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Thursday, November 30, 2006
Chinese Hackers Prompt Navy College Site Closure
By Bill Gertz
The Washington Times
Chinese computer hackers penetrated the Naval War College network earlier this month, forcing security authorities to shut down all e-mail and official computer network work at the Navy’s school for senior officers.Navy officials said the computer attack was detected Nov. 15 and two days later the U.S. Strategic Command raised the security alert level for the Pentagon’s 12,000 computer networks and 5 million computers.
A spokesman for the Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command, located in Norfolk, said "network intrusions" were detected at the Newport, R.I., military school two weeks ago.
"The system-network connection was terminated and known affected systems were removed and are being examined for forensic evidence to determine the extent of the intrusion," said Lt. Cmdr. Doug Gabos, the spokesman.
"The Naval War College computer system-network is used by students at the war college and contains Navy Professional Reading Program and other materials, all of which are unclassified information."
The FBI and Naval Criminal Investigative Service are investigating the breach, another official said.The War College trains senior officers, conducts war games and carries out some classified research such as studies of future warfare. The college’s Web site was not accessible yesterday.
Adm. Michael Mullen, chief of naval operations, recently directed the war college’s Strategic Studies Group to begin work to develop concepts for waging cyber-warfare, a Navy spokesman said.
"The Naval War College is where the Navy’s Strategic Studies Group is planning and practicing cyber-war techniques, and now they don’t even have e-mail access," one U.S. official said.
U.S. defense officials said intelligence reports indicated that the cyber-attack on the college came from China, which a recent congressional report said has begun a series of computer network attacks against defense and military systems in the United States code-named "Titan Rain."
Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Richard Goetze, a Naval War College professor, told a class Monday in Washington that Chinese computer hackers were behind the network attack. Gen. Goetze told students that communications were hobbled because the Chinese "took down" the entire Naval War College computer network.
Students and professors at the college now have to use private e-mail from home, raising security questions.Cmdr. Gabos declined to comment on the origin of the attack. "The nature and extent of intrusion are operational issues," he said. "I can tell you it was an isolated incident and did not affect other elements of Department of Defense."
However, the U.S. Strategic Command, which is in charge of Defense Department computer warfare and defenses, issued a directive about the time the attack was detected ordering all defense computer users to heighten security by changing passwords.
The Strategic Command directive stated that the "information condition" was to be raised Nov. 17 from Infocon 5 to Infocon 4, or heightened alert against attack.
Alan Paller, a computer security specialist with the private SANS Institute, said the Chinese network attack against the war college is "the tip of the iceberg."
"The depth of the penetration is more than anybody is even admitting," he said in an interview. "People are trying to hide this because they’re embarrassed."
Mr. Paller said the Chinese military’s doctrine calls for waging cyber-warfare against computer networks. "Part of it is gathering data and part is leaving a back door so they can get in [to military computers] in the future," he said.
The annual report by the U.S.China Economic and Security Review Commission, released Nov. 16, stated that there are "clear examples of computer network penetrations coming from China," including those linked to Titan Rain.
The report said the Chinese military has "information warfare units [that] are developing viruses to harm the computer systems of its enemies."
The Washington Times
Chinese computer hackers penetrated the Naval War College network earlier this month, forcing security authorities to shut down all e-mail and official computer network work at the Navy’s school for senior officers.Navy officials said the computer attack was detected Nov. 15 and two days later the U.S. Strategic Command raised the security alert level for the Pentagon’s 12,000 computer networks and 5 million computers.
A spokesman for the Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command, located in Norfolk, said "network intrusions" were detected at the Newport, R.I., military school two weeks ago.
"The system-network connection was terminated and known affected systems were removed and are being examined for forensic evidence to determine the extent of the intrusion," said Lt. Cmdr. Doug Gabos, the spokesman.
"The Naval War College computer system-network is used by students at the war college and contains Navy Professional Reading Program and other materials, all of which are unclassified information."
The FBI and Naval Criminal Investigative Service are investigating the breach, another official said.The War College trains senior officers, conducts war games and carries out some classified research such as studies of future warfare. The college’s Web site was not accessible yesterday.
Adm. Michael Mullen, chief of naval operations, recently directed the war college’s Strategic Studies Group to begin work to develop concepts for waging cyber-warfare, a Navy spokesman said.
"The Naval War College is where the Navy’s Strategic Studies Group is planning and practicing cyber-war techniques, and now they don’t even have e-mail access," one U.S. official said.
U.S. defense officials said intelligence reports indicated that the cyber-attack on the college came from China, which a recent congressional report said has begun a series of computer network attacks against defense and military systems in the United States code-named "Titan Rain."
Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Richard Goetze, a Naval War College professor, told a class Monday in Washington that Chinese computer hackers were behind the network attack. Gen. Goetze told students that communications were hobbled because the Chinese "took down" the entire Naval War College computer network.
Students and professors at the college now have to use private e-mail from home, raising security questions.Cmdr. Gabos declined to comment on the origin of the attack. "The nature and extent of intrusion are operational issues," he said. "I can tell you it was an isolated incident and did not affect other elements of Department of Defense."
However, the U.S. Strategic Command, which is in charge of Defense Department computer warfare and defenses, issued a directive about the time the attack was detected ordering all defense computer users to heighten security by changing passwords.
The Strategic Command directive stated that the "information condition" was to be raised Nov. 17 from Infocon 5 to Infocon 4, or heightened alert against attack.
Alan Paller, a computer security specialist with the private SANS Institute, said the Chinese network attack against the war college is "the tip of the iceberg."
"The depth of the penetration is more than anybody is even admitting," he said in an interview. "People are trying to hide this because they’re embarrassed."
Mr. Paller said the Chinese military’s doctrine calls for waging cyber-warfare against computer networks. "Part of it is gathering data and part is leaving a back door so they can get in [to military computers] in the future," he said.
