By Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein, USAF
Special to American Forces Press Service
Aug. 4, 2007 - Every other week, servicemembers from all branches of the military conduct convoys from this base to deliver clothing and supplies to needy Afghans in the surrounding areas. But they're not doing it because they have to. They're doing it because they want to help. "These are military and coalition members who volunteer," said Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Weber, Camp Eggers garrison chaplain. "They participate on their own time and at their own risk to do something good for the people of Afghanistan."
The chaplains on Camp Eggers have organized the deliveries as part of a community relations program. Working with local religious leaders, as well as various government and relief agencies, the program organizers plan their missions to deliver aid to areas most in need of the assistance.
Under the program, servicemembers visit a new location every two weeks. Once a location is determined, the organizers and volunteers meet a few days before the trip to sort the items sent over from the United States.
"Donations come in mostly through word of mouth, from people stationed here telling others back in the States," said Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Fred Hays, religious program specialist and chaplain's assistant. "We get donations from schools and churches, too."
Normally, the group averages about 20 large boxes filled with clothing, personal hygiene items, medical supplies, school supplies, food and blankets. Recently, the group donated about 2,000 pairs of shoes to a local village.
"Putting smiles on these young people's faces, that's the main thing," said Hays. "If we can win the younger generation's hearts in this war [against terrorism], we'll be able to win this war because the younger ones will be taking over for us. Show them kindness and that kindness can be returned."
During a recent trip to a refugee camp, the volunteers interacted with the Afghan families who showed up to watch them unload the boxes. Some military members passed out candy and soccer balls, while others gave high-fives and danced with the children.
A few translators were on hand, including Mohammad Khan, assistant director of Sozo International, a U.S.-based relief agency that supports this particular camp, which contains 585 families. Each of those families average six to 10 members.
Khan said many of the displaced Afghans had been living in Iran and Pakistan, as well as throughout Afghanistan, before ending up at the camp.
"This plot of land was designated to put about 13,000 [displaced] families," Khan said. "As you can see, they are pretty isolated out here from the rest of the population. The wind and the sun make this place very difficult to live. Their greatest need is for water and shelter. They were provided a water pump, but the hand pumps are not working properly out here. They are now getting their water from a tank and distributing water that way."
Khan said that the camp's mullahs appreciate the donations from the Americans. "They understand that the Americans bring what they can offer and they are thankful for that," he said.
Navy Capt. James Fisher, Combined Security Transition Command Afganistan chaplain, said he is proud of the volunteers and the work they do for the Afghan people.
"We do want to help those who are in need," Fisher said. "In a large sense, this represents the heart of America to the people here. When you see this country brutalized by war and the Taliban, who are thugs and thieves who kill people, you don't see much spirituality. You don't see much compassion. These soldiers, Marines, airmen and sailors are just good-hearted military people. They want to make a difference."
(U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein is a journalist assigned to U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs.)
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Defense Department, VA Work to Integrate Health Records
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 3, 2007 - The Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs took the first step this week toward developing a joint electronic health record system that will better serve wounded servicemembers and veterans. The two departments hired an independent contractor to make an assessment of how best to create the joint system, which will bring together inpatient records from more than 200 hospitals. The integration of these systems was a recommendation that came from various commissions after substandard conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here were brought to light earlier this year.
"That's what this contract is, a first step in helping the two agencies design the requirements to move forward with a joint inpatient record, which would mean that (Defense Department) doctors and VA doctors, when they pull up their screen, they're going to have the same information. The patient, when they go from one inpatient facility to another, they'll have the same data there," Dr. Stephen L. Jones, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, said in an interview.
Integrating the two departments' health records has been a goal of the Defense Department and VA for a long time, Jones said, but the recent emphasis on military health care has accelerated the process. The new system will still take time to develop, but once it is in place, it will improve the quality, safety and efficiency of military health care, he said.
The integration of the systems comes at a convenient time, because both the VA and the Defense Department need to update their inpatient records systems, said Charles Hume, deputy chief information officer for the Military Health System. He noted that it is a huge undertaking, because electronic medical records are still not commonplace in the U.S., and no existing system can handle the large amount of data the military health system contains.
"We frankly are the pioneers in this effort. Nobody else has tackled it," Hume said.
The Defense Department and VA already share patient information in certain cases, such as sharing prescription, lab and radiology, allergy and discharge information for separated servicemembers. Also, the Defense Department provides all patient records for severely wounded warriors to VA polytrauma centers where they go for treatment.
Before this initiative came up, the two departments already had a strong working relationship, Dr. Paul Tibbits, deputy chief information officer for the VA, said in an interview. That relationship has served as a foundation for the current collaboration, he said.
"We have an extremely strong working relationship between the two departments in information technology, and I think it's gotten better because of this process, and it's just proven to be a very effective partnership," Tibbits said.
As the contractor moves forward with its study, the two departments will continue to collaborate and move forward with information sharing as much as they can, Hume said. The study will take a year, and while that may seem like a long time, it is necessary so all the technicalities and requirements of such a complicated and expensive system can be worked out, he said.
"We're talking about a very expensive and difficult system we're going to implement," he said. "We need to make sure we do it right, so we need to take the time to fully make sure we understand the requirements of that system and precisely what we're going to do. It's a cooperative process from the get-go, and as soon as we identify areas where we can begin to engage, we'll begin to engage."
Bringing in a contractor with industry expertise to do the study is important because the two departments need to ensure the technical aspects are worked out, and information standards are aligned within the system, Hume said. Jones pointed out that once the system is in place, it also will help make health care standards consistent throughout Defense Department and VA facilities.
"The whole effort in electronic health records is improve the quality of care, improve the safety of care, and improve better follow-up and tracking to ensure individuals are coming back and getting needed care," Jones said. "We want to ensure that we're focusing on what the physicians need, on what the administrators need, on what the case workers need, not what we think they need."
A joint inpatient medical record will possibly save the two departments money as well, Tibbits said. The extent of those savings will be determined by the study, he said.
Tibbits also pointed out that veterans will benefit greatly from a joint system, in that the determination of benefits will become much more efficient and effective. "Every veteran would have a much higher likelihood of being aware of and receiving every benefit to which they are actually entitled; it would become a much more organized and expeditious process," he said.
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 3, 2007 - The Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs took the first step this week toward developing a joint electronic health record system that will better serve wounded servicemembers and veterans. The two departments hired an independent contractor to make an assessment of how best to create the joint system, which will bring together inpatient records from more than 200 hospitals. The integration of these systems was a recommendation that came from various commissions after substandard conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here were brought to light earlier this year.
"That's what this contract is, a first step in helping the two agencies design the requirements to move forward with a joint inpatient record, which would mean that (Defense Department) doctors and VA doctors, when they pull up their screen, they're going to have the same information. The patient, when they go from one inpatient facility to another, they'll have the same data there," Dr. Stephen L. Jones, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, said in an interview.
Integrating the two departments' health records has been a goal of the Defense Department and VA for a long time, Jones said, but the recent emphasis on military health care has accelerated the process. The new system will still take time to develop, but once it is in place, it will improve the quality, safety and efficiency of military health care, he said.
The integration of the systems comes at a convenient time, because both the VA and the Defense Department need to update their inpatient records systems, said Charles Hume, deputy chief information officer for the Military Health System. He noted that it is a huge undertaking, because electronic medical records are still not commonplace in the U.S., and no existing system can handle the large amount of data the military health system contains.
"We frankly are the pioneers in this effort. Nobody else has tackled it," Hume said.
The Defense Department and VA already share patient information in certain cases, such as sharing prescription, lab and radiology, allergy and discharge information for separated servicemembers. Also, the Defense Department provides all patient records for severely wounded warriors to VA polytrauma centers where they go for treatment.
Before this initiative came up, the two departments already had a strong working relationship, Dr. Paul Tibbits, deputy chief information officer for the VA, said in an interview. That relationship has served as a foundation for the current collaboration, he said.
"We have an extremely strong working relationship between the two departments in information technology, and I think it's gotten better because of this process, and it's just proven to be a very effective partnership," Tibbits said.
As the contractor moves forward with its study, the two departments will continue to collaborate and move forward with information sharing as much as they can, Hume said. The study will take a year, and while that may seem like a long time, it is necessary so all the technicalities and requirements of such a complicated and expensive system can be worked out, he said.
"We're talking about a very expensive and difficult system we're going to implement," he said. "We need to make sure we do it right, so we need to take the time to fully make sure we understand the requirements of that system and precisely what we're going to do. It's a cooperative process from the get-go, and as soon as we identify areas where we can begin to engage, we'll begin to engage."
Bringing in a contractor with industry expertise to do the study is important because the two departments need to ensure the technical aspects are worked out, and information standards are aligned within the system, Hume said. Jones pointed out that once the system is in place, it also will help make health care standards consistent throughout Defense Department and VA facilities.
"The whole effort in electronic health records is improve the quality of care, improve the safety of care, and improve better follow-up and tracking to ensure individuals are coming back and getting needed care," Jones said. "We want to ensure that we're focusing on what the physicians need, on what the administrators need, on what the case workers need, not what we think they need."
A joint inpatient medical record will possibly save the two departments money as well, Tibbits said. The extent of those savings will be determined by the study, he said.
Tibbits also pointed out that veterans will benefit greatly from a joint system, in that the determination of benefits will become much more efficient and effective. "Every veteran would have a much higher likelihood of being aware of and receiving every benefit to which they are actually entitled; it would become a much more organized and expeditious process," he said.
'Check It' Campaign Celebrates Year of Success
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 3, 2007 - Defense officials today recognized the end of the first phase of the "Check It" campaign, which raises awareness about internal management controls within the Defense Department. Check It was launched a year ago by Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England as a way to remind members of the defense community to do their jobs to the best of their ability and double-check for mistakes. The first phase focused on raising awareness about internal management controls and employees' responsibility to check their work.
At today's ceremony, England thanked all those who participated in the campaign and encouraged them to continue their support through the next phase of the program, which focuses on improving processes to prevent mistakes.
"At the end of the day, this is the ultimate service organization. Part of that service is absolutely making sure we do things the best we can every day," England said. "You're going to come to work every day, you might as well do the best you can."
Seven groups of people from communities within and outside the Defense Department were recognized today for their participation in Check It. These groups all developed campaign slogans within their communities and promoted awareness of internal management controls.
Tina Jonas, the Defense Department's comptroller and chief financial officer, applauded the groups for their innovative ideas in the Check It campaign. "It's about people and our mission," she said. "If we don't do our particular job right, it can compound things and ultimately affect the mission our men and women are doing."
The second phase of the program, which will continue for at least another year, will start to measure the quality of the work coming out of the defense community and how it can be improved, Jonas said.
"Our bottom line of continual improvement and process improvement is making sure that lives are protected, that our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, whether they're handling weapons, whether they're doing security, whether they're in the hospital rooms, that they have the support that they need and that mistakes aren't made," she said.
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 3, 2007 - Defense officials today recognized the end of the first phase of the "Check It" campaign, which raises awareness about internal management controls within the Defense Department. Check It was launched a year ago by Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England as a way to remind members of the defense community to do their jobs to the best of their ability and double-check for mistakes. The first phase focused on raising awareness about internal management controls and employees' responsibility to check their work.
At today's ceremony, England thanked all those who participated in the campaign and encouraged them to continue their support through the next phase of the program, which focuses on improving processes to prevent mistakes.
"At the end of the day, this is the ultimate service organization. Part of that service is absolutely making sure we do things the best we can every day," England said. "You're going to come to work every day, you might as well do the best you can."
Seven groups of people from communities within and outside the Defense Department were recognized today for their participation in Check It. These groups all developed campaign slogans within their communities and promoted awareness of internal management controls.
Tina Jonas, the Defense Department's comptroller and chief financial officer, applauded the groups for their innovative ideas in the Check It campaign. "It's about people and our mission," she said. "If we don't do our particular job right, it can compound things and ultimately affect the mission our men and women are doing."
The second phase of the program, which will continue for at least another year, will start to measure the quality of the work coming out of the defense community and how it can be improved, Jonas said.
"Our bottom line of continual improvement and process improvement is making sure that lives are protected, that our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, whether they're handling weapons, whether they're doing security, whether they're in the hospital rooms, that they have the support that they need and that mistakes aren't made," she said.
Walter Reed Building Named in Fallen Combat Medic's Honor
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 3, 2007 - About 50 family members, friends and fellow soldiers of Army Cpl. Angelo J. Vaccaro, an Army medic killed in Afghanistan, gathered for a dedication ceremony at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here yesterday as "Building 38" was renamed "Vaccaro Hall." The hall will serve as the headquarters for the new Warrior Transition Brigade, a center aimed at improving the Army outpatient-care system, which was criticized for various shortcomings earlier this year. Vaccaro, who struggled to overcome his own flaws, and the building named in his honor, are both stories of redemption, a general said.
"I'm very grateful that the leaders of the Warrior Transition Brigade named their headquarters after this great Army combat medic," Army Maj. Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker, commander of North Atlantic Regional Medical Command and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, told audience members.
"The fact that we've taken a building that was part of this historic campus now 100 years old ... and rejuvenated it and reapplied it toward this new mission of the warrior-transition unit really is the embodiment of Angelo Vaccaro, a man who put his life back together and became a combat medic and found meaning," he said.
"Like (Vaccaro), this institution is on a journey of redemption to reaffirm its service to the nation and to the Army, to warriors that have been wounded or ill or have been injured in service to their nation," Schoomaker said. "I really felt Angelo's pride, his spirit here in this place."
Vaccaro, who died Oct. 3 while attempting to evacuate casualties during combat in Afghanistan, is the first servicemember to earn two Silver Star Medals in the global terror war. A plaque adjacent to Vaccaro Hall's front door was unveiled yesterday. It bears an embossed picture of the soldier's face and describes his final courageous moments.
"On October 3rd, 2006, (Vaccaro) learned that his platoon was involved in direct fire engagement with enemy forces and he volunteered to conduct an extremely dangerous ground extraction," the plaque states. "Cpl. Vaccaro was struck by enemy fire and instantly killed while attempting to evacuate casualties."
Several years ago, a poignant ceremony like yesterday's, with general officers praising a soldier who died honorably doing what he loved, would have been impossible for the Vaccaro family to imagine.
Angelo Vaccaro's older brother Ray described how the military transformed Angelo from a lost youth into a passionate combat medic. His back against a wall in the Vaccaro Hall reception room, Ray balanced his squirming 9-month old daughter, Ava, on his leg while he described his and Angelo's upbringing.
