By Linda D. Kozaryn
American Forces Press Service
, Oct. 12, 2007 - U.S. plans to base missile defense radar and interceptors in Poland and the Czech Republic and Russia's opposition to those plans were at the heart of talks between U.S. and Russian leaders here this morning. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Defense Minister Anatoliy Eduardovich Serdyukov and Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov at Putin's residence outside of Moscow.
According to pool reports, Putin did not meet with Gates and Rice until 40 minutes after their arrival. Prior to the meeting, U.S. reporters asked Lavrov if there would be any big breakthroughs during the talks. The foreign minister replied: "Breaks, definitely. Through or down -- I don't know."
In his opening remarks, Putin said, "I hope today's talks on many issues will be fruitful, but I hope that in the process of such complex and multifaceted talks you will not be forcing forward your relations with the Eastern European countries."
In a tone described by pool reporters as "mocking," Putin mentioned the possibility of a future missile defense system.
"Of course we can sometime in the future decide that some anti-missile defense system should be established somewhere on the moon," Putin said, according to an English translation. "But before we reach such arrangements, we will lose the opportunity for fixing some particular arrangements between us."
Putin threatened to abandon a key nuclear missile treaty. He said the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty limiting Russian and U.S. short- and medium-range missiles was outmoded because other countries are acquiring such weapons.
"If we are unable to make such a goal of making this treaty universal, then it will be difficult for us to keep within the framework of such a treaty, especially when other countries do have such weapons systems," Putin said.
Gates told the Russians that the Pentagon was ready to intensify a dialogue on military relations.
"We have an ambitious agenda of security issues that concern both of us, including as you suggest, development of missile systems by others in the neighborhood, I would say in particular Iran," he said.
Rice responded to Putin's remarks by saying that the United States will try to find ways to cooperate. "Even though we have our differences, we have a great deal in common because that which unites us in trying to deal with the threats of terrorism, of proliferation are much greater than the issues that divide us," she said.
During a briefing on her way to Moscow, Rice said the goal of the missile defense system is to bring about security for European allies and the United States.
"We've been very clear that we need the Czech and Polish sites," she said. "But I think we ought to look at all the possible elements of what the President (Bush) and President Putin called a kind of regional architecture for missile defense. And there is considerable interest in both Azerbaijan and some of the possibilities in Russia itself. So I think we ought to look at all the possible elements."
Friday, October 12, 2007
Guard Works to Bring Back Prior-Service Soldiers
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 12, 2007 - The Army National Guard has launched a new recruiting effort that officials hope will tap into a market that has steadily decreased since the war on terror began -- prior-service soldiers. Dubbed "Active First," the program targets new recruits who want to serve on active-duty but then are willing to return to the Guard to finish out the remainder of their initial military service obligation.
Officials hope to recruit as many as 2,000 soldiers into the program this year, said Army Lt. Col. Gregg Bliss, branch chief for the National Guard Bureau recruit sustainment program. Of those, National Guard leaders hope to see as many as 1,400 return to the Guard, he said.
"A lot of soldiers like the opportunity to serve their nation and come back and serve their community, as well. We think we're offering them both options in a manner that really benefits them," Bliss said.
Most initial active-duty enlistments are followed by a remaining service obligation in the Individual Ready Reserve. For example, four-year active-duty enlistments typically are followed by four-year IRR obligations, in which soldiers are not paid and are no longer required to perform any duty, but are subject to be called back into active service.
Under the new program, soldiers return to the Guard to fulfill the remaining obligation. The Guard benefits because soldiers enter their Guard units trained, experienced and ready to fill leadership positions. Recruits can receive bonuses as high as $40,000, officials said.
Recruits who enlist under this program serve in the Army National Guard until completing their initial entry training and then serve 30, 36 or 48 months on active duty. After completing their active-duty tour, recruits can re-enlist or return to the Guard.
Under the new Active First program, recruits receive as much as $20,000 after finishing initial training. Up to $20,000 more can be paid once soldiers return to the Guard after active service, National Guard officials said.
Because bonuses are based on length of enlistment and are not job or qualification specific, recruits who don't mind finishing their initial military service obligation in the Guard can earn big bucks. The average bonus for an active-duty enlistment in 2006 was $16,500, officials said.
In addition, recruiting officials hope the Guard-turned-active-duty soldiers will promote the National Guard during their active service and persuade more prior-service soldiers to sign-up once their initial enlistments are finished, Bliss said.
"It spreads our good news story that Guard soldiers support their community and support their nation. We think for all parties -- the Army, the National Guard and the soldier -- it's a very positive opportunity," he said.
Traditionally, many active-duty soldiers have transitioned into the Guard after finishing their enlistments. In the past, the Guard filled its ranks with about 60 percent prior-service military. Guard officials noted that percentage has dropped by half as deployments have dramatically increased for Guard units in the past five years, making separating active-duty soldiers wary of signing up.
In fact, the Guard now is giving the active component more than it is getting. In 2006, the Guard received 3,378 soldiers from the Army, but released 4,309 soldiers to active duty.
Bliss said the Guard always has provided soldiers to the active component, allowing them to be discharged for enlistment into active duty. But this program puts in place a process for returning those soldiers to the Guard.
"All we're doing is formalizing the process, not only to team more effectively with the Army, but to also take care of these soldiers a little bit better, as well," Bliss said.
Army National Guard officials reported finishing fiscal 2007 at 101 percent of its planned end-strength, nearly 3,000 troops above its planned 350,000-soldier end-strength and with almost 6,500 more troops than it started the year with.
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 12, 2007 - The Army National Guard has launched a new recruiting effort that officials hope will tap into a market that has steadily decreased since the war on terror began -- prior-service soldiers. Dubbed "Active First," the program targets new recruits who want to serve on active-duty but then are willing to return to the Guard to finish out the remainder of their initial military service obligation.
Officials hope to recruit as many as 2,000 soldiers into the program this year, said Army Lt. Col. Gregg Bliss, branch chief for the National Guard Bureau recruit sustainment program. Of those, National Guard leaders hope to see as many as 1,400 return to the Guard, he said.
"A lot of soldiers like the opportunity to serve their nation and come back and serve their community, as well. We think we're offering them both options in a manner that really benefits them," Bliss said.
Most initial active-duty enlistments are followed by a remaining service obligation in the Individual Ready Reserve. For example, four-year active-duty enlistments typically are followed by four-year IRR obligations, in which soldiers are not paid and are no longer required to perform any duty, but are subject to be called back into active service.
Under the new program, soldiers return to the Guard to fulfill the remaining obligation. The Guard benefits because soldiers enter their Guard units trained, experienced and ready to fill leadership positions. Recruits can receive bonuses as high as $40,000, officials said.
Recruits who enlist under this program serve in the Army National Guard until completing their initial entry training and then serve 30, 36 or 48 months on active duty. After completing their active-duty tour, recruits can re-enlist or return to the Guard.
Under the new Active First program, recruits receive as much as $20,000 after finishing initial training. Up to $20,000 more can be paid once soldiers return to the Guard after active service, National Guard officials said.
Because bonuses are based on length of enlistment and are not job or qualification specific, recruits who don't mind finishing their initial military service obligation in the Guard can earn big bucks. The average bonus for an active-duty enlistment in 2006 was $16,500, officials said.
In addition, recruiting officials hope the Guard-turned-active-duty soldiers will promote the National Guard during their active service and persuade more prior-service soldiers to sign-up once their initial enlistments are finished, Bliss said.
"It spreads our good news story that Guard soldiers support their community and support their nation. We think for all parties -- the Army, the National Guard and the soldier -- it's a very positive opportunity," he said.
Traditionally, many active-duty soldiers have transitioned into the Guard after finishing their enlistments. In the past, the Guard filled its ranks with about 60 percent prior-service military. Guard officials noted that percentage has dropped by half as deployments have dramatically increased for Guard units in the past five years, making separating active-duty soldiers wary of signing up.
In fact, the Guard now is giving the active component more than it is getting. In 2006, the Guard received 3,378 soldiers from the Army, but released 4,309 soldiers to active duty.
Bliss said the Guard always has provided soldiers to the active component, allowing them to be discharged for enlistment into active duty. But this program puts in place a process for returning those soldiers to the Guard.
"All we're doing is formalizing the process, not only to team more effectively with the Army, but to also take care of these soldiers a little bit better, as well," Bliss said.
Army National Guard officials reported finishing fiscal 2007 at 101 percent of its planned end-strength, nearly 3,000 troops above its planned 350,000-soldier end-strength and with almost 6,500 more troops than it started the year with.
U.S., Russian Leaders Agree to Meet Again
By Linda D. Kozaryn
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 12, 2007 - U.S. and Russian foreign affairs and defense leaders made no major breakthroughs during what they're calling their first "two-plus-two" talks on strategic security, but they agreed to meet again in Washington in six months. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates met here today with Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov and Defense Minister Anatoliy Eduardovich Serdyukov to discuss missile defense and other security issues.
Russian leaders oppose the U.S. plan to base radar and long-range ballistic missile interceptors in Poland and the Czech Republic. At a meeting earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Rice and Gates "that in the process of such complex and multifaceted talks you will not be forcing forward your relations with the Eastern European countries."
Putin also threatened to abandon a key nuclear missile treaty. He said the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty limiting Russian and U.S. short- and medium-range missiles was outmoded because other countries were acquiring such weapons.
"If we are unable to make such a goal of making this treaty universal, then it will be difficult for us to keep within the framework of such a treaty, especially when other countries do have such weapons systems," Putin said.
The two top diplomats and two defense leaders then met for two sessions of talks, followed by a short news conference in which Rice told U.S. and Russian reporters that the "constructive" talks covered a full range of issues on the political, military and strategic agenda with Russia.
Rice said the "two-plus-two" format was useful and that U.S. officials would put together a strategic framework on all of the various strategic policy issues that both parties can review and hopefully finalize at the next meeting in Washington.
The United States and Russia agree on countering global nuclear terror and the safe use of civilian nuclear power, Rice said. "These are elements the presidents have had very forward-leaning initiatives on, and we want to make sure they are fully implemented," she said.
Other issues, such as missile defense and how to push forward on limiting deployed strategic warheads, remain to be agreed upon. But, she said, both parties have agreed their experts should work "very urgently" on resolving diverging views.
On the issue of positioning missile defense assets in Poland and the Czech Republic, Rice said the United States will work to address Russian concerns about the nature of the system and a diverging view of the missile threat, and to reassure the Russians that the system will not undermine the Russian deterrent. "We believe that we can address those concerns, and we are prepared to do it," Rice said.
"The United States did come with some new ideas that we hope are responsive to some of the concerns that Russia has had," she said. "But obviously our experts will need to work through some of these concepts so that we can make progress on these very important issues. Some of the ideas on transparency and joint monitoring, we would hope we could be taken up very soon; others are still to be worked."
Rice pointed out that the "adversarial" relationship between the United States and Russia is a thing of the past, and that today, while there may be differences from time to time, "there is a spirit of constructive work."
