By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
March 18, 2009 - The Army will phase out use of the so-called "stop-loss" program between now and January, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today. Since the beginning of his term as defense secretary, Gates has called on the services to eliminate their dependence on the controversial program that allows the involuntary extension of servicemembers' active duty past the scheduled end of their term of service.
The Army currently has 13,000 soldiers whose active duty status was extended through the program so they could deploy with their units. The Army is the only service using the program.
"We have the legal authority to do it," Gates said during a Pentagon news conference. "But ... I felt, particularly in these numbers, that it was breaking faith. It wasn't a violation of the enlistment contract. But I believe that when somebody's end date of service comes up, to hold them against their will, if you will, is just not the right thing to do."
The secretary said there will always be the need to hold a few people in the service, but it should be a small number. "I would like to get it down to scores, not thousands," he said.
The secretary's decision will eliminate the use of stop-loss for deploying soldiers.
"Effective this August, the U.S. Army Reserve will no longer mobilize units under stop-loss," Gates said. "The Army National Guard will stop doing so in September, and active Army units will cease employing stop-loss in January."
The goal is to cut the number of soldiers remaining in the Army under stop-loss by 50 percent by June 2010 and to near zero by March 2011. "We will retain the authority to use stop-loss under extraordinary circumstances," Gates said.
The Army will put in place a number of incentives to encourage soldiers to voluntarily extend their enlistments to mitigate the impact the decision will have on unit cohesion and strength. Starting this month, the Army will pay stop-lossed solders $500 a month. The program is retroactive to Oct. 1, which was when Congress passed the law permitting the payments.
While there is some risk, Gates said, he wants to do everything to make sure "soldiers are not unnecessarily forced to stay in the Army past their end of service date."
Army leaders spoke to the secretary recently on the proposal, and they are putting in place the directives and regulations to make it work, Army officials said.
"I think that the way the Army is approaching this mitigates those risks, so I feel comfortable with this plan," Gates said.
The Army is able to make this move because of three reasons, Army officials said: the changing conditions in Iraq, a new unit rotation program that is being put in place, and the increase in the size of the Army. Over the next 18 months, the drawdown in Iraq will far outnumber the increase in Afghanistan, Gates said.
The Marines used stop-loss early in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. A total of 3,389 active-duty Marines served beyond their terms of service. About 5,000 Marine reservists were stop-lossed, but only 443 of them were mobilized, Marine Corps officials said. The Marines stopped using the program May 12, 2003.
The Air Force used the program sparingly in 2001, 2002 and 2003. It implemented stop-loss for 43 officers and 56 enlisted airmen for Operation Iraqi Freedom, and ended it on June 23, 2003.
The Navy has not used the program since the spring of 2003, and then it was for medical corpsmen to serve with the Marines, Navy officials said.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
MILITARY CONTRACTS March 18, 2009
NAVY
Parsons Infrastructure & Technology Group, Inc., Pasadena, Calif., is being awarded an estimated $977,374,565 requirements contract with firm-fixed unit prices subject to economic price adjustment. This contract will provide a realistic environment to support a variety of training tasks related to the deployment and maneuverability in an urban setting to enable Marines to conduct training in an environment replicating urban conditions. The Military Operations in Urban Terrain system also allows Marine units to master the challenges of urban navigation, movement, target acquisition and engagement and cross boundary coordination. The training may be performed at any Marine Corp base worldwide, and the work is estimated to be completed March 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This effort was awarded by using a full and open competition. The Marine Corps System Command, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity (M67854-09-D-8000).
Omega Aerial Refueling Services, Inc., Alexandria, Va., is being awarded a $24,666,665 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-07-D-0009) to exercise an option for contractor owned and operated aircraft in support of the Commercial Air Services program, which provides aerial refueling tanking for Navy and other Government agency aircraft. Work will be performed in Oceana, Va. (45 percent); Point Mugu, Calif. (35 percent); and various military activities across the United States and OCONUS (20 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
C&G Boat Works*, Inc., Mobile, Ala., was awarded March 17, 2009, a $17,584,236 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-2236) to exercise an option to construct two Yard Patrol Training Craft used to train U.S. Navy midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy. Work will be performed in Mobile, Ala., and is expected to be completed by March 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
Progeny Systems Corporation*, Manassas, Va., was awarded March 17, 2009, a $12,619,042 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-6272) for engineering and technical services involving technology assessments, system design, software development, and hardware/software integration for undersea weapons and related undersea warfare combat and submarine platform systems. This effort is a continuation of the concept of Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR), and is titled Topic No. N96-278 "Technology Infusion Methodology for Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Based Systems" for the development of processes to introduce commercially available components into existing systems. This process will provide the framework and methodologies for introducing upgrade and/or replacement components for obsolete items as well as for upgrades to the system to provide additional capability. Work will be performed in Charleroi, Pa., (50 percent); Manassas, Va. (30 percent); Middletown, R.I. (15 percent); and Salt Lake City, Utah (5 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2010. 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.
McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., was awarded March 17, 2009, a $6,625,124 firm-fixed-price order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-05-G-0026) for inner wing conversion and reliability improvements required pursuant to Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) 609. This ECP will convert existing F/A-18A/B Lots 5-9 Inner Wing assemblies to be compatible with F/A-18 C/D Lots 10, 11, 12, and up aircraft. This ECP also defines changes required to convert existing F/A-18 C/D Lots 10 and 11 Inner Wings to be compatible with F/A-18 C/D Lots 12 and up aircraft. ECP 609 also addresses reliability issues with two fuel tubes, which will be replaced with heat treated versions and define requirements to improve sealing of the inner wing to prevent stress corrosion cracking of the lower spar flanges. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo. (74 percent) and Mesa, Ariz. (26 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Hermes Consolidated Inc. dba Wyoming Refining Co., Denver, Colo.* is being awarded a maximum $72,591,525 fixed price with economic price adjustment, partial set aside, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for aviation fuel. Other location of performance is Wyoming. Using service is Defense Energy Support Center. There were originally 68 proposals solicited with 26 responses. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is March 31, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-09-D-0472).
Irving Oil Terminal Inc., Portsmouth, N.H. is being awarded a maximum $60,673,632 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for aviation fuel. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Defense Energy Support Center. There were originally 48 proposals solicited with 23 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is April 30, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-09-D-0474).
Cardinal Health, Inc., Dublin, Ohio is being awarded a maximum $60,168,630 firm fixed price, pharmaceutical prime vendor, justification and approval contract for distribution of pharmaceutical items. Other location of performance is North Carolina. Using service is Department of Defense. The original proposal was Web solicited on FedBizOps with 3 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is March 31, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Va. (SPM200-01-D-1606).
AmerisourceBergen Drug Co., Wayne, Pa. is being awarded a maximum $26,587,371 firm fixed price, pharmaceutical prime vendor, justification and approval contract for distribution of pharmaceutical items. Other location of performance is Hawaii. Using service is Department of Defense. The original proposal was Web solicited on FedBizOps with 3 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is March 31, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Va. (SP0200-00-R-2501).
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding a cost-plus-fixed-fee indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to InfoSciTex Corporation, of Waltham, Massachusetts for $49,500,000 dollars. This action will provide an aerospace technology evaluation and assessment program will provide research and engineering for the technical requirements for the Air Force Research Laboratory and Aeronautical Systems Center by employing and or generating state-of-the-art modeling, simulation, and analysis tools and techniques. At this time, $627,000 has been obligated. AFRL/PKVA, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8650-09-D-3900)
The Air Force is awarding a cost plus fixed fee contract to William March Rice University of Houston, Texas for $16,071,769. The platform aware compilation environment contract will improve programmer productivity and application performance through the development of a productive computationally efficient architecture aware complier environment. At this time, $5,255,299 has been obligated. AFRL/PKDA, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8650-09-C-7915)
The Air Force is modifying a firm fixed price contract with Lockheed Marin Corporation of Orlando, Florida for $14,251,799. This action will provide additional depot spares and a readiness spares package for the AN/AAQ-39 to support a six ship deployment for the AC-130 gunship aircraft. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 667th AESS/SYKA, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8629-08-C-2402, P00004)
The Air Force is awarding an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to ATC-NY of Ithaca, New York for a maximum $12,000,000. The purpose of this acquisition is to research, develop, enhance and transition critical SBIR technologies to support a secure data sharing environment with multi-level security across multiple organizations. At this time, $220,000 has been obligated. AFRL/RIKE, Rome, New York is the contracting activity. (FA8750-09-D-0046)
Parsons Infrastructure & Technology Group, Inc., Pasadena, Calif., is being awarded an estimated $977,374,565 requirements contract with firm-fixed unit prices subject to economic price adjustment. This contract will provide a realistic environment to support a variety of training tasks related to the deployment and maneuverability in an urban setting to enable Marines to conduct training in an environment replicating urban conditions. The Military Operations in Urban Terrain system also allows Marine units to master the challenges of urban navigation, movement, target acquisition and engagement and cross boundary coordination. The training may be performed at any Marine Corp base worldwide, and the work is estimated to be completed March 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This effort was awarded by using a full and open competition. The Marine Corps System Command, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity (M67854-09-D-8000).
Omega Aerial Refueling Services, Inc., Alexandria, Va., is being awarded a $24,666,665 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-07-D-0009) to exercise an option for contractor owned and operated aircraft in support of the Commercial Air Services program, which provides aerial refueling tanking for Navy and other Government agency aircraft. Work will be performed in Oceana, Va. (45 percent); Point Mugu, Calif. (35 percent); and various military activities across the United States and OCONUS (20 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
C&G Boat Works*, Inc., Mobile, Ala., was awarded March 17, 2009, a $17,584,236 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-2236) to exercise an option to construct two Yard Patrol Training Craft used to train U.S. Navy midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy. Work will be performed in Mobile, Ala., and is expected to be completed by March 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
Progeny Systems Corporation*, Manassas, Va., was awarded March 17, 2009, a $12,619,042 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-6272) for engineering and technical services involving technology assessments, system design, software development, and hardware/software integration for undersea weapons and related undersea warfare combat and submarine platform systems. This effort is a continuation of the concept of Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR), and is titled Topic No. N96-278 "Technology Infusion Methodology for Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Based Systems" for the development of processes to introduce commercially available components into existing systems. This process will provide the framework and methodologies for introducing upgrade and/or replacement components for obsolete items as well as for upgrades to the system to provide additional capability. Work will be performed in Charleroi, Pa., (50 percent); Manassas, Va. (30 percent); Middletown, R.I. (15 percent); and Salt Lake City, Utah (5 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2010. 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.
McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., was awarded March 17, 2009, a $6,625,124 firm-fixed-price order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-05-G-0026) for inner wing conversion and reliability improvements required pursuant to Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) 609. This ECP will convert existing F/A-18A/B Lots 5-9 Inner Wing assemblies to be compatible with F/A-18 C/D Lots 10, 11, 12, and up aircraft. This ECP also defines changes required to convert existing F/A-18 C/D Lots 10 and 11 Inner Wings to be compatible with F/A-18 C/D Lots 12 and up aircraft. ECP 609 also addresses reliability issues with two fuel tubes, which will be replaced with heat treated versions and define requirements to improve sealing of the inner wing to prevent stress corrosion cracking of the lower spar flanges. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo. (74 percent) and Mesa, Ariz. (26 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Hermes Consolidated Inc. dba Wyoming Refining Co., Denver, Colo.* is being awarded a maximum $72,591,525 fixed price with economic price adjustment, partial set aside, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for aviation fuel. Other location of performance is Wyoming. Using service is Defense Energy Support Center. There were originally 68 proposals solicited with 26 responses. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is March 31, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-09-D-0472).
Irving Oil Terminal Inc., Portsmouth, N.H. is being awarded a maximum $60,673,632 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for aviation fuel. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Defense Energy Support Center. There were originally 48 proposals solicited with 23 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is April 30, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-09-D-0474).
Cardinal Health, Inc., Dublin, Ohio is being awarded a maximum $60,168,630 firm fixed price, pharmaceutical prime vendor, justification and approval contract for distribution of pharmaceutical items. Other location of performance is North Carolina. Using service is Department of Defense. The original proposal was Web solicited on FedBizOps with 3 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is March 31, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Va. (SPM200-01-D-1606).
AmerisourceBergen Drug Co., Wayne, Pa. is being awarded a maximum $26,587,371 firm fixed price, pharmaceutical prime vendor, justification and approval contract for distribution of pharmaceutical items. Other location of performance is Hawaii. Using service is Department of Defense. The original proposal was Web solicited on FedBizOps with 3 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is March 31, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Va. (SP0200-00-R-2501).
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding a cost-plus-fixed-fee indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to InfoSciTex Corporation, of Waltham, Massachusetts for $49,500,000 dollars. This action will provide an aerospace technology evaluation and assessment program will provide research and engineering for the technical requirements for the Air Force Research Laboratory and Aeronautical Systems Center by employing and or generating state-of-the-art modeling, simulation, and analysis tools and techniques. At this time, $627,000 has been obligated. AFRL/PKVA, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8650-09-D-3900)
The Air Force is awarding a cost plus fixed fee contract to William March Rice University of Houston, Texas for $16,071,769. The platform aware compilation environment contract will improve programmer productivity and application performance through the development of a productive computationally efficient architecture aware complier environment. At this time, $5,255,299 has been obligated. AFRL/PKDA, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8650-09-C-7915)
The Air Force is modifying a firm fixed price contract with Lockheed Marin Corporation of Orlando, Florida for $14,251,799. This action will provide additional depot spares and a readiness spares package for the AN/AAQ-39 to support a six ship deployment for the AC-130 gunship aircraft. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 667th AESS/SYKA, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8629-08-C-2402, P00004)
The Air Force is awarding an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to ATC-NY of Ithaca, New York for a maximum $12,000,000. The purpose of this acquisition is to research, develop, enhance and transition critical SBIR technologies to support a secure data sharing environment with multi-level security across multiple organizations. At this time, $220,000 has been obligated. AFRL/RIKE, Rome, New York is the contracting activity. (FA8750-09-D-0046)
Armed Services Field Programs to Combat Servicemember Suicides
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
March 18, 2009 - One servicemember suicide "is too many," and each military service now has programs designed to combat the problem, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told reporters at a Pentagon news conference today. About one-third of the suicides in the military involve members who've never deployed overseas, Gates said.
Gates also said he's been told that broken relationships constitute one of the principal causes of servicemember suicide.
"And it's not hard not to imagine that repeated deployments don't have an impact on those relationships," Gates said, noting that he didn't have any data on hand to support that contention.
"But, it just seems to me [to be] common sense, that repeated deployments have to weigh very heavily on relationships," Gates said. The Army's previous 15-month deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan "were a real strain on many of our men and women in uniform, as well," he added. Army units now deploy for 12 months.
Servicemember suicide is an issue the Defense Department "takes very seriously," Gates said.
All of the armed services are working to prevent servicemember suicide, Gates said, and the Army, in particular, is engaged aggressively in that endeavor.
The Army's anti-suicide program, Gates said, appears similar to efforts that seek to identify and assist soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Noncommissioned officers are trained how to recognize if junior-rank soldiers are depressed or seem disconnected from associates and their families.
"I've seen some of the training materials that they've provided, and I think that they are doing the appropriate things," Gates said of the Army's efforts to combat suicide.
Later in the day, a group of senior military officers from across the services told members of a Senate Armed Services subcommittee about their suicide prevention efforts. Before the start of the hearing, committee chairman Sen. Ben Nelson said the military services have seen increased rates of servicemember suicides between calendar years 2007 and 2008.
Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli said he and other senior leaders are working hard to solve the soldier-suicide issue. The Army has stood up an anti-suicide task force that recently issued an interactive video that attacks "that issue of stigma," Chiarelli said. Some soldiers have been reluctant to seek help for psychological issues because they fear it would affect their careers or that would be perceived as weak for doing so.
Years of war and overseas deployments have "undeniably put a strain" on the Army's soldiers, Chiarelli said, noting that the effects of stress have resulted in increased incidence of suicide.
"We must find ways to relieve some of this stress; particularly the stress caused by deployments and frequent lengthy periods of separation," Chiarelli said.
Even though the demand to deploy soldiers overseas is expected to remain high for some time, Chiarelli said, the Army is "focused on mitigating the stress as much as possible."
Suicide ranks as the third-leading cause of death in the Navy, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Patrick M. Walsh said at the hearing. The Navy, he said, now is embarked on a comprehensive suicide-prevention program.