"My brother got into some bad stuff," Ray remembered. "Drugs, crime, hanging out with the wrong people."
As a young man in Bronx, N.Y., Angelo had led a misdirected life, with bad influences, drug use and brushes with the law. The two brothers were best friends, Ray said, but their lives took divergent paths once the family moved from the bustling New York City borough to small-town Deltona, Fla.
To earn tuition for the college degree Ray dreamed of, he enlisted in the Army, serving from 1995 to 1998. Meanwhile, Angelo continued a self-destructive lifestyle.
"When Angelo was in his bad times, I asked him, 'Is this how you want to be forever?'" Ray recalled. "And he said, 'No.'"
Ray introduced his younger brother to an Army recruiter, and Angelo enlisted as a combat medic in 2004 after being granted a waiver. Potential recruits may be barred from joining the military due to stringent moral requirements, but on a case-by-case basis the services offer waivers to a small percentage of those who would otherwise be disqualified.
Vaccaro was humble when discussing his Army achievements, Ray said. But as a former member of the Boys and Girls Club, Vaccaro took pride in treating local children's ailments while serving as a combat medic in Afghanistan.
"Angelo was proud of helping children, sewing cuts on theirs hands and feet, or giving them bandages," he said. "He always had a love for kids, and he was so proud of that."
Ray said he wants his daughter, who was born one month after Angelo died, to know everything about her uncle, who matured from a community outcast to a community pillar.
"He did not get to meet her, but she hears all about him all the time. She gets to hold his medals and look at pictures of him," he said. "I want her to know everything, from the bad to the good to the even better.
"I want her to know who her uncle was to keep his spirit alive."
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 3, 2007 - About 50 family members, friends and fellow soldiers of Army Cpl. Angelo J. Vaccaro, an Army medic killed in Afghanistan, gathered for a dedication ceremony at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here yesterday as "Building 38" was renamed "Vaccaro Hall." The hall will serve as the headquarters for the new Warrior Transition Brigade, a center aimed at improving the Army outpatient-care system, which was criticized for various shortcomings earlier this year. Vaccaro, who struggled to overcome his own flaws, and the building named in his honor, are both stories of redemption, a general said.
"I'm very grateful that the leaders of the Warrior Transition Brigade named their headquarters after this great Army combat medic," Army Maj. Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker, commander of North Atlantic Regional Medical Command and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, told audience members.
"The fact that we've taken a building that was part of this historic campus now 100 years old ... and rejuvenated it and reapplied it toward this new mission of the warrior-transition unit really is the embodiment of Angelo Vaccaro, a man who put his life back together and became a combat medic and found meaning," he said.
"Like (Vaccaro), this institution is on a journey of redemption to reaffirm its service to the nation and to the Army, to warriors that have been wounded or ill or have been injured in service to their nation," Schoomaker said. "I really felt Angelo's pride, his spirit here in this place."
Vaccaro, who died Oct. 3 while attempting to evacuate casualties during combat in Afghanistan, is the first servicemember to earn two Silver Star Medals in the global terror war. A plaque adjacent to Vaccaro Hall's front door was unveiled yesterday. It bears an embossed picture of the soldier's face and describes his final courageous moments.
"On October 3rd, 2006, (Vaccaro) learned that his platoon was involved in direct fire engagement with enemy forces and he volunteered to conduct an extremely dangerous ground extraction," the plaque states. "Cpl. Vaccaro was struck by enemy fire and instantly killed while attempting to evacuate casualties."
Several years ago, a poignant ceremony like yesterday's, with general officers praising a soldier who died honorably doing what he loved, would have been impossible for the Vaccaro family to imagine.
Angelo Vaccaro's older brother Ray described how the military transformed Angelo from a lost youth into a passionate combat medic. His back against a wall in the Vaccaro Hall reception room, Ray balanced his squirming 9-month old daughter, Ava, on his leg while he described his and Angelo's upbringing.
"My brother got into some bad stuff," Ray remembered. "Drugs, crime, hanging out with the wrong people."
As a young man in Bronx, N.Y., Angelo had led a misdirected life, with bad influences, drug use and brushes with the law. The two brothers were best friends, Ray said, but their lives took divergent paths once the family moved from the bustling New York City borough to small-town Deltona, Fla.
To earn tuition for the college degree Ray dreamed of, he enlisted in the Army, serving from 1995 to 1998. Meanwhile, Angelo continued a self-destructive lifestyle.
"When Angelo was in his bad times, I asked him, 'Is this how you want to be forever?'" Ray recalled. "And he said, 'No.'"
Ray introduced his younger brother to an Army recruiter, and Angelo enlisted as a combat medic in 2004 after being granted a waiver. Potential recruits may be barred from joining the military due to stringent moral requirements, but on a case-by-case basis the services offer waivers to a small percentage of those who would otherwise be disqualified.
Vaccaro was humble when discussing his Army achievements, Ray said. But as a former member of the Boys and Girls Club, Vaccaro took pride in treating local children's ailments while serving as a combat medic in Afghanistan.
"Angelo was proud of helping children, sewing cuts on theirs hands and feet, or giving them bandages," he said. "He always had a love for kids, and he was so proud of that."
Ray said he wants his daughter, who was born one month after Angelo died, to know everything about her uncle, who matured from a community outcast to a community pillar.
"He did not get to meet her, but she hears all about him all the time. She gets to hold his medals and look at pictures of him," he said. "I want her to know everything, from the bad to the good to the even better.
"I want her to know who her uncle was to keep his spirit alive."
Friday, August 03, 2007
Servicemembers, Vets Cite Need for Recovery Coordinators
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 2, 2007 - The Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs are partnering with other government and non-government agencies to find ways to improve the lives of severely injured servicemembers and veterans, officials said July 27. Defense and VA officials agree that the concept of a full-time patient-recovery coordinators would greatly help severely wounded warriors and veterans access needed services, Lynda C. Davis, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for military personnel policy, told American Forces Press Service.
Davis and Kristin A. Day, the VA's acting national social work director, co-chair the case management reform action group, which collaborates with military family members, government agencies, veterans service organizations and private groups.
Davis and Day hosted a joint Defense Department/Veterans Affairs July 26-27 meeting at the Pentagon that addressed non-clinical care management issues affecting severely wounded servicemembers and veterans, such as coordination of benefits and disability, access to housing, transportation, rehabilitative care, occupational therapy, employment, education and more.
"It's everything in a person's life that's needed to make their recovery complete that is not the strictly medical side," Davis said.
A previous summit in May addressed what was needed in the clinical realm, she added, such as information technology and training requirements, including discussion of needed policy changes.
This March, President Bush established the Presidential Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors after the Washington Post disclosed patient-care shortfalls at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here.
The commission, chaired by former Sen. Robert J. Dole and former Health and Human Services Secretary Donna E. Shalala, examined the overall state of the military's health care system and care for veterans. The commission released its findings July 25.
One of the commission's recommendations is to develop a recovery plan for seriously injured servicemembers and to assign recovery coordinators or case managers to severely wounded servicemembers and veterans to help them access benefits and ongoing care.
This person would complement the many current care providers and be "a consistent resource that is with the individual servicemember and the family across the full continuum of their care from the point of acute care in a hospital in the DoD, to the recuperation phase in the VA hospital, to the time when they'll live most of their life back in their community."
Officials now are examining what type of standardized training recovery coordinators would require, Davis said, as well as closely examining requirements to determine an efficient, integrated recovery-care plan for injured military veterans.
Officials envision that VA recovery coordinators, known as transition patient advocates, would begin to interface with their servicemember clients when they're still being treated in military hospitals, Day said.
The VA has hired more than 80 of 100 patient transition advocates over the past few months, Day pointed out.
"If the patient's home is in Kansas City, for example, the transition patient advocate will be notified by the VA liaison at the DoD facility and will travel to the patient, introduce themselves, and start a relationship," Day explained. "It's very important to have somebody understand your whole story, to have been there with you (through) everything you've been through."
VA patient advocates "will literally be at the kitchen table each step of the way" as veterans begin rebuilding their lives in their home towns, Day said.
Up to now, wives or husbands often managed their veteran-spouses' recovery needs, with mixed results, Day said. "The families, right now, have to navigate all of these systems, and it's overwhelming," Day said. "We're going to do that for them."
Marine Maj. Peter Ortell, hometown link coordinator for the Marine for Life program, who attended the Pentagon summit meeting, said military and veterans' families have cited the need for a dedicated recovery advocate.
"They want a single resource or point of contact they can go to, so that they do not have to learn the entire system themselves and become their own advocates," Ortell said.
Wounded warriors and veterans already "have a whole slew of stressors," Ortell pointed out, noting that "having more stress by having to navigate this huge medical system just adds more stress."
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 2, 2007 - The Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs are partnering with other government and non-government agencies to find ways to improve the lives of severely injured servicemembers and veterans, officials said July 27. Defense and VA officials agree that the concept of a full-time patient-recovery coordinators would greatly help severely wounded warriors and veterans access needed services, Lynda C. Davis, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for military personnel policy, told American Forces Press Service.
Davis and Kristin A. Day, the VA's acting national social work director, co-chair the case management reform action group, which collaborates with military family members, government agencies, veterans service organizations and private groups.
Davis and Day hosted a joint Defense Department/Veterans Affairs July 26-27 meeting at the Pentagon that addressed non-clinical care management issues affecting severely wounded servicemembers and veterans, such as coordination of benefits and disability, access to housing, transportation, rehabilitative care, occupational therapy, employment, education and more.
"It's everything in a person's life that's needed to make their recovery complete that is not the strictly medical side," Davis said.
A previous summit in May addressed what was needed in the clinical realm, she added, such as information technology and training requirements, including discussion of needed policy changes.
This March, President Bush established the Presidential Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors after the Washington Post disclosed patient-care shortfalls at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here.
The commission, chaired by former Sen. Robert J. Dole and former Health and Human Services Secretary Donna E. Shalala, examined the overall state of the military's health care system and care for veterans. The commission released its findings July 25.
One of the commission's recommendations is to develop a recovery plan for seriously injured servicemembers and to assign recovery coordinators or case managers to severely wounded servicemembers and veterans to help them access benefits and ongoing care.
This person would complement the many current care providers and be "a consistent resource that is with the individual servicemember and the family across the full continuum of their care from the point of acute care in a hospital in the DoD, to the recuperation phase in the VA hospital, to the time when they'll live most of their life back in their community."
Officials now are examining what type of standardized training recovery coordinators would require, Davis said, as well as closely examining requirements to determine an efficient, integrated recovery-care plan for injured military veterans.
Officials envision that VA recovery coordinators, known as transition patient advocates, would begin to interface with their servicemember clients when they're still being treated in military hospitals, Day said.
The VA has hired more than 80 of 100 patient transition advocates over the past few months, Day pointed out.
"If the patient's home is in Kansas City, for example, the transition patient advocate will be notified by the VA liaison at the DoD facility and will travel to the patient, introduce themselves, and start a relationship," Day explained. "It's very important to have somebody understand your whole story, to have been there with you (through) everything you've been through."
VA patient advocates "will literally be at the kitchen table each step of the way" as veterans begin rebuilding their lives in their home towns, Day said.
Up to now, wives or husbands often managed their veteran-spouses' recovery needs, with mixed results, Day said. "The families, right now, have to navigate all of these systems, and it's overwhelming," Day said. "We're going to do that for them."
Marine Maj. Peter Ortell, hometown link coordinator for the Marine for Life program, who attended the Pentagon summit meeting, said military and veterans' families have cited the need for a dedicated recovery advocate.
"They want a single resource or point of contact they can go to, so that they do not have to learn the entire system themselves and become their own advocates," Ortell said.
Wounded warriors and veterans already "have a whole slew of stressors," Ortell pointed out, noting that "having more stress by having to navigate this huge medical system just adds more stress."
Gates: Middle East Trip Aimed to Sow Long-Term Relationships
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 2, 2007 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates described his just-concluded trip to the Middle East as "gardening" – preparing the ground for long-term U.S. security relationships in the region. To describe his four-day, four-country visit to the region, Gates borrowed the metaphor from former Secretary of State George Schultz.
As with gardening, Gates said, he hoped to be laying groundwork to be "harvested" in the future in the form of stronger relationships needed in light of threats facing the region.
The secretary met in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, today with Mohammed bin Zayeed al-Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE military, and visited Kuwait yesterday. Before that, he made joint visits with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, where they met with the Gulf Cooperation Council.
"What this was about was the beginning of a dialog with our friends and partners in the region about both Iraq and Iran on the one hand and long-term interests and security on the other," Gates told reporters during the return flight to Washington.
Gates said he also sought to reassure countries in the region that "the United States is going to be a major power and a major presence in this region for a long time to come."
The themes ran consistent throughout the trip: long-term security and stability in the region, what to do about Iran, and the need to be more supportive of the Iraqi government.
At every stop this week, Gates encouraged stronger support for Iraq's government as it works to build unity amid sectarian strife. Just as Baghdad needs to reach out to Sunni Muslims to include them in its decision-making process, "it is also important for moderate Arab governments to welcome Iraq into the Arab fold and to make it their partner," a senior defense official said on background.
That will be critical, he said, as they work together to help support the Iraqi government while ensuring they're able to counter mutual threats, such as terrorist extremists and Iranian ambitions.
Gates encountered widespread concern about Iran during his visits. "In terms of being country-specific in terms of concern with Iran, there was no difference of opinion," he said.
"Iran is actively engaged right now (in) activities that are contrary to the interests of most of the countries -- virtually all of the countries that we just visited, as well as the United States, as well as Iraq," he said.
"We can't wait years for them to try to change their policies. ... The more countries in the world that cooperate in the U.N. sanctions (against Iran) and in bringing pressures to bear on this government that its policies are antithetical to the interests of all its neighbors, the better off we'll be.
"We all need to work together," Gates said. "There's not really room for bystanders here."
Throughout the visit, Gates explored ways to expand existing security relationships.
"There are clearly areas where we can strengthen bilateral cooperation -- air and missile defense, maritime security, crisis management, perhaps more multilateral exercises -- and ... some of those things have potential regional application," a senior defense official said.
He compared existing U.S. security relationships in the region to the "hub-and-spoke" arrangement the United States shares with many Asian countries. "We have very strong bilateral relationships with a number of different counties, but they mostly don't have security relationships with one another. That's kind of what we have in the Middle East right now," the official said.