Gates told reporters the talks "reflected the complex, multifaceted relationship Russia and the United States have -- a relationship with many common security interests."
"We have a robust strategic agenda, and many of these topics were discussed during today's meetings," he said. "We put some new ideas on the table in several areas."
Gates said U.S. officials proposed having individuals from both sides at the missile defense sites to provide complete transparency. "Some of the proposals affected transparency and sharing information," he said.
Gates emphasized that the missile defense system being proposed is not directed at Russia. "It would have no impact on Russia's strategic deterrent," he said.
"I would just add that we also addressed the possible concern on the Russian side, that while the sites in the present design form pose no threat to Russia or its deterrent, the concern that in some future date years from now they might do so and our willingness to provide assurances and reassurances in that respect," he said.
Gates said U.S. officials "remain eager to be full and open partners with Russia in missile defense," he said. "We discussed a range of proposals we hope Moscow will accept. If we succeed in working together, (it) will mark a major strategic shift."
U.S. officials are concerned about Russia's stated intention to suspend its participation in the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty and hope the differences can be resolved.
Lavrov opened the news conference on a positive note, remarking that the meeting reaffirmed that all participants "realize their responsibility for world security and a strategic partnership."
He also said the Russians agreed to make the two-plus-two format permanent and to meet again in Washington in six months to follow up on their work on "practical implementation of initiatives put forward by the two countries jointly and implemented jointly in the area of strategic stability."
He said this includes the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, strengthening of cooperative regimes, countering nuclear terrorism, the development of cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and the "universalization" of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, a Cold War-era treaty limiting Russian and U.S. short- and medium-range missiles.
The treaty limits the Russian Federation and the United States in their ability to have appropriate military systems, Lavrov said. "Since the threat of missile proliferation is growing, we agreed that we need to invite all countries without an exclusion to engage in this regime."
Lavrov noted that the two parties also could use the two-plus-two meetings to discuss issues on which their views diverge, and one of these issues is missile defense. He said Russian experts will examine proposals put forward today by the Americans aimed at finding common ground.
Russian officials' views "diverge about the assessment of the character of the missile proliferation threat," Lavrov said, and experts will focus and collaborate on a joint understanding of the threat.
"If it has to do with the protection of Europe and the United States, let's realistically look at who can threaten them," Lavrov stressed. "If we succeed in hammering out these criteria, it may become clear that there is no need in this third positioning region."
He also called on the Americans to freeze their plans to deploy missile defense assets in Europe while U.S. and Russian experts work on resolving the two nations' differences.
Lavrov said the two parties agreed to continue work on the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty. This summer, the Russians put forth proposals on how to save the treaty and keep it viable, he said. Today, the Americans made their proposals, which he said "is a step in the right direction, but this step is insufficient."
The Russian minister said the two nations must work out an arrangement following the end of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. He added that Russian officials realize the relevance of the treaty and the importance of a follow-on treaty.
Lavrov called for a "holistic approach" to dealing with all matters of strategic stability that are on the agenda of Russian-American relations.
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 12, 2007 - U.S. and Russian foreign affairs and defense leaders made no major breakthroughs during what they're calling their first "two-plus-two" talks on strategic security, but they agreed to meet again in Washington in six months. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates met here today with Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov and Defense Minister Anatoliy Eduardovich Serdyukov to discuss missile defense and other security issues.
Russian leaders oppose the U.S. plan to base radar and long-range ballistic missile interceptors in Poland and the Czech Republic. At a meeting earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Rice and Gates "that in the process of such complex and multifaceted talks you will not be forcing forward your relations with the Eastern European countries."
Putin also threatened to abandon a key nuclear missile treaty. He said the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty limiting Russian and U.S. short- and medium-range missiles was outmoded because other countries were acquiring such weapons.
"If we are unable to make such a goal of making this treaty universal, then it will be difficult for us to keep within the framework of such a treaty, especially when other countries do have such weapons systems," Putin said.
The two top diplomats and two defense leaders then met for two sessions of talks, followed by a short news conference in which Rice told U.S. and Russian reporters that the "constructive" talks covered a full range of issues on the political, military and strategic agenda with Russia.
Rice said the "two-plus-two" format was useful and that U.S. officials would put together a strategic framework on all of the various strategic policy issues that both parties can review and hopefully finalize at the next meeting in Washington.
The United States and Russia agree on countering global nuclear terror and the safe use of civilian nuclear power, Rice said. "These are elements the presidents have had very forward-leaning initiatives on, and we want to make sure they are fully implemented," she said.
Other issues, such as missile defense and how to push forward on limiting deployed strategic warheads, remain to be agreed upon. But, she said, both parties have agreed their experts should work "very urgently" on resolving diverging views.
On the issue of positioning missile defense assets in Poland and the Czech Republic, Rice said the United States will work to address Russian concerns about the nature of the system and a diverging view of the missile threat, and to reassure the Russians that the system will not undermine the Russian deterrent. "We believe that we can address those concerns, and we are prepared to do it," Rice said.
"The United States did come with some new ideas that we hope are responsive to some of the concerns that Russia has had," she said. "But obviously our experts will need to work through some of these concepts so that we can make progress on these very important issues. Some of the ideas on transparency and joint monitoring, we would hope we could be taken up very soon; others are still to be worked."
Rice pointed out that the "adversarial" relationship between the United States and Russia is a thing of the past, and that today, while there may be differences from time to time, "there is a spirit of constructive work."
Gates told reporters the talks "reflected the complex, multifaceted relationship Russia and the United States have -- a relationship with many common security interests."
"We have a robust strategic agenda, and many of these topics were discussed during today's meetings," he said. "We put some new ideas on the table in several areas."
Gates said U.S. officials proposed having individuals from both sides at the missile defense sites to provide complete transparency. "Some of the proposals affected transparency and sharing information," he said.
Gates emphasized that the missile defense system being proposed is not directed at Russia. "It would have no impact on Russia's strategic deterrent," he said.
"I would just add that we also addressed the possible concern on the Russian side, that while the sites in the present design form pose no threat to Russia or its deterrent, the concern that in some future date years from now they might do so and our willingness to provide assurances and reassurances in that respect," he said.
Gates said U.S. officials "remain eager to be full and open partners with Russia in missile defense," he said. "We discussed a range of proposals we hope Moscow will accept. If we succeed in working together, (it) will mark a major strategic shift."
U.S. officials are concerned about Russia's stated intention to suspend its participation in the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty and hope the differences can be resolved.
Lavrov opened the news conference on a positive note, remarking that the meeting reaffirmed that all participants "realize their responsibility for world security and a strategic partnership."
He also said the Russians agreed to make the two-plus-two format permanent and to meet again in Washington in six months to follow up on their work on "practical implementation of initiatives put forward by the two countries jointly and implemented jointly in the area of strategic stability."
He said this includes the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, strengthening of cooperative regimes, countering nuclear terrorism, the development of cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and the "universalization" of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, a Cold War-era treaty limiting Russian and U.S. short- and medium-range missiles.
The treaty limits the Russian Federation and the United States in their ability to have appropriate military systems, Lavrov said. "Since the threat of missile proliferation is growing, we agreed that we need to invite all countries without an exclusion to engage in this regime."
Lavrov noted that the two parties also could use the two-plus-two meetings to discuss issues on which their views diverge, and one of these issues is missile defense. He said Russian experts will examine proposals put forward today by the Americans aimed at finding common ground.
Russian officials' views "diverge about the assessment of the character of the missile proliferation threat," Lavrov said, and experts will focus and collaborate on a joint understanding of the threat.
"If it has to do with the protection of Europe and the United States, let's realistically look at who can threaten them," Lavrov stressed. "If we succeed in hammering out these criteria, it may become clear that there is no need in this third positioning region."
He also called on the Americans to freeze their plans to deploy missile defense assets in Europe while U.S. and Russian experts work on resolving the two nations' differences.
Lavrov said the two parties agreed to continue work on the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty. This summer, the Russians put forth proposals on how to save the treaty and keep it viable, he said. Today, the Americans made their proposals, which he said "is a step in the right direction, but this step is insufficient."
The Russian minister said the two nations must work out an arrangement following the end of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. He added that Russian officials realize the relevance of the treaty and the importance of a follow-on treaty.
Lavrov called for a "holistic approach" to dealing with all matters of strategic stability that are on the agenda of Russian-American relations.
America Supports You: Group, Restaurant Round-up Troop Support
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 12, 2007 - A South Carolina-based troop-support group and a national restaurant chain have teamed up to see that at least 500,000 servicemembers get a note of thanks this holiday season. Nearly 500 Golden Corral restaurants across the country are offering patrons the chance to pen a note of thanks to servicemembers through Nov. 15. The non-profit group Operation Thank You will include all the cards the program generates in holiday care packages for deployed troops, said Brian Bohlman, the organization's founder and a captain in the South Carolina Air National Guard.
Operation Thank You is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
"(Golden Corral) saw that we had a goal to send 150,000 cards to our troops," Bohlman, a military chaplain, said. "The said they really didn't want to duplicate what we were doing, but the idea was that they could print up a similar card, a 'thank you' card ... if we would help get those into the hands of our troops during the holidays."
The program began in 2006 when Bohlman was deployed to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. He arrived with 5,000 cards of support for the troops.
He placed the cards in public areas where any patient or hospital employee passing by could read them. But one soldier gave Bohlman the inspiration to continue collecting notes for the troops.
"He stopped me in the hall, and he told me he read through like 100 cards," Bohlman said. "He said it was the best medicine that he had ever received."
That was all the encouragement the chaplain needed. His organization decided 150,000 cards would just about cover troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as some of the military hospitals, he said.
"Out of our inventory, we're about halfway there," Bohlman said. "We have some big events coming up in the next few months so we hope to have our batch of 150,000 finished, but if not, Golden Corral's definitely helping us go over the top."
It appears that not only will Golden Corral reach its goal of 500,000 cards collected from diners, it may exceed the goal. Bohlman said some of the restaurants are reporting they're almost out of the cards, which can be dropped into a box as customers leave the store.
"Some people, because it's designed like a post card, ... just take it home, put a stamp on it and just drop it in the mail," he said.
The restaurant is strongly encouraging its customers to drop them in the boxes, however. "They actually want to have an opportunity to proofread them before they get to me," Bohlman said.
Golden Corral also is conducting its seventh annual Military Appreciation Monday on Nov. 12. On this day, all 485 restaurants will offer a free "thank you" dinner buffet and beverage to any person who has served in the U.S. military.
A new component of this year's event is an essay contest open to anyone who has served or has a parent who has served in the military. Essays of 1,000 words or less should explain why the entrant is proud of their service or that of their parents. Three prizes, starting at $1,000, will be awarded to further the winners' educations.
