By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 20, 2007 – Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recounted yesterday to Colombian military officers his initial doubts about the U.S. military going "joint," but he said he was firm in his conviction two decades later that the armed forces are better off when fighting together as a team. Pace told students at Colombia's War College that he was a lieutenant colonel when Congress passed the Goldwater-Nichols Act in 1986 mandating joint military operations and he had many questions and concerns at that time.
"I remember thinking, 'I don't know what 'joint' is, but I need some," Pace said, drawing laughter from his audience.
During his initial joint command assignment, in Korea, Pace said he got his first real sense of the high caliber and capabilities of the Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as his own Marine Corps.
But the U.S. military's move toward jointness didn't happen overnight, he told the group. It took letting go of a service-centric mentality to embrace other services' strengths and capabilities. It also required developing a sense of trust between the services.
"Once all of us learned to trust each other, then things started to happen really quickly," he said.
In fact, Pace said commanders started to realize that by looking across the broad spectrum of military capabilities, not just their own services', they could be more effective. "They were able to give much more support to those who needed it most," he said.
Applying that concept on the battlefield "took a lot of trust and a leap of faith," Pace acknowledged, "but once we tried it out, we really liked it."
Joint warfighting "makes for victory much sooner," Pace said.
He pointed to Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the speed in which the military was able to close in on Baghdad. "It took three weeks, which was incredibly fast, and could not have been done if we had not had a joint command that was allocating resources for everything--and the Marines on the right, the Army on the left, and all kinds of airplanes up above, all fighting together to get to Baghdad," he said.
"It took 20 years...to get to the point that we truly appreciate the strength of jointness," Pace said.
The chairman encouraged the Colombian officers to strive to develop trust in each other and each others' services so they, too, can benefit from the advantages of jointness.
"I encourage you to get trust right now in the schools, apply that trust on the battlefield and allow the senior people wearing the various color uniforms to allocate those resources where they are needed," he said.
Article sponsored by police department and U.S. military personnel who have become writers; leadership in criminal justice education.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Pace Points to Colombia's Counter-drug Efforts as Possible Model for Afghanistan
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 20, 2007 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff thanked Colombia's leaders here yesterday for using their country's long experience in its counter-drug effort to help the Afghan government fight a similar battle. "I should thank President (Alvaro) Uribe and the entire government here in Colombia for the way that he and his leaders have reached out to (Afghan) President (Hamid) Karzai and his government to provide experience, to provide teams of experts, to go sit and talk with President Karzai and the folks he has working the counter-drug (issue)," Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace said. "It's been a very helpful contribution by the Colombian government."
Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manual Santos, who joined Pace and Gen. Freddy Padilla, commander of the Colombian armed forces, at a joint news conference, pledged continued support for Afghanistan. The Colombians have sent National Police members to train Afghan army and police forces in both counter-drug and counter-insurgency operations.
Pace said Colombia has set a model for countering drug trafficking and narcoterrorism that could work for Afghanistan, too.
Under that model, Colombia's armed forces have cleared specific areas of terrorists, and the government has followed in those areas with projects that have brought electricity, water and jobs to the people, Pace said.
But another important part of the model is an amnesty program for members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, to leave terrorist activity behind, the general said. Under that program, FARC members can come forward, lay down their weapons and, with the help of a government-supported education process, become productive members of society.
"I think those kinds of outreach programs by the Colombian government are a good model for President Karzai to consider as he looks at how to reduce the amount of drug trafficking in his country and to provide stability and jobs for his citizens," Pace said.
The chairman expressed optimism that U.S. Ambassador to Colombia William Wood, who was nominated Dec. 18 to become the ambassador to Afghanistan, will lend his experience to helping further the two countries' cooperation. "I know you will bring the same strength and determination to that position that you have here in Colombia," he said in congratulating Wood.
Article sponsored by police department and U.S. military personnel who have become writers; leadership in criminal justice education.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 20, 2007 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff thanked Colombia's leaders here yesterday for using their country's long experience in its counter-drug effort to help the Afghan government fight a similar battle. "I should thank President (Alvaro) Uribe and the entire government here in Colombia for the way that he and his leaders have reached out to (Afghan) President (Hamid) Karzai and his government to provide experience, to provide teams of experts, to go sit and talk with President Karzai and the folks he has working the counter-drug (issue)," Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace said. "It's been a very helpful contribution by the Colombian government."
Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manual Santos, who joined Pace and Gen. Freddy Padilla, commander of the Colombian armed forces, at a joint news conference, pledged continued support for Afghanistan. The Colombians have sent National Police members to train Afghan army and police forces in both counter-drug and counter-insurgency operations.
Pace said Colombia has set a model for countering drug trafficking and narcoterrorism that could work for Afghanistan, too.
Under that model, Colombia's armed forces have cleared specific areas of terrorists, and the government has followed in those areas with projects that have brought electricity, water and jobs to the people, Pace said.
But another important part of the model is an amnesty program for members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, to leave terrorist activity behind, the general said. Under that program, FARC members can come forward, lay down their weapons and, with the help of a government-supported education process, become productive members of society.
"I think those kinds of outreach programs by the Colombian government are a good model for President Karzai to consider as he looks at how to reduce the amount of drug trafficking in his country and to provide stability and jobs for his citizens," Pace said.
The chairman expressed optimism that U.S. Ambassador to Colombia William Wood, who was nominated Dec. 18 to become the ambassador to Afghanistan, will lend his experience to helping further the two countries' cooperation. "I know you will bring the same strength and determination to that position that you have here in Colombia," he said in congratulating Wood.
Article sponsored by police department and U.S. military personnel who have become writers; leadership in criminal justice education.
Pace: U.S.-Colombian Relationship Helps Ensure Security for Both Nations
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 20, 2007 – The success of relationship between the United States and Colombia is having a direct positive impact on the security and stability of the entire region and hemisphere, Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said here yesterday. Pace spoke to reporters at an early-afternoon news conference yesterday, and then he addressed military officers at Colombia's War College during a subsequent session. In both events, Pace said that the close relationship benefits both countries.
"This is a two-way street," Pace said at a joint news conference with Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manual Santos and Gen. Freddy Padilla, commander of the Colombian armed forces.
"The fact that the United States is able to help Colombia inside Colombia is a good thing for Colombia, but it is also a good thing for my country. And the fact that your country is fighting against drugs-a great deal of which come to the streets of the United States-is your country helping out to help my country," Pace said. "So these are friends helping friends."
Pace, who wrapped up his two-day visit here last night, thanked his Colombian counterparts for their open discussions about how the two countries can better cooperate as they work toward mutual goals.
The discussions focused on ways to continue that partnership "to strengthen the democracy here in Colombia, which in turn strengthens democracy in the United States," he said.
The chairman praised progress the Colombians have made in improving their military and facing off against narco-terrorists and other threats.
"I can't tell you how incredibly proud I am to be just a very small part of the enormous success that is obvious here in Colombia," he said. "The work that has been done by your government to bring governance to all of Colombia, to bring criminals to justice and to provide a better way of life for all Colombians is truly remarkable."
Addressing Colombia's future military leaders at the War College, Pace said he's observed "a complete change in mental attitude and outlook" in Colombia from five or six years ago.
He congratulated the officers for what they have helped accomplish and continue to work toward. "What you have done to date has made an enormous difference in the vitality and future strength of your country," he said.
Colombia's strength and adherence to democracy is critical, particularly in the face of Venezuela and other regional countries exhibiting anti-democratic tendencies, he noted.
"So when you look ... at our partnership here in Colombia, it just strengthens my belief as a military man that what we are doing here in Colombia is the correct thing to provide peace and stability for Colombia--and in so doing, to provide examples for others in the hemisphere," he said.
"What everyone in the region needs to understand is that there are countries like Colombia that will fight for their freedom and that there are countries like the United States that will stand beside them," Pace said. "We all want for everyone in this hemisphere to live in peace and to respect their neighbors...and their neighbors' sovereignty."
United States and Colombia have a longstanding friendship that continues to mature, Pace told reporters at the news conference. "We've been good friends for literally hundreds of years," he said. "We will be good friends for the next several hundred years, and I am glad to be here to figure out how to do that in the most efficient and effective way."
Article sponsored by police department and U.S. military personnel who have become writers; leadership in criminal justice education.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 20, 2007 – The success of relationship between the United States and Colombia is having a direct positive impact on the security and stability of the entire region and hemisphere, Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said here yesterday. Pace spoke to reporters at an early-afternoon news conference yesterday, and then he addressed military officers at Colombia's War College during a subsequent session. In both events, Pace said that the close relationship benefits both countries.
"This is a two-way street," Pace said at a joint news conference with Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manual Santos and Gen. Freddy Padilla, commander of the Colombian armed forces.
"The fact that the United States is able to help Colombia inside Colombia is a good thing for Colombia, but it is also a good thing for my country. And the fact that your country is fighting against drugs-a great deal of which come to the streets of the United States-is your country helping out to help my country," Pace said. "So these are friends helping friends."
Pace, who wrapped up his two-day visit here last night, thanked his Colombian counterparts for their open discussions about how the two countries can better cooperate as they work toward mutual goals.
The discussions focused on ways to continue that partnership "to strengthen the democracy here in Colombia, which in turn strengthens democracy in the United States," he said.
The chairman praised progress the Colombians have made in improving their military and facing off against narco-terrorists and other threats.
"I can't tell you how incredibly proud I am to be just a very small part of the enormous success that is obvious here in Colombia," he said. "The work that has been done by your government to bring governance to all of Colombia, to bring criminals to justice and to provide a better way of life for all Colombians is truly remarkable."
Addressing Colombia's future military leaders at the War College, Pace said he's observed "a complete change in mental attitude and outlook" in Colombia from five or six years ago.
He congratulated the officers for what they have helped accomplish and continue to work toward. "What you have done to date has made an enormous difference in the vitality and future strength of your country," he said.
Colombia's strength and adherence to democracy is critical, particularly in the face of Venezuela and other regional countries exhibiting anti-democratic tendencies, he noted.
"So when you look ... at our partnership here in Colombia, it just strengthens my belief as a military man that what we are doing here in Colombia is the correct thing to provide peace and stability for Colombia--and in so doing, to provide examples for others in the hemisphere," he said.
"What everyone in the region needs to understand is that there are countries like Colombia that will fight for their freedom and that there are countries like the United States that will stand beside them," Pace said. "We all want for everyone in this hemisphere to live in peace and to respect their neighbors...and their neighbors' sovereignty."
United States and Colombia have a longstanding friendship that continues to mature, Pace told reporters at the news conference. "We've been good friends for literally hundreds of years," he said. "We will be good friends for the next several hundred years, and I am glad to be here to figure out how to do that in the most efficient and effective way."
Article sponsored by police department and U.S. military personnel who have become writers; leadership in criminal justice education.
Gates Trip Aimed at Understanding Ground-truth
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 20, 2007 – Seeking ground-truth, Robert M. Gates made his second trip of his less than month-long tour as defense secretary to the U.S. Central Command area of operations. Gates met with soldiers and kings, sailors and emirs, airmen and sheikhs and Marines and presidents during the six-day visit to seven countries. He specifically sought out opportunities to speak with allies and coalition partners on the visit. He returned to Washington very early this morning.
The trip started Jan. 14 with a stop in London to meet with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Defense Minister Des Browne. Officials traveling with Gates said the secretary wanted to personally get the feelings and thoughts of America's closest allies in the war on terror.
The next day, Gates traveled to NATO headquarters in Brussels for meetings with Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and the Supreme Allied Commander U.S. Army Gen. Bantz Craddock. NATO commands the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and has personnel helping train the Iraqi Army.
