Thursday, March 20, 2008
MILITARY CONTRACTS March 19, 2008
NAVY
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., Sunnyvale, Calif., is being awarded a $25,000,000 modification (PH0006) under previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00030-07-C-0100) alternate release assembly design, modeling, and testing efforts. The modification increases the total contract value to $1,026,269,387. Work will be performed primarily in Sunnyvale, Calif., and places yet to be determined. Work is expected to be completed May 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year (FY2008). The contract was not competitively procured. Strategic Systems Programs, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity.
ITT Communications & Countermeasures Systems, Thousand Oaks, Calif., is being awarded a $24,754,858 modification to previously awarded contract N00024-07-C-6311 to exercise an option for the production and support of 325 JCREW 2.1 Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare systems to meet urgent Department of Defense requirements in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Work will be performed in Thousand Oaks, Calif., (87 percent) and Lancaster, Calif., (13 percent), and is expected to be completed by Nov. 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.
Protective Products International of Sunrise, Fla., is being awarded a $12,726,353 delivery order (0002) under firm fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract M67854-07-D-3065 for Modular Tactical Vest consumable spare and repair parts to sustain currently fielded MTVs. Work will be performed in Granite Falls, N.C., (70 percent) and in Sunrise, Fla., (30 percent). The effort is expected to be completed by Mar. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $12,726,353 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole source award. The Marine Corps Systems Command (M67854), Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-07-D-3065).
Wyle Laboratories, Inc., Huntsville, Ala., is being awarded an $11,320,335 cost-plus-award-fee contract for the services and materials necessary to support the analysis, design, development, test, integration, deployment, and operations of information technology (IT) systems and services. Work will be performed in China Lake, Calif., (90 percent) and Pt. Mugu, Calif.,(10 percent)and is expected to be completed in Jul. 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., is the contracting activity (N68936-08-D-0018).
Windsor Continental Corp.*, Alexandria, Va., is being awarded a $11,149,992 firm-fixed-price supply contract to provide collective training and simulation systems to support Army National Guard training requirements in the form of deployable instrumentation capability (Flex Train) and the Mobile Virtual Training Capability for unit training. These training and simulation capabilities shall provide a highly realistic battlespace experience for training units as they prepare for mobilization in accordance with the Force Generation Model. This contract includes an option which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $12,443,686. Work will be performed in Alexandria, Va., and work is expected to be complete by Mar. 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This is a competitive 100 precent small business set-aside procurement. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division, Indian Head, Md., is the contracting activity (N00174-08-C-0022).
Lockheed Martin Services, Cherry Hill, N.J., is being awarded a $9,863,300 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for security cooperation, security assistance and foreign military sales technical and program/project management support services to Naval Inventory Control Point. This contract includes one base year and three one-year option periods, which if exercised, bring the total estimated value of the contract to $47,538,352. Work will be performed in Philadelphia, Pa., (70 percent) and Washington, D.C., (30 percent), and work is expected to be completed by Mar. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured. The Fleet Industrial Supply Center Norfolk, Contracting Department Philadelphia Division is the contracting activity (N00189-08-D-Z025).
Reliable Builders, Inc., P.O. Box 7536, Tamuning, Guam 96931, a Section 8(a), certified Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), certified HUBZone firm is being awarded a $8,029,000.00 firm-fixed price contract for the FY08 MILCON SAKW335780B, upgrade northwest field infrastructure, phase II, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Award is made for CLIN 0001 in the amount of $6,309,000.00; CLIN 0002 in the amount of $250,000.00; CLIN 0003 in the amount of $180,000.00; CLIN 0004 in the amount of $470,000.00; and CLIN 0005 in the amount of $820,000.00. Total contract award is $8,029,000.00. Work will be performed in Guam on Andersen Air Force Base and is expected to be completed 7 November 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a set-aside for Historically Underutilized Business Zone Small Business Concerns with 28 solicitation packages distributed and three (3) proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Construction Contracts Branch, is the contracting activity (contract number N62742-08-C-1309).
AIR FORCE
TW and Co., of Lanham, Md., is being awarded a firm fixed price contract for $8,857,852. This requirement contract is for certified armed security guard services for Installation Entry Control, Commercial Vehicle Inspection and Visitor Control Center at 17 Air Force CONUS locations. At this time $8,857,852 has been obligated. Randolph AFB, Texas is the contracting activity (FA3002-07-D-0024 (via task order 000201)).
Southern Protective Services (SEP), Inc. of Rock Hill, S.C., is being awarded a firm fixed price contract for $6,416,084. This requirement contract is for certified armed security guard services for Installation Entry Control, Commercial Vehicle Inspection and Visitor Control Center at 15 Air Force CONUS locations. At this time $6,416,084 has been obligated. Randolph AFB, Texas is the contracting activity (FA3002-07-D-0022 (via task order 000201)).
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
U.S. and Indian Officials Discuss WWII Recovery Missions
Officials of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) met today with representatives of the Indian government in New Delhi to lay the groundwork for future U.S.-Indian humanitarian operations in Arunachal Pradesh State.
During the meeting, the officials discussed a tentative timeline for future investigations and recoveries of aircraft crash sites associated with missing U.S. servicemen from World War II. In addition, they discussed cooperation in the areas of team security, medical support, logistical requirements and transportation.
JPAC officials will return to the region in the spring to discuss details of future operations with Ministry of Defense and Arunachal Pradesh officials. This will be followed by site visits in early fall to determine the scope of debris fields and evaluate unique logistical requirements associated with each site. This process sets the groundwork for future recovery teams by clearly defining the work that will be required to properly and efficiently excavate known aircraft crash locations.
The first full excavation mission should begin shortly after these site visits and is scheduled to be finished by the end of the year.
"This meeting is a significant step in a partnership that will enable our teams to go into areas where we hope to find remains of missing American service members," said Rear Adm. Donna Crisp, JPAC commander.
"We look forward to developing closer ties and stronger working relationships with our Indian counterparts as we work together to accomplish this humanitarian mission."
There are more than 1,300 individuals missing from loss incidents - primarily aircraft crashes - in the region known as "the Hump" or the "China-Burma-India" theatre of operations in WWII. While it is impossible to say with certainty in which country a specific plane was lost, JPAC analysts estimate more than 400 Americans are unaccounted-for in this region.
For additional information on this mission in India, call JPAC at (808) 448-1938, or the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office at (703) 699-1420.
During the meeting, the officials discussed a tentative timeline for future investigations and recoveries of aircraft crash sites associated with missing U.S. servicemen from World War II. In addition, they discussed cooperation in the areas of team security, medical support, logistical requirements and transportation.
JPAC officials will return to the region in the spring to discuss details of future operations with Ministry of Defense and Arunachal Pradesh officials. This will be followed by site visits in early fall to determine the scope of debris fields and evaluate unique logistical requirements associated with each site. This process sets the groundwork for future recovery teams by clearly defining the work that will be required to properly and efficiently excavate known aircraft crash locations.
The first full excavation mission should begin shortly after these site visits and is scheduled to be finished by the end of the year.
"This meeting is a significant step in a partnership that will enable our teams to go into areas where we hope to find remains of missing American service members," said Rear Adm. Donna Crisp, JPAC commander.
"We look forward to developing closer ties and stronger working relationships with our Indian counterparts as we work together to accomplish this humanitarian mission."
There are more than 1,300 individuals missing from loss incidents - primarily aircraft crashes - in the region known as "the Hump" or the "China-Burma-India" theatre of operations in WWII. While it is impossible to say with certainty in which country a specific plane was lost, JPAC analysts estimate more than 400 Americans are unaccounted-for in this region.
For additional information on this mission in India, call JPAC at (808) 448-1938, or the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office at (703) 699-1420.
NATO Progress in Afghanistan Significant, General Says
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
March 19, 2008 - Despite the task NATO faced when it arrived in Afghanistan in 2003, the alliance has made significant progress in the country, the deputy chairman of the alliance's military committee said here yesterday. "NATO's done a remarkable job ... in expanding their operations, from what began just in the Kabul area, throughout the entire country by late 2006," U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Karl W. Eikenberry told the Pentagon Channel. "Today, NATO does have the responsibility for the maintenance of security throughout the entire country of Afghanistan."
NATO came into Afghanistan under a United Nations mandate to establish an International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF. That force had the responsibility of providing security in the greater capital area of Kabul.
By October 2006, NATO had expanded its operations throughout the country and was tackling three main tasks, which it continues today. Those tasks include helping the Afghan government extend control throughout the country and developing the necessary security institutions to maintain that control.
"The third major task is helping to create the conditions throughout the country for sustainable reconstruction and development to be conducted," said Eikenberry, who commanded coalition forces in Afghanistan until NATO assumed responsibility in October 2006.
About 47,000 NATO servicemembers, including about 19,000 Americans, serve in the country under the NATO flag. Most of an additional contingent of 3,200 U.S. Marines deploying to Afghanistan will serve in combat roles in the eastern or southern areas of the country.
"Others in the Marine forces will be employed in smaller units that will be partnered with the Afghan National Police," Eikenberry said. They will provide training, logistics and combat support, operating in the more difficult districts of Afghanistan that are more threatened by Taliban, he added.
Steady engagement and lessons learned have led not only to progress in Afghanistan, but also to growth in alliance members' capabilities.
"I look at our non-U.S. NATO partners, (and) I'm seeing the same trends inside of Afghanistan of steady improvement in terms of their doctrine, their capabilities (and) the equipment they're bringing to bear," Eikenberry said. "I also see that the alliance, in terms of multinational practices or alliance practices, are steadily improving."
That's a fact the general has noticed in the relaxing of some of the operational restrictions, or "caveats," that some alliance members place on their forces. Those restrictions have in the past and could continue to reduce NATO's overall operational effectiveness, he said.
"But all told, again, I would emphasize that NATO has made significant progress even in terms of, over time, reducing these kinds of restrictions that are placed on forces," he added. "A bit more progress needs to be made."
While the alliance's mission moves forward in Afghanistan, it's status quo in the newly independent republic of Kosovo, the general said.
The former Serbian province's declaration of independence has changed the environment on the ground, Eikenberry said.
"But still today, the Kosovo force under NATO command operates under the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244, still maintains the mandate of maintaining a safe and secure environment, and it does so in an impartial manner," he said.
The United States provides about 10 percent of the 16,000-member NATO force in Kosovo.
American Forces Press Service
March 19, 2008 - Despite the task NATO faced when it arrived in Afghanistan in 2003, the alliance has made significant progress in the country, the deputy chairman of the alliance's military committee said here yesterday. "NATO's done a remarkable job ... in expanding their operations, from what began just in the Kabul area, throughout the entire country by late 2006," U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Karl W. Eikenberry told the Pentagon Channel. "Today, NATO does have the responsibility for the maintenance of security throughout the entire country of Afghanistan."
NATO came into Afghanistan under a United Nations mandate to establish an International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF. That force had the responsibility of providing security in the greater capital area of Kabul.
By October 2006, NATO had expanded its operations throughout the country and was tackling three main tasks, which it continues today. Those tasks include helping the Afghan government extend control throughout the country and developing the necessary security institutions to maintain that control.
"The third major task is helping to create the conditions throughout the country for sustainable reconstruction and development to be conducted," said Eikenberry, who commanded coalition forces in Afghanistan until NATO assumed responsibility in October 2006.
About 47,000 NATO servicemembers, including about 19,000 Americans, serve in the country under the NATO flag. Most of an additional contingent of 3,200 U.S. Marines deploying to Afghanistan will serve in combat roles in the eastern or southern areas of the country.
"Others in the Marine forces will be employed in smaller units that will be partnered with the Afghan National Police," Eikenberry said. They will provide training, logistics and combat support, operating in the more difficult districts of Afghanistan that are more threatened by Taliban, he added.
Steady engagement and lessons learned have led not only to progress in Afghanistan, but also to growth in alliance members' capabilities.
"I look at our non-U.S. NATO partners, (and) I'm seeing the same trends inside of Afghanistan of steady improvement in terms of their doctrine, their capabilities (and) the equipment they're bringing to bear," Eikenberry said. "I also see that the alliance, in terms of multinational practices or alliance practices, are steadily improving."