Sailor suicide also "destroys families, devastates communities [and] unravels the cohesive social fabric and morale inside our commands," Walsh said. The Navy, he said, is instructing its leaders to look for and connect with those individuals seemingly beset with relationship, financial, legal, and work troubles and exhibiting deteriorating physical and mental health, including depression.
The Navy must also "eliminate the perceived stigma, shame and dishonor of asking for help," Walsh said. Naval commanders, he said, have an important, supportive role in this endeavor.
"The tragic loss of a Marine to suicide is deeply felt by all of us who remain behind," Assistant Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James F. Amos said. The Marines, he said, lost 41 members to suicide in 2008, 33 in 2007, and 25 in 2006.
"That is unacceptable; we are taking action to turn this around," Amos said, noting that the Marine Corps is committed "to fix" the suicide issue. Data shows, he said, that the most likely Marine to die by suicide is a young Caucasian male, ranging in age from 18 to 24, and between the ranks of private and sergeant.
The most likely cause of Marine suicides "is a failed relationship with a woman," Amos said, noting that men are more likely to take their lives. The most common methods of Marine suicide, he said, are gunshots and hanging, similar to civilian statistics.
Suicide prevention, Amos said, is required training at Marine boot camps, for all new officers, and is incorporated throughout the Corps' officer, noncommissioned officer, and enlisted professional development education systems.
"Our NCOs have the day-to-day contact with Marines, and therefore, the best opportunity to see changes in behavior and other problems that can identify Marines in need of further assistance," Amos said. "As a result, we are developing a high-impact leadership training program focused on our noncommissioned officers and our corpsmen."
Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. William M. Fraser III said his service is "doing all we can to focus on suicide prevention, while heightening awareness and exploring new approaches on this issue affecting our Air Force and airmen."
With today's sustained operational tempo, Fraser said, the Air Force is taking steps to ensure that its servicemembers are mentally prepared for deployments and re-deployments as they are prepared physically and professionally.
"We continue to make strides in implementing our Air Force suicide prevention program," Fraser said, "in further enhancing our psychological health treatment and our management programs, and in strengthening our continued partnerships with our sister services and our interagency colleagues."
Despite the successes, Fraser said, one suicide remains too many.
"And so we remain committed to these programs – individually and collectively – as a part of a larger effort to take care of our Air Force's most valuable assets, its people," Fraser said.
American Forces Press Service
March 18, 2009 - One servicemember suicide "is too many," and each military service now has programs designed to combat the problem, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told reporters at a Pentagon news conference today. About one-third of the suicides in the military involve members who've never deployed overseas, Gates said.
Gates also said he's been told that broken relationships constitute one of the principal causes of servicemember suicide.
"And it's not hard not to imagine that repeated deployments don't have an impact on those relationships," Gates said, noting that he didn't have any data on hand to support that contention.
"But, it just seems to me [to be] common sense, that repeated deployments have to weigh very heavily on relationships," Gates said. The Army's previous 15-month deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan "were a real strain on many of our men and women in uniform, as well," he added. Army units now deploy for 12 months.
Servicemember suicide is an issue the Defense Department "takes very seriously," Gates said.
All of the armed services are working to prevent servicemember suicide, Gates said, and the Army, in particular, is engaged aggressively in that endeavor.
The Army's anti-suicide program, Gates said, appears similar to efforts that seek to identify and assist soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Noncommissioned officers are trained how to recognize if junior-rank soldiers are depressed or seem disconnected from associates and their families.
"I've seen some of the training materials that they've provided, and I think that they are doing the appropriate things," Gates said of the Army's efforts to combat suicide.
Later in the day, a group of senior military officers from across the services told members of a Senate Armed Services subcommittee about their suicide prevention efforts. Before the start of the hearing, committee chairman Sen. Ben Nelson said the military services have seen increased rates of servicemember suicides between calendar years 2007 and 2008.
Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli said he and other senior leaders are working hard to solve the soldier-suicide issue. The Army has stood up an anti-suicide task force that recently issued an interactive video that attacks "that issue of stigma," Chiarelli said. Some soldiers have been reluctant to seek help for psychological issues because they fear it would affect their careers or that would be perceived as weak for doing so.
Years of war and overseas deployments have "undeniably put a strain" on the Army's soldiers, Chiarelli said, noting that the effects of stress have resulted in increased incidence of suicide.
"We must find ways to relieve some of this stress; particularly the stress caused by deployments and frequent lengthy periods of separation," Chiarelli said.
Even though the demand to deploy soldiers overseas is expected to remain high for some time, Chiarelli said, the Army is "focused on mitigating the stress as much as possible."
Suicide ranks as the third-leading cause of death in the Navy, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Patrick M. Walsh said at the hearing. The Navy, he said, now is embarked on a comprehensive suicide-prevention program.
Sailor suicide also "destroys families, devastates communities [and] unravels the cohesive social fabric and morale inside our commands," Walsh said. The Navy, he said, is instructing its leaders to look for and connect with those individuals seemingly beset with relationship, financial, legal, and work troubles and exhibiting deteriorating physical and mental health, including depression.
The Navy must also "eliminate the perceived stigma, shame and dishonor of asking for help," Walsh said. Naval commanders, he said, have an important, supportive role in this endeavor.
"The tragic loss of a Marine to suicide is deeply felt by all of us who remain behind," Assistant Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James F. Amos said. The Marines, he said, lost 41 members to suicide in 2008, 33 in 2007, and 25 in 2006.
"That is unacceptable; we are taking action to turn this around," Amos said, noting that the Marine Corps is committed "to fix" the suicide issue. Data shows, he said, that the most likely Marine to die by suicide is a young Caucasian male, ranging in age from 18 to 24, and between the ranks of private and sergeant.
The most likely cause of Marine suicides "is a failed relationship with a woman," Amos said, noting that men are more likely to take their lives. The most common methods of Marine suicide, he said, are gunshots and hanging, similar to civilian statistics.
Suicide prevention, Amos said, is required training at Marine boot camps, for all new officers, and is incorporated throughout the Corps' officer, noncommissioned officer, and enlisted professional development education systems.
"Our NCOs have the day-to-day contact with Marines, and therefore, the best opportunity to see changes in behavior and other problems that can identify Marines in need of further assistance," Amos said. "As a result, we are developing a high-impact leadership training program focused on our noncommissioned officers and our corpsmen."
Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. William M. Fraser III said his service is "doing all we can to focus on suicide prevention, while heightening awareness and exploring new approaches on this issue affecting our Air Force and airmen."
With today's sustained operational tempo, Fraser said, the Air Force is taking steps to ensure that its servicemembers are mentally prepared for deployments and re-deployments as they are prepared physically and professionally.
"We continue to make strides in implementing our Air Force suicide prevention program," Fraser said, "in further enhancing our psychological health treatment and our management programs, and in strengthening our continued partnerships with our sister services and our interagency colleagues."
Despite the successes, Fraser said, one suicide remains too many.
"And so we remain committed to these programs – individually and collectively – as a part of a larger effort to take care of our Air Force's most valuable assets, its people," Fraser said.
Families' Wishes Will Drive New Media Guidelines at Dover, Gates Says
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
March 18, 2009 - The wishes of the families will be the overriding principle guiding any media coverage of fallen warriors' remains arriving at Dover Air Force Base, Del., Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today. Gates directed a working group to come up with a plan to change a ban on such coverage imposed during the Gulf War in the early 1990s.
"The working group I tasked to come up with an implementation plan has reported back, and we will put a number of its recommendations into action starting next month," Gates said during a Pentagon news conference.
If several remains return to Dover on the same flight, for example, "the media will be permitted to cover only the dignified transfer of individuals whose families have given permission," he said.
"Further, should immediate family members wish to be present for the arrival of their fallen hero at Dover, and this can be done without unduly delaying a fallen's return to his or her own hometown, we will facilitate that travel, and we will fund it," Gates said.
The study began with a survey of the groups concerned with the process. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael J. Basla chaired the Defense Department's working group. He said his group spoke with Gold Star Mothers, Gold Star Wives, veterans groups and senior enlisted advisors. "What we heard were two sides of the story," Basla said during an interview. "Some were very in favor of media access to the dignified transfers when the families agree, and some had concerns."
The concerns were all around wanting to put the fallen heroes in the best of light. "They were concerned that that may not happen if we lose control," Basla said. On the other hand, he said, many family members wanted to tell the stories of their loved ones.
Officials at Dover will work out how the process will work. If families do not want media present, then officials at Dover can accomplish the dignified transfer of remains for those fallen warriors before allowing the media out to the tarmac.
Media professionals will have a strict protocol to follow when covering the story, Basla said. "If any part of the media violates those protocols, then their access would be restricted in the future. We're going to preserve the privacy of these families, and we're going to maintain the dignity of these transfers."
In making his announcement, Gates echoed those sentiments.
"We are committed to seeing that America's fallen heroes are received back to their loved ones and their country with the honor, respect and recognition that they and their families have earned," he said.
American Forces Press Service
March 18, 2009 - The wishes of the families will be the overriding principle guiding any media coverage of fallen warriors' remains arriving at Dover Air Force Base, Del., Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today. Gates directed a working group to come up with a plan to change a ban on such coverage imposed during the Gulf War in the early 1990s.
"The working group I tasked to come up with an implementation plan has reported back, and we will put a number of its recommendations into action starting next month," Gates said during a Pentagon news conference.
If several remains return to Dover on the same flight, for example, "the media will be permitted to cover only the dignified transfer of individuals whose families have given permission," he said.
"Further, should immediate family members wish to be present for the arrival of their fallen hero at Dover, and this can be done without unduly delaying a fallen's return to his or her own hometown, we will facilitate that travel, and we will fund it," Gates said.
The study began with a survey of the groups concerned with the process. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael J. Basla chaired the Defense Department's working group. He said his group spoke with Gold Star Mothers, Gold Star Wives, veterans groups and senior enlisted advisors. "What we heard were two sides of the story," Basla said during an interview. "Some were very in favor of media access to the dignified transfers when the families agree, and some had concerns."
The concerns were all around wanting to put the fallen heroes in the best of light. "They were concerned that that may not happen if we lose control," Basla said. On the other hand, he said, many family members wanted to tell the stories of their loved ones.
Officials at Dover will work out how the process will work. If families do not want media present, then officials at Dover can accomplish the dignified transfer of remains for those fallen warriors before allowing the media out to the tarmac.
Media professionals will have a strict protocol to follow when covering the story, Basla said. "If any part of the media violates those protocols, then their access would be restricted in the future. We're going to preserve the privacy of these families, and we're going to maintain the dignity of these transfers."
In making his announcement, Gates echoed those sentiments.
"We are committed to seeing that America's fallen heroes are received back to their loved ones and their country with the honor, respect and recognition that they and their families have earned," he said.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Progress Made in Southcom Region, Challenges Remain, Admiral Says
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
March 17, 2009 - The top U.S. military officer for Latin America and the Caribbean today reported positive developments in the region over the past year, from increased military-to-military cooperation to progress in confronting drug-related terrorism to a dramatic hostage rescue by the Colombian military. Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis told the Senate Armed Services Committee he's confident these trends will continue in 2009, with new milestones to be reached in strengthening security cooperation with partner nations.
Stavridis cited major accomplishments during 2008, including the safe return and repatriation of three U.S. defense contractors held hostage for five and a half years in Colombia by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.
The Colombian military executed a "very daring, audacious raid" that Stavridis called "a real example of the success in five and a half years of building partnership capacity."
"So I think Colombia is on the right track," he told the senators.
Meanwhile, Stavridis pointed to a "robust year" of military-to-military exercises that he said are building capacity within regional militaries and the cooperation needed to deal with cross-border threats. For example, this year's Panamax exercise, with 22 countries involved, constituted the world's largest military training exercise in terms of participation.
Other exercises that focus on everything from special operations to disaster relief are growing in scale, too, increasing capability in the region. Stavridis called this "very robust schedule of mil-to-mil contacts ... a big part of what we need to do in this region to maintain this positive military-to-military connection wherever we can."
One of Southcom's most gratifying missions last year, Continuing Promise, dispatched the USS Kearsarge and USS Boxer to the region to provide medical assistance. As the teams conducted 200,000 patient treatments ashore, they demonstrated U.S. compassion and competence, Stavridis said.
The mission is "a way we can connect with this region" while at the same time providing "great training" to U.S. forces, he said.
While emphasizing strides made, Stavridis cited the problem of the narcotics flow through the region, and the increased use of semi-submersible watercraft to transport them.
"Last year we were able to stop 230 tons of cocaine," he said, but he emphasized that the challenge is not just on the supply side, but also on the demand side in the United States. Working together with partners in Mexico and Central America, with the help of tracking and interception equipment and training provided through the U.S. Merida Initiative, is an important step in addressing this problem, he said.
Southcom is working to foil the proliferation of semi-submersibles -- submarine-like watercraft built in the Andean Ridge jungles that are difficult to track as they transport as much as 7 tons of cocaine -- the admiral told the committee. "We're focusing a lot of resources on interdicting those, and working with our partners to do so," he said.
Stavridis reminded the committee of the importance of Latin America and the Caribbean to U.S. security and U.S. interests.
"What happens south of us will influence what happens here in our own nation," he said.
American Forces Press Service
March 17, 2009 - The top U.S. military officer for Latin America and the Caribbean today reported positive developments in the region over the past year, from increased military-to-military cooperation to progress in confronting drug-related terrorism to a dramatic hostage rescue by the Colombian military. Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis told the Senate Armed Services Committee he's confident these trends will continue in 2009, with new milestones to be reached in strengthening security cooperation with partner nations.
Stavridis cited major accomplishments during 2008, including the safe return and repatriation of three U.S. defense contractors held hostage for five and a half years in Colombia by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.
The Colombian military executed a "very daring, audacious raid" that Stavridis called "a real example of the success in five and a half years of building partnership capacity."
"So I think Colombia is on the right track," he told the senators.
Meanwhile, Stavridis pointed to a "robust year" of military-to-military exercises that he said are building capacity within regional militaries and the cooperation needed to deal with cross-border threats. For example, this year's Panamax exercise, with 22 countries involved, constituted the world's largest military training exercise in terms of participation.
Other exercises that focus on everything from special operations to disaster relief are growing in scale, too, increasing capability in the region. Stavridis called this "very robust schedule of mil-to-mil contacts ... a big part of what we need to do in this region to maintain this positive military-to-military connection wherever we can."
One of Southcom's most gratifying missions last year, Continuing Promise, dispatched the USS Kearsarge and USS Boxer to the region to provide medical assistance. As the teams conducted 200,000 patient treatments ashore, they demonstrated U.S. compassion and competence, Stavridis said.
The mission is "a way we can connect with this region" while at the same time providing "great training" to U.S. forces, he said.
While emphasizing strides made, Stavridis cited the problem of the narcotics flow through the region, and the increased use of semi-submersible watercraft to transport them.
"Last year we were able to stop 230 tons of cocaine," he said, but he emphasized that the challenge is not just on the supply side, but also on the demand side in the United States. Working together with partners in Mexico and Central America, with the help of tracking and interception equipment and training provided through the U.S. Merida Initiative, is an important step in addressing this problem, he said.
Southcom is working to foil the proliferation of semi-submersibles -- submarine-like watercraft built in the Andean Ridge jungles that are difficult to track as they transport as much as 7 tons of cocaine -- the admiral told the committee. "We're focusing a lot of resources on interdicting those, and working with our partners to do so," he said.
Stavridis reminded the committee of the importance of Latin America and the Caribbean to U.S. security and U.S. interests.
"What happens south of us will influence what happens here in our own nation," he said.
Tankers Top Shopping List, Transportation Commander Says
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
March 17, 2009 - Acquiring a new fleet of Air Force tankers, known as KC-X until an airframe is chosen, is imperative, the commander of U.S. Transportation Command told the Senate Armed Services Committee today. "My top priority remains the recapitalization of our aging tanker fleet," Air Force Gen. Duncan J. McNabb told the senators. "The KC-X will be a game-changer."
The aircraft, designed to be a refueler with cargo-carrying capability, will revolutionize the mobility world the same way the C-17 did for in-theater and strategic airlift, the general said.
"It will be the ultimate mobility force multiplier," he said.
The Air Force selected Northrop Grumman/EADS for the tanker project last year, but rival bidder Boeing protested the decision. Bidding was reopened after a Government Accountability Office found flaws with the process.
McNabb also gave the senators an overview of Transcom's responsibilities and operations. All told, he said, Transcom aircrews fly 900 sorties per day.
"That's a takeoff and landing every 90 seconds – sometimes in the most austere areas like Antarctica, sometimes in the most dangerous, like a forward operating base in Afghanistan," he said.