There are more than 30,000 soldiers from 37 NATO and partner countries serving in ISAF. Gates called the NATO mission in Afghanistan a model of the organization's potential in the new era. "Success in Afghanistan is our top priority," he said. "The alliance that never fired a shot in the Cold War is leading six missions on three continents and on the Mediterranean."
The secretary and his party moved from Brussels to Afghanistan aboard an Air Force C-17. Outfitted with a traveling office in a modified Airstream trailer called the "Silver Bullet," the secretary conducted business as if he were in his office in the Pentagon.
In Kabul, the secretary met up with Marine Gen. Peter Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and embarked on a challenging set of meetings and visits. He met with ISAF commander British Army Gen. David Richards, Army Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry, the commander of Combined Forces Command Afghanistan and the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ronald Neumann.
In the afternoon, Gates and Pace flew to Forward Operating Base Tillman on the border with Pakistan to meet with American and Afghan soldiers who are on the front line of the war on terror. Taliban extremists are infiltrating from Pakistan in an attempt to drive the government from power. Gates met with the soldiers of A Company 2nd Battation 87th Infantry, and received a briefing from the commander on the way Afghan and U.S. troops work together.
On his return to Kabul, Gates and Pace met with Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardek and then President Hamid Karzai. Gates said the progress in Afghanistan is impressive and he wants to build on those successes. Gates also was impressed with preparations to ensure that the expected Taliban spring offensive in Afghanistan is blunted. "I think it's very important that we not let the success here in Afghanistan slip away from us, and that we keep the initiative," Gates said. "There is no reason for us to sit back and let the Taliban regroup and threaten the progress that has been made here."
Gates also said commanders in Afghanistan have asked for more troops for the coming battle. "Clearly, if the people who are leading the struggle out here believe there is a need for some additional help to sustain the success we've had, I'm going to be very sympathetic to that kind of request," he said.
The next day the secretary and chairman traveled to Bagram Air Base, east of the capital where he met with U.S. officials at the base. The secretary was supposed to go to visit troops in Kandahar, but a sandstorm in the area closed the airport and he had to cancel that portion of the trip.
At Bagram, Pace left the party to travel to Colombia for meetings with leaders there.
The secretary flew to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where he met with King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan. He briefed the men on conditions in Afghanistan and Iraq and spoke with them about the situation with Iran. The Saudis tend to see the situation in Iraq through the lens of the new challenges Iran poses to the region, officials traveling with the secretary said.
The secretary was a bit more plain-spoken on Jan. 18 when he told reporters traveling with him that the Iranians have overplayed their hand. "I told them that I felt the Iranians were being very aggressive," he said. "I believe (the Iranians) feel they have the United States at a disadvantage because of the situation in Iraq. To be precise, I told them both that I thought the Iranians were overplaying their hands. One of the consequences of that, is they have raised real concerns about their intentions in the region and beyond."
Following the meetings, Gates traveled to Bahrain. In Bahrain, he met with the king and defense minister and then with Navy Vice Adm. Patrick Walsh, the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. In the afternoon, he went to Qatar where he met with Emir and Defense Minister Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.
The next day he flew to Basra, Iraq where he met with Army Gen. George Casey, the commander of Multinational Forces Iraq, and British Army Maj. Gen. Jonathan Shaw, the commander of Multinational Division Southeast. He moved on to Tallil Air Base northwest of Basra and met with coalition and Iraqi commanders.
He went from Tallil to Bahrain and back to Washington. It was a grueling trip for the new secretary. Together with his trip to Iraq last month it was an effort to gather the latest information from commanders at all levels and the feelings of allies. "To the extent that this is a fact-finding trip, I've found at least one fact: I'm too old to do seven countries in five-and-a-half days," Gates said in Tallil. But, he said later, he will continue to visit hot spots around the world to better understand the situation of the men and women serving in those areas.
Article sponsored by police department and U.S. military personnel who have become writers; leadership in criminal justice education.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 20, 2007 – Seeking ground-truth, Robert M. Gates made his second trip of his less than month-long tour as defense secretary to the U.S. Central Command area of operations. Gates met with soldiers and kings, sailors and emirs, airmen and sheikhs and Marines and presidents during the six-day visit to seven countries. He specifically sought out opportunities to speak with allies and coalition partners on the visit. He returned to Washington very early this morning.
The trip started Jan. 14 with a stop in London to meet with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Defense Minister Des Browne. Officials traveling with Gates said the secretary wanted to personally get the feelings and thoughts of America's closest allies in the war on terror.
The next day, Gates traveled to NATO headquarters in Brussels for meetings with Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and the Supreme Allied Commander U.S. Army Gen. Bantz Craddock. NATO commands the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and has personnel helping train the Iraqi Army.
There are more than 30,000 soldiers from 37 NATO and partner countries serving in ISAF. Gates called the NATO mission in Afghanistan a model of the organization's potential in the new era. "Success in Afghanistan is our top priority," he said. "The alliance that never fired a shot in the Cold War is leading six missions on three continents and on the Mediterranean."
The secretary and his party moved from Brussels to Afghanistan aboard an Air Force C-17. Outfitted with a traveling office in a modified Airstream trailer called the "Silver Bullet," the secretary conducted business as if he were in his office in the Pentagon.
In Kabul, the secretary met up with Marine Gen. Peter Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and embarked on a challenging set of meetings and visits. He met with ISAF commander British Army Gen. David Richards, Army Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry, the commander of Combined Forces Command Afghanistan and the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ronald Neumann.
In the afternoon, Gates and Pace flew to Forward Operating Base Tillman on the border with Pakistan to meet with American and Afghan soldiers who are on the front line of the war on terror. Taliban extremists are infiltrating from Pakistan in an attempt to drive the government from power. Gates met with the soldiers of A Company 2nd Battation 87th Infantry, and received a briefing from the commander on the way Afghan and U.S. troops work together.
On his return to Kabul, Gates and Pace met with Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardek and then President Hamid Karzai. Gates said the progress in Afghanistan is impressive and he wants to build on those successes. Gates also was impressed with preparations to ensure that the expected Taliban spring offensive in Afghanistan is blunted. "I think it's very important that we not let the success here in Afghanistan slip away from us, and that we keep the initiative," Gates said. "There is no reason for us to sit back and let the Taliban regroup and threaten the progress that has been made here."
Gates also said commanders in Afghanistan have asked for more troops for the coming battle. "Clearly, if the people who are leading the struggle out here believe there is a need for some additional help to sustain the success we've had, I'm going to be very sympathetic to that kind of request," he said.
The next day the secretary and chairman traveled to Bagram Air Base, east of the capital where he met with U.S. officials at the base. The secretary was supposed to go to visit troops in Kandahar, but a sandstorm in the area closed the airport and he had to cancel that portion of the trip.
At Bagram, Pace left the party to travel to Colombia for meetings with leaders there.
The secretary flew to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where he met with King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan. He briefed the men on conditions in Afghanistan and Iraq and spoke with them about the situation with Iran. The Saudis tend to see the situation in Iraq through the lens of the new challenges Iran poses to the region, officials traveling with the secretary said.
The secretary was a bit more plain-spoken on Jan. 18 when he told reporters traveling with him that the Iranians have overplayed their hand. "I told them that I felt the Iranians were being very aggressive," he said. "I believe (the Iranians) feel they have the United States at a disadvantage because of the situation in Iraq. To be precise, I told them both that I thought the Iranians were overplaying their hands. One of the consequences of that, is they have raised real concerns about their intentions in the region and beyond."
Following the meetings, Gates traveled to Bahrain. In Bahrain, he met with the king and defense minister and then with Navy Vice Adm. Patrick Walsh, the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. In the afternoon, he went to Qatar where he met with Emir and Defense Minister Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.
The next day he flew to Basra, Iraq where he met with Army Gen. George Casey, the commander of Multinational Forces Iraq, and British Army Maj. Gen. Jonathan Shaw, the commander of Multinational Division Southeast. He moved on to Tallil Air Base northwest of Basra and met with coalition and Iraqi commanders.
He went from Tallil to Bahrain and back to Washington. It was a grueling trip for the new secretary. Together with his trip to Iraq last month it was an effort to gather the latest information from commanders at all levels and the feelings of allies. "To the extent that this is a fact-finding trip, I've found at least one fact: I'm too old to do seven countries in five-and-a-half days," Gates said in Tallil. But, he said later, he will continue to visit hot spots around the world to better understand the situation of the men and women serving in those areas.
Article sponsored by police department and U.S. military personnel who have become writers; leadership in criminal justice education.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Murder, sinners and souls
Editors Note: Two of the police officers have prior military service.
January 20, 2007 (San Dimas, CA) New Orleans increased their representation of police authors with the addition of four police officers who continued the New Orleans’ themes of murder, intrigue and thrills in the big easy. Added to the list are Wade Schindler, Sylvester Armand St. Cyr, Frederick Morton and Lawrence Green.
Dr. Wade Schindler began his law enforcement career in 1967 when he joined the New Orleans Police Department. In New Orleans he worked various assignments such as patrol and homicide. In 1974 he became the chief of police for the Oberlin Police Department. He has a Doctorate in Criminal Justice from Southwest University in Arizona and is the author of several novels including “Help! Murder! Police!” According to his website, “Help! Murder! Police!” Is a cop's cop novel. It zeroes in on the day-to-day mission of an average patrolman on the streets of one of America's most intriguing cities at a critical moment in the history of the American psyche.”
Dr. Wade Schindler “developed the idea of a guidebook for the foreign traveler to the United States-a guidebook that would go beyond the ordinary travel guide to give visitors to this country insight into ways of protecting themselves from the all too common criminal attacks in the United States. The book, “Freeze! A Guide to Safe Travel in the United States,” discusses every aspect of safety from living arrangements to travel by automobiles, planes and trains, as well as how to sightsee and shop safely.” He is also the director of the Orleans Regional Security Institute.
According to Ron Schott, of dropzone.com, Sylvester Armand St. Cyr was “A paratrooper in the US ARMY in the early 1950's, he was also a two-time boxing champion and coach of the championship team while on duty in Korea. Following his stint in the military he became an undercover narcotics officer for the New Orleans Police Department. As a New Orleans patrolman, he was the victim of kidnapping and attempted murder. He escaped by defying the perpetrator's orders to run a police road block with his cruiser and instead aimed it at a tree and jumped just prior to the vehicle's impact. His adventures in undercover work and the characters he met provided the background material for his book, The Saint and Sinners.”
Detective Frederick (Eric) C. Morton grew up in a middle class neighborhood in New Orleans with a good family background and virtues. His father raised him with a very stern hand, but taught him always to help others, never turn anyone away who needed the help, never let your guard down, and to always put your family above all. His mother raised him to be a caring person dedicated to family values and God. All during his childhood, he loved to watch and play police, but never thought he would ever develop into that line of work. After joining the military and a few years of college, he became bored with life until a chance encounter with two New Orleans Police Detectives. Infatuated with the idea, they talked him into joining the police department. He is married with three wonderful children, and since his inception in the police department, Eric has held many positions and has attempted to make an impact wherever he went.
Lawrence (Larry) E. Green was born in Natchez, Mississippi, and was raised as a child in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is married and is the father of two children. After graduating high school, he worked as a mechanic for ten years and decided to fulfill his life long dream of being a New Orleans Police Officer. Now he has over ten years of Law Enforcement experience, where the latter part he has held the position of a Homicide Investigator for the New Orleans Police Department.
Both the authors began working together when they headed up an international investigation involving the theft of cemetery artifacts. This investigation led them into a world of supernatural occurrences that changed their life forever. Although their novel, Lost Souls in the City of the Dead,” is completely fictional, it was inspired by this true to life investigation.
Police-Writers.com now hosts 267 police officers (representing 107 police departments) and their 671 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors and international police officers who have written books.