That's a fact the general has noticed in the relaxing of some of the operational restrictions, or "caveats," that some alliance members place on their forces. Those restrictions have in the past and could continue to reduce NATO's overall operational effectiveness, he said.
"But all told, again, I would emphasize that NATO has made significant progress even in terms of, over time, reducing these kinds of restrictions that are placed on forces," he added. "A bit more progress needs to be made."
While the alliance's mission moves forward in Afghanistan, it's status quo in the newly independent republic of Kosovo, the general said.
The former Serbian province's declaration of independence has changed the environment on the ground, Eikenberry said.
"But still today, the Kosovo force under NATO command operates under the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244, still maintains the mandate of maintaining a safe and secure environment, and it does so in an impartial manner," he said.
The United States provides about 10 percent of the 16,000-member NATO force in Kosovo.
64 Universities to Receive $200 Million in Research Funding
The Department of Defense announced today 34 awards to academic institutions to perform multi-disciplinary basic research. The total amount of the awards is expected to be $19.7 million in fiscal 2008 and $200 million over five years. Awards are subject to the successful completion of negotiations between the academic institutions and DoD research offices that will make the awards: the Army Research Office (ARO), the Office of Naval Research (ONR), and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR).
The awards are the result of the fiscal year 2008 competition that ARO, ONR, and AFOSR conducted under the DoD Multi-disciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) program. The MURI program supports multi-disciplinary basic research in areas of DoD relevance that intersect more than one traditional science and engineering discipline. Therefore, a MURI effort typically involves a team of basic researchers with expertise in a variety of disciplines. For a research area suited to a multi-disciplinary approach, bringing together scientists and engineers with different disciplinary backgrounds can accelerate both basic research progress and transition of research results to application.
To assemble a team with the requisite disciplinary strengths, most MURI efforts involve researchers from multiple academic institutions, as well as multiple academic departments. Based on the proposals selected in the fiscal 2008 competition, a total of 64 academic institutions are expected to participate in the 34 research efforts. Three non-U.S. academic institutions will participate in two of the MURI efforts, but will receive no funding from the MURI program.
The MURI program complements other DoD basic research programs that support traditional, single-investigator university research by supporting multi-disciplinary teams with awards larger and longer in duration than traditional awards. The awards announced today are for a three-year base period with a two-year option contingent upon availability of appropriations and satisfactory research progress. Consequently, MURI awards can provide greater sustained support than single-investigator awards for the education and training of students pursuing advanced degrees in science and engineering fields critical to DoD, as well as for associated infrastructure such as research instrumentation.
The MURI program is highly competitive. ARO, ONR, and AFOSR solicited proposals in 18 topics important to DoD and received a total of 104 proposals. The 34 proposals announced today were selected for funding based on merit review by panels of experts in the pertinent science and engineering fields.
The list of projects selected for fiscal 2008 funding may be found at: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Mar2008/d20080318muri.pdf.
The awards are the result of the fiscal year 2008 competition that ARO, ONR, and AFOSR conducted under the DoD Multi-disciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) program. The MURI program supports multi-disciplinary basic research in areas of DoD relevance that intersect more than one traditional science and engineering discipline. Therefore, a MURI effort typically involves a team of basic researchers with expertise in a variety of disciplines. For a research area suited to a multi-disciplinary approach, bringing together scientists and engineers with different disciplinary backgrounds can accelerate both basic research progress and transition of research results to application.
To assemble a team with the requisite disciplinary strengths, most MURI efforts involve researchers from multiple academic institutions, as well as multiple academic departments. Based on the proposals selected in the fiscal 2008 competition, a total of 64 academic institutions are expected to participate in the 34 research efforts. Three non-U.S. academic institutions will participate in two of the MURI efforts, but will receive no funding from the MURI program.
The MURI program complements other DoD basic research programs that support traditional, single-investigator university research by supporting multi-disciplinary teams with awards larger and longer in duration than traditional awards. The awards announced today are for a three-year base period with a two-year option contingent upon availability of appropriations and satisfactory research progress. Consequently, MURI awards can provide greater sustained support than single-investigator awards for the education and training of students pursuing advanced degrees in science and engineering fields critical to DoD, as well as for associated infrastructure such as research instrumentation.
The MURI program is highly competitive. ARO, ONR, and AFOSR solicited proposals in 18 topics important to DoD and received a total of 104 proposals. The 34 proposals announced today were selected for funding based on merit review by panels of experts in the pertinent science and engineering fields.
The list of projects selected for fiscal 2008 funding may be found at: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Mar2008/d20080318muri.pdf.
America Supports You: Mental Health Providers Give Back to Military
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
March 18, 2008 - Help for servicemembers coping with the effects of wartime service is just a phone call or a mouse click away, thanks to a nationwide network of mental health professionals. "Give an Hour" is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that has created a national network of mental health professionals providing free counseling services to returning veterans and their loved ones, according to Barbara Romberg, the group's founder and president. "The participating mental health professionals will offer a wide range of services including individual, marital and family therapy, substance abuse counseling, and treatment for post traumatic stress disorder," she said.
The organization's member providers offer an hour of their time each week to provide services to servicemembers and their spouses and children.
Give an Hour takes the offer a step further by extending its services to parents, siblings and unmarried partners who aren't entitled to receive similar services through the military. This group might have access to mental health services, but may be less likely to seek help if it's costly or difficult to find, Romberg said.
Romberg said she's hoping that will never be the case, as one of Give an Hour's goals is to recruit tens of thousands of mental health providers across the country willing to offer their services. To date, Give an Hour has 1,000 providers participating nationwide -- a number Romberg hopes to see increase substantially in the near future.
"There are approximately 400,000 licensed mental health professionals in the United States. Our goal is to have 10 percent of them join our efforts," she said. "With 40,000 providers offering free services for which the average fee would be $100 an hour, we will be saving the military and the taxpayer a total of $4 million per week."
Until that goal is reached, however, if a request is received and there's no provider in the immediate area, Give an Hour will work to find one, Romberg said. Organization officials will either work to recruit a provider to serve that area or find a one who will offer phone support.
Give an Hour recently became a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
"America Supports You will help Give an Hour get much-needed mental health services to our troops and their loved ones by letting them know help is available wherever they are," Romberg said.
American Forces Press Service
March 18, 2008 - Help for servicemembers coping with the effects of wartime service is just a phone call or a mouse click away, thanks to a nationwide network of mental health professionals. "Give an Hour" is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that has created a national network of mental health professionals providing free counseling services to returning veterans and their loved ones, according to Barbara Romberg, the group's founder and president. "The participating mental health professionals will offer a wide range of services including individual, marital and family therapy, substance abuse counseling, and treatment for post traumatic stress disorder," she said.
The organization's member providers offer an hour of their time each week to provide services to servicemembers and their spouses and children.
Give an Hour takes the offer a step further by extending its services to parents, siblings and unmarried partners who aren't entitled to receive similar services through the military. This group might have access to mental health services, but may be less likely to seek help if it's costly or difficult to find, Romberg said.
Romberg said she's hoping that will never be the case, as one of Give an Hour's goals is to recruit tens of thousands of mental health providers across the country willing to offer their services. To date, Give an Hour has 1,000 providers participating nationwide -- a number Romberg hopes to see increase substantially in the near future.
"There are approximately 400,000 licensed mental health professionals in the United States. Our goal is to have 10 percent of them join our efforts," she said. "With 40,000 providers offering free services for which the average fee would be $100 an hour, we will be saving the military and the taxpayer a total of $4 million per week."
Until that goal is reached, however, if a request is received and there's no provider in the immediate area, Give an Hour will work to find one, Romberg said. Organization officials will either work to recruit a provider to serve that area or find a one who will offer phone support.
Give an Hour recently became a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
"America Supports You will help Give an Hour get much-needed mental health services to our troops and their loved ones by letting them know help is available wherever they are," Romberg said.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Face of Defense: Buddy System Proves Friendly for Medics From Guam
By Chuck Roberts
Special to American Forces Press Service
March 18, 2008 - Whenever Airman Tiamae Cruz needed a helping hand while growing up in Guam, a friendly face seemed to arrive within minutes. So when the 18-year-old decided to join the Air Force and leave the confines of her Pacific island measuring 30 miles long by 12 miles wide, she looked around for the usual reassurance. Enter Airman Taija Alcantara. The grammar school chum, high school sporting rival and rediscovered best friend was a fellow student at the University of Guam. Both wondered what to do with their lives and were on similar career paths. Cruz aspired to become a veterinarian; Alcantara hoped to become a cardiac surgeon.
"It would be great if you joined (the Air Force with) me," Cruz recalls saying to Alcantara.
A military career in unknown lands was a daunting proposal. Alcantara had never left the island, except for a few months as a 4-year-old, while Cruz had visited the U.S. occasionally, but only with family.
"We were really, really scared and nervous," Cruz said. "It was a big step. Being from Guam, everything is small and you're used to leaning on your family and friends."
It seemed clear the developing plan called for some sort of guaranteed Guam support network, which fortunately the local military recruiter was able to offer. Through the Air Force Buddy System, he was able to guarantee the friends would spend the first six weeks of their military career together at basic training. At the time it seemed like enough, but the contract they signed would later turn out to be much more than they could have hoped for.
When their 24-hour flight to basic military training ended with a screaming welcoming committee at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, the value of the buddy system became immediately apparent.
"Basic training was kind of scary," Cruz said. "Taija was my support network."
Their companionship helped overcome the initial tears and desire to return home, but it wasn't always encouraged, said Alcantara, a native of Mangilao, Guam.
From basic training, the two comrades could have gone in different directions both professionally and geographically. They entered the Air Force as "open general," meaning they did not have a guaranteed specific job. Instead, during basic training they would pick a job among five choices, and surgical technician was an option offered to both. For two women seeking medical careers, it was the obvious choice.
The Guam connection continued to Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, for eight weeks of technical training. When that ended, they once again beat the buddy system odds and were both assigned to Travis Air Force Base, Calif., for six additional weeks of on-the-job training.
Not only their basic training instructor, but also subsequent technical school instructors felt the young women were too dependent upon each other and attempted to separate the pair. Cruz said some encouraged competitiveness between them, but for Cruz and Alcantara, the issue was friendship and supporting each other along this new military adventure.
"We can work on our own. We can function on our own. It's just that we find sometimes we function better together," said Cruz, whose hometown is Yona, Guam.
At both training bases they said they continued to hear comments such as, "Where's your other half?" or "Why aren't you with your twin?" In fact, now that they were roommates with more free time on their hands, they joked about feeling like true sisters, sharing both good times and occasional spats followed by a door slam.
With technical school completed, both airmen returned to Guam, where they participated in the Recruiter Assistance Program while on leave. As part of the recruiter program, airmen visit schools and other locations to help promote the Air Force. Alcantara also got married, with her maid of honor being who else but her fellow airman and best friend. They picked out the wedding gown together while wearing their battle dress uniforms.
After their trip home, it was time to begin their Air Force careers. The odds were further stacked against the buddy system extending to a job at the same location in the global Air Force. But they both put Germany at the top of their "dream sheet" of potential bases they would like to be stationed at, and Germany it was.
"We were excited when we heard we were coming (to Ramstein Air Base)," Alcantara said. "But it's so big and you just don't know where to start. I'm in culture shock."
She soon faces even further adjustment when her husband, Shawn Alcantara, departs for Air Force basic military training.
Cruz has had to adjust her lifestyle too.
"I'm freezing, first of all," Cruz said. Since her Dec. 2 arrival, she has adjusted to life in Landstuhl, which is in stark contrast with Guam, where she described a life of "always at the beach" swimming, snorkeling or playing sports.
"My whole system has been thrown off," Cruz said. "I don't know what to do. I don't know who I am. I don't know how to act sometimes. It's weird trying to readjust and find myself again."
Although new to their career field and to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center where they continue with their on-the-job training, both airmen are solid performers who have hit the ground running, their supervisor said.
"Airmen Alcantara and Cruz have already proven themselves to be valuable assets to our surgical suite," said Tech. Sgt. Jonah Gruner, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the operating room. "They both are extremely motivated. They work together seamlessly, yet they seem to keep a good-natured competition between them while completing their career development courses. Hopefully, their friendship will continue to grow throughout their careers. We are thrilled to have them here."