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 12, 2007 - A South Carolina-based troop-support group and a national restaurant chain have teamed up to see that at least 500,000 servicemembers get a note of thanks this holiday season. Nearly 500 Golden Corral restaurants across the country are offering patrons the chance to pen a note of thanks to servicemembers through Nov. 15. The non-profit group Operation Thank You will include all the cards the program generates in holiday care packages for deployed troops, said Brian Bohlman, the organization's founder and a captain in the South Carolina Air National Guard.
Operation Thank You is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
"(Golden Corral) saw that we had a goal to send 150,000 cards to our troops," Bohlman, a military chaplain, said. "The said they really didn't want to duplicate what we were doing, but the idea was that they could print up a similar card, a 'thank you' card ... if we would help get those into the hands of our troops during the holidays."
The program began in 2006 when Bohlman was deployed to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. He arrived with 5,000 cards of support for the troops.
He placed the cards in public areas where any patient or hospital employee passing by could read them. But one soldier gave Bohlman the inspiration to continue collecting notes for the troops.
"He stopped me in the hall, and he told me he read through like 100 cards," Bohlman said. "He said it was the best medicine that he had ever received."
That was all the encouragement the chaplain needed. His organization decided 150,000 cards would just about cover troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as some of the military hospitals, he said.
"Out of our inventory, we're about halfway there," Bohlman said. "We have some big events coming up in the next few months so we hope to have our batch of 150,000 finished, but if not, Golden Corral's definitely helping us go over the top."
It appears that not only will Golden Corral reach its goal of 500,000 cards collected from diners, it may exceed the goal. Bohlman said some of the restaurants are reporting they're almost out of the cards, which can be dropped into a box as customers leave the store.
"Some people, because it's designed like a post card, ... just take it home, put a stamp on it and just drop it in the mail," he said.
The restaurant is strongly encouraging its customers to drop them in the boxes, however. "They actually want to have an opportunity to proofread them before they get to me," Bohlman said.
Golden Corral also is conducting its seventh annual Military Appreciation Monday on Nov. 12. On this day, all 485 restaurants will offer a free "thank you" dinner buffet and beverage to any person who has served in the U.S. military.
A new component of this year's event is an essay contest open to anyone who has served or has a parent who has served in the military. Essays of 1,000 words or less should explain why the entrant is proud of their service or that of their parents. Three prizes, starting at $1,000, will be awarded to further the winners' educations.
Why We Serve: Combat Medic Saves Lives Using New Evacuation System
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 12, 2007 - A veteran Air Force combat medic helped to transform the way wounded troops are treated and evacuated during a recent deployment to Afghanistan. Tech Sgt. Mark A. DeCorte recalled the previous practice when unarmed battlefield medics were flown in to treat and evacuate injured servicemembers usually after an area had been cleared of the enemy.
However, DeCorte emphasized, "When you have a wounded soldier on the ground, they need help now."
DeCorte is among a group of 10 servicemembers who served in Iraq, Afghanistan or the Horn of Africa who have been selected to tell the military's story to the American people at community, business, veteran's and other gatherings as part of the Defense Department's "Why We Serve" public outreach program.
Why We Serve began last fall and was originally the idea of former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Peter Pace. Representatives from all the service branches participate in the program, which is conducted in quarterly segments. DeCorte and the other nine servicemembers in his group constitute the fifth iteration since the program began.
"I think the program is awesome," DeCorte said, noting that Americans need to hear the success stories and sacrifices of U.S. servicemembers deployed overseas in the war against terrorism.
The concept of treating and evacuating injured servicemembers during the din of battle was tested during DeCorte's tour of duty in Afghanistan from February to June 2006, the 13-year military veteran said.
The Army had requested Air Force assistance to improve its air-ambulance capabilities in Afghanistan's austere, mountainous terrain, DeCorte explained.
Previous doctrine was to send in medical-evacuation helicopters after the fighting had stopped, he noted, but this practice meant that some troops wouldn't survive the trip to the hospital. That procedure would change.
In Afghanistan, DeCorte was one of several military medics embedded with aerial combat-support units. Instead of using traditional rotary- or fixed-wing aircraft marked with red crosses, the new wave combat medics carried arms as they flew directly into the maelstrom aboard armored helicopter gunships.
The idea, DeCorte explained, was to treat the wounded as quickly as possible. And, when the concept was tested on the battlefield, it contributed to achieving a previously unimagined wounded-survivability rate of 90 percent, he said.
"We can now go in embedded (with combat units) and part of the operation," DeCorte said.
And instead of the famous but fragile UH-1 "Huey" helicopters that were used to evacuate wounded U.S. troops during the Vietnam War, DeCorte and his fellow medics today fly into action aboard HH-60-G Pave Hawk helicopters, the same aircraft favored by U.S. Special Operations troops.
"What that led to is a brand-new capability," DeCorte pointed out, noting that the Pave Hawks' specialized equipment enables nighttime, as well as daytime, medical evacuations.
"We can come in with weapons," DeCorte said. "We can actually get the wounded as they're being wounded."
A servicemember's odds of surviving battlefield-inflicted wounds go way up if he or she can be evacuated to a treatment center within an hour of being injured, DeCorte pointed out. In medical parlance that period of time is known as "the golden hour," he said.
"If I can get you to surgery within an hour you most likely have a chance to survive," DeCorte said.
The Minot, N.D.-born noncommissioned officer saved 36 lives during his 63 combat sorties in southern Afghanistan. "It's very bad in that area," DeCorte observed, adding that two of his fellow combat medics on other air-evacuation flights saved another 102 lives between them.
When not saving lives, the air-ambulance crews also performed aerial resupply and other support missions not traditionally performed by combat medics, DeCorte said.
DeCorte's wife, Lorretta, also is an Air Force medic. Although family life can sometimes get hectic with four children and military deployments, DeCorte said he's in the military for the long haul.
"I don't want to sit in the rear. I need to put my uniform on and get there in the fight and bring those soldiers home," he concluded.
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 12, 2007 - A veteran Air Force combat medic helped to transform the way wounded troops are treated and evacuated during a recent deployment to Afghanistan. Tech Sgt. Mark A. DeCorte recalled the previous practice when unarmed battlefield medics were flown in to treat and evacuate injured servicemembers usually after an area had been cleared of the enemy.
However, DeCorte emphasized, "When you have a wounded soldier on the ground, they need help now."
DeCorte is among a group of 10 servicemembers who served in Iraq, Afghanistan or the Horn of Africa who have been selected to tell the military's story to the American people at community, business, veteran's and other gatherings as part of the Defense Department's "Why We Serve" public outreach program.
Why We Serve began last fall and was originally the idea of former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Peter Pace. Representatives from all the service branches participate in the program, which is conducted in quarterly segments. DeCorte and the other nine servicemembers in his group constitute the fifth iteration since the program began.
"I think the program is awesome," DeCorte said, noting that Americans need to hear the success stories and sacrifices of U.S. servicemembers deployed overseas in the war against terrorism.
The concept of treating and evacuating injured servicemembers during the din of battle was tested during DeCorte's tour of duty in Afghanistan from February to June 2006, the 13-year military veteran said.
The Army had requested Air Force assistance to improve its air-ambulance capabilities in Afghanistan's austere, mountainous terrain, DeCorte explained.
Previous doctrine was to send in medical-evacuation helicopters after the fighting had stopped, he noted, but this practice meant that some troops wouldn't survive the trip to the hospital. That procedure would change.
In Afghanistan, DeCorte was one of several military medics embedded with aerial combat-support units. Instead of using traditional rotary- or fixed-wing aircraft marked with red crosses, the new wave combat medics carried arms as they flew directly into the maelstrom aboard armored helicopter gunships.
The idea, DeCorte explained, was to treat the wounded as quickly as possible. And, when the concept was tested on the battlefield, it contributed to achieving a previously unimagined wounded-survivability rate of 90 percent, he said.
"We can now go in embedded (with combat units) and part of the operation," DeCorte said.
And instead of the famous but fragile UH-1 "Huey" helicopters that were used to evacuate wounded U.S. troops during the Vietnam War, DeCorte and his fellow medics today fly into action aboard HH-60-G Pave Hawk helicopters, the same aircraft favored by U.S. Special Operations troops.
"What that led to is a brand-new capability," DeCorte pointed out, noting that the Pave Hawks' specialized equipment enables nighttime, as well as daytime, medical evacuations.
"We can come in with weapons," DeCorte said. "We can actually get the wounded as they're being wounded."
A servicemember's odds of surviving battlefield-inflicted wounds go way up if he or she can be evacuated to a treatment center within an hour of being injured, DeCorte pointed out. In medical parlance that period of time is known as "the golden hour," he said.
"If I can get you to surgery within an hour you most likely have a chance to survive," DeCorte said.
The Minot, N.D.-born noncommissioned officer saved 36 lives during his 63 combat sorties in southern Afghanistan. "It's very bad in that area," DeCorte observed, adding that two of his fellow combat medics on other air-evacuation flights saved another 102 lives between them.
When not saving lives, the air-ambulance crews also performed aerial resupply and other support missions not traditionally performed by combat medics, DeCorte said.
DeCorte's wife, Lorretta, also is an Air Force medic. Although family life can sometimes get hectic with four children and military deployments, DeCorte said he's in the military for the long haul.
"I don't want to sit in the rear. I need to put my uniform on and get there in the fight and bring those soldiers home," he concluded.
Gates Travels to London, Moscow
By Linda D. Kozaryn
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 11, 2007 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived here this morning at the start of a four-day, two-country trip to meet with senior officials in London and Moscow. This is Gates' second trip to London since taking office; his first trip was in January. He is scheduled to meet with British Secretary of State for Defense Desmond Browne and with Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
A senior defense official traveling with Gates and speaking on background said the purpose of the stop in London is to continue dialogue on U.S.-U.K. relations now that the new British government is in place. Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan will be on the agenda, he said.
Gates will discuss the situation in Iraq, the defense official said, noting that U.S. officials have briefed the British leadership and Parliament on the report that Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker delivered to Congress in September.
The British decision to draw down their forces in Iraq from 5,000 to 2,500 troops did not come as a surprise to U.S. leaders, the defense official told reporters traveling with Gates. The British consulted with their allies and made it clear they had based their decision on sound judgments and military assessments of the conditions, the official said.
"Any of the decisions that the British government has made has been done in consultation with military commanders on the ground, and has been discussed with General Petraeus and in dialogue between Secretary Gates and Secretary Browne," the defense official said.
Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell, traveling with Gates, said the British will retain forces in southern Iraq to serve as trainers and as a rapid deployment force. The drawdown will not result in more U.S. troops being sent to Iraq, he said.
Gates also will discuss NATO's International Security Assistance Force operations in Afghanistan, the defense official said. The secretary and the British leaders will most likely discuss what the emphasis should be in talking with NATO ministers at an upcoming NATO ministerial two weeks from now.
NATO took command of operations in Afghanistan nearly a year ago, he said, and the ministers will consider: "Has it been a good year or a bad year; how has 2006 been compared to 2007; and what needs to be done force-wise and trainer-wise for 2008?"
He noted that Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe is soon due to release a revised combined joint statement of requirements, and "any numbers will be based on what's in that document."