McNabb also spoke about the newly developed supply routes open to Afghanistan via the northern distribution network. The supply network uses commercial rail and boat to ship nonlethal cargo to coalition forces operating in Afghanistan. The command ships food, fuel, building materials and other supplies from Europe and Central Asia.
But as important as equipment is to the command, McNabb said, it is Transcom's 136,000 men and women, civilian and military, private and public, who are the true treasures to the nation. Success, he said, is due to the dedicated logistics professionals finding new ways to ensure warfighters have what they need.
Transcom logisticians work long hours, often in dangerous conditions, McNabb said. Aircrews fly night-vision approaches to unimproved airfields or airdrop supplies to troops in Afghanistan. Air refuelers deliver 5 million pounds of fuel "flying every day and night, in the weather, extending the reach of our joint force and coalition partners," he said.
On the sea, merchant mariners and military and civilian port operators load and operate 35 ships every day in support of warfighters. Terminal operators move thousands of containers, domestic freight and rail shipments throughout the world.
The command also provides contingency response groups and port-opening experts "to open up the flow in contingency or disaster relief operations in support of the warfighting commander," the general said. Transcom also provides medical crews and critical care teams that tend to wounded warriors and quickly transport them from the battlefield to world class care.
The command could not accomplish its mission without commercial airlift and sealift partners opening new avenues of supply into Afghanistan or supporting the nation in times of surge, McNabb said.
"The logistics team is responsible for giving the United States unrivalled global reach," the general said. "We are committed to serving our nation's warfighters by delivering the right stuff to the right place at the right time. Whether sustaining the fight, providing disaster relief or moving six brigades simultaneously, we are there."
McNabb thanked the senators for providing the command with the equipment needed to maintain the logistics carriers. He pointed to the large medium speed, roll-on, roll-off ships and upgrades to the ready reserve fleet that were key to the command's success over the past seven years. "The new joint high-speed vessels will give us even greater flexibility," he said.
He also praised the performance of the C-130J and C-17 airlifters. The airframes "have come of age since 9/11 and have allowed us to change how we support the combatant commanders by air," he said. "The current C-5, C-130 and KC-10 modernization programs will make an enormous difference in our capability and reliability."
American Forces Press Service
March 17, 2009 - Acquiring a new fleet of Air Force tankers, known as KC-X until an airframe is chosen, is imperative, the commander of U.S. Transportation Command told the Senate Armed Services Committee today. "My top priority remains the recapitalization of our aging tanker fleet," Air Force Gen. Duncan J. McNabb told the senators. "The KC-X will be a game-changer."
The aircraft, designed to be a refueler with cargo-carrying capability, will revolutionize the mobility world the same way the C-17 did for in-theater and strategic airlift, the general said.
"It will be the ultimate mobility force multiplier," he said.
The Air Force selected Northrop Grumman/EADS for the tanker project last year, but rival bidder Boeing protested the decision. Bidding was reopened after a Government Accountability Office found flaws with the process.
McNabb also gave the senators an overview of Transcom's responsibilities and operations. All told, he said, Transcom aircrews fly 900 sorties per day.
"That's a takeoff and landing every 90 seconds – sometimes in the most austere areas like Antarctica, sometimes in the most dangerous, like a forward operating base in Afghanistan," he said.
McNabb also spoke about the newly developed supply routes open to Afghanistan via the northern distribution network. The supply network uses commercial rail and boat to ship nonlethal cargo to coalition forces operating in Afghanistan. The command ships food, fuel, building materials and other supplies from Europe and Central Asia.
But as important as equipment is to the command, McNabb said, it is Transcom's 136,000 men and women, civilian and military, private and public, who are the true treasures to the nation. Success, he said, is due to the dedicated logistics professionals finding new ways to ensure warfighters have what they need.
Transcom logisticians work long hours, often in dangerous conditions, McNabb said. Aircrews fly night-vision approaches to unimproved airfields or airdrop supplies to troops in Afghanistan. Air refuelers deliver 5 million pounds of fuel "flying every day and night, in the weather, extending the reach of our joint force and coalition partners," he said.
On the sea, merchant mariners and military and civilian port operators load and operate 35 ships every day in support of warfighters. Terminal operators move thousands of containers, domestic freight and rail shipments throughout the world.
The command also provides contingency response groups and port-opening experts "to open up the flow in contingency or disaster relief operations in support of the warfighting commander," the general said. Transcom also provides medical crews and critical care teams that tend to wounded warriors and quickly transport them from the battlefield to world class care.
The command could not accomplish its mission without commercial airlift and sealift partners opening new avenues of supply into Afghanistan or supporting the nation in times of surge, McNabb said.
"The logistics team is responsible for giving the United States unrivalled global reach," the general said. "We are committed to serving our nation's warfighters by delivering the right stuff to the right place at the right time. Whether sustaining the fight, providing disaster relief or moving six brigades simultaneously, we are there."
McNabb thanked the senators for providing the command with the equipment needed to maintain the logistics carriers. He pointed to the large medium speed, roll-on, roll-off ships and upgrades to the ready reserve fleet that were key to the command's success over the past seven years. "The new joint high-speed vessels will give us even greater flexibility," he said.
He also praised the performance of the C-130J and C-17 airlifters. The airframes "have come of age since 9/11 and have allowed us to change how we support the combatant commanders by air," he said. "The current C-5, C-130 and KC-10 modernization programs will make an enormous difference in our capability and reliability."
U.S. Africom Promotes Stability, Security on Continent
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
March 17, 2009 - The nascent U.S. Africa Command is promoting stability and security on the continent through military-to-military activities and a host of other programs, the Africom commander said today. Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward spoke about the Africom mission at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
"We work in concert with other U.S. government agencies and international partners to ensure that our activities are harmonized," he told the Senate panel. "Our strategy is based on military-to-military efforts to enhance the security capacity and capability of our African partners."
In his dealings with African leaders, Ward said, he receives one common message. "The consistent message they give me is for their intent for their nations to provide for their own security," he said.
Ward said most heads of African states welcome Africom's assistance in reaching their goals for establishing legitimate and professional security forces. Further, he said, most perform operations with integrity and are increasingly able to support the mission in support of international peace.
The U.S. mission in Africa has assumed an interagency approach that combines efforts by the American military and the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, as well as the departments of Treasury, Commerce, Homeland Security, Agriculture and other agencies doing work on the continent, he said.
"Similarly, we reach out to international partners, including Europeans, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations, private enterprises and academia," he said. "Their perspectives on the situation in Africa are valuable."
Currently, Africom – which officially stood up Oct. 1 -- is engaged in military training, education, sustainment operations, and provides logistics support. One activity of note is the International Military Education and Training program, or IMET.
IMET is a State Department-led foreign-assistance program that provides education and training for foreign military and civilian personnel and is critical to building long-term relationships, according to an Africom news release.
Officers and enlisted leaders who received U.S. IMET training fill key positions in many partner African nations. As of last year, for example, 11 of 14 general officers in the Botswana Defense Force, as well as the BDF command sergeant major, were U.S. IMET graduates.
Ward said he anticipates 46 African countries will participate in IMET.
"The International Military Education and Training program, I think, provides long-term benefits for our national interests as well as transforming those militaries in positive ways," he said. "Those programs that deal with training and equipping our partner nations to better enable them to conduct counter-terror activities, to have better abilities to control their internal border, are very valuable."
Meanwhile, Ward said, Africom also is involved in providing training, education and civil military assistance in the Horn of Africa and supporting counterterrorism efforts in North and West African nations. It also is aiding the State Department-led training of roughly 20 battalions of peacekeepers per year and assisting coast guards of the maritime nations in East Africa.
The general said he is honored to serve with Defense Department military and civilian personnel and interagency teammates and make a difference on the continent every day.
"Their dedicated efforts are a testament to the spirit and determination to the American people and our commitment to contributing to the well-being and security of our nation and the people of Africa," he said.
American Forces Press Service
March 17, 2009 - The nascent U.S. Africa Command is promoting stability and security on the continent through military-to-military activities and a host of other programs, the Africom commander said today. Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward spoke about the Africom mission at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
"We work in concert with other U.S. government agencies and international partners to ensure that our activities are harmonized," he told the Senate panel. "Our strategy is based on military-to-military efforts to enhance the security capacity and capability of our African partners."
In his dealings with African leaders, Ward said, he receives one common message. "The consistent message they give me is for their intent for their nations to provide for their own security," he said.
Ward said most heads of African states welcome Africom's assistance in reaching their goals for establishing legitimate and professional security forces. Further, he said, most perform operations with integrity and are increasingly able to support the mission in support of international peace.
The U.S. mission in Africa has assumed an interagency approach that combines efforts by the American military and the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, as well as the departments of Treasury, Commerce, Homeland Security, Agriculture and other agencies doing work on the continent, he said.
"Similarly, we reach out to international partners, including Europeans, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations, private enterprises and academia," he said. "Their perspectives on the situation in Africa are valuable."
Currently, Africom – which officially stood up Oct. 1 -- is engaged in military training, education, sustainment operations, and provides logistics support. One activity of note is the International Military Education and Training program, or IMET.
IMET is a State Department-led foreign-assistance program that provides education and training for foreign military and civilian personnel and is critical to building long-term relationships, according to an Africom news release.
Officers and enlisted leaders who received U.S. IMET training fill key positions in many partner African nations. As of last year, for example, 11 of 14 general officers in the Botswana Defense Force, as well as the BDF command sergeant major, were U.S. IMET graduates.
Ward said he anticipates 46 African countries will participate in IMET.
"The International Military Education and Training program, I think, provides long-term benefits for our national interests as well as transforming those militaries in positive ways," he said. "Those programs that deal with training and equipping our partner nations to better enable them to conduct counter-terror activities, to have better abilities to control their internal border, are very valuable."
Meanwhile, Ward said, Africom also is involved in providing training, education and civil military assistance in the Horn of Africa and supporting counterterrorism efforts in North and West African nations. It also is aiding the State Department-led training of roughly 20 battalions of peacekeepers per year and assisting coast guards of the maritime nations in East Africa.
The general said he is honored to serve with Defense Department military and civilian personnel and interagency teammates and make a difference on the continent every day.
"Their dedicated efforts are a testament to the spirit and determination to the American people and our commitment to contributing to the well-being and security of our nation and the people of Africa," he said.
Gates Pays Respects to Fallen Servicemembers at Dover
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
March 17, 2009 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates traveled to Dover Air Force Base, Del., last night to pay his respects to four servicemembers killed recently in Afghanistan, a senior Pentagon official said here today. Gates "wanted to personally honor the sacrifice" of the three soldiers and one airman who died last weekend in a roadside bomb attack near Jalalabad, Afghanistan, Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters.
Jalalabad is located between the Afghan capital of Kabul and the Pakistani city of Peshawar.
The secretary's visit to Dover last night "was a very moving experience for him," Morrell said.
Gates has wanted to visit the facilities at Dover for some time, Morrell said. Dover's Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs is the Defense Department's largest joint-service mortuary facility, and the only one in the continental United States. Dover also is the U.S. military's largest air terminal.
"The secretary was enormously impressed by the professionalism of the aircrew, the honor guards, the mortuary affairs personnel, and really everyone involved in this process," Morrell said. "He very much appreciates their steadfast commitment to treating our returning war dead as the fallen heroes they truly are."
There was no media presence during Gates' visit to Dover, Morrell said.
"We did not travel even with an official photographer," Morrell said, noting the trip was "merely a personal visit of the secretary's."
Meanwhile, Morrell said, a Defense Department working group probably is within weeks of presenting its recommendations for implementing a change in policy to allow the news media to photograph the flag-draped caskets of returning fallen servicemembers with their families' permission. Gates announced the policy change Feb. 26.
"There is still some additional work to do, and the secretary has to sign off on the final recommendations of the working group, in terms of how this is going to all take place," Morrell said.
American Forces Press Service
March 17, 2009 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates traveled to Dover Air Force Base, Del., last night to pay his respects to four servicemembers killed recently in Afghanistan, a senior Pentagon official said here today. Gates "wanted to personally honor the sacrifice" of the three soldiers and one airman who died last weekend in a roadside bomb attack near Jalalabad, Afghanistan, Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters.
Jalalabad is located between the Afghan capital of Kabul and the Pakistani city of Peshawar.
The secretary's visit to Dover last night "was a very moving experience for him," Morrell said.
Gates has wanted to visit the facilities at Dover for some time, Morrell said. Dover's Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs is the Defense Department's largest joint-service mortuary facility, and the only one in the continental United States. Dover also is the U.S. military's largest air terminal.
"The secretary was enormously impressed by the professionalism of the aircrew, the honor guards, the mortuary affairs personnel, and really everyone involved in this process," Morrell said. "He very much appreciates their steadfast commitment to treating our returning war dead as the fallen heroes they truly are."
There was no media presence during Gates' visit to Dover, Morrell said.
"We did not travel even with an official photographer," Morrell said, noting the trip was "merely a personal visit of the secretary's."
Meanwhile, Morrell said, a Defense Department working group probably is within weeks of presenting its recommendations for implementing a change in policy to allow the news media to photograph the flag-draped caskets of returning fallen servicemembers with their families' permission. Gates announced the policy change Feb. 26.
"There is still some additional work to do, and the secretary has to sign off on the final recommendations of the working group, in terms of how this is going to all take place," Morrell said.
Stratcom Prepares for Future Capabilities, General Says
By Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service
March 17, 2009 - The global financial crisis and the threat of nuclear proliferation and persistent warfare in the Middle East and Central Asia are playing a major role in determining future national security capabilities, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command told Congress here today. Air Force Gen. Kevin P. Chilton told the House Armed Services Committee's subcommittee on strategic forces that "2009 is an especially noteworthy year" because of the unique security challenges America faces.
Those challenges, along with the ever-changing rate of technology "often outpaces capabilities and policies," Chilton said. He added that he is looking forward to the upcoming Congressional Commissions Report on the Strategic Posture of the United States, as well as this year's Defense Department Quadrennial Defense Review and Nuclear Posture Review.
"The recommendations made in these studies will shape our national security capabilities long into the future," he said.
This year will be an important year for Congress to act on the issue of the aging U.S. nuclear stockpile, Chilton said. The stockpile, nuclear infrastructure and human capital are the most urgent concerns for the U.S. nuclear enterprise, he said. Modernization, he added, will "relieve growing uncertainty about the stockpile's future reliability and sustainability."
Credible deterrence operations depend on a reliable stockpile of nuclear weapons, Chilton said. And although U.S. nuclear weapons deployment, production, and testing have reduced substantially since the Cold War, many allies rely on the United States for those capabilities, he noted.
"Deterrence remains as central to America's national security as it was during the Cold War," Chilton said, "because, as ever, we would prefer to prevent war rather than to wage it."
On space operations, Chilton said space-based capabilities give the nation essential, but often unnoticed, capabilities. However, the satellites that carry those capabilities require more and careful attention to eliminate possibly lethal delays in missile defense launches.
"We have made progress in space situational awareness, but capability gaps remain, and require sustained momentum to fill," he said, noting last month's collision between the U.S. Iridium communication satellite and Russia's decommissioned military satellite.
Cyberspace, another key aspect of Stratcom's mission, has become increasingly important to the warfighter, Chilton said. He remains concerned about growing threats on computer networks and is calling for changes within the Defense Department's "fundamental network of culture, conduct and capabilities to address this mission," he said.
"We also endeavor to share our best [networking] practices with partners across the government," he said. "Still the adequate provisioning of cyber missions, especially with manpower, remains our greatest needs."
Stratcom continues to be proficient in executing operations in the realms of space, cyberspace and deterring war, Chilton said. He praised his command for its ability to provide "a unique global perspective in advocating for" missile defense, information operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance – capabilities the country needs to ensure national security, he said.
"In this uncertain world, [Congress's] support is critical to enabling successful execution across the command's assigned missions," he said, "and in realizing [the U.S.] vision to be leaders in strategic deterrence and preeminent global war fighters in space and cyberspace."
American Forces Press Service
March 17, 2009 - The global financial crisis and the threat of nuclear proliferation and persistent warfare in the Middle East and Central Asia are playing a major role in determining future national security capabilities, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command told Congress here today. Air Force Gen. Kevin P. Chilton told the House Armed Services Committee's subcommittee on strategic forces that "2009 is an especially noteworthy year" because of the unique security challenges America faces.
Those challenges, along with the ever-changing rate of technology "often outpaces capabilities and policies," Chilton said. He added that he is looking forward to the upcoming Congressional Commissions Report on the Strategic Posture of the United States, as well as this year's Defense Department Quadrennial Defense Review and Nuclear Posture Review.