Their friendship seems certain to continue throughout their careers, but only time will tell if their careers will continue parallel to their friendship.
"That will be interesting. We don't know," Cruz said of the prospect. If their future leads in different directions, she said that will be okay because they will have grown both personally and professionally in the meantime.
"Honestly, she's like my sister," Cruz said. "We're always going to be there for each other. Family is family. If something happens to your family, you're going to be there for them."
(Chuck Roberts is assigned to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Public Affairs.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
March 18, 2008 - Whenever Airman Tiamae Cruz needed a helping hand while growing up in Guam, a friendly face seemed to arrive within minutes. So when the 18-year-old decided to join the Air Force and leave the confines of her Pacific island measuring 30 miles long by 12 miles wide, she looked around for the usual reassurance. Enter Airman Taija Alcantara. The grammar school chum, high school sporting rival and rediscovered best friend was a fellow student at the University of Guam. Both wondered what to do with their lives and were on similar career paths. Cruz aspired to become a veterinarian; Alcantara hoped to become a cardiac surgeon.
"It would be great if you joined (the Air Force with) me," Cruz recalls saying to Alcantara.
A military career in unknown lands was a daunting proposal. Alcantara had never left the island, except for a few months as a 4-year-old, while Cruz had visited the U.S. occasionally, but only with family.
"We were really, really scared and nervous," Cruz said. "It was a big step. Being from Guam, everything is small and you're used to leaning on your family and friends."
It seemed clear the developing plan called for some sort of guaranteed Guam support network, which fortunately the local military recruiter was able to offer. Through the Air Force Buddy System, he was able to guarantee the friends would spend the first six weeks of their military career together at basic training. At the time it seemed like enough, but the contract they signed would later turn out to be much more than they could have hoped for.
When their 24-hour flight to basic military training ended with a screaming welcoming committee at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, the value of the buddy system became immediately apparent.
"Basic training was kind of scary," Cruz said. "Taija was my support network."
Their companionship helped overcome the initial tears and desire to return home, but it wasn't always encouraged, said Alcantara, a native of Mangilao, Guam.
From basic training, the two comrades could have gone in different directions both professionally and geographically. They entered the Air Force as "open general," meaning they did not have a guaranteed specific job. Instead, during basic training they would pick a job among five choices, and surgical technician was an option offered to both. For two women seeking medical careers, it was the obvious choice.
The Guam connection continued to Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, for eight weeks of technical training. When that ended, they once again beat the buddy system odds and were both assigned to Travis Air Force Base, Calif., for six additional weeks of on-the-job training.
Not only their basic training instructor, but also subsequent technical school instructors felt the young women were too dependent upon each other and attempted to separate the pair. Cruz said some encouraged competitiveness between them, but for Cruz and Alcantara, the issue was friendship and supporting each other along this new military adventure.
"We can work on our own. We can function on our own. It's just that we find sometimes we function better together," said Cruz, whose hometown is Yona, Guam.
At both training bases they said they continued to hear comments such as, "Where's your other half?" or "Why aren't you with your twin?" In fact, now that they were roommates with more free time on their hands, they joked about feeling like true sisters, sharing both good times and occasional spats followed by a door slam.
With technical school completed, both airmen returned to Guam, where they participated in the Recruiter Assistance Program while on leave. As part of the recruiter program, airmen visit schools and other locations to help promote the Air Force. Alcantara also got married, with her maid of honor being who else but her fellow airman and best friend. They picked out the wedding gown together while wearing their battle dress uniforms.
After their trip home, it was time to begin their Air Force careers. The odds were further stacked against the buddy system extending to a job at the same location in the global Air Force. But they both put Germany at the top of their "dream sheet" of potential bases they would like to be stationed at, and Germany it was.
"We were excited when we heard we were coming (to Ramstein Air Base)," Alcantara said. "But it's so big and you just don't know where to start. I'm in culture shock."
She soon faces even further adjustment when her husband, Shawn Alcantara, departs for Air Force basic military training.
Cruz has had to adjust her lifestyle too.
"I'm freezing, first of all," Cruz said. Since her Dec. 2 arrival, she has adjusted to life in Landstuhl, which is in stark contrast with Guam, where she described a life of "always at the beach" swimming, snorkeling or playing sports.
"My whole system has been thrown off," Cruz said. "I don't know what to do. I don't know who I am. I don't know how to act sometimes. It's weird trying to readjust and find myself again."
Although new to their career field and to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center where they continue with their on-the-job training, both airmen are solid performers who have hit the ground running, their supervisor said.
"Airmen Alcantara and Cruz have already proven themselves to be valuable assets to our surgical suite," said Tech. Sgt. Jonah Gruner, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the operating room. "They both are extremely motivated. They work together seamlessly, yet they seem to keep a good-natured competition between them while completing their career development courses. Hopefully, their friendship will continue to grow throughout their careers. We are thrilled to have them here."
Their friendship seems certain to continue throughout their careers, but only time will tell if their careers will continue parallel to their friendship.
"That will be interesting. We don't know," Cruz said of the prospect. If their future leads in different directions, she said that will be okay because they will have grown both personally and professionally in the meantime.
"Honestly, she's like my sister," Cruz said. "We're always going to be there for each other. Family is family. If something happens to your family, you're going to be there for them."
(Chuck Roberts is assigned to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Public Affairs.)
National Security Archive Update, March 19, 2008
Treasury Wins 2008 "Rosemary Award" as Worst FOIA Agency
National Security Archive Annual Award Cites Shredded Letters, Decade-Long Delays, and Sub-Prime Performance
For more information contact the National Security Archive staff:
Thomas Blanton, Meredith Fuchs, Kristin Adair, Catherine Nielsen 202/994-7000
http://www.nsarchive.org
Washington D.C., March 19, 2008 - As if the sub-prime credit crisis was not enough, the U.S. Treasury Department today won the fourth annual Rosemary Award for the worst performance by a federal agency under the Freedom of Information Act.
Given annually by the Emmy- and George Polk Award-winning National Security Archive at George Washington University, the Rosemary recognizes outstandingly bad responsiveness to the public that flouts the letter and spirit of the Freedom of Information Act. The Award is named after President Nixon's secretary Rose Mary Woods and the backwards-leaning stretch with which she erased an eighteen-and-a-half minute section of a key Watergate conversation on the White House tapes.
"The Treasury Department has brought new meaning to the notion of sub-prime performance," remarked the Archive's director Tom Blanton. "Instead of answering Freedom of Information requests, Treasury puts the burden on requesters to repeatedly confirm interest in their requests and actually destroys the original request letters the way Rose Mary Woods erased the tapes."
On one Archive request filed in 1997 about the Clinton administration's certification of Mexican efforts against drug trafficking, Treasury:
(1) repeatedly asked the Archive (in 2001, 2004 and 2007) if we were still interested (Treasury has sent the Archive 74 such letters for 42 different requests in the past seven years),
(2) asked for another copy of the request since the original had been "destroyed," (Treasury has asked for similar replacement letters for other Archive requests 42 times),
(3) finally closed the request without ever processing a document, claiming so much time had elapsed that the records had been retired to the National Archives (Treasury has asserted such claims in at least 10 of the Archive's FOIA cases).
Air Force was the recipient of the 2007 Rosemary for its status as an "E-Delinquent" in the 2007 National Security Archive audit of agency compliance with the Electronic FOIA, which found 139 broken links on the Air Force FOIA Web sites. In its latest Audit, 'Mixed Signals, Mixed Results: How President Bush's Executive Order on FOIA Failed to Deliver,' the National Security Archive found that the Air Force has since made significant strides in improving its FOIA Web site and developing it into an effective tool for FOIA requesters.
The Archive presented the 2006 Rosemary Award to the Central Intelligence Agency for "the most dramatic one-year drop-off in professionalism and responsiveness to the public we have seen in 20 years of monitoring federal government compliance with the freedom of information law." After this poor performance, however, the CIA received high marks for its E-FOIA performance in the Archive's audit, 'File Not Found: 10 Years After E-FOIA, Most Federal Agencies Are Delinquent,' and for its handling of backlogged FOIA requests in the Archive's latest audit 'Mixed Signals, Mixed Results: How President Bush's Executive Order on FOIA Failed to Deliver.'
Visit the Web site of the National Security Archive for more information about today's posting.
http://www.nsarchive.org
THE NATIONAL SECURITY ARCHIVE is an independent non-governmental research institute and library located at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The Archive collects and publishes declassified documents acquired through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). A tax-exempt public charity, the Archive receives no U.S. government funding; its budget is supported by publication royalties and donations from foundations and individuals.
National Security Archive Annual Award Cites Shredded Letters, Decade-Long Delays, and Sub-Prime Performance
For more information contact the National Security Archive staff:
Thomas Blanton, Meredith Fuchs, Kristin Adair, Catherine Nielsen 202/994-7000
http://www.nsarchive.org
Washington D.C., March 19, 2008 - As if the sub-prime credit crisis was not enough, the U.S. Treasury Department today won the fourth annual Rosemary Award for the worst performance by a federal agency under the Freedom of Information Act.
Given annually by the Emmy- and George Polk Award-winning National Security Archive at George Washington University, the Rosemary recognizes outstandingly bad responsiveness to the public that flouts the letter and spirit of the Freedom of Information Act. The Award is named after President Nixon's secretary Rose Mary Woods and the backwards-leaning stretch with which she erased an eighteen-and-a-half minute section of a key Watergate conversation on the White House tapes.
"The Treasury Department has brought new meaning to the notion of sub-prime performance," remarked the Archive's director Tom Blanton. "Instead of answering Freedom of Information requests, Treasury puts the burden on requesters to repeatedly confirm interest in their requests and actually destroys the original request letters the way Rose Mary Woods erased the tapes."
On one Archive request filed in 1997 about the Clinton administration's certification of Mexican efforts against drug trafficking, Treasury:
(1) repeatedly asked the Archive (in 2001, 2004 and 2007) if we were still interested (Treasury has sent the Archive 74 such letters for 42 different requests in the past seven years),
(2) asked for another copy of the request since the original had been "destroyed," (Treasury has asked for similar replacement letters for other Archive requests 42 times),
(3) finally closed the request without ever processing a document, claiming so much time had elapsed that the records had been retired to the National Archives (Treasury has asserted such claims in at least 10 of the Archive's FOIA cases).
Air Force was the recipient of the 2007 Rosemary for its status as an "E-Delinquent" in the 2007 National Security Archive audit of agency compliance with the Electronic FOIA, which found 139 broken links on the Air Force FOIA Web sites. In its latest Audit, 'Mixed Signals, Mixed Results: How President Bush's Executive Order on FOIA Failed to Deliver,' the National Security Archive found that the Air Force has since made significant strides in improving its FOIA Web site and developing it into an effective tool for FOIA requesters.
The Archive presented the 2006 Rosemary Award to the Central Intelligence Agency for "the most dramatic one-year drop-off in professionalism and responsiveness to the public we have seen in 20 years of monitoring federal government compliance with the freedom of information law." After this poor performance, however, the CIA received high marks for its E-FOIA performance in the Archive's audit, 'File Not Found: 10 Years After E-FOIA, Most Federal Agencies Are Delinquent,' and for its handling of backlogged FOIA requests in the Archive's latest audit 'Mixed Signals, Mixed Results: How President Bush's Executive Order on FOIA Failed to Deliver.'
Visit the Web site of the National Security Archive for more information about today's posting.
http://www.nsarchive.org
THE NATIONAL SECURITY ARCHIVE is an independent non-governmental research institute and library located at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The Archive collects and publishes declassified documents acquired through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). A tax-exempt public charity, the Archive receives no U.S. government funding; its budget is supported by publication royalties and donations from foundations and individuals.
MILITARY CONTRACT March 18, 2008
AIR FORCE
Orbital Science Corp., Launch Systems Group of Chandler, Ariz.; Space Vector Corp., of Chatsworth, Calif.; L-3 Communications Corp., Coleman Aerospace of Orlando, Fla.; and ATK Launch Systems of ATK Launch Systems of Brigham City, Utah, are being awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for $250,000,000. This action will provide multiple awards with a seven year ordering period to provide engineering and technical services necessary to support the Sounding Rocket Program three. The Sounding Rocket Program three provides launch systems and services for sun-orbital ballistic trajectories up to 5,500 km downrange. At this time $200,000 has been obligated. Robins AFB, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8523-07-C-0008-PZ0001).
Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems of Marietta, Ga., is being awarded a modified contract for $133,200,000. This contract modification is an undefinitized contract action (UCA) for the procurement of two FY 09 KC-130J aircraft and the associated long lead effort. At this time $30,000,000 has been obligated. Kirtland AFB, N.M., is the contracting activity (FA8625-06-C-6456 P00033).
ITT Avionics of Chandler, Ariz., is being awarded a modified firm fixed price contract for $78,172,524. This requirement is for Foreign Military Sales of the ALQ-211(V)4 Advanced Integrated Defense Electronics Warfare system to the country of Pakistan. This Electronic Warfare system will be used on the F-16 aircraft being procured under separate acquisition by the F-16 program office. Associated spares, support equipment, training, engineering services, flight test support and data are also being acquired under this contract. At this time $39,003,041 has been obligated. Kirtland AFB, N.M., is the contracting activity (FA8818-08-D-0036, FA8816-08-D-0037, FA8818-08-D-0038, and F8818-08-D-0039).
DEFENSE LOGISTIC AGENCY
Sysco Foodservices of Conn., Rock Hill, Conn., is being awarded a maximum $35,261,204.28 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for full line garrison feeding support. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Federal Civilian Agencies. The original proposal was solicited on FEDBIZOPS with three responses. This contract is a six year contract with two year base term and three 18-month option periods. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Mar. 22, 2010. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM300-08-D-3238).
Sopakco, Inc., Mullins, S.C.* is being awarded a maximum $8,878,080.00 firm fixed price contract for first strike rations. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. There were 38 proposals originally solicited with three responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Jan. 31, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM3S1-08-D-Z101).
Sysco Foodservices of Northern New England, Westbrook, Maine is being awarded $6,984,773.94 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for full line garrison feeding support. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Navy, Air Force, and Federal Civilian Agencies. The original proposal was solicited on FEDBIZOPS with three responses. This contract is a six year contract with two year base term and three 18-month option periods. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Mar. 22, 2010. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM300-08-D-3237).
NAVY
EDO RSS, Morgan Hill, Calif., is being awarded a $7,751,810 delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N68335-05-G-0006) for manufacturing and delivery of 38 R-4100 chassis with internal TN-500 Digital RF Tuner and Automatic Identification System (AIS) capabilities for the P-3 aircraft. Work will be conducted in Morgan Hill, Calif. and work is expected to be completed in Feb. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity.
Correction: The contract announcement awarded on Mar. 14, 2008, to International Military and Government LLC, Warrenville, Ill, contract number M67854-07-D5032, should have read the delivery order amount as $405,963,830 vice $410,730,320.
Orbital Science Corp., Launch Systems Group of Chandler, Ariz.; Space Vector Corp., of Chatsworth, Calif.; L-3 Communications Corp., Coleman Aerospace of Orlando, Fla.; and ATK Launch Systems of ATK Launch Systems of Brigham City, Utah, are being awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for $250,000,000. This action will provide multiple awards with a seven year ordering period to provide engineering and technical services necessary to support the Sounding Rocket Program three. The Sounding Rocket Program three provides launch systems and services for sun-orbital ballistic trajectories up to 5,500 km downrange. At this time $200,000 has been obligated. Robins AFB, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8523-07-C-0008-PZ0001).
Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems of Marietta, Ga., is being awarded a modified contract for $133,200,000. This contract modification is an undefinitized contract action (UCA) for the procurement of two FY 09 KC-130J aircraft and the associated long lead effort. At this time $30,000,000 has been obligated. Kirtland AFB, N.M., is the contracting activity (FA8625-06-C-6456 P00033).
ITT Avionics of Chandler, Ariz., is being awarded a modified firm fixed price contract for $78,172,524. This requirement is for Foreign Military Sales of the ALQ-211(V)4 Advanced Integrated Defense Electronics Warfare system to the country of Pakistan. This Electronic Warfare system will be used on the F-16 aircraft being procured under separate acquisition by the F-16 program office. Associated spares, support equipment, training, engineering services, flight test support and data are also being acquired under this contract. At this time $39,003,041 has been obligated. Kirtland AFB, N.M., is the contracting activity (FA8818-08-D-0036, FA8816-08-D-0037, FA8818-08-D-0038, and F8818-08-D-0039).
DEFENSE LOGISTIC AGENCY
Sysco Foodservices of Conn., Rock Hill, Conn., is being awarded a maximum $35,261,204.28 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for full line garrison feeding support. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Federal Civilian Agencies. The original proposal was solicited on FEDBIZOPS with three responses. This contract is a six year contract with two year base term and three 18-month option periods. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Mar. 22, 2010. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM300-08-D-3238).
Sopakco, Inc., Mullins, S.C.* is being awarded a maximum $8,878,080.00 firm fixed price contract for first strike rations. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. There were 38 proposals originally solicited with three responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Jan. 31, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM3S1-08-D-Z101).
Sysco Foodservices of Northern New England, Westbrook, Maine is being awarded $6,984,773.94 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for full line garrison feeding support. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Navy, Air Force, and Federal Civilian Agencies. The original proposal was solicited on FEDBIZOPS with three responses. This contract is a six year contract with two year base term and three 18-month option periods. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Mar. 22, 2010. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM300-08-D-3237).
NAVY
EDO RSS, Morgan Hill, Calif., is being awarded a $7,751,810 delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N68335-05-G-0006) for manufacturing and delivery of 38 R-4100 chassis with internal TN-500 Digital RF Tuner and Automatic Identification System (AIS) capabilities for the P-3 aircraft. Work will be conducted in Morgan Hill, Calif. and work is expected to be completed in Feb. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity.
Correction: The contract announcement awarded on Mar. 14, 2008, to International Military and Government LLC, Warrenville, Ill, contract number M67854-07-D5032, should have read the delivery order amount as $405,963,830 vice $410,730,320.
U.S., Russian Officials Agree to Create Strategic Framework Document
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
March 18, 2008 - After two days of intense talks here, U.S. and Russian officials have agreed to a draft of a "strategic framework" document that will hopefully guide the two sides through dealing with tough issues such as a European missile defense plan. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice presented the draft to Russian President Vladimir Putin and their Russian counterparts at the start of their talks yesterday and have since been hammering out its details.
The document contains about a dozen initiatives, many which are already in the works between the two countries, but it also contains missile defense and strategic arms reduction treaty initiatives -- two most contentious points between the two countries.
"We had the opportunity to elaborate on a number of confidence building measures and measures for transparency to provide assurance to the Russian Republic that our missile sites and radars would not constitute a threat to Russia," Gates said in mid-day press conference with Rice and Defense Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov and Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov.
"I think both President Putin [yesterday] and our Russian colleagues today found these ideas useful and important ... and they will be studying them further," Gates said.
The bulk of the effort the past two days was working through the missile defense and strategic arms reduction treaty topics, said a senior U.S. official later, speaking on background.
Gates was on hand to clarify some points in the initiatives that were thought to be mistaken or misunderstood by the Russian leaders. Officials worked through the document paragraph by paragraph and an edited document derived from the talks will be delivered to the Russians before the secretaries leave tomorrow. Their leaders have promised to have their experts "analyze" it, the official said.
"I think based on the discussions we've had in the last 24 hours, we feel like we've moved the ball forward here in Moscow," the official said.
This is not the first time U.S. officials have put their ideas in writing for the Russians. In the first of these talks officials agreed to submit their proposals in writing. Lower-level U.S. and Russian officials have met about a half-dozen times in the past year. But this document is collective, collaborative and aimed at reconstructing a relationship that was sliding downward on tough issues, obscuring in part the issues that the two countries were making progress, the official said.
The official said the United States wanted "to capture those areas where we have made progress and try to frame up those where we have differences in a larger context which includes all the progress."
Also, with each iteration of the document, levels of detail are added to the complex agreements, the official said.
Russian officials agreed that the United States was working to assuage their fears that the proposed missile defense sites planed for Poland and the Czech Republic will not become a threat to their country. They also agreed that it is important to maintain continuity while both administrations transitioning its top leadership in the next several months.
But, Russia's Defense Minister finished the talks by reiterating their current stand on the U.S. proposal.
"In principle our positions have not changed," Serdyukov said. "We can say that we have a lot of work to do but we need to see these proposals to look at them, to understand them, and then, following the work at the expert level, we'll make a decision on how to move forward."
The Russian foreign minister also said that the best way to allay their concerns would be to not build the missile defense sites. But he also said that the proposal would be sent to Putin once they are reviewed.
"While not agreeing with us on substantial issues, they [the U.S.] recognize that we have these concerns and they put forward proposals aimed at allaying or making these concerns [minor]," Lavrov said.
Because of the Russians' concerns about the missile defense plan and a strategic arms treaty, getting them to allow those items into the strategic framework document is in itself progress, a senior U.S. official said.
"No one on either side expected dramatic breakthroughs. But we were pleased by the progress we made. A lot of work remains but it was a productive day-and-a-half of talks," the senior official said. "This is realistically what we hoped for."
Secretary Rice said at the news conference that the two countries had good discussions even on the tough issues.
"We have agreed on the elements that will be included in the document and have made considerable progress on a number of them," Rice said.
"We have work to do but I think it is fair to say that U.S.-Russian relations ... [are] proceeding in a way that we are able to go forward in various areas of cooperation and when we have differences we can talk about them in an atmosphere of mutual respect," Rice said.
Gates, in coming to the talks, was very vocal about expecting the Russians to be responsive to the United States' efforts to allay their fears about the missile defense system.
"I would say that they listened very carefully. President Putin took extensive notes and obviously there was a lot done during the day today," Gates said. "... I would expect and hope that we would hear back from them reasonably quickly."
A senior U.S. official later said that he expected to be back negotiating with the Russians in less than six months.
"There's grounds for much more rapid follow up work," he said. "We've really set the stage with these talks here."
American Forces Press Service
March 18, 2008 - After two days of intense talks here, U.S. and Russian officials have agreed to a draft of a "strategic framework" document that will hopefully guide the two sides through dealing with tough issues such as a European missile defense plan. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice presented the draft to Russian President Vladimir Putin and their Russian counterparts at the start of their talks yesterday and have since been hammering out its details.
The document contains about a dozen initiatives, many which are already in the works between the two countries, but it also contains missile defense and strategic arms reduction treaty initiatives -- two most contentious points between the two countries.
"We had the opportunity to elaborate on a number of confidence building measures and measures for transparency to provide assurance to the Russian Republic that our missile sites and radars would not constitute a threat to Russia," Gates said in mid-day press conference with Rice and Defense Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov and Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov.
"I think both President Putin [yesterday] and our Russian colleagues today found these ideas useful and important ... and they will be studying them further," Gates said.
The bulk of the effort the past two days was working through the missile defense and strategic arms reduction treaty topics, said a senior U.S. official later, speaking on background.
Gates was on hand to clarify some points in the initiatives that were thought to be mistaken or misunderstood by the Russian leaders. Officials worked through the document paragraph by paragraph and an edited document derived from the talks will be delivered to the Russians before the secretaries leave tomorrow. Their leaders have promised to have their experts "analyze" it, the official said.
"I think based on the discussions we've had in the last 24 hours, we feel like we've moved the ball forward here in Moscow," the official said.
This is not the first time U.S. officials have put their ideas in writing for the Russians. In the first of these talks officials agreed to submit their proposals in writing. Lower-level U.S. and Russian officials have met about a half-dozen times in the past year. But this document is collective, collaborative and aimed at reconstructing a relationship that was sliding downward on tough issues, obscuring in part the issues that the two countries were making progress, the official said.
The official said the United States wanted "to capture those areas where we have made progress and try to frame up those where we have differences in a larger context which includes all the progress."
Also, with each iteration of the document, levels of detail are added to the complex agreements, the official said.
Russian officials agreed that the United States was working to assuage their fears that the proposed missile defense sites planed for Poland and the Czech Republic will not become a threat to their country. They also agreed that it is important to maintain continuity while both administrations transitioning its top leadership in the next several months.