The annual report by the U.S.China Economic and Security Review Commission, released Nov. 16, stated that there are "clear examples of computer network penetrations coming from China," including those linked to Titan Rain.
The report said the Chinese military has "information warfare units [that] are developing viruses to harm the computer systems of its enemies."
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Afghan Defense Minister Thanks U.S., Praises Troops, Rumsfeld
Nov. 21, 2006
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON – Afghanistan's defense minister thanked the United States today for its steadfast support for his country, specifically recognizing the U.S. troops who have served and sacrificed there and outgoing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
Gen. Abdul Rahim Wardak told Pentagon reporters Afghanistan is indebted to the United States for the progress it's made during the past five years. "These achievements would not have been possible without the advice, guidance and generous support we have received from the United States," he said.
Wardak gave special thanks to Army Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry, commander of Combined Forces Command Afghanistan, who joined him at the podium, as well as Rumsfeld, whom he met with before today's news conference.
"Secretary Rumsfeld has been a great support of the Afghan cause as a whole," he said. "He played a fundamental role in delivering Afghanistan from years of destruction, occupation and civil war."
Afghanistan as a nation "has all the love, respect and admiration for him," Wardak said of Rumsfeld. "He founded a security relationship that will endure, and we have every intention to build on those relations."
Wardak expressed "the profound and everlasting gratitude of the Afghan government and people for everything the United States government and people are doing to help deliver Afghanistan from years of terror and destruction."
The Afghan defense minister also recognized the U.S. forces who have served in Afghanistan, noting the commitment they have shown and the sacrifices they have made.
"They are representing your great nation proudly and demonstrating the high standards of service and professionalism," he said. "I pray that their sacrifices will one day no longer be necessary, and that my own nation will be able to repay its debt through our enduring partnership with the United States."
Wardak and Eikenberry are visiting Washington for consultations with U.S. government and military leaders, Eikensberry told reporters.
The two paid an earlier visit to Fort Bragg, N.C., to observe United Endeavor, a week-long exercise that's preparing 82nd Airborne Division leaders and their Afghan, International Security Assistance Force, interagency and non-governmental organization partners for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.
The mission rehearsal exercise brought together about 1,300 servicemembers who will deploy in January as Combined Joint Task Force 76. The task force, which also will include other supporting Army and Air Force elements, will serve in Regional Command East under the NATO-led ISAF.
The exercise built on a troop-level training exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La. About 50 Afghan soldiers trained with their 82nd Airborne Division counterparts in late October.
Eikenberry called the Afghan troops' first deployment to the United States for field training a significant step that "underscores the continuing development of the Afghan national security forces."
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON – Afghanistan's defense minister thanked the United States today for its steadfast support for his country, specifically recognizing the U.S. troops who have served and sacrificed there and outgoing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
Gen. Abdul Rahim Wardak told Pentagon reporters Afghanistan is indebted to the United States for the progress it's made during the past five years. "These achievements would not have been possible without the advice, guidance and generous support we have received from the United States," he said.
Wardak gave special thanks to Army Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry, commander of Combined Forces Command Afghanistan, who joined him at the podium, as well as Rumsfeld, whom he met with before today's news conference.
"Secretary Rumsfeld has been a great support of the Afghan cause as a whole," he said. "He played a fundamental role in delivering Afghanistan from years of destruction, occupation and civil war."
Afghanistan as a nation "has all the love, respect and admiration for him," Wardak said of Rumsfeld. "He founded a security relationship that will endure, and we have every intention to build on those relations."
Wardak expressed "the profound and everlasting gratitude of the Afghan government and people for everything the United States government and people are doing to help deliver Afghanistan from years of terror and destruction."
The Afghan defense minister also recognized the U.S. forces who have served in Afghanistan, noting the commitment they have shown and the sacrifices they have made.
"They are representing your great nation proudly and demonstrating the high standards of service and professionalism," he said. "I pray that their sacrifices will one day no longer be necessary, and that my own nation will be able to repay its debt through our enduring partnership with the United States."
Wardak and Eikenberry are visiting Washington for consultations with U.S. government and military leaders, Eikensberry told reporters.
The two paid an earlier visit to Fort Bragg, N.C., to observe United Endeavor, a week-long exercise that's preparing 82nd Airborne Division leaders and their Afghan, International Security Assistance Force, interagency and non-governmental organization partners for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.
The mission rehearsal exercise brought together about 1,300 servicemembers who will deploy in January as Combined Joint Task Force 76. The task force, which also will include other supporting Army and Air Force elements, will serve in Regional Command East under the NATO-led ISAF.
The exercise built on a troop-level training exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La. About 50 Afghan soldiers trained with their 82nd Airborne Division counterparts in late October.
Eikenberry called the Afghan troops' first deployment to the United States for field training a significant step that "underscores the continuing development of the Afghan national security forces."
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Wal-Mart halted from holiday giveaway on bases
Exchanges express concern over competition
By Karen Jowers
November 22, 2006
Defense officials have nixed Operation Homefront’s plans to partner with the Wal-Mart Foundation to bring truckloads of free toys and gift cards for families inside the gates of military bases.After defense officials interceded, the bases have declined Operation Homefront’s offer to bring trucks onto bases for holiday activities between Nov. 22 and Dec. 20 because of security and logistical issues involving bringing Wal-Mart trucks on base, said Meredith Leyva, founder of Operation Homefront.
But the organization is free to hold the parties outside the gates, she said, and is making plans for the locations to do that. Officials in the military exchanges and the industry that sells products to the exchanges found out about the scheduled events last week. Sources said members of both groups contacted lawmakers in Congress and defense officials, concerned that having a rival on post would detract from exchange sales.
In the long term, the exchanges fear such arrangements would take away from the dividends that come from profits, and are provided to military bases for morale programs.Wal-Mart also planned to provide $20,000 to each base through Operation Homefront for family and morale programs.