January 20, 2007 (San Dimas, CA) New Orleans increased their representation of police authors with the addition of four police officers who continued the New Orleans’ themes of murder, intrigue and thrills in the big easy. Added to the list are Wade Schindler, Sylvester Armand St. Cyr, Frederick Morton and Lawrence Green.
Dr. Wade Schindler began his law enforcement career in 1967 when he joined the New Orleans Police Department. In New Orleans he worked various assignments such as patrol and homicide. In 1974 he became the chief of police for the Oberlin Police Department. He has a Doctorate in Criminal Justice from Southwest University in Arizona and is the author of several novels including “Help! Murder! Police!” According to his website, “Help! Murder! Police!” Is a cop's cop novel. It zeroes in on the day-to-day mission of an average patrolman on the streets of one of America's most intriguing cities at a critical moment in the history of the American psyche.”
Dr. Wade Schindler “developed the idea of a guidebook for the foreign traveler to the United States-a guidebook that would go beyond the ordinary travel guide to give visitors to this country insight into ways of protecting themselves from the all too common criminal attacks in the United States. The book, “Freeze! A Guide to Safe Travel in the United States,” discusses every aspect of safety from living arrangements to travel by automobiles, planes and trains, as well as how to sightsee and shop safely.” He is also the director of the Orleans Regional Security Institute.
According to Ron Schott, of dropzone.com, Sylvester Armand St. Cyr was “A paratrooper in the US ARMY in the early 1950's, he was also a two-time boxing champion and coach of the championship team while on duty in Korea. Following his stint in the military he became an undercover narcotics officer for the New Orleans Police Department. As a New Orleans patrolman, he was the victim of kidnapping and attempted murder. He escaped by defying the perpetrator's orders to run a police road block with his cruiser and instead aimed it at a tree and jumped just prior to the vehicle's impact. His adventures in undercover work and the characters he met provided the background material for his book, The Saint and Sinners.”
Detective Frederick (Eric) C. Morton grew up in a middle class neighborhood in New Orleans with a good family background and virtues. His father raised him with a very stern hand, but taught him always to help others, never turn anyone away who needed the help, never let your guard down, and to always put your family above all. His mother raised him to be a caring person dedicated to family values and God. All during his childhood, he loved to watch and play police, but never thought he would ever develop into that line of work. After joining the military and a few years of college, he became bored with life until a chance encounter with two New Orleans Police Detectives. Infatuated with the idea, they talked him into joining the police department. He is married with three wonderful children, and since his inception in the police department, Eric has held many positions and has attempted to make an impact wherever he went.
Lawrence (Larry) E. Green was born in Natchez, Mississippi, and was raised as a child in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is married and is the father of two children. After graduating high school, he worked as a mechanic for ten years and decided to fulfill his life long dream of being a New Orleans Police Officer. Now he has over ten years of Law Enforcement experience, where the latter part he has held the position of a Homicide Investigator for the New Orleans Police Department.
Both the authors began working together when they headed up an international investigation involving the theft of cemetery artifacts. This investigation led them into a world of supernatural occurrences that changed their life forever. Although their novel, Lost Souls in the City of the Dead,” is completely fictional, it was inspired by this true to life investigation.
Police-Writers.com now hosts 267 police officers (representing 107 police departments) and their 671 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors and international police officers who have written books.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Bush Nominates Officers for Key Leadership Roles
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 19, 2007 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced Jan. 17 that President Bush has nominated Navy Adm. William J. Fallon as commander of U.S. Central Command, replacing Army Gen. John Abizaid. Fallon is currently serving as commander of U.S. Pacific Command; Abizaid has commanded CENTCOM since July 7, 2003, and is due to retire this spring.
Gates also announced that Bush has made the following nominations:
Army Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus has been nominated as commander of Multinational Force Iraq, replacing Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. Casey has been nominated to serve as Army chief of staff. Petraeus is currently serving as commanding general, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
Army Lt. Gen. James M. Dubik has been nominated as commander of Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq. Dubik is currently serving as commanding general, 1st Corps and Fort Lewis, Fort Lewis, Wash.
Army Lt. Gen. Karl W. Eikenberry has been nominated as the deputy chairman, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Military Committee, Brussels, Belgium. Eikenberry is currently serving as the commander, Combined Forces Command Afghanistan. In a news release Jan. 5, Gates praised Abizaid for his service in the Middle East and expressed confidence in Fallon. "In departing Central Command, General John Abizaid will cap what has been one of the most storied military careers in recent memory," Gates said in the release.
"A naval flight officer who flew combat missions in Vietnam, Admiral Fallon combines nearly four decades of military experience with fresh perspective to the challenges America faces in the Central Command's area of operations," Gates said. "Fox Fallon is one of the best strategic thinkers in uniform today, and his reputation for innovation is without peer."
Petraeus, who has commanded at Fort Leavenworth since Oct. 20, 2005, has extensive experience in Iraq, Gates noted in the release. He led the 101st Airborne Division in Mosul during the first year of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he "oversaw a multifaceted program that within months established local government, restarted the local economy, and stood up local security forces," Gates said.
Petraeus served as the first commander of Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq from June 2004 to September 2005 and commanded the NATO Training Mission Iraq from October 2004 through September 2005. As he launched and led the coalition's program to train and equip Iraq's army and police, Petraeus was leading the effort to rewrite the military's doctrine for defeating the insurgency, Gates said.
Casey, who has served as commander of Multinational Force Iraq since July 2004, is the right person to hold the top Army uniformed position, Gates said. "There is no officer at this time better suited to be Army chief of staff than General George Casey," Gates said. "General Casey knows first hand the capabilities the U.S. Army must have to succeed in the complex and unconventional campaigns of the 21st century."
Gates noted the mix of experience, skills, creativity and strategic vision that is essential in key national security positions and said Casey, Petraeus and Fallon possess these talents.
"We are engaged in three wars - in Iraq, Afghanistan, and against jihadist terrorism worldwide," Gates said. "As secretary of defense, and as a citizen, I firmly believe that Generals Petraeus and Casey and Admiral Fallon, as individuals and as a team, bring to the challenges that face us, the qualities necessary to be successful in war and to protect the American people."
Petraeus is scheduled to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee for confirmation hearings Jan. 23.
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 19, 2007 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced Jan. 17 that President Bush has nominated Navy Adm. William J. Fallon as commander of U.S. Central Command, replacing Army Gen. John Abizaid. Fallon is currently serving as commander of U.S. Pacific Command; Abizaid has commanded CENTCOM since July 7, 2003, and is due to retire this spring.
Gates also announced that Bush has made the following nominations:
Army Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus has been nominated as commander of Multinational Force Iraq, replacing Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. Casey has been nominated to serve as Army chief of staff. Petraeus is currently serving as commanding general, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
Army Lt. Gen. James M. Dubik has been nominated as commander of Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq. Dubik is currently serving as commanding general, 1st Corps and Fort Lewis, Fort Lewis, Wash.
Army Lt. Gen. Karl W. Eikenberry has been nominated as the deputy chairman, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Military Committee, Brussels, Belgium. Eikenberry is currently serving as the commander, Combined Forces Command Afghanistan. In a news release Jan. 5, Gates praised Abizaid for his service in the Middle East and expressed confidence in Fallon. "In departing Central Command, General John Abizaid will cap what has been one of the most storied military careers in recent memory," Gates said in the release.
"A naval flight officer who flew combat missions in Vietnam, Admiral Fallon combines nearly four decades of military experience with fresh perspective to the challenges America faces in the Central Command's area of operations," Gates said. "Fox Fallon is one of the best strategic thinkers in uniform today, and his reputation for innovation is without peer."
Petraeus, who has commanded at Fort Leavenworth since Oct. 20, 2005, has extensive experience in Iraq, Gates noted in the release. He led the 101st Airborne Division in Mosul during the first year of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he "oversaw a multifaceted program that within months established local government, restarted the local economy, and stood up local security forces," Gates said.
Petraeus served as the first commander of Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq from June 2004 to September 2005 and commanded the NATO Training Mission Iraq from October 2004 through September 2005. As he launched and led the coalition's program to train and equip Iraq's army and police, Petraeus was leading the effort to rewrite the military's doctrine for defeating the insurgency, Gates said.
Casey, who has served as commander of Multinational Force Iraq since July 2004, is the right person to hold the top Army uniformed position, Gates said. "There is no officer at this time better suited to be Army chief of staff than General George Casey," Gates said. "General Casey knows first hand the capabilities the U.S. Army must have to succeed in the complex and unconventional campaigns of the 21st century."
Gates noted the mix of experience, skills, creativity and strategic vision that is essential in key national security positions and said Casey, Petraeus and Fallon possess these talents.
"We are engaged in three wars - in Iraq, Afghanistan, and against jihadist terrorism worldwide," Gates said. "As secretary of defense, and as a citizen, I firmly believe that Generals Petraeus and Casey and Admiral Fallon, as individuals and as a team, bring to the challenges that face us, the qualities necessary to be successful in war and to protect the American people."
Petraeus is scheduled to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee for confirmation hearings Jan. 23.
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books.
Pace Thanks Troops for 'Making a Difference' in Colombia
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 19, 2007 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff today praised U.S. troops serving here, acknowledging the part they have played in helping the Colombian military confront the challenges it faces. Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace visited about 150 of the almost 500 American soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guards men stationed here to thank them for their service and congratulate them on the strides they have helped the Colombians make.
Noting that it's been almost three years since his last visit here, Pace marveled at improvements that have taken place. "The change in the capacity of the Colombian armed forces and all that has happened here is truly remarkable," he told the troops who gathered in a courtyard at the U.S. Embassy compound.
"You all should take pride in knowing that you have helped them," he told the group, most of them members of the Military Group that trains and advises the Colombian military and the Defense Attache Office. "They have done the work, there is no doubt about that, and they deserve all the credit. But I hope each of you takes pride in your part in helping them be as successful as they have been."
Asked during a short question-and-answer session about the impact of the new Congress on the mission here, Pace said he believes there's bipartisan congressional support for the mission here and a recognition of its importance to the region and the United States.
"I think all the hard work that Colombia has done on its own to get to where it is, is a track record that stands on its own merit when we talk to Congress," he said.
"Fundamentally, the strength of Colombian democracy impacts the strength of our own democracy, and it is in our own self-interest to help our friends down here."
The troops lined up one by one to shake hands with Pace and receive his personal coin, but also to share their personal role in the military mission here. Pace also chatted and posed for photos with members of Marine Security Guard Detachment Bogota and presented a Joint Service Commendation Medal to Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Alvaro Flores and a Joint Service Achievement Medal to Staff Sgt. Santarra Scott.
"This is a great group of people doing a great mission and a very important mission," Flores said. "I firmly believe in what we are doing here."
The other servicemembers told Pace they, too, believe they're making a difference for Colombia.
"We're definitely doing a good thing here," said Marine Gunnery Sgt. They Faber, who has spent the last year here training Colombian riverine teams. "We are slowly, by example, providing a bit of an example for the Colombians."
A big emphasis, Faber said, is reinforcing the importance of continual, ongoing training -- a concept he said is not fundamental to the Colombian military as it is for U.S. troops. "We are trying to develop a culture of training and continuing actions," he said.
Army Maj. Shane Tarrant, a Special Forces officer who serves as a liaison to Colombia's special operations units, said U.S. trainers here are sharing skills ranging from basic infantry skills to logistics with their Colombian counterparts.
But the training is a two-way street, he said, because Colombians have been dealing with a criminal insurgency for decades and have learned some important lessons they, too, can share. "We're learning from the tactics they're using, and we take that and see where we can apply it in other theaters," he said.
