By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 19, 2009 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, presided over a change-of-command ceremony here today as Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating passed the U.S. Pacific Command helm to Navy Adm. Robert F. Willard. Willard assumed command of the 250,000-member command that includes all military forces in the Asia-Pacific region during a ceremony at Pacom headquarters, high on a hillside overlooking Pearl Harbor.
It was a stirring ceremony with ship's bells and a boatswain's pipe announcing the arrival of the official party, followed by a 19-gun salute. Jim Nabors sang the national anthem and Ciana Pelekai, the Hawaii state song.
Gates lauded Keating's 42-year naval career in the cockpit, on land and at sea. A U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Keating is an F-18 Hornet pilot with 5,000 flight hours and 1,200 landings on the deck of an aircraft carrier.
But he also distinguished himself on land, as commander at U.S. Northern Command, Gates said. Recognizing his accomplishments there, as well as his "unique skills and strategic vision," the secretary said, he recommended Keating for his most important assignment at the oldest and largest U.S. combatant command.
Pacom's area of responsibility stretches across 36 nations that include more than half the world's population, and that represent more than $1 trillion in annual trade with the United States.
"Leading a military organization in this part of the world requires a deft touch, a diplomat's sensibilities, a scholar's sense of the past and a commercial tycoon's business savvy," Gates said. "Admiral Keating has provided all of that and more."
Gates ticked off some of Pacom's challenges: complex national and international agreements, relations and rivalries; vast distances within its boundaries; the ever-present danger of manmade and natural disasters; and the threat of international terrorism, among them.
"The relative stability of the region belies the historic, economic and cultural rip currents that exist just below the visible surface," he said.
Keating has visited 29 of the 36 countries within Pacom since taking command two and a half years ago, fostering long-standing alliances along with new partnerships with other nations, Gates noted.
That outreach took him to Japan a dozen times, the Philippines about six times, Indonesia three times and China and India twice. Keating said he had hoped to visit China more frequently, a goal foiled after China cut off military-to-military relationships after the United States announced arms sales to Taiwan.
Mullen also praised Keating, who he said "understood the power of relationships and how to turn relationships into partnerships and partnerships into friendships."
Keating oversaw the revision of the Pacom strategy, built on three major tenets: partnership, readiness and presence. These, Mullen said, ensured Pacom remained "a cohesive and lasting power for peace and readiness."
Mullen wished Keating and his wife, Wanda Lee, "fair winds and following seas" as he welcomed Willard and his wife Donna to "the best job a Navy officer could have."
In his remarks, Keating evoked the vision of the founding fathers and said it's embodied in the servicemembers of Pacom who have served and sacrificed to keep it a reality.
But he also cited a less vaunted visionary, singer Jimmy Buffet, who sang of a world where "kids play on the shore all day and all are safe within."
This, Keating said, captures the same sentiment as lofty statements of strategy. And, he said, is the vision that drives the men and women of Pacom.
"It's been a grand adventure," Keating told Hawaii-based reporters as he summed up his time at Pacom. "I wouldn't trade it for anything."
Willard, who spent two and a half years as commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate with extensive experience in the Pacific region and knowledge of its history.
Willard said he's deeply honored to follow in Keating's footsteps, noting, "Yours will be large shoes to fill."
He vowed to emulate Keating, both in his dedication to his staff that engendered tremendous loyalty, and by clear-eyed focus on Asia and the Pacific.
As the region has changed, the growing importance of Asia has remained a constant, Willard said.
He said he'll work tirelessly to ensure Pacom lives up to that challenge and that its role in U.S. national defense is understood.
"Our nation's interests are here," he said.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Gates Heads to Asia to Bolster U.S. Alliances
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 19, 2009 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is on his way to Japan, where he will discuss a broad range of defense issues as the first Cabinet-level U.S. official to visit the new Japanese Democratic Party government since it took office last month. Gates presided earlier today at the change-of-command ceremony at U.S. Pacific Command in Honolulu and is traveling on to Tokyo, then Seoul, South Korea, to meet with two of the strongest U.S. allies in the region.
"Our alliances are in, we think, great shape -- not just in the military side, but politically, economically and in every other way," a senior defense official traveling with Gates told reporters. "We intend to reinforce all that, and we intend to make sure that America's rock-solid, steadfast commitment to the security of our allies is plainly evident through these visits."
Discussions during both visits will focus on major transformations under way to keep the alliances "forward-looking" so they are prepared to deal with challenges, not only on the Korean peninsula, but also in the wider Asia-Pacific region and globally.
The visits will "build on the time-tested strength of these alliance relationships" in the lead-up to two historic milestones in 2010. Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War and the 50th anniversary of the signing of the treaty of mutual cooperation and security with Japan.
In Tokyo, Gates' meetings with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa and Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada will focus on regional security and the ongoing transformation of the U.S.-Japan alliance, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said at last week's Pentagon briefing.
The talks, the senior official told reporters, will stress "the importance of continuity and realignment efforts while conveying our views on Japan's role in the bilateral alliance and in the international community."
Issues likely to arise include the Japanese navy's at-sea refueling mission for U.S. and British ships with cargo for the coalition mission in Afghanistan, and Kitazawa's interest in reviewing existing security accords between the two countries. Those agreements involve the 48,000 U.S. troops in Japan, as well as the planned movement of about 8,000 Marines from Okinawa to Guam, which Japan had previously agreed to help underwrite.
Gates will emphasize the need to keep previously agreed-to arrangements, the result of 15 years of negotiation and review, in place. These agreements are "beneficial to both of our countries and to our long-term relationship and to the security situation in the region," Morrell told reporters.
The secretary's talks in Tokyo will set the stage for President Barack Obama's scheduled visit in mid-November.
In Seoul, Gates will co-chair the 41st annual Security Consultative Meeting with Minister of National Defense Kim Tae Young. The meeting, the first since the U.S.-South Korean presidential summit in mid-June, "will be an opportunity to strengthen the defense relationship in keeping with the joint vision statement promulgated by the U.S. and the Republic of Korea presidents," the official said.
North Korea's nuclear, missile and proliferation threat is expected to be a major topic as the defense leaders explore ways to work together cooperatively and with solidarity to confront it.
Kim, who previously served as South Korea's chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, assumed his new post in September, emphasizing the importance of changes and reform to cope with the tension on the Korean peninsula.
The talks also will address progress toward South Korea's assumption of wartime operational control of its forces by April 2012. "We have absolutely no worries that the military conditions and the military capabilities will be there, to enable 'opcon' transfer in 2012," the official said.
The transfer won't reduce U.S. obligations as an ally, he emphasized, noting that all other aspects of the alliance, including extended deterrence, will remain in full effect after it occurs.
"All we are doing is recognizing the tremendous development within the Republic of Korea's military structure and military capabilities to transfer the command decisions for defense of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Korea," he said.
"We will maintain American forces on the peninsula. We will have a specific command on the American side that's dedicated to supporting the Republic of Korea," he said. "But we think it's a natural evolution to the alliance that it's time now -- 60 years after the start of the Korean War on June 23, 1950 -- that we have the Koreans in command."
Gates is traveling to Asia after presiding at a change-of-command ceremony at U.S. Pacific Command. Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating passed command to Navy Adm. Robert Willard.
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 19, 2009 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is on his way to Japan, where he will discuss a broad range of defense issues as the first Cabinet-level U.S. official to visit the new Japanese Democratic Party government since it took office last month. Gates presided earlier today at the change-of-command ceremony at U.S. Pacific Command in Honolulu and is traveling on to Tokyo, then Seoul, South Korea, to meet with two of the strongest U.S. allies in the region.
"Our alliances are in, we think, great shape -- not just in the military side, but politically, economically and in every other way," a senior defense official traveling with Gates told reporters. "We intend to reinforce all that, and we intend to make sure that America's rock-solid, steadfast commitment to the security of our allies is plainly evident through these visits."
Discussions during both visits will focus on major transformations under way to keep the alliances "forward-looking" so they are prepared to deal with challenges, not only on the Korean peninsula, but also in the wider Asia-Pacific region and globally.
The visits will "build on the time-tested strength of these alliance relationships" in the lead-up to two historic milestones in 2010. Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War and the 50th anniversary of the signing of the treaty of mutual cooperation and security with Japan.
In Tokyo, Gates' meetings with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa and Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada will focus on regional security and the ongoing transformation of the U.S.-Japan alliance, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said at last week's Pentagon briefing.
The talks, the senior official told reporters, will stress "the importance of continuity and realignment efforts while conveying our views on Japan's role in the bilateral alliance and in the international community."
Issues likely to arise include the Japanese navy's at-sea refueling mission for U.S. and British ships with cargo for the coalition mission in Afghanistan, and Kitazawa's interest in reviewing existing security accords between the two countries. Those agreements involve the 48,000 U.S. troops in Japan, as well as the planned movement of about 8,000 Marines from Okinawa to Guam, which Japan had previously agreed to help underwrite.
Gates will emphasize the need to keep previously agreed-to arrangements, the result of 15 years of negotiation and review, in place. These agreements are "beneficial to both of our countries and to our long-term relationship and to the security situation in the region," Morrell told reporters.
The secretary's talks in Tokyo will set the stage for President Barack Obama's scheduled visit in mid-November.
In Seoul, Gates will co-chair the 41st annual Security Consultative Meeting with Minister of National Defense Kim Tae Young. The meeting, the first since the U.S.-South Korean presidential summit in mid-June, "will be an opportunity to strengthen the defense relationship in keeping with the joint vision statement promulgated by the U.S. and the Republic of Korea presidents," the official said.
North Korea's nuclear, missile and proliferation threat is expected to be a major topic as the defense leaders explore ways to work together cooperatively and with solidarity to confront it.
Kim, who previously served as South Korea's chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, assumed his new post in September, emphasizing the importance of changes and reform to cope with the tension on the Korean peninsula.
The talks also will address progress toward South Korea's assumption of wartime operational control of its forces by April 2012. "We have absolutely no worries that the military conditions and the military capabilities will be there, to enable 'opcon' transfer in 2012," the official said.
The transfer won't reduce U.S. obligations as an ally, he emphasized, noting that all other aspects of the alliance, including extended deterrence, will remain in full effect after it occurs.
"All we are doing is recognizing the tremendous development within the Republic of Korea's military structure and military capabilities to transfer the command decisions for defense of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Korea," he said.
"We will maintain American forces on the peninsula. We will have a specific command on the American side that's dedicated to supporting the Republic of Korea," he said. "But we think it's a natural evolution to the alliance that it's time now -- 60 years after the start of the Korean War on June 23, 1950 -- that we have the Koreans in command."
Gates is traveling to Asia after presiding at a change-of-command ceremony at U.S. Pacific Command. Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating passed command to Navy Adm. Robert Willard.
Admiral Cites Need to Prepare for All Threats
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 19, 2009 - Military commanders of the future should be proficient at managing high-tech communications networks and also should know how to wage conventional, irregular and hybrid warfare, a senior U.S. Navy officer said here today. A rapidly changing world presents an array of new threats and challenges to U.S. national security, Vice Adm. Robert S. Harward, deputy commander for U.S. Forces Command, based at Norfolk, Va., told attendees at the annual C4ISR Journal Integration Conference held in Arlington, Va.
C4ISR is military shorthand for command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
"To look at the world that we're in right now we're in constant conflict. ... As we see the future, that leader is going to be critical," Harward said.
Space-based and aerial sensor equipment, part of the military's C4ISR infrastructure, provides joint commanders added sets of "eyes" used to survey the battle space, Harward said. Yet, he added, those same commanders must be able to understand, manage and act on the information they're receiving.
Joint Forces Command is "focused, first and foremost, on the leader," the admiral said. Consequently, he added, the computerized C4ISR system should now be considered leader-centric instead of network-centric.
The command's current joint operating environment report, which predicts potential threats to U.S. national security in the years ahead, foresees a period of persistent conflict, Harward said. It also predicts global instability, potential adversaries using a combination of conventional and irregular tactics to fight a hybrid-style war, increasing access to weapons of mass destruction, the rise of regional state and nonstate actors, and the unpredictability of security threats.
Although the U.S. military still must be prepared to fight and win large conventional-warfare conflicts, Harward said, it also must "be able to deal with this irregular warfare," including emerging hybrid threats.
Another future threat, Harward said, involves a potential enemy's use of cyber warfare to take down the U.S. military's computerized communications and sensor network. Therefore, Harward urged the development of more-robust computer security systems to protect space, aerial- and ground-based communications systems and sensors.
The companion piece for the report is known as the Capstone concept for joint operations, which represents Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen's vision for how the joint force will operate in the future. Capstone provides proposed solutions to envisioned security threats presented in the joint operating environment report.
Input from that report influences the Quadrennial Defense Review, a congressionally mandated report prepared every four years that also seeks to predict future threats while balancing military capabilities to confront them.
According to the joint operating environment report, Harward said, U.S. military leaders must be prepared to confront foes who fight either conventionally or irregularly, or employ a combination of the two.
"And, so the C4ISR system we grow for the future needs to dominate both and all of those environments," Harward said.
It's also important to learn from irregular warfare battles in Iraq, Afghanistan and other regions, Harward said, in training future leaders "to make sure we better understand the capabilities and skills they need."
Harward, who has a special operations background, was nominated earlier this month by President Barack Obama for reappointment to vice admiral and directed to take command of the newly created Joint Task Force 435 to revamp U.S. detention policies in Afghanistan. Army Maj. Gen. Keith M. Huber, present commander of U.S. Army South based at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, is nominated for promotion to lieutenant general, and he is slated to take Harward's place at Joint Forces Command.
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 19, 2009 - Military commanders of the future should be proficient at managing high-tech communications networks and also should know how to wage conventional, irregular and hybrid warfare, a senior U.S. Navy officer said here today. A rapidly changing world presents an array of new threats and challenges to U.S. national security, Vice Adm. Robert S. Harward, deputy commander for U.S. Forces Command, based at Norfolk, Va., told attendees at the annual C4ISR Journal Integration Conference held in Arlington, Va.
C4ISR is military shorthand for command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
"To look at the world that we're in right now we're in constant conflict. ... As we see the future, that leader is going to be critical," Harward said.
Space-based and aerial sensor equipment, part of the military's C4ISR infrastructure, provides joint commanders added sets of "eyes" used to survey the battle space, Harward said. Yet, he added, those same commanders must be able to understand, manage and act on the information they're receiving.
Joint Forces Command is "focused, first and foremost, on the leader," the admiral said. Consequently, he added, the computerized C4ISR system should now be considered leader-centric instead of network-centric.
The command's current joint operating environment report, which predicts potential threats to U.S. national security in the years ahead, foresees a period of persistent conflict, Harward said. It also predicts global instability, potential adversaries using a combination of conventional and irregular tactics to fight a hybrid-style war, increasing access to weapons of mass destruction, the rise of regional state and nonstate actors, and the unpredictability of security threats.
Although the U.S. military still must be prepared to fight and win large conventional-warfare conflicts, Harward said, it also must "be able to deal with this irregular warfare," including emerging hybrid threats.