The status of that donation was unknown Tuesday, and further information was not immediately available from Wal-Mart officials. “No one has contacted us to share their concerns,” Leyva said. “But the people who really lose out are the service members and their families. People are wildly excited about this, because they are financially strapped and every little bit helps.”Operation Homefront is handling all of the logistics and planning; the Wal-Mart Foundation is providing the toys and trimmings and the trucks to get them there.
Events are scheduled for communities near Scott Air Force Base, Ill.; Hampton Roads, Va.; MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.; Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Miss.; Randolph Air Force Base, Texas; and Fort Stewart, Ga.
The first event will be held at Scott on Wednesday. Wal-Mart, which has built a number of stores outside military bases around the country, is generally acknowledged as the biggest competitor of the exchanges for the business of the military community. Although there were no plans to sell items on the bases — per Wal-Mart policy, according to Leyva and a spokeswoman for Wal-Mart — Operation Homefront’s press release said “a toyland of the latest toys and electronic games will be available for children of all ages to try out.”
Appearances by Santa Claus, food, music, and tree-trimming craft tables are planned.Wal-Mart is an official partner in the Defense Department’s America Supports You program, and officials from that program were actively involved in this project, Leyva said. The original plan was to give $200 Wal-Mart gift cards to the first 200 families through Operation Homefront, Leyva said, but Defense Department attorneys said the store chain could give no more than a $20 gift card under federal ethics rules.
Leyva said America Supports You officials suggested that Wal-Mart contact Operation Homefront for logistical help. Wal-Mart plans to contribute $100,000 to Operation Homefront for the purchase of voice-activated laptop computers for injured troops. The giant discount store has also been a contributor to the military community in other ways, including funding of a project for children of military personnel through Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Attaboy!** to the DoD officials that made this decision. If the Exchanges want to compete with WalMart head-on, why don't they come up with their own "Give-Away". As for the $20 limitation on gifts - I believe that the limitation is on those that are in a position to influence decisions within DOD, including the branches of the military. If anyone thinks that a SGT, or a Petty Officer Class 2nd Class and below have any influence on any DoD decision, they earn an Attaboy! also.
In 1999, when my bride (of 30 years) and I fully retired and moved into an area where there was a WalMart and an Exchange nearby, it only took us one visit to the Exchange to buy a card table, and then to WalMart a few days later (our first visit ever to a WalMart) to discover that WalMart had the exchange beat by about 12% on price for the identical card table and four chairs - and they weren't on sale at either place.
~Gunner
** - Attaboy was around the US military in the late '60's and early '70's. An Attaboy was awarded to those that did something pretty stupid. The actual award was an image of a nude man who was bent over forward in extreme, and had his head up his own butt. If anyone has a copy of this graphic, please email it to me, and I will post it. My email address:
webmaster@usafns.com
By Karen Jowers
November 22, 2006
Defense officials have nixed Operation Homefront’s plans to partner with the Wal-Mart Foundation to bring truckloads of free toys and gift cards for families inside the gates of military bases.After defense officials interceded, the bases have declined Operation Homefront’s offer to bring trucks onto bases for holiday activities between Nov. 22 and Dec. 20 because of security and logistical issues involving bringing Wal-Mart trucks on base, said Meredith Leyva, founder of Operation Homefront.
But the organization is free to hold the parties outside the gates, she said, and is making plans for the locations to do that. Officials in the military exchanges and the industry that sells products to the exchanges found out about the scheduled events last week. Sources said members of both groups contacted lawmakers in Congress and defense officials, concerned that having a rival on post would detract from exchange sales.
In the long term, the exchanges fear such arrangements would take away from the dividends that come from profits, and are provided to military bases for morale programs.Wal-Mart also planned to provide $20,000 to each base through Operation Homefront for family and morale programs.
The status of that donation was unknown Tuesday, and further information was not immediately available from Wal-Mart officials. “No one has contacted us to share their concerns,” Leyva said. “But the people who really lose out are the service members and their families. People are wildly excited about this, because they are financially strapped and every little bit helps.”Operation Homefront is handling all of the logistics and planning; the Wal-Mart Foundation is providing the toys and trimmings and the trucks to get them there.
Events are scheduled for communities near Scott Air Force Base, Ill.; Hampton Roads, Va.; MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.; Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Miss.; Randolph Air Force Base, Texas; and Fort Stewart, Ga.
The first event will be held at Scott on Wednesday. Wal-Mart, which has built a number of stores outside military bases around the country, is generally acknowledged as the biggest competitor of the exchanges for the business of the military community. Although there were no plans to sell items on the bases — per Wal-Mart policy, according to Leyva and a spokeswoman for Wal-Mart — Operation Homefront’s press release said “a toyland of the latest toys and electronic games will be available for children of all ages to try out.”
Appearances by Santa Claus, food, music, and tree-trimming craft tables are planned.Wal-Mart is an official partner in the Defense Department’s America Supports You program, and officials from that program were actively involved in this project, Leyva said. The original plan was to give $200 Wal-Mart gift cards to the first 200 families through Operation Homefront, Leyva said, but Defense Department attorneys said the store chain could give no more than a $20 gift card under federal ethics rules.
Leyva said America Supports You officials suggested that Wal-Mart contact Operation Homefront for logistical help. Wal-Mart plans to contribute $100,000 to Operation Homefront for the purchase of voice-activated laptop computers for injured troops. The giant discount store has also been a contributor to the military community in other ways, including funding of a project for children of military personnel through Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Attaboy!** to the DoD officials that made this decision. If the Exchanges want to compete with WalMart head-on, why don't they come up with their own "Give-Away". As for the $20 limitation on gifts - I believe that the limitation is on those that are in a position to influence decisions within DOD, including the branches of the military. If anyone thinks that a SGT, or a Petty Officer Class 2nd Class and below have any influence on any DoD decision, they earn an Attaboy! also.