British leaders have said they would like to do more in Afghanistan, the defense official added.
Talks between the U.S. and British leaders also may address relations with Russia, which have been strained recently over the death of ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko, who died in a London hospital in November 2006 from radiation poisoning. Tensions also have developed between the two countries due to Russia's resumption of long-range bomber flights. In an incident in July, Royal Air Force jets scrambled to intercept two Russian strategic bombers heading toward British airspace.
"Since we're going to Russia, the secretary may want to get the sense of current U.K.-Russian relations," the official said. "I'm sure the secretary will be curious just to get the reaction from his colleagues of how they see things going with Russia over the next few months -- if they see the status of relations improving and what would it take to improve (relations)."
In Russia, Gates is slated to meet with President Vladimir Putin, Defense Minister Anatoliy Eduardovich Serdyukov and other senior officials. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also will be attending the meetings in Russia.
This is Gates' second trip in two weeks. He traveled to five Latin American countries Oct. 2 to 6 to enhance longstanding defense ties and to visit the USNS Comfort. The Navy hospital ship has been providing medical care to Latin American and Caribbean nations for the past four months.
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 11, 2007 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived here this morning at the start of a four-day, two-country trip to meet with senior officials in London and Moscow. This is Gates' second trip to London since taking office; his first trip was in January. He is scheduled to meet with British Secretary of State for Defense Desmond Browne and with Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
A senior defense official traveling with Gates and speaking on background said the purpose of the stop in London is to continue dialogue on U.S.-U.K. relations now that the new British government is in place. Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan will be on the agenda, he said.
Gates will discuss the situation in Iraq, the defense official said, noting that U.S. officials have briefed the British leadership and Parliament on the report that Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker delivered to Congress in September.
The British decision to draw down their forces in Iraq from 5,000 to 2,500 troops did not come as a surprise to U.S. leaders, the defense official told reporters traveling with Gates. The British consulted with their allies and made it clear they had based their decision on sound judgments and military assessments of the conditions, the official said.
"Any of the decisions that the British government has made has been done in consultation with military commanders on the ground, and has been discussed with General Petraeus and in dialogue between Secretary Gates and Secretary Browne," the defense official said.
Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell, traveling with Gates, said the British will retain forces in southern Iraq to serve as trainers and as a rapid deployment force. The drawdown will not result in more U.S. troops being sent to Iraq, he said.
Gates also will discuss NATO's International Security Assistance Force operations in Afghanistan, the defense official said. The secretary and the British leaders will most likely discuss what the emphasis should be in talking with NATO ministers at an upcoming NATO ministerial two weeks from now.
NATO took command of operations in Afghanistan nearly a year ago, he said, and the ministers will consider: "Has it been a good year or a bad year; how has 2006 been compared to 2007; and what needs to be done force-wise and trainer-wise for 2008?"
He noted that Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe is soon due to release a revised combined joint statement of requirements, and "any numbers will be based on what's in that document."
British leaders have said they would like to do more in Afghanistan, the defense official added.
Talks between the U.S. and British leaders also may address relations with Russia, which have been strained recently over the death of ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko, who died in a London hospital in November 2006 from radiation poisoning. Tensions also have developed between the two countries due to Russia's resumption of long-range bomber flights. In an incident in July, Royal Air Force jets scrambled to intercept two Russian strategic bombers heading toward British airspace.
"Since we're going to Russia, the secretary may want to get the sense of current U.K.-Russian relations," the official said. "I'm sure the secretary will be curious just to get the reaction from his colleagues of how they see things going with Russia over the next few months -- if they see the status of relations improving and what would it take to improve (relations)."
In Russia, Gates is slated to meet with President Vladimir Putin, Defense Minister Anatoliy Eduardovich Serdyukov and other senior officials. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also will be attending the meetings in Russia.
This is Gates' second trip in two weeks. He traveled to five Latin American countries Oct. 2 to 6 to enhance longstanding defense ties and to visit the USNS Comfort. The Navy hospital ship has been providing medical care to Latin American and Caribbean nations for the past four months.
New Agreement to Help Balance Active Army, National Guard
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 11, 2007 - A new agreement between the active Army and Army National Guard represents a big step toward achieving the force structure balance Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. calls critical to the Army's transformation. Senior Army leaders signed a memo of understanding Oct. 9 during the Association of the U.S. Army convention here to firm up a plan to rebalance force structure and resources between the active and reserve components.
Under the plan, the Army National Guard will have 112 brigades: 28 brigade combat teams, 46 multifunctional brigades and 38 functional brigades. It is slated to grow by more than 5,000 troops to 358,000 in 2013. Almost 321,000 of those soldiers will be in the operational force.
The plan also ensures Guard units, many underequipped after leaving their best equipment in the combat theater for follow-on units, receive replacement equipment on par with their active-duty counterparts.
Gen. Richard A. Cody, Army vice chief of staff, joined Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn, director of the Army National Guard, and Maj. Gen. Bennett Landreneau, Louisiana's adjutant general and chairman of the Adjutants General Association Force Structure Committee, at the signing ceremony at the Washington Convention Center.
Cody called the plan a "necessary journey" that will "make our Army stronger."
Vaughn said the plan will reduce stress on the force by providing more formations in the deployment cycle. "It's more capacity for the Army," he said.
He pointed to the talks that led to the agreement as a model for the future. "This is the way we need to go in (addressing) some of the hard things," he said.
Casey called adapting the reserve components a key element in the Army's transformation and its ability to confront what is expected to be an era of "persistent conflict."
"Our reserve components are performing magnificently, but in an operational role for which they were neither designed nor resourced," he said during an address to AUSA attendees Oct. 9. "They are no longer a strategic reserve, mobilized only in national emergencies. They are now an operational reserve deployed on a cyclical basis," enabling the Army to sustain operations.
"Operationalizing" the reserve components "will require national and state consensus, as well as continued commitment from employers, soldiers and families," Casey said. "It will require changes to the way we train, equip, resource and mobilize."
It also will require changes to outdated Cold War-era administrative policies that inhibit reservists' ability to serve. "We changed the paradigm for our reserve-component soldiers and families, and we owe it to them to make this transition right," Casey said.
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 11, 2007 - A new agreement between the active Army and Army National Guard represents a big step toward achieving the force structure balance Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. calls critical to the Army's transformation. Senior Army leaders signed a memo of understanding Oct. 9 during the Association of the U.S. Army convention here to firm up a plan to rebalance force structure and resources between the active and reserve components.
Under the plan, the Army National Guard will have 112 brigades: 28 brigade combat teams, 46 multifunctional brigades and 38 functional brigades. It is slated to grow by more than 5,000 troops to 358,000 in 2013. Almost 321,000 of those soldiers will be in the operational force.
The plan also ensures Guard units, many underequipped after leaving their best equipment in the combat theater for follow-on units, receive replacement equipment on par with their active-duty counterparts.
Gen. Richard A. Cody, Army vice chief of staff, joined Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn, director of the Army National Guard, and Maj. Gen. Bennett Landreneau, Louisiana's adjutant general and chairman of the Adjutants General Association Force Structure Committee, at the signing ceremony at the Washington Convention Center.
Cody called the plan a "necessary journey" that will "make our Army stronger."
Vaughn said the plan will reduce stress on the force by providing more formations in the deployment cycle. "It's more capacity for the Army," he said.
He pointed to the talks that led to the agreement as a model for the future. "This is the way we need to go in (addressing) some of the hard things," he said.
Casey called adapting the reserve components a key element in the Army's transformation and its ability to confront what is expected to be an era of "persistent conflict."
"Our reserve components are performing magnificently, but in an operational role for which they were neither designed nor resourced," he said during an address to AUSA attendees Oct. 9. "They are no longer a strategic reserve, mobilized only in national emergencies. They are now an operational reserve deployed on a cyclical basis," enabling the Army to sustain operations.
"Operationalizing" the reserve components "will require national and state consensus, as well as continued commitment from employers, soldiers and families," Casey said. "It will require changes to the way we train, equip, resource and mobilize."
It also will require changes to outdated Cold War-era administrative policies that inhibit reservists' ability to serve. "We changed the paradigm for our reserve-component soldiers and families, and we owe it to them to make this transition right," Casey said.
America Supports You: Group Gears Up to Send Holiday Goodies
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 11, 2007 - In California, a modern-day Mrs. Claus is rallying her helpers once again to fill care packages with goodies for troops serving far from home during the upcoming holiday season. Though Operation Gratitude's "Holiday Drive 2007" doesn't officially kick off until the first "packing party" scheduled for Veterans Day weekend, the group's volunteers already are hard at work, founder Carolyn Blashek said.
"Our volunteers have already started the prep process (of) soliciting for products, collecting troop names, and sorting, inspecting ... and folding products," she said.
Additional packing weekends are scheduled for Nov. 23-24, Dec. 15-30 and Dec. 29-30. Blashek said she expects not only to fill about 60,000 care packages in those four weekends, but also to reach another milestone.
"(Operation Gratitude's) 300,000th package will be assembled on Dec. 15 with a projected delivery on or near Dec. 24," she said. "We already have a very wonderful commitment for another exciting gift!"
Blashek is keeping that tidbit to herself for the time being, but recipients of the 200,000th and 250,000th packages each received a new car. Marine Lance Cpl. Jordan Richards, the recipient of the 200,000th package, received a new Dodge Caliber. Blashek is hoping to present Army Spc. Alfonso Sanchez, the recipient of the 250,000th package, with the keys to his new Jeep Patriot by the end of the year.
Those receiving an Operation Gratitude care package won't be disappointed even if it's not the milestone 300,000th box, though. Blashek said packages will include food items, T-shirts, toiletries, greeting cards, as well as DVDs, CDs and other entertainment items.
"In addition, we are looking at generous commitments for computer flash drives and small plush toys," she said, adding that a new and "vastly improved" Operation Gratitude Magazine with letters from "very special people" will be included in the boxes.
This campaign marks Operation Gratitude's fifth holiday drive, but Blashek hasn't lost her enthusiasm for showing her appreciation to troops. In fact, she said, it's the troops' e-mails, and one in particular, that help keep her going.
She recently received an e-mail from a soldier whose unit was getting ready to head home. He just wanted to thank Blashek and let her know that she was doing more than just packing boxes. "Your care packages helped lift morale here greatly, and you should know helped save the life of a young soldier," he wrote.
That young soldier never got anything at mail call and didn't have much family back home, the writer said. His unit learned later that he had planned to commit suicide on Christmas, but changed his mind after receiving one of Operation Gratitude's care packages.
"The soldier now writes letters and e-mails to folks whose names were in the bo,x and the soldier's attitude and outlook on life has really improved," the writer told Blashek. "Your care package made a major difference in a human life."
Letters like that motivate all of Operation Gratitude's volunteers to push on, Blashek said.