But, Russia's Defense Minister finished the talks by reiterating their current stand on the U.S. proposal.
"In principle our positions have not changed," Serdyukov said. "We can say that we have a lot of work to do but we need to see these proposals to look at them, to understand them, and then, following the work at the expert level, we'll make a decision on how to move forward."
The Russian foreign minister also said that the best way to allay their concerns would be to not build the missile defense sites. But he also said that the proposal would be sent to Putin once they are reviewed.
"While not agreeing with us on substantial issues, they [the U.S.] recognize that we have these concerns and they put forward proposals aimed at allaying or making these concerns [minor]," Lavrov said.
Because of the Russians' concerns about the missile defense plan and a strategic arms treaty, getting them to allow those items into the strategic framework document is in itself progress, a senior U.S. official said.
"No one on either side expected dramatic breakthroughs. But we were pleased by the progress we made. A lot of work remains but it was a productive day-and-a-half of talks," the senior official said. "This is realistically what we hoped for."
Secretary Rice said at the news conference that the two countries had good discussions even on the tough issues.
"We have agreed on the elements that will be included in the document and have made considerable progress on a number of them," Rice said.
"We have work to do but I think it is fair to say that U.S.-Russian relations ... [are] proceeding in a way that we are able to go forward in various areas of cooperation and when we have differences we can talk about them in an atmosphere of mutual respect," Rice said.
Gates, in coming to the talks, was very vocal about expecting the Russians to be responsive to the United States' efforts to allay their fears about the missile defense system.
"I would say that they listened very carefully. President Putin took extensive notes and obviously there was a lot done during the day today," Gates said. "... I would expect and hope that we would hear back from them reasonably quickly."
A senior U.S. official later said that he expected to be back negotiating with the Russians in less than six months.
"There's grounds for much more rapid follow up work," he said. "We've really set the stage with these talks here."
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Why We Serve: Marine Captain Talks About Corps Pride
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
March 14, 2008 - Marine Capt. John Sand knows what it takes to be a good college student: go to class, read the book, and take good notes. And, for him, first spend four years in the Marine Corps. This realization came after Sand spent a few years as a not-so-good college student after high school, he said.
"I had a 0.8 grade point average for the semester when I left school. That's very hard to do. I pretty much flunked everything and didn't really care much about school," Sand said.
Sand grew up in the small Illinois town of Ottawa. Both of his parents were career educators; his father was a counselor and his mother a grade-school teacher. After high school graduation in 1988, Sand accepted an Army ROTC scholarship to attend college. But after a few years, both Sand and his parents accepted that he needed to do something different.
"I flushed a scholarship away, basically. I wasn't paying for school. I was having a little too much fun. I needed to get some discipline and more control over where I wanted to go," Sand said.
His father, once in the Navy, suggested the Marines, and Sand agreed.
In 1991, Sand enlisted as a Morse code interceptor. He said he did, indeed, learn self-discipline, and that he enjoyed his tour, which took him twice to Somalia on deployments. But Sand had promised his parents that at the end of his enlistment he would return to college.
He made good on that promise and returned to study criminal justice.
"It was a complete 180 from my experience the first time at college. Four years in the Marine Corps made coming back to college kind of ... simple," Sand said.
The former dropout then made the dean's list and played tennis competitively. In the 60 credit hours he amassed to finish his degree, Sand received nearly perfect grades.
Still, he missed the Corps, Sand said. After graduation, he returned to the Marines as an officer.
"When I enlisted in 1991, did I think I'd be doing this in 2008? No, I didn't, but it led me down that road, and I really enjoy it," Sand said.
Now Sand, as part of the Defense Department's "Why We Serve" public-outreach program, is traveling the country, telling his story to community, business and veterans group audiences and at other gatherings. Fresh from a deployment to Iraq, Sand said he hopes to convey the efforts of servicemembers there.
"It's important what we're doing in the global war on terrorism. I think it's important that they hear it from the servicemember's perspective," Sand said. "In Iraq, there's a lot more to it than guns and tanks. There's a lot of humanitarian assistance. There's a lot of nation building. We definitely do a lot of work for the Iraqi people, alongside the Iraqi people, to better their lives."
Sand served as an artillery battery commander in Iraq, returning in October. His battery provided a regimental combat team with artillery fire in support of operations in and around Fallujah. They also performed nonstandard missions such as providing security for explosives technicians who cleared the roads of bombs. His battery went on more than 500 combat patrols.
"I like to talk about my Marines a lot. I'm very proud of what my Marines did in Iraq, and I think that there's a really good story there," Sand said. "It's hard work over there. A lot of times they are out for long patrols. They don't get a lot of sleep. They don't get a lot of time off. But they do their job, and they're proud of what they do."
During his tour, Sand said, he saw the tangible signs of progress.
"Things got better while we were there. When we initially showed up, we were shooting quite a bit. By the time we were leaving ... we might go a week or more without ever pulling the lanyard on a howitzer," Sand said. "If we're not shooting as much, to me that's a sign that things are better there."
As a father of three children, being around the Iraqi children sometimes made him homesick, but also served as reminder for why he was there, Sand said.
"Seeing the little kids playing soccer, it's like 'Wow, I miss spending the time with my kids,'" Sand said. "On the other hand, it makes you feel like we're doing something good over there. The smiles, the little conversations -- sometimes just with hand gestures -- or kicking a ball around, that makes you feel good that day."
Sand said he also hopes to convey that servicemembers are typical people, Sand said.
"Military people are your average Joes," he said. We do a lot of the same things. I'm a husband. I'm a father. I'm also a Marine."
In fact, his family is a big part of why he continues to serve in the Marine Corps, Sand said.
"That's very important to me. I want them to grow up in a country where they (continue to) have the freedoms that we enjoy," Sand said. "And so I'm willing to serve to ensure that they grow up in a place where they don't have to worry. I want to ensure that they have a good childhood experience and continue to reap the benefits of the country that we live in."
Sand continues his service also because of the sense of camaraderie he feels for his fellow servicemembers and the sacrifices of those who have fought before him.
"I think that's a big deal. You keep doing it because the guy next to you is counting on you," the captain said.
He is in awe for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country, Sand said.
"It's just amazing to think that I'm part of that organization that would have somebody of that character. That makes you want to stay," he said.
"I serve because I'm proud to wear the uniform. I'm proud to be a Marine, and I want to get that message out there -- that it's a very honorable service and that we're proud to serve the American people," Sand said. "That's why I do what I do."
American Forces Press Service
March 14, 2008 - Marine Capt. John Sand knows what it takes to be a good college student: go to class, read the book, and take good notes. And, for him, first spend four years in the Marine Corps. This realization came after Sand spent a few years as a not-so-good college student after high school, he said.
"I had a 0.8 grade point average for the semester when I left school. That's very hard to do. I pretty much flunked everything and didn't really care much about school," Sand said.
Sand grew up in the small Illinois town of Ottawa. Both of his parents were career educators; his father was a counselor and his mother a grade-school teacher. After high school graduation in 1988, Sand accepted an Army ROTC scholarship to attend college. But after a few years, both Sand and his parents accepted that he needed to do something different.
"I flushed a scholarship away, basically. I wasn't paying for school. I was having a little too much fun. I needed to get some discipline and more control over where I wanted to go," Sand said.
His father, once in the Navy, suggested the Marines, and Sand agreed.
In 1991, Sand enlisted as a Morse code interceptor. He said he did, indeed, learn self-discipline, and that he enjoyed his tour, which took him twice to Somalia on deployments. But Sand had promised his parents that at the end of his enlistment he would return to college.
He made good on that promise and returned to study criminal justice.
"It was a complete 180 from my experience the first time at college. Four years in the Marine Corps made coming back to college kind of ... simple," Sand said.
The former dropout then made the dean's list and played tennis competitively. In the 60 credit hours he amassed to finish his degree, Sand received nearly perfect grades.
Still, he missed the Corps, Sand said. After graduation, he returned to the Marines as an officer.
"When I enlisted in 1991, did I think I'd be doing this in 2008? No, I didn't, but it led me down that road, and I really enjoy it," Sand said.
Now Sand, as part of the Defense Department's "Why We Serve" public-outreach program, is traveling the country, telling his story to community, business and veterans group audiences and at other gatherings. Fresh from a deployment to Iraq, Sand said he hopes to convey the efforts of servicemembers there.
"It's important what we're doing in the global war on terrorism. I think it's important that they hear it from the servicemember's perspective," Sand said. "In Iraq, there's a lot more to it than guns and tanks. There's a lot of humanitarian assistance. There's a lot of nation building. We definitely do a lot of work for the Iraqi people, alongside the Iraqi people, to better their lives."
Sand served as an artillery battery commander in Iraq, returning in October. His battery provided a regimental combat team with artillery fire in support of operations in and around Fallujah. They also performed nonstandard missions such as providing security for explosives technicians who cleared the roads of bombs. His battery went on more than 500 combat patrols.
"I like to talk about my Marines a lot. I'm very proud of what my Marines did in Iraq, and I think that there's a really good story there," Sand said. "It's hard work over there. A lot of times they are out for long patrols. They don't get a lot of sleep. They don't get a lot of time off. But they do their job, and they're proud of what they do."
During his tour, Sand said, he saw the tangible signs of progress.
"Things got better while we were there. When we initially showed up, we were shooting quite a bit. By the time we were leaving ... we might go a week or more without ever pulling the lanyard on a howitzer," Sand said. "If we're not shooting as much, to me that's a sign that things are better there."
As a father of three children, being around the Iraqi children sometimes made him homesick, but also served as reminder for why he was there, Sand said.
"Seeing the little kids playing soccer, it's like 'Wow, I miss spending the time with my kids,'" Sand said. "On the other hand, it makes you feel like we're doing something good over there. The smiles, the little conversations -- sometimes just with hand gestures -- or kicking a ball around, that makes you feel good that day."
Sand said he also hopes to convey that servicemembers are typical people, Sand said.
"Military people are your average Joes," he said. We do a lot of the same things. I'm a husband. I'm a father. I'm also a Marine."
In fact, his family is a big part of why he continues to serve in the Marine Corps, Sand said.
"That's very important to me. I want them to grow up in a country where they (continue to) have the freedoms that we enjoy," Sand said. "And so I'm willing to serve to ensure that they grow up in a place where they don't have to worry. I want to ensure that they have a good childhood experience and continue to reap the benefits of the country that we live in."
Sand continues his service also because of the sense of camaraderie he feels for his fellow servicemembers and the sacrifices of those who have fought before him.
"I think that's a big deal. You keep doing it because the guy next to you is counting on you," the captain said.
He is in awe for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country, Sand said.
"It's just amazing to think that I'm part of that organization that would have somebody of that character. That makes you want to stay," he said.
"I serve because I'm proud to wear the uniform. I'm proud to be a Marine, and I want to get that message out there -- that it's a very honorable service and that we're proud to serve the American people," Sand said. "That's why I do what I do."
Face of Defense: Airman's Instincts Prevent Catastrophe
By Tech. Sgt. James Law, USAF
American Forces Press Service
March 14, 2008 - An airman's quick action following a Feb. 26 jet fuel starter explosion that sent shrapnel across the flightline here averted a possible explosion of an F-15E Strike Eagle, officials said. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Billie was working near a fellow airman preparing an F-15E for flight when the small motor that starts the fighter's engines blew up. The jet fuel starter imploded, and pieces of the machine flew across the flightline.
"I went out to help the crew chief on the jet clean up the area and find out how much damage had occurred," said Billie, an F-15E crew chief with the 335th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit here. "When I came upon the scene, I noticed there was a lot of shrapnel on the ground."
Instinctively, Billie looked up into the engine's exhaust to check the damage and noticed flames flickering in the engine compartment. In eight years as an F-15 crew chief, he said, he had never before personally witnessed flames in the engine.
"I had someone come over and verify, just to double check, because you don't want to jump to conclusions," Billie said.
With the flames confirmed, Billie immediately ran over and grabbed the hose off the halon fire extinguisher while simultaneously instructing another crew chief to charge the bottle. Charging the bottle is a process of removing a safety pin and pushing the charging handle forward to pressurize the hose.