In 1999, when my bride (of 30 years) and I fully retired and moved into an area where there was a WalMart and an Exchange nearby, it only took us one visit to the Exchange to buy a card table, and then to WalMart a few days later (our first visit ever to a WalMart) to discover that WalMart had the exchange beat by about 12% on price for the identical card table and four chairs - and they weren't on sale at either place.
~Gunner
** - Attaboy was around the US military in the late '60's and early '70's. An Attaboy was awarded to those that did something pretty stupid. The actual award was an image of a nude man who was bent over forward in extreme, and had his head up his own butt. If anyone has a copy of this graphic, please email it to me, and I will post it. My email address:
webmaster@usafns.com
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
US CENTRAL COMMAND News, Audio, Video, Photo and Press Releases Feed
US Central Command has five different RSS 2.0 Feeds - News, Audio, Video, Photo and Press Releases. Below are two different links. The first is to the CentCom RSS Feed Page, and the second is to the Iraq News webpage on this website when there are links to the same information.
http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/Shared%20Documents/RSS.aspx
http://www.usafns.com/iraq-news.shtml
~gunner
http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/Shared%20Documents/RSS.aspx
http://www.usafns.com/iraq-news.shtml
~gunner
Monday, November 20, 2006
All is One!
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Connection Pointe Military Support Group Thanksgiving Prayer
Here is a link to a site that has a beautiful non-denominational Thanksgiving prayer for everyone, with special attention paid to our troops. Click the link below:
~Gunner
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
The Reach of War - 2nd Batallion, 8th Marines in Iraq
CJ Chivers (NY Times) narrates segments entitled:
NY Times - The Reach of War - 2nd Batallion, 8th Marines in Iraq
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~Gunner: Powerful and compelling.
- The Birthday (USMC Birthday)
- The Medic
- The Sniper
- Politics
NY Times - The Reach of War - 2nd Batallion, 8th Marines in Iraq
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~Gunner: Powerful and compelling.
The Patriot Guard Riders - Standing For Those That Stood For Us
Attention All Bike Riders:
Here is an organization that has stepped up and is doing the "right thing". They go to military funerals when they are invited by the next of kin. There, they form human barriers wielding US flags defending and blocking the funeral party from the sight of those that would desecrate the memory of our fallen solders.
I would certainly join them if I still had my bike, and I was about 40 years younger. If you are a biker and/or a patriot, you will support this group, and their website is a must see:
http://patriotguard.org/
~Gunner
PS - The link above has a list of Mission Events, including the City, State and date of upcoming funerals. Also, there is a list of completed missions.
Here is an organization that has stepped up and is doing the "right thing". They go to military funerals when they are invited by the next of kin. There, they form human barriers wielding US flags defending and blocking the funeral party from the sight of those that would desecrate the memory of our fallen solders.
I would certainly join them if I still had my bike, and I was about 40 years younger. If you are a biker and/or a patriot, you will support this group, and their website is a must see:
http://patriotguard.org/
~Gunner
PS - The link above has a list of Mission Events, including the City, State and date of upcoming funerals. Also, there is a list of completed missions.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Kaneohe Marine Named For Top Medal
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
November 11, 2006
Peralta, who saved four in his platoon, is nominated for the Medal of Honor
By Gregg K. Kakesako
Sgt. Rafael Peralta, who saved fellow Kaneohe Marines by covering a grenade during the battle for Fallujah, Iraq, has been nominated for the nation's highest award, the Medal of Honor.
A spokesman for Marine Base Hawaii confirmed yesterday that the name of Peralta, 25, had been submitted for the Medal of Honor for saving the lives of four members of his platoon.
Peralta was with Kaneohe's 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, when he was killed on Nov. 15, 2004, during the second battle of Fallujah. He was one of 42 Marines and two Navy corpsmen assigned to the 1st Battalion who were killed in the unit's first deployment to Iraq. The battalion is scheduled to return there next spring.
Peralta's platoon had been involved in a house-to-house battle with insurgents when he was killed.
Yesterday, on the eve of Veterans Day, President Bush announced that Cpl. Jason Dunham would become the first Marine to receive the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War for sacrificing his life in Iraq for his fellow Marines. Dunham, assigned to Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines Regiment, died more than two years ago after covering a grenade with his helmet.
The other service member to receive the Medal of Honor for service in the Iraq war is Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith, who earned the Medal of Honor on April 4, 2005. Smith was credited with saving the lives of at least 100 soldiers while killing 20 to 50 enemy soldiers before he was killed while serving with the 2nd Platoon, B Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, at a temporary detainee facility at Saddam International Airport during the invasion of Iraq.
Five Marines, including Gunnery Sgt. Allan J. Kellogg from the islands, were recipients of the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War.
Peralta had wanted to join the Marine Corps after graduating from high school in San Diego in 1997, but since he was a Mexican citizen, he had to wait until 2000 when he had received legal residency and become a U.S. citizen.
He was assigned to Kaneohe's 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment in November 2003, which arrived in Iraq in October 2004. Peralta was killed on the eighth day of Operation Al Fajr in Fallujah. The Kaneohe Marines' mission was to clear the city of insurgents building by building.
According to reports, Peralta was shot several times while clearing a building in Fallujah. As fellow Marines battled the insurgents who shot Peralta, a live grenade bounced into the room near the severely wounded Marine.
Lance Cpl. T.J. Kaemmerer, a combat correspondent who was attached to Alpha Company, said he saw Peralta reach out and pull the grenade into his body, protecting the lives of several fellow Kaneohe Marines.
Kaemmerer reported that Peralta was a platoon scout in the Kaneohe unit, which meant he could have stayed back in safety while the squads of 1st Platoon went into the danger-filled streets. But Peralta was constantly asking to help.
In a December 2004 news report, Kaemmerer gave the following account of his fellow Marine's heroism:
"Peralta was hit several times in his upper torso and face at point-blank range by the fully automatic 7.62 mm weapons employed by three terrorists. Mortally wounded, he jumped into the already cleared adjoining room, giving the rest of us a clear line of fire through the doorway to the rear of the house.