Another future threat, Harward said, involves a potential enemy's use of cyber warfare to take down the U.S. military's computerized communications and sensor network. Therefore, Harward urged the development of more-robust computer security systems to protect space, aerial- and ground-based communications systems and sensors.
The companion piece for the report is known as the Capstone concept for joint operations, which represents Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen's vision for how the joint force will operate in the future. Capstone provides proposed solutions to envisioned security threats presented in the joint operating environment report.
Input from that report influences the Quadrennial Defense Review, a congressionally mandated report prepared every four years that also seeks to predict future threats while balancing military capabilities to confront them.
According to the joint operating environment report, Harward said, U.S. military leaders must be prepared to confront foes who fight either conventionally or irregularly, or employ a combination of the two.
"And, so the C4ISR system we grow for the future needs to dominate both and all of those environments," Harward said.
It's also important to learn from irregular warfare battles in Iraq, Afghanistan and other regions, Harward said, in training future leaders "to make sure we better understand the capabilities and skills they need."
Harward, who has a special operations background, was nominated earlier this month by President Barack Obama for reappointment to vice admiral and directed to take command of the newly created Joint Task Force 435 to revamp U.S. detention policies in Afghanistan. Army Maj. Gen. Keith M. Huber, present commander of U.S. Army South based at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, is nominated for promotion to lieutenant general, and he is slated to take Harward's place at Joint Forces Command.
Author Draws on 'Outsider' Perspective
By Samantha L. QuigleyAmerican Forces Press Service
Oct. 19, 2009 - Alison Buckholtz had no desire to marry into the military, but when she fell for her husband, an active-duty Navy pilot, she became a Navy wife. The couple married shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. Buckholtz's military education began at the same time.
"I basically thought servicemembers were robots and their spouses were unambitious, at best," she said. "That was because, growing up, there was no member of my family who had served. I didn't have any teachers who were in the military, no neighbors.
"I really knew no one [who had served in the military]," she added.
She was thrilled to have her preconceived notions of military life shattered, however. "What I found was much richer and more interesting than what I had thought it to be," Buckholtz said.
Buckholtz would identify her husband only by his first name, Scott, and his occupation -- an EA-6B Prowler jet pilot who's serving a 12-month individual augmentation assignment with an Army unit in Iraq. Her learning curve on how to be an officer's wife was a steep one, she acknowledged. Most military wives whose husbands held the rank her husband held when he deployed for his command tour aboard an aircraft carrier beginning in 2007 hadn't started out at that level, she explained.
"We were very new to the military," she said, "so even though I was considered a senior spouse, this was our first deployment with kids. It was all really fresh."
She said she made the best of it and looked to those who'd been there for support. She also worked hard to make things easier on her two young children, now 6 and 4. Part of that effort was a life-size photo of her husband, a "Flat Daddy," intended to keep Dad in the forefront of the kids' minds.
"I had never really thought that Flat Daddy would be a good idea for us," Buckholtz admitted. "Just knowing my kids and their personalities, it seemed kind of creepy to me. But I try to be open to as many ideas as I can, so I gave it a try."
She was right. It didn't work for her kids. In fact, the experience prompted the freelance writer to write an essay published in the New York Times in 2007 that drew interest from several publishing houses as the possible basis for a book about trying to help her kids through their dad's lengthy absence.
"I think it was because, having not come from a military family myself, and having no military experience, I really did feel like an outsider, and I wrote as an outsider," Buckholtz said. "During the process of that deployment, I became an insider, and so I had the vocabulary and I had the experiences, but I still had the perspective of an outsider.
"That's what people wanted to read," she said.
Love, loss and separation are human experiences to which anyone can relate, she said. The fact that she was telling about them from a military perspective, she added, probably is what made it interesting. So, despite being surprised at the interest her stories generated, she began working on "Standing By: The Making of an American Military Family in a Time of War."
With the kids going to bed at 6:30 in those days, Buckholtz had her evenings free, and she wrote from 7 p.m. until midnight. Though some find the process of writing to be therapeutic, Buckholtz said, that wasn't the case for her as she wrote the book.
"It helped me sort out a lot of issues that I had been thinking about since I'd gotten married," Buckholtz said. "But in terms of being cathartic, it wasn't an emotional release."
It may just have been a way to chronicle her family's experience while her husband was away for the better part of three years, but it did serve a higher purpose. Published by Tarcher/Penguin, "Standing By" provides civilian America a glimpse into the inner workings of a military family experiencing a long absence of a family member. It also allows military families a chance to realize that others have experiences similar to their own.
Forces Progress in Transition to Operational Reserve
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 19, 2009 - Today's reserve forces have made tremendous progress transforming from a strategic to an operational reserve, even as they continue to support two wars and hundreds of other missions around the world, a senior Defense Department official said last week. Family programs are strong, employers are supporting the troops, recruiting and retention have hit record highs, and the active and reserve forces are working together better than they ever have in the past, said Dennis M. McCarthy, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs.
Barely four months into the post, McCarthy painted a positive picture of where the reserve forces are today, while admitting more work remains to be done.
"It doesn't mean we don't have challenges, but overall I think the force is holding up extremely well," he said in a broad-ranging interview with American Forces Press Service.
About 138,000 reservists are now serving on active duty. Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, about 725,000 reservists have been activated, and more than 64 percent of the reserve force has seen recent deployments. That's the highest percentage of any time in the past 50 years, officials said.
McCarthy -- a retired Marine reservist -- has witnessed first-hand many of the changes as the force began its transition in the wake of the start of two wars.
He was activated in the early 1990s at the start of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In 1997, he became the only reserve general officer to command an active-duty Marine division, and before his retirement in 2005 as a lieutenant general, McCarthy commanded the Marine Corps Reserve.
McCarthy acknowledged that of the reserve forces, the Army's reserve components faced the largest transition. For decades, they had relied on a deployment model that counted on its units having time after mobilization to train and get the equipment they needed to deploy.
That model has shifted, putting more demands on the unit to report to the mobilization site trained and ready to deploy. The shift requires the active-duty force to work hand in hand with the reserves on funding, equipping, training and readiness requirements.
Admittedly, McCarthy said, those areas got off to a shaky start as the two forces were thrust into providing the lion's share of the troops deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, that relationship has forged into one that has never been better, he noted.
"Best I've ever seen," he said. "The fact is that the quality of relationships has grown since 2001, in part because of need – [it] had to happen. But I think in part because now that you've had leaders [and] formations working together, the confidence that they have in each other goes up."
At the start of the wars, reservists faced lengthy deployments stretched by six months or more at a mobilization site readying for war. Many saw the equipment they would fight with for the first time at the site. Pay issues plagued the units, as National Guard members transitioned from state pay systems to the federal system. Some training was duplicated because of certification requirements.
Now, reserve units are training more at their home stations. That training is certified and is not repeated at mobilization. Also, reserve units now are heading into the first funding year that puts new equipment in their hands in time to have troops train with it before they are mobilized and deployed.
Besides training and equipping the units, some of the greatest strides in progress have come in supporting families, McCarthy said.
All seven reserve-component services and the Defense Department have poured money and resources into family programs since the wars started. At one time, family groups were led by a volunteer who used donated office space or supplies from a nearby armory. Now, full-time family-support staff has been fielded to the units, and staff and funds have been added all the way to the Defense Department level.
"We are clearly better than we were in 2001," McCarthy said.
The retired three-star general said he spent his last four years in uniform pushing the importance of family readiness programs. The emphasis has to be at the commander level, he said.
"It's a non-delegable duty for a commander to have a strong family readiness program," McCarthy said.
McCarthy praised the Yellow Ribbon Program, in which representatives in each state can act as a single resource, reaching out to a network of services available for servicemembers and families. The program started in the Minnesota National Guard in 2007 to help members of the 34th Infantry Division who had been deployed for 23 consecutive months. The 2008 National Defense Authorization Act mandated a national program for all reserve components.
Employer support efforts in the past two decades also have reaped dividends, McCarthy said. Much of that has to do with the work by the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Defense Department agency that works with employers, reservists, military leaders and volunteers to help employers prepare for the increase in deployments.
"It is so much better and so much stronger than it was 19 years ago. It's almost like night and day," McCarthy said.
Many times, especially in small towns, a unit deployment can mean a serious reduction in force on police and fire departments and education and medical staffs. This has put employers in a pinch, especially small businesses, which are required by law to guarantee a job for the returning reservist.
"When [reservists] leave, it's a big hole," McCarthy said. "And people are finding ways to work things out."
But while McCarthy attributed a portion of progress to ESGR's efforts, much of the support stems from the patriotism of the employers themselves, he noted.
"I could go on from now until next week with one good story after another about what individuals employers ... are doing for their employees," McCarthy said. Still, he said, unit commanders today seldom reach out to employers until there is an issue with a troop. McCarthy said he would like to see commanders embrace employer support much the same as family support.
"If there's one area where I think we really need some improvement, it's making commanders more aware of the need to ... proactively reach out the employers," McCarthy said. "Don't wait until there's a problem. Let's get out in front of it."
Both families and employers are critical to the record high recruiting and retention numbers the reserves enjoyed this year, McCarthy said.
"If we lose either the families or the employers," he warned, "retention is going to in the tank. I don't think there's any question about that."
Even state governors and commanders have all but stopped complaining about the frequent deployments of their troops and equipment, McCarthy said. Early on in the wars, many governors and commanders complained that heavy deployment cycles were leaving the states without adequate resources to respond to internal needs, such as fires, floods and other emergencies. But largely out of necessity, states now have agreements with their neighbors so that if their resources are not available, they can borrow them from nearby.
Also, senior leadership from the active-duty Army and the National Guard put together a list of equipment that will stay in each state for such responses. Those stocks are being built up now, McCarthy said.
McCarthy pointed out that every reservist serving now has either enlisted or re-enlisted since the wars started. At the outset of the wars and the accompanying heavy deployment cycles, some questioned whether the use of the reserve components in an operational manner would put too much strain on the community-based force. And many who had served for years in the Cold War strategic reserve were forced to decide whether to become part of an operational force or leave.
Reservists serving now deserve credit for the decision they made to serve in the fight now, McCarthy said.
"This is the all-volunteer force," he said. "And as far as I'm concerned, it's another greatest generation because of this spirit of willing volunteerism, fully understanding what the implications of making that decision are."
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 19, 2009 - Today's reserve forces have made tremendous progress transforming from a strategic to an operational reserve, even as they continue to support two wars and hundreds of other missions around the world, a senior Defense Department official said last week. Family programs are strong, employers are supporting the troops, recruiting and retention have hit record highs, and the active and reserve forces are working together better than they ever have in the past, said Dennis M. McCarthy, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs.
Barely four months into the post, McCarthy painted a positive picture of where the reserve forces are today, while admitting more work remains to be done.
"It doesn't mean we don't have challenges, but overall I think the force is holding up extremely well," he said in a broad-ranging interview with American Forces Press Service.
About 138,000 reservists are now serving on active duty. Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, about 725,000 reservists have been activated, and more than 64 percent of the reserve force has seen recent deployments. That's the highest percentage of any time in the past 50 years, officials said.
McCarthy -- a retired Marine reservist -- has witnessed first-hand many of the changes as the force began its transition in the wake of the start of two wars.
He was activated in the early 1990s at the start of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In 1997, he became the only reserve general officer to command an active-duty Marine division, and before his retirement in 2005 as a lieutenant general, McCarthy commanded the Marine Corps Reserve.
McCarthy acknowledged that of the reserve forces, the Army's reserve components faced the largest transition. For decades, they had relied on a deployment model that counted on its units having time after mobilization to train and get the equipment they needed to deploy.
That model has shifted, putting more demands on the unit to report to the mobilization site trained and ready to deploy. The shift requires the active-duty force to work hand in hand with the reserves on funding, equipping, training and readiness requirements.
Admittedly, McCarthy said, those areas got off to a shaky start as the two forces were thrust into providing the lion's share of the troops deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, that relationship has forged into one that has never been better, he noted.
"Best I've ever seen," he said. "The fact is that the quality of relationships has grown since 2001, in part because of need – [it] had to happen. But I think in part because now that you've had leaders [and] formations working together, the confidence that they have in each other goes up."
At the start of the wars, reservists faced lengthy deployments stretched by six months or more at a mobilization site readying for war. Many saw the equipment they would fight with for the first time at the site. Pay issues plagued the units, as National Guard members transitioned from state pay systems to the federal system. Some training was duplicated because of certification requirements.
Now, reserve units are training more at their home stations. That training is certified and is not repeated at mobilization. Also, reserve units now are heading into the first funding year that puts new equipment in their hands in time to have troops train with it before they are mobilized and deployed.
Besides training and equipping the units, some of the greatest strides in progress have come in supporting families, McCarthy said.
All seven reserve-component services and the Defense Department have poured money and resources into family programs since the wars started. At one time, family groups were led by a volunteer who used donated office space or supplies from a nearby armory. Now, full-time family-support staff has been fielded to the units, and staff and funds have been added all the way to the Defense Department level.
"We are clearly better than we were in 2001," McCarthy said.
The retired three-star general said he spent his last four years in uniform pushing the importance of family readiness programs. The emphasis has to be at the commander level, he said.
"It's a non-delegable duty for a commander to have a strong family readiness program," McCarthy said.
McCarthy praised the Yellow Ribbon Program, in which representatives in each state can act as a single resource, reaching out to a network of services available for servicemembers and families. The program started in the Minnesota National Guard in 2007 to help members of the 34th Infantry Division who had been deployed for 23 consecutive months. The 2008 National Defense Authorization Act mandated a national program for all reserve components.
Employer support efforts in the past two decades also have reaped dividends, McCarthy said. Much of that has to do with the work by the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Defense Department agency that works with employers, reservists, military leaders and volunteers to help employers prepare for the increase in deployments.
"It is so much better and so much stronger than it was 19 years ago. It's almost like night and day," McCarthy said.
Many times, especially in small towns, a unit deployment can mean a serious reduction in force on police and fire departments and education and medical staffs. This has put employers in a pinch, especially small businesses, which are required by law to guarantee a job for the returning reservist.
"When [reservists] leave, it's a big hole," McCarthy said. "And people are finding ways to work things out."
But while McCarthy attributed a portion of progress to ESGR's efforts, much of the support stems from the patriotism of the employers themselves, he noted.
"I could go on from now until next week with one good story after another about what individuals employers ... are doing for their employees," McCarthy said. Still, he said, unit commanders today seldom reach out to employers until there is an issue with a troop. McCarthy said he would like to see commanders embrace employer support much the same as family support.
"If there's one area where I think we really need some improvement, it's making commanders more aware of the need to ... proactively reach out the employers," McCarthy said. "Don't wait until there's a problem. Let's get out in front of it."
Both families and employers are critical to the record high recruiting and retention numbers the reserves enjoyed this year, McCarthy said.
"If we lose either the families or the employers," he warned, "retention is going to in the tank. I don't think there's any question about that."