"The recommendations made in these studies will shape our national security capabilities long into the future," he said.
This year will be an important year for Congress to act on the issue of the aging U.S. nuclear stockpile, Chilton said. The stockpile, nuclear infrastructure and human capital are the most urgent concerns for the U.S. nuclear enterprise, he said. Modernization, he added, will "relieve growing uncertainty about the stockpile's future reliability and sustainability."
Credible deterrence operations depend on a reliable stockpile of nuclear weapons, Chilton said. And although U.S. nuclear weapons deployment, production, and testing have reduced substantially since the Cold War, many allies rely on the United States for those capabilities, he noted.
"Deterrence remains as central to America's national security as it was during the Cold War," Chilton said, "because, as ever, we would prefer to prevent war rather than to wage it."
On space operations, Chilton said space-based capabilities give the nation essential, but often unnoticed, capabilities. However, the satellites that carry those capabilities require more and careful attention to eliminate possibly lethal delays in missile defense launches.
"We have made progress in space situational awareness, but capability gaps remain, and require sustained momentum to fill," he said, noting last month's collision between the U.S. Iridium communication satellite and Russia's decommissioned military satellite.
Cyberspace, another key aspect of Stratcom's mission, has become increasingly important to the warfighter, Chilton said. He remains concerned about growing threats on computer networks and is calling for changes within the Defense Department's "fundamental network of culture, conduct and capabilities to address this mission," he said.
"We also endeavor to share our best [networking] practices with partners across the government," he said. "Still the adequate provisioning of cyber missions, especially with manpower, remains our greatest needs."
Stratcom continues to be proficient in executing operations in the realms of space, cyberspace and deterring war, Chilton said. He praised his command for its ability to provide "a unique global perspective in advocating for" missile defense, information operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance – capabilities the country needs to ensure national security, he said.
"In this uncertain world, [Congress's] support is critical to enabling successful execution across the command's assigned missions," he said, "and in realizing [the U.S.] vision to be leaders in strategic deterrence and preeminent global war fighters in space and cyberspace."
MILITARY CONTRACTS March 17, 2009
NAVY
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (NGSB), Inc., Pascagoula, Miss., is being awarded a $31,800,000 Basic Ordering Agreement for Post-Shakedown Availability (PSA) for DDG 51 class destroyers. The orders to be issued are for PSA planning and support services and will include advance planning, engineering support, on-site engineering liaison, craft assistance, the ordering and processing of required material in support of PSAs, and the accomplishment of emergent industrial availabilities. Emergent industrial availabilities include, but are not limited to, restricted availabilities, drydocking availabilities, and technical availabilities which may be required from time of ship's delivery through the SCN obligation work and limiting date. If necessary, orders may be issued to NGSB for PSA planning and support and emergent industrial availabilities for DDG 51 class destroyers built by Bath Iron Works Corporation (BIW) if BIW is unable to perform the work. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Miss. (40 percent) and in the ships' homeport (60 percent), which may include Norfolk, Va.; San Diego, Calif.; and Mayport, Fla., and is expected to be completed by September 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-09-G-2305).
Jacobs Technology, Inc., Tullahoma, Tenn., is being awarded a $10,969,384 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N68936-06-D-0001) to provide for design and development engineering, test and evaluation, transition engineering, and management support services for the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. Work will be performed in China Lake, Calif. (83 percent) and Point Mugu, Calif. (17 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., is the contracting activity.
BAE Systems Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, is being awarded a $9,982,999 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-06-C-4408) for repairs and maintenance to various shipboard systems on the USS Port Royal (CG-73). Work will be performed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Contract funds in the amount of $11,140 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity.
Harper Construction Co., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded $8,197,536 for firm-fixed-price task order #025 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62473-06-D-1056) for design, repair, and renovation of BEQ Bldg 530529 and Utility Bldg 530530, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. This task order also contains three unexercised options, which if exercised would increase the cumulative contract value to $10,277,265. Work will be performed in Oceanside, Calif., and is expected to be completed by March 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.
L-3 Communications, Electron Devices Division, Williamsport, Pa., is being awarded a $6,313,780 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for repair of cross field amplifier electron tubes for the AN-SPY-1 radar program. Work will be performed at Williamsport, Pa., and work is expected to be completed by August 2010. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity (N00104-09-D-D010).
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is modifying a cost type contract with Lockheed Martin Corporation of Cherry Hill, New Jersey for $11,449,845. The objective of the Integrated Crisis Early Warning System program is to develop a prototype system of integrated computational, social and political science models that forecast the occurrence and level of intensity of various conflict events of Interests of associated with country instability. At this time, $9,600,000 has been obligated. Det 1 AFRl/PKDA, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8650-07-C-7749, P00004).
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (NGSB), Inc., Pascagoula, Miss., is being awarded a $31,800,000 Basic Ordering Agreement for Post-Shakedown Availability (PSA) for DDG 51 class destroyers. The orders to be issued are for PSA planning and support services and will include advance planning, engineering support, on-site engineering liaison, craft assistance, the ordering and processing of required material in support of PSAs, and the accomplishment of emergent industrial availabilities. Emergent industrial availabilities include, but are not limited to, restricted availabilities, drydocking availabilities, and technical availabilities which may be required from time of ship's delivery through the SCN obligation work and limiting date. If necessary, orders may be issued to NGSB for PSA planning and support and emergent industrial availabilities for DDG 51 class destroyers built by Bath Iron Works Corporation (BIW) if BIW is unable to perform the work. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Miss. (40 percent) and in the ships' homeport (60 percent), which may include Norfolk, Va.; San Diego, Calif.; and Mayport, Fla., and is expected to be completed by September 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-09-G-2305).
Jacobs Technology, Inc., Tullahoma, Tenn., is being awarded a $10,969,384 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N68936-06-D-0001) to provide for design and development engineering, test and evaluation, transition engineering, and management support services for the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. Work will be performed in China Lake, Calif. (83 percent) and Point Mugu, Calif. (17 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., is the contracting activity.
BAE Systems Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, is being awarded a $9,982,999 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-06-C-4408) for repairs and maintenance to various shipboard systems on the USS Port Royal (CG-73). Work will be performed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Contract funds in the amount of $11,140 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity.
Harper Construction Co., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded $8,197,536 for firm-fixed-price task order #025 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62473-06-D-1056) for design, repair, and renovation of BEQ Bldg 530529 and Utility Bldg 530530, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. This task order also contains three unexercised options, which if exercised would increase the cumulative contract value to $10,277,265. Work will be performed in Oceanside, Calif., and is expected to be completed by March 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.
L-3 Communications, Electron Devices Division, Williamsport, Pa., is being awarded a $6,313,780 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for repair of cross field amplifier electron tubes for the AN-SPY-1 radar program. Work will be performed at Williamsport, Pa., and work is expected to be completed by August 2010. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity (N00104-09-D-D010).
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is modifying a cost type contract with Lockheed Martin Corporation of Cherry Hill, New Jersey for $11,449,845. The objective of the Integrated Crisis Early Warning System program is to develop a prototype system of integrated computational, social and political science models that forecast the occurrence and level of intensity of various conflict events of Interests of associated with country instability. At this time, $9,600,000 has been obligated. Det 1 AFRl/PKDA, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8650-07-C-7749, P00004).
Defense Department Releases Sexual Assault Statistics
By John J. Kruzel and Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service
March 17, 2009 - The Defense Department today released a congressional report that examines sexual assault allegations in the military services and sets policies for reducing incidents. Key components of the annual analysis include a finding that indicates a rise in the number of incidents reported in fiscal 2008 and details of department-led initiatives aimed at preventing sexual assault and increasing the accountability of offenders.
"Given the fear and stigma associated with the crime, sexual assault remains one of our nation's most under-reported crimes in both the military and civilian community," Dr. Kaye Whitley, the director of the Defense Department's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, said during a Pentagon news conference here today. "The department has been aggressively pursuing efforts to increase reporting and convince more victims to seek care and support services."
The analysis found 2,908 sexual assault "reports" in fiscal 2008, which is roughly an 8 percent increase compared to fiscal 2007. But officials cautioned that the rise in reporting -- a figure that represents the total number of sexual assaults reported -- is not necessarily indicative that more incidents occurred.
One possible explanation for the increase could be that higher numbers of victims are reporting incidents as people become more aware of sexual assault in general, and the military's robust support network, Whitley said.
"This does not mean sexual assaults have gone up," she said. "This means that reports have gone up, which we see as very positive. The increase of reports means the department's policy of getting victims to come forward is making a difference."
Defense officials said during a briefing yesterday that the aggregate number of reports combines incidents that vary in the degree of offense committed. About 63 percent represent rape or aggravated assault. Also, 251 incidents occurred in combat areas, with 141 in Iraq and 22 in Afghanistan. Those numbers increased from fiscal 2007, Whitley said.
Speaking on sexual assault prevention, Whitley said the department seeks to establish a military culture that calls on bystanders to play a more active role in preventing assaults.
She said the spirit of the effort was partly inspired by a campaign launched to curb drunk driving, in which friends were encouraged to dissuade their peers from getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. There are parallels between the programs as many cases of sexual assault involve alcohol.
"If you see one of your buddies serve drinks to somebody to get them drunk, maybe what you do is step up and say, 'Why don't you wait until she's sober?'" Whitley said in an interview last week, illustrating an example of bystander intervention.
As part of the department's social marketing prevention campaign, a public service announcement is set to launch worldwide next month, which will promote bystander intervention. The 20-second video shows still pictures of male and female servicemembers with a dubbed, male voice saying, "preventing sexual assault is part of my duty."
"Our goal is to strengthen the knowledge and the skills of servicemembers and empower them to identify and safely intervene in situations that may lead up to sexual assault," Whitley said.
The department's multipronged approach to tackling the subject acknowledges that not all incidents are preventable. Another component of the policy is raising awareness that victims have a strong support network should they seek help.
Whitley said an average of one in six women and one in 32 men in the United States experience some form of sexual assault in their lifetime.
But the department hopes its robust approach to caring for victims will encourage them to alert the proper authority -- the sexual assault response coordinator based on every military installation and dedicated to providing such assistance -- when incidents occur.
"We have a 24-hour system in place to respond to sexual assaults," she said, adding that the response coordinator supports the victim through every step of the process, including medical care counseling and other services.
Those who are victimized by sexual assault can report the incident one of two ways: they can file an unrestricted or restricted report, the latter of which protects the anonymity of the victim and does not lead to a criminal investigation.
Of the 2,908 reports of sexual assault in fiscal 2008, 2,155 were unrestricted, while 753 were restricted, according to the congressional report.
The Defense Department understands the need to balance victims' anonymity vs. pursuing justice against the perpetrator, Whitley said, adding that the department will always support the victim's right to choose which course of reporting with which they're most comfortable.
Neither the victim's command nor the police are notified in cases of restricted, or anonymous, reporting. But victims are permitted to have a voluntary forensic examination performed soon after the incident, with the results being saved for up to a year, should an investigation be launched later.
Whitley noted that last year, 110 incidents that began as restricted reports were decided by the victims to be transferred to unrestricted.
"What we hope is that the victim will feel that they've gained a sense of control back and maybe they'll begin to develop confidence in our system and later switch to unrestricted so we can hold that offender accountable," Whitley said.
Oftentimes, taking the first step -- reporting the incident -- proves difficult. According to defense officials, of the 6.8 percent of women and 1.8 percent of men who indicated they experienced unwanted sexual contact, the majority -- 79 percent of women and 78 percent of men -- chose not to report it.
The most frequently cited reasons for not reporting the incident include:
-- Felt uncomfortable making a report (58 percent of women and 51 percent of men);
-- Thought they would be labeled a troublemaker (56 percent of women and 41 percent of men);
-- Did not want anyone to know about the incident (56 percent of women and 47 percent of men);
-- Did not think anything would be done (53 percent of women and 44 percent of men);
-- Feared retaliation (50 percent of women and 38 percent of men);
-- Not important enough to report (48 percent of women and 60 percent of men);
-- Thought they would not be believed (41 percent of women and 35 percent of men);
-- Thought reporting would take too much time and effort (36 percent of women and 46 percent of men); and
-- Did not report because they did not know how (18 percent of women and 26 percent of men).
"It is my hope today that when [servicemembers] see this report or press conference, that they will be encouraged and come forward to report sexual assault and receive care," Whitley said. "Sexual assault harms our people and erodes our mission readiness. The department remains committed to aggressively pursuing increased reporting of sexual assault, providing first-class care and preventing this crime before it occurs."
American Forces Press Service
March 17, 2009 - The Defense Department today released a congressional report that examines sexual assault allegations in the military services and sets policies for reducing incidents. Key components of the annual analysis include a finding that indicates a rise in the number of incidents reported in fiscal 2008 and details of department-led initiatives aimed at preventing sexual assault and increasing the accountability of offenders.
"Given the fear and stigma associated with the crime, sexual assault remains one of our nation's most under-reported crimes in both the military and civilian community," Dr. Kaye Whitley, the director of the Defense Department's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, said during a Pentagon news conference here today. "The department has been aggressively pursuing efforts to increase reporting and convince more victims to seek care and support services."
The analysis found 2,908 sexual assault "reports" in fiscal 2008, which is roughly an 8 percent increase compared to fiscal 2007. But officials cautioned that the rise in reporting -- a figure that represents the total number of sexual assaults reported -- is not necessarily indicative that more incidents occurred.
One possible explanation for the increase could be that higher numbers of victims are reporting incidents as people become more aware of sexual assault in general, and the military's robust support network, Whitley said.
"This does not mean sexual assaults have gone up," she said. "This means that reports have gone up, which we see as very positive. The increase of reports means the department's policy of getting victims to come forward is making a difference."
Defense officials said during a briefing yesterday that the aggregate number of reports combines incidents that vary in the degree of offense committed. About 63 percent represent rape or aggravated assault. Also, 251 incidents occurred in combat areas, with 141 in Iraq and 22 in Afghanistan. Those numbers increased from fiscal 2007, Whitley said.
Speaking on sexual assault prevention, Whitley said the department seeks to establish a military culture that calls on bystanders to play a more active role in preventing assaults.
She said the spirit of the effort was partly inspired by a campaign launched to curb drunk driving, in which friends were encouraged to dissuade their peers from getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. There are parallels between the programs as many cases of sexual assault involve alcohol.
"If you see one of your buddies serve drinks to somebody to get them drunk, maybe what you do is step up and say, 'Why don't you wait until she's sober?'" Whitley said in an interview last week, illustrating an example of bystander intervention.
As part of the department's social marketing prevention campaign, a public service announcement is set to launch worldwide next month, which will promote bystander intervention. The 20-second video shows still pictures of male and female servicemembers with a dubbed, male voice saying, "preventing sexual assault is part of my duty."
"Our goal is to strengthen the knowledge and the skills of servicemembers and empower them to identify and safely intervene in situations that may lead up to sexual assault," Whitley said.
The department's multipronged approach to tackling the subject acknowledges that not all incidents are preventable. Another component of the policy is raising awareness that victims have a strong support network should they seek help.
Whitley said an average of one in six women and one in 32 men in the United States experience some form of sexual assault in their lifetime.
But the department hopes its robust approach to caring for victims will encourage them to alert the proper authority -- the sexual assault response coordinator based on every military installation and dedicated to providing such assistance -- when incidents occur.
"We have a 24-hour system in place to respond to sexual assaults," she said, adding that the response coordinator supports the victim through every step of the process, including medical care counseling and other services.
Those who are victimized by sexual assault can report the incident one of two ways: they can file an unrestricted or restricted report, the latter of which protects the anonymity of the victim and does not lead to a criminal investigation.
Of the 2,908 reports of sexual assault in fiscal 2008, 2,155 were unrestricted, while 753 were restricted, according to the congressional report.
The Defense Department understands the need to balance victims' anonymity vs. pursuing justice against the perpetrator, Whitley said, adding that the department will always support the victim's right to choose which course of reporting with which they're most comfortable.
Neither the victim's command nor the police are notified in cases of restricted, or anonymous, reporting. But victims are permitted to have a voluntary forensic examination performed soon after the incident, with the results being saved for up to a year, should an investigation be launched later.
Whitley noted that last year, 110 incidents that began as restricted reports were decided by the victims to be transferred to unrestricted.
"What we hope is that the victim will feel that they've gained a sense of control back and maybe they'll begin to develop confidence in our system and later switch to unrestricted so we can hold that offender accountable," Whitley said.
