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 14, 2007 – North Korea has agreed to shut down nuclear operations and allow international inspectors into the country, President Bush announced today, hailing it as an important step toward a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. At six-party talks in Beijing, North Korea said that within 60 days it will shut down and seal all operations at the primary nuclear facilities it has used to produce weapons-grade plutonium. North Korea also agreed to allow international inspectors to verify and monitor this progress and to disclose all of its nuclear programs as an initial step toward abandoning them.
In exchange for North Korea's commitments, the five other parties at the table -- China, Russia, Japan, South Korea and the United States -- made commitments to provide economic, humanitarian and energy assistance to the people of North Korea.
"This is a unique deal. First of all, unlike any other agreement, it brings together all of North Korea's neighbors in the region, as well as the United States," Bush said today at a White House news conference.
Bush noted that the agreement is backed by a United Nations Security Council resolution.
The breakthrough came at the six-party talks because other countries joined the U.S. in condemning North Korea's nuclear programs, Bush said. The North Koreans have to prove themselves by actually following through on the deal, he said, but if they do, the people will benefit greatly.
The first aid that will arrive in North Korea will be 50,000 tons of fuel from South Korea as soon as the main weapons manufacturing facility is shut down and all the nuclear programs are declared, Bush said. If the North Koreans disable and abandon all their nuclear facilities, other countries will step in with additional fuel, food and economic assistance, he said. "That's not going to happen until there's some verifiable measures that have been taken," he added.
"This is good progress; it is a good first step," Bush said. "There's a lot of work to be done to make sure that the commitment is made and this agreement becomes a reality. But I believe it's an important step in the right direction."
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
Navy, Marines Request Funding to Repair, Replace Equipment
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 14, 2007 – The Navy and Marine Corps are requesting $4.4 billion to fix or replace worn out or damaged military equipment that has seen hard use in the war against global terrorism, senior military leaders testified before a joint U.S. House committee on Capitol Hill yesterday. Congress deserves thanks for already providing about $10.2 billion for repair or replacement of Navy and Marine equipment as part of fiscal 2006 and 2007 supplemental funding, Lt. Gen. Emerson Gardner, the Marines' deputy commandant for programs and resources, said before members of the Sea Power and Expeditionary Forces subcommittees.
"For over five years, the Marine Corps has been involved in combat and combat support operations around the globe," Gardner said. "Your deployed Marines are better trained, better equipped and better protected than ever before."
In fact, about $2.8 billion in funding is earmarked for obtaining 2,700 roadside-bomb-resistant trucks, known as mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles, for Marines and sailors deployed to Iraq, Gardner said. About 65 of these robust vehicles are being used in Iraq, he said.
"Our experience is that Marines in these vehicles have been four to five times safer than a Marine in an armored Humvee," Gardner said. "Based on this experience, we recently decided to replace our armored Humvees in theater on a one-for-one basis with MRAPs."
The Marine Corps also will plus-up its ranks, Gardner noted, by adding around 5,000 new Marines each year until the Corps' new end strength of about 202,000 Marines is reached by 2011.
"We are initially funding this effort through a mix of baseline and supplemental appropriations," Gardner explained. "But, we are eager to get these costs into our baseline budget as soon as possible."
About 42,000 U.S. sailors are deployed worldwide, said Vice Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, deputy chief of naval operations for integration of capabilities and resources, who also testified at the hearing. More than 12,000 sailors are serving on the ground in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Greenert said.
High-demand naval combat engineers, known as Seabees; Sea, Air and Land special operations forces; and explosive ordnance disposal teams deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq are experiencing rapid wearing out of their equipment, Greenert said. Some equipment is wearing out on average 14 times faster than during peacetime usage, he noted.
Other equipment, such as field generators, are wearing out 40 times faster, Greenert said.
In addition, Navy aircraft like the F/A-18 Hornet are aging rapidly due to excessive amounts of mission flight time, the admiral said.
The Hornet is consuming flight hours at a rate 30 percent greater than originally planned, Greenert said. "This increase in flight hours is accelerating the expected service life of these aircraft, reducing anticipated years of service."
Other Naval aircraft being used in Iraq and Afghanistan are experiencing similar stresses, he added.
Such wear and tear on equipment produces higher operational costs, Greenert said.
Past wartime supplemental funding provided by Congress was used to support overseas operational costs and not for resetting, or fixing or replacing, worn out equipment, the admiral said.