"But there are some areas where there is room for cooperation among more than two countries, just as there is in Asia," he said. "That is the kind of thing we would explore."
Leaders Gates met with this week were "intrigued by some of the multilateral notions," the official said. But formal, structured arrangements aren't likely to be in the cards, he said.
Gates told reporters he's hopeful the visits bear fruit in terms of stronger relationships able to stand up to pressing challenges and that they help establish policies that supersede politics.
"The only way you deal with the threat we face from al Qaeda or from Iran and these other places is to have a policy in place that has bipartisan support and that can be sustained through multiple administrations," he said. "So when I talk about gardening, it may be the next administration or the administration after that that harvests all this."
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 2, 2007 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates described his just-concluded trip to the Middle East as "gardening" – preparing the ground for long-term U.S. security relationships in the region. To describe his four-day, four-country visit to the region, Gates borrowed the metaphor from former Secretary of State George Schultz.
As with gardening, Gates said, he hoped to be laying groundwork to be "harvested" in the future in the form of stronger relationships needed in light of threats facing the region.
The secretary met in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, today with Mohammed bin Zayeed al-Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE military, and visited Kuwait yesterday. Before that, he made joint visits with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, where they met with the Gulf Cooperation Council.
"What this was about was the beginning of a dialog with our friends and partners in the region about both Iraq and Iran on the one hand and long-term interests and security on the other," Gates told reporters during the return flight to Washington.
Gates said he also sought to reassure countries in the region that "the United States is going to be a major power and a major presence in this region for a long time to come."
The themes ran consistent throughout the trip: long-term security and stability in the region, what to do about Iran, and the need to be more supportive of the Iraqi government.
At every stop this week, Gates encouraged stronger support for Iraq's government as it works to build unity amid sectarian strife. Just as Baghdad needs to reach out to Sunni Muslims to include them in its decision-making process, "it is also important for moderate Arab governments to welcome Iraq into the Arab fold and to make it their partner," a senior defense official said on background.
That will be critical, he said, as they work together to help support the Iraqi government while ensuring they're able to counter mutual threats, such as terrorist extremists and Iranian ambitions.
Gates encountered widespread concern about Iran during his visits. "In terms of being country-specific in terms of concern with Iran, there was no difference of opinion," he said.
"Iran is actively engaged right now (in) activities that are contrary to the interests of most of the countries -- virtually all of the countries that we just visited, as well as the United States, as well as Iraq," he said.
"We can't wait years for them to try to change their policies. ... The more countries in the world that cooperate in the U.N. sanctions (against Iran) and in bringing pressures to bear on this government that its policies are antithetical to the interests of all its neighbors, the better off we'll be.
"We all need to work together," Gates said. "There's not really room for bystanders here."
Throughout the visit, Gates explored ways to expand existing security relationships.
"There are clearly areas where we can strengthen bilateral cooperation -- air and missile defense, maritime security, crisis management, perhaps more multilateral exercises -- and ... some of those things have potential regional application," a senior defense official said.
He compared existing U.S. security relationships in the region to the "hub-and-spoke" arrangement the United States shares with many Asian countries. "We have very strong bilateral relationships with a number of different counties, but they mostly don't have security relationships with one another. That's kind of what we have in the Middle East right now," the official said.
"But there are some areas where there is room for cooperation among more than two countries, just as there is in Asia," he said. "That is the kind of thing we would explore."
Leaders Gates met with this week were "intrigued by some of the multilateral notions," the official said. But formal, structured arrangements aren't likely to be in the cards, he said.
Gates told reporters he's hopeful the visits bear fruit in terms of stronger relationships able to stand up to pressing challenges and that they help establish policies that supersede politics.
"The only way you deal with the threat we face from al Qaeda or from Iran and these other places is to have a policy in place that has bipartisan support and that can be sustained through multiple administrations," he said. "So when I talk about gardening, it may be the next administration or the administration after that that harvests all this."
Gates Disappointed in Iraqi Political Progress, Optimistic on Security
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 2, 2007 - While acknowledging that he's disappointed with political upheaval within the Iraqi government, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today he's hopeful about progress on the security front. "I think the developments on the political side are somewhat discouraging at the national level. And clearly, the withdrawal of the Sunnis from the government is discouraging," Gates told reporters during a flight back to Washington following a four-day visit to the Middle East.
"My hope is it can all be patched back together," he said.
Seeing the discord taking place in Iraq, Gates said, "in some ways, we probably all underestimated the depth of the mistrust and how difficult it would be for these guys to come together on legislation, which, let's face it, is not some kind of secondary thing."
"The kinds of legislation they're talking about will establish the framework of Iraq for the future, so it's almost like our Constitutional Convention," he said. "These are not secondary or tertiary issues they're debating. And the difficulty in coming to grips with those, we may all have underestimated six or eight months ago."
On the other hand, Gates called developments at the local level "more encouraging than I would have expected three or four months ago."
He cited widespread concern seven months ago that Anbar province had been lost to al Qaeda. Today, the people of Anbar are working with Iraqi and coalition forces to rid their province of terrorists and extremists.
"I am optimistic on the security side because of what I see in al Anbar and what we're seeing in some of the other provinces where we're getting some cooperation," Gates said. "I think some of the positive political developments have come in areas where we didn't expect it."
The key to continuing this success is, "not only establishing the security, but being able to hold onto those areas," he said.
It's also critical for the Iraqi Army and police "to be able to provide the continuity of that security over time," Gates said. "It's under that umbrella, I think, progress will be made at a national level."
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 2, 2007 - While acknowledging that he's disappointed with political upheaval within the Iraqi government, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today he's hopeful about progress on the security front. "I think the developments on the political side are somewhat discouraging at the national level. And clearly, the withdrawal of the Sunnis from the government is discouraging," Gates told reporters during a flight back to Washington following a four-day visit to the Middle East.
"My hope is it can all be patched back together," he said.
Seeing the discord taking place in Iraq, Gates said, "in some ways, we probably all underestimated the depth of the mistrust and how difficult it would be for these guys to come together on legislation, which, let's face it, is not some kind of secondary thing."
"The kinds of legislation they're talking about will establish the framework of Iraq for the future, so it's almost like our Constitutional Convention," he said. "These are not secondary or tertiary issues they're debating. And the difficulty in coming to grips with those, we may all have underestimated six or eight months ago."
On the other hand, Gates called developments at the local level "more encouraging than I would have expected three or four months ago."
He cited widespread concern seven months ago that Anbar province had been lost to al Qaeda. Today, the people of Anbar are working with Iraqi and coalition forces to rid their province of terrorists and extremists.
"I am optimistic on the security side because of what I see in al Anbar and what we're seeing in some of the other provinces where we're getting some cooperation," Gates said. "I think some of the positive political developments have come in areas where we didn't expect it."
The key to continuing this success is, "not only establishing the security, but being able to hold onto those areas," he said.
It's also critical for the Iraqi Army and police "to be able to provide the continuity of that security over time," Gates said. "It's under that umbrella, I think, progress will be made at a national level."
Technology to Save Pilots' Lives Ready for Take-off
By Kim Sears
Special to American Forces Press Service
Aug. 2, 2007 - What began as a chance discovery in aviation research has evolved into a complex technology that helps save pilots' lives by preventing airplane crashes. The Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System, known as Auto-GCAS, is a software-based technology that has demonstrated a 98 percent effectiveness rate at eliminating aircraft crashes into the ground. The system is ready for operational integration on several types of fighters: F-16 Fighting Flacons, F-22 Raptors and F-35 Lightning Joint Strike Fighters, officials said.
"We in Air Combat Command are excited about the promise of Auto-GCAS," said Air Force Maj. Gen. Jack Catton, director of requirements for Air Combat Command, at Langley Air Force Base, Va. "This isn't just a safety issue for us, it's a warfighting issue. This technology will allow us to save both lives and combat resources. It is clearly the right thing to do."
Auto-GCAS evaluates a variety of factors including aircraft weight, and performance, and uses aircraft navigation positional information, the Global Positioning System, and digital terrain elevation data to constantly calculate an aircraft's 3-D position relative to the earth, the amount of time available before impact, and the maneuver required to prevent a collision with the ground.
The program differs from current crash-avoidance systems in that it doesn't create nuisance warnings and activates only at the last instant to take control and recover the aircraft when it determines collision is imminent. The determination is made when the aircraft is within 1.5 seconds of the "point of no return" and no action has been taken by the pilot.
"Manual or warning-only systems don't prevent many of our (controlled flight into terrain) mishaps. That's because situations like pilot spatial disorientation, target fixation, loss of situation awareness, or G-induced loss of consciousness may render a pilot unable to process the warning and/or perform the necessary maneuvers to prevent a collision with the ground," said Col. "Tex" Wilkins, senior Air Force readiness analyst with the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. "Current programs rely on a pilot's ability to manually respond to its warnings. Auto-GCAS, however, is specifically designed to prevent a collision in situations where a pilot cannot."
Experts at the Defense Safety Oversight Council, formed in 2003 to help reduce safety mishaps within the Defense Department, believed the technology was worth pursuing, and organization teamed with the Air Force Safety Center to find a cost-effective and efficient way to integrate the technology across multiple platforms. The collaborative effort became the Fighter Risk Reduction Program led by the Air Force Research Laboratory, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
Backed by about $2.5 million in seed money for 2006-07 from the Defense Safety Oversight Council, the Fighter Risk Reduction Program is operating on schedule, officials said.
"Getting this program to the point it is at today has been years in the making. A lot of time and dedication has gone into this project, and I hope we can keep moving it forward," Wilkins said.
A team of specialists from the Air Force Research Laboratory, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and defense contractor Lockheed Martin realized the need for Auto-GCAS technology in the early 1980s while conducting research on other automated aviation systems.
"Initially, we put the (GCAS) program on aircraft for flight safety during other tests, but discovered it may have a lot more importance than for just the prime things we were asked to look into. We realized we might have a technology that's very useful and that nobody even considered was feasible at that point in time," said Mark Skoog, Auto-GCAS test director and chief engineer at NASA.
Initially, the technology only worked over flat terrain. Eventually, digital terrain was incorporated onto aircraft and later integrated into the Auto-GCAS program giving it all-terrain capability.
After about 2,500 automated recoveries over flat terrain and over 700 automated recoveries using digital terrain, the program was declared "technologically mature" in 2000, officials said.
"The main focus of our testing is to make sure we have a nuisance-free system that isn't going to come on when an aggressive pilot doesn't want it to," Skoog said.
He said tests have also helped provide information to pilots who may be skeptical about the system. "Our primary goal is to make sure people base their opinion (of the system) on good information and data," Skoog said. "I want pilots to realize this isn't someone trying to sell something, it's someone who's honestly trying to give pilots good, solid information to base decisions on."
Defense Department experts estimate that more than 130 fighter aircraft could be lost and their crews killed due to ground collisions over the next 25 years. Wilkins said the Auto G-CAS program could virtually eliminate "controlled flight into terrain" as a mishap category.
"That preserves a lot of combat capability and will obviously make a huge difference in the department," Wilkins said. "We're pleased the technology to curb this trend and save pilot lives is ready to go."
(Kim Sears works for the New Media branch of American Forces Information Service.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Aug. 2, 2007 - What began as a chance discovery in aviation research has evolved into a complex technology that helps save pilots' lives by preventing airplane crashes. The Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System, known as Auto-GCAS, is a software-based technology that has demonstrated a 98 percent effectiveness rate at eliminating aircraft crashes into the ground. The system is ready for operational integration on several types of fighters: F-16 Fighting Flacons, F-22 Raptors and F-35 Lightning Joint Strike Fighters, officials said.
"We in Air Combat Command are excited about the promise of Auto-GCAS," said Air Force Maj. Gen. Jack Catton, director of requirements for Air Combat Command, at Langley Air Force Base, Va. "This isn't just a safety issue for us, it's a warfighting issue. This technology will allow us to save both lives and combat resources. It is clearly the right thing to do."
Auto-GCAS evaluates a variety of factors including aircraft weight, and performance, and uses aircraft navigation positional information, the Global Positioning System, and digital terrain elevation data to constantly calculate an aircraft's 3-D position relative to the earth, the amount of time available before impact, and the maneuver required to prevent a collision with the ground.
The program differs from current crash-avoidance systems in that it doesn't create nuisance warnings and activates only at the last instant to take control and recover the aircraft when it determines collision is imminent. The determination is made when the aircraft is within 1.5 seconds of the "point of no return" and no action has been taken by the pilot.
"Manual or warning-only systems don't prevent many of our (controlled flight into terrain) mishaps. That's because situations like pilot spatial disorientation, target fixation, loss of situation awareness, or G-induced loss of consciousness may render a pilot unable to process the warning and/or perform the necessary maneuvers to prevent a collision with the ground," said Col. "Tex" Wilkins, senior Air Force readiness analyst with the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. "Current programs rely on a pilot's ability to manually respond to its warnings. Auto-GCAS, however, is specifically designed to prevent a collision in situations where a pilot cannot."
Experts at the Defense Safety Oversight Council, formed in 2003 to help reduce safety mishaps within the Defense Department, believed the technology was worth pursuing, and organization teamed with the Air Force Safety Center to find a cost-effective and efficient way to integrate the technology across multiple platforms. The collaborative effort became the Fighter Risk Reduction Program led by the Air Force Research Laboratory, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
Backed by about $2.5 million in seed money for 2006-07 from the Defense Safety Oversight Council, the Fighter Risk Reduction Program is operating on schedule, officials said.
"Getting this program to the point it is at today has been years in the making. A lot of time and dedication has gone into this project, and I hope we can keep moving it forward," Wilkins said.
A team of specialists from the Air Force Research Laboratory, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and defense contractor Lockheed Martin realized the need for Auto-GCAS technology in the early 1980s while conducting research on other automated aviation systems.
"Initially, we put the (GCAS) program on aircraft for flight safety during other tests, but discovered it may have a lot more importance than for just the prime things we were asked to look into. We realized we might have a technology that's very useful and that nobody even considered was feasible at that point in time," said Mark Skoog, Auto-GCAS test director and chief engineer at NASA.
Initially, the technology only worked over flat terrain. Eventually, digital terrain was incorporated onto aircraft and later integrated into the Auto-GCAS program giving it all-terrain capability.
After about 2,500 automated recoveries over flat terrain and over 700 automated recoveries using digital terrain, the program was declared "technologically mature" in 2000, officials said.
"The main focus of our testing is to make sure we have a nuisance-free system that isn't going to come on when an aggressive pilot doesn't want it to," Skoog said.