Even state governors and commanders have all but stopped complaining about the frequent deployments of their troops and equipment, McCarthy said. Early on in the wars, many governors and commanders complained that heavy deployment cycles were leaving the states without adequate resources to respond to internal needs, such as fires, floods and other emergencies. But largely out of necessity, states now have agreements with their neighbors so that if their resources are not available, they can borrow them from nearby.
Also, senior leadership from the active-duty Army and the National Guard put together a list of equipment that will stay in each state for such responses. Those stocks are being built up now, McCarthy said.
McCarthy pointed out that every reservist serving now has either enlisted or re-enlisted since the wars started. At the outset of the wars and the accompanying heavy deployment cycles, some questioned whether the use of the reserve components in an operational manner would put too much strain on the community-based force. And many who had served for years in the Cold War strategic reserve were forced to decide whether to become part of an operational force or leave.
Reservists serving now deserve credit for the decision they made to serve in the fight now, McCarthy said.
"This is the all-volunteer force," he said. "And as far as I'm concerned, it's another greatest generation because of this spirit of willing volunteerism, fully understanding what the implications of making that decision are."
Special Tactics Airmen Complete 800-mile March
By Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew BatesSpecial to American Forces Press Service
Oct. 19, 2009 - After walking more than 800 miles through five states, 12 special tactics airmen arrived here Oct. 16, officially completing a memorial march for their fallen comrades. The marchers -- several combat controllers and pararescuemen and one combat weatherman -- split into six two-man teams and walked day and night to honor 12 special tactics airmen killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
During the march, five teams rested while one continued the march, averaging nearly 20 miles before being spelled. Each marcher carried a 50-pound rucksack and a baton engraved with the name of a fallen special tactics airman.
The 12 airmen reunited just outside the base and walked the final five miles as a team.
"This walk shows that with Air Force special operations, you are never forgotten," said Air Force Master Sgt. Ken Huhman, one of the event's coordinators and a marcher from the 342nd Training Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.
Several family members of the 12 special tactics airmen being memorialized joined the marchers on the final five-mile stretch.
"I feel very honored," said Sally Sheldon, mother of Air Force Staff Sgt. Tim Davis, a combat controller killed in Afghanistan in February. "They've been so good to me, and I'm very proud of all these young men. They've made me a part of their family."
The memorial march's route, which began at Lackland and ended here, was chosen for a reason. Special tactics training begins at Lackland, and combat controllers complete their training here before joining their first teams.
"It was a long walk," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Jesse Schrader, a marcher from the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron here. "My feet are covered in blisters and are numb, but it's worth it. This is something we wanted to do to remember our friends and teammates that were killed."
The memorial march also was organized to help to raise awareness for Air Force specialties such as combat control and pararescue, and to increase awareness of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. The foundation provides assistance to families of fallen special operations servicemembers.
(Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Bates serves with Defense Media Activity San Antonio.)
Saturday, October 17, 2009
First Lady Embarks on Mission to Help Military Families
By John J. KruzelAmerican Forces Press Service
Oct. 15, 2009 - First Lady Michelle Obama today vowed to make the voices of U.S. military families heard in the nation's capital, and called on Americans to recognize the sacrifices made by those in uniform and their loved ones. Addressing a crowd at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., the first lady said she and Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, have embarked on a fact-finding mission to determine the pros and cons of what military families experience today.
"We're working to make sure that your voices are heard in Washington and that we can figure out how to raise up best practices and make sure that our efforts in Washington are trickling down, to the folks who matter most," she said. "And that's our servicemen and women and their families."
Obama spoke mainly about the U.S. military at-large, but she also singled out one service branch: the U.S. Air Force, which has dedicated 2009 as the year of the Air Force Family. She also praised General Norton A. Schwartz, Air Force Chief of Staff, for carrying a mission similar to hers.
"That's a very important statement to make," she said of the Air Force's year-long salute to families. "And I was even more pleased when General Schwartz said the year would be devoted both to highlighting what's working for families and also figuring out what isn't working for families, so that we can take the steps to fix it."
The first lady mentioned policies her husband, President Barack Obama, has overseen since taking office in January: pay raises for the military, increasing the size of the forces in order to relieve stress, better housing, programs to help spouses advance their careers and initiatives to help military families recover from the financial strain caused by the economic downturn.
"I think it's pretty clear that our men and women in uniform and their families have more than done their duty to this nation, so I think it now falls upon us, as a grateful nation, to do ours in return," she said. "It's our turn to look out for you."
Obama also mentioned legislation being discussed in Congress that would allow spouses time off to spend with their servicemember husband or wife in certain instances.
"Congress has been working to extend Federal Family Leave protection to the family members of our regular active duty personnel so that they can take time off from work to be with their servicemember for deployment- related activities or to attend important family responsibilities," she said.
But providing the military and their families the support they've earned is a job that extends beyond government to everyday U.S. citizens, she said.
"Let's never forget that when our troops go off to war, they're protecting every single one of us and the freedoms that they fight for are ones that every single one of us as Americans enjoy," she said.
Finally, the first lady called on Americans to help relieve the burden borne by military families, suggesting they help in their community by carpooling, cooking, or performing pro bono services if they have a professional skill.
"At the very least, each of us can do one simple thing, and that is to take the time to say thank you, just take the time to say thank you," she said. "Thank you for the sacrifices that you are all making on behalf of this nation."
The first lady vowed to use her position to ensure the country doesn't overlook the sacrifices being made by the military and their families.
"There is no way that I can know intimately how hard it can be, but I am committed as first lady to spend every ounce of my platform trying to make sure that the country never forgets: that they don't forget our servicemembers, and they certainly don't forget those that are left here to keep it together," she said.
Mullen Asks Celebrities to Keep Supporting Troops
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. CardenAmerican Forces Press Service
Oct. 16, 2009 - Navy Adm. Mike Mullen drew quite the laughs at the expense of political elites here last night at the annual Alfred E. Smith Foundation dinner, but still managed acclaim for the 2.2 million military members in his charge. "I accept this kind of invitation for, and only, on behalf of the 2.2 million men and women serving in uniform today," the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in his keynote address. "As we dine here tonight in comfort and fine company, more than 250,000 of them are deployed around the world, keeping peace and keeping watch over our freedom and our national interests.
"They are the finest military this or any nation has yet produced, and they are, after eight long years of war, still defending us magnificently."
Mullen, the services' senior officer and military advisor to the president and defense secretary, is in the forefront of the Afghanistan strategy debate. Despite increased violence there and waning American support for the war, he urged the gathering of business people, celebrity journalists and politicians to stand by their soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen.
"Please continue standing up for them," the admiral said. "It is right that we do so. War is an ugly, messy, bloody business, and no one in uniform, no matter high or low in the chain of command, welcomes the task of waging it."
The chairman, who has spent 41 years in uniform, reflected on his early years of service as a Vietnam War veteran. He said he never wants another servicemember to experience humility and disgrace when wearing their uniform.
"As a Vietnam vet, I have lived and served in a time when America walked away from her military, when wearing the uniform was the last thing you wanted to do in public," he said. "No returning warrior should ever feel that scorn again.
"The men and women of your armed forces are the best we have ever had, and they believe in what they are doing for you," he continued. "All I ask is that you continue to believe in them."
While Mullen expressed much appreciation and gratitude for servicemembers, he also offered a bit of good-natured humor -- a trademark of the annual dinner.
He poked fun at the similarities in his haircut and that of CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric, and at the confusion most people have when he tries to explain his role at the Pentagon.
"To be fair, the position of chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is often misunderstood and more than a little confusing," Mullen said. "I am the nation's most senior military officer, but I do not command any troops ... and I am not responsible for any particular region of the world."
Mullen went on to say that his job is simply to give advice to the nation's leaders. "I make suggestions. I prod, and I poke. I advocate. I'm like a Fox News analyst," he joked.
Roman Catholic Archbishop Timothy Dolan hosted the 64th annual dinner at Manhattan's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. It honors Smith, the former four-term New York governor and the first Catholic presidential candidate selected by a major party.
Smith was the Democratic candidate who lost the 1928 election to Herbert Hoover. Smith died in 1944, and the foundation was established the next year. The dinner has raised millions of dollars for children's health care in New York.
Guard Called in for 'Balloon Boy' Rescue
By Army Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill
Special to American Forces Press Service
Oct. 16, 2009 - The Colorado Army National Guard joined rescue efforts for a 6-year-old boy believed adrift in a homemade hot air balloon yesterday. Colorado citizen-soldiers used UH-60 Black Hawk and OH-58 Kiowa helicopters to provide military assistance to civilian authorities who believed Falcon Heene was inside a silver Mylar balloon adrift over the northern Colorado plains, National Guard Bureau officials said.
The Federal Aviation Administration and sheriff's deputies were told that the experimental helium hot air balloon broke free from its tethers at the Heenes' home in Fort Collins with the boy inside.
The Colorado National Guard's Joint Operations Center responded to an Air Force Rescue Coordination Center request for assistance to the Larimer County Sheriff's Office, Colorado National Guard officials said.
The Black Hawk, which had rescue capabilities in the event that an airborne rescue was required, carried observers and medical personnel, 1st Air Force officials reported.
The Colorado National Guard stood down from the mission after local authorities determined that the boy was safe in his home.
Located under 1st Air Force at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center is the agency responsible for coordinating on-land federal search and rescue activities in the 48 contiguous United States, Mexico and Canada. It directly ties to the FAA's alerting system.
(Army Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill serves with National Guard Bureau public affairs.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Oct. 16, 2009 - The Colorado Army National Guard joined rescue efforts for a 6-year-old boy believed adrift in a homemade hot air balloon yesterday. Colorado citizen-soldiers used UH-60 Black Hawk and OH-58 Kiowa helicopters to provide military assistance to civilian authorities who believed Falcon Heene was inside a silver Mylar balloon adrift over the northern Colorado plains, National Guard Bureau officials said.
The Federal Aviation Administration and sheriff's deputies were told that the experimental helium hot air balloon broke free from its tethers at the Heenes' home in Fort Collins with the boy inside.
The Colorado National Guard's Joint Operations Center responded to an Air Force Rescue Coordination Center request for assistance to the Larimer County Sheriff's Office, Colorado National Guard officials said.
The Black Hawk, which had rescue capabilities in the event that an airborne rescue was required, carried observers and medical personnel, 1st Air Force officials reported.
The Colorado National Guard stood down from the mission after local authorities determined that the boy was safe in his home.
Located under 1st Air Force at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center is the agency responsible for coordinating on-land federal search and rescue activities in the 48 contiguous United States, Mexico and Canada. It directly ties to the FAA's alerting system.
(Army Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill serves with National Guard Bureau public affairs.)
New Command Helps Overseas Commanders
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 16, 2009 - The Joint Enabling Capabilities Command, just a year into existence, is going a long way to quickly provide command and control capabilities to joint headquarters commanders around the world, its commander says. Navy Rear Adm. Walter E. Carter Jr. assumed command of the JECC last summer. The organization, which stood up Oct. 1, 2008, is a subordinate of U.S. Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Va.
"The JECC brings a highly skilled team that rapidly increases command and control capability at the operational level of a newly formed joint headquarters and allows time to develop a permanent manning solution to meet that enduring requirement," Carter said yesterday during a telephone interview with reporters.
The Suffolk, Va.,-based JECC, Carter said, provides joint task force commanders with communications, public affairs, intelligence, operations, plans, knowledge management/information superiority and logistics.
The capabilities are provided by four organizations: the Joint Communications Support Element, MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Fla.; the Joint Public Affairs Support Element, Suffolk, Va.; the Intelligence-Quick Reaction Team, Norfolk, Va.; and the Joint Deployable Team based at the Joint Warfighting Center in Suffolk, Va.
The deployable team provides expertise in operations, plans, knowledge management and logistics, Carter explained. The Joint Warfighting Center, he said, works hand-in-glove with the JECC.
JECC deployments, Carter said, are envisioned not to exceed 120 days.
"We do not view ourselves as a permanent manning solution," he said, "but rather (as) a bridging solution until the joint manning requirements can be met by the service components or by the combatant commanders."
As one of its first tasks, the enabling command sent its public affairs assets to Kabul in support of U.S. Forces Afghanistan.
Last spring, the command deployed its communications personnel aboard the Navy hospital ship USS Comfort to support Continuing Promise 2009, an annual humanitarian mission that visited several Central and South American countries.
Joint Enabling Capabilities Command is in demand, Carter said, because of its ability to deliver speedy, efficient service worldwide.
"Speed plus capability does equal efficiency and effectiveness -- and that's what we strive for," he said.
The Joint Deployable Team left for Afghanistan in August to support the standup of the International Security Assistance Force's Joint Command, a three-star intermediate NATO headquarters commanded by Army Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez in Kabul.
"The JECC capabilities in the areas of operations, plans and knowledge management were specifically requested by Lieutenant General Rodriguez to act as a bridging mechanism," Carter said, until the new international command reaches full operational capability.
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 16, 2009 - The Joint Enabling Capabilities Command, just a year into existence, is going a long way to quickly provide command and control capabilities to joint headquarters commanders around the world, its commander says. Navy Rear Adm. Walter E. Carter Jr. assumed command of the JECC last summer. The organization, which stood up Oct. 1, 2008, is a subordinate of U.S. Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Va.
"The JECC brings a highly skilled team that rapidly increases command and control capability at the operational level of a newly formed joint headquarters and allows time to develop a permanent manning solution to meet that enduring requirement," Carter said yesterday during a telephone interview with reporters.
The Suffolk, Va.,-based JECC, Carter said, provides joint task force commanders with communications, public affairs, intelligence, operations, plans, knowledge management/information superiority and logistics.
The capabilities are provided by four organizations: the Joint Communications Support Element, MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Fla.; the Joint Public Affairs Support Element, Suffolk, Va.; the Intelligence-Quick Reaction Team, Norfolk, Va.; and the Joint Deployable Team based at the Joint Warfighting Center in Suffolk, Va.
The deployable team provides expertise in operations, plans, knowledge management and logistics, Carter explained. The Joint Warfighting Center, he said, works hand-in-glove with the JECC.
JECC deployments, Carter said, are envisioned not to exceed 120 days.
"We do not view ourselves as a permanent manning solution," he said, "but rather (as) a bridging solution until the joint manning requirements can be met by the service components or by the combatant commanders."
As one of its first tasks, the enabling command sent its public affairs assets to Kabul in support of U.S. Forces Afghanistan.
Last spring, the command deployed its communications personnel aboard the Navy hospital ship USS Comfort to support Continuing Promise 2009, an annual humanitarian mission that visited several Central and South American countries.
Joint Enabling Capabilities Command is in demand, Carter said, because of its ability to deliver speedy, efficient service worldwide.
"Speed plus capability does equal efficiency and effectiveness -- and that's what we strive for," he said.
The Joint Deployable Team left for Afghanistan in August to support the standup of the International Security Assistance Force's Joint Command, a three-star intermediate NATO headquarters commanded by Army Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez in Kabul.
"The JECC capabilities in the areas of operations, plans and knowledge management were specifically requested by Lieutenant General Rodriguez to act as a bridging mechanism," Carter said, until the new international command reaches full operational capability.