"Our reset requirements for our equipment will continue to grow more extensively than originally anticipated, as long as our high op tempo continues," Greenert said.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 14, 2007 – The Navy and Marine Corps are requesting $4.4 billion to fix or replace worn out or damaged military equipment that has seen hard use in the war against global terrorism, senior military leaders testified before a joint U.S. House committee on Capitol Hill yesterday. Congress deserves thanks for already providing about $10.2 billion for repair or replacement of Navy and Marine equipment as part of fiscal 2006 and 2007 supplemental funding, Lt. Gen. Emerson Gardner, the Marines' deputy commandant for programs and resources, said before members of the Sea Power and Expeditionary Forces subcommittees.
"For over five years, the Marine Corps has been involved in combat and combat support operations around the globe," Gardner said. "Your deployed Marines are better trained, better equipped and better protected than ever before."
In fact, about $2.8 billion in funding is earmarked for obtaining 2,700 roadside-bomb-resistant trucks, known as mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles, for Marines and sailors deployed to Iraq, Gardner said. About 65 of these robust vehicles are being used in Iraq, he said.
"Our experience is that Marines in these vehicles have been four to five times safer than a Marine in an armored Humvee," Gardner said. "Based on this experience, we recently decided to replace our armored Humvees in theater on a one-for-one basis with MRAPs."
The Marine Corps also will plus-up its ranks, Gardner noted, by adding around 5,000 new Marines each year until the Corps' new end strength of about 202,000 Marines is reached by 2011.
"We are initially funding this effort through a mix of baseline and supplemental appropriations," Gardner explained. "But, we are eager to get these costs into our baseline budget as soon as possible."
About 42,000 U.S. sailors are deployed worldwide, said Vice Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, deputy chief of naval operations for integration of capabilities and resources, who also testified at the hearing. More than 12,000 sailors are serving on the ground in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Greenert said.
High-demand naval combat engineers, known as Seabees; Sea, Air and Land special operations forces; and explosive ordnance disposal teams deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq are experiencing rapid wearing out of their equipment, Greenert said. Some equipment is wearing out on average 14 times faster than during peacetime usage, he noted.
Other equipment, such as field generators, are wearing out 40 times faster, Greenert said.
In addition, Navy aircraft like the F/A-18 Hornet are aging rapidly due to excessive amounts of mission flight time, the admiral said.
The Hornet is consuming flight hours at a rate 30 percent greater than originally planned, Greenert said. "This increase in flight hours is accelerating the expected service life of these aircraft, reducing anticipated years of service."
Other Naval aircraft being used in Iraq and Afghanistan are experiencing similar stresses, he added.
Such wear and tear on equipment produces higher operational costs, Greenert said.
Past wartime supplemental funding provided by Congress was used to support overseas operational costs and not for resetting, or fixing or replacing, worn out equipment, the admiral said.
"Our reset requirements for our equipment will continue to grow more extensively than originally anticipated, as long as our high op tempo continues," Greenert said.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
Program Helps Vets Own Franchises
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 14, 2007 – When he returned home from an 11-month deployment to Iraq in October 2005, Army Staff Sgt. John Reid realized he'd stashed away a sizeable sum of cash and wanted to put it to work for himself. "I didn't want to waste it on a new car or something like that," said the New York National Guardsman, who spent five years on active duty before joining the Guard in 1989.
Instead, Reid decided to invest in his own business. He attended a franchise expo, ultimately buying a Glass Doctor franchise in Somerset, N.J. Only when the company flew him to Waco, Texas, for an orientation did Reid learn about one of the best-kept secrets for veterans who dream of opening their own business: the Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative.
Known as "VetFran," the program offers financial incentives to veterans interested in owning their own franchise. By purchasing his franchise through VetFran, Reid said, he saved about 10 percent of the franchise cost. "That gave me a little more start-up money," he said.
In addition to financial help, Reid said the program gave him another whole network of advisors to help him make his new business a success. "It's really helpful that I can call on them any time with any problems," he said. "That's an added benefit."
Reid is among more than 600 veterans who have taken advantage of VetFran to buy franchised small businesses since Don Dwyer Sr. of the Dwyer Group founded the program in 1991. VetFran lost momentum after Dwyer's death in 1994, but his daughter, Dina Dwyer-Owens, revived it after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. Today, some 200 companies in the International Franchise Association participate in the program.