He said tests have also helped provide information to pilots who may be skeptical about the system. "Our primary goal is to make sure people base their opinion (of the system) on good information and data," Skoog said. "I want pilots to realize this isn't someone trying to sell something, it's someone who's honestly trying to give pilots good, solid information to base decisions on."
Defense Department experts estimate that more than 130 fighter aircraft could be lost and their crews killed due to ground collisions over the next 25 years. Wilkins said the Auto G-CAS program could virtually eliminate "controlled flight into terrain" as a mishap category.
"That preserves a lot of combat capability and will obviously make a huge difference in the department," Wilkins said. "We're pleased the technology to curb this trend and save pilot lives is ready to go."
(Kim Sears works for the New Media branch of American Forces Information Service.)
Army Boosts Enlistment Bonuses
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 2, 2007 - In an effort to bolster the growth of the Army by more than 34,000 soldiers, Army officials are implementing a new bonus for recruits who sign up by the end of this fiscal year. U.S. Army Recruiting Command this week announced a $20,000 "quick-ship" bonus for aspiring recruits with no prior military service who enlist for at least two years of active duty and report to basic training within 30 days of enlistment. The program ends Sept. 30.
The new bonus was one of the initiatives highlighted by Army and Defense Department leaders who testified before the military personnel subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee yesterday about recruiting and retention efforts in the Army. The Army missed its active-duty recruiting goals in June for the second month in a row, but the leaders said they are confident the service will make year-end recruiting goals.
"Despite the challenges we face and will continue to face in the future, the Army continues to be successful overall in growing and maintaining the all-volunteer Army," Army Lt. Gen. Michael D. Rochelle, deputy chief of staff for personnel, told the committee.
Rochelle was joined at the hearing by Michael Dominguez, principal deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness; Army Lt. Gen. Clyde A. Vaughn, director of the Army National Guard; and Army Maj. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, commander of Army Recruiting Command. All the leaders emphasized that Army recruiters face a very daunting task, as they are trying to grow the end strength of the Army in a challenging environment.
"Over the longer term, meeting recruiting targets will remain challenging," Dominguez said. "Propensity to enlist is down; willingness of coaches, teachers, counselors and parents to commend military service to America's youth is lower than is good for our nation and our military; the numbers of people who meet our enlistment standards is astonishingly low."
To counter these challenges, the Army has launched several recruiting initiatives, Bostick explained to the committee. The initiatives include:
-- Adding incentives and heavily advertising the two-year enlistment option;
-- Establishing a "super leads" program to help refine nearly 1 million leads to identify those with the highest potential to enlist, saving recruiters valuable time and allowing them to focus on prospecting;
-- Issuing an operational mission to the recruiting force for each recruiter to write six contracts between the end of June and September, with four recruits to join in this fiscal year;
-- Requesting additional soldiers graduating from initial training to serve as hometown recruiter assistants and returning combat veterans to serve as special recruiter assistants to tell their Army stories and influence prospective recruits;
-- Re-emphasizing the $2,000 referral bonus program;
-- Requesting the temporary return of up to 1,000 former successful recruiters to augment the recruiting force; and
-- Requesting general-officer assistance to help the recruiting effort in communities across America through speaking engagements in their hometowns, schools and colleges and at events
Bostick noted that despite the tough environment, nearly 70,000 people have joined the Army this year, and those in the Army are reenlisting at record rates. He also defended the quality of the recruits, pointing out that in fiscal 2006, 81 percent of the regular Army and 89 percent of the Army Reserve were high school graduates. Also, 85 percent of the recruits who shipped to basic training that year joined without any waivers.
"Regardless of their education credentials or test scores, every applicant we enlist is qualified to serve," Bostick said.
When looking at recruiting statistics, it is important to remember that the Army is all-volunteer, has been at war for five years, and is undergoing a historic transformation, Rochelle said. The Army is growing its end strength to meet the demands of its new structure, and despite a historical low of 16 percent for youth propensity to serve in the military, the Army is still on target to achieve its year-end recruiting goals, he said.
"The all-volunteer Army is 'Army strong' precisely because each American that joins our ranks chooses to do so," Rochelle said. "Enlistment is the first act of selflessness that develops young Americans into the courageous troops we all admire. We are leveraging the flexibilities you have given us to close fiscal year 2007 successfully. We remain ahead of glide path to achieve our fiscal year 2007 recruiting mission, and I am reasonably confident that we can achieve that success in fiscal year 2008."
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 2, 2007 - In an effort to bolster the growth of the Army by more than 34,000 soldiers, Army officials are implementing a new bonus for recruits who sign up by the end of this fiscal year. U.S. Army Recruiting Command this week announced a $20,000 "quick-ship" bonus for aspiring recruits with no prior military service who enlist for at least two years of active duty and report to basic training within 30 days of enlistment. The program ends Sept. 30.
The new bonus was one of the initiatives highlighted by Army and Defense Department leaders who testified before the military personnel subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee yesterday about recruiting and retention efforts in the Army. The Army missed its active-duty recruiting goals in June for the second month in a row, but the leaders said they are confident the service will make year-end recruiting goals.
"Despite the challenges we face and will continue to face in the future, the Army continues to be successful overall in growing and maintaining the all-volunteer Army," Army Lt. Gen. Michael D. Rochelle, deputy chief of staff for personnel, told the committee.
Rochelle was joined at the hearing by Michael Dominguez, principal deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness; Army Lt. Gen. Clyde A. Vaughn, director of the Army National Guard; and Army Maj. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, commander of Army Recruiting Command. All the leaders emphasized that Army recruiters face a very daunting task, as they are trying to grow the end strength of the Army in a challenging environment.
"Over the longer term, meeting recruiting targets will remain challenging," Dominguez said. "Propensity to enlist is down; willingness of coaches, teachers, counselors and parents to commend military service to America's youth is lower than is good for our nation and our military; the numbers of people who meet our enlistment standards is astonishingly low."
To counter these challenges, the Army has launched several recruiting initiatives, Bostick explained to the committee. The initiatives include:
-- Adding incentives and heavily advertising the two-year enlistment option;
-- Establishing a "super leads" program to help refine nearly 1 million leads to identify those with the highest potential to enlist, saving recruiters valuable time and allowing them to focus on prospecting;
-- Issuing an operational mission to the recruiting force for each recruiter to write six contracts between the end of June and September, with four recruits to join in this fiscal year;
-- Requesting additional soldiers graduating from initial training to serve as hometown recruiter assistants and returning combat veterans to serve as special recruiter assistants to tell their Army stories and influence prospective recruits;
-- Re-emphasizing the $2,000 referral bonus program;
-- Requesting the temporary return of up to 1,000 former successful recruiters to augment the recruiting force; and
-- Requesting general-officer assistance to help the recruiting effort in communities across America through speaking engagements in their hometowns, schools and colleges and at events
Bostick noted that despite the tough environment, nearly 70,000 people have joined the Army this year, and those in the Army are reenlisting at record rates. He also defended the quality of the recruits, pointing out that in fiscal 2006, 81 percent of the regular Army and 89 percent of the Army Reserve were high school graduates. Also, 85 percent of the recruits who shipped to basic training that year joined without any waivers.
"Regardless of their education credentials or test scores, every applicant we enlist is qualified to serve," Bostick said.
When looking at recruiting statistics, it is important to remember that the Army is all-volunteer, has been at war for five years, and is undergoing a historic transformation, Rochelle said. The Army is growing its end strength to meet the demands of its new structure, and despite a historical low of 16 percent for youth propensity to serve in the military, the Army is still on target to achieve its year-end recruiting goals, he said.
"The all-volunteer Army is 'Army strong' precisely because each American that joins our ranks chooses to do so," Rochelle said. "Enlistment is the first act of selflessness that develops young Americans into the courageous troops we all admire. We are leveraging the flexibilities you have given us to close fiscal year 2007 successfully. We remain ahead of glide path to achieve our fiscal year 2007 recruiting mission, and I am reasonably confident that we can achieve that success in fiscal year 2008."
Movie Snacks En Route to Pacific Fleet
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 2, 2007 - When a Military Sealift Command ship that routinely delivers ordnance to Navy ships makes its next delivery, the Pacific Fleet should be set for a movie marathon. As part of "Operation Popcorn," the ammunition ship USNS Flint will distribute 250,000 bags of donated microwavable popcorn.
"I am only too happy to be able to support this operation," said civilian mariner Capt. Robert C. Holley, master of the Flint. The ship's civilian mariners will deliver the buttery treats in addition to its already-planned cargo of ammunition.
The Flint, which supports the Pacific Fleet, also will pass a portion of its edible cargo to other Military Sealift Command ships. Those ships will, in turn, deliver it to thousands of sailors and Marines aboard other Navy ships around the world.
Several groups, including Boy Scouts of America and the Support Our Troops organization, worked together to bring the popcorn to the fleet. Weaver Popcorn Co., in Indiana, donated the 3,000 cases of popcorn, worth nearly $70,000.
The snacks, along with the ammunition, were loaded at Naval Magazine Indian Island, Wash., July 20 and 21. The cases of butter-, butter light- and kettle corn-flavored popcorn that each ship will receive are scheduled to be delivered over a three-week period.
The Defense Logistics Agency considers transportation requests for donated goods of this kind. Requests can't be accommodated unless space is available and operations aren't affected, officials said.
Flint and other Military Sealift Command civilian-mariner crewed ships provide ammunition, fuel, food, spare parts and other supplies to Navy ships at sea. Military Sealift Command operates about 110 non-combatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish Navy ships, chart ocean bottoms, conduct undersea surveillance, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea, and move military equipment and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces.
Editor's Note: To find out about more individuals, groups and organizations that are helping support the troops, visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil. The Defense Department's America Supports You program connects military members to the support of the America people and offers a tool to the general public in their quest to find meaningful ways to support the military community.
(From a U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command news release.)
Aug. 2, 2007 - When a Military Sealift Command ship that routinely delivers ordnance to Navy ships makes its next delivery, the Pacific Fleet should be set for a movie marathon. As part of "Operation Popcorn," the ammunition ship USNS Flint will distribute 250,000 bags of donated microwavable popcorn.
"I am only too happy to be able to support this operation," said civilian mariner Capt. Robert C. Holley, master of the Flint. The ship's civilian mariners will deliver the buttery treats in addition to its already-planned cargo of ammunition.
The Flint, which supports the Pacific Fleet, also will pass a portion of its edible cargo to other Military Sealift Command ships. Those ships will, in turn, deliver it to thousands of sailors and Marines aboard other Navy ships around the world.
Several groups, including Boy Scouts of America and the Support Our Troops organization, worked together to bring the popcorn to the fleet. Weaver Popcorn Co., in Indiana, donated the 3,000 cases of popcorn, worth nearly $70,000.
The snacks, along with the ammunition, were loaded at Naval Magazine Indian Island, Wash., July 20 and 21. The cases of butter-, butter light- and kettle corn-flavored popcorn that each ship will receive are scheduled to be delivered over a three-week period.
The Defense Logistics Agency considers transportation requests for donated goods of this kind. Requests can't be accommodated unless space is available and operations aren't affected, officials said.
Flint and other Military Sealift Command civilian-mariner crewed ships provide ammunition, fuel, food, spare parts and other supplies to Navy ships at sea. Military Sealift Command operates about 110 non-combatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish Navy ships, chart ocean bottoms, conduct undersea surveillance, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea, and move military equipment and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces.
Editor's Note: To find out about more individuals, groups and organizations that are helping support the troops, visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil. The Defense Department's America Supports You program connects military members to the support of the America people and offers a tool to the general public in their quest to find meaningful ways to support the military community.
(From a U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command news release.)
Kuwaiti Officer Marks 1990 Invasion Anniversary With Thanks, Resolve
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 2, 2007 - Kuwaiti air force Col. Sulaiman M. al-Otaibi remembers all too well the "dark day" his country faced 17 years ago today, when 100,000 Iraqi troops stormed across the border here, leaving death and destruction in their wake. Memories of Aug. 2, 1990, are still fresh for him and his fellow Kuwaitis as they recall four of Saddam Hussein's elite Republican Guard divisions and Iraqi army special forces units pushing into Kuwait City.
They quickly overran Kuwait's outnumbered forces, attacked the royal residence, Dasman Palace, and began a brutal six-month occupation. Six days later, Saddam announced the merger of Iraq and Kuwait.
Otaibi and his family weathered the occupation as he, a lieutenant colonel at the time running manpower affairs for the Kuwaiti military, struggled to face their oppressors.
The U.N. Security Council quickly passed resolutions calling for a full Iraqi withdrawal and imposing economic sanctions on Iraq. Nearly four months after the initial invasion, a Security Council resolution authorized states cooperating with Kuwait to use "all necessary means" to get Iraq to withdraw.
Today, Otaibi remembers the relief he and his countrymen felt when a 34-nation coalition led by the United States began to take shape.
The United States launched "Operation Desert Shield," its largest troop deployment since the Vietnam War, led by Army Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, then commander of U.S. Central Command. Ultimately, the United States would commit 540,000 troops, six aircraft carriers, 4,000 tanks, 1,700 helicopters, 1,800 aircraft and submarines to the operation.
Afghanistan, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, France, Germany, Honduras, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand, Niger, Oman, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Syria and the United Arab Emirates ultimately would join Kuwait and the United States in the coalition.
On Jan. 16, one day after Iraq failed to comply with U.N. resolutions calling for it to withdraw, President George H.W. Bush went on national TV to announce the launch of "Operation Desert Storm." "Just two hours ago, allied air forces began attacking military targets in Iraq and Kuwait," he said in a televised address.
"These attacks continue as I speak. Ground forces are not engaged. This conflict started 2 August when the dictator of Iraq invaded a small and helpless neighbor. Kuwait, a member of the Arab League and a member of the United Nations, was crushed, its people brutalized. Five months ago, Saddam Hussein started this cruel war against Kuwait. Tonight, the battle has been joined," Bush said.
Five weeks after the air and missile conflict began, ground troops rolled into Kuwait City on Feb. 27, forcing Iraq to agree to a cease-fire 100 hours later.
On March 6, Bush announced the liberation of Kuwait, and U.S. forces began touching American soil two days later.
Otaibi, now director of administrative affairs for Kuwait's armed forces headquarters, said he and his fellow Kuwaitis will never forget what the United States and the coalition did for them.