Army Staff Sgt. Luz Erribarren, operations noncommissioned officer in charge in the Defense Attache Office, calls the work the U.S. military is doing here "very, very important" to Colombia's future. "We're providing training to the people so they can better face their problems," said Erribarren, a native of Peru. "It feels good to be a part of it and to see their appreciation because their lives are changing as a result."
Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Gerson Hernandez, an aviation maintenance manager here, said he takes a personal pride in the capability the U.S. military has been bringing to Colombia during the past six years. A Colombian native, Hernandez said he remembers growing up amid police corruption and violence inflicted by narcoterrorists.
"This is my home, and I know that what we are doing here is helping change things," he said. "For (the Colombian military) to have the right equipment, the right training and to be able to sustain themselves is what we are working toward, and it is making a difference."
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 19, 2007 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff today praised U.S. troops serving here, acknowledging the part they have played in helping the Colombian military confront the challenges it faces. Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace visited about 150 of the almost 500 American soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guards men stationed here to thank them for their service and congratulate them on the strides they have helped the Colombians make.
Noting that it's been almost three years since his last visit here, Pace marveled at improvements that have taken place. "The change in the capacity of the Colombian armed forces and all that has happened here is truly remarkable," he told the troops who gathered in a courtyard at the U.S. Embassy compound.
"You all should take pride in knowing that you have helped them," he told the group, most of them members of the Military Group that trains and advises the Colombian military and the Defense Attache Office. "They have done the work, there is no doubt about that, and they deserve all the credit. But I hope each of you takes pride in your part in helping them be as successful as they have been."
Asked during a short question-and-answer session about the impact of the new Congress on the mission here, Pace said he believes there's bipartisan congressional support for the mission here and a recognition of its importance to the region and the United States.
"I think all the hard work that Colombia has done on its own to get to where it is, is a track record that stands on its own merit when we talk to Congress," he said.
"Fundamentally, the strength of Colombian democracy impacts the strength of our own democracy, and it is in our own self-interest to help our friends down here."
The troops lined up one by one to shake hands with Pace and receive his personal coin, but also to share their personal role in the military mission here. Pace also chatted and posed for photos with members of Marine Security Guard Detachment Bogota and presented a Joint Service Commendation Medal to Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Alvaro Flores and a Joint Service Achievement Medal to Staff Sgt. Santarra Scott.
"This is a great group of people doing a great mission and a very important mission," Flores said. "I firmly believe in what we are doing here."
The other servicemembers told Pace they, too, believe they're making a difference for Colombia.
"We're definitely doing a good thing here," said Marine Gunnery Sgt. They Faber, who has spent the last year here training Colombian riverine teams. "We are slowly, by example, providing a bit of an example for the Colombians."
A big emphasis, Faber said, is reinforcing the importance of continual, ongoing training -- a concept he said is not fundamental to the Colombian military as it is for U.S. troops. "We are trying to develop a culture of training and continuing actions," he said.
Army Maj. Shane Tarrant, a Special Forces officer who serves as a liaison to Colombia's special operations units, said U.S. trainers here are sharing skills ranging from basic infantry skills to logistics with their Colombian counterparts.
But the training is a two-way street, he said, because Colombians have been dealing with a criminal insurgency for decades and have learned some important lessons they, too, can share. "We're learning from the tactics they're using, and we take that and see where we can apply it in other theaters," he said.
Army Staff Sgt. Luz Erribarren, operations noncommissioned officer in charge in the Defense Attache Office, calls the work the U.S. military is doing here "very, very important" to Colombia's future. "We're providing training to the people so they can better face their problems," said Erribarren, a native of Peru. "It feels good to be a part of it and to see their appreciation because their lives are changing as a result."
Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Gerson Hernandez, an aviation maintenance manager here, said he takes a personal pride in the capability the U.S. military has been bringing to Colombia during the past six years. A Colombian native, Hernandez said he remembers growing up amid police corruption and violence inflicted by narcoterrorists.
"This is my home, and I know that what we are doing here is helping change things," he said. "For (the Colombian military) to have the right equipment, the right training and to be able to sustain themselves is what we are working toward, and it is making a difference."
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books.
Force Increase Involves Range of Capabilities, Chu Says
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 19, 2007 – An increase in the active-duty military and changes to the policies for reserve forces announced this month by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates are aimed to increase the military's overall capabilities, a senior defense official said here today. "This build is about the whole range of capabilities that makes American military forces effective," David S. C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said at a Pentagon news conference. "Particularly, it is designed to relieve the pressure on units that are described as 'high-demand, low-density,' meaning in plain English, there aren't enough."
Gates announced Jan. 11 that the active-duty Army and Marine Corps will grow by 92,000 troops over the next five years -- 27,000 in the Marine Corps and 65,000 in the Army. He also announced significant changes in the way reserve forces' mobilizations are handled. Notably, mobilizations for reserve forces will only be one year long and will be unit-based, and compensation will be given to troops who are involuntarily remobilized.
By the end of this fiscal year, the Marine Corps expects to be at an end strength of 184,000 people, and will grow by 5,000 people a year until 2011, when it will reach 202,000, Chu said. The Army will be at 518,000 by the end of this fiscal year, and will grow by 7,000 troops a year until it reaches 547,000 in 2012, he said.
This increase in troops will come from in-service adjustments, such as military-to-civilian conversions, as well as recruiting and retention efforts, Chu said. He noted that all military services met their recruiting and retention goals last year and said that current efforts in those areas will be continued and expanded to account for the troop increase.
Chu noted that the military currently recruits about 300,000 people a year and that interest in military service among young people remains high. The challenge, he said, comes when parents, teachers and coaches who are opposed to military service influence potential recruits.
"Our real challenge is convincing the American public, which views the military as its most respected institution, that military service is not someone else's job; it's everyone's job," he said.
The changes in policies for reserve forces are designed to reduce stress on a force that has been burdened greatly in the war on terror, Chu said.
"This is a high-morale force, a force that is willing to accept the challenging assignments the nation has given them," he said. "But we must be judicious in how we use this force. So the secretary has reinforced our objectives for the deployments people can expect, versus the rest they can expect."
For reserve forces, the Defense Department's goal is to deploy units one year out of every six; for active-duty forces, the goal is one year out of every three. When reserve forces are mobilized, their mobilization will be limited to one year, including training, and will be unit-based, as opposed to relying on individual volunteers, Chu said.
Currently, reserve forces spend about 18 months mobilized, using the six months at the beginning for training. This shorter mobilization will require units to stay at a higher level of readiness while they're not deployed, but that will be helped by the fact that they will always operate as a unit and will have a more predictable schedule, Chu said.
"The readiness standards to deploy will remain the same," he said. "The units need to be able to do their jobs; the people need to be skilled in their responsibilities. What this will require is a set of changes in how we get them ready, and that will require adjustments in how reserve units train and prepare."
Gates is focused on keeping the number of involuntary repeat mobilizations as low as possible, Chu said, but circumstances on the ground could dictate otherwise. DoD is developing compensation packages for troops who are deployed significantly sooner than they should be under the department's new goals, he said.
"We need to demonstrate that we understand that we have imposed on you, your family and your employer a significant burden," he said. "You may have accepted that burden, but we need to compensate you for it."
The details of this compensation have not been finalized, and the cost for the troop increase and changes to reserve policies will be included in the president's budget, which will be submitted in February, Chu said.
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 19, 2007 – An increase in the active-duty military and changes to the policies for reserve forces announced this month by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates are aimed to increase the military's overall capabilities, a senior defense official said here today. "This build is about the whole range of capabilities that makes American military forces effective," David S. C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said at a Pentagon news conference. "Particularly, it is designed to relieve the pressure on units that are described as 'high-demand, low-density,' meaning in plain English, there aren't enough."
Gates announced Jan. 11 that the active-duty Army and Marine Corps will grow by 92,000 troops over the next five years -- 27,000 in the Marine Corps and 65,000 in the Army. He also announced significant changes in the way reserve forces' mobilizations are handled. Notably, mobilizations for reserve forces will only be one year long and will be unit-based, and compensation will be given to troops who are involuntarily remobilized.
By the end of this fiscal year, the Marine Corps expects to be at an end strength of 184,000 people, and will grow by 5,000 people a year until 2011, when it will reach 202,000, Chu said. The Army will be at 518,000 by the end of this fiscal year, and will grow by 7,000 troops a year until it reaches 547,000 in 2012, he said.
This increase in troops will come from in-service adjustments, such as military-to-civilian conversions, as well as recruiting and retention efforts, Chu said. He noted that all military services met their recruiting and retention goals last year and said that current efforts in those areas will be continued and expanded to account for the troop increase.
Chu noted that the military currently recruits about 300,000 people a year and that interest in military service among young people remains high. The challenge, he said, comes when parents, teachers and coaches who are opposed to military service influence potential recruits.
"Our real challenge is convincing the American public, which views the military as its most respected institution, that military service is not someone else's job; it's everyone's job," he said.
The changes in policies for reserve forces are designed to reduce stress on a force that has been burdened greatly in the war on terror, Chu said.
"This is a high-morale force, a force that is willing to accept the challenging assignments the nation has given them," he said. "But we must be judicious in how we use this force. So the secretary has reinforced our objectives for the deployments people can expect, versus the rest they can expect."
For reserve forces, the Defense Department's goal is to deploy units one year out of every six; for active-duty forces, the goal is one year out of every three. When reserve forces are mobilized, their mobilization will be limited to one year, including training, and will be unit-based, as opposed to relying on individual volunteers, Chu said.
Currently, reserve forces spend about 18 months mobilized, using the six months at the beginning for training. This shorter mobilization will require units to stay at a higher level of readiness while they're not deployed, but that will be helped by the fact that they will always operate as a unit and will have a more predictable schedule, Chu said.
"The readiness standards to deploy will remain the same," he said. "The units need to be able to do their jobs; the people need to be skilled in their responsibilities. What this will require is a set of changes in how we get them ready, and that will require adjustments in how reserve units train and prepare."
Gates is focused on keeping the number of involuntary repeat mobilizations as low as possible, Chu said, but circumstances on the ground could dictate otherwise. DoD is developing compensation packages for troops who are deployed significantly sooner than they should be under the department's new goals, he said.
"We need to demonstrate that we understand that we have imposed on you, your family and your employer a significant burden," he said. "You may have accepted that burden, but we need to compensate you for it."
The details of this compensation have not been finalized, and the cost for the troop increase and changes to reserve policies will be included in the president's budget, which will be submitted in February, Chu said.
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books.
Troops Overseas Celebrate Martin Luther King's Birthday
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 18, 2007 – "A day on, not a day off" was the motto as soldiers celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday across Iraq over the holiday weekend of Jan. 13 to 15. At Camp Liberty, Iraq, soldiers participated in a morning fun run and a ceremony in the 1st Cavalry Division chapel. After the 2-mile run, which began at 6 a.m., Brig. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, deputy commanding general of support for Multinational Division Baghdad, spoke to the troops, reflecting on the service and legacy of the civil rights leader.
"Let's take his inspiration into our hearts and guide ourselves by the principles Dr. King spoke of," Brooks said.
Brooks also drew parallels between King's fight for civil rights and the fight servicemembers are involved in today. While King may not agree with the war if he were alive today, Brooks said, he would be very proud of all of those serving their country.
During the ceremony, MNDB soldiers stood and recited the "I Have a Dream" speech given by King as he stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 28, 1963. The soldiers also offered a skit showing tolerance for those in attendance.
At Camp Taji, hundreds of soldiers gathered at the ministry center Jan. 15 for the 1st Cavalry Division's observance of King's birthday. Brooks was also the guest speaker at this ceremony, and his message was similar.