"VetFran was created to honor America's veterans for their service to the nation," said IFA President Matthew Shay. "We ... do it in a way that helps them continue to contribute to the nation's well-being by becoming small-business owners and operators."
Cmdr. Gary Martin-Ranft, a Coast Guard Reservist, recently took advantage of VetFran to buy a HomeVestors of America franchise in Chicago. The company, best known for its "We Buy Ugly Houses" advertising signs, specializes in buying, rehabbing and selling houses.
Martin-Ranft said he was always interested in real estate, and welcomed the opportunity to buy a real-estate franchise through a program that recognizes veterans. "I like to be loyal to people who are good to veterans," he said.
Former National Guardsman Alina Gutierrez, who bought a Glass Doctor franchise in Hamilton, N.J., said she, too, was happy to participate in a program that honors veterans. "I like that we are recognized for what we've done for our country," she said.
While honoring veterans for their service, VetFrank also attracts top-notch candidates as potential franchise owners, Shay said. "Veterans are highly desirable franchisee candidates, because their military training instills in them a strong sense of discipline, an ability to lead within a structured system and an unwavering belief in core values, which carries over well to the franchise business," he said.
Veteran Dan Windler, who bought a Rainbow International Restoration and Cleaning franchise in Imperial, Calif., through VetFran in 2003, said his service in the Marine Corps helped set him up to be a successful businessman. "We were taught from day one in the U.S Marine Corps that veterans make good leaders and business owners," he said.
Gutierrez, too, credited her military training, particularly experience she gained during her deployment in Iraq, for helping her succeed in business and in life. "My goal for the business is to give 100 percent and be the best that I can," she said. "It's not just about making money. It's about leading a better life."
VetFran is among a huge array of programs and services offered through corporations, grassroots organizations and private citizens in support of the men and women in uniform and veterans of the U.S. military. These initiatives are highlighted in the Defense Department's America Supports You program.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 14, 2007 – When he returned home from an 11-month deployment to Iraq in October 2005, Army Staff Sgt. John Reid realized he'd stashed away a sizeable sum of cash and wanted to put it to work for himself. "I didn't want to waste it on a new car or something like that," said the New York National Guardsman, who spent five years on active duty before joining the Guard in 1989.
Instead, Reid decided to invest in his own business. He attended a franchise expo, ultimately buying a Glass Doctor franchise in Somerset, N.J. Only when the company flew him to Waco, Texas, for an orientation did Reid learn about one of the best-kept secrets for veterans who dream of opening their own business: the Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative.
Known as "VetFran," the program offers financial incentives to veterans interested in owning their own franchise. By purchasing his franchise through VetFran, Reid said, he saved about 10 percent of the franchise cost. "That gave me a little more start-up money," he said.
In addition to financial help, Reid said the program gave him another whole network of advisors to help him make his new business a success. "It's really helpful that I can call on them any time with any problems," he said. "That's an added benefit."
Reid is among more than 600 veterans who have taken advantage of VetFran to buy franchised small businesses since Don Dwyer Sr. of the Dwyer Group founded the program in 1991. VetFran lost momentum after Dwyer's death in 1994, but his daughter, Dina Dwyer-Owens, revived it after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. Today, some 200 companies in the International Franchise Association participate in the program.
"VetFran was created to honor America's veterans for their service to the nation," said IFA President Matthew Shay. "We ... do it in a way that helps them continue to contribute to the nation's well-being by becoming small-business owners and operators."
Cmdr. Gary Martin-Ranft, a Coast Guard Reservist, recently took advantage of VetFran to buy a HomeVestors of America franchise in Chicago. The company, best known for its "We Buy Ugly Houses" advertising signs, specializes in buying, rehabbing and selling houses.
Martin-Ranft said he was always interested in real estate, and welcomed the opportunity to buy a real-estate franchise through a program that recognizes veterans. "I like to be loyal to people who are good to veterans," he said.
Former National Guardsman Alina Gutierrez, who bought a Glass Doctor franchise in Hamilton, N.J., said she, too, was happy to participate in a program that honors veterans. "I like that we are recognized for what we've done for our country," she said.
While honoring veterans for their service, VetFrank also attracts top-notch candidates as potential franchise owners, Shay said. "Veterans are highly desirable franchisee candidates, because their military training instills in them a strong sense of discipline, an ability to lead within a structured system and an unwavering belief in core values, which carries over well to the franchise business," he said.