"Americans sacrificed for this country," he said, recognizing 300 U.S. servicemembers who died in the conflict. "We feel a lot of thanks and appreciation."
But even with turmoil in Iraq today, Otaibi said, Kuwaitis feel confident that Aug. 2, 1990, will never replay in their country. The Kuwaiti military is far stronger and better organized than in 1990, he said, thanks to help from its allies. "We have a lot of morale and spirit," he said.
Perhaps more important, he said, are the close ties Kuwait now maintains with the United States and its other allies.
Defense Secretary Robert M Gates visited yesterday with Crown Prince Nawaf al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah, Prime Minister Nasir Muhammad al-Ahmed al-Sabah and Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammad Sabah al-Salim al-Sabah to help build on that relationship.
Kuwaitis are particularly proud of the support they're providing to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Otaibi said.
"We were among the first one there to provide support," he said. "You guys (the United States) were busy doing the liberation, and we were feeding the people."
Today, Kuwait continues to serve as a major logistical base for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and deployed troops transit through it as they enter and leave Iraq.
"We're happy to be able to do our part to support the effort," Otaibi said. "I don't believe that the United States could do it without us."
He said he's hopeful that his neighboring Iraqis "will get together and solve their problems." Ultimately, it will be up to them to secure peace in their country, he said.
That peace is critical, not just to Iraq, but to its neighbors in the Gulf, Otaibi said.
"I'm a father," he said. "I hate to have my children watch TV every night and see bombs explode."
Aug. 2, 2007 - Kuwaiti air force Col. Sulaiman M. al-Otaibi remembers all too well the "dark day" his country faced 17 years ago today, when 100,000 Iraqi troops stormed across the border here, leaving death and destruction in their wake. Memories of Aug. 2, 1990, are still fresh for him and his fellow Kuwaitis as they recall four of Saddam Hussein's elite Republican Guard divisions and Iraqi army special forces units pushing into Kuwait City.
They quickly overran Kuwait's outnumbered forces, attacked the royal residence, Dasman Palace, and began a brutal six-month occupation. Six days later, Saddam announced the merger of Iraq and Kuwait.
Otaibi and his family weathered the occupation as he, a lieutenant colonel at the time running manpower affairs for the Kuwaiti military, struggled to face their oppressors.
The U.N. Security Council quickly passed resolutions calling for a full Iraqi withdrawal and imposing economic sanctions on Iraq. Nearly four months after the initial invasion, a Security Council resolution authorized states cooperating with Kuwait to use "all necessary means" to get Iraq to withdraw.
Today, Otaibi remembers the relief he and his countrymen felt when a 34-nation coalition led by the United States began to take shape.
The United States launched "Operation Desert Shield," its largest troop deployment since the Vietnam War, led by Army Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, then commander of U.S. Central Command. Ultimately, the United States would commit 540,000 troops, six aircraft carriers, 4,000 tanks, 1,700 helicopters, 1,800 aircraft and submarines to the operation.
Afghanistan, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, France, Germany, Honduras, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand, Niger, Oman, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Syria and the United Arab Emirates ultimately would join Kuwait and the United States in the coalition.
On Jan. 16, one day after Iraq failed to comply with U.N. resolutions calling for it to withdraw, President George H.W. Bush went on national TV to announce the launch of "Operation Desert Storm." "Just two hours ago, allied air forces began attacking military targets in Iraq and Kuwait," he said in a televised address.
"These attacks continue as I speak. Ground forces are not engaged. This conflict started 2 August when the dictator of Iraq invaded a small and helpless neighbor. Kuwait, a member of the Arab League and a member of the United Nations, was crushed, its people brutalized. Five months ago, Saddam Hussein started this cruel war against Kuwait. Tonight, the battle has been joined," Bush said.
Five weeks after the air and missile conflict began, ground troops rolled into Kuwait City on Feb. 27, forcing Iraq to agree to a cease-fire 100 hours later.
On March 6, Bush announced the liberation of Kuwait, and U.S. forces began touching American soil two days later.
Otaibi, now director of administrative affairs for Kuwait's armed forces headquarters, said he and his fellow Kuwaitis will never forget what the United States and the coalition did for them.
"Americans sacrificed for this country," he said, recognizing 300 U.S. servicemembers who died in the conflict. "We feel a lot of thanks and appreciation."
But even with turmoil in Iraq today, Otaibi said, Kuwaitis feel confident that Aug. 2, 1990, will never replay in their country. The Kuwaiti military is far stronger and better organized than in 1990, he said, thanks to help from its allies. "We have a lot of morale and spirit," he said.
Perhaps more important, he said, are the close ties Kuwait now maintains with the United States and its other allies.
Defense Secretary Robert M Gates visited yesterday with Crown Prince Nawaf al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah, Prime Minister Nasir Muhammad al-Ahmed al-Sabah and Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammad Sabah al-Salim al-Sabah to help build on that relationship.
Kuwaitis are particularly proud of the support they're providing to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Otaibi said.
"We were among the first one there to provide support," he said. "You guys (the United States) were busy doing the liberation, and we were feeding the people."
Today, Kuwait continues to serve as a major logistical base for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and deployed troops transit through it as they enter and leave Iraq.
"We're happy to be able to do our part to support the effort," Otaibi said. "I don't believe that the United States could do it without us."
He said he's hopeful that his neighboring Iraqis "will get together and solve their problems." Ultimately, it will be up to them to secure peace in their country, he said.
That peace is critical, not just to Iraq, but to its neighbors in the Gulf, Otaibi said.
"I'm a father," he said. "I hate to have my children watch TV every night and see bombs explode."
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Acro to Supply 300 Peroxide Explosive Testers (ACRO-P.E.T.) to US Army
August 1, 2007 – Acro, Inc. (OTC BB:ACRI), a developer of explosive detection solutions, today announced that it has received a first order from the US Army for 300 of its ACRO-P.E.T. peroxide explosive testers. The order was received by Quality Performance, Inc., an Acro distributor in the United States.
Acro's revolutionary patented peroxide explosive tester – ACRO-P.E.T. – is an innovative, pen-like tester that can identify peroxide-based explosives, such as Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP), which may appear in a variety of shapes and forms, including liquid explosives. Peroxide-based explosives are almost impossible to identify, since they do not contain nitro groups and are colorless.
Improvised explosive devices based on materials containing peroxide have increasingly been used in recent years by various terrorist organizations. The main reason is that such peroxide-based explosives can be easily “home-made” using inexpensive, readily available starting materials that can be purchased in most hardware and paint stores, even in bulk quantities.
"We are excited to receive this order, which is a major milestone for Acro," said Acro Chairman and CEO Gadi Aner. "ACRO-P.E.T. is a critical tool in the never-ending battle against terror. When every second counts, fast-acting ACRO-P.E.T. can provide life-saving protection against malicious terrorist attempts."
ACRO-P.E.T. has been designed for rapid, on-site detection of peroxide-based explosives using three chemical solutions, through direct contact with the suspicious substance. Its main advantages include high sensitivity, high selectivity, fast response, simple operation, small size and cost effectiveness. For example, ACRO-P.E.T. can detect less than 50 micrograms (0.00005 gram) of TATP.
About Acro, Inc.
Acro, Inc. develops explosives detection technologies. The company has developed a unique patented technology for identifying peroxide-based explosives, such as TATP. Acro’s Advisory Board includes Prof. K. Barry Sharpless, winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, and Prof. Richard A. Lerner, President and CEO of The Scripps Research Institute, considered one of the world’s most influential scientific institutes. For more information about Acro, visit www.acrosec.com.
Forward Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning our marketing and operations plans. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made based on management's current expectations and estimates, which involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, risks related to the evolving homeland security market, our ability to successfully market and sell our "TATP" Explosive Tester product worldwide, and the ability to successfully demonstrate to governmental national security agencies and national police forces solutions, and additional orders from the U.S. Military, general economic conditions and other risk factors. Acro does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements made herein.
Acro's revolutionary patented peroxide explosive tester – ACRO-P.E.T. – is an innovative, pen-like tester that can identify peroxide-based explosives, such as Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP), which may appear in a variety of shapes and forms, including liquid explosives. Peroxide-based explosives are almost impossible to identify, since they do not contain nitro groups and are colorless.
Improvised explosive devices based on materials containing peroxide have increasingly been used in recent years by various terrorist organizations. The main reason is that such peroxide-based explosives can be easily “home-made” using inexpensive, readily available starting materials that can be purchased in most hardware and paint stores, even in bulk quantities.
"We are excited to receive this order, which is a major milestone for Acro," said Acro Chairman and CEO Gadi Aner. "ACRO-P.E.T. is a critical tool in the never-ending battle against terror. When every second counts, fast-acting ACRO-P.E.T. can provide life-saving protection against malicious terrorist attempts."
ACRO-P.E.T. has been designed for rapid, on-site detection of peroxide-based explosives using three chemical solutions, through direct contact with the suspicious substance. Its main advantages include high sensitivity, high selectivity, fast response, simple operation, small size and cost effectiveness. For example, ACRO-P.E.T. can detect less than 50 micrograms (0.00005 gram) of TATP.
About Acro, Inc.
Acro, Inc. develops explosives detection technologies. The company has developed a unique patented technology for identifying peroxide-based explosives, such as TATP. Acro’s Advisory Board includes Prof. K. Barry Sharpless, winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, and Prof. Richard A. Lerner, President and CEO of The Scripps Research Institute, considered one of the world’s most influential scientific institutes. For more information about Acro, visit www.acrosec.com.
Forward Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning our marketing and operations plans. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made based on management's current expectations and estimates, which involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, risks related to the evolving homeland security market, our ability to successfully market and sell our "TATP" Explosive Tester product worldwide, and the ability to successfully demonstrate to governmental national security agencies and national police forces solutions, and additional orders from the U.S. Military, general economic conditions and other risk factors. Acro does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements made herein.
Acro to Supply 300 Peroxide Explosive Testers (ACRO-P.E.T.) to US Army
August 1, 2007 – Acro, Inc. (OTC BB:ACRI), a developer of explosive detection solutions, today announced that it has received a first order from the US Army for 300 of its ACRO-P.E.T. peroxide explosive testers. The order was received by Quality Performance, Inc., an Acro distributor in the United States.
Acro's revolutionary patented peroxide explosive tester – ACRO-P.E.T. – is an innovative, pen-like tester that can identify peroxide-based explosives, such as Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP), which may appear in a variety of shapes and forms, including liquid explosives. Peroxide-based explosives are almost impossible to identify, since they do not contain nitro groups and are colorless.
Improvised explosive devices based on materials containing peroxide have increasingly been used in recent years by various terrorist organizations. The main reason is that such peroxide-based explosives can be easily “home-made” using inexpensive, readily available starting materials that can be purchased in most hardware and paint stores, even in bulk quantities.
"We are excited to receive this order, which is a major milestone for Acro," said Acro Chairman and CEO Gadi Aner. "ACRO-P.E.T. is a critical tool in the never-ending battle against terror. When every second counts, fast-acting ACRO-P.E.T. can provide life-saving protection against malicious terrorist attempts."
ACRO-P.E.T. has been designed for rapid, on-site detection of peroxide-based explosives using three chemical solutions, through direct contact with the suspicious substance. Its main advantages include high sensitivity, high selectivity, fast response, simple operation, small size and cost effectiveness. For example, ACRO-P.E.T. can detect less than 50 micrograms (0.00005 gram) of TATP.
About Acro, Inc.
Acro, Inc. develops explosives detection technologies. The company has developed a unique patented technology for identifying peroxide-based explosives, such as TATP. Acro’s Advisory Board includes Prof. K. Barry Sharpless, winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, and Prof. Richard A. Lerner, President and CEO of The Scripps Research Institute, considered one of the world’s most influential scientific institutes. For more information about Acro, visit www.acrosec.com.
Forward Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning our marketing and operations plans. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made based on management's current expectations and estimates, which involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, risks related to the evolving homeland security market, our ability to successfully market and sell our "TATP" Explosive Tester product worldwide, and the ability to successfully demonstrate to governmental national security agencies and national police forces solutions, and additional orders from the U.S. Military, general economic conditions and other risk factors. Acro does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements made herein.
Acro's revolutionary patented peroxide explosive tester – ACRO-P.E.T. – is an innovative, pen-like tester that can identify peroxide-based explosives, such as Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP), which may appear in a variety of shapes and forms, including liquid explosives. Peroxide-based explosives are almost impossible to identify, since they do not contain nitro groups and are colorless.
Improvised explosive devices based on materials containing peroxide have increasingly been used in recent years by various terrorist organizations. The main reason is that such peroxide-based explosives can be easily “home-made” using inexpensive, readily available starting materials that can be purchased in most hardware and paint stores, even in bulk quantities.
"We are excited to receive this order, which is a major milestone for Acro," said Acro Chairman and CEO Gadi Aner. "ACRO-P.E.T. is a critical tool in the never-ending battle against terror. When every second counts, fast-acting ACRO-P.E.T. can provide life-saving protection against malicious terrorist attempts."
ACRO-P.E.T. has been designed for rapid, on-site detection of peroxide-based explosives using three chemical solutions, through direct contact with the suspicious substance. Its main advantages include high sensitivity, high selectivity, fast response, simple operation, small size and cost effectiveness. For example, ACRO-P.E.T. can detect less than 50 micrograms (0.00005 gram) of TATP.
About Acro, Inc.
Acro, Inc. develops explosives detection technologies. The company has developed a unique patented technology for identifying peroxide-based explosives, such as TATP. Acro’s Advisory Board includes Prof. K. Barry Sharpless, winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, and Prof. Richard A. Lerner, President and CEO of The Scripps Research Institute, considered one of the world’s most influential scientific institutes. For more information about Acro, visit www.acrosec.com.
Forward Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning our marketing and operations plans. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made based on management's current expectations and estimates, which involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, risks related to the evolving homeland security market, our ability to successfully market and sell our "TATP" Explosive Tester product worldwide, and the ability to successfully demonstrate to governmental national security agencies and national police forces solutions, and additional orders from the U.S. Military, general economic conditions and other risk factors. Acro does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements made herein.
Future NCOs Welcome Top Sergeant Major to Italy
By Petty Officer 1st Class Derrick Ingle, USN
Special to American Forces Press Service
Aug. 1, 2007 - With a South Carolina accent, words of wisdom and a little physical fitness, the U.S. military's most senior enlisted member captured the hearts of some of the Army and Air Force's most promising leaders of tomorrow. Army Command Sgt. Maj. William J. Gainey, senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, yesterday visited with 40 Airman Leadership School graduates at this northeastern Italy base.