Gates Receives Marshall Foundation Award
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 16, 2009 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates accepted the prestigious Marshall Foundation Award today, calling George C. Marshall his hero and inspiration as defense secretary. Gates said he was humbled to accept the award that memorializes his personal hero at a State Department event celebrating Marshall's life and legacy on the 50th anniversary of his death.
Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr., all currently serving in posts Marshall once held, participated in the ceremony, along with Brent Scowcroft, national security advisor for Presidents Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush.
Clinton praised Gates for applying the same principles and ideals Marshall embodied to face modern-day challenges.
"General Marshall knew that our national interests are inseparable from the interests of people everywhere, that we best bolster our security by advancing our values, and that we best protect ourselves by looking beyond ourselves," she said.
Marshall's ideals are perhaps best exemplified in the European Recovery Program, a plan that restored the economy of war-ravaged Europe after World War II and is better known as the "Marshall Plan."
"The Marshall Plan was as bold and visionary a demonstration of American leadership as any in our history," Clinton said. "And it is a model today, as we face up to our own vast responsibility."
Clinton praised Gates for demonstrating "a Marshall view of the world" at the Defense Department. Gates is committed to "a brand of American leadership that draws on all sources of our strength, fostering cooperation and spreading prosperity, while keeping our military strong and ready," she said.
She called Gates "a statesman who shares General Marshall's judgment that the only way to truly win a war is to prevent it in the first place."
Scowcroft said he could think of few people who so closely emulate Marshall. He cited Gates' "quiet, but determined, and nonpartisan dedication to country," and his "deeply analytical approach to problem-solving" and advancement of U.S. interests above all else.
Citing Gates' history of performance and dedication throughout his public service career, Scowcroft said Marshall "would look down with pleasure" in seeing Gates honored with the Marshall Foundation Award.
Gates said he felt honored to have his name tied to Marshall's, noting that Marshall's portrait hangs behind his Pentagon desk.
In talks to students at U.S. war colleges and military academies, Gates said he invokes Marshall as "an example of the kind of leader everyone should aspire to be: the apotheosis of unshakeable loyalty, combined with the courage and the integrity to tell superiors things they didn't always want to hear."
Along with his skills as secretary of state, Marshall demonstrated as defense secretary an ability to get the two departments to work together more closely toward common goals, Gates said.
"Marshall's strategic vision yielded profound wisdom -- about his country, about the world and about the nature of man," Gates said.
His call to adopt a sense of responsibility for world order and security remains as valid today as when Marshall first issued it to Princeton University students in 1948, he said.
Marshall's service to his country and the world in some of its most challenging days "affirmed the worth of these musts and the purposes to which he devoted his life," Gates concluded. "He made of himself an ideal that we should all aspire to emulate."
Marshall served as Army chief of staff during World War II, then as secretary of state when he became the architect of the Allied victory, then the Marshall Plan. President Harry Truman coaxed him out of retirement to become special envoy to China, after which Marshall served as defense secretary during the Korean War, then president of the American Red Cross.
Gates joked that he and Marshall share at least one trait: "our repeated failures to retire from public service." When Marshall agreed to take on the job of defense secretary, "it was pitched as a six-month deal," Gates said. "He stayed twice as long, and it sounds familiar."
Marshall died Oct. 16, 1959, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 16, 2009 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates accepted the prestigious Marshall Foundation Award today, calling George C. Marshall his hero and inspiration as defense secretary. Gates said he was humbled to accept the award that memorializes his personal hero at a State Department event celebrating Marshall's life and legacy on the 50th anniversary of his death.
Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr., all currently serving in posts Marshall once held, participated in the ceremony, along with Brent Scowcroft, national security advisor for Presidents Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush.
Clinton praised Gates for applying the same principles and ideals Marshall embodied to face modern-day challenges.
"General Marshall knew that our national interests are inseparable from the interests of people everywhere, that we best bolster our security by advancing our values, and that we best protect ourselves by looking beyond ourselves," she said.
Marshall's ideals are perhaps best exemplified in the European Recovery Program, a plan that restored the economy of war-ravaged Europe after World War II and is better known as the "Marshall Plan."
"The Marshall Plan was as bold and visionary a demonstration of American leadership as any in our history," Clinton said. "And it is a model today, as we face up to our own vast responsibility."
Clinton praised Gates for demonstrating "a Marshall view of the world" at the Defense Department. Gates is committed to "a brand of American leadership that draws on all sources of our strength, fostering cooperation and spreading prosperity, while keeping our military strong and ready," she said.
She called Gates "a statesman who shares General Marshall's judgment that the only way to truly win a war is to prevent it in the first place."
Scowcroft said he could think of few people who so closely emulate Marshall. He cited Gates' "quiet, but determined, and nonpartisan dedication to country," and his "deeply analytical approach to problem-solving" and advancement of U.S. interests above all else.
Citing Gates' history of performance and dedication throughout his public service career, Scowcroft said Marshall "would look down with pleasure" in seeing Gates honored with the Marshall Foundation Award.
Gates said he felt honored to have his name tied to Marshall's, noting that Marshall's portrait hangs behind his Pentagon desk.
In talks to students at U.S. war colleges and military academies, Gates said he invokes Marshall as "an example of the kind of leader everyone should aspire to be: the apotheosis of unshakeable loyalty, combined with the courage and the integrity to tell superiors things they didn't always want to hear."
Along with his skills as secretary of state, Marshall demonstrated as defense secretary an ability to get the two departments to work together more closely toward common goals, Gates said.
"Marshall's strategic vision yielded profound wisdom -- about his country, about the world and about the nature of man," Gates said.
His call to adopt a sense of responsibility for world order and security remains as valid today as when Marshall first issued it to Princeton University students in 1948, he said.
Marshall's service to his country and the world in some of its most challenging days "affirmed the worth of these musts and the purposes to which he devoted his life," Gates concluded. "He made of himself an ideal that we should all aspire to emulate."
Marshall served as Army chief of staff during World War II, then as secretary of state when he became the architect of the Allied victory, then the Marshall Plan. President Harry Truman coaxed him out of retirement to become special envoy to China, after which Marshall served as defense secretary during the Korean War, then president of the American Red Cross.
Gates joked that he and Marshall share at least one trait: "our repeated failures to retire from public service." When Marshall agreed to take on the job of defense secretary, "it was pitched as a six-month deal," Gates said. "He stayed twice as long, and it sounds familiar."
Marshall died Oct. 16, 1959, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Missing F-16 Pilot's Crash Debris Found in Ocean
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 16, 2009 - Coast Guard searchers today found crash debris believed to belong to a missing Air Force pilot's F-16 jet that collided yesterday with another F-16 near the South Carolina coast during a night-training exercise, an Air Force spokesman said today. "The Coast Guard has found some debris in the ocean that is apparently from our missing F-16," Robert Sexton, chief of public affairs at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, S.C., said during a telephone interview with American Forces Press Service. Shaw Air Force Base is the home of the 20th Fighter Wing, to which the jets belong.
The two F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft collided about 40 miles east of Folly Beach, S.C., over the Atlantic Ocean around 8:30 p.m. yesterday, according to an Air Force news release. The pilot of one plane, Capt. Lee Bryant, was able to safely land his damaged jet at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.
The other pilot, Capt. Nicholas Giglio, is missing.
"They have not yet found any sign of the pilot and the search continues," Sexton said. No one, he said, witnessed what happened to Giglio after the collision.
The incident, he said, occurred during a routine night-training mission.
Foul weather, including rain and fog, has hindered the Coast Guard's search for Giglio, Sexton said.
"The Coast Guard is doing an absolutely incredible job of running the search and rescue mission," he said. "We're just tremendously grateful for the assistance of the Coast Guard, the Navy, Charleston Air Force Base [and] all of the other agencies that are participating in the search and rescue."
Shaw Air Force Base is about 90 miles west of Charleston Air Force Base along the South Carolina coast.
The F-16s are "CJ" models optimized for suppression of enemy air defenses, Sexton said.
A board of officers will investigate the incident and details will be released as they become available, he said.
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 16, 2009 - Coast Guard searchers today found crash debris believed to belong to a missing Air Force pilot's F-16 jet that collided yesterday with another F-16 near the South Carolina coast during a night-training exercise, an Air Force spokesman said today. "The Coast Guard has found some debris in the ocean that is apparently from our missing F-16," Robert Sexton, chief of public affairs at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, S.C., said during a telephone interview with American Forces Press Service. Shaw Air Force Base is the home of the 20th Fighter Wing, to which the jets belong.
The two F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft collided about 40 miles east of Folly Beach, S.C., over the Atlantic Ocean around 8:30 p.m. yesterday, according to an Air Force news release. The pilot of one plane, Capt. Lee Bryant, was able to safely land his damaged jet at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.
The other pilot, Capt. Nicholas Giglio, is missing.
"They have not yet found any sign of the pilot and the search continues," Sexton said. No one, he said, witnessed what happened to Giglio after the collision.
The incident, he said, occurred during a routine night-training mission.
Foul weather, including rain and fog, has hindered the Coast Guard's search for Giglio, Sexton said.
"The Coast Guard is doing an absolutely incredible job of running the search and rescue mission," he said. "We're just tremendously grateful for the assistance of the Coast Guard, the Navy, Charleston Air Force Base [and] all of the other agencies that are participating in the search and rescue."
Shaw Air Force Base is about 90 miles west of Charleston Air Force Base along the South Carolina coast.
The F-16s are "CJ" models optimized for suppression of enemy air defenses, Sexton said.
A board of officers will investigate the incident and details will be released as they become available, he said.
MILITARY CONTRACTS October 16, 2009
AIR FORCE
Lockheed Martin Corp., of Marietta, Ga., was awarded a $827,400,000 contract which will provide for the advance procurement funding for three FY10 Air Force C-130J aircraft, four FY10 HC-130J aircraft, and four FY10 MC-130J aircraft. This option is being established for acquisition of one HC-130J aircraft to be bully funded with FY10 funds. At this time, $8,274,000 has been obligated. 657 AESS/SYKA, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8625-06-C-6456, P00087).
Wintec, Arrowmaker, Inc., of Fort Washington, Md., was awarded a $85,000,000 contract which will provide advisory and assistance services to Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command. At this time, $3,000 (per awardees) will be obligated on initial task orders upon contract meeting minimum requirements. HQ AFSOC/A7KZ, Hurlburt Field, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA0021-10-D-0001; FA0021-10-D-0002; FA0021-10-D-0003).
TRICARE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY (TMA)
International SOS Assistance, Inc., Trevose, Pa., is being awarded a fixed price requirements contract to provide health care support services to the Department of Defense TRICARE Overseas Program. The total potential contract value, including the approximately 10-month base period and five (5) one-year option periods for health care delivery, plus a transition-out period, is estimated at $269,052,427. The contractor will support the Chief, TRICARE Overseas Program Branch, TRICARE area office directors, and military treatment facility (MTF) commanders in operating an integrated health care delivery system which combines the resources of the military's direct medical care system with the contractor's health care support services. Among other features, the new contract includes the establishment of host nation provider networks around MTFs. This contract was competitively procured via the TRICARE Management Activity e-solicitation Web site with three offers received. The TRICARE Management Activity, Aurora, Colo., is the contracting activity. The contract number is H94002-10-D-0001.
ARMY
Raytheon Co., Andover, Mass., was awarded on Oct. 15, 2009 a $77,859,999 firm-fixed-price contract for Taiwan PATRION hardware upgrade program. Work is to be performed in Andover, Mass., (85 percent), and Burlington, Mass., (15 percent), with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2015. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-09-G-0001).
KBE Ventures A Joint Venture of KBE Bldg Corp & Derita Construction Co., Farmington, Conn., was awarded on Oct. 15, 2009 a $51,464,506 firm-fixed-price construction contract for the design and construction of an Armed Forces Reserve Center at Middletown, Conn. Work is to be performed in Middletown, Conn., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 15, 2011. Bids were solicited via FedBizOpps with 14 bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912QR-10-C-0004).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Propper International, Inc., Mayaguez, Puerto Rico is being awarded a maximum $22,031,932 firm fixed price, indefinite delivery contract for improved load bearing equipment system and components. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Marine Corps. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the third option period. The date of performance completion is October 20, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM1C1-05-D-0012).
SNC Telecommunication, LLC, Comerio, Puerto Rico* is being awarded a maximum $15,376,000 firm fixed price, total set aside contract for duffel bags. Other location of performance is Orocovis, Puerto Rico. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the first option year period. The date of performance completion is Sept. 28, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM1C1-09-D-0014).
NAVY
Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $7,674,946 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-5454) to increase the ceiling amount for the additional guidance section design verification testing to the System Design and Development of the Block 2 upgrade to the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Guided Missile Weapon System. The RAM Guided Missile Weapon System is co-developed and co-produced under a NATO cooperative program between the United States and Federal Republic of Germany. RAM is a missile system designed to provide anti-ship missile defense for multiple ship platforms. This ceiling increase is for additional guidance section design verification testing to ensure the Software interfaces with the Hardware guidance section of the missile. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz., and is expected to be completed by August 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea System Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
Lockheed Martin Corp., of Marietta, Ga., was awarded a $827,400,000 contract which will provide for the advance procurement funding for three FY10 Air Force C-130J aircraft, four FY10 HC-130J aircraft, and four FY10 MC-130J aircraft. This option is being established for acquisition of one HC-130J aircraft to be bully funded with FY10 funds. At this time, $8,274,000 has been obligated. 657 AESS/SYKA, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8625-06-C-6456, P00087).
Wintec, Arrowmaker, Inc., of Fort Washington, Md., was awarded a $85,000,000 contract which will provide advisory and assistance services to Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command. At this time, $3,000 (per awardees) will be obligated on initial task orders upon contract meeting minimum requirements. HQ AFSOC/A7KZ, Hurlburt Field, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA0021-10-D-0001; FA0021-10-D-0002; FA0021-10-D-0003).
TRICARE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY (TMA)
International SOS Assistance, Inc., Trevose, Pa., is being awarded a fixed price requirements contract to provide health care support services to the Department of Defense TRICARE Overseas Program. The total potential contract value, including the approximately 10-month base period and five (5) one-year option periods for health care delivery, plus a transition-out period, is estimated at $269,052,427. The contractor will support the Chief, TRICARE Overseas Program Branch, TRICARE area office directors, and military treatment facility (MTF) commanders in operating an integrated health care delivery system which combines the resources of the military's direct medical care system with the contractor's health care support services. Among other features, the new contract includes the establishment of host nation provider networks around MTFs. This contract was competitively procured via the TRICARE Management Activity e-solicitation Web site with three offers received. The TRICARE Management Activity, Aurora, Colo., is the contracting activity. The contract number is H94002-10-D-0001.
ARMY
Raytheon Co., Andover, Mass., was awarded on Oct. 15, 2009 a $77,859,999 firm-fixed-price contract for Taiwan PATRION hardware upgrade program. Work is to be performed in Andover, Mass., (85 percent), and Burlington, Mass., (15 percent), with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2015. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-09-G-0001).