"We opened fire. ... One Marine was shot through the forearm and continued to fire at the enemy.
"I saw four Marines firing from the adjoining room when a yellow, foreign-made, oval-shaped grenade bounced into the room, rolling to a stop close to Peralta's nearly lifeless body.
"I watched in fear and horror as the other four Marines scrambled to the corners of the room and the majority of the blast was absorbed by Peralta's now lifeless body. His selflessness left four other Marines with only minor injuries from smaller fragments of the grenade."
November 11, 2006
Peralta, who saved four in his platoon, is nominated for the Medal of Honor
By Gregg K. Kakesako
Sgt. Rafael Peralta, who saved fellow Kaneohe Marines by covering a grenade during the battle for Fallujah, Iraq, has been nominated for the nation's highest award, the Medal of Honor.
A spokesman for Marine Base Hawaii confirmed yesterday that the name of Peralta, 25, had been submitted for the Medal of Honor for saving the lives of four members of his platoon.
Peralta was with Kaneohe's 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, when he was killed on Nov. 15, 2004, during the second battle of Fallujah. He was one of 42 Marines and two Navy corpsmen assigned to the 1st Battalion who were killed in the unit's first deployment to Iraq. The battalion is scheduled to return there next spring.
Peralta's platoon had been involved in a house-to-house battle with insurgents when he was killed.
Yesterday, on the eve of Veterans Day, President Bush announced that Cpl. Jason Dunham would become the first Marine to receive the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War for sacrificing his life in Iraq for his fellow Marines. Dunham, assigned to Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines Regiment, died more than two years ago after covering a grenade with his helmet.
The other service member to receive the Medal of Honor for service in the Iraq war is Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith, who earned the Medal of Honor on April 4, 2005. Smith was credited with saving the lives of at least 100 soldiers while killing 20 to 50 enemy soldiers before he was killed while serving with the 2nd Platoon, B Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, at a temporary detainee facility at Saddam International Airport during the invasion of Iraq.
Five Marines, including Gunnery Sgt. Allan J. Kellogg from the islands, were recipients of the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War.
Peralta had wanted to join the Marine Corps after graduating from high school in San Diego in 1997, but since he was a Mexican citizen, he had to wait until 2000 when he had received legal residency and become a U.S. citizen.
He was assigned to Kaneohe's 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment in November 2003, which arrived in Iraq in October 2004. Peralta was killed on the eighth day of Operation Al Fajr in Fallujah. The Kaneohe Marines' mission was to clear the city of insurgents building by building.
According to reports, Peralta was shot several times while clearing a building in Fallujah. As fellow Marines battled the insurgents who shot Peralta, a live grenade bounced into the room near the severely wounded Marine.
Lance Cpl. T.J. Kaemmerer, a combat correspondent who was attached to Alpha Company, said he saw Peralta reach out and pull the grenade into his body, protecting the lives of several fellow Kaneohe Marines.
Kaemmerer reported that Peralta was a platoon scout in the Kaneohe unit, which meant he could have stayed back in safety while the squads of 1st Platoon went into the danger-filled streets. But Peralta was constantly asking to help.
In a December 2004 news report, Kaemmerer gave the following account of his fellow Marine's heroism:
"Peralta was hit several times in his upper torso and face at point-blank range by the fully automatic 7.62 mm weapons employed by three terrorists. Mortally wounded, he jumped into the already cleared adjoining room, giving the rest of us a clear line of fire through the doorway to the rear of the house.
"We opened fire. ... One Marine was shot through the forearm and continued to fire at the enemy.
"I saw four Marines firing from the adjoining room when a yellow, foreign-made, oval-shaped grenade bounced into the room, rolling to a stop close to Peralta's nearly lifeless body.
"I watched in fear and horror as the other four Marines scrambled to the corners of the room and the majority of the blast was absorbed by Peralta's now lifeless body. His selflessness left four other Marines with only minor injuries from smaller fragments of the grenade."
Saturday, November 11, 2006
VA Urges Veterans to Wear Medals on Veterans Day - 11 Nov 2006
WASHINGTON – The Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and leaders of major veterans organizations today called on America's veterans to help kindle a new spark of patriotism on Veterans Day by wearing the medals they earned during military service.
The Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, along with leaders of major veterans organizations, announced theVeterans Pride Initiative Oct. 18, atthe Dept. of Veterans Affairs headquarters in Washington, D.C
"We are announcing a Veterans Pride Initiative to remind Americans of the pride and honor in the hearts of those who have served," Nicholson said. "We expect Americans will see our decorated heroes unite in spirit at ceremonies, in parades and elsewhere as a compelling symbol of courage and sacrifice on Veterans Day, the day we set aside to thank those who served and safeguarded our national security."
The campaign is modeled after a tradition in Australia and New Zealand, countries who honor the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) on April 25. ANZAC Day sees veterans wearing their military decorations whatever they are doing on that day. Nicholson said he hopes a U. S. tradition will ensue to emulate this pride in being a veteran and in honoring our veterans.
VA is offering information about the campaign on its Web page, http://www.va.gov/veteranspride/, where veterans also can obtain information about how to replace mislaid medals and learn how to confirm the decorations to which they are entitled.
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Click on link above for instructions on how to wear your medals. No mention is made of ribbons.
~Gunner
The Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, along with leaders of major veterans organizations, announced theVeterans Pride Initiative Oct. 18, atthe Dept. of Veterans Affairs headquarters in Washington, D.C
"We are announcing a Veterans Pride Initiative to remind Americans of the pride and honor in the hearts of those who have served," Nicholson said. "We expect Americans will see our decorated heroes unite in spirit at ceremonies, in parades and elsewhere as a compelling symbol of courage and sacrifice on Veterans Day, the day we set aside to thank those who served and safeguarded our national security."