"The celebration has always been listed as a day on, not a day off. The meaning of that, of course, is that there is yet work to be done," he said.
Although King was against using violence to solve problems, he believed that injustice anywhere would prevent justice everywhere, Brooks said. "I happen to believe that Dr. King would applaud each of us for standing up against injustice, even if he didn't agree with the method," he said during his speech.
Army Spc. Brendon McGee, an aviation operations specialist who attended the ceremony, said it was a day of remembrance of the struggle for equality of all people, regardless of race, creed or color.
"It's still a continuous struggle. Just because we have those civil rights in the United States, there's other people across the world that are not enjoying those freedoms," said McGee, a Memphis native.
At Forward Operating Base Q-West, soldiers from four units hosted a Martin Luther King Jr. holiday observance Jan. 13 for a standing-room-only crowd at the morale, welfare and recreation center.
The observance included a detailed account of the history and importance of Martin Luther King Jr., as well as poetry, a performance by members of the Q-West gospel choir, a skit reenacting Rosa Park's refusal to give up her seat and move to the back of the bus, and the reading of King's "I Have a Dream" speech.
"This holiday is important because Martin Luther King Jr. is the founder of diversity, and he is a legacy," said Master Sgt. Linda Brooks, Q-West's equal opportunity advisor from 45th Sustainment Brigade. "Out here, while we are deployed, we shouldn't forget that even though we are from different backgrounds and different races, we come together as a team. So even though we are deployed, I don't want soldiers to forget about how we got where we are today, and continue with King's legacy."
The ceremony had two guest speakers, Lt. Col. Aimee Kominiak, commander of the 45th Special Troops Battalion, and Lt. Col. Milton Hodge, with 2nd Battalion, 123rd Armor Regiment.
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books.
Jan. 18, 2007 – "A day on, not a day off" was the motto as soldiers celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday across Iraq over the holiday weekend of Jan. 13 to 15. At Camp Liberty, Iraq, soldiers participated in a morning fun run and a ceremony in the 1st Cavalry Division chapel. After the 2-mile run, which began at 6 a.m., Brig. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, deputy commanding general of support for Multinational Division Baghdad, spoke to the troops, reflecting on the service and legacy of the civil rights leader.
"Let's take his inspiration into our hearts and guide ourselves by the principles Dr. King spoke of," Brooks said.
Brooks also drew parallels between King's fight for civil rights and the fight servicemembers are involved in today. While King may not agree with the war if he were alive today, Brooks said, he would be very proud of all of those serving their country.
During the ceremony, MNDB soldiers stood and recited the "I Have a Dream" speech given by King as he stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 28, 1963. The soldiers also offered a skit showing tolerance for those in attendance.
At Camp Taji, hundreds of soldiers gathered at the ministry center Jan. 15 for the 1st Cavalry Division's observance of King's birthday. Brooks was also the guest speaker at this ceremony, and his message was similar.
"The celebration has always been listed as a day on, not a day off. The meaning of that, of course, is that there is yet work to be done," he said.
Although King was against using violence to solve problems, he believed that injustice anywhere would prevent justice everywhere, Brooks said. "I happen to believe that Dr. King would applaud each of us for standing up against injustice, even if he didn't agree with the method," he said during his speech.
Army Spc. Brendon McGee, an aviation operations specialist who attended the ceremony, said it was a day of remembrance of the struggle for equality of all people, regardless of race, creed or color.
"It's still a continuous struggle. Just because we have those civil rights in the United States, there's other people across the world that are not enjoying those freedoms," said McGee, a Memphis native.
At Forward Operating Base Q-West, soldiers from four units hosted a Martin Luther King Jr. holiday observance Jan. 13 for a standing-room-only crowd at the morale, welfare and recreation center.
The observance included a detailed account of the history and importance of Martin Luther King Jr., as well as poetry, a performance by members of the Q-West gospel choir, a skit reenacting Rosa Park's refusal to give up her seat and move to the back of the bus, and the reading of King's "I Have a Dream" speech.
"This holiday is important because Martin Luther King Jr. is the founder of diversity, and he is a legacy," said Master Sgt. Linda Brooks, Q-West's equal opportunity advisor from 45th Sustainment Brigade. "Out here, while we are deployed, we shouldn't forget that even though we are from different backgrounds and different races, we come together as a team. So even though we are deployed, I don't want soldiers to forget about how we got where we are today, and continue with King's legacy."
The ceremony had two guest speakers, Lt. Col. Aimee Kominiak, commander of the 45th Special Troops Battalion, and Lt. Col. Milton Hodge, with 2nd Battalion, 123rd Armor Regiment.
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books.
Troops Get Girl Scouts' Gift of Caring
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 17, 2007 – When the Girl Scouts combined their knack for selling cookies with their dedication to community service, they cooked up the Gift of Caring program. Each Girl Scout troop can choose a Gift of Caring partner to receive donated boxes of Thin Mints, Do-si-dos, Trefoils and other baked favorites throughout the cookie-selling season. Many girls of the 4,000 troops in the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital have chosen the United Service Organizations as their partner, encouraging customers to purchase additional cookies to be given to U.S. servicemembers.
"I think it makes soldiers feel good," Lexi Rhem, an 8-year-old member of Troop 652 in Springfield, Va., said. "One of the girls actually got a (thank you) letter back from a soldier."
Many GSCNC troops in the past have selected U.S. servicemembers as their Gift of Caring recipient, and this is Troop 652's third consecutive year.
Knowing that U.S. troops are serving their country abroad makes Lexi feel "safe, but kind of sad, because they're away from their families."
But giving the troops cookies can help them feel closer to home, she said.
"For little girls who hear a lot about what's going on in the world but don't have a direct connection, this is a great way to make a connection," Laura Basset, GSCNC product sales specialist, said. "It takes something that's abstract in their lives and makes it a little more concrete."
For older Scouts, giving cookies to U.S. troops is a way to learn civic responsibility, Pam Horton, USO volunteer coordinator and Girl Scout troop leader, said.
"The older girls had discussions about (troop deployment) and they said they wanted to do something to help," Horton said. "They got lots of thank yous and positive feedback from people who had taken the cookies over and distributed them. ... It made them feel good."
Washington-area Girl Scout troops donating to servicemembers will deliver the cookies in one of two ways: sending boxes abroad to deployed troops or handing servicemembers care packages at the USO International Gateway Lounge at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
"Our flagship lounge at BWI is 5,000 square feet, and it gets a lot of foot traffic," Horton said. "We make the cookies directly available to soldiers in the lounge who are deploying and returning.
"We usually take two or three girls to deliver care packages there, and I never have a problem filling those spots," she said.
The Gift of Caring is not just a great way to sell cookies, but it also instills a good lesson, Basset said.
"Part of the whole mission of Girl Scouts is service to community, service to country," Basset said. "So the (Girl Scout) troop gets the benefit from selling the cookies, but they're also doing it as service. Everybody wins."
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 17, 2007 – When the Girl Scouts combined their knack for selling cookies with their dedication to community service, they cooked up the Gift of Caring program. Each Girl Scout troop can choose a Gift of Caring partner to receive donated boxes of Thin Mints, Do-si-dos, Trefoils and other baked favorites throughout the cookie-selling season. Many girls of the 4,000 troops in the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital have chosen the United Service Organizations as their partner, encouraging customers to purchase additional cookies to be given to U.S. servicemembers.
"I think it makes soldiers feel good," Lexi Rhem, an 8-year-old member of Troop 652 in Springfield, Va., said. "One of the girls actually got a (thank you) letter back from a soldier."
Many GSCNC troops in the past have selected U.S. servicemembers as their Gift of Caring recipient, and this is Troop 652's third consecutive year.
Knowing that U.S. troops are serving their country abroad makes Lexi feel "safe, but kind of sad, because they're away from their families."
But giving the troops cookies can help them feel closer to home, she said.
"For little girls who hear a lot about what's going on in the world but don't have a direct connection, this is a great way to make a connection," Laura Basset, GSCNC product sales specialist, said. "It takes something that's abstract in their lives and makes it a little more concrete."
For older Scouts, giving cookies to U.S. troops is a way to learn civic responsibility, Pam Horton, USO volunteer coordinator and Girl Scout troop leader, said.
"The older girls had discussions about (troop deployment) and they said they wanted to do something to help," Horton said. "They got lots of thank yous and positive feedback from people who had taken the cookies over and distributed them. ... It made them feel good."
Washington-area Girl Scout troops donating to servicemembers will deliver the cookies in one of two ways: sending boxes abroad to deployed troops or handing servicemembers care packages at the USO International Gateway Lounge at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
"Our flagship lounge at BWI is 5,000 square feet, and it gets a lot of foot traffic," Horton said. "We make the cookies directly available to soldiers in the lounge who are deploying and returning.
"We usually take two or three girls to deliver care packages there, and I never have a problem filling those spots," she said.
The Gift of Caring is not just a great way to sell cookies, but it also instills a good lesson, Basset said.
"Part of the whole mission of Girl Scouts is service to community, service to country," Basset said. "So the (Girl Scout) troop gets the benefit from selling the cookies, but they're also doing it as service. Everybody wins."
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books.
General Officer Assignments
The Air Force chief of staff announces the assignments of the following general officers:
Brig. Gen. Charles W. Lyon, deputy director, programs, deputy chief of staff, strategic plans and programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., to commander, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, Air Combat Command, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.
Brig. Gen. Robert M. Worley II, director, strategic plans, programs, analyses, assessments and lessons learned, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., to deputy director, programs, deputy chief of staff, strategic plans and programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
Brig. Gen. Richard C. Harding, staff judge advocate, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va., to commander, Air Force Legal Operating Agency, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C.
Brig. Gen. Charles W. Lyon, deputy director, programs, deputy chief of staff, strategic plans and programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., to commander, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, Air Combat Command, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.
Brig. Gen. Robert M. Worley II, director, strategic plans, programs, analyses, assessments and lessons learned, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., to deputy director, programs, deputy chief of staff, strategic plans and programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
Brig. Gen. Richard C. Harding, staff judge advocate, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va., to commander, Air Force Legal Operating Agency, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C.
New U.S. Task Force Commander, Staff Prepare for Posting to Africa
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 18, 2007 – The new headquarters commander and staff for Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa are nearing the end of training before their posting to a region of vital strategic importance in the global war against terrorism. Navy Rear Adm. James M. Hart is slated to take command of the task force, which has its headquarters at Camp Lemonier, in Djibouti City, the capital of Djibouti, in early February.
Hart and his staff have been preparing for their one-year assignment in Africa since mid-October through specialized training provided by U.S. Joint Forces Command, in Suffolk, Va., Hart told reporters today during a phone interview from Suffolk. That training, he said, has included two trips to Africa.
Hart called the training for his new assignment "extraordinary" and said it stresses interagency cooperation and emphasizes diplomacy, defense and development.
"I think it's been very advantageous that I've been given the opportunity since mid-October to get out and about and go to places like the State Department and spend time with (the United States Agency for International Development) and learn the interagency process," Hart said.
As CJTF-HOA commander, Hart will command 1,800 to 2,000 U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, and coalition partners. The task force's area of responsibility covers operations in Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti and Ethiopia in Africa, and Yemen, on the Arabian Peninsula.
Hart said the task force's mission centers on conflict prevention, stability operations and helping countries develop good governance practices.
The United States' policy in Somalia is to help its citizens regain political and economic stability, to counter terrorism, and to provide humanitarian assistance, the admiral said.
"We are about helping Africans help themselves," Hart said, noting CJTF-HOA conducts joint military training and border security missions with the Ethiopian, Kenyan and other regional militaries.
Recent fighting in Somalia featured Islamic terrorists being defeated by moderate forces. That conflict "doesn't really change our mission or our objectives" in Somalia, Hart said.