Billie yelled out to the eight or so airmen nearby to clear the area. He ran back to the aircraft, pointed the hose into the exhaust and sprayed the bottle's contents onto the fire before it turned catastrophic.
"The first thing that crossed my mind was the live explosives," said Billie, who is deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. "My thoughts were, 'We need to put this fire out now.'"
Billie said F-15 crew chiefs are trained to deal with this situation, but because it is not a frequent occurrence, it is imperative to remember the training and react without hesitation.
"His actions were outstanding," said Senior Master Sgt. Donald Poormon, the maintenance unit's F-15E assistant superintendent. "He acted perfectly, and you couldn't ask for better."
Brig. Gen. James W. Hyatt, then the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, recognized Billie with a commander's coin at a meeting with the wing's group commanders and chief master sergeants.
(Air Force Tech. Sgt. James Law serves with 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs.)
American Forces Press Service
March 14, 2008 - An airman's quick action following a Feb. 26 jet fuel starter explosion that sent shrapnel across the flightline here averted a possible explosion of an F-15E Strike Eagle, officials said. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Billie was working near a fellow airman preparing an F-15E for flight when the small motor that starts the fighter's engines blew up. The jet fuel starter imploded, and pieces of the machine flew across the flightline.
"I went out to help the crew chief on the jet clean up the area and find out how much damage had occurred," said Billie, an F-15E crew chief with the 335th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit here. "When I came upon the scene, I noticed there was a lot of shrapnel on the ground."
Instinctively, Billie looked up into the engine's exhaust to check the damage and noticed flames flickering in the engine compartment. In eight years as an F-15 crew chief, he said, he had never before personally witnessed flames in the engine.
"I had someone come over and verify, just to double check, because you don't want to jump to conclusions," Billie said.
With the flames confirmed, Billie immediately ran over and grabbed the hose off the halon fire extinguisher while simultaneously instructing another crew chief to charge the bottle. Charging the bottle is a process of removing a safety pin and pushing the charging handle forward to pressurize the hose.
Billie yelled out to the eight or so airmen nearby to clear the area. He ran back to the aircraft, pointed the hose into the exhaust and sprayed the bottle's contents onto the fire before it turned catastrophic.
"The first thing that crossed my mind was the live explosives," said Billie, who is deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. "My thoughts were, 'We need to put this fire out now.'"
Billie said F-15 crew chiefs are trained to deal with this situation, but because it is not a frequent occurrence, it is imperative to remember the training and react without hesitation.
"His actions were outstanding," said Senior Master Sgt. Donald Poormon, the maintenance unit's F-15E assistant superintendent. "He acted perfectly, and you couldn't ask for better."
Brig. Gen. James W. Hyatt, then the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, recognized Billie with a commander's coin at a meeting with the wing's group commanders and chief master sergeants.
(Air Force Tech. Sgt. James Law serves with 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs.)
First Community Sites to Open for Reserve, Active-Duty Families
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
March 14, 2008 - A new "virtual installation" concept that helps families who live far from a military base get information and tap into services available for them during their loved ones' deployment is expected to begin rolling out next month. Plans are being laid to open several "brick and mortar" pilot sites by April 23, just in time for the Army Reserve's 100th anniversary celebration, Laura Stultz, wife of Army Reserve Chief Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, told American Forces Press Service.
Focus groups are under way to identify where to put the first three to five sites, she said, likely in areas with big Army Reserve and National Guard populations and no Army post nearby.
General Stultz acknowledged that all spouses face hardships when their loved ones deploy – regardless of whether they're active-duty, National Guard or Reserve. But he said his wife reminded him that unlike active-duty families, who can turn to their local post for help if they need it, Army Reserve families often live far from an Army post and don't know how to tap into available services.
"She said, 'If I am living on an installation, I have Army Community Services, child and youth services, legal support, medical support, the Red Cross. I can go to Army Emergency Relief if I need to get help,'" the general said. He paused, then continued his wife's point: "But if I am in Pocatello, Idaho, who do I turn to?"
As Laura Stultz sees it, the gap is as much cultural as geographic. Active-duty families tend to live on or near a military post, know each other and know where to go for assistance, or at least who to ask how to get it, she said.
Reserve families often don't. A single Reserve unit can draw members from a 10-state area, and families may have had no past exposure to each other or to the Army system overall.
That quandary led her to come up with the virtual installation concept. As she envisions it, it not only will fill a gap for reserve-component families, but also will benefit the many active-duty families who leave their post for their hometowns during their loved one's deployment.
Each site to open next month under the pilot program will be slightly different; one may be a kiosk in a local shopping mall, another may be an office in an Army Reserve center or National Guard armory. "We'll try different approaches of going into the community and see what works best," Laura Stultz said.
Military family members will be able to walk into the sites to talk to someone about their questions or needs. A trained staffer – most likely a military or veteran volunteer – will know the answer or be able to pick up a phone or go online to get it.
The general's wife said she envisions people from the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and other veterans as well as community groups manning the sites. "They keep asking what they can do and saying that they want to help, so I am giving them a job to do," she said.
In addition to providing personal service to military families, the brick-and-mortar sites will serve as visible signs of a broader community outreach effort, Laura Stultz said. Volunteers who staff them will help make inroads into local businesses, churches and other groups to remind them that members of their community are deployed, and that they and their families need support, she added.
The sites will represent the first step in a two-pronged effort designed to reach out to Army Reserve and National Guard families who are nowhere near installations and the full range of support services they offer to active-duty families, she said.
In addition to physical sites, the new concept calls for a Web-based virtual installation that families can tap into from their computer for information and support. That site is expected to go live later this year.
Once it's operational, users will be able to navigate the streets of a simulated Army base with a click of their computer mouse, stopping wherever they wish, Laura Stultz explained. They'll be able to "stop" at the military identification card desk to find out how to replace a lost card, the Tricare office to check on their medical benefits or the family assistance center for other support. "You'll be able to navigate down the street just like in a video game and get the information you need," she said.
Families also will be able to enter their ZIP codes into the site to find the nearest place to get help or services or to contact the nearest family readiness group.
The Army Reserve chief's wife cited the "Fort Family" Web site launched by the Army Reserve's 108th Training Command as an example of the virtual installation's potential. That site links families with local military and civilian resources. It also offers a virtual volunteer program for people seeking ways to help local soldiers and families.
The Web initiative and other programs promoting family wellness and readiness earned the unit honors in the Defense Department's 2007 Reserve Family Readiness Award program.
Laura Stultz praised the 108th Training Command for taking the lead in helping make the virtual installation concept a reality. "It's a wonderful program," she said. "It's a smaller model of what we will take and then add to."
Among additional services she hopes to offer is a chat room for children of deployed troops.
While the general's wife never has served in the military herself, she said she's had lots of experience holding down the homefront far from the nearest military post when her soldier-husband deployed.
She recalled his deployments to the Persian Gulf and the Balkans in the 1990s, when she had four young children at home and couldn't make the two-hour drive to a family readiness group meeting for help and support. "So I know what it's like to be out there and not know where to turn," she said. "I understand."
Now that her husband is chief of the Army Reserve, Laura Stultz said she feels a personal responsibility to make things smoother for other Army Reserve spouses who keep the home fires burning during deployments.
"Their soldiers are putting their lives on the line just like everyone else, so they deserve and need the same help and resources available for active-component families," she said.
General Stultz called the virtual installation an important step toward taking better care of Army Reserve families. After all, he said, the Army Reserve recruits soldiers, but it retains families. "And we have to do a better job of reaching out to those families," he said.
American Forces Press Service
March 14, 2008 - A new "virtual installation" concept that helps families who live far from a military base get information and tap into services available for them during their loved ones' deployment is expected to begin rolling out next month. Plans are being laid to open several "brick and mortar" pilot sites by April 23, just in time for the Army Reserve's 100th anniversary celebration, Laura Stultz, wife of Army Reserve Chief Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, told American Forces Press Service.
Focus groups are under way to identify where to put the first three to five sites, she said, likely in areas with big Army Reserve and National Guard populations and no Army post nearby.
General Stultz acknowledged that all spouses face hardships when their loved ones deploy – regardless of whether they're active-duty, National Guard or Reserve. But he said his wife reminded him that unlike active-duty families, who can turn to their local post for help if they need it, Army Reserve families often live far from an Army post and don't know how to tap into available services.
"She said, 'If I am living on an installation, I have Army Community Services, child and youth services, legal support, medical support, the Red Cross. I can go to Army Emergency Relief if I need to get help,'" the general said. He paused, then continued his wife's point: "But if I am in Pocatello, Idaho, who do I turn to?"
As Laura Stultz sees it, the gap is as much cultural as geographic. Active-duty families tend to live on or near a military post, know each other and know where to go for assistance, or at least who to ask how to get it, she said.
Reserve families often don't. A single Reserve unit can draw members from a 10-state area, and families may have had no past exposure to each other or to the Army system overall.
That quandary led her to come up with the virtual installation concept. As she envisions it, it not only will fill a gap for reserve-component families, but also will benefit the many active-duty families who leave their post for their hometowns during their loved one's deployment.
Each site to open next month under the pilot program will be slightly different; one may be a kiosk in a local shopping mall, another may be an office in an Army Reserve center or National Guard armory. "We'll try different approaches of going into the community and see what works best," Laura Stultz said.
Military family members will be able to walk into the sites to talk to someone about their questions or needs. A trained staffer – most likely a military or veteran volunteer – will know the answer or be able to pick up a phone or go online to get it.
The general's wife said she envisions people from the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and other veterans as well as community groups manning the sites. "They keep asking what they can do and saying that they want to help, so I am giving them a job to do," she said.
In addition to providing personal service to military families, the brick-and-mortar sites will serve as visible signs of a broader community outreach effort, Laura Stultz said. Volunteers who staff them will help make inroads into local businesses, churches and other groups to remind them that members of their community are deployed, and that they and their families need support, she added.
The sites will represent the first step in a two-pronged effort designed to reach out to Army Reserve and National Guard families who are nowhere near installations and the full range of support services they offer to active-duty families, she said.
In addition to physical sites, the new concept calls for a Web-based virtual installation that families can tap into from their computer for information and support. That site is expected to go live later this year.
Once it's operational, users will be able to navigate the streets of a simulated Army base with a click of their computer mouse, stopping wherever they wish, Laura Stultz explained. They'll be able to "stop" at the military identification card desk to find out how to replace a lost card, the Tricare office to check on their medical benefits or the family assistance center for other support. "You'll be able to navigate down the street just like in a video game and get the information you need," she said.
Families also will be able to enter their ZIP codes into the site to find the nearest place to get help or services or to contact the nearest family readiness group.
The Army Reserve chief's wife cited the "Fort Family" Web site launched by the Army Reserve's 108th Training Command as an example of the virtual installation's potential. That site links families with local military and civilian resources. It also offers a virtual volunteer program for people seeking ways to help local soldiers and families.
The Web initiative and other programs promoting family wellness and readiness earned the unit honors in the Defense Department's 2007 Reserve Family Readiness Award program.
Laura Stultz praised the 108th Training Command for taking the lead in helping make the virtual installation concept a reality. "It's a wonderful program," she said. "It's a smaller model of what we will take and then add to."
Among additional services she hopes to offer is a chat room for children of deployed troops.
While the general's wife never has served in the military herself, she said she's had lots of experience holding down the homefront far from the nearest military post when her soldier-husband deployed.
She recalled his deployments to the Persian Gulf and the Balkans in the 1990s, when she had four young children at home and couldn't make the two-hour drive to a family readiness group meeting for help and support. "So I know what it's like to be out there and not know where to turn," she said. "I understand."
Now that her husband is chief of the Army Reserve, Laura Stultz said she feels a personal responsibility to make things smoother for other Army Reserve spouses who keep the home fires burning during deployments.
"Their soldiers are putting their lives on the line just like everyone else, so they deserve and need the same help and resources available for active-component families," she said.
General Stultz called the virtual installation an important step toward taking better care of Army Reserve families. After all, he said, the Army Reserve recruits soldiers, but it retains families. "And we have to do a better job of reaching out to those families," he said.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Fiscal 2007 Sexual Assault In The Military And 2006 Gender Relations Survey Results Released
The Defense Department today released two reports: the Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2007 Report on Sexual Assault in the Military and the 2006 Workplace and Gender Relations Survey of Active Duty Members.