Veteran Dan Windler, who bought a Rainbow International Restoration and Cleaning franchise in Imperial, Calif., through VetFran in 2003, said his service in the Marine Corps helped set him up to be a successful businessman. "We were taught from day one in the U.S Marine Corps that veterans make good leaders and business owners," he said.
Gutierrez, too, credited her military training, particularly experience she gained during her deployment in Iraq, for helping her succeed in business and in life. "My goal for the business is to give 100 percent and be the best that I can," she said. "It's not just about making money. It's about leading a better life."
VetFran is among a huge array of programs and services offered through corporations, grassroots organizations and private citizens in support of the men and women in uniform and veterans of the U.S. military. These initiatives are highlighted in the Defense Department's America Supports You program.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books; and the criminal justice online leadership location.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Soldiers Like FCS Test Systems So Much, They Don't Want to Return Them
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 13, 2007 – Testing for some of the systems slated for the first "spin out" of the Army's Future Combat Systems program has gone well, except for one minor glitch: the soldiers testing them don't want to give the prototypes back. "They won't give me back my stuff," joked Army Maj. Gen. Charles A. Cartwright, program manager for the Future Combat Systems Brigade Combat Team, as he briefed reporters on the progress of the program at the Pentagon last week.
The FCS is a "family" of a variety of manned and unmanned vehicles, sensors, launch systems and unmanned aerial vehicles. All are connected by a common network with the soldier. Some systems within the family are marked for an early fielding in an effort to get the technologies to the soldier as early as fiscal 2008.
Dubbed Experiment 1.1, the testing ran in three phases, starting in July 2006 and finishing this month. Already, some of the systems are garnering rave reviews from the combat veterans testing them. It was the first time that soldiers collectively employed FCS systems in "live" training and used the system's computer-based training support package, officials said.
"They loved it," said Col. Charles C. Bush, FCS division chief. "What the FCS spin-out is all about is getting information down to the soldier level so they can use it. Experiment 1.1 was designed to test the tools that will get them more tactical information on the battlefield."
Soldiers tested the initial version of the network operating system, the joint tactical radio system, the tactical and urban unattended ground sensors, the small unmanned ground vehicle, the Class I unmanned aerial vehicle and the non-line-of-sight launch system.
Officials taped responses from the soldiers testing the equipment and played them at the briefing. The common theme among the mix of commissioned and noncommissioned officers was that using the new systems will save lives in combat. The systems worked together to increase efficiency and mitigate risks to the soldier. The combat veterans extolled the usefulness of the equipment, giving examples of actual fights in Iraq where they could have used the systems.
"I became a big believer," one NCO said.
"All they need to do is get it out to the soldier and start training on it," another said.
One soldier said the robot vehicles, sensors and the unmanned aerial vehicles help eliminate what he referred to as "The Big 'What if?'"
Robots can be sent into buildings instead of soldiers to identify booby traps and insurgents. Unmanned aerial vehicles can be flown over hills and walls, allowing soldiers to see what is on the other side. The sensors can be placed on flanks and in buildings to detect enemy movement. All are tied to a network that the soldier can monitor on a screen mounted in his Humvee.
It's about seeing the enemy before he sees you, Bush said.
"Instead of sending 'Private Snuffy' in the room to see if there is a booby trap, you send a robot in there," Bush said. "From a tactical perspective, giving the soldier the ability to see inside a room is pretty powerful."
Two soldiers testing the robot vehicle agreed.
"It would have saved our lives," one said, referring to a booby trap discovered by the robot vehicle during the testing.
Bush said nothing like the tactical and urban sensors currently is fielded at the soldier level. Some sensors are used by specialized military intelligence units, but that information is not immediately accessible by the soldier at a squad or platoon level. An earlier prototype of the small unmanned ground vehicle is being used in Iraq to investigate tunnels and possible improvised explosive devices, he said.
The Class I unmanned aerial vehicle was tested in Hawaii by some 29th Infantry Division soldiers working through a mission readiness exercise.
"The soldiers loved that thing," Bush said.
Its effectiveness was problematic for the trainers, though, because the soldiers were finding all of the "planted" roadside bombs and taking alternative routes. As a result, they were missing out on intentional training on how to react to an IED.
"It gives them ability to see the enemy before they run into them, and lets them maneuver more effectively," Bush said.
The FCS systems will also help soldiers make better, faster decisions on the battlefield.