The task force oversees a region that's vital to U.S. national security interests, Hart said. Offering a better life to people living in Africa and the Middle East is especially important because of the global war against terrorism, he said.
"We're arriving there early enough with an opportunity to help shape the environment, work towards a more secure environment, and hopefully, to allow people the opportunity to choose a direction to go in their lives that steers them away from extremism," Hart said. "And, that's what I think is one of our primary reasons for being there."
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 18, 2007 – The new headquarters commander and staff for Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa are nearing the end of training before their posting to a region of vital strategic importance in the global war against terrorism. Navy Rear Adm. James M. Hart is slated to take command of the task force, which has its headquarters at Camp Lemonier, in Djibouti City, the capital of Djibouti, in early February.
Hart and his staff have been preparing for their one-year assignment in Africa since mid-October through specialized training provided by U.S. Joint Forces Command, in Suffolk, Va., Hart told reporters today during a phone interview from Suffolk. That training, he said, has included two trips to Africa.
Hart called the training for his new assignment "extraordinary" and said it stresses interagency cooperation and emphasizes diplomacy, defense and development.
"I think it's been very advantageous that I've been given the opportunity since mid-October to get out and about and go to places like the State Department and spend time with (the United States Agency for International Development) and learn the interagency process," Hart said.
As CJTF-HOA commander, Hart will command 1,800 to 2,000 U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, and coalition partners. The task force's area of responsibility covers operations in Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti and Ethiopia in Africa, and Yemen, on the Arabian Peninsula.
Hart said the task force's mission centers on conflict prevention, stability operations and helping countries develop good governance practices.
The United States' policy in Somalia is to help its citizens regain political and economic stability, to counter terrorism, and to provide humanitarian assistance, the admiral said.
"We are about helping Africans help themselves," Hart said, noting CJTF-HOA conducts joint military training and border security missions with the Ethiopian, Kenyan and other regional militaries.
Recent fighting in Somalia featured Islamic terrorists being defeated by moderate forces. That conflict "doesn't really change our mission or our objectives" in Somalia, Hart said.
The task force oversees a region that's vital to U.S. national security interests, Hart said. Offering a better life to people living in Africa and the Middle East is especially important because of the global war against terrorism, he said.
"We're arriving there early enough with an opportunity to help shape the environment, work towards a more secure environment, and hopefully, to allow people the opportunity to choose a direction to go in their lives that steers them away from extremism," Hart said. "And, that's what I think is one of our primary reasons for being there."
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books.
Murder in the big easy
Editors Note: Two of the writers are former military.
January 19, 2007 (San Dimas, CA) New Orleans swept onto the scene of Police-Writers.com with the addition of four new police officers. New Orleans area police officers added are John Dillmann, James Hurley, Brian Perry and James Colbert.
John Dillmann was a highly-decorated, veteran Homicide Detective for the New Orleans Police Department has written several true crime books. As an example, in “Deadly Weekend,” John tells the story of his investigation into the disappearance of Mark Sheppard, a 50-year-old M.D. from St. Petersburg, Florida. According to one reviewer, “With the discovery of the doctor's nude body, the case took a new and grisly turn which led down the treacherous streets of the Big Easy and into the darkest secrets of a respected physician described as 'a murder waiting to happen.”
Brian D. Perry Sr., was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. He joined the New Orleans Police Department, obtained a Bachelor's Degree, and upon graduation with a Juris Doctor Degree, the Mayor of New Orleans selected him as the New Orleans Police Attorney. Activated during Desert Storm, he served as the Commandant of a large logistics command. Before redeploying back to the United States he was offered a position by a major oil company in Saudi Arabia to head their investigations unit. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve and was the Executive Officer for a Joint Command in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The American Community elected him to the School Board. After seven years in the Middle East, he returned to New Orleans to practice law.
His first novel is “Algiers Point.” According to the book description, “Nick Charbonnet is an honest cop with a beautiful wife and a seductive partner. He struggles with law school and his adulterous feelings. Then his world is shattered by a single phone call. The meeting that follows is the beginning of his involvement in a world he knows nothing about. Nick must make choices. Life changing choices. Good and evil live side by side and nowhere is it more apparent than in the Big Easy.”
Born and raised in Connecticut, James Hurley is a graduate of Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana and a 10-year veteran narcotics agent of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. After moving to Florida, he worked in the financial industry for ten years as a stockbroker for 3 major wire houses. He currently lives in Cape Coral, Florida, where he spends most of his free time writing or on the golf course. In his 2004 book title “Gone,” “Former narcotics agent Sean Flynn must find Marcus Lowell, a professional money launderer and drug dealer under U.S. government protection. While making final preparations for one last drug deal, Lowell and his associates brutally murder a close friend of Flynn's on a remote Bahamian island and set into motion a number of events that will change Flynn's life forever. Flynn must return to the underworld of drug dealers and killers he left behind years ago. Its familiar territory, only this time the stakes are higher. His life is on the line-and he is no longer a cop.”
James Colbert served in the United States Marine Corps from 1970 to 1971. After his honorable discharge (E4), he would ultimately find his way to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office where he would serve as a Deputy Sheriff from 1976 to 1978. He has a Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Arkansas, and a BA from Louisiana State University. He is the author of five books. In his novel Skinny Man, Skinny “Skinny is a New Orleans police detective who is on suspension after wrecking yet another police car. While working an interim job as security policeman for his apartment complex, he becomes involved in an arson plot involving his sexy neighbor, unscrupulous real estate developers, and an intriguing woman named Ruth. Skinny is a quirky guy with a sense of humor and a habit of referring to himself in the third person.” Colbert’s other books are “Profit and Sheen,” “No Special Hurry,” “All I Have is Blue” and “God Bless The Child.”
Both Colbert and Perry were also added to www.military-writers.com, a website that lists current, retired and former military personnel who have written books. Police-Writers.com now hosts 263 police officers (representing over 70 police departments) and their 667 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors and international police officers who have written books.
January 19, 2007 (San Dimas, CA) New Orleans swept onto the scene of Police-Writers.com with the addition of four new police officers. New Orleans area police officers added are John Dillmann, James Hurley, Brian Perry and James Colbert.
John Dillmann was a highly-decorated, veteran Homicide Detective for the New Orleans Police Department has written several true crime books. As an example, in “Deadly Weekend,” John tells the story of his investigation into the disappearance of Mark Sheppard, a 50-year-old M.D. from St. Petersburg, Florida. According to one reviewer, “With the discovery of the doctor's nude body, the case took a new and grisly turn which led down the treacherous streets of the Big Easy and into the darkest secrets of a respected physician described as 'a murder waiting to happen.”
Brian D. Perry Sr., was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. He joined the New Orleans Police Department, obtained a Bachelor's Degree, and upon graduation with a Juris Doctor Degree, the Mayor of New Orleans selected him as the New Orleans Police Attorney. Activated during Desert Storm, he served as the Commandant of a large logistics command. Before redeploying back to the United States he was offered a position by a major oil company in Saudi Arabia to head their investigations unit. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve and was the Executive Officer for a Joint Command in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The American Community elected him to the School Board. After seven years in the Middle East, he returned to New Orleans to practice law.
His first novel is “Algiers Point.” According to the book description, “Nick Charbonnet is an honest cop with a beautiful wife and a seductive partner. He struggles with law school and his adulterous feelings. Then his world is shattered by a single phone call. The meeting that follows is the beginning of his involvement in a world he knows nothing about. Nick must make choices. Life changing choices. Good and evil live side by side and nowhere is it more apparent than in the Big Easy.”
Born and raised in Connecticut, James Hurley is a graduate of Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana and a 10-year veteran narcotics agent of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. After moving to Florida, he worked in the financial industry for ten years as a stockbroker for 3 major wire houses. He currently lives in Cape Coral, Florida, where he spends most of his free time writing or on the golf course. In his 2004 book title “Gone,” “Former narcotics agent Sean Flynn must find Marcus Lowell, a professional money launderer and drug dealer under U.S. government protection. While making final preparations for one last drug deal, Lowell and his associates brutally murder a close friend of Flynn's on a remote Bahamian island and set into motion a number of events that will change Flynn's life forever. Flynn must return to the underworld of drug dealers and killers he left behind years ago. Its familiar territory, only this time the stakes are higher. His life is on the line-and he is no longer a cop.”
James Colbert served in the United States Marine Corps from 1970 to 1971. After his honorable discharge (E4), he would ultimately find his way to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office where he would serve as a Deputy Sheriff from 1976 to 1978. He has a Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Arkansas, and a BA from Louisiana State University. He is the author of five books. In his novel Skinny Man, Skinny “Skinny is a New Orleans police detective who is on suspension after wrecking yet another police car. While working an interim job as security policeman for his apartment complex, he becomes involved in an arson plot involving his sexy neighbor, unscrupulous real estate developers, and an intriguing woman named Ruth. Skinny is a quirky guy with a sense of humor and a habit of referring to himself in the third person.” Colbert’s other books are “Profit and Sheen,” “No Special Hurry,” “All I Have is Blue” and “God Bless The Child.”
Both Colbert and Perry were also added to www.military-writers.com, a website that lists current, retired and former military personnel who have written books. Police-Writers.com now hosts 263 police officers (representing over 70 police departments) and their 667 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors and international police officers who have written books.
General Officer Announcements
Secretary of Defense Dr. Robert M. Gates announced today that the President made the following nominations:
Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Richard T. Tryon has been nominated for appointment to the grade of major general. Tryon is currently serving as the commanding general, Marine Corps Recruiting Command, Quantico.
Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Frank A. Panter Jr. has been nominated for appointment to the grade of major general. Panter is currently serving as the assistant deputy commandant for installations & logistics (plans), Washington, D.C.
Marine Corps Brig. Gen. John F. Kelly has been nominated for appointment to the grade of major general. Kelly is currently serving as the legislative assistant to the commandant of the Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.
Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Terry G. Robling has been nominated for appointment to the grade of major general. Robling is currently serving as the director, Strategy and Plans Division, Washington, D.C.
Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Mastin M. Robeson has been nominated for appointment to the grade of major general. Robeson is currently serving as the commanding general, 3rd Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan.
Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Conant has been nominated for appointment to the grade of major general. Conant is currently serving as the director, Capabilities Development Directorate; and director for Joint and External Matters, Quantico.
Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Robert E. Schmidle Jr., has been nominated for appointment to the grade of major general. Schmidle is currently serving as the deputy director for resources and acquisition, J-8, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser has been nominated for appointment to the grade of major general. Waldhauser is currently serving as the chief of staff, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.
Marine Corps Brig. Gen. John R. Allen has been nominated for appointment to the grade of major general. Allen is currently serving as the deputy commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force; and commanding general, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Richard T. Tryon has been nominated for appointment to the grade of major general. Tryon is currently serving as the commanding general, Marine Corps Recruiting Command, Quantico.
Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Frank A. Panter Jr. has been nominated for appointment to the grade of major general. Panter is currently serving as the assistant deputy commandant for installations & logistics (plans), Washington, D.C.
Marine Corps Brig. Gen. John F. Kelly has been nominated for appointment to the grade of major general. Kelly is currently serving as the legislative assistant to the commandant of the Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.
Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Terry G. Robling has been nominated for appointment to the grade of major general. Robling is currently serving as the director, Strategy and Plans Division, Washington, D.C.
Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Mastin M. Robeson has been nominated for appointment to the grade of major general. Robeson is currently serving as the commanding general, 3rd Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan.
Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Conant has been nominated for appointment to the grade of major general. Conant is currently serving as the director, Capabilities Development Directorate; and director for Joint and External Matters, Quantico.
Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Robert E. Schmidle Jr., has been nominated for appointment to the grade of major general. Schmidle is currently serving as the deputy director for resources and acquisition, J-8, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser has been nominated for appointment to the grade of major general. Waldhauser is currently serving as the chief of staff, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.
Marine Corps Brig. Gen. John R. Allen has been nominated for appointment to the grade of major general. Allen is currently serving as the deputy commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force; and commanding general, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
General Officer Assignments
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Mullen announced the following flag officer assignment:
Rear Adm. Elizabeth A. Hight is being assigned as vice commander, Defense Systems Information Agency, Arlington, Va. Hight is currently serving as principal director for Global Information Grid Operations/commander, Defense Information Systems Agency Global Operations/deputy commander for Joint Task Force-Global Network Operations, Arlington, Va.
Rear Adm. (lower half) Charles H. Goddard is being assigned as program executive officer for Ships, Washington, D.C. Goddard is currently serving as vice commander, Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C.
Rear Adm. Elizabeth A. Hight is being assigned as vice commander, Defense Systems Information Agency, Arlington, Va. Hight is currently serving as principal director for Global Information Grid Operations/commander, Defense Information Systems Agency Global Operations/deputy commander for Joint Task Force-Global Network Operations, Arlington, Va.
Rear Adm. (lower half) Charles H. Goddard is being assigned as program executive officer for Ships, Washington, D.C. Goddard is currently serving as vice commander, Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Afghan Citizens Prevent Terrorist Attack on U.S. Base
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 16, 2007 – Two Afghan citizens prevented a terrorist attack this morning when a vehicle loaded with explosives attempted to crash through the front gate of Camp Phoenix, a U.S. base here. "Without any regard for their personal safety, a local Afghan security officer and an interpreter immediately recognized that this was a terrorist attack," said 1st Lt. Cathrin Fraker, a spokeswoman for Task Force Phoenix.
"Together, the two prevented the driver from detonating his explosives after they failed to explode during the crash. With the assistance of the U.S. security forces, they dragged the terrorist from the vehicle, where U.S. security force soldiers then detained him," she explained.
The area was immediately evacuated, and an explosive ordnance disposal team was called to the scene.
Afghan security force soldiers, with assistance from the Afghan National Police and U.S. soldiers, immediately cordoned off the area and waited for the EOD team to disarm the bomb.
"If it wasn't for the quick actions of the local nationals working for the U.S. forces, several lives would have been lost," Army Col. David B. Enyeart, the deputy task force commander, said.
During an attempt to disarm the explosives, the device detonated, but no U.S. or coalition soldiers were injured, Fraker said.
"We are grateful for the bravery and the continued diligence of our Afghan partners and the security force soldiers and who protect this base," Enyeart said.
Article sponsored by military and police personnel who have become authors; and criminal justice leadership online.
Jan. 16, 2007 – Two Afghan citizens prevented a terrorist attack this morning when a vehicle loaded with explosives attempted to crash through the front gate of Camp Phoenix, a U.S. base here. "Without any regard for their personal safety, a local Afghan security officer and an interpreter immediately recognized that this was a terrorist attack," said 1st Lt. Cathrin Fraker, a spokeswoman for Task Force Phoenix.
"Together, the two prevented the driver from detonating his explosives after they failed to explode during the crash. With the assistance of the U.S. security forces, they dragged the terrorist from the vehicle, where U.S. security force soldiers then detained him," she explained.
The area was immediately evacuated, and an explosive ordnance disposal team was called to the scene.
Afghan security force soldiers, with assistance from the Afghan National Police and U.S. soldiers, immediately cordoned off the area and waited for the EOD team to disarm the bomb.
"If it wasn't for the quick actions of the local nationals working for the U.S. forces, several lives would have been lost," Army Col. David B. Enyeart, the deputy task force commander, said.
During an attempt to disarm the explosives, the device detonated, but no U.S. or coalition soldiers were injured, Fraker said.
"We are grateful for the bravery and the continued diligence of our Afghan partners and the security force soldiers and who protect this base," Enyeart said.
Article sponsored by military and police personnel who have become authors; and criminal justice leadership online.
Operation Homelink Marks Milestone
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 16, 2007 – Marking a milestone, Operation Homelink, in collaboration with Dell, presented 250 refurbished computers to families of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force on Jan. 9 at Camp Lejeune, N.C. "With this donation, Operation Homelink has now connected over 2,000 military families," Dan Shannon, founder and president of Operation Homelink, said.
Operation Homelink is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program highlighting ways Americans support the nation's servicemembers.
While most servicemembers have access to e-mail while deployed at remote outposts, the families of many junior enlisted members are often not able to afford computers and must rely on conventional mail or expensive phone calls to stay in touch, Shannon said.
Operation Homelink strives to link American servicemembers deployed overseas with their families through e-mail communication. To achieve that goal the organization distributes refurbished computers donated by sponsors such as Dell, Inc.
"We so appreciate Dell's continuing support of our efforts to connect military families with their loved ones serving overseas," Shannon said.
Operation Homelink's technology partner, NewMarketIT of Austin, Texas, provides professional refurbishment services including testing, registration, loading of a new operating system, software and links to military support Web sites. Computers are shipped in bulk to specific military units or geographic areas as designated by the donating corporation.
The families of the 2nd MEF were very appreciative to have an easy, inexpensive way to communicate with their deployed loved ones.
"This means a lot to us," Jamie Lopez, whose husband, Purple Heart recipient Sgt. Richard Lopez Jr., recently left for his fourth deployment with the 6th Marine Regiment, said. "Before, we had to go to the library to e-mail my husband. Now we can do so from home. This will make a huge difference."
Unit officials agreed that the donation would, indeed, make a huge difference.
"The Marines and sailors of 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force appreciate the efforts of Operation Homelink in supporting our families, especially during this time of war," Lt. Col. Curtis L. Hill, public affairs officer for 2nd MEF, said. "The computers being provided will greatly facilitate our families' contact with their deployed loved ones."
In the past year, Dell has joined with Operation Homelink to successfully connect more than 800 military families through the donations of refurbished computers. Those computers were presented to families at Fort Hood, Texas, Fort Bragg, N.C., and Fort Campbell, Ky. Additional distributions are planned for later this year.
Spouses or parents of deployed servicemembers in the junior-level pay grades of E-1 through E-5 are eligible, Shannon said. Specific families to receive computers are identified by family readiness group leaders.
Recent success for the program has enabled the expansion to include donations of laptops to wounded soldiers receiving treatment at military hospitals throughout the United States.
Article sponsored by military and police personnel who have become authors; and criminal justice leadership online.
Jan. 16, 2007 – Marking a milestone, Operation Homelink, in collaboration with Dell, presented 250 refurbished computers to families of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force on Jan. 9 at Camp Lejeune, N.C. "With this donation, Operation Homelink has now connected over 2,000 military families," Dan Shannon, founder and president of Operation Homelink, said.
Operation Homelink is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program highlighting ways Americans support the nation's servicemembers.
While most servicemembers have access to e-mail while deployed at remote outposts, the families of many junior enlisted members are often not able to afford computers and must rely on conventional mail or expensive phone calls to stay in touch, Shannon said.
Operation Homelink strives to link American servicemembers deployed overseas with their families through e-mail communication. To achieve that goal the organization distributes refurbished computers donated by sponsors such as Dell, Inc.
"We so appreciate Dell's continuing support of our efforts to connect military families with their loved ones serving overseas," Shannon said.
Operation Homelink's technology partner, NewMarketIT of Austin, Texas, provides professional refurbishment services including testing, registration, loading of a new operating system, software and links to military support Web sites. Computers are shipped in bulk to specific military units or geographic areas as designated by the donating corporation.
The families of the 2nd MEF were very appreciative to have an easy, inexpensive way to communicate with their deployed loved ones.
"This means a lot to us," Jamie Lopez, whose husband, Purple Heart recipient Sgt. Richard Lopez Jr., recently left for his fourth deployment with the 6th Marine Regiment, said. "Before, we had to go to the library to e-mail my husband. Now we can do so from home. This will make a huge difference."
Unit officials agreed that the donation would, indeed, make a huge difference.
"The Marines and sailors of 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force appreciate the efforts of Operation Homelink in supporting our families, especially during this time of war," Lt. Col. Curtis L. Hill, public affairs officer for 2nd MEF, said. "The computers being provided will greatly facilitate our families' contact with their deployed loved ones."
In the past year, Dell has joined with Operation Homelink to successfully connect more than 800 military families through the donations of refurbished computers. Those computers were presented to families at Fort Hood, Texas, Fort Bragg, N.C., and Fort Campbell, Ky. Additional distributions are planned for later this year.
Spouses or parents of deployed servicemembers in the junior-level pay grades of E-1 through E-5 are eligible, Shannon said. Specific families to receive computers are identified by family readiness group leaders.
Recent success for the program has enabled the expansion to include donations of laptops to wounded soldiers receiving treatment at military hospitals throughout the United States.
Article sponsored by military and police personnel who have become authors; and criminal justice leadership online.
New Policies to Relieve Stress, Promote Unit Cohesion
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 16, 2007 – The new Defense Department policy limiting the duration of call-ups to 12 months is already in effect for National Guard and reserve members being ordered to active duty, the senior DoD reserve affairs official reported. The new mobilization limits, announced Jan. 11, are designed to reduce stress on the force and keep Guardsmen and reservists from leaving the military, Thomas F. Hall, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, said during a joint interview with American Forces Press Service and the Pentagon Channel.
Hall said Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' policy recognizes that the 18- to 24-month mobilizations many Guard and reserve members faced were creating too heavy a burden.
Servicemembers, as well as their families and employers, spoke, and Hall said the Defense Department listened. "We have come to the conclusion that based on numerous inputs, that 18- to 21-months over a long war, over a career, is just too much," he said. "It is over and above what employers and families and individuals will accept and still remain in the Guard and reserve."
Hall reported that while shortening mobilization times, the military is also working to stretch out the time between involuntary reserve-component call-ups.
DoD's goal is to give reserve-component members five years at home between one-year-deployments. For active-duty troops, the goal is two years at home station after each one-year deployment.
Hall acknowledged that turnaround times for both active- and reserve-component troops have frequently been far shorter -- and that this needs to change. "We recognize that we're getting to a situation where we needed to make sure we adequately spread the burden between the active, Guard and reserve (force)," he said.
But in cases in which troops must deploy early or have their deployments expended -- a situation Hall acknowledged will sometimes happen -- he said he's all for a new plan to compensate the affected troops. "We think it is quite reasonable that you should receive additional compensation, and that will soon be in place," Hall said.
Gates ordered DoD and the services to come up with a compensation plan for active, Guard and reserve troops who face these circumstances.
Another new policy change -- that Guard and Reserve troops will deploy as units rather than individuals -- also is drawing wide approval, Hall said. The plan also calls for eliminating "cross-leveling," a practice used to fill manpower slots in deploying units.
Hall described the problem with cross-leveling. When a reserve unit is identified for deployment but doesn't have all its positions filled, those gaps get filled by smaller units or individuals from other units. But when those other units get deployed, they now have gaps, too, because their troops are either deployed or just returned from a deployment. "This just creates a ripple effect," Hall said.
The problem is particularly troublesome in the Army and Marine Corps, which tend to deploy their combat and combat-service-support elements as units, he said. The Air Force and Navy are more likely to mobilize individuals.
Under Gates' new policy, Army and Marine units will deploy as a whole. "So, when your unit is called, if you are serving in that unit, you will go, even if you might have mobilized before," Hall said. "This will promote cohesion and will be a better planning factor."
Hall said the new policy measures already were under discussion before Gates took over the top Pentagon post, but that he quickly agreed they were needed to help reduce stress on the force. The new policy will go a long way toward that goal, Hall said.