The campaign is modeled after a tradition in Australia and New Zealand, countries who honor the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) on April 25. ANZAC Day sees veterans wearing their military decorations whatever they are doing on that day. Nicholson said he hopes a U. S. tradition will ensue to emulate this pride in being a veteran and in honoring our veterans.
VA is offering information about the campaign on its Web page, http://www.va.gov/veteranspride/, where veterans also can obtain information about how to replace mislaid medals and learn how to confirm the decorations to which they are entitled.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Click on link above for instructions on how to wear your medals. No mention is made of ribbons.
~Gunner
Friday, November 10, 2006
Happy 231st Birthday to the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S.Marines on Friday November 10, 2006
From: Smith CWO2 Michael J (MFR)
To: All Leathernecks, their Families and Friends
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 7:06 PM
Subject: Marine Corps Birthday - and TV Alert
Happy Veterans Day and Happy Birthday to all the Leathernecks out there.
For the last two weeks, the Marines of my unit (The Band of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve, New Orleans, Louisiana) have been split up into 3-4 smaller performing units traveling throughout the United States in support of Marine Corps Birthday Ball Ceremonies practically everywhere it seems.
Tomorrow, on our 231st Birthday, it will be no different - except not only will my Brass Quintet be supporting Birthday Balls in the evening, they will have two other public performances during the day.
Between 0745 and 0900 (EST) they will be on the nationally televised Fox & Friends morning show performing as the show goes in and out of commercials. They will also play the Marines Hymn for an on-air cake cutting ceremony.
From there they will go to Wall Street. I don't believe this will be broadcast live, but you might see it on the evening news tomorrow night - They will play the Marines Hymn at 1200 for the closing bell on Wall Street.
Where ever you lay your head tonight, God Bless you and I thank each and every one of you for what YOU do for this country - Military and Civilian alike. Yes, tomorrow is the Marine Corps Birthday, and the next day is Veterans Day, but we can't do what we do without you - you make it all worth it.
Semper Fidelis and God Bless
Michael Smith
CWO USMC
To: All Leathernecks, their Families and Friends
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 7:06 PM
Subject: Marine Corps Birthday - and TV Alert
Happy Veterans Day and Happy Birthday to all the Leathernecks out there.
For the last two weeks, the Marines of my unit (The Band of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve, New Orleans, Louisiana) have been split up into 3-4 smaller performing units traveling throughout the United States in support of Marine Corps Birthday Ball Ceremonies practically everywhere it seems.
Tomorrow, on our 231st Birthday, it will be no different - except not only will my Brass Quintet be supporting Birthday Balls in the evening, they will have two other public performances during the day.
Between 0745 and 0900 (EST) they will be on the nationally televised Fox & Friends morning show performing as the show goes in and out of commercials. They will also play the Marines Hymn for an on-air cake cutting ceremony.
From there they will go to Wall Street. I don't believe this will be broadcast live, but you might see it on the evening news tomorrow night - They will play the Marines Hymn at 1200 for the closing bell on Wall Street.
Where ever you lay your head tonight, God Bless you and I thank each and every one of you for what YOU do for this country - Military and Civilian alike. Yes, tomorrow is the Marine Corps Birthday, and the next day is Veterans Day, but we can't do what we do without you - you make it all worth it.
Semper Fidelis and God Bless
Michael Smith
CWO USMC
Happy Birthday U.S.Marines!
Here is wishing all of you known as Leathernecks, U.S. Marines, Devil Dogs, Gyrenes, Jarheads, Grunts or by any other endearing sea service Name or nickname a...
Happy and Safe 231st. Birthday!
Happy and Safe 231st. Birthday!
~Gunner
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Navy Experts to Help Free Intrepid
By Mark D. Faram
Navy Times
Staff writer
November 8, 2006
Navy salvage experts will join the existing team of military and civilian experts trying to pull the retired aircraft carrier Intrepid from mud in New York Harbor, a Navy official said.The aged World War II veteran had not been moved from its Manhattan berth in 24 years.
A team of salvage experts from the Navy’s Supervisor of Diving and Salvage, in Washington, D.C., has been dispatched to New York to help determine how best to get the ship unstuck, a Navy official confirmed to Navy Times. "The Intrepid Museum has asked for our help," said an official familiar with situation. "We will perform a hydrographic survey of the harbor bottom around the ship to help them determine the best course ahead."
That survey will map the bottom around the ship and tell experts just what must be moved before the ship will come free. Six tug boats with a combined 30,000 horsepower attempted to move the ship from her berth Monday. Though reports say the ship did move 10 feet, it became stuck as the Intrepid’s massive 16-foot diameter screws dug into the harbor bottom and prevented the 27,000-ton ship from getting underway.
The tow was attempted right after a ceremony was conducted to send the ship off on a two-year, $60 million overhaul. According to the Associated Press, the tugs pulled from the stern for 90 minutes while others pushed from the bow, but could not budge the ship. It’s not like the problem wasn’t anticipated, either.
The museum had actually dredged 15,000 cubic yards of mud from the bottom and hoped the ship could be pulled easily from its berth into that 35-foot dredged hole, which would have taken it out into open water. Intrepid, a World War II-era Essex-class aircraft carrier, saw action in the Pacific and survived multiple kamikaze attacks during the war.
The worst attack took place Nov. 25, 1944, when two suicide planes ripped through the ship, destroying the flight deck and killing 64 of its crew. The ship was knocked out of action for three months. Intrepid returned to fight off Okinawa in 1945 before being decommissioned for the first time in 1947.
The ship was again decommissioned in 1952 for modernization and then recommissioned in 1954. It survived as an active ship until being decommissioned for the final time in 1974. New York builder Zach Fisher acquired the ship in the 1970s and transformed it into a museum honoring all who served in the armed forces. The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Related news from the WebLatest headlines by topic:
• History in the News
• http://www.navytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2343318.php
Navy Times
Staff writer
November 8, 2006
Navy salvage experts will join the existing team of military and civilian experts trying to pull the retired aircraft carrier Intrepid from mud in New York Harbor, a Navy official said.The aged World War II veteran had not been moved from its Manhattan berth in 24 years.