KBE Ventures A Joint Venture of KBE Bldg Corp & Derita Construction Co., Farmington, Conn., was awarded on Oct. 15, 2009 a $51,464,506 firm-fixed-price construction contract for the design and construction of an Armed Forces Reserve Center at Middletown, Conn. Work is to be performed in Middletown, Conn., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 15, 2011. Bids were solicited via FedBizOpps with 14 bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912QR-10-C-0004).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Propper International, Inc., Mayaguez, Puerto Rico is being awarded a maximum $22,031,932 firm fixed price, indefinite delivery contract for improved load bearing equipment system and components. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Marine Corps. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the third option period. The date of performance completion is October 20, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM1C1-05-D-0012).
SNC Telecommunication, LLC, Comerio, Puerto Rico* is being awarded a maximum $15,376,000 firm fixed price, total set aside contract for duffel bags. Other location of performance is Orocovis, Puerto Rico. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the first option year period. The date of performance completion is Sept. 28, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM1C1-09-D-0014).
NAVY
Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $7,674,946 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-5454) to increase the ceiling amount for the additional guidance section design verification testing to the System Design and Development of the Block 2 upgrade to the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Guided Missile Weapon System. The RAM Guided Missile Weapon System is co-developed and co-produced under a NATO cooperative program between the United States and Federal Republic of Germany. RAM is a missile system designed to provide anti-ship missile defense for multiple ship platforms. This ceiling increase is for additional guidance section design verification testing to ensure the Software interfaces with the Hardware guidance section of the missile. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz., and is expected to be completed by August 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea System Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
Agencies Work to Field, Support M-ATVs
By Kathleen T. RhemSpecial to American Forces Press Service
Oct. 16, 2009 - With the first shipment of the newly designed all-terrain mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles fielded in Afghanistan, several government agencies are now working with the manufacturer to ensure proper maintenance of the critical vehicle. Defense Logistics Agency officials were among those who met here yesterday with Oshkosh Defense leaders to get a closer look at the M-ATVs, as the vehicles are known, and the way forward in keeping them operational.
The Defense Logistics Agency will provide parts for the new all-terrain version of the armored vehicles designed to protect troops from deadly roadside-bomb attacks in Iraq and Afghanistan.
DLA Director Navy Vice Adm. Alan Thompson and several other senior agency officials visited Oshkosh Defense, a branch of the Oshkosh Corp., here yesterday. The company has been tasked with building several thousand of the new vehicles.
Thompson noted during the visit that senior defense leaders -- including Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Ashton Carter, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, "view this program as so important to the safety and operational effectiveness of forces in Afghanistan."
M-ATVs are lighter and more maneuverable than standard MRAPs so they can better traverse Afghanistan's rugged terrain and keep servicemembers off more-established routes that make them more vulnerable to attacks.
DLA is working to ensure the vehicles can be sustained with repair parts throughout the lifecycle of the platform. Most of this coordination is going on through the agency's Defense Supply Center in Columbus, Ohio. DSCC Commander Army Brig. Gen. Thomas Richardson and several officials from DSCC met Thompson here for the daytrip.
The first seven M-ATVs arrived in Afghanistan earlier this month, and 10 others are in Europe for testing and training of crew, Oshkosh officials said.
Kenneth Juergens, M-ATV program director for Oshkosh Defense, explained to Thompson and the other visitors that the new vehicles had to meet three key performance parameters:
-- Weight. Each of the vehicles needed to be less than 25,000 pounds;
-- Seating. Each had to fit four troops in the cabin plus a gunner; and
-- Survivability. They needed to meet the same survivability specifications as full-sized variants of MRAP vehicles.
Juergens also outlined some of the vehicles' other features. For instance, the C-7 370-horsepower engine "works great on slopes," he said.
This engine power was demonstrated a short while later when Thompson and Richardson drove M-ATVs up and down 50-degree slopes in the rain at the company's test and development center.
Richardson praised the vehicle's power in comparison to the stalwart Humvees, long used as the military's tactical workhorses. But as roadside bombs became the weapon of choice for insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan, the need to weigh Humvees down with armor made them sluggish in rough terrain.
"The key here is the ability to punch it and get out of there," the general said as he put the vehicle through its paces on a hilly, muddy and rutted test range. "If you hit an ambush or something else, the responsiveness is key."
Meanwhile, Thompson marveled at the vehicle's relative comfort compared to other tactical vehicles.
The M-ATV also features an environmental control unit that includes heat and air conditioning, as well as separate automated fire-extinguishing systems for the crew and engine compartments, Juergens said.
The composite armor of steel and Kevlar is mounted in bolt-on panels, which has several benefits, said Army Lt. Col. Coll Haddon, M-ATV program manager with the Joint Program Office for mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles, in Warren, Mich.
The vehicles can be repaired in the operational theater with no need to send them to a maintenance depot in the United States, he said. "And if technology improves -- let's say a new composite comes out -- instead of buying a new vehicle, you can replace the panels," he added.
The MRAP's signature V-shaped hull was carried forward in this newer version. That and blast deflectors near the wheels direct the power of explosions away from the "protective cocoon" of the crew compartment, Haddon said.
Other features inside the vehicle are dual-purpose. They provide protection and add comfort both in the event of a blast and also while bouncing along Afghanistan's rugged terrain. The seats are suspended with straps from the ceiling instead of being bolted to the floor, so the energy from blasts or hard bumps goes to the straps, not to troops' spines and hips. And pads under the feet of back-seat passengers absorb blows and jarring from terrain.
"When the vehicle comes down, this dissipates the energy to reduce foot and knee injuries," Haddon said, adding that research indicates this was more of a problem in the back of vehicles.
The M-ATV also was designed with "logistics commonality" in mind, Haddon said. For example, it uses the same independent suspension as the Marine Corps' medium tactical vehicle replacement. The dashboard also is identical to that on the MTVR, which limits the training needed, Haddon said.
In addition, the engine is the same as that used in Stryker combat vehicles and the Army's family of medium tactical vehicles.
"Because of this commonality across the board, we already have many of the parts in the system," he said.
Still, providing for the vehicle's sustainment poses several challenges, officials said. Planners across multiple agencies are using lessons learned from the rapid fielding of earlier MRAP variants to build a supply pipeline for both consumable and repairable spare parts.
"Now we're trying to determine what the diameter of that [supply] pipeline needs to be," said Scott Bannach, Oshkosh's manager for MRAP logistics support.
He said Oshkosh officials and the MRAP program manager have worked closely to determine these needs. "We had, right from the get-go, an open and clear discussion about what the expectations were for the M-ATV," he told visiting DLA officials in a briefing.
And as testing and fielding progress, changes are being made to the vehicle even as more are being built.
A very recent change added two additional batteries to the two existing ones, allowing for a separate battery to handle communications and jamming equipment, Haddon explained as he showed Thompson how placement of all the batteries also changed.
"That's an additional demand that will come through DLA," Bannach said later. "More parts are being added as the platform matures."
In July, 1,594 parts were associated with the M-ATV, he said. Today there are 2,301.
This rapid fielding – roughly 90 days from the time the contract was awarded until the first vehicles were delivered to the Defense Department – and continuous changes to the specifications are made possible through close cooperation and synergy among all parties, said Army Col. Jose Baez, commander of the Ground Systems and Munitions Division at the Defense Contract Management Agency's Chicago branch.
"Some people may think this looks easy, but it's all because of synergy," he said. "There's a lot of team playing."
Thompson agreed.
"There's a long-standing and very positive relationship between DLA and Oshkosh," Thompson said at the end of the visit. "I think it's a particularly important time for all of us to be aligned on effort and focus."
(Kathleen T. Rhem works in the Defense Logistics Agency's strategic communications office.)
Command Completes Behavioral Health Facilities Probe
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 16, 2009 - The commander of Multinational Corps Iraq has approved the findings of an internal investigation into the security of behavioral health facilitiesafter a May 11 shooting at the Camp Liberty combat stress clinic here in which five soldiers were killed. The investigation concluded that policies and procedures designed to prevent such a tragedy were adequate, but could be improved.
Multinational Corps Iraq already has implemented several of the investigation's recommendations, officials said, including a commandwide review of behavioral health care services, updates to all suicide-prevention programs, the training and appointment of two behavioral health advocates per battalion, and new procedures for dealing with servicemembers attempting or threatening suicide.
An investigation by the Army's Criminal Investigative Command continues, officials said.
(From a Multinational Corps Iraq news release.)
Oct. 16, 2009 - The commander of Multinational Corps Iraq has approved the findings of an internal investigation into the security of behavioral health facilitiesafter a May 11 shooting at the Camp Liberty combat stress clinic here in which five soldiers were killed. The investigation concluded that policies and procedures designed to prevent such a tragedy were adequate, but could be improved.
Multinational Corps Iraq already has implemented several of the investigation's recommendations, officials said, including a commandwide review of behavioral health care services, updates to all suicide-prevention programs, the training and appointment of two behavioral health advocates per battalion, and new procedures for dealing with servicemembers attempting or threatening suicide.
An investigation by the Army's Criminal Investigative Command continues, officials said.
(From a Multinational Corps Iraq news release.)
Friday, October 16, 2009
Army Says Body Armor Safe, Despite GAO Report
By C. Todd Lopez
Special to American Forces Press Service
Oct. 16, 2009 - Despite testing anomalies cited in a Government Accountability Office report on body armor released today, the program executive officer for the organization that fields new equipment to soldiers said the armor plates in question are safe. At a Pentagon news conference just hours after release of the GAO report, Army said Brig. Gen. Peter Fuller said the 85,000 "X Small Arms Protective Inserts" of interest in the report have not been fielded to soldiers and are in storage, and that the plates now in use are safe.
"We have the best body armor by far," Fuller said. "And we appreciate the oversight we get from organizations such as GAO, because what they do is ensure we provide the very best to our soldiers."
Fuller said the Army has worked closely with GAO and other organizations to improve testing and evaluation in the acquisition process, and that the Army has, in fact, made improvements. The GAO report, he said, points out pains the Army has had with improvements in its evaluation and testing processes.
"The challenge we are having with this GAO audit report is they are challenging our processes, and I think what we are really identifying is we have had an evolution of processes and we need to better articulate what we are doing there," he said.
The 85,000 inserts in question are ceramic plates that fit into tactical vests for wear by soldiers to provide protection against projectiles and fragmentation. The GAO report questions the Army's adherence to some testing protocols when evaluating the plates.
"Overall reliability and repeatability of the test results are uncertain," the report said.
Fuller said the Army is conducting additional testing on the plates to document their safety in compliance with standards. Phase II testing, he said, already has been conducted, and Phase III testing will start in November.
"We told GAO [and] we told the Hill yesterday, we are interested in taking all this data, the Phase II testing, Phase III testing, the additional surveillance testing -- wrap it all up in one report and provide it back to the Hill," Fuller said.
Fuller said he hopes to articulate to both GAO and Congress that although Army testing protocols have experienced challenges, the armor is, in fact, safe. Phase II testing on both plate designs in question have shown a "very high statistical confidence interval," the general said.
"They are fantastic plates," he added.
(C. Todd Lopez works at Army News Service.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Oct. 16, 2009 - Despite testing anomalies cited in a Government Accountability Office report on body armor released today, the program executive officer for the organization that fields new equipment to soldiers said the armor plates in question are safe. At a Pentagon news conference just hours after release of the GAO report, Army said Brig. Gen. Peter Fuller said the 85,000 "X Small Arms Protective Inserts" of interest in the report have not been fielded to soldiers and are in storage, and that the plates now in use are safe.
"We have the best body armor by far," Fuller said. "And we appreciate the oversight we get from organizations such as GAO, because what they do is ensure we provide the very best to our soldiers."
Fuller said the Army has worked closely with GAO and other organizations to improve testing and evaluation in the acquisition process, and that the Army has, in fact, made improvements. The GAO report, he said, points out pains the Army has had with improvements in its evaluation and testing processes.
"The challenge we are having with this GAO audit report is they are challenging our processes, and I think what we are really identifying is we have had an evolution of processes and we need to better articulate what we are doing there," he said.
The 85,000 inserts in question are ceramic plates that fit into tactical vests for wear by soldiers to provide protection against projectiles and fragmentation. The GAO report questions the Army's adherence to some testing protocols when evaluating the plates.
"Overall reliability and repeatability of the test results are uncertain," the report said.
Fuller said the Army is conducting additional testing on the plates to document their safety in compliance with standards. Phase II testing, he said, already has been conducted, and Phase III testing will start in November.
"We told GAO [and] we told the Hill yesterday, we are interested in taking all this data, the Phase II testing, Phase III testing, the additional surveillance testing -- wrap it all up in one report and provide it back to the Hill," Fuller said.
Fuller said he hopes to articulate to both GAO and Congress that although Army testing protocols have experienced challenges, the armor is, in fact, safe. Phase II testing on both plate designs in question have shown a "very high statistical confidence interval," the general said.
"They are fantastic plates," he added.
(C. Todd Lopez works at Army News Service.)
Book Review Of A Line Through the Desert
Reviewed by Trooper Phil Bolté- This is a book of modern war, soldiers, and romance. Author Stroock has written about a a young man who volunteered for Army service and became a trooper in the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, then stationed in Germany. Well trained and motivated, Jake Bloom became a tank commander, leader of a four-man crew of an Abrams tank. And then came Desert Shield and Desert Storm and he found himself shipped to the Middle East and participating in the regiment's combat operations.Stroock has done a good job of capturing the life of a soldier in a combat unit throughout his service in Germany and the Middle East. He describes accurately the challenges of the junior leader as he deals with his subordinates, peers, and superiors. Sergeant Bloom is able to walk the line between familiarity and discipline, a particular challenge of a tank commander. Underlying the military aspects of Bloom's life is a romance started and broken off before his movement to Germany, a home town romance that went sour. Without overdoing this aspect of the story, the author has made it realistic. It is the story of a teen-ager who grows up in years and in experience, the latter magnified by battle.
While the gutter language used throughout the book may be seen as adding realism, some will find it offensive and consider it detracting from the overall quality of the narrative. Soldiers who read this book will find the author's accuracy in describing weapon systems and their performance refreshing. He has, as well, captured the performance of soldiers in modern battle. -- Cavalry Journal (US Cavalry Association)
A Line Through the Desert May be Purchased Through Amazon.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Muppets Help Military Kids Cope With Grief
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 15, 2009 - As filming for Sesame Workshop's latest "Talk, Listen, Connect," video got under way here yesterday, it became clear that while it's not always sunny on Sesame Street, ultimately the clouds can be swept away. The first two TLC videos, part of a multimedia initiative started in 2006, were meant to help children, especially military children, with separations from loved one, and changes to those loved ones when they return. This video handles an even tougher topic: the death of a loved one.
"I think our military children today have been dealing with a number of difficult challenges," said Deborah Mullen, wife of Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "I think it's very important that we find ways to help the surviving parent and the child deal with this. This [DVD] is one way."