Oftentimes, taking the first step -- reporting the incident -- proves difficult. According to defense officials, of the 6.8 percent of women and 1.8 percent of men who indicated they experienced unwanted sexual contact, the majority -- 79 percent of women and 78 percent of men -- chose not to report it.
The most frequently cited reasons for not reporting the incident include:
-- Felt uncomfortable making a report (58 percent of women and 51 percent of men);
-- Thought they would be labeled a troublemaker (56 percent of women and 41 percent of men);
-- Did not want anyone to know about the incident (56 percent of women and 47 percent of men);
-- Did not think anything would be done (53 percent of women and 44 percent of men);
-- Feared retaliation (50 percent of women and 38 percent of men);
-- Not important enough to report (48 percent of women and 60 percent of men);
-- Thought they would not be believed (41 percent of women and 35 percent of men);
-- Thought reporting would take too much time and effort (36 percent of women and 46 percent of men); and
-- Did not report because they did not know how (18 percent of women and 26 percent of men).
"It is my hope today that when [servicemembers] see this report or press conference, that they will be encouraged and come forward to report sexual assault and receive care," Whitley said. "Sexual assault harms our people and erodes our mission readiness. The department remains committed to aggressively pursuing increased reporting of sexual assault, providing first-class care and preventing this crime before it occurs."
Caring for Veterans Is Matter of American Honor, Obama Says
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
March 16, 2009 - Caring for veterans is a responsibility and duty for all Americans, and the employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs are those who are charged with repaying "that debt of honor," President Barack Obama said during a ceremony here marking the department's 20th anniversary today. The president promised the VA employees that he will make good on his promise to create a 21st-century department.
VA, formerly called the Veterans Administration, became a cabinet-level department in 1989. The employees are charged with providing education, training benefits, health care, home loans and cemeteries for American veterans. "It's a commitment that lasts from the day our veterans retire that uniform to the day that they are put to rest, and it continues on for their families," the president said.
U.S. servicemembers are the country's best and brightest, Obama said. "They are our bravest, enlisting in a time of war, enduring tour after tour of duty, serving with honor under the most difficult circumstances and making sacrifices that many of us cannot begin to imagine," he said. The department must take care of these people and of their families, he added.
The VA mission always is vital, Obama said, but it is even more so during long and difficult conflicts like today's. "Last month, I announced my strategy for ending the war in Iraq, and I made it very clear that this strategy would not end with the military plans and diplomatic agendas, but would endure through my commitment to upholding our sacred trust with every man and woman who has served this country," the president said. "And the same holds true for our troops serving in Afghanistan."
The president has requested an extra $25 billion for the department over the next five years. The agency – under the leadership of retired Army Gen. Eric K. Shinseki, former Army chief of staff – is reviewing its operations.
"With this budget, we don't just fully fund our VA health care program," the president said. "We expand it to serve an additional 500,000 veterans by 2013, to provide better health care in more places and to dramatically improve services related to mental health and injuries like post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury."
Obama said technology also will help to cut red tape and ease the transition from active duty. He promised new help for homeless veterans, "because those heroes have a home."
"It's the country they served -- the United States of America," he said. "And until we reach a day when not a single veteran sleeps on our nation's streets, our work remains unfinished."
He called on VA employees to help to implement the GI Bill for the 21st century. Just as the veterans of World War II formed the backbone of the progress after that war, the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan too, can be the catalyst for progress. The deadline for putting the rules for the new GI Bill in place is Aug. 1.
"That's how we'll show our servicemen and women that when you come home to America, America will be here for you," Obama said. "That's how we will ensure that those who have borne the battle, and their families, will have every chance to live out their dreams."
Transforming the agency is a tall order, Obama said, but he added that he has the fullest confidence that the men and women of the department can do it.
The United States will "fulfill our sacred trust and serve our returning heroes as well as they've served us," he said.
American Forces Press Service
March 16, 2009 - Caring for veterans is a responsibility and duty for all Americans, and the employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs are those who are charged with repaying "that debt of honor," President Barack Obama said during a ceremony here marking the department's 20th anniversary today. The president promised the VA employees that he will make good on his promise to create a 21st-century department.
VA, formerly called the Veterans Administration, became a cabinet-level department in 1989. The employees are charged with providing education, training benefits, health care, home loans and cemeteries for American veterans. "It's a commitment that lasts from the day our veterans retire that uniform to the day that they are put to rest, and it continues on for their families," the president said.
U.S. servicemembers are the country's best and brightest, Obama said. "They are our bravest, enlisting in a time of war, enduring tour after tour of duty, serving with honor under the most difficult circumstances and making sacrifices that many of us cannot begin to imagine," he said. The department must take care of these people and of their families, he added.
The VA mission always is vital, Obama said, but it is even more so during long and difficult conflicts like today's. "Last month, I announced my strategy for ending the war in Iraq, and I made it very clear that this strategy would not end with the military plans and diplomatic agendas, but would endure through my commitment to upholding our sacred trust with every man and woman who has served this country," the president said. "And the same holds true for our troops serving in Afghanistan."
The president has requested an extra $25 billion for the department over the next five years. The agency – under the leadership of retired Army Gen. Eric K. Shinseki, former Army chief of staff – is reviewing its operations.
"With this budget, we don't just fully fund our VA health care program," the president said. "We expand it to serve an additional 500,000 veterans by 2013, to provide better health care in more places and to dramatically improve services related to mental health and injuries like post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury."
Obama said technology also will help to cut red tape and ease the transition from active duty. He promised new help for homeless veterans, "because those heroes have a home."
"It's the country they served -- the United States of America," he said. "And until we reach a day when not a single veteran sleeps on our nation's streets, our work remains unfinished."
He called on VA employees to help to implement the GI Bill for the 21st century. Just as the veterans of World War II formed the backbone of the progress after that war, the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan too, can be the catalyst for progress. The deadline for putting the rules for the new GI Bill in place is Aug. 1.
"That's how we'll show our servicemen and women that when you come home to America, America will be here for you," Obama said. "That's how we will ensure that those who have borne the battle, and their families, will have every chance to live out their dreams."
Transforming the agency is a tall order, Obama said, but he added that he has the fullest confidence that the men and women of the department can do it.
The United States will "fulfill our sacred trust and serve our returning heroes as well as they've served us," he said.
MILITARY CONTRACTS March 16, 2009
NAVY
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (NGSB), Inc., Pascagoula, Miss., is being awarded a $31,800,000 basic ordering agreement for Post-Shakedown Availability (PSA) for DDG 51 Class Destroyers. The orders to be issued are for PSA planning and support services and will include advance planning, engineering support, on-site engineering liaison, craft assistance, the ordering and processing of required material in support of PSAs, and the accomplishment of emergent industrial availabilities. Emergent industrial availabilities include, but are not limited to, Restricted Availabilities, Drydocking Availabilities, and Technical Availabilities which may be required from time of ship's delivery through the SCN Obligation Work and Limiting Date. If necessary, orders may be issued to NGSB for PSA planning and support and emergent industrial availabilities for DDG 51 Class Destroyers built by Bath Iron Works Corp. (BIW) if BIW is unable to perform the work. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Miss. (40 percent) and in the ships' homeport (60 percent), which may include Norfolk, Va.; San Diego, Calif.; and Mayport, Fla., and is expected to be completed by September 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-09-G-2305).
Jacobs Technology, Inc., Tullahoma, Tenn., is being awarded a $10,969,384 modification to a previously awarded cost plus fixed fee, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract (N68936-06-D-0001) to provide for design and development engineering, test and evaluation, transition engineering, and management support services for the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. Work will be performed in China Lake, Calif. (83 percent) and Point Mugu, Calif. (17 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., is the contracting activity.
BAE Systems Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, is being awarded a $9,982,999 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-06-C-4408) for repairs and maintenance to various shipboard systems on the USS Port Royal (CG-73). Work will be performed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Contract funds in the amount of $11,140 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity.
Harper Construction Co., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded $8,197,536 for firm fixed price task order #025 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62473-06-D-1056) for design, repair, and renovation of BEQ Bldg 530529 and Utility Bldg 530530, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. This task order also contains three unexercised options, which if exercised would increase the cumulative contract value to $10,277,265. Work will be performed in Oceanside, Calif., and is expected to be completed by March 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.
L-3 Communications, Electron Devices Division, Williamsport, Pa., is being awarded a $6,313,780 firm fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for repair of cross field amplifier electron tubes for the AN-SPY-1 radar program. Work will be performed at Williamsport, Pa., and work is expected to be completed by August 2010. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity (N00104-09-D-D010).
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to University of Dayton Research Institute of Dayton Ohio for a Maximum of $9,880,000. The advanced behavior and Life Precision of Aerospace Materials program will perform research and development to address the Air Force need to develop a comprehensive understanding of the physics behind damage accumulation and failure of aerospace materials under a wide range of service conditions. At this time, $757,311 has been obligated. Det 1 AFRl/PKMM, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8650-09-D-5223)
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Southeast Power Systems of Orlando, Orlando, Fla.* is being awarded a maximum $7,936,008 firm fixed price contract for pump, fuel and metering support of multi-purpose wheeled vehicles. There are no other locations of performance. There were originally 2 proposals solicited with 1 response. Using service is Army. The date of performance completion is March 13, 2014. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency, Warren (DLA-Warren), Warren, Mich. (SPRDL1-09-D-0005).
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (NGSB), Inc., Pascagoula, Miss., is being awarded a $31,800,000 basic ordering agreement for Post-Shakedown Availability (PSA) for DDG 51 Class Destroyers. The orders to be issued are for PSA planning and support services and will include advance planning, engineering support, on-site engineering liaison, craft assistance, the ordering and processing of required material in support of PSAs, and the accomplishment of emergent industrial availabilities. Emergent industrial availabilities include, but are not limited to, Restricted Availabilities, Drydocking Availabilities, and Technical Availabilities which may be required from time of ship's delivery through the SCN Obligation Work and Limiting Date. If necessary, orders may be issued to NGSB for PSA planning and support and emergent industrial availabilities for DDG 51 Class Destroyers built by Bath Iron Works Corp. (BIW) if BIW is unable to perform the work. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Miss. (40 percent) and in the ships' homeport (60 percent), which may include Norfolk, Va.; San Diego, Calif.; and Mayport, Fla., and is expected to be completed by September 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-09-G-2305).
Jacobs Technology, Inc., Tullahoma, Tenn., is being awarded a $10,969,384 modification to a previously awarded cost plus fixed fee, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract (N68936-06-D-0001) to provide for design and development engineering, test and evaluation, transition engineering, and management support services for the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. Work will be performed in China Lake, Calif. (83 percent) and Point Mugu, Calif. (17 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., is the contracting activity.
BAE Systems Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, is being awarded a $9,982,999 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-06-C-4408) for repairs and maintenance to various shipboard systems on the USS Port Royal (CG-73). Work will be performed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Contract funds in the amount of $11,140 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity.
Harper Construction Co., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded $8,197,536 for firm fixed price task order #025 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62473-06-D-1056) for design, repair, and renovation of BEQ Bldg 530529 and Utility Bldg 530530, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. This task order also contains three unexercised options, which if exercised would increase the cumulative contract value to $10,277,265. Work will be performed in Oceanside, Calif., and is expected to be completed by March 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.
L-3 Communications, Electron Devices Division, Williamsport, Pa., is being awarded a $6,313,780 firm fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for repair of cross field amplifier electron tubes for the AN-SPY-1 radar program. Work will be performed at Williamsport, Pa., and work is expected to be completed by August 2010. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity (N00104-09-D-D010).
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to University of Dayton Research Institute of Dayton Ohio for a Maximum of $9,880,000. The advanced behavior and Life Precision of Aerospace Materials program will perform research and development to address the Air Force need to develop a comprehensive understanding of the physics behind damage accumulation and failure of aerospace materials under a wide range of service conditions. At this time, $757,311 has been obligated. Det 1 AFRl/PKMM, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8650-09-D-5223)
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Southeast Power Systems of Orlando, Orlando, Fla.* is being awarded a maximum $7,936,008 firm fixed price contract for pump, fuel and metering support of multi-purpose wheeled vehicles. There are no other locations of performance. There were originally 2 proposals solicited with 1 response. Using service is Army. The date of performance completion is March 13, 2014. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency, Warren (DLA-Warren), Warren, Mich. (SPRDL1-09-D-0005).
Monday, March 16, 2009
Face of Defense: Airman Sheds 115 Pounds to Work on F-22s
By Air Force Staff Sgt. Rhiannon Willard
Special to American Forces Press Service
March 16, 2009 - Air Force Airman Derrick Bell has found that a lot of determination and a little help from his friends helped him meet his goal of returning to military service when it seemed that both his age and weight might have prevented it. The 38-year-old husband and father of two shed more than 115 pounds to meet the Air Force Reserve physical standards of enlistment, astounding his recruiter, family and friends when he enlisted Jan. 15 in the Air Force Reserve here.
Bell and Air Force Lt. Col. Raymond Platt, the 477th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, met through family and friends over a campfire outing in 2006 at the Bells' cabin in West Beaver Lake, Alaska. They've been friends ever since.
Bell became intrigued when Platt told him about the F-22 Raptor and the 477th Fighter Group at Elmendorf. When Bell expressed interest in the jet and being a member of the 477th FG, Platt made it his personal mission to make that interest a reality.
Platt's research found that his friend wasn't too old to enlist, as they had previously thought. Air Force Reserve regulations state that a prior-service enlistee's adjusted age – actual age minus years of prior service -- must be 40 or less. Bell had served more than four years in the Alaska Army National Guard after he graduated from high school.
"I told Derrick that if he was interested in joining, I would help him get back on track," Platt said. "Derrick jumped at the opportunity."
Losing 115 pounds in 11 months was a journey for Bell. He didn't lose the weight through fad diets. Instead, he worked hard to change his lifestyle while controlling his caloric intake.
Bell got up at 4 a.m. and exercised at the Elmendorf fitness center five days a week, with Platt right next to him much of the time. Bell said he cut his food portions by at least half, and hasn't had a beer for more than a year.
Meanwhile, Bell went to Air Force Master Sgt. Robert Bazor, a recruiter, through the friendship he developed with Platt.
"We knew that he had a long way to go before he could enlist, but we also knew that this was a situation that could be fixed with the right amount of determination," Bazor said. "He called me every month to give me an update on his weight loss."
Platt received the added bonus of enlisting Bell under the Air Force Reserve's "Get One Now" program. The program provides benefits to the Air Force Reserve, the recruit being referred and the person who has recommended the referral.
"I'm always recruiting," Platt said. "Wherever I am in the Alaskan community, I end up talking about the 477th Fighter Group and how great the unit is. The conversation comes natural to me."
Bell's wife, Tricia, their daughter, Brittny, and son, Logan, joined other family members and friends as they witnessed Platt administering the oath of enlistment to Bell.
Bell credits his support system for much of his success.
"I feel like I'm getting a 'do-over,'" he said. "My family and friends are huge supporters. They've been behind me 200 percent since I decided to go for it."
A lifelong resident of Anchorage, Bell works for the Anchorage School District as a senior warehouse specialist Mondays through Fridays. His traditional reservist service commitment to the 477th FG will include working one drill weekend a month and performing 14 days of annual tour per year.
The 477th FG shares and maintains equipment with the regular Air Force's 3rd Wing here. The group is responsible for recruiting, training, developing and retaining citizen-airmen.
Bell will serve as a crew chief on the F-22. He is waiting for a class date to attend technical training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. When that is completed, he will receive follow-on training at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.
In addition to having the opportunity to work on what he considers to be the world's greatest fighter jet, Bell said, he has regained his youth and his self-esteem.
"I feel young again," he said. "I'm in better shape and weigh less than when I got married almost 18 years ago. I've got back my confidence, and I thought it was gone for good."
(Air Force Staff Sgt. Rhiannon Willard serves with the 477th Fighter Group public affairs office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
March 16, 2009 - Air Force Airman Derrick Bell has found that a lot of determination and a little help from his friends helped him meet his goal of returning to military service when it seemed that both his age and weight might have prevented it. The 38-year-old husband and father of two shed more than 115 pounds to meet the Air Force Reserve physical standards of enlistment, astounding his recruiter, family and friends when he enlisted Jan. 15 in the Air Force Reserve here.
Bell and Air Force Lt. Col. Raymond Platt, the 477th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, met through family and friends over a campfire outing in 2006 at the Bells' cabin in West Beaver Lake, Alaska. They've been friends ever since.
Bell became intrigued when Platt told him about the F-22 Raptor and the 477th Fighter Group at Elmendorf. When Bell expressed interest in the jet and being a member of the 477th FG, Platt made it his personal mission to make that interest a reality.