Operation Gratitude is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 11, 2007 - In California, a modern-day Mrs. Claus is rallying her helpers once again to fill care packages with goodies for troops serving far from home during the upcoming holiday season. Though Operation Gratitude's "Holiday Drive 2007" doesn't officially kick off until the first "packing party" scheduled for Veterans Day weekend, the group's volunteers already are hard at work, founder Carolyn Blashek said.
"Our volunteers have already started the prep process (of) soliciting for products, collecting troop names, and sorting, inspecting ... and folding products," she said.
Additional packing weekends are scheduled for Nov. 23-24, Dec. 15-30 and Dec. 29-30. Blashek said she expects not only to fill about 60,000 care packages in those four weekends, but also to reach another milestone.
"(Operation Gratitude's) 300,000th package will be assembled on Dec. 15 with a projected delivery on or near Dec. 24," she said. "We already have a very wonderful commitment for another exciting gift!"
Blashek is keeping that tidbit to herself for the time being, but recipients of the 200,000th and 250,000th packages each received a new car. Marine Lance Cpl. Jordan Richards, the recipient of the 200,000th package, received a new Dodge Caliber. Blashek is hoping to present Army Spc. Alfonso Sanchez, the recipient of the 250,000th package, with the keys to his new Jeep Patriot by the end of the year.
Those receiving an Operation Gratitude care package won't be disappointed even if it's not the milestone 300,000th box, though. Blashek said packages will include food items, T-shirts, toiletries, greeting cards, as well as DVDs, CDs and other entertainment items.
"In addition, we are looking at generous commitments for computer flash drives and small plush toys," she said, adding that a new and "vastly improved" Operation Gratitude Magazine with letters from "very special people" will be included in the boxes.
This campaign marks Operation Gratitude's fifth holiday drive, but Blashek hasn't lost her enthusiasm for showing her appreciation to troops. In fact, she said, it's the troops' e-mails, and one in particular, that help keep her going.
She recently received an e-mail from a soldier whose unit was getting ready to head home. He just wanted to thank Blashek and let her know that she was doing more than just packing boxes. "Your care packages helped lift morale here greatly, and you should know helped save the life of a young soldier," he wrote.
That young soldier never got anything at mail call and didn't have much family back home, the writer said. His unit learned later that he had planned to commit suicide on Christmas, but changed his mind after receiving one of Operation Gratitude's care packages.
"The soldier now writes letters and e-mails to folks whose names were in the bo,x and the soldier's attitude and outlook on life has really improved," the writer told Blashek. "Your care package made a major difference in a human life."
Letters like that motivate all of Operation Gratitude's volunteers to push on, Blashek said.
Operation Gratitude is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
Roughead Takes Navy's Helm
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 11, 2007 - Promising to maintain the Navy's warfighting capability while building for the future and taking care of sailors and their families, Navy Adm. Gary Roughead assumed duties today as the chief of naval operations. "I'm excited to be the CNO, and I'm honored and humbled and reminded by this setting of the scope and sweep of the task ahead," Roughead said at a ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard.
Roughead takes over the duties of leading the Navy from Adm. Michael G. Mullen, who was sworn in Oct. 1 as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
At the ceremony, Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter thanked Mullen for his service and noted that Roughead takes charge of the Navy at an especially challenging time. The Navy is engaged in the war effort at an unprecedented level while also preparing for future challenges and building maritime partnerships with nations around the world, Winter said.
"We do not have the gift of clairvoyance; we cannot plan for a future along known paths," Winter said. "We must be prepared for many future paths, many dangers and many potential threats. And that requires, above all, a long-term perspective and a long-term commitment to building a Navy capable of meeting 21st-century challenges."
Roughead has the long-term perspective needed to lead the Navy at this time, Winter said. He said he and the admiral agree that America is a maritime nation, that the Navy must modernize its fleet, and that cooperative engagement policy is critical to future national security.
"Admiral Roughead is a man with a long-term, strategic perspective and a long track record as an exceptionally talented leader in challenging positions of responsibility and command at sea and on shore," Winter said. "He is the right leader to assume command of the Navy during these challenging times, and he takes the helm of an organization of which America is justly proud."
In accepting his responsibilities, Roughead noted that much has changed since his early days in the Navy, but what hasn't changed is the importance of American sailors in operations around the world. Sailors now conduct combat operations in the Middle East, partnerships with nations in the Pacific and the Americas, and humanitarian operations, among other things, he said.
"They all represent a new dimension of our Navy, a dimension in which we can all take pride," he said. "We are truly a ready, an agile, and a global Navy. It's an exciting time to serve, and I'm proud and eager to lead this Navy. "
The Navy's role in providing combat-ready forces to the joint force and allies will not change, and is in fact increasing as the military operates more in South America and Africa, he said.
"We live in a changing security environment, and we cannot afford to rest on our laurels and expect to achieve future success," Roughead said. "Our ships, our submarines, our aircraft, our networks, our weapons systems must stay ahead of potential adversaries."
As the Navy moves into the future, people are key, Roughead said. The service's policies must attract, recruit and retain young men and women and be unwavering in the obligation to take care of those who serve, he said.
"All we acquire and all we do is of little worth without the people who give it value," he said.
The Navy is not alone as it moves forward, Roughead acknowledged. Next week, he and the commandants of the Marine Corps and Coast Guard are attending the 18th International Sea Power Symposium in Newport, R.I., where representatives of more than 100 countries will come together to discuss maritime issues.
"More nations see the need, the imperative for sea power," he said. "They see that security and prosperity depend on the free flow of commerce on the world's oceans. They see that one nation does not do it alone. They see that cooperation is better than confrontation."
Roughead said that he is optimistic about the course the Navy is taking, and he remains inspired by those who serve. "I find promises in the bridges of trust that we are building at sea among those who see a better world because of what we are able to do collectively," he said. "I look forward to it all."
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 11, 2007 - Promising to maintain the Navy's warfighting capability while building for the future and taking care of sailors and their families, Navy Adm. Gary Roughead assumed duties today as the chief of naval operations. "I'm excited to be the CNO, and I'm honored and humbled and reminded by this setting of the scope and sweep of the task ahead," Roughead said at a ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard.
Roughead takes over the duties of leading the Navy from Adm. Michael G. Mullen, who was sworn in Oct. 1 as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
At the ceremony, Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter thanked Mullen for his service and noted that Roughead takes charge of the Navy at an especially challenging time. The Navy is engaged in the war effort at an unprecedented level while also preparing for future challenges and building maritime partnerships with nations around the world, Winter said.
"We do not have the gift of clairvoyance; we cannot plan for a future along known paths," Winter said. "We must be prepared for many future paths, many dangers and many potential threats. And that requires, above all, a long-term perspective and a long-term commitment to building a Navy capable of meeting 21st-century challenges."
Roughead has the long-term perspective needed to lead the Navy at this time, Winter said. He said he and the admiral agree that America is a maritime nation, that the Navy must modernize its fleet, and that cooperative engagement policy is critical to future national security.
"Admiral Roughead is a man with a long-term, strategic perspective and a long track record as an exceptionally talented leader in challenging positions of responsibility and command at sea and on shore," Winter said. "He is the right leader to assume command of the Navy during these challenging times, and he takes the helm of an organization of which America is justly proud."
In accepting his responsibilities, Roughead noted that much has changed since his early days in the Navy, but what hasn't changed is the importance of American sailors in operations around the world. Sailors now conduct combat operations in the Middle East, partnerships with nations in the Pacific and the Americas, and humanitarian operations, among other things, he said.
"They all represent a new dimension of our Navy, a dimension in which we can all take pride," he said. "We are truly a ready, an agile, and a global Navy. It's an exciting time to serve, and I'm proud and eager to lead this Navy. "
The Navy's role in providing combat-ready forces to the joint force and allies will not change, and is in fact increasing as the military operates more in South America and Africa, he said.
"We live in a changing security environment, and we cannot afford to rest on our laurels and expect to achieve future success," Roughead said. "Our ships, our submarines, our aircraft, our networks, our weapons systems must stay ahead of potential adversaries."
As the Navy moves into the future, people are key, Roughead said. The service's policies must attract, recruit and retain young men and women and be unwavering in the obligation to take care of those who serve, he said.
"All we acquire and all we do is of little worth without the people who give it value," he said.
The Navy is not alone as it moves forward, Roughead acknowledged. Next week, he and the commandants of the Marine Corps and Coast Guard are attending the 18th International Sea Power Symposium in Newport, R.I., where representatives of more than 100 countries will come together to discuss maritime issues.
"More nations see the need, the imperative for sea power," he said. "They see that security and prosperity depend on the free flow of commerce on the world's oceans. They see that one nation does not do it alone. They see that cooperation is better than confrontation."
Roughead said that he is optimistic about the course the Navy is taking, and he remains inspired by those who serve. "I find promises in the bridges of trust that we are building at sea among those who see a better world because of what we are able to do collectively," he said. "I look forward to it all."
Nine Missing WWII Airmen are Identified
The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of nine U.S. servicemen, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and are being returned to their families for burial with full military honors.
They are 1st Lt. David P. McMurray, of Melrose, Mass.; 1st Lt. Raymond Pascual, of Houston, Texas; 2nd Lt. Millard C. Wells Jr., of Paris, Ky.; Tech. Sgt. Leonard J. Ray, of Upper Falls, Md.; Tech. Sgt. Hyman L. Stiglitz, of Boston, Mass.; Staff Sgt. Robert L. Cotey, of Vergennes, Vt.; Staff Sgt. Francis E. Larrivee, of Laconia, N.H.; Staff Sgt. Robert J. Flood, of Neelyton, Pa.; and Staff Sgt. Walter O. Schlosser, of Lake City, Mich.; all U.S. Army Air Forces. Ray and Flood were buried last week in Harford County, Md., and Dry Run, Pa., respectively. The burials of the other servicemen will be at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C. on a date to be determined.
Representatives from the Army met with the next-of-kin of these men in their hometowns to explain the recovery and identification process and to coordinate interment with military honors on behalf of the secretary of the Army.
On July 7, 1944, the men were aboard a B-24J Liberator that departed North Pickenham, England, on a mission to bomb a German aircraft factory near Bernburg, Germany. The plane was last seen by U.S. aircrew members in that vicinity. Captured records revealed that it had crashed near Westeregeln, about 20 miles northwest of the target in what would become the Soviet sector of a post-war-divided Germany.
In 2001, a group of German citizens interested in recovering wartime relics and remains learned of a potential crash site south of Westeregeln. Later that year and in 2002, the group found the site and uncovered human remains from what appeared to be two burial locations. The remains and other personal effects, including identification tags, were turned over to U.S. officials.
In 2003, a Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) team excavated the crash site and recovered additional remains, identification tags and non-biological material evidence.
Among dental records, other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA in the identification of the remains.
For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO Web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/ or call (703) 699-1169.