A sensor will let them know, for example, that a vehicle is approaching. Video from the sensor will let the soldier know if it is a suspicious vehicle.
"It will put capabilities into the hands of soldiers that they don't have now," Bush said.
"It's tough in that kind of environment to identify one individual from another individual - who's the terrorist," he said. "The more tools you give the soldier the easier it is."
The bottom line for the combat veterans testing the new systems was that robots and sensors and information on the battlefield translates to more troops coming home alive.
"If the robot ges blown up, oh well. You still have a soldier with you," an NCO said.
One combat commander said if his unit would have had the systems in Iraq, it would have saved an NCO's life, his squad leader's legs and his team leader's hand.
The initial version of the network operating system, the joint tactical radio system, the tactical and urban unattended ground sensors and the non-line-of-sight launch system are funded for the first spin-out of FCS systems starting in fiscal 2008.
There is no funding currently for the small unmanned ground vehicle and the Class I unmanned aerial vehicle for the first spin-out. They are slated as options in spin-out 2, if funding is available.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 13, 2007 – Testing for some of the systems slated for the first "spin out" of the Army's Future Combat Systems program has gone well, except for one minor glitch: the soldiers testing them don't want to give the prototypes back. "They won't give me back my stuff," joked Army Maj. Gen. Charles A. Cartwright, program manager for the Future Combat Systems Brigade Combat Team, as he briefed reporters on the progress of the program at the Pentagon last week.
The FCS is a "family" of a variety of manned and unmanned vehicles, sensors, launch systems and unmanned aerial vehicles. All are connected by a common network with the soldier. Some systems within the family are marked for an early fielding in an effort to get the technologies to the soldier as early as fiscal 2008.
Dubbed Experiment 1.1, the testing ran in three phases, starting in July 2006 and finishing this month. Already, some of the systems are garnering rave reviews from the combat veterans testing them. It was the first time that soldiers collectively employed FCS systems in "live" training and used the system's computer-based training support package, officials said.
"They loved it," said Col. Charles C. Bush, FCS division chief. "What the FCS spin-out is all about is getting information down to the soldier level so they can use it. Experiment 1.1 was designed to test the tools that will get them more tactical information on the battlefield."
Soldiers tested the initial version of the network operating system, the joint tactical radio system, the tactical and urban unattended ground sensors, the small unmanned ground vehicle, the Class I unmanned aerial vehicle and the non-line-of-sight launch system.
Officials taped responses from the soldiers testing the equipment and played them at the briefing. The common theme among the mix of commissioned and noncommissioned officers was that using the new systems will save lives in combat. The systems worked together to increase efficiency and mitigate risks to the soldier. The combat veterans extolled the usefulness of the equipment, giving examples of actual fights in Iraq where they could have used the systems.
"I became a big believer," one NCO said.
"All they need to do is get it out to the soldier and start training on it," another said.
One soldier said the robot vehicles, sensors and the unmanned aerial vehicles help eliminate what he referred to as "The Big 'What if?'"
Robots can be sent into buildings instead of soldiers to identify booby traps and insurgents. Unmanned aerial vehicles can be flown over hills and walls, allowing soldiers to see what is on the other side. The sensors can be placed on flanks and in buildings to detect enemy movement. All are tied to a network that the soldier can monitor on a screen mounted in his Humvee.
It's about seeing the enemy before he sees you, Bush said.
"Instead of sending 'Private Snuffy' in the room to see if there is a booby trap, you send a robot in there," Bush said. "From a tactical perspective, giving the soldier the ability to see inside a room is pretty powerful."
Two soldiers testing the robot vehicle agreed.
"It would have saved our lives," one said, referring to a booby trap discovered by the robot vehicle during the testing.
Bush said nothing like the tactical and urban sensors currently is fielded at the soldier level. Some sensors are used by specialized military intelligence units, but that information is not immediately accessible by the soldier at a squad or platoon level. An earlier prototype of the small unmanned ground vehicle is being used in Iraq to investigate tunnels and possible improvised explosive devices, he said.
The Class I unmanned aerial vehicle was tested in Hawaii by some 29th Infantry Division soldiers working through a mission readiness exercise.
"The soldiers loved that thing," Bush said.
Its effectiveness was problematic for the trainers, though, because the soldiers were finding all of the "planted" roadside bombs and taking alternative routes. As a result, they were missing out on intentional training on how to react to an IED.