Mullen was in New York to view the filming of the newest Sesame Workshop video, along with Becky Gates, wife of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates; Sandee Cartwright, wife of Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Army Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Loree Sutton, director of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury.
The story centers on the fuzzy, red Muppet, Elmo, and his cousin Jessie, who recently has lost her father. At age 3 and a half, Elmo has a hard time understanding the concept of death.
His cousin simply doesn't want to talk about it.
Fortunately, Elmo has his mom and Aunt Jill to help him with the sadness he's feeling.
Jessie isn't as easy to crack though, and it takes Louie, Elmo's father, to get Jessie to open up about how she's feeling.
"Sometimes I feel sad when I think about your dad, too," Louie tells his niece.
"You do?" she answers.
"It helps to talk to someone about the way we feel, like we're talking now," Louie says in the video.
"It's important that we provide these sorts of resources," Mullen said midway through the day's filming. "We need to find ways to help them recognize this grief, begin to come to terms with this grief, this loss, [and] learn to deal with the feelings they are experiencing."
It's also important that both children and parents have the necessary tools to survive the death of a loved one, said Jeanette Betancourt, Sesame Workshop's vice president of outreach and educational practices.
"There's a variety of feelings involving death, often conflicting, with sad moments and guilt surrounding happy moments," she said. "We want to offer families a way to move forward, the reassurance to move forward."
As with the other TLC videos, plenty of consultation with experts took place before the final script was approved. A North Carolina National Guard chaplain and a casualty assistance officer who's experienced his own loss, for example, weighed in on the project.
Representatives of children's organizations and those with expertise dealing with grief, both military and civilian, also participated.
"This one was a particularly difficult, sensitive topic to address," said Barbara Thompson, director of the Defense Department's cffice of family policy and children and youth. "So we brought in many people who are experts in trauma and then actual ... military families who have lost a servicemember."
And to some extent, Elmo is an expert in helping kids grasp and accept this tough topic, Thompson said. At least he's the embodiment of the cumulative expertise used to create the video.
"It's really important for us to recognize that for a child, coming from Elmo, it's much more meaningful than coming from any other counselor or even a significant adult in their life," Thompson said. "Children naturally respond to Elmo, and that's why these scripts are so important."
The Muppeteers' passion for the project also is crucial and evident.
"[It's always a] privilege to meet military families and get to know them and realize how incredible and strong and [what an] amazing group of people they are," said Carmen Osbahr, who plays Rosita, Elmo's best friend. "Something that started as an amazing project is now a mission. It's an amazing honor to be part of it."
Leslie Carerra, who plays Elmo's cousin Jessie in this TLC video, agreed, saying the work is fun but it's also taken seriously. Occasionally, it strikes a familiar chord.
"I certainly relate to the loss of my brother and what it did to my family," she said. "In order to connect, you go back. You want it to be light, but when that moment comes ... to be able to share is a great gift.
"We're offering tools and celebrating life and being strong," she added.
The video is expected to be aired as a PBS special in April, immediately followed by the distribution of the multimedia kits, which will include the video.
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 15, 2009 - As filming for Sesame Workshop's latest "Talk, Listen, Connect," video got under way here yesterday, it became clear that while it's not always sunny on Sesame Street, ultimately the clouds can be swept away. The first two TLC videos, part of a multimedia initiative started in 2006, were meant to help children, especially military children, with separations from loved one, and changes to those loved ones when they return. This video handles an even tougher topic: the death of a loved one.
"I think our military children today have been dealing with a number of difficult challenges," said Deborah Mullen, wife of Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "I think it's very important that we find ways to help the surviving parent and the child deal with this. This [DVD] is one way."
Mullen was in New York to view the filming of the newest Sesame Workshop video, along with Becky Gates, wife of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates; Sandee Cartwright, wife of Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Army Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Loree Sutton, director of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury.
The story centers on the fuzzy, red Muppet, Elmo, and his cousin Jessie, who recently has lost her father. At age 3 and a half, Elmo has a hard time understanding the concept of death.
His cousin simply doesn't want to talk about it.
Fortunately, Elmo has his mom and Aunt Jill to help him with the sadness he's feeling.
Jessie isn't as easy to crack though, and it takes Louie, Elmo's father, to get Jessie to open up about how she's feeling.
"Sometimes I feel sad when I think about your dad, too," Louie tells his niece.
"You do?" she answers.
"It helps to talk to someone about the way we feel, like we're talking now," Louie says in the video.
"It's important that we provide these sorts of resources," Mullen said midway through the day's filming. "We need to find ways to help them recognize this grief, begin to come to terms with this grief, this loss, [and] learn to deal with the feelings they are experiencing."
It's also important that both children and parents have the necessary tools to survive the death of a loved one, said Jeanette Betancourt, Sesame Workshop's vice president of outreach and educational practices.
"There's a variety of feelings involving death, often conflicting, with sad moments and guilt surrounding happy moments," she said. "We want to offer families a way to move forward, the reassurance to move forward."
As with the other TLC videos, plenty of consultation with experts took place before the final script was approved. A North Carolina National Guard chaplain and a casualty assistance officer who's experienced his own loss, for example, weighed in on the project.
Representatives of children's organizations and those with expertise dealing with grief, both military and civilian, also participated.
"This one was a particularly difficult, sensitive topic to address," said Barbara Thompson, director of the Defense Department's cffice of family policy and children and youth. "So we brought in many people who are experts in trauma and then actual ... military families who have lost a servicemember."
And to some extent, Elmo is an expert in helping kids grasp and accept this tough topic, Thompson said. At least he's the embodiment of the cumulative expertise used to create the video.
"It's really important for us to recognize that for a child, coming from Elmo, it's much more meaningful than coming from any other counselor or even a significant adult in their life," Thompson said. "Children naturally respond to Elmo, and that's why these scripts are so important."
The Muppeteers' passion for the project also is crucial and evident.
"[It's always a] privilege to meet military families and get to know them and realize how incredible and strong and [what an] amazing group of people they are," said Carmen Osbahr, who plays Rosita, Elmo's best friend. "Something that started as an amazing project is now a mission. It's an amazing honor to be part of it."
Leslie Carerra, who plays Elmo's cousin Jessie in this TLC video, agreed, saying the work is fun but it's also taken seriously. Occasionally, it strikes a familiar chord.
"I certainly relate to the loss of my brother and what it did to my family," she said. "In order to connect, you go back. You want it to be light, but when that moment comes ... to be able to share is a great gift.
"We're offering tools and celebrating life and being strong," she added.
The video is expected to be aired as a PBS special in April, immediately followed by the distribution of the multimedia kits, which will include the video.
Chairman's Wife Vows Support for Military Families
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 15, 2009 - Deborah Mullen, wife of the nation's most senior military officer, had a message for military families while on the Sesame Street TV set here today: servicemembers and their families have a wealth of support behind them. "I just would like to assure people that there are folks who care, who are working diligently to try and make it better," Mullen said as she sat at the counter in Mr. Hooper's Store on Sesame Street. "I think we can't exactly understand what they're going through, but we all want to make sure that we provide whatever it is they need, whether it's resources, [or] education."
One resource the military has had a hand in providing since the initiative began in 2006 is the Sesame Workshop's "Talk, Listen, Connect." The multi-media campaign includes two videos, which the Defense Department and other experts consulted on, that address ways for military children to handle separation, reintegration and changes in parents who return from deployment.
The third video, the taping of which Mullen, wife of Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was on set to observe, deals with the death of a loved one.
"I can only think that, given the trust that children have with the Sesame Street characters, that this will be a benefit that we will see ... make a difference," Mullen said. "Hopefully we will help children be able to address grief in whatever way that's right for them.
"Families deal with things in different ways," she added. "I think it's difficult to say what works for one family is going to work for another."
Keeping families connected with other families or to military installation programs is key to helping them deal with difficult times, Mullen said.
"I think that the more isolated a family is when they're dealing with ... the separations [and] these issues of reintegration, I think it's more difficult on families," she added. "I think it's important for, particularly National Guard [and reserve] families, that they are connected to the school where their children attend."
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is looking at developing training to help civilian counselors and teachers understand problems military children face, Mullen said.
Adding these types of resources are important as the military continues to look for ways to help its children, she said.
Some programs include a recently expanded YMCA child care program and the nonprofit National Military Family Association's Operation Purple Camps, which are being expanded to include family retreats as well.
"When I speak with families, particularly families whose loved one has returned from a deployment, they really talk in positive terms about family retreats, how important it is to bring the family back together to try and regain some normalcy, with the understanding [that] everyone will have changed," Mullen said. "It doesn't matter where the deployment is, how long it is, whether or not it was in a war zone."
Mullen also noted the new Military Child and Adolescent Center of Excellence at Madigan Army Medical Center in Fort Lewis, Wash., is available for military families. The center focuses specifically on families of servicemembers with multiple deployments and those who come home wounded, she said.
"They're working very hard to try and help and also to let the families of those who have lost someone, the surviving families [know] that we will never forget, that we will always be there, and that we will work diligently to make sure that they're OK," she said.
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 15, 2009 - Deborah Mullen, wife of the nation's most senior military officer, had a message for military families while on the Sesame Street TV set here today: servicemembers and their families have a wealth of support behind them. "I just would like to assure people that there are folks who care, who are working diligently to try and make it better," Mullen said as she sat at the counter in Mr. Hooper's Store on Sesame Street. "I think we can't exactly understand what they're going through, but we all want to make sure that we provide whatever it is they need, whether it's resources, [or] education."
One resource the military has had a hand in providing since the initiative began in 2006 is the Sesame Workshop's "Talk, Listen, Connect." The multi-media campaign includes two videos, which the Defense Department and other experts consulted on, that address ways for military children to handle separation, reintegration and changes in parents who return from deployment.
The third video, the taping of which Mullen, wife of Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was on set to observe, deals with the death of a loved one.
"I can only think that, given the trust that children have with the Sesame Street characters, that this will be a benefit that we will see ... make a difference," Mullen said. "Hopefully we will help children be able to address grief in whatever way that's right for them.
"Families deal with things in different ways," she added. "I think it's difficult to say what works for one family is going to work for another."
Keeping families connected with other families or to military installation programs is key to helping them deal with difficult times, Mullen said.
"I think that the more isolated a family is when they're dealing with ... the separations [and] these issues of reintegration, I think it's more difficult on families," she added. "I think it's important for, particularly National Guard [and reserve] families, that they are connected to the school where their children attend."
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is looking at developing training to help civilian counselors and teachers understand problems military children face, Mullen said.
Adding these types of resources are important as the military continues to look for ways to help its children, she said.
Some programs include a recently expanded YMCA child care program and the nonprofit National Military Family Association's Operation Purple Camps, which are being expanded to include family retreats as well.
"When I speak with families, particularly families whose loved one has returned from a deployment, they really talk in positive terms about family retreats, how important it is to bring the family back together to try and regain some normalcy, with the understanding [that] everyone will have changed," Mullen said. "It doesn't matter where the deployment is, how long it is, whether or not it was in a war zone."
Mullen also noted the new Military Child and Adolescent Center of Excellence at Madigan Army Medical Center in Fort Lewis, Wash., is available for military families. The center focuses specifically on families of servicemembers with multiple deployments and those who come home wounded, she said.
"They're working very hard to try and help and also to let the families of those who have lost someone, the surviving families [know] that we will never forget, that we will always be there, and that we will work diligently to make sure that they're OK," she said.
MILITARY CONTRACTS October 15, 2009
AIR FORCE
Lapoint-Blasé Industries, Inc., of St. Louis, Missouri was awarded a $34,649,163 contract which will provide approximately 54 worldwide deployable portable Doppler radars to provide responsive, reliable, and accurate weather information to standard weather systems. At this time, $1,797,550 has been obligated. 651 ESS/PK, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts is the contracting activity (FA8723-10-D-0001).
MacAulay-Brown, Inc., of Dayton, Ohio was awarded a $24,354,000 contract which will provide for characterization, archival, and distribution of data for image exploitation system. At this time, $67,862 has been obligated. AFRL/PKSR, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8650-10-D-1751, Task Oder: 0001).
Booz Allen & Hamilton, Inc., of McLean, Va., was awarded a $10,951,533 contract which will provide systems engineering and integration support to the military satellite communications wing, space and terminal engineering office through Oct. 21, 2010. At this time, $663,946 has been obligated. SMC/PK, El Segundo, Calif., is the contracting activity (FA8808-08-F-0003,P00022).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
AM General LLC, Mishawaka, Ind., is being awarded a maximum $26,234,409 firm fixed price, sole source contract for the integrated logistics partnership contract in support of HMMWV requirements. Other locations of performance are Chambersburg, Penn., and Texarkana, Texas. Using service is Army. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This requirements type contract is for one base year and four possible one-year options periods. The date of performance completion is Jan. 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Columbus, Columbus, Ohio (SPM7LX-09-D-9001).
ARMY
King Fisher Marine Service, LP., Port Lavaca, Texas, was awarded on Oct. 14, 2009 a $10,487,500 firm-fixed-price contract. The work consist of maintenance dredging consisting of 5,600,000 cubic yards of the mud flats to Port Isabel and channel to Port Mansfield, restoration and incidental reconstruction or maintenance of existing submerged levees at placement area nos. 7,220 and 221A and of levee at placement area nos. 222 and 226. Work is to be performed in Kennedy, Willacy and Cameroon Countries, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Mar. 15, 2010. Five bids solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineer District, Galveston, Galveston, Texas, is the contracting activity (W912HY-10-C-0001).
Lockheed Martin Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors, Niagara Falls, N.Y., was awarded on Oct. 13, 2009 a $6,180,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the development of a full tensor gravity gradiometer. Work is to be performed in Niagara Falls, N.Y., with an estimated completion date of July, 15, 2012. One bid was solicited with one bid received. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Reston, Va., is the contracting activity (HM1582-10-C-0001).
Lapoint-Blasé Industries, Inc., of St. Louis, Missouri was awarded a $34,649,163 contract which will provide approximately 54 worldwide deployable portable Doppler radars to provide responsive, reliable, and accurate weather information to standard weather systems. At this time, $1,797,550 has been obligated. 651 ESS/PK, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts is the contracting activity (FA8723-10-D-0001).
MacAulay-Brown, Inc., of Dayton, Ohio was awarded a $24,354,000 contract which will provide for characterization, archival, and distribution of data for image exploitation system. At this time, $67,862 has been obligated. AFRL/PKSR, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8650-10-D-1751, Task Oder: 0001).
Booz Allen & Hamilton, Inc., of McLean, Va., was awarded a $10,951,533 contract which will provide systems engineering and integration support to the military satellite communications wing, space and terminal engineering office through Oct. 21, 2010. At this time, $663,946 has been obligated. SMC/PK, El Segundo, Calif., is the contracting activity (FA8808-08-F-0003,P00022).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
AM General LLC, Mishawaka, Ind., is being awarded a maximum $26,234,409 firm fixed price, sole source contract for the integrated logistics partnership contract in support of HMMWV requirements. Other locations of performance are Chambersburg, Penn., and Texarkana, Texas. Using service is Army. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This requirements type contract is for one base year and four possible one-year options periods. The date of performance completion is Jan. 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Columbus, Columbus, Ohio (SPM7LX-09-D-9001).