They are 1st Lt. David P. McMurray, of Melrose, Mass.; 1st Lt. Raymond Pascual, of Houston, Texas; 2nd Lt. Millard C. Wells Jr., of Paris, Ky.; Tech. Sgt. Leonard J. Ray, of Upper Falls, Md.; Tech. Sgt. Hyman L. Stiglitz, of Boston, Mass.; Staff Sgt. Robert L. Cotey, of Vergennes, Vt.; Staff Sgt. Francis E. Larrivee, of Laconia, N.H.; Staff Sgt. Robert J. Flood, of Neelyton, Pa.; and Staff Sgt. Walter O. Schlosser, of Lake City, Mich.; all U.S. Army Air Forces. Ray and Flood were buried last week in Harford County, Md., and Dry Run, Pa., respectively. The burials of the other servicemen will be at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C. on a date to be determined.
Representatives from the Army met with the next-of-kin of these men in their hometowns to explain the recovery and identification process and to coordinate interment with military honors on behalf of the secretary of the Army.
On July 7, 1944, the men were aboard a B-24J Liberator that departed North Pickenham, England, on a mission to bomb a German aircraft factory near Bernburg, Germany. The plane was last seen by U.S. aircrew members in that vicinity. Captured records revealed that it had crashed near Westeregeln, about 20 miles northwest of the target in what would become the Soviet sector of a post-war-divided Germany.
In 2001, a group of German citizens interested in recovering wartime relics and remains learned of a potential crash site south of Westeregeln. Later that year and in 2002, the group found the site and uncovered human remains from what appeared to be two burial locations. The remains and other personal effects, including identification tags, were turned over to U.S. officials.
In 2003, a Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) team excavated the crash site and recovered additional remains, identification tags and non-biological material evidence.
Among dental records, other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA in the identification of the remains.
For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO Web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/ or call (703) 699-1169.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Gates Arrives in Moscow to Meet with Top Russian Leaders
By Linda D. Kozaryn
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 11, 2007 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived in Moscow tonight to join Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in meetings with top Russian leaders. Gates left Washington yesterday evening, stopping first in London for several hours to meet with British Prime Gordon Brown and Secretary of State for Defense Desmond Brown. The U.S. and British leaders primarily addressed ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
During his two-day visit to Moscow, Gates is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Defense Minister Anatoliy Eduardovich Serdyukov and other top Russian officials. He also is slated to attend a dinner hosted by First Deputy Premier Sergey Borisovich Ivanov.
Along with discussing ongoing operations in Iraq and developments in Iran, a senior U.S. defense official traveling with the Gates said Gates and the Russian leaders most likely will discuss European missile defense and the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty.
Putin has voiced opposition to the U.S. plans for missile defense and reportedly may suspend his country's participation in the treaty Dec. 12 if the United States goes forward with its plans.
There is no provision for suspension of the treaty, the senior official told reporters traveling with the secretary. "It's either full compliance or withdraw. The Russians have defined a term of 'suspension' basing it on their legal analysis that if under an international agreement that you can withdraw then there's a half measure you that can suspend."
If the Russians decide to suspend CFE, he said, Russia would no longer have to supply information on its number of tanks or other conventional armaments. An inspection regime under the treaty that allows any signatory country to see if another country is honoring its commitment would no longer exist. Russia also would be able to reallocate forces anywhere with in its territory.
"It could move forces into the northern Caucuses, closer to Georgia," the official said. "It could also move forces into closer to Poland and the Belarus area."
If Russia was to withdraw from the treaty, he said, the other signatories, the Europeans and the United States could do the same. But the other signatories "will continue to honor the CFE regardless of Russian withdrawal," the official said.
The United States started laying out plans for a missile defense system for Europe in January. President Bush decided to begin discussions on plans to field radar and interceptors in Eastern Europe that would extend the zone of coverage for the potential long-range missile threat from Iran or others in the region. NATO's missile defense program covers most of Europe for short- and medium-range systems.
"The two locations we chose -- the Czech Republic and Poland -- are based on some pretty lengthy studies, and those are the most optimal places for the positioning of interceptors and the radar in order to be able to get as much coverage of Europe as possible," the senior defense official said.
In April, Gates traveled to the Czech Republic and Poland to discuss the plans. Officials in both nations have made it clear they are integral parts of the current plan, the official said.
Gates also discussed the plans with Putin in April, and U.S. officials presented suggestions on how the U.S. and Russia could cooperate on missile defense. Since then, U.S. and Russian experts have met in Washington, Paris and Moscow to discuss details of the plans, the official said.
"The Russians still have not formally responded to the proposals we put on the table in April about different opportunities for joint data exchange, technology sharing, joint experimentation," he said.
U.S. officials also have offered to provide data from radar equipment in Greenland, Poland or the Czech Republic, the official said. U.S. officials also are open to sharing early-warning information and threat analysis. "We're open to any possibility," he noted.
"The Russians have made it clear that any data that would be shared from their end would come from either Azerbaijan or new radar they are establishing," he said. "The radar feed could not be linked into our system. It would be early-warning radar that would be linked into a joint data center, but not part of our missile defense system."
A proposal to establish a joint data exchange center also has been on the table for 10 years, the official said. Each country would be able to share data so that if there were an accidental launch by any of the countries with ballistic missiles, they'd be able to track it and they'd be able to determine if it were an accidental launch or an attack.
"U.S. officials are open to a variety of different ways to use the data," the official said. "The Russians have made it clear that as long as we continue with the Czech Republic and Poland, integration from their system is not an option."
'Neighbors' Positively Affect Troops' Lives
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 10, 2007 - Volunteers with a Northern Virginia military-support group gather twice a month to fill care packages for troops serving overseas. "One of our primary focuses for the past few years has been sending care packages to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Sharon Rainey, founder of the group, Neighbors International Foundation. "To date, we have sent over 7,000 packages and more than 26,000 letters of support."
Those packages create strong connections between the senders and the recipients and often result in thank you letters, Rainey said. Those small items are all the proof the volunteers need to know they're touching real lives.
"One chaplain would write us and tell us who got each item and why," she said. "For instance, the guys who burn sensitive documents got the bag of marshmallows so they could roast them while burning the documents."
The connection that develops extends beyond the troops, however.
One of the packages the foundation sent contained small stuffed animals for the recipients to share with local Iraqi children. "Animal drops" in several remote locations brought smiles to the faces of the local children. Better yet, the toys take the servicemembers a step closer to winning the kids' loyalty, Rainey said.
Another soldier wrote the foundation about handing out the same type of small stuffed toys in the local community. "The next day they were driving their tanks through the town and one little girl sat in the road and would not move," Rainey recounted from the soldier's letter.
Recognizing the girl, the soldier approached her to find she was holding the toy she'd received the day before.
"(She) moved so he could see that she was next to a (roadside bomb)," Rainey said. "She saved their lives because he offered a gift of friendship the day before.
"We are making a difference," she said.
The foundation also helped stock a school with supplies after the military rebuilt it, Rainey said.
Neighbors International Foundation is a new supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
The foundation's mission extends beyond supporting the military, however. It provides funds and volunteer services to support local charitable, educational, religious, public safety and similar organizations that serve the surrounding neighborhoods and communities, Rainey said.
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 10, 2007 - Volunteers with a Northern Virginia military-support group gather twice a month to fill care packages for troops serving overseas. "One of our primary focuses for the past few years has been sending care packages to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Sharon Rainey, founder of the group, Neighbors International Foundation. "To date, we have sent over 7,000 packages and more than 26,000 letters of support."
Those packages create strong connections between the senders and the recipients and often result in thank you letters, Rainey said. Those small items are all the proof the volunteers need to know they're touching real lives.
"One chaplain would write us and tell us who got each item and why," she said. "For instance, the guys who burn sensitive documents got the bag of marshmallows so they could roast them while burning the documents."
The connection that develops extends beyond the troops, however.
One of the packages the foundation sent contained small stuffed animals for the recipients to share with local Iraqi children. "Animal drops" in several remote locations brought smiles to the faces of the local children. Better yet, the toys take the servicemembers a step closer to winning the kids' loyalty, Rainey said.
Another soldier wrote the foundation about handing out the same type of small stuffed toys in the local community. "The next day they were driving their tanks through the town and one little girl sat in the road and would not move," Rainey recounted from the soldier's letter.
Recognizing the girl, the soldier approached her to find she was holding the toy she'd received the day before.
"(She) moved so he could see that she was next to a (roadside bomb)," Rainey said. "She saved their lives because he offered a gift of friendship the day before.
"We are making a difference," she said.
The foundation also helped stock a school with supplies after the military rebuilt it, Rainey said.
Neighbors International Foundation is a new supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
The foundation's mission extends beyond supporting the military, however. It provides funds and volunteer services to support local charitable, educational, religious, public safety and similar organizations that serve the surrounding neighborhoods and communities, Rainey said.
Services Attain Strong Recruiting Numbers for Fiscal 2007
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 10, 2007 - The Defense Department reported strong recruiting numbers for fiscal 2007 today, as all four active-duty components met their goals for the year. When the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, the Army and Navy had attained 101 percent of their recruiting goals with 80,407 and 37,361 recruits, respectively. The Marine Corps and Air Force were at 100 percent, with 35,603 and 27,801 recruits, respectively.
Four of the six reserve components met their recruiting goals. The Marine Corps Reserve finished the year at 110 percent of its goal, with 7,959 recruits. The Air Force Reserve followed with 104 percent, or 7,110 recruits. The Army and Navy reserves came in at 101 and 100 percent, respectively, with 35,734 and 10,627 recruits.
Among the reserve components, only the Army and Air National Guard reported not meeting recruiting goals, but that number is somewhat deceptive, defense officials said. In both services, they explained, retention was higher than expected, which reduced the number of recruits needed.
In fact, the Army National Guard had to curtail recruiting because its retention numbers were so high that it wouldn't have had the funds to pay for the likely overage to its authorized end-strength if recruiting continued at the originally projected pace.
The Army Guard finished the year at 101 percent of its planned 350,000-soldier end-strength – nearly 3,000 troops above that target and almost 6,500 more soldiers than it started the year with. The Air Guard finished the fiscal year at 99.3 percent of its targeted 107,000-airman end-strength.
The quality of recruits remains high, said David S.C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. Briefing Pentagon reporters today, Chu said the Defense Department standards are that 90 percent of its new recruits have a high school diploma and 60 percent score higher than average on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, a series of tests given to prospective recruits. Also, no more than 4 percent of those who score in Mental Category IV – between the 10th and 30th percentile in the nation – are allowed to enlist.
"In other words, we aim for the military to draw an above-average slice of America into its enlisted ranks," Chu said.
In the active components, all but the Army reported meeting those standards. Only 79 percent of the Army's non-prior service recruits had a high school diploma, Chu said, but he noted that's about the same percentage as American society at large.
Five of the six reserve components met the high school diploma goal. The Army Reserve came in at 86 percent. Four of the six made the testing goal of 60 percent or higher, while the Army National Guard and Reserve came in just under the mark at 57 percent. All reserve components met the goal of no more than 4 percent of recruits having Category IV test scores.
Retention numbers were not released, but Chu reported that all four active components met their retention goals and all six reserve components were within the Defense Department's expectations.