"It gives them ability to see the enemy before they run into them, and lets them maneuver more effectively," Bush said.
The FCS systems will also help soldiers make better, faster decisions on the battlefield.
A sensor will let them know, for example, that a vehicle is approaching. Video from the sensor will let the soldier know if it is a suspicious vehicle.
"It will put capabilities into the hands of soldiers that they don't have now," Bush said.
"It's tough in that kind of environment to identify one individual from another individual - who's the terrorist," he said. "The more tools you give the soldier the easier it is."
The bottom line for the combat veterans testing the new systems was that robots and sensors and information on the battlefield translates to more troops coming home alive.
"If the robot ges blown up, oh well. You still have a soldier with you," an NCO said.
One combat commander said if his unit would have had the systems in Iraq, it would have saved an NCO's life, his squad leader's legs and his team leader's hand.
The initial version of the network operating system, the joint tactical radio system, the tactical and urban unattended ground sensors and the non-line-of-sight launch system are funded for the first spin-out of FCS systems starting in fiscal 2008.
There is no funding currently for the small unmanned ground vehicle and the Class I unmanned aerial vehicle for the first spin-out. They are slated as options in spin-out 2, if funding is available.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Active Military Meets January Recruiting Goals; Retention Remains Strong
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 12, 2007 – All active components of the military services met or exceeded their recruiting goals for January, the Defense Department announced today. The Army achieved 111 percent of its goal with 9,306 troops; the Air Force, 100 percent of its goal with 2,552 troops; the Navy, 100 percent of its goal with 2,764; and the Marine Corps, 108 percent with 3,403.
Four of six of the reserve components met or exceeded their recruiting goals for January. The Army National Guard, Marine Corps Reserve, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve all achieved more than 100 percent of their goals. The Army Reserve and Navy Reserve lagged, with 99 percent and 93 percent, respectively.
Retention among active and reserve components remained solid. The Marine Corps and Air Force met or exceeded overall retention missions. The Army met 109 percent of its year-to-date mission, and the Navy met 93 percent.
Army National Guard retention was 120 percent of the cumulative goal of 10,289, and Air National Guard retention was 97 percent of its cumulative goal of 3,289. Both the Army and Air Guard are at 99 percent of their target end strength. Losses in all reserve components for December are well within acceptable limits, officials said, and indications are that trend will continue into January.
The Army's recruiting numbers may get an added boost in March after the Army launches a traveling, virtual reality exhibit. The Virtual Army Experience is a high-tech, team-based experience designed to immerse visitors in the operational roles of soldiers, according to an Army news release.
The 10,000-square-foot interactive exhibit brings the Army's exceptionally popular computer game, "America's Army: Special Forces (Overmatch)," to a life-size networked world, according to the release. In the Virtual Army Experience, participants employ teamwork, leadership and high-tech equipment as they take part in a hands-on virtual mission to capture a terrorist leader. The Virtual Army Experience debuts this week at Speedweek in Daytona, Fla., and will deploy to 35 events around the nation.
"The Virtual Army Experience provides visitors with unparalleled insight into today's high-tech Army, in which smart, capable soldiers work within elite teams to master the most complex and demanding situations," said Col. Casey Wardynski, project director for America's Army and originator of the concept for the Virtual Army Experience. "Upon entering the Virtual Army Experience, visitors meet virtual members of their team -- skilled professionals in fields ranging from aviation to communications. From this point forward, visitors gain an appreciation of the degree to which the Army prepares young adults to be confident, skilled and trusted."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 12, 2007 – All active components of the military services met or exceeded their recruiting goals for January, the Defense Department announced today. The Army achieved 111 percent of its goal with 9,306 troops; the Air Force, 100 percent of its goal with 2,552 troops; the Navy, 100 percent of its goal with 2,764; and the Marine Corps, 108 percent with 3,403.
Four of six of the reserve components met or exceeded their recruiting goals for January. The Army National Guard, Marine Corps Reserve, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve all achieved more than 100 percent of their goals. The Army Reserve and Navy Reserve lagged, with 99 percent and 93 percent, respectively.
Retention among active and reserve components remained solid. The Marine Corps and Air Force met or exceeded overall retention missions. The Army met 109 percent of its year-to-date mission, and the Navy met 93 percent.