The Report on Sexual Assault, prepared by the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO), provides an overview of the SAPR program and data on alleged sexual assaults reported during fiscal 2007. In fiscal 2007, 2,688 reports of sexual assault involving service members as subject and/or victim were filed.
Restricted reporting, which provides a victim with support services without initiating the criminal investigation process and preserves the victim's anonymity, continues to be a crucial option for service members. Some research had found that victims may choose to forego services rather than participate in the investigative process. Of the 2,688 reports made, 705 were under the restricted program. In 102 of these cases, victims later decided to pursue legal charges and switched their report to unrestricted.
The report indicates that the services placed a high priority on training. Comprehensive programs were developed and delivered in methods ranging from traditional, in-person training to more innovative, automated methods delivered on compact disc or the Internet. All of the military services continued to build education and training programs designed to foster a climate of confidence.
The Gender Relations survey, conducted by the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC), was based on a sample of 23,595 respondents and found that 34 percent of active duty women and 6 percent of active duty men indicated experiencing sexual harassment, while 6.8 percent of women and 1.8 percent of men indicated experiencing unwanted sexual contact.
Active duty members gave positive marks for improvement in Department of Defense sexual misconduct training and climate. About 90 percent indicated they received training in the previous year on topics related to sexual harassment and sexual assault and that their training was effective. More than 80 percent reported the Department's sexual harassment and sexual assault policies and procedures were well publicized. Overall, they were more positive in their assessment of the climate in the military than they were of the climate in the nation in regards to sexual harassment and sexual assault.
As a result of the survey and annual report, SAPRO and DMDC will partner along with other organizations within and outside of the Department of Defense to evaluate the effectiveness of past and present reporting efforts, identify enhanced prevention opportunities and strategies, and continue to monitor victim services.
The Report on Sexual Assault, prepared by the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO), provides an overview of the SAPR program and data on alleged sexual assaults reported during fiscal 2007. In fiscal 2007, 2,688 reports of sexual assault involving service members as subject and/or victim were filed.
Restricted reporting, which provides a victim with support services without initiating the criminal investigation process and preserves the victim's anonymity, continues to be a crucial option for service members. Some research had found that victims may choose to forego services rather than participate in the investigative process. Of the 2,688 reports made, 705 were under the restricted program. In 102 of these cases, victims later decided to pursue legal charges and switched their report to unrestricted.
The report indicates that the services placed a high priority on training. Comprehensive programs were developed and delivered in methods ranging from traditional, in-person training to more innovative, automated methods delivered on compact disc or the Internet. All of the military services continued to build education and training programs designed to foster a climate of confidence.
The Gender Relations survey, conducted by the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC), was based on a sample of 23,595 respondents and found that 34 percent of active duty women and 6 percent of active duty men indicated experiencing sexual harassment, while 6.8 percent of women and 1.8 percent of men indicated experiencing unwanted sexual contact.
Active duty members gave positive marks for improvement in Department of Defense sexual misconduct training and climate. About 90 percent indicated they received training in the previous year on topics related to sexual harassment and sexual assault and that their training was effective. More than 80 percent reported the Department's sexual harassment and sexual assault policies and procedures were well publicized. Overall, they were more positive in their assessment of the climate in the military than they were of the climate in the nation in regards to sexual harassment and sexual assault.
As a result of the survey and annual report, SAPRO and DMDC will partner along with other organizations within and outside of the Department of Defense to evaluate the effectiveness of past and present reporting efforts, identify enhanced prevention opportunities and strategies, and continue to monitor victim services.
Commanders Discuss Operational Issues at House Hearing
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
March 14, 2008 - The senior military leaders of U.S. European Command, U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Africa Command discussed issues related to their areas of operation during testimony before a House panel here yesterday. Supporting the global war against terrorism is his top priority, Army Gen. Bantz J. Craddock, NATO's supreme allied commander for Europe and European Command chief, told House Armed Services Committee members.
However, "EUCOM is also focused on sustaining Europe as a global partner and furthering U.S. security relationships," Craddock pointed out. Command objectives in this sphere, he explained, include "promoting lasting security and stability, maintaining the ability to employ the full range of capabilities across the spectrum of conflict, and fostering the growth of partner nation capacity and capability."
Servicemembers assigned to EUCOM routinely deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Craddock said, while other troops "are included in our global force pool and stand available for (other) missions as required."
From his NATO perspective, Craddock told the committee that nearly 50,000 NATO-aligned troops are in Afghanistan, including about 19,000 U.S. servicemembers.
"NATO remains committed to collective security and, increasingly, to a broader and more comprehensive view of security in an interdependent world," Craddock said.
The alliance "has taken the lead for security and stability in Afghanistan," Craddock reported. More than 47,000 International Security Assistance Force troops now deployed there are assisting Afghan forces in the fight against Taliban insurgents, he said.
European Command also supports efforts to keep the peace in newly independent Kosovo, Craddock said. U.S. forces make up about 10 percent of the 16,000 international troops in Kosovo, he noted.
Craddock said his organization also works closely with U.S. Africa Command, which was stood up at Kelly Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, on Oct. 1. European Command previously had responsibility for several African nations.
U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility includes all of Latin America and parts of the Caribbean. SOUTHCOM chief Navy Adm. James Stavridis described the region as a "vibrant and diverse part of the world" where $1.2 trillion worth of U.S. economic trade is transacted.
Yet, SOUTHCOM's area of responsibility also includes challenges, Stavridis said.
"There are enormous challenges, starting with poverty, but also drugs," the four-star admiral noted. Regional terrorists, including the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, increasingly rely on narcotics trafficking as a way to raise funds, he said.
Stavridis also sees "the beginnings of Islamic radical terrorism" in some parts of his area of responsibility.
On the Caribbean watch, Cuba remains the sole dictatorship in the Americas, Stavridis said, while noting Haiti "continues to be a nation that is trying to overcome extreme challenges of poverty."
The admiral also cited recent tensions caused by a border dispute between Colombia and its neighbors Venezuela and Ecuador. Venezuela and Ecuador accused Colombia of violating their sovereignty during recent Colombian military operations that attacked terrorists operating along the countries' common borders.
"Thankfully, those (tensions) appear to be diminished," Stavridis said.
Reporting on AFRICOM affairs, Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward said the command's creation "signals a new focus on United States' strategic interests for Africa and its island nations."
AFRICOM will work with its partners on the African continent "to help create a secure and encouraging future" for all, Ward said.
"Our intent is to enable them to provide for their own security," Ward explained. Other U.S. agencies in addition to the Defense Department are involved in this endeavor, Ward continued, including the State Department's Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance program.
ACOTA "has helped prepare thousands of African military personnel for international peacekeeping operations," Ward pointed out. He said ACOTA-trained forces participate in U.N.- and African Union-sponsored peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Somalia and other areas of conflict.
U.S. soldiers and Marine now provide military training to African peacekeepers and professional development at the individual and unit level, Ward said, while the U.S. Air Force contributes airlift and logistical support.
"We also provide special operations counterterrorism training teams to strengthen national capabilities and enhance multinational cooperation," Ward added.
U.S. military forces also support numerous humanitarian missions in Africa, Ward said, in concert with the State Department's U.S. Agency for International Development.
In addition, the U.S. Navy and the Coast Guard "are helping African nations increase their maritime safety and security through training activities and programs that enhance maritime awareness," Ward pointed out.
Ward's face-to-face meetings with African military and political leaders "have made it clear that they want these programs to continue," the four-star general said.
"We will sustain our current efforts, and through Africa Command, we will improve military programs through our strategy of active security" to prevent conflict, Ward said.
American Forces Press Service
March 14, 2008 - The senior military leaders of U.S. European Command, U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Africa Command discussed issues related to their areas of operation during testimony before a House panel here yesterday. Supporting the global war against terrorism is his top priority, Army Gen. Bantz J. Craddock, NATO's supreme allied commander for Europe and European Command chief, told House Armed Services Committee members.
However, "EUCOM is also focused on sustaining Europe as a global partner and furthering U.S. security relationships," Craddock pointed out. Command objectives in this sphere, he explained, include "promoting lasting security and stability, maintaining the ability to employ the full range of capabilities across the spectrum of conflict, and fostering the growth of partner nation capacity and capability."
Servicemembers assigned to EUCOM routinely deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Craddock said, while other troops "are included in our global force pool and stand available for (other) missions as required."
From his NATO perspective, Craddock told the committee that nearly 50,000 NATO-aligned troops are in Afghanistan, including about 19,000 U.S. servicemembers.
"NATO remains committed to collective security and, increasingly, to a broader and more comprehensive view of security in an interdependent world," Craddock said.
The alliance "has taken the lead for security and stability in Afghanistan," Craddock reported. More than 47,000 International Security Assistance Force troops now deployed there are assisting Afghan forces in the fight against Taliban insurgents, he said.
European Command also supports efforts to keep the peace in newly independent Kosovo, Craddock said. U.S. forces make up about 10 percent of the 16,000 international troops in Kosovo, he noted.
Craddock said his organization also works closely with U.S. Africa Command, which was stood up at Kelly Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, on Oct. 1. European Command previously had responsibility for several African nations.
U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility includes all of Latin America and parts of the Caribbean. SOUTHCOM chief Navy Adm. James Stavridis described the region as a "vibrant and diverse part of the world" where $1.2 trillion worth of U.S. economic trade is transacted.
Yet, SOUTHCOM's area of responsibility also includes challenges, Stavridis said.
"There are enormous challenges, starting with poverty, but also drugs," the four-star admiral noted. Regional terrorists, including the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, increasingly rely on narcotics trafficking as a way to raise funds, he said.
Stavridis also sees "the beginnings of Islamic radical terrorism" in some parts of his area of responsibility.
On the Caribbean watch, Cuba remains the sole dictatorship in the Americas, Stavridis said, while noting Haiti "continues to be a nation that is trying to overcome extreme challenges of poverty."
The admiral also cited recent tensions caused by a border dispute between Colombia and its neighbors Venezuela and Ecuador. Venezuela and Ecuador accused Colombia of violating their sovereignty during recent Colombian military operations that attacked terrorists operating along the countries' common borders.
"Thankfully, those (tensions) appear to be diminished," Stavridis said.
Reporting on AFRICOM affairs, Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward said the command's creation "signals a new focus on United States' strategic interests for Africa and its island nations."
AFRICOM will work with its partners on the African continent "to help create a secure and encouraging future" for all, Ward said.
"Our intent is to enable them to provide for their own security," Ward explained. Other U.S. agencies in addition to the Defense Department are involved in this endeavor, Ward continued, including the State Department's Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance program.
ACOTA "has helped prepare thousands of African military personnel for international peacekeeping operations," Ward pointed out. He said ACOTA-trained forces participate in U.N.- and African Union-sponsored peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Somalia and other areas of conflict.
U.S. soldiers and Marine now provide military training to African peacekeepers and professional development at the individual and unit level, Ward said, while the U.S. Air Force contributes airlift and logistical support.
"We also provide special operations counterterrorism training teams to strengthen national capabilities and enhance multinational cooperation," Ward added.
U.S. military forces also support numerous humanitarian missions in Africa, Ward said, in concert with the State Department's U.S. Agency for International Development.
In addition, the U.S. Navy and the Coast Guard "are helping African nations increase their maritime safety and security through training activities and programs that enhance maritime awareness," Ward pointed out.
Ward's face-to-face meetings with African military and political leaders "have made it clear that they want these programs to continue," the four-star general said.
"We will sustain our current efforts, and through Africa Command, we will improve military programs through our strategy of active security" to prevent conflict, Ward said.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Review Panel Recommends Military Pay Changes
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
March 13, 2008 - The 10th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation has suggested a new way of measuring military pay, proposed that more money be spent on special and incentive pays, and recommended restructuring the basic allowance for housing. Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Jan D. "Denny" Eakle -- former deputy director of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service -- chaired the commission and briefed the media on the recommendations yesterday.
This was just the first release of the review, Eakle explained. A second volume, covering retirement and quality-of-life aspects of compensation, will be released in the summer.