The recruiting successes are needed for a force that has plans to grow in the next five years. The Army expects to grow to 547,000 and the Marine Corps to 202,000 by as early as 2010. The Navy and Air Force plan to reduce their forces.
Officials can't say exactly how many recruits will be needed each year, because retention and attrition also affect end-strength, but the Army expects to add about 7,000 annually and the Marines 5,000.
Chu reported that a downward trend in support by community influencers toward military service has leveled off, and that officials hope to see it take a more positive turn.
"I think it's important for all citizens to support the choices of young people, and this is one of the ironies we've seen in this extended conflict -- that the young people are willing to step forward, but the more senior members of our society ... are less willing to applaud that choice when they do so," Chu said.
Chu did not report on the number of recruits who required waivers to be admitted into the military, but, when questioned, said that waiver submissions were at a historically high level, about equal to last year. But, Chu said, that includes medical and conduct waivers.
Chu said the military takes a "whole person" stance on waivers and will grant a conduct waiver for a recruit who may have committed a misdemeanor or sampled illegal drugs, but otherwise is qualified and has not continued the illegal behaviors.
"We certainly are not going to accept for enlistment anyone with a serious criminal record, but the services ask questions, as they should, of new entrants that try to ensure we know whom we're recruiting," Chu said. "We want to know who that whole person is."
Chu said the number of recruits admitted with a criminal record is a "small number" of the force.
Army Maj. Gen. Thomas Bostick, commander of the Army's Recruiting Command, said that 85 percent of those enlisting in the Army did not need a waiver. Of the 15 percent who needed waivers, 87 percent were for misdemeanors, or "small infractions," he said, such as joy riding, breaking curfew or using a false ID.
"So we're not bringing in murderers, criminals, drug dealers, felons. Those people are not coming into the United States Army," Bostick said. "This is a very high-quality Army. I served in combat side by side with them. Many of the recruiters are combat veterans. They're going to go back to the force and serve next to these soldiers. They want them to be the highest quality."
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 10, 2007 - The Defense Department reported strong recruiting numbers for fiscal 2007 today, as all four active-duty components met their goals for the year. When the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, the Army and Navy had attained 101 percent of their recruiting goals with 80,407 and 37,361 recruits, respectively. The Marine Corps and Air Force were at 100 percent, with 35,603 and 27,801 recruits, respectively.
Four of the six reserve components met their recruiting goals. The Marine Corps Reserve finished the year at 110 percent of its goal, with 7,959 recruits. The Air Force Reserve followed with 104 percent, or 7,110 recruits. The Army and Navy reserves came in at 101 and 100 percent, respectively, with 35,734 and 10,627 recruits.
Among the reserve components, only the Army and Air National Guard reported not meeting recruiting goals, but that number is somewhat deceptive, defense officials said. In both services, they explained, retention was higher than expected, which reduced the number of recruits needed.
In fact, the Army National Guard had to curtail recruiting because its retention numbers were so high that it wouldn't have had the funds to pay for the likely overage to its authorized end-strength if recruiting continued at the originally projected pace.
The Army Guard finished the year at 101 percent of its planned 350,000-soldier end-strength – nearly 3,000 troops above that target and almost 6,500 more soldiers than it started the year with. The Air Guard finished the fiscal year at 99.3 percent of its targeted 107,000-airman end-strength.
The quality of recruits remains high, said David S.C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. Briefing Pentagon reporters today, Chu said the Defense Department standards are that 90 percent of its new recruits have a high school diploma and 60 percent score higher than average on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, a series of tests given to prospective recruits. Also, no more than 4 percent of those who score in Mental Category IV – between the 10th and 30th percentile in the nation – are allowed to enlist.
"In other words, we aim for the military to draw an above-average slice of America into its enlisted ranks," Chu said.
In the active components, all but the Army reported meeting those standards. Only 79 percent of the Army's non-prior service recruits had a high school diploma, Chu said, but he noted that's about the same percentage as American society at large.
Five of the six reserve components met the high school diploma goal. The Army Reserve came in at 86 percent. Four of the six made the testing goal of 60 percent or higher, while the Army National Guard and Reserve came in just under the mark at 57 percent. All reserve components met the goal of no more than 4 percent of recruits having Category IV test scores.
Retention numbers were not released, but Chu reported that all four active components met their retention goals and all six reserve components were within the Defense Department's expectations.
The recruiting successes are needed for a force that has plans to grow in the next five years. The Army expects to grow to 547,000 and the Marine Corps to 202,000 by as early as 2010. The Navy and Air Force plan to reduce their forces.
Officials can't say exactly how many recruits will be needed each year, because retention and attrition also affect end-strength, but the Army expects to add about 7,000 annually and the Marines 5,000.
Chu reported that a downward trend in support by community influencers toward military service has leveled off, and that officials hope to see it take a more positive turn.
"I think it's important for all citizens to support the choices of young people, and this is one of the ironies we've seen in this extended conflict -- that the young people are willing to step forward, but the more senior members of our society ... are less willing to applaud that choice when they do so," Chu said.
Chu did not report on the number of recruits who required waivers to be admitted into the military, but, when questioned, said that waiver submissions were at a historically high level, about equal to last year. But, Chu said, that includes medical and conduct waivers.
Chu said the military takes a "whole person" stance on waivers and will grant a conduct waiver for a recruit who may have committed a misdemeanor or sampled illegal drugs, but otherwise is qualified and has not continued the illegal behaviors.
"We certainly are not going to accept for enlistment anyone with a serious criminal record, but the services ask questions, as they should, of new entrants that try to ensure we know whom we're recruiting," Chu said. "We want to know who that whole person is."
Chu said the number of recruits admitted with a criminal record is a "small number" of the force.
Army Maj. Gen. Thomas Bostick, commander of the Army's Recruiting Command, said that 85 percent of those enlisting in the Army did not need a waiver. Of the 15 percent who needed waivers, 87 percent were for misdemeanors, or "small infractions," he said, such as joy riding, breaking curfew or using a false ID.
"So we're not bringing in murderers, criminals, drug dealers, felons. Those people are not coming into the United States Army," Bostick said. "This is a very high-quality Army. I served in combat side by side with them. Many of the recruiters are combat veterans. They're going to go back to the force and serve next to these soldiers. They want them to be the highest quality."
Army Works to Accelerate Leader Development
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 10, 2007 - The Army is exploring new ways to accelerate the development of leaders prepared for the broad challenges they'll face in what's expected to be an era of persistent conflict, the Army's chief of staff said here yesterday. "We are committed to investing in our officer, warrant officer, noncommissioned officer and civilian leaders," Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. told attendees at the annual Association of the U.S. Army convention. "In this era of persistent conflict, it is absolutely essential that we develop leaders that can handle the challenges of full-spectrum operations."
Full-spectrum operations include the broad range of missions soldiers can be called on to carry out: from supporting peacetime operations to conducting major combat operations, and everything in between.
This operating environment requires agile, adaptive leaders, able to shift quickly and smoothly between missions, Casey said.
"Our leaders in the 21st century must be competent in their core competencies, broad enough to operate across the full spectrum of conflict, able to operate in joint, interagency and combined environments, at home in other cultures and courageous enough to see and exploit opportunities in the complex environments they will be operating in," he said.
Just as warfare has changed, so too has the way the Army develops leaders, Army Lt. Gen. William Caldwell IV, commander of the Army's Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., said during a panel discussion about accelerating leader development.
"We don't want to teach you what to think," he said. "We want to teach you how to think."
This effort extends throughout the Army's education and professional development system, through a blend of formal education, operational experience and guided self-development, Caldwell said.
Officer candidates are getting more field and operational experience, Maj. Gen. W. Montague Winfield, commander of U.S. Army Cadet Command, told attendees. Officers are getting more educational opportunities and more access to joint, interagency, intergovernmental and multinational training, Brig. Gen. Mark O'Neill, deputy commandant of the Army's Command and General Staff College, told the group.
Warrant officers are attending more officer training courses, said Col. Mark Jones, command of the Army Warrant Officer Career Center. And recognizing that its enlisted force is "taking on more responsibility earlier in their careers than ever before, the Army is adapting its training programs so they're better prepared, said Col. Donald Gentry, commandant of the Army Sergeants Major Academy.
Meanwhile, the Army is tapping into best practices from the private and public sectors to accelerate training and development of its civilian work force that's filling critical positions and maintaining continuity, said Volney "Jim" Warner, director of the Army's Civilian Development Office.
How well the Army develops soldiers and leaders able to operate effectively and efficiently in an era of persistent conflict will have far-reaching impact on the force and its ability to succeed, the officials agreed.
"Soldiers are the strength of this Army, and they make this Army the strength of this nation," Casey said. "It will be our soldiers who lead us to victory over the nation's enemies, and it will be soldiers who preserve the peace for us and for our allies."
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 10, 2007 - The Army is exploring new ways to accelerate the development of leaders prepared for the broad challenges they'll face in what's expected to be an era of persistent conflict, the Army's chief of staff said here yesterday. "We are committed to investing in our officer, warrant officer, noncommissioned officer and civilian leaders," Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. told attendees at the annual Association of the U.S. Army convention. "In this era of persistent conflict, it is absolutely essential that we develop leaders that can handle the challenges of full-spectrum operations."
Full-spectrum operations include the broad range of missions soldiers can be called on to carry out: from supporting peacetime operations to conducting major combat operations, and everything in between.
This operating environment requires agile, adaptive leaders, able to shift quickly and smoothly between missions, Casey said.
"Our leaders in the 21st century must be competent in their core competencies, broad enough to operate across the full spectrum of conflict, able to operate in joint, interagency and combined environments, at home in other cultures and courageous enough to see and exploit opportunities in the complex environments they will be operating in," he said.
Just as warfare has changed, so too has the way the Army develops leaders, Army Lt. Gen. William Caldwell IV, commander of the Army's Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., said during a panel discussion about accelerating leader development.
"We don't want to teach you what to think," he said. "We want to teach you how to think."
This effort extends throughout the Army's education and professional development system, through a blend of formal education, operational experience and guided self-development, Caldwell said.
Officer candidates are getting more field and operational experience, Maj. Gen. W. Montague Winfield, commander of U.S. Army Cadet Command, told attendees. Officers are getting more educational opportunities and more access to joint, interagency, intergovernmental and multinational training, Brig. Gen. Mark O'Neill, deputy commandant of the Army's Command and General Staff College, told the group.
Warrant officers are attending more officer training courses, said Col. Mark Jones, command of the Army Warrant Officer Career Center. And recognizing that its enlisted force is "taking on more responsibility earlier in their careers than ever before, the Army is adapting its training programs so they're better prepared, said Col. Donald Gentry, commandant of the Army Sergeants Major Academy.
Meanwhile, the Army is tapping into best practices from the private and public sectors to accelerate training and development of its civilian work force that's filling critical positions and maintaining continuity, said Volney "Jim" Warner, director of the Army's Civilian Development Office.