The school prepares Air Force senior airmen and Army specialists and below to be noncommissioned officers. While the six-week course gets young soldiers and airmen ready for the next pay grade, the most senior NCO in the Defense Department used only 60 minutes to do his bit to prepare them for life.
"Most of you don't know me, do you?" Gainey asked. "You heard some old sergeant major was coming to visit and said, 'OK, what's the big deal?'
"All I care about is that you know who your first-line supervisor is, because guess what? One day that's going to be you. Don't worry about who I am," Gainey said. "Worry about your young soldiers and airmen when you become an NCO. You have to listen to your people. This is my motto: I put my God first, my family second and my job or service third. As long as you prioritize in this order, the rest will fall into place, I promise you."
From motivational mottos to metaphoric examples of how each branch of service makes up the "apple pie" called the Defense Department, the 32-year Army veteran used parables -- and about 600 push-ups -- to relate to the military's next generation.
Gainey had several volunteers come to the stage for a physical challenge. "He said he'd add up all the push-ups we can do and do one more," Air Force Staff Sgt. Odell Straughter said.
"He did just that, too. Out of nine of us, we did around 600. He counted it up, dropped down and did one more," Straughter continued with a laugh. "It was a listening tool. He said, as future NCOs, we have to listen to exactly what our people are saying, not what we think they're saying."
The "push-up challenge" not only served as a wake-up call for some to open their ears, but as also enlightenment reminder to maintain physical readiness.
"I do 100 push-ups every morning. If you don't embrace physical fitness, how can you carry a wounded lad out in the field?" Gainey asked. "If you're not in shape enough to be there for your troops, shame on you."
With Gainey's stern, yet welcoming, on-stage presence, the young troops where quick to take heed of his advice.
"He's such a dynamic speaker," Air Force Senior Airman Bradley Von Hawgg said. "He knows how to draw you in. Everything he was saying was right on. He was talking to us and not at us. He's able to talk to the chairman at the Pentagon on one level and then come to Italy and still relate to non-NCOs. How does he do it? Last week I was thinking about leaving the Air Force, yet after meeting the SEAC, I'm not so sure."
Those who know Gainey best say he was a contagious motivational leader long before becoming the top NCO in the Defense Department. From the sands of the Middle East to the halls of the Pentagon, this South Carolina native has always been referred to as "a soldier's soldier."
"I've served with him before his appointment to Washington, D.C.," Army Command Sgt. Maj. Earl Rice, of the Southern European Task Force in Vicenza, Italy, said. Gainey also visited Vicenza during his trip to Italy.
"The secret of his success is he didn't forget where he came from. He remembers what it's like to be a young private, a young sergeant, and an NCO. He's using that same mentality at DoD's headquarters that he had out in the field. It's an honor to have him come out a visit us."
(Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Derrick Ingle is asigned to the Joint Staff.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Aug. 1, 2007 - With a South Carolina accent, words of wisdom and a little physical fitness, the U.S. military's most senior enlisted member captured the hearts of some of the Army and Air Force's most promising leaders of tomorrow. Army Command Sgt. Maj. William J. Gainey, senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, yesterday visited with 40 Airman Leadership School graduates at this northeastern Italy base.
The school prepares Air Force senior airmen and Army specialists and below to be noncommissioned officers. While the six-week course gets young soldiers and airmen ready for the next pay grade, the most senior NCO in the Defense Department used only 60 minutes to do his bit to prepare them for life.
"Most of you don't know me, do you?" Gainey asked. "You heard some old sergeant major was coming to visit and said, 'OK, what's the big deal?'
"All I care about is that you know who your first-line supervisor is, because guess what? One day that's going to be you. Don't worry about who I am," Gainey said. "Worry about your young soldiers and airmen when you become an NCO. You have to listen to your people. This is my motto: I put my God first, my family second and my job or service third. As long as you prioritize in this order, the rest will fall into place, I promise you."
From motivational mottos to metaphoric examples of how each branch of service makes up the "apple pie" called the Defense Department, the 32-year Army veteran used parables -- and about 600 push-ups -- to relate to the military's next generation.
Gainey had several volunteers come to the stage for a physical challenge. "He said he'd add up all the push-ups we can do and do one more," Air Force Staff Sgt. Odell Straughter said.
"He did just that, too. Out of nine of us, we did around 600. He counted it up, dropped down and did one more," Straughter continued with a laugh. "It was a listening tool. He said, as future NCOs, we have to listen to exactly what our people are saying, not what we think they're saying."
The "push-up challenge" not only served as a wake-up call for some to open their ears, but as also enlightenment reminder to maintain physical readiness.
"I do 100 push-ups every morning. If you don't embrace physical fitness, how can you carry a wounded lad out in the field?" Gainey asked. "If you're not in shape enough to be there for your troops, shame on you."
With Gainey's stern, yet welcoming, on-stage presence, the young troops where quick to take heed of his advice.
"He's such a dynamic speaker," Air Force Senior Airman Bradley Von Hawgg said. "He knows how to draw you in. Everything he was saying was right on. He was talking to us and not at us. He's able to talk to the chairman at the Pentagon on one level and then come to Italy and still relate to non-NCOs. How does he do it? Last week I was thinking about leaving the Air Force, yet after meeting the SEAC, I'm not so sure."
Those who know Gainey best say he was a contagious motivational leader long before becoming the top NCO in the Defense Department. From the sands of the Middle East to the halls of the Pentagon, this South Carolina native has always been referred to as "a soldier's soldier."
"I've served with him before his appointment to Washington, D.C.," Army Command Sgt. Maj. Earl Rice, of the Southern European Task Force in Vicenza, Italy, said. Gainey also visited Vicenza during his trip to Italy.
"The secret of his success is he didn't forget where he came from. He remembers what it's like to be a young private, a young sergeant, and an NCO. He's using that same mentality at DoD's headquarters that he had out in the field. It's an honor to have him come out a visit us."
(Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Derrick Ingle is asigned to the Joint Staff.)
'eKnowledge' Prepares Servicemembers, Family Members for Academic Rigors
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 1, 2007 - A company that makes test-preparation products for students gearing up for college entrance exams is offering free materials to servicemembers and their families, sacrificing a chunk of its bottom line for those on the front lines. eKnowledge is an online- and CD-ROM-based learning program that teaches test-taking techniques for the Scholastic Aptitude Test, or SAT, and American College Test, or ACT, among others. The company plans to expand its coverage soon by offering complimentary programs to Junior ROTC members.
Charlie Beall, eKnowledge chief executive officer and a former Marine, fought in Vietnam as infantry officer. He said he has sympathy for servicemembers whose income might be strained by $300 or $400 price tags attached to premium test-prep products.
"A sergeant in the Air Force stationed in Singapore who's got a couple of teenage kids that are getting ready to go to college can't afford $400 or $500 apiece for these test-preparation products," Beall said. "A lot of these folks have children in the JROTC program, so they're going to have help with tuition because they're going to go to school on ROTC scholarships.
"But that doesn't help them financially with their ACT and SAT test preparation, which ultimately is going to have an influence on which schools they can go to," he added.
SAT and ACT exam scores often weigh heavily in college admission judgments and can tip the scales toward an applicant's acceptance or rejection. Beall estimates students improve their scores 30 to 40 percent when they prepare with eKnowledge products, compared to those who don't use a premium-prep program.
A group of National Football League players last year heard through their agency, Victory Sports Group, about eKnowledge's plan to donate study materials to boost troops' and their family members' chances at gaining admission to choice schools.
The seven NFL players -- Mark Anderson of the Chicago Bears, Jon Bradley of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Garrick Jones of the Atlanta Falcons, Corey Williams of the Green Bay Packers, Jason Radar of the Miami Dolphins, Ahmaad Galloway of the San Diego Chargers, and Scott Young of the Philadelphia Eagles -- jumped at the chance to support servicemembers and their families.
With the football players' help, eKnowledge donated $6.9 million worth of multimedia SAT/ACT preparation materials.
Young said he was inspired to team with eKnowledge because of Jake Johnson, Young's best friend since high school. As a Marine, Johnson spent four years serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"When people are willing to put their lives on hold to serve and protect the U.S., our freedoms (and) everything we know as a country, it's the least we can do to help these people in the military come home and get back to a civilian lifestyle, to get back and get that little jumpstart into education," Young said.
"I think it is owed by the civilian population to help out people who are fighting for us and risking their lives and the families (who) are right there with them," he said.
eKnowledge and NFL participants have donated more than 48,000 test preparation CDs and DVDs, and received roughly 20,000 thank you notes from satisfied troops. One note was even postmarked from Africa, where a servicemember was stationed.
"As a military parent residing in Kenya," Air Force Maj. Douglas McClain wrote, "I truly appreciate the opportunity to obtain these products for my daughter who attends the international school here.
"This program will guarantee that she has current material to prepare for the SAT and ACT," the note said. "Thanks from an Air Force major who is trying to serve his country and also take care of his family."
Servicemembers interested in receiving free eKnowledge products can complete an online request form at www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil by following the link to "Donation: VSG/NFL Players." Requests can also be made by calling eKnowledge at 951-256-4076 or via e-mail at support@eknowledge.com.
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 1, 2007 - A company that makes test-preparation products for students gearing up for college entrance exams is offering free materials to servicemembers and their families, sacrificing a chunk of its bottom line for those on the front lines. eKnowledge is an online- and CD-ROM-based learning program that teaches test-taking techniques for the Scholastic Aptitude Test, or SAT, and American College Test, or ACT, among others. The company plans to expand its coverage soon by offering complimentary programs to Junior ROTC members.
Charlie Beall, eKnowledge chief executive officer and a former Marine, fought in Vietnam as infantry officer. He said he has sympathy for servicemembers whose income might be strained by $300 or $400 price tags attached to premium test-prep products.
"A sergeant in the Air Force stationed in Singapore who's got a couple of teenage kids that are getting ready to go to college can't afford $400 or $500 apiece for these test-preparation products," Beall said. "A lot of these folks have children in the JROTC program, so they're going to have help with tuition because they're going to go to school on ROTC scholarships.
"But that doesn't help them financially with their ACT and SAT test preparation, which ultimately is going to have an influence on which schools they can go to," he added.
SAT and ACT exam scores often weigh heavily in college admission judgments and can tip the scales toward an applicant's acceptance or rejection. Beall estimates students improve their scores 30 to 40 percent when they prepare with eKnowledge products, compared to those who don't use a premium-prep program.
A group of National Football League players last year heard through their agency, Victory Sports Group, about eKnowledge's plan to donate study materials to boost troops' and their family members' chances at gaining admission to choice schools.
The seven NFL players -- Mark Anderson of the Chicago Bears, Jon Bradley of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Garrick Jones of the Atlanta Falcons, Corey Williams of the Green Bay Packers, Jason Radar of the Miami Dolphins, Ahmaad Galloway of the San Diego Chargers, and Scott Young of the Philadelphia Eagles -- jumped at the chance to support servicemembers and their families.
With the football players' help, eKnowledge donated $6.9 million worth of multimedia SAT/ACT preparation materials.
Young said he was inspired to team with eKnowledge because of Jake Johnson, Young's best friend since high school. As a Marine, Johnson spent four years serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"When people are willing to put their lives on hold to serve and protect the U.S., our freedoms (and) everything we know as a country, it's the least we can do to help these people in the military come home and get back to a civilian lifestyle, to get back and get that little jumpstart into education," Young said.
"I think it is owed by the civilian population to help out people who are fighting for us and risking their lives and the families (who) are right there with them," he said.
eKnowledge and NFL participants have donated more than 48,000 test preparation CDs and DVDs, and received roughly 20,000 thank you notes from satisfied troops. One note was even postmarked from Africa, where a servicemember was stationed.
"As a military parent residing in Kenya," Air Force Maj. Douglas McClain wrote, "I truly appreciate the opportunity to obtain these products for my daughter who attends the international school here.
"This program will guarantee that she has current material to prepare for the SAT and ACT," the note said. "Thanks from an Air Force major who is trying to serve his country and also take care of his family."
Servicemembers interested in receiving free eKnowledge products can complete an online request form at www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil by following the link to "Donation: VSG/NFL Players." Requests can also be made by calling eKnowledge at 951-256-4076 or via e-mail at support@eknowledge.com.
Saudi Arabia Pledges to Support Iraq, Promote Regional Stability
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 1, 2007 - Saudi Arabia promised today to continue working with its Gulf neighbors to support Iraq's new government and promote stability in the region. Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faysal made the pledge here during a joint news conference with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
The news conference followed the secretaries' meeting last night with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah and other top Saudi officials to explore ways to build closer ties between the two countries and encourage greater support for Iraq. That session and today's meeting between Rice and the foreign minister covered the watershed, the leaders told reporters.
Gates described "excellent conversations" at last night's dinner at the king's opulent summer palace "on a range of security issues and challenges in the region, particularly in the Persian Gulf." Lebanon and other issues also topped the agenda.
"We explored the possibility for further, closer partnerships and security," Gates said, indicating that more conversations would follow this morning and in the future.
Much of the conversations focused on Iraq, which the Saudi leaders pledged to support. "Saudi Arabia is a member of a group of the neighbors that have agreed on a course of action in supporting a unified and stable and democratic Iraq," Rice said. "And we all have our obligations to carry out, and we are in the process of carrying them out."
Asked if Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government is ensuring enough protection for all Iraqi groups, including Sunnis, Saud declined to comment. "It is up to the Iraqi people to decide," he said.
The foreign minister said Saudi Arabia, which has a predominantly Sunni Muslim population, perceives all Iraqis the same. "And we cooperate with anybody who is working for unity and the territorial integrity of Iraq," he said.
In response to a reporter's question, Gates acknowledged that four years of war has been challenging to the United States, and he shared Rice's assertion that Iraqis need to move forward with political reconciliation.
"We have suffered just over 3,000 American soldiers killed in battle, several tens of thousands wounded," he said. "This is very painful for the American people."
However, he said, there's "an appreciation that the United States must not take any action as we look forward that is destabilizing here in this region." He said he's confident that President Bush will consider the long-term stability of the region as he makes decisions regarding Iraq.
Saudi Arabia is beginning political discourse with Iraq, and recently hosted a mission from Iraq to discuss security issues, the foreign minister told reporters.