Army National Guard retention was 120 percent of the cumulative goal of 10,289, and Air National Guard retention was 97 percent of its cumulative goal of 3,289. Both the Army and Air Guard are at 99 percent of their target end strength. Losses in all reserve components for December are well within acceptable limits, officials said, and indications are that trend will continue into January.
The Army's recruiting numbers may get an added boost in March after the Army launches a traveling, virtual reality exhibit. The Virtual Army Experience is a high-tech, team-based experience designed to immerse visitors in the operational roles of soldiers, according to an Army news release.
The 10,000-square-foot interactive exhibit brings the Army's exceptionally popular computer game, "America's Army: Special Forces (Overmatch)," to a life-size networked world, according to the release. In the Virtual Army Experience, participants employ teamwork, leadership and high-tech equipment as they take part in a hands-on virtual mission to capture a terrorist leader. The Virtual Army Experience debuts this week at Speedweek in Daytona, Fla., and will deploy to 35 events around the nation.
"The Virtual Army Experience provides visitors with unparalleled insight into today's high-tech Army, in which smart, capable soldiers work within elite teams to master the most complex and demanding situations," said Col. Casey Wardynski, project director for America's Army and originator of the concept for the Virtual Army Experience. "Upon entering the Virtual Army Experience, visitors meet virtual members of their team -- skilled professionals in fields ranging from aviation to communications. From this point forward, visitors gain an appreciation of the degree to which the Army prepares young adults to be confident, skilled and trusted."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
No Yelling Marine
February 13, 2007 (San Dimas, CA) Military-Writers.com, a website listing current, former and active United States Military personnel who have authored books, added Major Wally Adamchik to the list of military personnel who have written books.
“A former director of the F.B.I., the first man to walk on the moon and the greatest hitter to ever play the sport of baseball – what do these men all have in common? They are all leaders, of course. But they are also all former Marines”
Major Wally Adamchik, a former tank commander and helicopter pilot with the United States Marine Corps, is the founder and president of FireStarter Speaking and Consulting, a national leadership development and consulting firm. His new book, No Yelling: The 9 Secrets of Marine Corps Leadership You Must Know to Win in Business, draws upon the real-life experiences of those currently serving in the Marines and those now in the civilian sector to explain how anyone can incorporate the nine essential behaviors of Marine Corps leadership into their daily business life. The book includes more than 100 interviews with current and former Marines, and offers side-by-side comparisons of their application in military and civilian settings.
“The leadership techniques displayed by the United States Marine Corps have proven themselves time and again in battle,” says Adamchik. “These same principles can be applied from the break room to the board room to help anyone excel in business.”
The United States Marine Corps has a long-standing legacy of producing some of the United States’ most renowned leaders. Since 1775, countless governors, senators, astronauts, athletes, entertainers and business executives have served in this elite branch of the United States military. Many of these former Marines have taken the leadership skills learned in the Marines and applied them to their everyday lives. Wally Adamchik is one such former Marine.
In addition to hosting current, former and retired military personnel who have written books, Military-Writers.com is building and extensive web-based directory of military personnel who own businesses.
“A former director of the F.B.I., the first man to walk on the moon and the greatest hitter to ever play the sport of baseball – what do these men all have in common? They are all leaders, of course. But they are also all former Marines”
Major Wally Adamchik, a former tank commander and helicopter pilot with the United States Marine Corps, is the founder and president of FireStarter Speaking and Consulting, a national leadership development and consulting firm. His new book, No Yelling: The 9 Secrets of Marine Corps Leadership You Must Know to Win in Business, draws upon the real-life experiences of those currently serving in the Marines and those now in the civilian sector to explain how anyone can incorporate the nine essential behaviors of Marine Corps leadership into their daily business life. The book includes more than 100 interviews with current and former Marines, and offers side-by-side comparisons of their application in military and civilian settings.
“The leadership techniques displayed by the United States Marine Corps have proven themselves time and again in battle,” says Adamchik. “These same principles can be applied from the break room to the board room to help anyone excel in business.”
The United States Marine Corps has a long-standing legacy of producing some of the United States’ most renowned leaders. Since 1775, countless governors, senators, astronauts, athletes, entertainers and business executives have served in this elite branch of the United States military. Many of these former Marines have taken the leadership skills learned in the Marines and applied them to their everyday lives. Wally Adamchik is one such former Marine.
In addition to hosting current, former and retired military personnel who have written books, Military-Writers.com is building and extensive web-based directory of military personnel who own businesses.
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