Platt's research found that his friend wasn't too old to enlist, as they had previously thought. Air Force Reserve regulations state that a prior-service enlistee's adjusted age – actual age minus years of prior service -- must be 40 or less. Bell had served more than four years in the Alaska Army National Guard after he graduated from high school.
"I told Derrick that if he was interested in joining, I would help him get back on track," Platt said. "Derrick jumped at the opportunity."
Losing 115 pounds in 11 months was a journey for Bell. He didn't lose the weight through fad diets. Instead, he worked hard to change his lifestyle while controlling his caloric intake.
Bell got up at 4 a.m. and exercised at the Elmendorf fitness center five days a week, with Platt right next to him much of the time. Bell said he cut his food portions by at least half, and hasn't had a beer for more than a year.
Meanwhile, Bell went to Air Force Master Sgt. Robert Bazor, a recruiter, through the friendship he developed with Platt.
"We knew that he had a long way to go before he could enlist, but we also knew that this was a situation that could be fixed with the right amount of determination," Bazor said. "He called me every month to give me an update on his weight loss."
Platt received the added bonus of enlisting Bell under the Air Force Reserve's "Get One Now" program. The program provides benefits to the Air Force Reserve, the recruit being referred and the person who has recommended the referral.
"I'm always recruiting," Platt said. "Wherever I am in the Alaskan community, I end up talking about the 477th Fighter Group and how great the unit is. The conversation comes natural to me."
Bell's wife, Tricia, their daughter, Brittny, and son, Logan, joined other family members and friends as they witnessed Platt administering the oath of enlistment to Bell.
Bell credits his support system for much of his success.
"I feel like I'm getting a 'do-over,'" he said. "My family and friends are huge supporters. They've been behind me 200 percent since I decided to go for it."
A lifelong resident of Anchorage, Bell works for the Anchorage School District as a senior warehouse specialist Mondays through Fridays. His traditional reservist service commitment to the 477th FG will include working one drill weekend a month and performing 14 days of annual tour per year.
The 477th FG shares and maintains equipment with the regular Air Force's 3rd Wing here. The group is responsible for recruiting, training, developing and retaining citizen-airmen.
Bell will serve as a crew chief on the F-22. He is waiting for a class date to attend technical training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. When that is completed, he will receive follow-on training at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.
In addition to having the opportunity to work on what he considers to be the world's greatest fighter jet, Bell said, he has regained his youth and his self-esteem.
"I feel young again," he said. "I'm in better shape and weigh less than when I got married almost 18 years ago. I've got back my confidence, and I thought it was gone for good."
(Air Force Staff Sgt. Rhiannon Willard serves with the 477th Fighter Group public affairs office.)
New Pentagon Civilian Personnel System Faces Review
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
March 16, 2009 - The Defense Department will undertake a comprehensive review of the National Security Personnel System to ascertain whether it is fair and transparent to participating employees, a senior Pentagon official said here today. Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III directed the NSPS review, Brad Bunn, the Defense Department's program executive officer for NSPS, told Pentagon Channel and American Forces Press Service reporters. Lynn is the senior civilian executive overseeing NSPS at the Pentagon.
The Pentagon's review will provide officials the opportunity to "look at the [NSPS] system in a comprehensive manner, to understand how it has been operating, and to chart a path forward for the future of NSPS and how it is going to go forward in the Department of Defense," Bunn said.
The Office of Personnel Management, which co-manages the NSPS program with the Defense Department, will conduct a separate review, Dunn said.
The Pentagon's review, he said, probably will take "several months" to complete.
The scheduled transfer this spring and summer of about 3,000 additional Defense Department civilians into NSPS will be delayed pending the outcome of the review, Bunn said.
"We're going to delay any further conversions of organizations and employees into NSPS while leadership can conduct this review," Bunn said. Members of Congress, other federal agencies, personnel experts, labor organizations and other stakeholders, he said, will be included as part of the review process.
The more than 200,000 Defense Department civilians who have been transferred into NSPS since the system began three years ago, Bunn said, will continue to operate under current NSPS policies and procedures. Most defense civilians who were slated for transfer into NSPS already have done so, he said.
NSPS was developed as part of former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld's program to transform the way the efense Department does business to better meet the challenges of the 21st century. NSPS's pay-for-performance system replaced 50-year-old civil service rules that rewarded employees for length of service, rather than performance.
"NSPS is a pretty significant change in how we hire, pay and compensate and reward our civilian employees who support the national security mission in the Department of Defense," Bunn said.
There are "varying viewpoints that exist out there on NSPS," Bunn acknowledged. Internal surveys, he said, indicate that some defense employees are unhappy with NSPS, particularly with regard to performance evaluations.
"There are questions and concerns about the fairness of the system, its transparency, whether it is actually being operated based on the design principles," Bunn said. "So, those kinds of questions are being asked, and those are the concerns that a review will focus on."
The department is committed to operating fair, transparent and effective personnel systems, Bunn said.
"And this review is a demonstration of that commitment," he said.
American Forces Press Service
March 16, 2009 - The Defense Department will undertake a comprehensive review of the National Security Personnel System to ascertain whether it is fair and transparent to participating employees, a senior Pentagon official said here today. Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III directed the NSPS review, Brad Bunn, the Defense Department's program executive officer for NSPS, told Pentagon Channel and American Forces Press Service reporters. Lynn is the senior civilian executive overseeing NSPS at the Pentagon.
The Pentagon's review will provide officials the opportunity to "look at the [NSPS] system in a comprehensive manner, to understand how it has been operating, and to chart a path forward for the future of NSPS and how it is going to go forward in the Department of Defense," Bunn said.
The Office of Personnel Management, which co-manages the NSPS program with the Defense Department, will conduct a separate review, Dunn said.
The Pentagon's review, he said, probably will take "several months" to complete.
The scheduled transfer this spring and summer of about 3,000 additional Defense Department civilians into NSPS will be delayed pending the outcome of the review, Bunn said.
"We're going to delay any further conversions of organizations and employees into NSPS while leadership can conduct this review," Bunn said. Members of Congress, other federal agencies, personnel experts, labor organizations and other stakeholders, he said, will be included as part of the review process.
The more than 200,000 Defense Department civilians who have been transferred into NSPS since the system began three years ago, Bunn said, will continue to operate under current NSPS policies and procedures. Most defense civilians who were slated for transfer into NSPS already have done so, he said.
NSPS was developed as part of former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld's program to transform the way the efense Department does business to better meet the challenges of the 21st century. NSPS's pay-for-performance system replaced 50-year-old civil service rules that rewarded employees for length of service, rather than performance.
"NSPS is a pretty significant change in how we hire, pay and compensate and reward our civilian employees who support the national security mission in the Department of Defense," Bunn said.
There are "varying viewpoints that exist out there on NSPS," Bunn acknowledged. Internal surveys, he said, indicate that some defense employees are unhappy with NSPS, particularly with regard to performance evaluations.
"There are questions and concerns about the fairness of the system, its transparency, whether it is actually being operated based on the design principles," Bunn said. "So, those kinds of questions are being asked, and those are the concerns that a review will focus on."
The department is committed to operating fair, transparent and effective personnel systems, Bunn said.
"And this review is a demonstration of that commitment," he said.
Soldier Missing From Korean War Is Identified
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing from the Korean War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. He is Sgt. 1st Class Patrick J. Arthur, U.S. Army, of Broken Bow, Neb. He will be buried on May 1 in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.
Representatives from the Army's Mortuary Office met with Arthur's next-of-kin to explain the recovery and identification process on behalf of the secretary of the Army.
Arthur was a member of Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 38th Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. In mid May 1951, elements of the 2nd ID were securing their positions on the No Name Line south of the Soyang River, South Korea, when the Chinese Army launched a major counter-offensive. The 2nd ID was forced to withdraw south to a more defensible position north and east of the Hongch'on River. During the withdrawal, Arthur was captured by enemy forces on May 18, 1951, and was marched north into North Korea. Arthur died of malnutrition and disease in July, and he was buried at the Suan Mining POW Camp near Pyongyang.
Between 1991-94, North Korea gave the United States 208 boxes of remains believed to contain the remains of 200-400 U.S. servicemen. Accompanying some of the remains were Arthur's military identification tag and a denture fragment bearing his name.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA and dental comparisons in identifying some of the remains as Arthur's.
For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO Web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.
Representatives from the Army's Mortuary Office met with Arthur's next-of-kin to explain the recovery and identification process on behalf of the secretary of the Army.
Arthur was a member of Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 38th Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. In mid May 1951, elements of the 2nd ID were securing their positions on the No Name Line south of the Soyang River, South Korea, when the Chinese Army launched a major counter-offensive. The 2nd ID was forced to withdraw south to a more defensible position north and east of the Hongch'on River. During the withdrawal, Arthur was captured by enemy forces on May 18, 1951, and was marched north into North Korea. Arthur died of malnutrition and disease in July, and he was buried at the Suan Mining POW Camp near Pyongyang.
Between 1991-94, North Korea gave the United States 208 boxes of remains believed to contain the remains of 200-400 U.S. servicemen. Accompanying some of the remains were Arthur's military identification tag and a denture fragment bearing his name.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA and dental comparisons in identifying some of the remains as Arthur's.
For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO Web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.
Military Child Care Takes Top Quality Spots in National Report
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
March 16, 2009 - The Defense Department's stateside military child care system took first place in the categories of quality oversight and standards for a second time as part of a national child care advocacy group's report, a senior official said here today. The National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies recently examined child care practices in 50 states and the District of Columbia for its most-current report and awarded the Defense Department the highest marks for quality for child care oversight and standards, Barbara Thompson, director of the Pentagon's Office of Family Policy, Children and Youth, told Pentagon Channel and American Forces Information Service reporters.
The association twice has reported on child care licensing standards to assess their quality of oversight and standards, Thompson said. The Defense Department also earned the same honors in the group's 2007 report, she said.
"This is the second time that we were No. 1 in both oversight and standards," Thompson said. "No other state has ever reached that, so we're very, very proud of this achievement."
Two-time recognition by the association reinforces the fact that military families can rest assured that the Defense Department provides top-quality child care, Thompson said.
"I think it gives you the satisfaction and the peace of mind that the Department of Defense is very committed to quality and that children who are in our child-development system receive very high quality care across their development," Thompson said.
Military families that enroll their children in [Defense Department]-sponsored child care facilities should know "that your child is safe and is in a learning environment," Thompson said. Such knowledge, she added, helps military members focus on their jobs.
Quality child care is important, Thompson said, because the key formative development years for children takes place between ages 1 through 5.
"When we do the right mix of quality care-giving, learning activities, opportunities for physical play, ... these children are thriving," she said.
Such an environment "really does set the tone for their future in elementary school and further on," Thompson said.
Care-givers employed at Defense Department-sponsored child care facilities receive stringent training and are required to meet the highest standards, Thompson said.
"We lead the way in the country of setting the standards and oversight of what constitutes a good early childhood program," Thompson said.
American Forces Press Service
March 16, 2009 - The Defense Department's stateside military child care system took first place in the categories of quality oversight and standards for a second time as part of a national child care advocacy group's report, a senior official said here today. The National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies recently examined child care practices in 50 states and the District of Columbia for its most-current report and awarded the Defense Department the highest marks for quality for child care oversight and standards, Barbara Thompson, director of the Pentagon's Office of Family Policy, Children and Youth, told Pentagon Channel and American Forces Information Service reporters.
The association twice has reported on child care licensing standards to assess their quality of oversight and standards, Thompson said. The Defense Department also earned the same honors in the group's 2007 report, she said.
"This is the second time that we were No. 1 in both oversight and standards," Thompson said. "No other state has ever reached that, so we're very, very proud of this achievement."
Two-time recognition by the association reinforces the fact that military families can rest assured that the Defense Department provides top-quality child care, Thompson said.
"I think it gives you the satisfaction and the peace of mind that the Department of Defense is very committed to quality and that children who are in our child-development system receive very high quality care across their development," Thompson said.
Military families that enroll their children in [Defense Department]-sponsored child care facilities should know "that your child is safe and is in a learning environment," Thompson said. Such knowledge, she added, helps military members focus on their jobs.
Quality child care is important, Thompson said, because the key formative development years for children takes place between ages 1 through 5.
"When we do the right mix of quality care-giving, learning activities, opportunities for physical play, ... these children are thriving," she said.
Such an environment "really does set the tone for their future in elementary school and further on," Thompson said.
Care-givers employed at Defense Department-sponsored child care facilities receive stringent training and are required to meet the highest standards, Thompson said.
"We lead the way in the country of setting the standards and oversight of what constitutes a good early childhood program," Thompson said.
Reunion Training Helps Soldiers, Families Reconnect
By Eve Meinhardt
Special to American Forces Press Service
March 16, 2009 - Spouses of soldiers in the 18th Airborne Corps have a better idea of how to reconnect with their other halves upon redeployment, thanks to the Army's Battlemind reunion training. "Reunion is not always easy, is it?" Army Chaplain (Col.) Larry McCarty, a Task Force Bragg chaplain, asked at the beginning of the training, which began here March 4.
The Army created Battlemind to help soldiers and families adapt to the changes and difficulties that come with redeployment. While the current training here was for spouses, soldiers receive the training immediately before deployments and after redeployments.
"Even if you've been through multiple deployments, each one is different," said Angie Streets, program manager for mobilization and deployment, Army Community Service. "It is important for you to discuss your expectations and what your spouse's expectations are when he [or she] returns from deployment."
In addition to spouses having different expectations of how things are going to be or what is going to happen when they reunite, soldiers often faces adjustment issues that may affect their ability to sleep, cause a feeling of loss of control and hinder their ability to reconnect or communicate with their families.
With the additional stress of long separations and combat, the resiliency of soldiers and their families is facing additional challenges. McCarty compared a person's ability to bounce back under pressure to a stress ball resuming its shape after being squeezed.
"As soldiers come back home, we're finding that some people are being squeezed and not bouncing back," McCarty said.
Soldiers face different challenges as they reintegrate and reunite at home, no matter what their rank, age or family status. Canadian Brig. Gen. Nicolas Matern, deputy commanding general of 18th Airborne Corps, discussed with the group challenges from a soldier's perspective and from his experience. Martens moved here to become deputy commander of the corps last summer and subsequently deployed with the 18th Airborne to Iraq. He returned from deployment in December.
"It's all about anticipation," Matern said. "You're separated for such a long time, and you have an idea in your head about how things are going to be back home. The problem is, things have evolved back home and changed since you've been gone."
With deployment lengths ranging from three to 18 months, a lot of changes can take place at home.
"The children keep growing up. The spouses at home change, and their roles change," Streets said. "The spouse at home takes on the role of mom and dad as well as additional roles outside the home as they strengthen friendships and become more involved with the Army community through their family readiness group and other support systems."
The Battlemind reunion training helps soldiers and their families learn about actions they can take when they encounter issues, as well as how to restore an emotional balance and where they can compromise on expectations and activities.
They learn about flexibility and about understanding some of the emotions the soldier may be feeling, such as a possible need for order and control or reassurances of their partner's loyalty and commitment.
Spouses learn about recognizing cues in daily life that serve as warning signs that their soldier may need help, including nightmares, anger, substance and alcohol abuse, performance problems, aggressive driving and not making plans.
They also learn to recognize signs that the soldier may need help with problems such as depression, anger, difficulty sleeping, sleeping too much, appetite changes, taking frustrations out on others and isolating themselves.
McCarty broke down the reunion process into what he called the "Big 4."
"Just remember the Big 4 to help you through the changes. No. 1, redeployment is a process, not an event. Everything doesn't go back to normal once your soldier gets off the plane," McCarty said. "No. 2, expect ups and downs. Three, don't over-schedule homecoming activities. And, No. 4, if you need help — ask for it."
He added that couples experiencing problems always can talk to a chaplain confidentially about anything.
"If problems are ignored instead of addressed, they tend to fester and worsen instead of going away," McCarty said. "The most important thing is each other and your relationship."
(Eve Meinhardt writes for Fort Bragg's Paraglide newspaper.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
March 16, 2009 - Spouses of soldiers in the 18th Airborne Corps have a better idea of how to reconnect with their other halves upon redeployment, thanks to the Army's Battlemind reunion training. "Reunion is not always easy, is it?" Army Chaplain (Col.) Larry McCarty, a Task Force Bragg chaplain, asked at the beginning of the training, which began here March 4.
The Army created Battlemind to help soldiers and families adapt to the changes and difficulties that come with redeployment. While the current training here was for spouses, soldiers receive the training immediately before deployments and after redeployments.