ARMY
King Fisher Marine Service, LP., Port Lavaca, Texas, was awarded on Oct. 14, 2009 a $10,487,500 firm-fixed-price contract. The work consist of maintenance dredging consisting of 5,600,000 cubic yards of the mud flats to Port Isabel and channel to Port Mansfield, restoration and incidental reconstruction or maintenance of existing submerged levees at placement area nos. 7,220 and 221A and of levee at placement area nos. 222 and 226. Work is to be performed in Kennedy, Willacy and Cameroon Countries, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Mar. 15, 2010. Five bids solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineer District, Galveston, Galveston, Texas, is the contracting activity (W912HY-10-C-0001).
Lockheed Martin Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors, Niagara Falls, N.Y., was awarded on Oct. 13, 2009 a $6,180,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the development of a full tensor gravity gradiometer. Work is to be performed in Niagara Falls, N.Y., with an estimated completion date of July, 15, 2012. One bid was solicited with one bid received. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Reston, Va., is the contracting activity (HM1582-10-C-0001).
By Army Lt. Col. David KonopSpecial to American Forces Press Service
Oct. 15, 2009 - When Staff Sgt. John Okumu joined the Army five years ago, he never dreamed he would one day deploy to Africa, the continent he once called home. Okumu, originally from Kenya, was among the first U.S. soldiers setting up operations for Natural Fire 10, a multinational exercise set to begin tomorrow in northern Uganda with more than 1,000 servicemembers from the United States and five East African
nations.
During a recent visit to Kitgum High school, Okumu, a logistics noncommissioned officer, found himself surrounded by curious teens eager to learn more about the American sergeant who speaks their language.
Okumu welcomed such an ambush, responding to a barrage of questions from the students. Within minutes, a circle of a dozen students grew into a crowd of 60 or more.
"How can I go to the United States and become a soldier like you?" one teen asked.
What began as an impromptu discussion grew into a huddle of dozens hanging onto Okumu's every word. He told them how important it is for them to do well in school and reach for their goals.
"Education in the key," he said. "Everyone has a talent. You just need to find out what yours is."
The students paid close attention and asked many questions. At one point, they broke into laughter after a student asked a question the others thought was silly. Okumu was quick to jump in, telling the students never to be afraid to learn by asking.
"There's no such thing as a stupid question, except to the question that's never asked," he said.
The conversation went on in English, which the teens learn in their classes. But they initially were drawn to Okumu when they heard him speak Luo, the language spoken in northern Uganda, which Okumu learned as a child in Kenya. He emigrated from Kenya to the United States in 2000, settling in Missouri.
Okumu is assigned to a group of 21st Theater Sustainment Command soldiers tasked with constructing a base camp in Kitgum and providing logistical support for Natural Fire 10, an exercise co-led by U.S. Army Africa, a component of U.S. Africa Command, and the East
African Community Armed Forces.
Hundreds of soldiers from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda will join U.S. troops for the 10-day exercise, which has been held in East Africa every two years for the past decade. The exercise includes training in humanitarian missions, natural disasters, convoy operations, crowd
control, weapons handling and vehicle checkpoints.
U.S. and East African troops also will provide medical, dental and engineering support to local communities. Engineer projects will be conducted at the Kitgum High School, Mucwini Primary School and Kitgum Government Hospital -- where students anxiously anticipate more interaction with Okumu and his fellow Americans.
Okumu looks forward to seeing them again soon. During their recent chat, he made sure they understood the importance of education to their future success.
"Good grades and test scores may qualify you for scholarships to the U.S.," Okumu said. "Do your best."
(Lt. Col. David Konop serves with U.S. Army Africa public affairs.)
Coast Guard Cutter Helps Navy on African Coast
By Christen N. McCluney
Special to American Forces Press Service
Oct. 15, 2009 - The Coast Guard cutter Legare recently returned from a 120-day mission in support of the Navy's 6th Fleet along Africa's west coast. Coast Guard Cmdr. Scott Bauby, commanding officer of the Legare, discussed the cutter's role working with African coastal nations in real-time law enforcement missions during a "DoDLive" bloggers roundtable Oct. 13.
During the mission, the Legare visited four countries -- Morocco, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Cape Verde -- to conduct maritime law-enforcement operations and to support regional maritime safety and security. The African mission focuses on building relationships and sharing tactics and procedures.
"Our area of operations ranged from the northwest coast of Morocco, right at the entrance to the Straits of Gibraltar, all the way down to the entrance to the Gulf of Guinea down by Sierra Leone," Bauby said.
The Legare crew was involved in several law enforcement activities, including seizing an illegal fishing boat off the coast of Sierra Leone.
"Once we approached and boarded the vessel, we confirmed it had been fishing in that area," he said, noting the boat was within an exclusive economic zone of Sierra Leone. "So the government of Sierra Leone directed us to seize the vessel and persons aboard and then escort the vessel back to their capital city of Freetown."
Because of a lack of resources, Bauby said, the partners in Sierra Leone have been unable to frequently patrol their own waters, causing the United States to step in and handle things that may not have been an option before.
The Legare crew also assisted in building maritime domain awareness by discerning traffic patterns, identifying specific areas where vessels were fishing, and showing areas where foreign-flagged vessels were operating to help the partners know where to focus their patrols.
Illegal fishing is an issue, Bauby said. "Based on my limited experience, which is three months operating over there," he said, "I would say it's a problem throughout the coast of Africa, just based on the scarce resources they have to patrol their own waters."
Cape Verde has a specific process for enforcing fishing laws, he said, but Sierra Leone and Senegal still are developing a system, so they have a problem controlling fishing vessels that are permitted to fish while preventing unauthorized vessels from fishing in their waters, he said.
The four countries have worked with the United States in developing their domain awareness, either by working in small training engagements or directly with U.S. agencies, Bauby said. The work is an ongoing effort of U.S. Africa Command, which stood up in the fall of 2008 to forge a relationship with African nations.
"Understanding Africom's intentions and the Navy 6th Fleet, they definitely intend to establish a long-term relationship with all of these countries along the African coast to help them develop their domain awareness."
The Legare returned Oct. 1 to its homeport of Portsmouth, Va.
(Christen N. McCluney works in the Defense Media Activity's emerging media directorate.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Oct. 15, 2009 - The Coast Guard cutter Legare recently returned from a 120-day mission in support of the Navy's 6th Fleet along Africa's west coast. Coast Guard Cmdr. Scott Bauby, commanding officer of the Legare, discussed the cutter's role working with African coastal nations in real-time law enforcement missions during a "DoDLive" bloggers roundtable Oct. 13.
During the mission, the Legare visited four countries -- Morocco, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Cape Verde -- to conduct maritime law-enforcement operations and to support regional maritime safety and security. The African mission focuses on building relationships and sharing tactics and procedures.
"Our area of operations ranged from the northwest coast of Morocco, right at the entrance to the Straits of Gibraltar, all the way down to the entrance to the Gulf of Guinea down by Sierra Leone," Bauby said.
The Legare crew was involved in several law enforcement activities, including seizing an illegal fishing boat off the coast of Sierra Leone.
"Once we approached and boarded the vessel, we confirmed it had been fishing in that area," he said, noting the boat was within an exclusive economic zone of Sierra Leone. "So the government of Sierra Leone directed us to seize the vessel and persons aboard and then escort the vessel back to their capital city of Freetown."
Because of a lack of resources, Bauby said, the partners in Sierra Leone have been unable to frequently patrol their own waters, causing the United States to step in and handle things that may not have been an option before.
The Legare crew also assisted in building maritime domain awareness by discerning traffic patterns, identifying specific areas where vessels were fishing, and showing areas where foreign-flagged vessels were operating to help the partners know where to focus their patrols.
Illegal fishing is an issue, Bauby said. "Based on my limited experience, which is three months operating over there," he said, "I would say it's a problem throughout the coast of Africa, just based on the scarce resources they have to patrol their own waters."
Cape Verde has a specific process for enforcing fishing laws, he said, but Sierra Leone and Senegal still are developing a system, so they have a problem controlling fishing vessels that are permitted to fish while preventing unauthorized vessels from fishing in their waters, he said.
The four countries have worked with the United States in developing their domain awareness, either by working in small training engagements or directly with U.S. agencies, Bauby said. The work is an ongoing effort of U.S. Africa Command, which stood up in the fall of 2008 to forge a relationship with African nations.
"Understanding Africom's intentions and the Navy 6th Fleet, they definitely intend to establish a long-term relationship with all of these countries along the African coast to help them develop their domain awareness."
The Legare returned Oct. 1 to its homeport of Portsmouth, Va.
(Christen N. McCluney works in the Defense Media Activity's emerging media directorate.)
Global Commitments Stretch Army
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 15, 2009 - With more than 1.1 million active and reserve-component soldiers in the U.S. Army, some may wonder how the service could be stressed, as is commonly discussed and reported. The answer lies in the number of deployments soldiers have around the world -- known as operations tempo -- and the "dwell time" needed for them to spend at home between deployments, officials say.
The following is a look at where soldiers are based as of Oct. 6.
The Army has 552,400 active-component soldiers, who are called upon most for operations and exercises. Of the Army's 207,400 reservists, 21,700 are mobilized. The Army National Guard has 362,000 soldiers, with 58,100 activated. Once Guard and Army Reserve soldiers come on active duty, there is no difference between them and active-component soldiers. Reservists can be called up for one-year tours, including training.
According to Army statistics, 102,400 active-component soldiers are based overseas, and 450,000 are in the continental United States. About 21,200 soldiers are in Hawaii, and 13,200 are in Alaska. Soldiers deploy to contingencies around the world. Some 38,200 soldiers are based with U.S. Army Europe, and 17,300 serve with U.S. Forces Korea.
The two largest contingencies for the Army are Iraq and Afghanistan, with 98,025 soldiers operating in Iraq and 43,800 in Afghanistan. Another 12,700 soldiers based in Kuwait provide assistance to both theaters in U.S. Central Command, and 1,050 soldiers work in Qatar.
But those aren't the only areas of operations. NATO's Kosovo Force in the Balkans has 1,525 U.S. soldiers – most from the Army National Guard. Ten soldiers based in Bosnia work with the European Union effort in that country.
Another 700 soldiers are part of the Multinational Force and Observers in the Sinai desert. Since 1981, a battalion of American soldiers has been in the area to ensure peace between Israel and Egypt.
Some 1,200 soldiers are based with Joint Task Force Horn of Africa. They're based mainly in Djibouti, but also work in Ethiopia and other areas of the region.
Another 600 soldiers are part of Joint Task Force Guantanamo, helping to run the detention center at the Guantanamo Naval Base, Cuba, and in Honduras, 325 soldiers are part of Joint Task Force Bravo, which works at improving military-to-military ties with Central American countries. In place since the mid-1980s, the command has used civil-military operations to connect with the people of the region.
There are 225 soldiers in the Philippines, working to develop the capabilities of the Philippine armed forces, and another 3,440 soldiers are deployed around the world in "other operations and exercises," officials said.
Added to these numbers are soldiers going through various levels of training, sick or injured, on recruiting duty or involved in other aspects of maintaining the base.
The bottom line is that there are more than 266,000 soldiers deployed or forward stationed in almost 80 countries around the world.
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 15, 2009 - With more than 1.1 million active and reserve-component soldiers in the U.S. Army, some may wonder how the service could be stressed, as is commonly discussed and reported. The answer lies in the number of deployments soldiers have around the world -- known as operations tempo -- and the "dwell time" needed for them to spend at home between deployments, officials say.
The following is a look at where soldiers are based as of Oct. 6.
The Army has 552,400 active-component soldiers, who are called upon most for operations and exercises. Of the Army's 207,400 reservists, 21,700 are mobilized. The Army National Guard has 362,000 soldiers, with 58,100 activated. Once Guard and Army Reserve soldiers come on active duty, there is no difference between them and active-component soldiers. Reservists can be called up for one-year tours, including training.
According to Army statistics, 102,400 active-component soldiers are based overseas, and 450,000 are in the continental United States. About 21,200 soldiers are in Hawaii, and 13,200 are in Alaska. Soldiers deploy to contingencies around the world. Some 38,200 soldiers are based with U.S. Army Europe, and 17,300 serve with U.S. Forces Korea.
The two largest contingencies for the Army are Iraq and Afghanistan, with 98,025 soldiers operating in Iraq and 43,800 in Afghanistan. Another 12,700 soldiers based in Kuwait provide assistance to both theaters in U.S. Central Command, and 1,050 soldiers work in Qatar.
But those aren't the only areas of operations. NATO's Kosovo Force in the Balkans has 1,525 U.S. soldiers – most from the Army National Guard. Ten soldiers based in Bosnia work with the European Union effort in that country.
Another 700 soldiers are part of the Multinational Force and Observers in the Sinai desert. Since 1981, a battalion of American soldiers has been in the area to ensure peace between Israel and Egypt.
Some 1,200 soldiers are based with Joint Task Force Horn of Africa. They're based mainly in Djibouti, but also work in Ethiopia and other areas of the region.
Another 600 soldiers are part of Joint Task Force Guantanamo, helping to run the detention center at the Guantanamo Naval Base, Cuba, and in Honduras, 325 soldiers are part of Joint Task Force Bravo, which works at improving military-to-military ties with Central American countries. In place since the mid-1980s, the command has used civil-military operations to connect with the people of the region.
There are 225 soldiers in the Philippines, working to develop the capabilities of the Philippine armed forces, and another 3,440 soldiers are deployed around the world in "other operations and exercises," officials said.
Added to these numbers are soldiers going through various levels of training, sick or injured, on recruiting duty or involved in other aspects of maintaining the base.
The bottom line is that there are more than 266,000 soldiers deployed or forward stationed in almost 80 countries around the world.
Commentary: Dealing With Loss on Sesame Street
By Elaine Wilson
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 15, 2009 - To the envy of all the neighborhood kids, I was invited to New York yesterday to attend the taping of a special Sesame Workshop production aimed at helping military children. I was in awe when I walked down the real-world Sesame Street. As I passed the laundromat and Mr. Hooper's famous storefront, the years slid away with each step until, once again, I was a 5-year-old glued to an episode of "Sesame Street" on my early 1970s TV set.
I was transported back to the present when down the hall I heard the familiar, high-pitched tones of that furry red Muppet who has gained superstar-like status in recent years. Elmo and his good friend, Rosita, were rehearsing a scene on a brightly lit park set.
Used to more lighthearted shows punctuated with lessons of letters and numbers, it took me a while to adjust to the serious topic Sesame now was tackling: coping with the loss of a loved one.
The video is the latest offering from Sesame's Talk, Listen, Connect initiative, a multimedia project that helps to guide military families through multiple challenges. The first two productions, developed with help from the Defense Department, dealt with deployments and the visible and invisible wounds of war.