He described plans to send a Saudi mission to Iraq soon to lay groundwork for setting up an embassy there, a move Rice welcomed as a big step forward for Iraq. "This is something we have encouraged," she said. "We believe it is an important step, because normal relations between Iraq and its neighbors is extremely important in affirming its identify in this part of the world."
The foreign minister expressed particular concern about dealing with terrorist activity, and said it is working closely with the Iraqi and U.S. governments to help prevent cross-border terrorist movement.
He said Saudi Arabia continues work to protect its border with Iraq, but that "what is needed for action is on the other side."
"The traffic of terrorists, I can assure you, is more on this side coming to us from Iraq than going from us to Iraq," he said.
The Saudi foreign minister said the Iraqis "have promised to cooperate with us in this regard."
Rice said the United States and Saudi Arabia intend to build on their long history and help ensure stability in Iraq and the entire region. But six decades of friendship and alliance between the two countries "doesn't mean there won't be disagreements about policy (or) tactics from time to time," she said.
"The fact is, this is a relationship that allows us to discuss the most difficult and most sensitive issues in a way that is respectful and friendly," she said.
If differences arise, she added, "we talk about them."
Gates and Rice's trip here follows meetings yesterday in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, with members of the Gulf Cooperation Council as well as Egyptian and Jordanian leaders. That session, like those here in Saudi Arabia, was part of the two leaders' sweep through the Middle East to bolster support for Iraq and reassure its neighbors of U.S. interest in their security.
A senior defense official told reporters Gates is doing more listening than talking as he explores ways to expand on existing security relationships in the region and build new ones. "He's very much looking for their ideas," she said.
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 1, 2007 - Saudi Arabia promised today to continue working with its Gulf neighbors to support Iraq's new government and promote stability in the region. Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faysal made the pledge here during a joint news conference with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
The news conference followed the secretaries' meeting last night with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah and other top Saudi officials to explore ways to build closer ties between the two countries and encourage greater support for Iraq. That session and today's meeting between Rice and the foreign minister covered the watershed, the leaders told reporters.
Gates described "excellent conversations" at last night's dinner at the king's opulent summer palace "on a range of security issues and challenges in the region, particularly in the Persian Gulf." Lebanon and other issues also topped the agenda.
"We explored the possibility for further, closer partnerships and security," Gates said, indicating that more conversations would follow this morning and in the future.
Much of the conversations focused on Iraq, which the Saudi leaders pledged to support. "Saudi Arabia is a member of a group of the neighbors that have agreed on a course of action in supporting a unified and stable and democratic Iraq," Rice said. "And we all have our obligations to carry out, and we are in the process of carrying them out."
Asked if Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government is ensuring enough protection for all Iraqi groups, including Sunnis, Saud declined to comment. "It is up to the Iraqi people to decide," he said.
The foreign minister said Saudi Arabia, which has a predominantly Sunni Muslim population, perceives all Iraqis the same. "And we cooperate with anybody who is working for unity and the territorial integrity of Iraq," he said.
In response to a reporter's question, Gates acknowledged that four years of war has been challenging to the United States, and he shared Rice's assertion that Iraqis need to move forward with political reconciliation.
"We have suffered just over 3,000 American soldiers killed in battle, several tens of thousands wounded," he said. "This is very painful for the American people."
However, he said, there's "an appreciation that the United States must not take any action as we look forward that is destabilizing here in this region." He said he's confident that President Bush will consider the long-term stability of the region as he makes decisions regarding Iraq.
Saudi Arabia is beginning political discourse with Iraq, and recently hosted a mission from Iraq to discuss security issues, the foreign minister told reporters.
He described plans to send a Saudi mission to Iraq soon to lay groundwork for setting up an embassy there, a move Rice welcomed as a big step forward for Iraq. "This is something we have encouraged," she said. "We believe it is an important step, because normal relations between Iraq and its neighbors is extremely important in affirming its identify in this part of the world."
The foreign minister expressed particular concern about dealing with terrorist activity, and said it is working closely with the Iraqi and U.S. governments to help prevent cross-border terrorist movement.
He said Saudi Arabia continues work to protect its border with Iraq, but that "what is needed for action is on the other side."
"The traffic of terrorists, I can assure you, is more on this side coming to us from Iraq than going from us to Iraq," he said.
The Saudi foreign minister said the Iraqis "have promised to cooperate with us in this regard."
Rice said the United States and Saudi Arabia intend to build on their long history and help ensure stability in Iraq and the entire region. But six decades of friendship and alliance between the two countries "doesn't mean there won't be disagreements about policy (or) tactics from time to time," she said.
"The fact is, this is a relationship that allows us to discuss the most difficult and most sensitive issues in a way that is respectful and friendly," she said.
If differences arise, she added, "we talk about them."
Gates and Rice's trip here follows meetings yesterday in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, with members of the Gulf Cooperation Council as well as Egyptian and Jordanian leaders. That session, like those here in Saudi Arabia, was part of the two leaders' sweep through the Middle East to bolster support for Iraq and reassure its neighbors of U.S. interest in their security.
A senior defense official told reporters Gates is doing more listening than talking as he explores ways to expand on existing security relationships in the region and build new ones. "He's very much looking for their ideas," she said.
Gates Meets With Kuwaiti Leaders, U.S. Troops During Middle East Swing
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 1, 2007 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived here today for his first visit as defense secretary to thank Kuwaiti leaders for their support in the war on terror and to encourage greater cooperation in helping neighboring Iraq stand up its government. Gates met at the Bayan Palace with Crown Prince Nawaf al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah, Prime Minister Nasir Muhammad al-Ahmad al-Sabah and Foreign Affairs Minister Muhammad al-Sabah al-Salim al-Sabah.
After the meeting, the secretary took a helicopter tour of the area to see vast U.S. military operations here, primarily supporting the war in Iraq.
Army Lt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb, commander of 3rd U.S. Army, accompanied Gates during the tour. Their flight crossed over the Shuaiba seaport, where military equipment arrives by ship, then into the desert to Camp Arifan, a huge logistical hub that supplies troops in Iraq with food, water, equipment-maintenance facilities and other critical support.
Kuwait is a major transit area for troops deploying in and out of Iraq. "We move 700,000 a year, which is the population of Alaska or Baltimore," Whitcomb said. Between September and December 2006 alone, the operation here moved 240,000 troops, he said.
In addition to keeping warfighters supplied, troops, civilian government employees and contractors based in Kuwait provide deployed forces about to move into Iraq with last-minute training in critical combat skills. Much of that training takes place at Kuwait's Udairi Range.
"They do some training here for a couple of weeks, then as the schedule requires them to be up north, we fly them up in C-130s," he said.
Before leaving for the tour, Whitcomb acknowledged to reporters that Gates was able to see "stuff that's not glitzy or glamorous," but essential to the mission in Iraq. U.S. efforts in Kuwait "aren't the centerpiece of this fight," he said, but they're "an important piece" of it.
Gates' visit here is his third stop in a four-day swing through the Middle East to bolster support for Iraq among its Arab neighbors and reassure them that the United States will keep their interests at heart when making decisions about Iraq.
Gates has emphasized that the trip also is aimed toward strengthening U.S. security ties with the region and promoting new ones.
The first two stops on the trip, Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, were joint visits with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. They met with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Egypt during a meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Sharm el-Sheik.
Last night and earlier today, the secretaries met with Saudi Arabian King Abdullah, Foreign Minister Prince Saud al Faysal and other Saudi leaders.
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 1, 2007 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived here today for his first visit as defense secretary to thank Kuwaiti leaders for their support in the war on terror and to encourage greater cooperation in helping neighboring Iraq stand up its government. Gates met at the Bayan Palace with Crown Prince Nawaf al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah, Prime Minister Nasir Muhammad al-Ahmad al-Sabah and Foreign Affairs Minister Muhammad al-Sabah al-Salim al-Sabah.
After the meeting, the secretary took a helicopter tour of the area to see vast U.S. military operations here, primarily supporting the war in Iraq.
Army Lt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb, commander of 3rd U.S. Army, accompanied Gates during the tour. Their flight crossed over the Shuaiba seaport, where military equipment arrives by ship, then into the desert to Camp Arifan, a huge logistical hub that supplies troops in Iraq with food, water, equipment-maintenance facilities and other critical support.
Kuwait is a major transit area for troops deploying in and out of Iraq. "We move 700,000 a year, which is the population of Alaska or Baltimore," Whitcomb said. Between September and December 2006 alone, the operation here moved 240,000 troops, he said.
In addition to keeping warfighters supplied, troops, civilian government employees and contractors based in Kuwait provide deployed forces about to move into Iraq with last-minute training in critical combat skills. Much of that training takes place at Kuwait's Udairi Range.
"They do some training here for a couple of weeks, then as the schedule requires them to be up north, we fly them up in C-130s," he said.
Before leaving for the tour, Whitcomb acknowledged to reporters that Gates was able to see "stuff that's not glitzy or glamorous," but essential to the mission in Iraq. U.S. efforts in Kuwait "aren't the centerpiece of this fight," he said, but they're "an important piece" of it.
Gates' visit here is his third stop in a four-day swing through the Middle East to bolster support for Iraq among its Arab neighbors and reassure them that the United States will keep their interests at heart when making decisions about Iraq.
Gates has emphasized that the trip also is aimed toward strengthening U.S. security ties with the region and promoting new ones.
The first two stops on the trip, Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, were joint visits with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. They met with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Egypt during a meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Sharm el-Sheik.
Last night and earlier today, the secretaries met with Saudi Arabian King Abdullah, Foreign Minister Prince Saud al Faysal and other Saudi leaders.
Project Aims to Help Vets Rebuild Connections
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 1, 2007 - Deployment to a war zone can exact a unique toll on not only those in imminent danger but also their loved ones back home. One group, however, is working to lessen these effects. "We build a safe space, a community for veterans and their families to come together and share their stories, struggles and accomplishments," said Dr. Joseph Bobrow, director of the "Coming Home Project." "Our programs address the mental, emotional, spiritual and relationship challenges faced by veterans and families before, during and after deployment."
The San Francisco organization, which is devoted to providing compassionate care and support for veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, is made up of veterans, psychotherapists, and interfaith leaders, he said. These individuals offer workshops and retreats as well as psychological counseling by licensed therapists for veterans and family members. The group also offers training and advice for caregivers.
All programs are free and confidential, Bobrow said.
"The intention of the Coming Home Project is to serve veterans and families and contribute to their well-being and healing," he said. "We are creating new ways of thinking about and new models for helping transform the invisible injuries of war.
"Our retreats really do create a safe, welcoming, unconditionally supportive space for veterans and families to offer and receive support, share resources and open up the process of transforming the invisible wounds of service," Bobrow added.
Besides reaching out to veterans and families, the organization also is reaching out to groups in other areas that share its goals. Two such groups are the North County San Diego Marriage and Family Therapists Association and Operation Homefront's Wounded Warrior Wives. Both groups have invited the organization to provide training for their members.
The project also works directly with veterans centers on referrals and is exploring offering retreats for family members in conjunction with Navy and Marine Corps chaplaincy services.
Both the Coming Home Project and Operation Homefront are supporters of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
Bobrow said he hopes his organization's relationship with the Defense Department program will afford it exposure in the military community and networking opportunities beyond what it already has experienced with Operation Homefront.
"Letting our (servicemembers) and their families know about what we offer is important," Bobrow said. "Letting related organizations and individuals know is also important as we develop strategic partnerships and collaborations that can benefit our efforts to serve our veterans."
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 1, 2007 - Deployment to a war zone can exact a unique toll on not only those in imminent danger but also their loved ones back home. One group, however, is working to lessen these effects. "We build a safe space, a community for veterans and their families to come together and share their stories, struggles and accomplishments," said Dr. Joseph Bobrow, director of the "Coming Home Project." "Our programs address the mental, emotional, spiritual and relationship challenges faced by veterans and families before, during and after deployment."
The San Francisco organization, which is devoted to providing compassionate care and support for veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, is made up of veterans, psychotherapists, and interfaith leaders, he said. These individuals offer workshops and retreats as well as psychological counseling by licensed therapists for veterans and family members. The group also offers training and advice for caregivers.
All programs are free and confidential, Bobrow said.
"The intention of the Coming Home Project is to serve veterans and families and contribute to their well-being and healing," he said. "We are creating new ways of thinking about and new models for helping transform the invisible injuries of war.
"Our retreats really do create a safe, welcoming, unconditionally supportive space for veterans and families to offer and receive support, share resources and open up the process of transforming the invisible wounds of service," Bobrow added.
Besides reaching out to veterans and families, the organization also is reaching out to groups in other areas that share its goals. Two such groups are the North County San Diego Marriage and Family Therapists Association and Operation Homefront's Wounded Warrior Wives. Both groups have invited the organization to provide training for their members.
The project also works directly with veterans centers on referrals and is exploring offering retreats for family members in conjunction with Navy and Marine Corps chaplaincy services.
Both the Coming Home Project and Operation Homefront are supporters of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
Bobrow said he hopes his organization's relationship with the Defense Department program will afford it exposure in the military community and networking opportunities beyond what it already has experienced with Operation Homefront.
"Letting our (servicemembers) and their families know about what we offer is important," Bobrow said. "Letting related organizations and individuals know is also important as we develop strategic partnerships and collaborations that can benefit our efforts to serve our veterans."
When Ordered, Iraq Withdrawal Should be 'Methodical,' General Says
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 1, 2007 - The way the United States ultimately leaves Iraq will send a strong message to America's friends and enemies alike, the general who would oversee the logistical exodus told reporters traveling here with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates. "Just as we are very deliberate and methodical going to war -- and the United States does that very well -- we also need to be very deliberate and methodical coming out," Army Lt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb, commander of 3rd U.S. Army, said today.
Whitcomb said the way the United States redeploys its troops and equipment will send "a strategic message, not only to our friends here in the region, but to our adversaries or potential adversaries (who will) watch very carefully."
"So we can't just come down helter-skelter," he said. "It is the strategic communications aspect of not just driving things down and parking it here for three or four months. (That) is not the way to do it. We need to be deliberate, and we have that capacity to be deliberate."
A tank battalion commander during Operation Desert Storm, Whitcomb is no stranger to mass troop and equipment movements. He and his 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor, 1st Armored Division, troops got word that, "Hey, we have 72 hours to get from Kuwait the same way you came into Saudi Arabia," he recalled today.
"And it's pretty tough to do," he said.
Back in Kuwait again, this time commanding the massive logistical operation that supports Operation Iraqi Freedom, Whitcomb said he's not expecting that same breakneck type of departure.