Eakle said that whenever a QRMC convenes, the first question it examines always is whether military pay is comparable to pay in the private sector. The second is whether military pay is adequate to maintain the force, she said.
The 9th QRMC, released in 2002, concluded that for pay to be comparable, it had to be at or above the 70th percentile of the age- and education-matched civilian population, Eakle said. Military pay followed this guidance through 2006, and targeted pay raises in 2007 and 2008 ensure DoD exceeds the 70th percentile for enlisted personnel. Officer pay exceeded this goal in 2006 and has kept pace since then, she said.
Eakle said the current review studied whether the comparability formula is adequate. "Basically, what we wanted to do is create something which would give military members a better means of assessing how their pay stacked up in comparison to civilians," she said.
Regular military compensation was the measure used in previous QRMCs. This included basic pay, subsistence, housing and a measure of savings on federal income tax. "But there's a lot more to military compensation," she said.
The new system begins with regular military compensation and adds state and FICA tax advantages. Military personnel also do not pay out-of-pocket health care costs, such as co-pays, she explained, and all these folded into the panel's calculations. The new measurement is called military annual compensation, and it sets the 80th percentile as the standard for military compensation comparability with the private sector. Pay for enlisted personnel and officers meets this standard, Eakle said.
Congress revamped the special incentive pay categories from more than 60 to eight, Eakle said. "That, in fact, was a recommendation of this QRMC, and it was enacted before the publication of this document, Eakle said. "And so now it's up to the department to begin the process of drafting out the instructions to adopt this."
The review recommended increasing the size of the special and incentive pay budget. "Today we have an S&I budget that, quite frankly, is rather small in comparison to the size of the other pay accounts," she said. "And because of that, it doesn't give the service as much flexibility for arranging pay."
The review examined the basic allowance for housing and a previous recommendation to do away with the without-dependent housing rate. The review also proposed changes to the partial-BAH program.
Because some single servicemembers are making as little as 52 percent of the pay their peers who have families receive, the QRMC recommends raising that floor to no less than 75 percent at first, and to 95 percent over time. But the gap between married and single BAH should not disappear, Eakle said.
"What we have determined is that if it were completely closed, we would in fact then be over-compensating the singles, because of the difference in things like utilities and insurances," she explained.
The review did recommend changes for singles living on post or aboard ships. "Today, a young man or woman who is living in the barracks (or) living on a ship forfeits their entire housing allowance for doing that, and we don't think that that's necessarily the most equitable way to operate," Eakle said.
The proposal is a new variable, partial BAH based on the value of the quarters the servicemembers occupy. The DoD standard is a one-plus-one dormitory -- meaning each individual having a bedroom and a shared cooking facility and bathroom. "That's very much like sharing a two-bedroom apartment," Eakle said. "And so for those people, we think that the BAH that they are giving up is actually pretty close to what they should be paying for it."
For those living with three roommates, the review believes they are overpaying for their accommodations by forfeiting their entire housing allowance, and "we would recommend that they get a rebate on their BAH."
"The range we are talking about is going from zero for people in the one-plus-one dormitories, up to a 25 percent rebate for those who are living in ships with hot-bunk arrangements," she said. "So you'd be able to give people something in recognition of the fact that housing is not at the DoD standard."
The review also recommended staying with time-in-service pay tables. A previous commission, the Defense Advisory Committee on Military Compensation, recommended replacing the time-in-service pay table with a time-in-grade pay table. This would reward pay for performance, the commission members believed.
"We looked very seriously at this recommendation, but we've chosen not to accept it and are not going to endorse the change," Eakle said.
She said it would exacerbate pay differentials, adding: "We don't think that's in keeping with our spirit of being fair and equitable to all members."
American Forces Press Service
March 13, 2008 - The 10th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation has suggested a new way of measuring military pay, proposed that more money be spent on special and incentive pays, and recommended restructuring the basic allowance for housing. Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Jan D. "Denny" Eakle -- former deputy director of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service -- chaired the commission and briefed the media on the recommendations yesterday.
This was just the first release of the review, Eakle explained. A second volume, covering retirement and quality-of-life aspects of compensation, will be released in the summer.
Eakle said that whenever a QRMC convenes, the first question it examines always is whether military pay is comparable to pay in the private sector. The second is whether military pay is adequate to maintain the force, she said.
The 9th QRMC, released in 2002, concluded that for pay to be comparable, it had to be at or above the 70th percentile of the age- and education-matched civilian population, Eakle said. Military pay followed this guidance through 2006, and targeted pay raises in 2007 and 2008 ensure DoD exceeds the 70th percentile for enlisted personnel. Officer pay exceeded this goal in 2006 and has kept pace since then, she said.
Eakle said the current review studied whether the comparability formula is adequate. "Basically, what we wanted to do is create something which would give military members a better means of assessing how their pay stacked up in comparison to civilians," she said.
Regular military compensation was the measure used in previous QRMCs. This included basic pay, subsistence, housing and a measure of savings on federal income tax. "But there's a lot more to military compensation," she said.
The new system begins with regular military compensation and adds state and FICA tax advantages. Military personnel also do not pay out-of-pocket health care costs, such as co-pays, she explained, and all these folded into the panel's calculations. The new measurement is called military annual compensation, and it sets the 80th percentile as the standard for military compensation comparability with the private sector. Pay for enlisted personnel and officers meets this standard, Eakle said.
Congress revamped the special incentive pay categories from more than 60 to eight, Eakle said. "That, in fact, was a recommendation of this QRMC, and it was enacted before the publication of this document, Eakle said. "And so now it's up to the department to begin the process of drafting out the instructions to adopt this."
The review recommended increasing the size of the special and incentive pay budget. "Today we have an S&I budget that, quite frankly, is rather small in comparison to the size of the other pay accounts," she said. "And because of that, it doesn't give the service as much flexibility for arranging pay."
The review examined the basic allowance for housing and a previous recommendation to do away with the without-dependent housing rate. The review also proposed changes to the partial-BAH program.
Because some single servicemembers are making as little as 52 percent of the pay their peers who have families receive, the QRMC recommends raising that floor to no less than 75 percent at first, and to 95 percent over time. But the gap between married and single BAH should not disappear, Eakle said.
"What we have determined is that if it were completely closed, we would in fact then be over-compensating the singles, because of the difference in things like utilities and insurances," she explained.
The review did recommend changes for singles living on post or aboard ships. "Today, a young man or woman who is living in the barracks (or) living on a ship forfeits their entire housing allowance for doing that, and we don't think that that's necessarily the most equitable way to operate," Eakle said.
The proposal is a new variable, partial BAH based on the value of the quarters the servicemembers occupy. The DoD standard is a one-plus-one dormitory -- meaning each individual having a bedroom and a shared cooking facility and bathroom. "That's very much like sharing a two-bedroom apartment," Eakle said. "And so for those people, we think that the BAH that they are giving up is actually pretty close to what they should be paying for it."
For those living with three roommates, the review believes they are overpaying for their accommodations by forfeiting their entire housing allowance, and "we would recommend that they get a rebate on their BAH."
"The range we are talking about is going from zero for people in the one-plus-one dormitories, up to a 25 percent rebate for those who are living in ships with hot-bunk arrangements," she said. "So you'd be able to give people something in recognition of the fact that housing is not at the DoD standard."
The review also recommended staying with time-in-service pay tables. A previous commission, the Defense Advisory Committee on Military Compensation, recommended replacing the time-in-service pay table with a time-in-grade pay table. This would reward pay for performance, the commission members believed.
"We looked very seriously at this recommendation, but we've chosen not to accept it and are not going to endorse the change," Eakle said.
She said it would exacerbate pay differentials, adding: "We don't think that's in keeping with our spirit of being fair and equitable to all members."
Military Medical Care on Right Track, Wounded Warriors Say
American Forces Press Service
March 13, 2008 - The majority of severely wounded warriors say the military health system is on the right track, and is doing all it can and should to provide their care, a new Zogby International survey shows. The poll of 435 servicemembers wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan shows 77 percent are satisfied the military health system is doing all it can to meet their health care needs, and nearly 60 percent said their trust and confidence in the system has increased since they began receiving medical treatment for their wounds.
The poll was conducted Feb. 27 and commissioned by the Tricare Management Authority, the Defense Department office that manages the Tricare military health plan. Six questions were asked. Those questioned were randomly chosen. The polling firm Zogby International has been tracking public opinion since 1984 in North America, Latin America, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
A wide majority across all age groups agreed the system is doing all it should to meet their needs. Among men, 78 percent agreed, while 69 percent of women said the system is doing all it should.
Servicemembers home longer from their deployment were more likely to feel the military health system was doing all it should be doing to meet their needs. Among those who had been home six months or less, 64 percent felt the system was doing all it could. But 84 percent of those who had been home between 19 and 24 months, and 93 percent of those who had been home 25 to 36 months were more pleased with the health care they were receiving, saying they thought the system was doing all it should be doing.
The survey shows that, while a majority of all age groups were satisfied with and confident in the military health system, the older the servicemember, the more satisfied they were. Among those 18 to 35 years old, more than half said their trust and confidence in the system was improving. Fifty-nine percent of those 35 to 44 years old and 79 percent of those ages 45 to 54 said the same.
Servicemembers who had returned home from deployment within the last six months were least likely to feel their trust and confidence in the health system had increased, but trust and confidence grows over time, and then dissipates somewhat among those home longer than three and a half years.
Those surveyed were all members of "warrior transition units" who required at least six months of complex medical care. The units, established in June, were designed to more effectively deal with such health care needs. The warrior transition units were created after media reports of poor conditions for some injured soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here.
When asked about whether they believed conditions had improved since those widely publicized reports, 71 percent said they think the military health system is now on the right track, while 10 percent said it is not, and another 19 percent said they were unsure.
Among enlisted personnel, 69 percent said they think the military health system in on the right track since the Walter Reed reports, compared to 76 percent of officers who said the same thing.
A majority of the injured servicemembers said their expectations for recovery have increased since they returned from their deployments.
March 13, 2008 - The majority of severely wounded warriors say the military health system is on the right track, and is doing all it can and should to provide their care, a new Zogby International survey shows. The poll of 435 servicemembers wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan shows 77 percent are satisfied the military health system is doing all it can to meet their health care needs, and nearly 60 percent said their trust and confidence in the system has increased since they began receiving medical treatment for their wounds.
The poll was conducted Feb. 27 and commissioned by the Tricare Management Authority, the Defense Department office that manages the Tricare military health plan. Six questions were asked. Those questioned were randomly chosen. The polling firm Zogby International has been tracking public opinion since 1984 in North America, Latin America, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
A wide majority across all age groups agreed the system is doing all it should to meet their needs. Among men, 78 percent agreed, while 69 percent of women said the system is doing all it should.
Servicemembers home longer from their deployment were more likely to feel the military health system was doing all it should be doing to meet their needs. Among those who had been home six months or less, 64 percent felt the system was doing all it could. But 84 percent of those who had been home between 19 and 24 months, and 93 percent of those who had been home 25 to 36 months were more pleased with the health care they were receiving, saying they thought the system was doing all it should be doing.
The survey shows that, while a majority of all age groups were satisfied with and confident in the military health system, the older the servicemember, the more satisfied they were. Among those 18 to 35 years old, more than half said their trust and confidence in the system was improving. Fifty-nine percent of those 35 to 44 years old and 79 percent of those ages 45 to 54 said the same.
Servicemembers who had returned home from deployment within the last six months were least likely to feel their trust and confidence in the health system had increased, but trust and confidence grows over time, and then dissipates somewhat among those home longer than three and a half years.
Those surveyed were all members of "warrior transition units" who required at least six months of complex medical care. The units, established in June, were designed to more effectively deal with such health care needs. The warrior transition units were created after media reports of poor conditions for some injured soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here.
When asked about whether they believed conditions had improved since those widely publicized reports, 71 percent said they think the military health system is now on the right track, while 10 percent said it is not, and another 19 percent said they were unsure.
Among enlisted personnel, 69 percent said they think the military health system in on the right track since the Walter Reed reports, compared to 76 percent of officers who said the same thing.
A majority of the injured servicemembers said their expectations for recovery have increased since they returned from their deployments.
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