"The next endeavor was how do we support families of the fallen," said Barbara Thompson, director of the Defense Department's office of family policy and children and youth. "That is the ultimate, supreme sacrifice that a family has to endure; and what would be a comfort not only to the child, but also to the parent who is also grieving? The result is going to be a real contribution to any family who has lost a loved one."
As with its other military-related projects, Sesame worked closely with the department, enlisting the help of military advisors. A few of those defense experts were on the set yesterday, including Thompson and Army Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Loree Sutton, a psychiatrist who heads the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury.
Also there to support the project were Becky Gates, wife of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, and Deborah Mullen, wife of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen.
Sesame consulted with the department on a script that involves Elmo and his family dealing with the loss of Elmo's Uncle Jack. Wanting to reach a broad audience, Sesame avoids mention of combat or war in hopes that the messages of hope and healing will transcend the military and reach all children.
Emotions ran high on the set as the cast and crew filmed the scenes. I saw a few teary eyes, and just reading the script brought tears to my own. Many on the set had suffered losses too and connected deeply with the script; others simply empathized with the emotions of others and the day's purpose.
In one park scene, Elmo, his parents and Rosita are having a picnic with Elmo's Aunt Jill and cousin Jessie. Forgetting momentarily about the recent loss, Elmo innocently asks, "Where's Uncle Jack?" The set was so quiet at that moment you could've heard a pin drop. Then Elmo's mom reminds him that Jack died. Unable to vocalize the depth of her emotions regarding her dad, Jessie asks to go play.
As the script unfolds, Elmo's dad, Louie, finds time to talk with Jessie and encourages her to talk about her feelings. "It helps to talk to someone about the way we feel, like we're talking now. Sometimes it feels better than keeping it all inside," he tells her.
He also explains to her that by remembering Jack, they can continue to celebrate his life.
"It's important to be able to have words that parents and kids can use around death," said Jeanette Betancourt, Sesame Workshop's vice president of outreach and educational practices. "There's a variety of feelings involving death, often conflicting, with sad moments and guilt surrounding happy moments. We want to offer families a way to move forward, the reassurance to move forward."
I had a chance to speak briefly with the actors who play Rosita and Jessie. They clearly were passionate about their work, and both said they felt honored to be a part of the production.
It's a privilege "to meet military families and get to know them and realize how incredible and strong and amazing group of people they are," said Carmen Osbahr, who plays Rosita. "Something that started as an amazing project is now a mission. It's an amazing honor to be a part of it."
"We always connect with our characters. It's fun what we do, but we take our work very seriously," added Leslie Carerra, who plays Jessie. "I certainly relate to the loss of my brother and what it did to my family. In order to connect, you go back. You want it to be light, but when that moment comes ... to be able to share is a great gift. We're offering tools and celebrating life and being strong."
These are the exact messages Sesame Workshop hopes to impart to children using the familiar Sesame pals.
"It's really important for us to recognize that for a child, coming from Elmo, it's much more meaningful than coming from any other counselor or even a significant adult in their life," Thompson said. "Because children naturally respond to Elmo, and that's why these scripts are so important."
The finished product will be integrated into a documentary scheduled to air on PBS in April, which also happens to be the Month of the Military Child. The documentary will include the Elmo story, along with footage of four families, two military and two civilian, who've suffered a loss.
Sesame will follow up the special with the distribution of a military-specific kit. The kit will include print and DVD materials, and will be available on Military OneSource and through family-support centers throughout the services.
I started the day in star-struck awe and finished it in pretty much the same way. I was really amazed by the cast and crew's passion, caring and sensitivity and their close relationships with the military visitors. I'm excited to see the finished product and really believe it has the potential to help countless military families deal with loss.
Stay tuned for more about my day on Sesame Street, including an interview with Deborah Mullen, who gives her perspective of the Sesame production, and some experts' tips for dealing with loss.
(Elaine Wilson, a writer and editor for American Forces Press Service, writes the "Family Matters" blog.)
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 15, 2009 - To the envy of all the neighborhood kids, I was invited to New York yesterday to attend the taping of a special Sesame Workshop production aimed at helping military children. I was in awe when I walked down the real-world Sesame Street. As I passed the laundromat and Mr. Hooper's famous storefront, the years slid away with each step until, once again, I was a 5-year-old glued to an episode of "Sesame Street" on my early 1970s TV set.
I was transported back to the present when down the hall I heard the familiar, high-pitched tones of that furry red Muppet who has gained superstar-like status in recent years. Elmo and his good friend, Rosita, were rehearsing a scene on a brightly lit park set.
Used to more lighthearted shows punctuated with lessons of letters and numbers, it took me a while to adjust to the serious topic Sesame now was tackling: coping with the loss of a loved one.
The video is the latest offering from Sesame's Talk, Listen, Connect initiative, a multimedia project that helps to guide military families through multiple challenges. The first two productions, developed with help from the Defense Department, dealt with deployments and the visible and invisible wounds of war.
"The next endeavor was how do we support families of the fallen," said Barbara Thompson, director of the Defense Department's office of family policy and children and youth. "That is the ultimate, supreme sacrifice that a family has to endure; and what would be a comfort not only to the child, but also to the parent who is also grieving? The result is going to be a real contribution to any family who has lost a loved one."
As with its other military-related projects, Sesame worked closely with the department, enlisting the help of military advisors. A few of those defense experts were on the set yesterday, including Thompson and Army Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Loree Sutton, a psychiatrist who heads the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury.
Also there to support the project were Becky Gates, wife of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, and Deborah Mullen, wife of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen.
Sesame consulted with the department on a script that involves Elmo and his family dealing with the loss of Elmo's Uncle Jack. Wanting to reach a broad audience, Sesame avoids mention of combat or war in hopes that the messages of hope and healing will transcend the military and reach all children.
Emotions ran high on the set as the cast and crew filmed the scenes. I saw a few teary eyes, and just reading the script brought tears to my own. Many on the set had suffered losses too and connected deeply with the script; others simply empathized with the emotions of others and the day's purpose.
In one park scene, Elmo, his parents and Rosita are having a picnic with Elmo's Aunt Jill and cousin Jessie. Forgetting momentarily about the recent loss, Elmo innocently asks, "Where's Uncle Jack?" The set was so quiet at that moment you could've heard a pin drop. Then Elmo's mom reminds him that Jack died. Unable to vocalize the depth of her emotions regarding her dad, Jessie asks to go play.
As the script unfolds, Elmo's dad, Louie, finds time to talk with Jessie and encourages her to talk about her feelings. "It helps to talk to someone about the way we feel, like we're talking now. Sometimes it feels better than keeping it all inside," he tells her.
He also explains to her that by remembering Jack, they can continue to celebrate his life.
"It's important to be able to have words that parents and kids can use around death," said Jeanette Betancourt, Sesame Workshop's vice president of outreach and educational practices. "There's a variety of feelings involving death, often conflicting, with sad moments and guilt surrounding happy moments. We want to offer families a way to move forward, the reassurance to move forward."
I had a chance to speak briefly with the actors who play Rosita and Jessie. They clearly were passionate about their work, and both said they felt honored to be a part of the production.
It's a privilege "to meet military families and get to know them and realize how incredible and strong and amazing group of people they are," said Carmen Osbahr, who plays Rosita. "Something that started as an amazing project is now a mission. It's an amazing honor to be a part of it."
"We always connect with our characters. It's fun what we do, but we take our work very seriously," added Leslie Carerra, who plays Jessie. "I certainly relate to the loss of my brother and what it did to my family. In order to connect, you go back. You want it to be light, but when that moment comes ... to be able to share is a great gift. We're offering tools and celebrating life and being strong."
These are the exact messages Sesame Workshop hopes to impart to children using the familiar Sesame pals.
"It's really important for us to recognize that for a child, coming from Elmo, it's much more meaningful than coming from any other counselor or even a significant adult in their life," Thompson said. "Because children naturally respond to Elmo, and that's why these scripts are so important."
The finished product will be integrated into a documentary scheduled to air on PBS in April, which also happens to be the Month of the Military Child. The documentary will include the Elmo story, along with footage of four families, two military and two civilian, who've suffered a loss.
Sesame will follow up the special with the distribution of a military-specific kit. The kit will include print and DVD materials, and will be available on Military OneSource and through family-support centers throughout the services.
I started the day in star-struck awe and finished it in pretty much the same way. I was really amazed by the cast and crew's passion, caring and sensitivity and their close relationships with the military visitors. I'm excited to see the finished product and really believe it has the potential to help countless military families deal with loss.
Stay tuned for more about my day on Sesame Street, including an interview with Deborah Mullen, who gives her perspective of the Sesame production, and some experts' tips for dealing with loss.
(Elaine Wilson, a writer and editor for American Forces Press Service, writes the "Family Matters" blog.)
Shinseki Pledges Better Support for Veterans
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 14, 2009 - The Veterans Affairs Department continues its efforts to provide the best support possible to the nation's military veterans, VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki told a House committee here today. "We have been busy putting into place the foundation for our pursuit of the president's two goals for this department: transform VA into a 21st-century organization, and ensure that we provide timely access to benefits and high quality care to our veterans over their lifetimes -- from the day they first take their oaths of allegiance until the day they are laid to rest," Shinseki said in his written statement provided to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.
Shinseki's previous "State of the VA" report to Congress was in February. Today, Shinseki pledged he would "continue working to craft a shared vision for the department, one that will be enduring."
"We remain guided by our determination to be people-centric – veterans and the work force count in this department; results-driven – we will not be graded on our promises, but by our accomplishments; and forward-looking – we strive to be the model for governance in the 21st century," the secretary said.
The VA's nearly 300,000 employees all share one mission, Shinseki said, which is "to care for our nation's veterans, wherever they live, by providing them the highest quality benefits and services possible."
Among the nation's 23.4 million living veterans, nearly 8 million choose to access Veterans Affairs-provided services and benefits, the secretary said. The department, he added, will work diligently every day to provide those services "faster, better, and more equitably."
The nation's veterans "put themselves at risk to assure our safety as a people and the preservation of our way of life," Shinseki said. Not all are combat veterans, he said, but all were prepared to be.
VA's mission, Shinseki said, is to care for veterans who endure physical and mental hardships acquired during their military duty. He cited the "cruel misfortunes that often accompany difficult operational missions, and the reality of what risk taking really means to people in the operational environment."
VA health care, services and benefits are in great demand, Shinseki said, noting that demand increases each year. More than 4 million new veterans have been added to the VA's health care rolls since 2001, he said.
Some of today's youngest veterans are dealing with the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and other multiple-trauma injuries from service in Iraq and Afghanistan, he said.
"We will provide them the care they deserve," the secretary pledged. He also promised to improve the quality of care delivered to veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Somalia, Desert Storm and other operational deployments.
A 2003 policy change that's based on where a veteran lives and relaxed income thresholds has enabled many more veterans to access VA care, Shinseki reported, but it also has increased VA's workload. Still, he said, VA is prepared to accommodate up to 500,000 new enrollees, to be phased in over the next four years.
Expanded benefits have increased VA's workload in other areas as well. While the post 9/11 GI Bill expanded educational opportunities, Shinseki noted, it also has challenged paper-bound processes. Therefore, he said, aggressive efforts are under way to transfer paper documents to computers to provide more, better and faster decisions in disability claims and educational benefits.
Additionally, "the honor of providing final resting places for our veterans remains a source of immense professional pride for the National Cemeteries Administration, and indeed, the rest of VA," Shinseki stated. The NCA, he wrote, consistently meets the demographic standards associated with veteran burials and exceeds expectations with regard to care and compassion for heroes' families.
The NCA over the past year has interred about 107,000 veterans at 130 national cemeteries, Shinseki said. Five new national cemeteries have been opened, he added, and 16 cemetery projects have been funded for expansion.
"Our veterans have earned and deserve our respect and appreciation for their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families," Shinseki wrote, adding that VA is "privileged to have the mission of demonstrating the thanks of a grateful nation."
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 14, 2009 - The Veterans Affairs Department continues its efforts to provide the best support possible to the nation's military veterans, VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki told a House committee here today. "We have been busy putting into place the foundation for our pursuit of the president's two goals for this department: transform VA into a 21st-century organization, and ensure that we provide timely access to benefits and high quality care to our veterans over their lifetimes -- from the day they first take their oaths of allegiance until the day they are laid to rest," Shinseki said in his written statement provided to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.
Shinseki's previous "State of the VA" report to Congress was in February. Today, Shinseki pledged he would "continue working to craft a shared vision for the department, one that will be enduring."
"We remain guided by our determination to be people-centric – veterans and the work force count in this department; results-driven – we will not be graded on our promises, but by our accomplishments; and forward-looking – we strive to be the model for governance in the 21st century," the secretary said.
The VA's nearly 300,000 employees all share one mission, Shinseki said, which is "to care for our nation's veterans, wherever they live, by providing them the highest quality benefits and services possible."
Among the nation's 23.4 million living veterans, nearly 8 million choose to access Veterans Affairs-provided services and benefits, the secretary said. The department, he added, will work diligently every day to provide those services "faster, better, and more equitably."
The nation's veterans "put themselves at risk to assure our safety as a people and the preservation of our way of life," Shinseki said. Not all are combat veterans, he said, but all were prepared to be.
VA's mission, Shinseki said, is to care for veterans who endure physical and mental hardships acquired during their military duty. He cited the "cruel misfortunes that often accompany difficult operational missions, and the reality of what risk taking really means to people in the operational environment."
VA health care, services and benefits are in great demand, Shinseki said, noting that demand increases each year. More than 4 million new veterans have been added to the VA's health care rolls since 2001, he said.
Some of today's youngest veterans are dealing with the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and other multiple-trauma injuries from service in Iraq and Afghanistan, he said.
"We will provide them the care they deserve," the secretary pledged. He also promised to improve the quality of care delivered to veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Somalia, Desert Storm and other operational deployments.
A 2003 policy change that's based on where a veteran lives and relaxed income thresholds has enabled many more veterans to access VA care, Shinseki reported, but it also has increased VA's workload. Still, he said, VA is prepared to accommodate up to 500,000 new enrollees, to be phased in over the next four years.
Expanded benefits have increased VA's workload in other areas as well. While the post 9/11 GI Bill expanded educational opportunities, Shinseki noted, it also has challenged paper-bound processes. Therefore, he said, aggressive efforts are under way to transfer paper documents to computers to provide more, better and faster decisions in disability claims and educational benefits.
Additionally, "the honor of providing final resting places for our veterans remains a source of immense professional pride for the National Cemeteries Administration, and indeed, the rest of VA," Shinseki stated. The NCA, he wrote, consistently meets the demographic standards associated with veteran burials and exceeds expectations with regard to care and compassion for heroes' families.
The NCA over the past year has interred about 107,000 veterans at 130 national cemeteries, Shinseki said. Five new national cemeteries have been opened, he added, and 16 cemetery projects have been funded for expansion.
"Our veterans have earned and deserve our respect and appreciation for their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families," Shinseki wrote, adding that VA is "privileged to have the mission of demonstrating the thanks of a grateful nation."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