"I don't think the decision is going to be the California Gold Rush," he said.
When the decision is made, there will be no need to come up with a plan. "We've got our plan, and it's a plan we've already executed previously," Whitcomb said. "We have a plan that we have executed for the past four years."
That plan has covered four major troop rotations through here to deploy troops into Iraq and redeploy others home. "We move 700,000 a year, which is the population of Alaska or Baltimore," Whitcomb said. Between September and December 2006 alone, the operation here moved 240,000 troops, he said.
Those movements refer to soldiers moving into Iraq, those transiting through here for mid-deployment trips home and those returning to Iraq, he explained. "So you're moving them with a rucksack," he said.
What's not included, he said, are the tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles and other equipment that typically remains in Iraq for incoming troops to use.
But even with equipment included, Whitcomb said, the operation here could handle more than the "brigade-a-month" estimation some officials have voiced. "I don't know how much more," he said.
Moving heavy equipment complicates things considerably, he explained. "We have about 60,000 things from a tank to a Humvee trailer that rolls on wheels that we will eventually take out," he said. Drivers will bring some here. Others will need to be trucked.
Once they get here, vehicles will go through a detailed cleanup and inspection process that typically takes 10 days to two weeks.
First somebody goes through it to remove "everything from the M&M chocolate-covered peanut wrappers, the secret map that has the overlay on it," to ammunition that needs to be downloaded, Whitcomb said.
Next it goes to a wash rack and gets the heavy-duty cleaning needed to reach U.S. Department of Agriculture standards. "And they are quite tough," he said.
Cleaning a tank takes up to four days. A standard Humvee takes about four hours. Washers "get into every crevice so you don't have some critter who's been living there for a couple of years go back to the states," Whitcomb said.
Finally, before equipment is loaded into containers or loaded onto ships, U.S. Customs Service officials inspect it. From there, like the U.S. troops who relied on it in combat, it will begin its long journey home.
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 1, 2007 - The way the United States ultimately leaves Iraq will send a strong message to America's friends and enemies alike, the general who would oversee the logistical exodus told reporters traveling here with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates. "Just as we are very deliberate and methodical going to war -- and the United States does that very well -- we also need to be very deliberate and methodical coming out," Army Lt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb, commander of 3rd U.S. Army, said today.
Whitcomb said the way the United States redeploys its troops and equipment will send "a strategic message, not only to our friends here in the region, but to our adversaries or potential adversaries (who will) watch very carefully."
"So we can't just come down helter-skelter," he said. "It is the strategic communications aspect of not just driving things down and parking it here for three or four months. (That) is not the way to do it. We need to be deliberate, and we have that capacity to be deliberate."
A tank battalion commander during Operation Desert Storm, Whitcomb is no stranger to mass troop and equipment movements. He and his 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor, 1st Armored Division, troops got word that, "Hey, we have 72 hours to get from Kuwait the same way you came into Saudi Arabia," he recalled today.
"And it's pretty tough to do," he said.
Back in Kuwait again, this time commanding the massive logistical operation that supports Operation Iraqi Freedom, Whitcomb said he's not expecting that same breakneck type of departure.
"I don't think the decision is going to be the California Gold Rush," he said.
When the decision is made, there will be no need to come up with a plan. "We've got our plan, and it's a plan we've already executed previously," Whitcomb said. "We have a plan that we have executed for the past four years."
That plan has covered four major troop rotations through here to deploy troops into Iraq and redeploy others home. "We move 700,000 a year, which is the population of Alaska or Baltimore," Whitcomb said. Between September and December 2006 alone, the operation here moved 240,000 troops, he said.
Those movements refer to soldiers moving into Iraq, those transiting through here for mid-deployment trips home and those returning to Iraq, he explained. "So you're moving them with a rucksack," he said.
What's not included, he said, are the tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles and other equipment that typically remains in Iraq for incoming troops to use.
But even with equipment included, Whitcomb said, the operation here could handle more than the "brigade-a-month" estimation some officials have voiced. "I don't know how much more," he said.
Moving heavy equipment complicates things considerably, he explained. "We have about 60,000 things from a tank to a Humvee trailer that rolls on wheels that we will eventually take out," he said. Drivers will bring some here. Others will need to be trucked.
Once they get here, vehicles will go through a detailed cleanup and inspection process that typically takes 10 days to two weeks.
First somebody goes through it to remove "everything from the M&M chocolate-covered peanut wrappers, the secret map that has the overlay on it," to ammunition that needs to be downloaded, Whitcomb said.
Next it goes to a wash rack and gets the heavy-duty cleaning needed to reach U.S. Department of Agriculture standards. "And they are quite tough," he said.
Cleaning a tank takes up to four days. A standard Humvee takes about four hours. Washers "get into every crevice so you don't have some critter who's been living there for a couple of years go back to the states," Whitcomb said.
Finally, before equipment is loaded into containers or loaded onto ships, U.S. Customs Service officials inspect it. From there, like the U.S. troops who relied on it in combat, it will begin its long journey home.
Army's Medical Hotline Continues to Help Soldiers, Families
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 1, 2007 - The Army's four-month-old "Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline" continues to find answers to soldiers' and families' medical questions, a senior U.S. military officer said here today. The hotline provides a more direct way for wounded soldiers and their families to obtain information for medical issues that couldn't be resolved though local channels, Army Col. Edward Mason, the hotline's director, told online journalists and "bloggers."
"The intent of the Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline is to ensure that soldiers and their families have access to every resource the Army has to offer," Mason explained.
Senior Army leaders established the hotline March 19 in the wake of a series of news reports in February that spotlighted shortcomings in patient care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here.
Top Army leaders receive regular reports and briefings on hotline operations, the colonel pointed out.
The hotline wasn't created to bypass the chain of command, Mason emphasized, noting that it was established to address and resolve soldier and family medical issues as expeditiously as possible.
The hotline is managed and operated by U.S. Army Human Resources Command, in Alexandria, Va. Since inception, the hotline has fielded more than 5,000 calls, involving more than 1,300 issues, Mason said.
Callers' issues are staffed to subject-matter experts for resolution, Mason explained. The hotline staff later contacts callers to ensure they've been helped. "Most of the time callers are very happy someone listened to them and that we were able to provide the information that they needed," he said.
Military veterans have raised about 28 percent of hotline issues, Mason said. Veterans have been gratified to receive replies from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs officials, he said.
The hotline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Mason said. It is staffed by 50 soldiers and 50 contractors. The contractors are former soldiers or military family members. "They believe in the mission and have a passion for helping soldiers and families," Mason said of the hotline's staff.
The Army's Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline can be accessed at 1-800-984-8523. Overseas customers can call the hotline via the Defense Switched Network, or DSN, at 312-328-0002.
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 1, 2007 - The Army's four-month-old "Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline" continues to find answers to soldiers' and families' medical questions, a senior U.S. military officer said here today. The hotline provides a more direct way for wounded soldiers and their families to obtain information for medical issues that couldn't be resolved though local channels, Army Col. Edward Mason, the hotline's director, told online journalists and "bloggers."
"The intent of the Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline is to ensure that soldiers and their families have access to every resource the Army has to offer," Mason explained.
Senior Army leaders established the hotline March 19 in the wake of a series of news reports in February that spotlighted shortcomings in patient care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here.
Top Army leaders receive regular reports and briefings on hotline operations, the colonel pointed out.
The hotline wasn't created to bypass the chain of command, Mason emphasized, noting that it was established to address and resolve soldier and family medical issues as expeditiously as possible.
The hotline is managed and operated by U.S. Army Human Resources Command, in Alexandria, Va. Since inception, the hotline has fielded more than 5,000 calls, involving more than 1,300 issues, Mason said.
Callers' issues are staffed to subject-matter experts for resolution, Mason explained. The hotline staff later contacts callers to ensure they've been helped. "Most of the time callers are very happy someone listened to them and that we were able to provide the information that they needed," he said.
Military veterans have raised about 28 percent of hotline issues, Mason said. Veterans have been gratified to receive replies from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs officials, he said.
The hotline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Mason said. It is staffed by 50 soldiers and 50 contractors. The contractors are former soldiers or military family members. "They believe in the mission and have a passion for helping soldiers and families," Mason said of the hotline's staff.
The Army's Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline can be accessed at 1-800-984-8523. Overseas customers can call the hotline via the Defense Switched Network, or DSN, at 312-328-0002.
Undercover Angels, Garlic and Fort Defiance
Editor's Note: One of the authors is former USAF.
July 31, 2007 (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com is a website that lists state and local police officers who have written books. The website added three police officers: Lisa Lockwood; David Hunter; and, James W. Smith.
Lisa Lockwood is a former Chicago Police Department police officer. During her law enforcement career she worked as a police officer, undercover detective and SWAT team member. She is also a former member of the United States Air Force. Lisa Lockwood is the author of Undercover Angel.
According to the book description, “Lisa Lockwood endured childhood poverty and an abusive marriage to become a soldier in Desert Storm, a police officer, undercover narcotics detective and the first female SWAT team member. A former beauty pageant contestant, Lisa Lockwood had to suppress her obvious femininity in order to conquer the "Boys Club" of law enforcement, but her beguiling beauty would become her best asset as an undercover narcotics detective. It was in the gritty world of drug rings, Mafia members and child molesters that she rediscovered the power of her femininity and learned to use her disarming sexuality as a professional asset in ensnaring criminals.”
David Hunter joined the Knox County Sheriff’s Office in 1979. He attained the rank of sergeant and served on the force until his medical retirement in 1993. David Hunter is the author of fifteen books. His fiction books are: Things to Do in Knoxville When You're Dead: And Other Stories; The Jigsaw Man; Homicide Game; The Dancing Savior; A Whiff of Garlic; and, A Sonnet for Shasta. His non-fiction books include: The Moon is Always Full; Black Friday Coming Down; There Was Blood on the Snow; The Night Is Mine; The Man with Turquoise Eyes and Other True Stories of a Private Eye's Search for Missing Persons; Trailer Trash from Tennessee; The Archangel Caper: Tales of a Country Cop; and, When Puppy Love Became a Howling Dog.
On reader/review of The Night is Mine wrote, “Hunter's stories were humorous and knowledgeable. I felt as if I was there. He truly wrote how it is in this novel. I read it straight through because I truly enjoyed Hunter's tales.”
James W. Smith, sometimes publishing under the name Jim Smith, worked as a Memphis Police Department police officer for 8 years during the 1960’s while earning a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Memphis. Although he left the full-time employment of the Memphis Police Department for a career in medical sales, he remained a reserve officer, serving an additional 17 years. During his career with the Memphis Police Department he was assigned the Narcotics Squad, Vice Squad, Organized Crime Unit, and General Investigations.
After retiring from the Memphis Police Department he was appointed a Criminal Investigator with the District Attorney’s Office in 1990, assigned to Grand Jury investigations where he investigated fatal shootings by law enforcement officers and misconduct by police officers. He also served on an FBI Crime Task Force and was deputized as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal. He is the author of Operation Sorespot; From the Internet with Love; and Fort Defiance.
According to the book description of Fort Defiance, “A routine murder investigation leads District Attorney Investigator Jake Shannon neck deep into a life-and-death struggle. The body of a young teenage boy is found dumped in City Park in Bartlett, Tennessee, a suburb of Memphis. Jake is called in to assist in the investigation. He is deeply shaken when he discovers the young boy is a close personal friend.”
Police-Writers.com now hosts 686 police officers (representing 308 police departments) and their 1478 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.
July 31, 2007 (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com is a website that lists state and local police officers who have written books. The website added three police officers: Lisa Lockwood; David Hunter; and, James W. Smith.
Lisa Lockwood is a former Chicago Police Department police officer. During her law enforcement career she worked as a police officer, undercover detective and SWAT team member. She is also a former member of the United States Air Force. Lisa Lockwood is the author of Undercover Angel.
According to the book description, “Lisa Lockwood endured childhood poverty and an abusive marriage to become a soldier in Desert Storm, a police officer, undercover narcotics detective and the first female SWAT team member. A former beauty pageant contestant, Lisa Lockwood had to suppress her obvious femininity in order to conquer the "Boys Club" of law enforcement, but her beguiling beauty would become her best asset as an undercover narcotics detective. It was in the gritty world of drug rings, Mafia members and child molesters that she rediscovered the power of her femininity and learned to use her disarming sexuality as a professional asset in ensnaring criminals.”
David Hunter joined the Knox County Sheriff’s Office in 1979. He attained the rank of sergeant and served on the force until his medical retirement in 1993. David Hunter is the author of fifteen books. His fiction books are: Things to Do in Knoxville When You're Dead: And Other Stories; The Jigsaw Man; Homicide Game; The Dancing Savior; A Whiff of Garlic; and, A Sonnet for Shasta. His non-fiction books include: The Moon is Always Full; Black Friday Coming Down; There Was Blood on the Snow; The Night Is Mine; The Man with Turquoise Eyes and Other True Stories of a Private Eye's Search for Missing Persons; Trailer Trash from Tennessee; The Archangel Caper: Tales of a Country Cop; and, When Puppy Love Became a Howling Dog.
On reader/review of The Night is Mine wrote, “Hunter's stories were humorous and knowledgeable. I felt as if I was there. He truly wrote how it is in this novel. I read it straight through because I truly enjoyed Hunter's tales.”
James W. Smith, sometimes publishing under the name Jim Smith, worked as a Memphis Police Department police officer for 8 years during the 1960’s while earning a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Memphis. Although he left the full-time employment of the Memphis Police Department for a career in medical sales, he remained a reserve officer, serving an additional 17 years. During his career with the Memphis Police Department he was assigned the Narcotics Squad, Vice Squad, Organized Crime Unit, and General Investigations.
After retiring from the Memphis Police Department he was appointed a Criminal Investigator with the District Attorney’s Office in 1990, assigned to Grand Jury investigations where he investigated fatal shootings by law enforcement officers and misconduct by police officers. He also served on an FBI Crime Task Force and was deputized as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal. He is the author of Operation Sorespot; From the Internet with Love; and Fort Defiance.
According to the book description of Fort Defiance, “A routine murder investigation leads District Attorney Investigator Jake Shannon neck deep into a life-and-death struggle. The body of a young teenage boy is found dumped in City Park in Bartlett, Tennessee, a suburb of Memphis. Jake is called in to assist in the investigation. He is deeply shaken when he discovers the young boy is a close personal friend.”
Police-Writers.com now hosts 686 police officers (representing 308 police departments) and their 1478 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.
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