How well the Army develops soldiers and leaders able to operate effectively and efficiently in an era of persistent conflict will have far-reaching impact on the force and its ability to succeed, the officials agreed.
"Soldiers are the strength of this Army, and they make this Army the strength of this nation," Casey said. "It will be our soldiers who lead us to victory over the nation's enemies, and it will be soldiers who preserve the peace for us and for our allies."
Decision Point Approaches in Kosovo, NATO Chief Says
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 10, 2007 - With elections nearing and the question of independence uncertain, the next few months will be a "telling time" for people in the breakaway Serbian province of Kosovo, NATO's top military officer said at a Pentagon news conference today. Army Gen. Bantz J. Craddock, NATO's supreme allied commander for Europe, said the Balkan province is the No. 2 issue he works on, second only to Afghanistan.
Craddock said Kosovo's elections are scheduled for Nov. 17. Kosovars will elect 120 members of the national assembly. The parliament members will then elect a new president and prime minister. For the first time, voters also will directly elect mayors in the province's 30 towns.
NATO leads the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. Its 16,000-member Kosovo Force provides security and stability. NATO soldiers moved in following a 78-day NATO air campaign that began in March 1999 in response to Serbian moves to expel the Albanian population of the area. Kosovo is 90 percent ethnic Albanian.
The vast majority of Kosovars want independence from Serbia. Former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, who served as a special United Nations negotiator in Kosovo, recommended the country become independent of Serbia – a move the Serbs vigorously oppose.
"I think right now I would tell you that in Kosovo there is uncertainty," Craddock said today. "There's impatience (among the Kosovars), because they want a decision. I think that December will be a telling time, and I think that there is some angst right now in Kosovo, and impatience and uncertainty."
The decision in Kosovo is about employment and the economy, the general said. "And it's about getting electricity every day, because that's a terrible situation right now," he said. There has been a drought in the province, and water is a concern. All these things are "front-burner issues" for Kosovars, and NATO will have to watch the process closely in December, Craddock said.
Craddock said NATO's Kosovo Force is extremely well-trained. National caveats that had limited how some countries' forces could be used are now gone, Craddock said. NATO commanders in the province have the flexibility they need, and NATO officials have been making prudent and wide-ranging plans, he said.
Roughly 1,600 Texas National Guardsmen are part of the force in Kosovo. They're due to rotate home soon, to be replaced by a National Guard unit from New Jersey.
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 10, 2007 - With elections nearing and the question of independence uncertain, the next few months will be a "telling time" for people in the breakaway Serbian province of Kosovo, NATO's top military officer said at a Pentagon news conference today. Army Gen. Bantz J. Craddock, NATO's supreme allied commander for Europe, said the Balkan province is the No. 2 issue he works on, second only to Afghanistan.
Craddock said Kosovo's elections are scheduled for Nov. 17. Kosovars will elect 120 members of the national assembly. The parliament members will then elect a new president and prime minister. For the first time, voters also will directly elect mayors in the province's 30 towns.
NATO leads the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. Its 16,000-member Kosovo Force provides security and stability. NATO soldiers moved in following a 78-day NATO air campaign that began in March 1999 in response to Serbian moves to expel the Albanian population of the area. Kosovo is 90 percent ethnic Albanian.
The vast majority of Kosovars want independence from Serbia. Former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, who served as a special United Nations negotiator in Kosovo, recommended the country become independent of Serbia – a move the Serbs vigorously oppose.
"I think right now I would tell you that in Kosovo there is uncertainty," Craddock said today. "There's impatience (among the Kosovars), because they want a decision. I think that December will be a telling time, and I think that there is some angst right now in Kosovo, and impatience and uncertainty."
The decision in Kosovo is about employment and the economy, the general said. "And it's about getting electricity every day, because that's a terrible situation right now," he said. There has been a drought in the province, and water is a concern. All these things are "front-burner issues" for Kosovars, and NATO will have to watch the process closely in December, Craddock said.
Craddock said NATO's Kosovo Force is extremely well-trained. National caveats that had limited how some countries' forces could be used are now gone, Craddock said. NATO commanders in the province have the flexibility they need, and NATO officials have been making prudent and wide-ranging plans, he said.
Roughly 1,600 Texas National Guardsmen are part of the force in Kosovo. They're due to rotate home soon, to be replaced by a National Guard unit from New Jersey.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
XIX Annual Strategy Conference: "Rebalancing the Instruments of National Power"
April 8-10, 2008
U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks
Carlisle, PA, United States
Open to the General Public
Registration Fee: $TBD
“Rebalancing the Instruments of National Power” will be the theme for the XIX Annual Strategy Conference at historic Carlisle Barracks in Carlisle, PA. Beginning with a reception on the evening of April 8th, the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College will host this year’s conference, giving participants an opportunity to explore what is perhaps the most critical set of strategic issues facing the United States today, namely those related to what we actually do in response to and anticipation of the threats, challenges and opportunities posed by the extant and future international security environments.
The theme does not presuppose that an “imbalance” among those instruments presently exists. Rather, it reflects a core question at the heart of many current debates about strategy and security today: Are we as a country properly organized and equipped to conduct effective security strategy in the 21st century? If not, what do we need to do to address any gaps and shortcomings? If we are, how do we effectively coordinate, blend, and focus the instruments so as to achieve strategic success? Is the primary issue one of structure and process or is it perhaps more related to individuals and leadership? Through a combination of keynote addresses and panel presentations, this year’s Strategy Conference will explore such questions and stimulate debate and discussion. Panel topics and presentations will include: --the historical background for understanding --the national security architecture and how it forges and wields the instruments of national power; --the interagency process as a focus for change; --individuals and leadership as critical elements in blending the instruments; and --the political, fiscal, and practical challenges of getting the balance "right." Over the course of the two-day colloquium, participants will raise critical questions and identify key components of the way ahead for “getting strategy right” in the 21st century. But rather than focusing solely on organizational or institutional reform, this year’s Strategy Conference seeks to address the tools we need in order to conduct an effective security strategy, and the ways in which we can develop and apply them toward the pursuit of strategic objectives. Our goal is to produce a set of key questions and concrete actions that national security practitioners and opinion leaders need to know as we approach the end of the first decade of the new century.
Sponsors: Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College
U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks
Carlisle, PA, United States
Open to the General Public
Registration Fee: $TBD
“Rebalancing the Instruments of National Power” will be the theme for the XIX Annual Strategy Conference at historic Carlisle Barracks in Carlisle, PA. Beginning with a reception on the evening of April 8th, the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College will host this year’s conference, giving participants an opportunity to explore what is perhaps the most critical set of strategic issues facing the United States today, namely those related to what we actually do in response to and anticipation of the threats, challenges and opportunities posed by the extant and future international security environments.
The theme does not presuppose that an “imbalance” among those instruments presently exists. Rather, it reflects a core question at the heart of many current debates about strategy and security today: Are we as a country properly organized and equipped to conduct effective security strategy in the 21st century? If not, what do we need to do to address any gaps and shortcomings? If we are, how do we effectively coordinate, blend, and focus the instruments so as to achieve strategic success? Is the primary issue one of structure and process or is it perhaps more related to individuals and leadership? Through a combination of keynote addresses and panel presentations, this year’s Strategy Conference will explore such questions and stimulate debate and discussion. Panel topics and presentations will include: --the historical background for understanding --the national security architecture and how it forges and wields the instruments of national power; --the interagency process as a focus for change; --individuals and leadership as critical elements in blending the instruments; and --the political, fiscal, and practical challenges of getting the balance "right." Over the course of the two-day colloquium, participants will raise critical questions and identify key components of the way ahead for “getting strategy right” in the 21st century. But rather than focusing solely on organizational or institutional reform, this year’s Strategy Conference seeks to address the tools we need in order to conduct an effective security strategy, and the ways in which we can develop and apply them toward the pursuit of strategic objectives. Our goal is to produce a set of key questions and concrete actions that national security practitioners and opinion leaders need to know as we approach the end of the first decade of the new century.
Sponsors: Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College
American Grand Strategy for Latin America in the Age of Resentment
A healthy Latin America is of critical value to the United States as a global power. It is besieged by a powerful force of resentment engendered by a combination of weak states, social exclusion, criminal violence, and corruption. In the context of attack by radical populism against democratic values, the United States needs a new grand strategy that addresses the causes rather than the symptoms of the malaise. The author argues that such a strategy must strengthen the effectiveness of the democratic state in providing security, justice, and governance, as well as effectively engender a linkage of the 40 percent of the population presently excluded from the social and economic benefits of democracy to the national and international economy. Unless current trends reverse, Latin American countries will be poor security partners and a continuing menace for international security. The author recommends imaginative courses of action for the grand strategy.
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READ THE REPORT
ASEAN and Its Security Offspring: Facing New Challenges
Southeast Asian states within ASEAN agree that security relations with the great powers are best achieved by enmeshing the latter in ASEAN procedures. The primary goal of ASEAN is that China, Japan, the United States, and India commit to maintaining Southeast Asia's autonomy, integrity, and prosperity. ASEAN is less successful in resolving conflicts internal to the region including human rights in Burma, transnational terrorism, environmental concerns, human trafficking, and illegal arms trade. Sovereignty protection frequently trumps cooperation on these issues.
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READ THE REPORT
China's Expansion into and U.S. Withdrawal from Argentina's Telecommunications and Space Industries and the Implications for U.S. National Security
Chinese involvement in the Latin American telecommunications and space industries has implications for U.S. national security. Unlike other commercial activities geared toward supplying raw materials to China’s 1.3 billion inhabitants, Chinese investment in space and telecommunications implies broader commercial and strategic interests that potentially put the Chinese into Western Hemisphere air and space. At present, Chinese activity in these industries is growing as U.S. engagement is diminishing. Globalization, advances in information technology, and China’s growing capacity and interest in Information Warfare make the United States particularly vulnerable should it abandon international telecommunications and space industries. In order to mitigate future threats, the United States should step up its commerce, aid. and diplomacy with Argentina and the region as a whole.
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READ THE REPORT
The Reserve Policies of Nations: A Comparative Analysis
Throughout the world, military reserves are changing. National governments are transforming the relationships between their active and reserve components, the allocation of roles and responsibilities among reserve forces, and the way they train, equip, and employ reservists. Nations no longer consider their reservists as primarily a strategic asset for mobilization during major wars. This increased reliance on reserve components presents national defense planners with many challenges. Recruiting and retaining reservists has become more difficult as many individuals have concluded they cannot meet the increased demands of reserve service. Reservists are increasingly deployed on foreign missions at a time when expectations regarding their contributions to the management of terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and other domestic emergencies are growing. Defense planners must also continue to refine the optimal distribution of skills and assets between regular and reserve forces. Finally, national governments must find the resources to sustain the increased use of reservists without bankrupting their defense budgets or undermining essential employer support for the concept of part-time soldiers with full-time civilian jobs. The author analyzes the innovative responses countries have adopted to manage these challenges.
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READ THE REPORT
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