"Even if you've been through multiple deployments, each one is different," said Angie Streets, program manager for mobilization and deployment, Army Community Service. "It is important for you to discuss your expectations and what your spouse's expectations are when he [or she] returns from deployment."
In addition to spouses having different expectations of how things are going to be or what is going to happen when they reunite, soldiers often faces adjustment issues that may affect their ability to sleep, cause a feeling of loss of control and hinder their ability to reconnect or communicate with their families.
With the additional stress of long separations and combat, the resiliency of soldiers and their families is facing additional challenges. McCarty compared a person's ability to bounce back under pressure to a stress ball resuming its shape after being squeezed.
"As soldiers come back home, we're finding that some people are being squeezed and not bouncing back," McCarty said.
Soldiers face different challenges as they reintegrate and reunite at home, no matter what their rank, age or family status. Canadian Brig. Gen. Nicolas Matern, deputy commanding general of 18th Airborne Corps, discussed with the group challenges from a soldier's perspective and from his experience. Martens moved here to become deputy commander of the corps last summer and subsequently deployed with the 18th Airborne to Iraq. He returned from deployment in December.
"It's all about anticipation," Matern said. "You're separated for such a long time, and you have an idea in your head about how things are going to be back home. The problem is, things have evolved back home and changed since you've been gone."
With deployment lengths ranging from three to 18 months, a lot of changes can take place at home.
"The children keep growing up. The spouses at home change, and their roles change," Streets said. "The spouse at home takes on the role of mom and dad as well as additional roles outside the home as they strengthen friendships and become more involved with the Army community through their family readiness group and other support systems."
The Battlemind reunion training helps soldiers and their families learn about actions they can take when they encounter issues, as well as how to restore an emotional balance and where they can compromise on expectations and activities.
They learn about flexibility and about understanding some of the emotions the soldier may be feeling, such as a possible need for order and control or reassurances of their partner's loyalty and commitment.
Spouses learn about recognizing cues in daily life that serve as warning signs that their soldier may need help, including nightmares, anger, substance and alcohol abuse, performance problems, aggressive driving and not making plans.
They also learn to recognize signs that the soldier may need help with problems such as depression, anger, difficulty sleeping, sleeping too much, appetite changes, taking frustrations out on others and isolating themselves.
McCarty broke down the reunion process into what he called the "Big 4."
"Just remember the Big 4 to help you through the changes. No. 1, redeployment is a process, not an event. Everything doesn't go back to normal once your soldier gets off the plane," McCarty said. "No. 2, expect ups and downs. Three, don't over-schedule homecoming activities. And, No. 4, if you need help — ask for it."
He added that couples experiencing problems always can talk to a chaplain confidentially about anything.
"If problems are ignored instead of addressed, they tend to fester and worsen instead of going away," McCarty said. "The most important thing is each other and your relationship."
(Eve Meinhardt writes for Fort Bragg's Paraglide newspaper.)
Gates to Remain in Washington During NATO Summit
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
March 16, 2009 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates will remain here to tend to Defense Department budget issues during next month's NATO Summit in Europe, a Pentagon spokesman said today. President Barack Obama and National Security Advisor Jim Jones will represent the United States at the summit in Strasbourg, France, and Kehl, Germany, which takes place on the 60th anniversary of the alliance.
"Given the fact that the U.S. will be well represented, the work that still has to be done back here on what is arguably probably one of the most challenging budget reviews that has taken place in a number of years, he just felt that it's best that he remain here and work on that," Defense Department spokesman Bryan Whitman said.
"He came to that conclusion and talked to the national security advisor about it, and it was agreed upon that that would probably be the best course to take," Whitman added.
Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said Gates had hoped to join Obama to celebrate the alliance's anniversary, but that work on the 2010 budget will not permit him to leave.
"He simply needs more time to review all of our major weapons programs and assess how they fit into his efforts to strategically rebalance the department's budget to reflect the president's national security priorities," Morrell said today in an e-mail statement.
NATO heads of state and government officials will meet at the summit April 3–4.
American Forces Press Service
March 16, 2009 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates will remain here to tend to Defense Department budget issues during next month's NATO Summit in Europe, a Pentagon spokesman said today. President Barack Obama and National Security Advisor Jim Jones will represent the United States at the summit in Strasbourg, France, and Kehl, Germany, which takes place on the 60th anniversary of the alliance.
"Given the fact that the U.S. will be well represented, the work that still has to be done back here on what is arguably probably one of the most challenging budget reviews that has taken place in a number of years, he just felt that it's best that he remain here and work on that," Defense Department spokesman Bryan Whitman said.
"He came to that conclusion and talked to the national security advisor about it, and it was agreed upon that that would probably be the best course to take," Whitman added.
Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said Gates had hoped to join Obama to celebrate the alliance's anniversary, but that work on the 2010 budget will not permit him to leave.
"He simply needs more time to review all of our major weapons programs and assess how they fit into his efforts to strategically rebalance the department's budget to reflect the president's national security priorities," Morrell said today in an e-mail statement.
NATO heads of state and government officials will meet at the summit April 3–4.
DoD and OPM To Review National Security Personnel System
The Department of Defense and the Office of Personnel Management announced today that they will undertake a review of the National Security Personnel System.
The decision by Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn was made after consultation with the Office of Personnel Management. "This administration is committed to operating fair, transparent, and effective personnel systems, and we are undertaking this review to assess whether NSPS meets these objectives," said Lynn. With new leadership under a new administration, DoD and OPM will engage with key stakeholders in examining NSPS. "We recognize that varying viewpoints exist regarding NSPS, and given the scope and complexity of the system, it is important for leadership to conduct its own review of the program," Lynn added.
DoD will delay any further conversions of organizations into NSPS pending the outcome of this review. This affects roughly 2,000 employees in organizations scheduled to convert to NSPS this spring. Those organizations are adjusting their plans accordingly. During the review, organizations already covered by NSPS will continue to operate under current NSPS policies, regulations, and procedures.
DoD and OPM leadership are engaged in discussions with key personnel in the administration to determine the overall framework, scope, and timeline of the review, including identifying an appropriate individual to lead the review. It is expected to take several months for a review team to gather the necessary information and data, reach out to stakeholders, and develop recommendations for leadership consideration.
NSPS implementation began in 2006, changing the way DoD civilians are hired, compensated, promoted, and rewarded. The system currently covers approximately 205,000 DoD employees.
The decision by Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn was made after consultation with the Office of Personnel Management. "This administration is committed to operating fair, transparent, and effective personnel systems, and we are undertaking this review to assess whether NSPS meets these objectives," said Lynn. With new leadership under a new administration, DoD and OPM will engage with key stakeholders in examining NSPS. "We recognize that varying viewpoints exist regarding NSPS, and given the scope and complexity of the system, it is important for leadership to conduct its own review of the program," Lynn added.
DoD will delay any further conversions of organizations into NSPS pending the outcome of this review. This affects roughly 2,000 employees in organizations scheduled to convert to NSPS this spring. Those organizations are adjusting their plans accordingly. During the review, organizations already covered by NSPS will continue to operate under current NSPS policies, regulations, and procedures.
DoD and OPM leadership are engaged in discussions with key personnel in the administration to determine the overall framework, scope, and timeline of the review, including identifying an appropriate individual to lead the review. It is expected to take several months for a review team to gather the necessary information and data, reach out to stakeholders, and develop recommendations for leadership consideration.
NSPS implementation began in 2006, changing the way DoD civilians are hired, compensated, promoted, and rewarded. The system currently covers approximately 205,000 DoD employees.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Military Teens Try Their Hand at Policy Making
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
March 13, 2009 - Like adolescents around the world, U.S. military dependents in Europe crave more independence. They want to explore and study in the countries surrounding their base, learn to drive cars and have more flexible accommodations between the United States and their family's quarters.
This is the message a group of 10 teens stationed overseas delivered in Garmisch, Germany, yesterday at a forum known as the U.S. European Command Quality of Life Conference. The conference convenes spouses, teens, military members and civilians deployed on the continent, allowing them to shed light on common issues in hopes of steering budgets and policy.
And for the first time, teenagers were given their own soapbox as one of five participating focus groups. Over the past week, these adolescents brainstormed the key issues facing military dependents and whittled it down to a list of their top concerns.
"What we're seeing is that these teens are highly educated, great communicators, strategic thinkers, and they're more technologically advanced than I ever was," Wayne Boswell, the chief of Eucom's Quality of Life branch, said in a phone interview from the conference.
Molly Kisner, who resides with her family at Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, is a teen delegate who's been keeping the group's minutes in teenage technophile fashion -- on a blog.
"So far we have succeeded in narrowing down our issues into our Top 10," reads an entry she posted onto the Eucom-sponsored Web site March 10. "These were submitted to 'the guys upstairs' for approval."
One of the group's proposals is a rather novel idea -- an exchange program that would swap students in good academic standing from one Department of Defense Dependents School in Europe to another.
"As for the foreign exchange, basically we are asking that DoDDS implement an exchange program between schools allowing students to completely experience other cultures in their theater," Kisner blogged yesterday. "Said student needs a minimum of a 3.0 [grade point average]."
Even though the teenagers missed a week of school to attend the conference, they received a crash course in civics while catching a glimpse of how policy evolves.
The "guys upstairs" -- the panel tasked with reviewing initial proposals -- recommended the teens shift their focus from DoDDs to more appropriate organizations within the Defense Department – namely, the military's Morale, Welfare and Recreation department and the Child, Youth and School Services division.
Displaying the intuition of seasoned and sure-footed government policymakers, the teens established a blue ribbon committee to refocus their proposal, regrouped, then issued a progress update.
"The exchange program needed to switch the organization from DoDDs to MWR or CYS," Kisner wrote. "So we spent most of morning establishing [the Student Cultural Exchange Orientation Program]. After an hour or two of work on that we are all very proud of the end result."
In the case of these precocious teenagers, their desire to be in the driver's seat is both figurative and literal. One of the big complaints among dependents in Eucom is that a lack of driver's education on military installations is an unfair handicap that their peers across the Atlantic don't have to endure.
Fees for roundtrip airfare and driver's education in the States often exceeds the price of taking instructional courses in one's host country, which can come with a hefty price tag for the six months of lessons needed to drive abroad, according to one Eucom official.
"I've heard everywhere from about $2,500 to about $4,200 for the full program," Boswell, the Quality of Life branch chief, said. "And that only gets them their license so that they can drive on the Autobahn or off the garrison."
Boswell said Installation Management Command Europe already has hooked up live driving simulators that let teens take the safety training portion free of charge. While completion of the regimen doesn't license them to drive, it does check one of two necessary boxes.
But as eager as some teens might be to hit the open road, the top issue the focus group identified suggests they're not ready to leave the nest for good.
"Our Number 1 topic submitted was getting plane tickets for college students who live in the U.S. to visit their family [in Europe] twice a year instead of the current once a year," Kisner wrote on the blog.
The remarkable debut by the teen group has helped officials see an entirely different perspective of life on base, Boswell said.
"When we ask them a question, they help us look at issues very differently than we would have looked at them ourselves," he said.
Karina Viesca, a teen delegate who lives at Ghedi Airbase, Italy, lauded the opportunity to share her experience as a military dependent.
"These good and bad experiences have been heard and considered for the future we hold within ourselves," she wrote on the blog yesterday. "These experiences may not be taken into action overnight, but someday we will see it happen."
Boswell suggested that some of the teens have taken such a vested interest in the dialogue because it could have a bearing on the quality of their adult lives.
"In large part, in the military we're basically growing our own," he said. "So as we talk to them and get their perspective, they're really helping us shape their environment for when they enter the military."
American Forces Press Service
March 13, 2009 - Like adolescents around the world, U.S. military dependents in Europe crave more independence. They want to explore and study in the countries surrounding their base, learn to drive cars and have more flexible accommodations between the United States and their family's quarters.
This is the message a group of 10 teens stationed overseas delivered in Garmisch, Germany, yesterday at a forum known as the U.S. European Command Quality of Life Conference. The conference convenes spouses, teens, military members and civilians deployed on the continent, allowing them to shed light on common issues in hopes of steering budgets and policy.
And for the first time, teenagers were given their own soapbox as one of five participating focus groups. Over the past week, these adolescents brainstormed the key issues facing military dependents and whittled it down to a list of their top concerns.
"What we're seeing is that these teens are highly educated, great communicators, strategic thinkers, and they're more technologically advanced than I ever was," Wayne Boswell, the chief of Eucom's Quality of Life branch, said in a phone interview from the conference.
Molly Kisner, who resides with her family at Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, is a teen delegate who's been keeping the group's minutes in teenage technophile fashion -- on a blog.
"So far we have succeeded in narrowing down our issues into our Top 10," reads an entry she posted onto the Eucom-sponsored Web site March 10. "These were submitted to 'the guys upstairs' for approval."
One of the group's proposals is a rather novel idea -- an exchange program that would swap students in good academic standing from one Department of Defense Dependents School in Europe to another.
"As for the foreign exchange, basically we are asking that DoDDS implement an exchange program between schools allowing students to completely experience other cultures in their theater," Kisner blogged yesterday. "Said student needs a minimum of a 3.0 [grade point average]."
Even though the teenagers missed a week of school to attend the conference, they received a crash course in civics while catching a glimpse of how policy evolves.
The "guys upstairs" -- the panel tasked with reviewing initial proposals -- recommended the teens shift their focus from DoDDs to more appropriate organizations within the Defense Department – namely, the military's Morale, Welfare and Recreation department and the Child, Youth and School Services division.
Displaying the intuition of seasoned and sure-footed government policymakers, the teens established a blue ribbon committee to refocus their proposal, regrouped, then issued a progress update.
"The exchange program needed to switch the organization from DoDDs to MWR or CYS," Kisner wrote. "So we spent most of morning establishing [the Student Cultural Exchange Orientation Program]. After an hour or two of work on that we are all very proud of the end result."
In the case of these precocious teenagers, their desire to be in the driver's seat is both figurative and literal. One of the big complaints among dependents in Eucom is that a lack of driver's education on military installations is an unfair handicap that their peers across the Atlantic don't have to endure.
Fees for roundtrip airfare and driver's education in the States often exceeds the price of taking instructional courses in one's host country, which can come with a hefty price tag for the six months of lessons needed to drive abroad, according to one Eucom official.
"I've heard everywhere from about $2,500 to about $4,200 for the full program," Boswell, the Quality of Life branch chief, said. "And that only gets them their license so that they can drive on the Autobahn or off the garrison."
Boswell said Installation Management Command Europe already has hooked up live driving simulators that let teens take the safety training portion free of charge. While completion of the regimen doesn't license them to drive, it does check one of two necessary boxes.
But as eager as some teens might be to hit the open road, the top issue the focus group identified suggests they're not ready to leave the nest for good.
"Our Number 1 topic submitted was getting plane tickets for college students who live in the U.S. to visit their family [in Europe] twice a year instead of the current once a year," Kisner wrote on the blog.
The remarkable debut by the teen group has helped officials see an entirely different perspective of life on base, Boswell said.
"When we ask them a question, they help us look at issues very differently than we would have looked at them ourselves," he said.
Karina Viesca, a teen delegate who lives at Ghedi Airbase, Italy, lauded the opportunity to share her experience as a military dependent.
"These good and bad experiences have been heard and considered for the future we hold within ourselves," she wrote on the blog yesterday. "These experiences may not be taken into action overnight, but someday we will see it happen."
Boswell suggested that some of the teens have taken such a vested interest in the dialogue because it could have a bearing on the quality of their adult lives.
"In large part, in the military we're basically growing our own," he said. "So as we talk to them and get their perspective, they're really helping us shape their environment for when they enter the military."
MILITARY CONTRACTS March 13, 2009
NAVY
Lockheed Martin Corp., Maritime Systems and Sensors Tactical Systems, St. Paul, Minn., is being awarded a $665,637,785 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of phased depot maintenance, structural service life extension, and avionics modification on 12 P-3C aircraft for the government of Taiwan under the Foreign Military Sales Program. In addition, this contract provides for ground handling and support equipment and publications. Work will be performed in St. Paul, Minn., (50 percent); Greensville, S.C., (27 percent) and Marietta, Ga., (23 percent), and is expected to be completed in Aug. 2015. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-09-C-0031).
Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $106,473,293 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-07-C-0093) for the Full Rate Production of 280 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) unitary Air-to-Ground (AGM)-154C-1s, with a moving target/surface warfare capability. In addition, this modification provides for one additional unit for the performance characterization testing. Work will be performed in Dallas, Texas, (44 percent); Cedar Rapids, Iowa, (24 percent); Tucson, Ariz., (22 percent), and McAllester, Okla., (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in Mar. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command is the contracting activity.
Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $29,984,982 order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-07-G-0008) for engineering and technical services in support of the V-22 flight control system and on-aircraft avionics software. Efforts will support configuration changes to the software for V-22 aircraft for avionics and flight controls, flight test planning and coordination of changed avionics and flight control configurations, upgrade planning of avionics and flight controls, including performance of qualification testing and integration testing on software products. Work will be performed in Philadelphia, Pa., (90 precent) and Ft. Worth, Texas, (10 precent), and is expected to be completed in Dec. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $5,402,028 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $16,075,146 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-5431) to procure long lead material for the fiscal year 2009 procurement of the Evolved SEASPARROW Missiles (ESSMs) for the NATO SEASPARROW consortium and the United Arab Emirates. The NATO SEASPARROW consortium, which includes the United States and nine other countries and the United Arab Emirates, will fund the effort under this contract. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz., (45 percent); Camden, Ark., (2 percent); Andover, Mass., (10 percent); Australia, (11 percent); Canada, (7 percent); Denmark, (1 percent); Greece, (1 precent); Germany, (8 percent); The Netherlands, (6 percent); Norway, (5 percent); Spain, (3 percent); and Turkey, (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by Dec. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
Schafer Corp., Chelmsford, Mass., is being awarded a $9,787,453 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for research and development associated with Directed Energy and Electric Weapon Systems. Directed Energy and Electric Weapon Systems have potential for weapon and specific sensor utility. Aspects of the research and development effort to be procured include technology assessment, engineering, engineering analysis, design and design analysis, and test and evaluation for all manners of directed energy systems and subsystems. These systems include high electron laser, free electron laser, high power microwave, electromagnetic launch, terahertz sources and detectors, and high energy sources related to acceleration of "particles" to be used for the purposes of detecting and destroying weapons of mass destruction and their transport vehicles. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C., and is expected to be completed by July 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-09-C-4204).
BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Va., is being awarded a $9,741,012 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-05-C-4403) for growth and new work items in support of the USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) FY09 docked phased maintenance availability. The following work items will be accomplished: preserve the feed water tank; replace collection, holding and transfer, and soil drain piping; preserve freeboard; and accomplish growth work for the impressed cathodic protection system, ShipAlt LHD1-6 SCD 3263 fuel oil compensation stability improvement mods, sea valve sectional protection waster sleeve and underwater hull sea chest, cleaning and pumping, underwater hull inspection, and underwater hull preservation. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, Va., and is expected to be completed by Oct. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $9,741,012 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.
BAE Systems Land & Armaments, Ground Systems Division, York, Pa., is being awarded an $8,370,688 firm-fixed-priced modification to previously awarded delivery order #0004 under a contract (M67854-07-D-5025) for field service representatives and instructors to support Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. Work will be performed in York, Pa., and is expected to be completed by the Dec. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Ensign-Bickford Aerospace and Defense Co.*, Simsbury, Conn., is being awarded a $6,986,243 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of MK 140, 20 gram booster flexible charges. The procurement of these rounds includes a minimum of 17,500 each and a maximum of 1,500,000 each production units in support of the MK140 program. Work will be performed in Simsbury, Conn., and is expected to be completed by Mar. 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane website, with one offer received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-09-C-JM19).
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is modifying a cost plus award fee contract with Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., of San Diego, Calif., for $59,608,897. This action will provide engineering, manufacturing and development infrastructure activities in support of the Global Hawk program. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 303 AESG/SYK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (F33657-01-C-4600, P00295).
The Air Force is modifying a cost plus fixed fee contract with Lockheed Martin Corp., of Fort Worth, Texas for $47,505,558. This action will provide additional sustainment activities for the F-22 weapon system during CY09. At this time $43,055,660 has been obligated. 478 AESW/PK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is the contracting activity (FA8611-08-C-2897).
The Air Force is modifying a fixed price incentive firm contract with Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., of San Diego, Calif., for an amount not to exceed $107,575,999. This action will provide for long lead items associated with LRIP Lot 8 Global Hawk Block 40 air vehicles. At this time, $25,999,999 has been obligated. 303 AESG/SYK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8620-08-C-3001, P00007).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Portsmouth, R.I., is being awarded a maximum $33,308,000 firm fixed price, undefinitized contractual action, contract for various spares for the MH-60R helicopter. Other location of performance is France. This was originally a sole source competition. Using service is Navy. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Oct. 31, 2011. The contracting activity is the DLR Procurement Operations (DSCR-ZCB.02), DLA Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (N00383-06-G-011F-THA4).
Caterpillar, Inc., Mossville, Ill., is being awarded a maximum $8,147,898 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for forklift and equipment. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Air Force. There were three proposals originally solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Oct. 30, 2009. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM500-01-D-0036).
NACCO Material Handling Group, Greenville, N.C., is being awarded a maximum $5,266,950 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for diesel forklift. Other location of performance is Kentucky. Using service is Air Force. There were two proposals originally solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Apr. 15, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM500-01-D-0054).
Lockheed Martin Corp., Maritime Systems and Sensors Tactical Systems, St. Paul, Minn., is being awarded a $665,637,785 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of phased depot maintenance, structural service life extension, and avionics modification on 12 P-3C aircraft for the government of Taiwan under the Foreign Military Sales Program. In addition, this contract provides for ground handling and support equipment and publications. Work will be performed in St. Paul, Minn., (50 percent); Greensville, S.C., (27 percent) and Marietta, Ga., (23 percent), and is expected to be completed in Aug. 2015. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-09-C-0031).
Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $106,473,293 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-07-C-0093) for the Full Rate Production of 280 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) unitary Air-to-Ground (AGM)-154C-1s, with a moving target/surface warfare capability. In addition, this modification provides for one additional unit for the performance characterization testing. Work will be performed in Dallas, Texas, (44 percent); Cedar Rapids, Iowa, (24 percent); Tucson, Ariz., (22 percent), and McAllester, Okla., (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in Mar. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command is the contracting activity.
Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $29,984,982 order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-07-G-0008) for engineering and technical services in support of the V-22 flight control system and on-aircraft avionics software. Efforts will support configuration changes to the software for V-22 aircraft for avionics and flight controls, flight test planning and coordination of changed avionics and flight control configurations, upgrade planning of avionics and flight controls, including performance of qualification testing and integration testing on software products. Work will be performed in Philadelphia, Pa., (90 precent) and Ft. Worth, Texas, (10 precent), and is expected to be completed in Dec. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $5,402,028 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $16,075,146 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-5431) to procure long lead material for the fiscal year 2009 procurement of the Evolved SEASPARROW Missiles (ESSMs) for the NATO SEASPARROW consortium and the United Arab Emirates. The NATO SEASPARROW consortium, which includes the United States and nine other countries and the United Arab Emirates, will fund the effort under this contract. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz., (45 percent); Camden, Ark., (2 percent); Andover, Mass., (10 percent); Australia, (11 percent); Canada, (7 percent); Denmark, (1 percent); Greece, (1 precent); Germany, (8 percent); The Netherlands, (6 percent); Norway, (5 percent); Spain, (3 percent); and Turkey, (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by Dec. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
Schafer Corp., Chelmsford, Mass., is being awarded a $9,787,453 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for research and development associated with Directed Energy and Electric Weapon Systems. Directed Energy and Electric Weapon Systems have potential for weapon and specific sensor utility. Aspects of the research and development effort to be procured include technology assessment, engineering, engineering analysis, design and design analysis, and test and evaluation for all manners of directed energy systems and subsystems. These systems include high electron laser, free electron laser, high power microwave, electromagnetic launch, terahertz sources and detectors, and high energy sources related to acceleration of "particles" to be used for the purposes of detecting and destroying weapons of mass destruction and their transport vehicles. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C., and is expected to be completed by July 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-09-C-4204).
BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Va., is being awarded a $9,741,012 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-05-C-4403) for growth and new work items in support of the USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) FY09 docked phased maintenance availability. The following work items will be accomplished: preserve the feed water tank; replace collection, holding and transfer, and soil drain piping; preserve freeboard; and accomplish growth work for the impressed cathodic protection system, ShipAlt LHD1-6 SCD 3263 fuel oil compensation stability improvement mods, sea valve sectional protection waster sleeve and underwater hull sea chest, cleaning and pumping, underwater hull inspection, and underwater hull preservation. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, Va., and is expected to be completed by Oct. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $9,741,012 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.
BAE Systems Land & Armaments, Ground Systems Division, York, Pa., is being awarded an $8,370,688 firm-fixed-priced modification to previously awarded delivery order #0004 under a contract (M67854-07-D-5025) for field service representatives and instructors to support Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. Work will be performed in York, Pa., and is expected to be completed by the Dec. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Ensign-Bickford Aerospace and Defense Co.*, Simsbury, Conn., is being awarded a $6,986,243 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of MK 140, 20 gram booster flexible charges. The procurement of these rounds includes a minimum of 17,500 each and a maximum of 1,500,000 each production units in support of the MK140 program. Work will be performed in Simsbury, Conn., and is expected to be completed by Mar. 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane website, with one offer received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-09-C-JM19).
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is modifying a cost plus award fee contract with Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., of San Diego, Calif., for $59,608,897. This action will provide engineering, manufacturing and development infrastructure activities in support of the Global Hawk program. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 303 AESG/SYK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (F33657-01-C-4600, P00295).
The Air Force is modifying a cost plus fixed fee contract with Lockheed Martin Corp., of Fort Worth, Texas for $47,505,558. This action will provide additional sustainment activities for the F-22 weapon system during CY09. At this time $43,055,660 has been obligated. 478 AESW/PK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is the contracting activity (FA8611-08-C-2897).
The Air Force is modifying a fixed price incentive firm contract with Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., of San Diego, Calif., for an amount not to exceed $107,575,999. This action will provide for long lead items associated with LRIP Lot 8 Global Hawk Block 40 air vehicles. At this time, $25,999,999 has been obligated. 303 AESG/SYK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8620-08-C-3001, P00007).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Portsmouth, R.I., is being awarded a maximum $33,308,000 firm fixed price, undefinitized contractual action, contract for various spares for the MH-60R helicopter. Other location of performance is France. This was originally a sole source competition. Using service is Navy. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Oct. 31, 2011. The contracting activity is the DLR Procurement Operations (DSCR-ZCB.02), DLA Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (N00383-06-G-011F-THA4).
Caterpillar, Inc., Mossville, Ill., is being awarded a maximum $8,147,898 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for forklift and equipment. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Air Force. There were three proposals originally solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Oct. 30, 2009. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM500-01-D-0036).
NACCO Material Handling Group, Greenville, N.C., is being awarded a maximum $5,266,950 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for diesel forklift. Other location of performance is Kentucky. Using service is Air Force. There were two proposals originally solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Apr. 15, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM500-01-D-0054).
Young Leaders Tour Pentagon During 'Washington Week'
By Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service
March 13, 2009 - American high school students from around the world toured the Pentagon today, capping off a weeklong visit to the nation's capital and what many of them called one of the most exciting experiences of their young lives. The 104 students were selected to come here as part of the 47th Annual U.S. Youth Senate Program's "Washington Week" to see, firsthand, American politics in action. The delegates were selected among thousands of applicants, all high school juniors and seniors representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity.
Today, during their Pentagon tour, they walked the busy corridors and learned the different aspects of national defense and its history. They also met with Air Force Lt. Gen. Paul Selva, assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who oversees international relations and political-military matters that require close, personal control by the chairman.
Their visit also included time at the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Supreme Court and the White House. They met congressmen, cabinet members, officials from the Defense and State departments and a Supreme Court justice. The student delegates were afforded the opportunity to hear national and world policy addresses from the political leaders as well as pick their brains about why they became public servants.
"We got to see [government] in motion, and it was a great opportunity," Michael Boone, student government president of Kaiserslautern High School in Heidelberg, Germany, and DoDEA representative, said. "It's a great chance and great opportunity to meet other delegates and people from around our nation."
But the most exciting portion of "Washington Week" was meeting the nation's president, Boone said.
"My favorite event so far was meeting the president of the United States," he said. "So that was quite an honor. He's my role model, and that was the highlight of my week."
Luke Moragne, student council president of David Glasgow Farragut High School in Rota, Spain, and also a DoDEA representative, said meeting President Barack Obama was the highlight of his week too.
"[Meeting the president] is a once in a lifetime thing," Moragne said. "People always see him on TV, but I actually got to meet him. It was incredible shaking the president's hand."
Moragne said he also enjoyed seeing "government in action." He described the responsibilities of congressmen and political officials as "not an easy task."
"I've actually gotten to see real senators and an actual real Senate vote," Moragne said. His impression is that "it's hard to be a senator or the president and uphold our American ideals. You definitely get the impression from every single person in politics of how smart and sharp and serious they are."
For aspiring youth senate delegates who want to participate in future programs, Boone and Moragne recommend staying informed on current world issues.
"Be heavily involved in high school," Moragne said. "Do every little thing you can possibly do [and] stay up on your politics. [Student delegates] here actually really love politics, which is kind of nice and surprising."
Boone, the son of an Army colonel, hopes to pursue a career in environmental engineering with the aspiration of helping to create an environment in which people will live longer and breathe healthier, he said.
Moragne, whose grandmother works in human resources for the Navy in Rota, recently was accepted into the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, R.I. From there, he hopes to attend the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and eventually become a Marine Corps intelligence officer or lawyer, he said.
The U.S. Youth Senate Program began in 1962, and is sponsored by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation with the hope to increase young Americans' understanding of the three branches of American government, according to the program's Web site. The delegates are nominated each fall by their private or public schools, and must hold student body office or another elected or appointed position in their communities and show academic interest and aptitude in government, history and politics.
American Forces Press Service
March 13, 2009 - American high school students from around the world toured the Pentagon today, capping off a weeklong visit to the nation's capital and what many of them called one of the most exciting experiences of their young lives. The 104 students were selected to come here as part of the 47th Annual U.S. Youth Senate Program's "Washington Week" to see, firsthand, American politics in action. The delegates were selected among thousands of applicants, all high school juniors and seniors representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity.
Today, during their Pentagon tour, they walked the busy corridors and learned the different aspects of national defense and its history. They also met with Air Force Lt. Gen. Paul Selva, assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who oversees international relations and political-military matters that require close, personal control by the chairman.
Their visit also included time at the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Supreme Court and the White House. They met congressmen, cabinet members, officials from the Defense and State departments and a Supreme Court justice. The student delegates were afforded the opportunity to hear national and world policy addresses from the political leaders as well as pick their brains about why they became public servants.
"We got to see [government] in motion, and it was a great opportunity," Michael Boone, student government president of Kaiserslautern High School in Heidelberg, Germany, and DoDEA representative, said. "It's a great chance and great opportunity to meet other delegates and people from around our nation."
But the most exciting portion of "Washington Week" was meeting the nation's president, Boone said.
"My favorite event so far was meeting the president of the United States," he said. "So that was quite an honor. He's my role model, and that was the highlight of my week."
Luke Moragne, student council president of David Glasgow Farragut High School in Rota, Spain, and also a DoDEA representative, said meeting President Barack Obama was the highlight of his week too.
"[Meeting the president] is a once in a lifetime thing," Moragne said. "People always see him on TV, but I actually got to meet him. It was incredible shaking the president's hand."
Moragne said he also enjoyed seeing "government in action." He described the responsibilities of congressmen and political officials as "not an easy task."
"I've actually gotten to see real senators and an actual real Senate vote," Moragne said. His impression is that "it's hard to be a senator or the president and uphold our American ideals. You definitely get the impression from every single person in politics of how smart and sharp and serious they are."
For aspiring youth senate delegates who want to participate in future programs, Boone and Moragne recommend staying informed on current world issues.
"Be heavily involved in high school," Moragne said. "Do every little thing you can possibly do [and] stay up on your politics. [Student delegates] here actually really love politics, which is kind of nice and surprising."
Boone, the son of an Army colonel, hopes to pursue a career in environmental engineering with the aspiration of helping to create an environment in which people will live longer and breathe healthier, he said.
Moragne, whose grandmother works in human resources for the Navy in Rota, recently was accepted into the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, R.I. From there, he hopes to attend the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and eventually become a Marine Corps intelligence officer or lawyer, he said.
The U.S. Youth Senate Program began in 1962, and is sponsored by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation with the hope to increase young Americans' understanding of the three branches of American government, according to the program's Web site. The delegates are nominated each fall by their private or public schools, and must hold student body office or another elected or appointed position in their communities and show academic interest and aptitude in government, history and politics.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