A team of salvage experts from the Navy’s Supervisor of Diving and Salvage, in Washington, D.C., has been dispatched to New York to help determine how best to get the ship unstuck, a Navy official confirmed to Navy Times. "The Intrepid Museum has asked for our help," said an official familiar with situation. "We will perform a hydrographic survey of the harbor bottom around the ship to help them determine the best course ahead."
That survey will map the bottom around the ship and tell experts just what must be moved before the ship will come free. Six tug boats with a combined 30,000 horsepower attempted to move the ship from her berth Monday. Though reports say the ship did move 10 feet, it became stuck as the Intrepid’s massive 16-foot diameter screws dug into the harbor bottom and prevented the 27,000-ton ship from getting underway.
The tow was attempted right after a ceremony was conducted to send the ship off on a two-year, $60 million overhaul. According to the Associated Press, the tugs pulled from the stern for 90 minutes while others pushed from the bow, but could not budge the ship. It’s not like the problem wasn’t anticipated, either.
The museum had actually dredged 15,000 cubic yards of mud from the bottom and hoped the ship could be pulled easily from its berth into that 35-foot dredged hole, which would have taken it out into open water. Intrepid, a World War II-era Essex-class aircraft carrier, saw action in the Pacific and survived multiple kamikaze attacks during the war.
The worst attack took place Nov. 25, 1944, when two suicide planes ripped through the ship, destroying the flight deck and killing 64 of its crew. The ship was knocked out of action for three months. Intrepid returned to fight off Okinawa in 1945 before being decommissioned for the first time in 1947.
The ship was again decommissioned in 1952 for modernization and then recommissioned in 1954. It survived as an active ship until being decommissioned for the final time in 1974. New York builder Zach Fisher acquired the ship in the 1970s and transformed it into a museum honoring all who served in the armed forces. The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Related news from the WebLatest headlines by topic:
• History in the News
• http://www.navytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2343318.php
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Rumsfield is resigning as SecDef
Today, the headlines are SecDef Rumsfield is resigning. It would have been better to have done so a month or more ago, or to have waited for a month or more after the election. Just not today, the day after the election. I wonder what effect this will have our military. I am not a politician, so I don't have any idea regarding the political impact, but I have my reservations regarding it's effect on the discipline and morale of our troops and officer corps.
~g
~g
'Blue to Green' Allows Sailors, Airmen to Transfer to Army
By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2006 - As the Air Force and Navy continue to transform themselves, the two services are finding they do not need the number of people they once did. But thanks to a program called "Operation Blue to Green," sailors and airmen chosen for separation can transfer to the Army and remain on active duty.The two "blue" services are scrubbing their officer and enlisted ranks and eliminating jobs. The Air Force, for example, will draw down by 40,000 jobs in the next few years.
"These are highly qualified and motivated people," said Army Lt. Col. Deborah Stewart, the chief of officer accessions policy at the directorate of manpower and personnel management at the Pentagon. "The Blue to Green program allows them to continue to serve."
The program allows qualified airmen and sailors to transfer to the Army. This year, there is a $10,000 bonus for those accepted into the program.
Enlisted personnel in grades E-1 to E-5 retain their ranks and time in grade when they transfer. Officers retain their rank and date of rank. All who transfer go through the Army's Warrior Transition Course - a four-week course to show the airmen and sailors how the Army does things.
If those who wish to transfer have specialty codes that translate to Army jobs, then they do not need to retrain, Stewart said. "An MP is an MP, whether Army or Air Force," she said.
Other career fields that transfer easily are military intelligence, administration, supply and transportation. "The majority of the jobs that are open are in combat support, combat service support specialties," she said.
In fiscal 2006, 172 airmen and sailors transferred into the Army - 152 from the Air Force and 52 from the Navy, according to officials at the Army Human Resources Command. The goal was 200.
Air Force officials said the program has a pretty good jump start for fiscal 2007. "To date, we've have 69 enlisted (members) apply -- 25 approved, 44 pending," said Air Force Lt. Col. Jimmy Standridge, chief of the separations branch at the Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. "On the officer side, we have 84 applications -- 63 approved and 21 still pending."
The Army cannot say what the goal for fiscal 2007 is yet. That depends on Air Force "force-shaping" boards that will determine how many positions will be cut from the service's rolls. The officer board will be held in March, and while it's not expected to be as large as previous boards, it will still identify a number of people for separation. Standridge said those people will be offered the Blue to Green option.
Related Sites:
Operation Blue to Green
http://www.defenselink.mil/News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=2049
WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2006 - As the Air Force and Navy continue to transform themselves, the two services are finding they do not need the number of people they once did. But thanks to a program called "Operation Blue to Green," sailors and airmen chosen for separation can transfer to the Army and remain on active duty.The two "blue" services are scrubbing their officer and enlisted ranks and eliminating jobs. The Air Force, for example, will draw down by 40,000 jobs in the next few years.
"These are highly qualified and motivated people," said Army Lt. Col. Deborah Stewart, the chief of officer accessions policy at the directorate of manpower and personnel management at the Pentagon. "The Blue to Green program allows them to continue to serve."
The program allows qualified airmen and sailors to transfer to the Army. This year, there is a $10,000 bonus for those accepted into the program.
Enlisted personnel in grades E-1 to E-5 retain their ranks and time in grade when they transfer. Officers retain their rank and date of rank. All who transfer go through the Army's Warrior Transition Course - a four-week course to show the airmen and sailors how the Army does things.
If those who wish to transfer have specialty codes that translate to Army jobs, then they do not need to retrain, Stewart said. "An MP is an MP, whether Army or Air Force," she said.
Other career fields that transfer easily are military intelligence, administration, supply and transportation. "The majority of the jobs that are open are in combat support, combat service support specialties," she said.