As these policies take effect, Hall said he's convinced Guard and reserve troops will continue to "step up" when the country needs them. "They will answer the call, just like our forefathers did, and we will fight and win this battle against the forces of international terror," he said. "And it will be because of our people and their commitment; and I want to personally thank each and every one of them in the active, Guard and reserve for what they are doing for our country."
Article sponsored by military and police personnel who have become authors; and criminal justice leadership online.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 16, 2007 – The new Defense Department policy limiting the duration of call-ups to 12 months is already in effect for National Guard and reserve members being ordered to active duty, the senior DoD reserve affairs official reported. The new mobilization limits, announced Jan. 11, are designed to reduce stress on the force and keep Guardsmen and reservists from leaving the military, Thomas F. Hall, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, said during a joint interview with American Forces Press Service and the Pentagon Channel.
Hall said Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' policy recognizes that the 18- to 24-month mobilizations many Guard and reserve members faced were creating too heavy a burden.
Servicemembers, as well as their families and employers, spoke, and Hall said the Defense Department listened. "We have come to the conclusion that based on numerous inputs, that 18- to 21-months over a long war, over a career, is just too much," he said. "It is over and above what employers and families and individuals will accept and still remain in the Guard and reserve."
Hall reported that while shortening mobilization times, the military is also working to stretch out the time between involuntary reserve-component call-ups.
DoD's goal is to give reserve-component members five years at home between one-year-deployments. For active-duty troops, the goal is two years at home station after each one-year deployment.
Hall acknowledged that turnaround times for both active- and reserve-component troops have frequently been far shorter -- and that this needs to change. "We recognize that we're getting to a situation where we needed to make sure we adequately spread the burden between the active, Guard and reserve (force)," he said.
But in cases in which troops must deploy early or have their deployments expended -- a situation Hall acknowledged will sometimes happen -- he said he's all for a new plan to compensate the affected troops. "We think it is quite reasonable that you should receive additional compensation, and that will soon be in place," Hall said.
Gates ordered DoD and the services to come up with a compensation plan for active, Guard and reserve troops who face these circumstances.
Another new policy change -- that Guard and Reserve troops will deploy as units rather than individuals -- also is drawing wide approval, Hall said. The plan also calls for eliminating "cross-leveling," a practice used to fill manpower slots in deploying units.
Hall described the problem with cross-leveling. When a reserve unit is identified for deployment but doesn't have all its positions filled, those gaps get filled by smaller units or individuals from other units. But when those other units get deployed, they now have gaps, too, because their troops are either deployed or just returned from a deployment. "This just creates a ripple effect," Hall said.
The problem is particularly troublesome in the Army and Marine Corps, which tend to deploy their combat and combat-service-support elements as units, he said. The Air Force and Navy are more likely to mobilize individuals.
Under Gates' new policy, Army and Marine units will deploy as a whole. "So, when your unit is called, if you are serving in that unit, you will go, even if you might have mobilized before," Hall said. "This will promote cohesion and will be a better planning factor."
Hall said the new policy measures already were under discussion before Gates took over the top Pentagon post, but that he quickly agreed they were needed to help reduce stress on the force. The new policy will go a long way toward that goal, Hall said.
As these policies take effect, Hall said he's convinced Guard and reserve troops will continue to "step up" when the country needs them. "They will answer the call, just like our forefathers did, and we will fight and win this battle against the forces of international terror," he said. "And it will be because of our people and their commitment; and I want to personally thank each and every one of them in the active, Guard and reserve for what they are doing for our country."
Article sponsored by military and police personnel who have become authors; and criminal justice leadership online.
Defense News, Information Now Customized for Mobile Devices
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 17, 2007 – Defense Department news releases, articles and other information are now available in a new format that's customized for easier viewing on BlackBerries and other mobile devices, officials said. The new, mobile-device-friendly format can be accessed at www.dod.mil/mobile, officials affiliated with the project said.
"Having the ability to access the most current Defense Department information while you are on the go is especially important in the fast-paced communications world in which we live," Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communications and public liaison, said.
Offering a mobile-device-friendly format to disseminate defense information "is another way we are trying to better serve our globally based audiences, providing them the most up-to-date news and information on the war on terror and other related activity," Barber said.
The new format is specifically condensed to better fit onto the tiny viewing screens featured by most mobile devices, said Tom Dorsz, Web production supervisor at American Forces Information Service.
Mobile device usage is increasing worldwide, Dorsz said, noting that BlackBerries and similar devices enable access to Internet-sourced information anywhere at anytime.
Maximizing and integrating new technology is the mission of the new media team, said Roxie Merritt, director of DoD's new media unit.
"On your mobile device Web browser, simply type in www.dod.mil/mobile to view the top news and press releases that are customized to fit your screen," Merritt said.
Customers will see much of the same information and many of the photos and graphics that appear on the regular Defenselink Web page, available at www.dod.mil, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Brook DeWalt, AFIS's new media operations manager, said.
The new mobile system enhances DoD's mission to inform the public of its policies, as well as to communicate with servicemembers, defense civilians, retirees, and their families, Dorsz said.
Article sponsored by military and police personnel who have become authors; and criminal justice leadership online.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 17, 2007 – Defense Department news releases, articles and other information are now available in a new format that's customized for easier viewing on BlackBerries and other mobile devices, officials said. The new, mobile-device-friendly format can be accessed at www.dod.mil/mobile, officials affiliated with the project said.
"Having the ability to access the most current Defense Department information while you are on the go is especially important in the fast-paced communications world in which we live," Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communications and public liaison, said.
Offering a mobile-device-friendly format to disseminate defense information "is another way we are trying to better serve our globally based audiences, providing them the most up-to-date news and information on the war on terror and other related activity," Barber said.
The new format is specifically condensed to better fit onto the tiny viewing screens featured by most mobile devices, said Tom Dorsz, Web production supervisor at American Forces Information Service.
Mobile device usage is increasing worldwide, Dorsz said, noting that BlackBerries and similar devices enable access to Internet-sourced information anywhere at anytime.
Maximizing and integrating new technology is the mission of the new media team, said Roxie Merritt, director of DoD's new media unit.
"On your mobile device Web browser, simply type in www.dod.mil/mobile to view the top news and press releases that are customized to fit your screen," Merritt said.
Customers will see much of the same information and many of the photos and graphics that appear on the regular Defenselink Web page, available at www.dod.mil, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Brook DeWalt, AFIS's new media operations manager, said.
The new mobile system enhances DoD's mission to inform the public of its policies, as well as to communicate with servicemembers, defense civilians, retirees, and their families, Dorsz said.
Article sponsored by military and police personnel who have become authors; and criminal justice leadership online.
Continued Engagement Will Prevent Future Conflicts, General Says
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 16, 2007 – One of the most important missions the U.S. military has is forming relationships with allies and building the foundations for peace in regions around the world, the former commander of U.S. European Command said here today. The United States is still a model of freedom and leadership for the world, and if its forces stay engaged in areas of the world that are at risk for instability, they can prevent future conflicts and save valuable resources, Marine Gen. James L. Jones, who headed up European Command for four years while serving as NATO's supreme allied commander in Europe, said in an interview.
"It's clear that if you can prevent conflicts and you can shape the environment that you're in and you can engage with friends and allies and do this proactively, but in advance of any critical mass being reached in a particular area, then you can save an awful lot of resources down the road," Jones said. "These countries need help, and they need our assistance and our leadership. (It) doesn't have to be a lot of money, but it has to be consistent."
Jones pointed to EUCOM's work with Liberia and Northern Africa, where U.S. forces have been conducting humanitarian missions and training local militaries. In areas like these, just the U.S. presence is important, he said.
"We can't underestimate what building a road can do, what digging a well can do, what building a school can do, what training a country's military can do, and how our men and women in uniform are such powerful ambassadors of good things," he said.
The U.S. military's role as worldwide ambassadors was established by those who fought in past conflicts and established the U.S. as a superpower that wanted to make the world a better place, Jones said. He pointed to his own experiences working with NATO, European countries and Africa as a case of how the U.S. military is still an example to the world, standing for doing what is right.
"The United States still stands almost uniquely capable to shape the environment in such a way that people can enjoy freedom and democracy and a better way of life," he said. "That, to me, is the model that we've tried to subscribe to for many years and one that will work very well for us in the future."
As U.S. combatant commanders work to promote stability in their respective regions, it is important they involve all their partner agencies of the U.S. government, Jones said. In EUCOM, the military commanders work with many different organizations, including the U.S. State Department, Department of Commerce, FBI, CIA, and other Defense Department agencies, to coordinate operations. This cooperation gives the military a better understanding of the overall national strategy for the area and ensures efforts do not overlap, he explained.
During his time at EUCOM, Jones said, transformation went well and created a more agile force. The cohesion of all four military services smoothed the transition and helped create a more proactive force that focuses on preventing future conflicts and helping emerging democracies, he said.
"The ability to use our forces for good, for relations with allies and friends, to help the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, to deter and prevent future conflicts -- that's what the great value is," he said. "We should, one of these days, get back to our old ethos that if you have to fight, you better be able to fight and win, but that's not the only thing you should be able to do."
Article sponsored by military and police personnel who have become authors; and criminal justice leadership online.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 16, 2007 – One of the most important missions the U.S. military has is forming relationships with allies and building the foundations for peace in regions around the world, the former commander of U.S. European Command said here today. The United States is still a model of freedom and leadership for the world, and if its forces stay engaged in areas of the world that are at risk for instability, they can prevent future conflicts and save valuable resources, Marine Gen. James L. Jones, who headed up European Command for four years while serving as NATO's supreme allied commander in Europe, said in an interview.
"It's clear that if you can prevent conflicts and you can shape the environment that you're in and you can engage with friends and allies and do this proactively, but in advance of any critical mass being reached in a particular area, then you can save an awful lot of resources down the road," Jones said. "These countries need help, and they need our assistance and our leadership. (It) doesn't have to be a lot of money, but it has to be consistent."
Jones pointed to EUCOM's work with Liberia and Northern Africa, where U.S. forces have been conducting humanitarian missions and training local militaries. In areas like these, just the U.S. presence is important, he said.
"We can't underestimate what building a road can do, what digging a well can do, what building a school can do, what training a country's military can do, and how our men and women in uniform are such powerful ambassadors of good things," he said.
The U.S. military's role as worldwide ambassadors was established by those who fought in past conflicts and established the U.S. as a superpower that wanted to make the world a better place, Jones said. He pointed to his own experiences working with NATO, European countries and Africa as a case of how the U.S. military is still an example to the world, standing for doing what is right.
"The United States still stands almost uniquely capable to shape the environment in such a way that people can enjoy freedom and democracy and a better way of life," he said. "That, to me, is the model that we've tried to subscribe to for many years and one that will work very well for us in the future."
As U.S. combatant commanders work to promote stability in their respective regions, it is important they involve all their partner agencies of the U.S. government, Jones said. In EUCOM, the military commanders work with many different organizations, including the U.S. State Department, Department of Commerce, FBI, CIA, and other Defense Department agencies, to coordinate operations. This cooperation gives the military a better understanding of the overall national strategy for the area and ensures efforts do not overlap, he explained.
During his time at EUCOM, Jones said, transformation went well and created a more agile force. The cohesion of all four military services smoothed the transition and helped create a more proactive force that focuses on preventing future conflicts and helping emerging democracies, he said.
"The ability to use our forces for good, for relations with allies and friends, to help the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, to deter and prevent future conflicts -- that's what the great value is," he said. "We should, one of these days, get back to our old ethos that if you have to fight, you better be able to fight and win, but that's not the only thing you should be able to do."
Article sponsored by military and police personnel who have become authors; and criminal justice leadership online.
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