In fiscal 2006, 172 airmen and sailors transferred into the Army - 152 from the Air Force and 52 from the Navy, according to officials at the Army Human Resources Command. The goal was 200.
Air Force officials said the program has a pretty good jump start for fiscal 2007. "To date, we've have 69 enlisted (members) apply -- 25 approved, 44 pending," said Air Force Lt. Col. Jimmy Standridge, chief of the separations branch at the Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. "On the officer side, we have 84 applications -- 63 approved and 21 still pending."
The Army cannot say what the goal for fiscal 2007 is yet. That depends on Air Force "force-shaping" boards that will determine how many positions will be cut from the service's rolls. The officer board will be held in March, and while it's not expected to be as large as previous boards, it will still identify a number of people for separation. Standridge said those people will be offered the Blue to Green option.
Related Sites:
Operation Blue to Green
http://www.defenselink.mil/News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=2049
Sunday, November 05, 2006
On November 10, USMC Will Finish 16 Day Run Around Barton Field of Ft. Gordon, Ga
On the 25th of October , the Marine det. on Ft. Gordon started a 24hr round the clock run around Barton field. They are doing this to honor the Soldiers, Sailor, and Marines killed in Iraq and Afganistan. They will end their run at approx. 0900 10 November. The birthday of the Marine corps.Cpt. Woodward the cmdr of the det has asked that the MC community gather around Barton field to cheer for the Marines on the final lap. All 150 that have run over the past days will run the final lap commencing at approx 0830. The finish line will be on Barton field just across the street from the main post library . At the finish the Marine det will have been running for 16 days straight. What these Marines are doing take a lot if guts and I think we need to support them.
Paul Knox
Chaplain
ALR Post 178
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Additional Information:
All motorcycles are encouraged to come out for this event. The goal is to surround Barton Field with motorcycles for the last laps of this run. You will need to follow base protocol - full fingered gloves, long pants & sleeves, full face helmet or goggles, and a reflective vest or belt. We have been told that "bright colored" upper garments will suffice for that morning, in lieu of reflective equipment.
10 November is on a Friday.
"Time for Rumsfeld to go"
Editorial
Navy Times,
November 4, 2006
Time for Rumsfeld to go
“So long as our government requires the backing of an aroused and informed public opinion ... it is necessary to tell the hard bruising truth.”That statement was written by Pulitzer Prize-winning war correspondent Marguerite Higgins more than a half-century ago during the Korean War. But until recently, the “hard bruising” truth about the Iraq war has been difficult to come by from leaders in Washington.
One rosy reassurance after another has been handed down by President Bush, Vice President Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld: “mission accomplished,” the insurgency is “in its last throes,” and “back off,” we know what we’re doing, are a few choice examples.Military leaders generally toed the line, although a few retired generals eventually spoke out from the safety of the sidelines, inciting criticism equally from anti-war types, who thought they should have spoken out while still in uniform, and pro-war foes, who thought the generals should have kept their critiques behind closed doors.
Now, however, a new chorus of criticism is beginning to resonate. Active-duty military leaders are starting to voice misgivings about the war’s planning, execution and dimming prospects for success.Army Gen. John Abizaid, chief of U.S. Central Command, told a Senate Armed Services Committee in September: “I believe that the sectarian violence is probably as bad as I’ve seen it ... and that if not stopped, it is possible that Iraq could move towards civil war.”
Last week, someone leaked to The New York Times a Central Command briefing slide showing an assessment that the civil conflict in Iraq now borders on “critical” and has been sliding toward “chaos” for most of the past year. The strategy in Iraq has been to train an Iraqi army and police force that could gradually take over for U.S. troops in providing for the security of their new government and their nation.
But despite the best efforts of American trainers, the problem of molding a viciously sectarian population into anything resembling a force for national unity has become a losing proposition.For two years, American sergeants, captains and majors training the Iraqis have told their bosses that Iraqi troops have no sense of national identity, are only in it for the money, don’t show up for duty and cannot sustain themselves.
Meanwhile, colonels and generals have asked their bosses for more troops. Service chiefs have asked for more money. And all along, Rumsfeld has assured us that things are well in hand. Now, the president says he’ll stick with Rumsfeld for the balance of his term in the White House. This is a mistake. It is one thing for the majority of Americans to think Rumsfeld has failed.
But when the nation’s current military leaders start to break publicly with their defense secretary, then it is clear that he is losing control of the institution he ostensibly leads.These officers have been loyal public promoters of a war policy many privately feared would fail. They have kept their counsel private, adhering to more than two centuries of American tradition of subordination of the military to civilian authority.
And although that tradition, and the officers’ deep sense of honor, prevent them from saying this publicly, more and more of them believe it. Rumsfeld has lost credibility with the uniformed leadership, with the troops, with Congress and with the public at large. His strategy has failed, and his ability to lead is compromised.
And although the blame for our failures in Iraq rests with the secretary, it will be the troops who bear its brunt.This is not about the midterm elections. Regardless of which party wins Nov. 7, the time has come, Mr. President, to face the hard bruising truth: Donald Rumsfeld must go.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From my original enlistment (1956) until today, I don't recall very many retired flag rank officers ever publicly questioning SecDef, or their CinC. Before my enlistment, I recall Gen. MacArthur doing so. But since, there have been very few, and they employed very low keyed rhetoric. Recently, there have been several very senior retired military officers demanding his resignation. Somehow, even though I have the right to do so in retirement, I cannot bring myself to publicly criticize anyone in the military chain of command. I am afraid that the editorials of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Times combined with the gravity of the collective liberal press making such a demand will embolden many of our officers to join in the demand. Some could join for petty reasons such as being passed over, or getting their ass chewed out, etc. While being passed over is very significant to the individual, one can reasonably expect that at the end of their career they will be passed over, and have to retire. An open season for bitching about SecDef could be a catastrophe for military discipline.What do you think?
~g~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
11-08-2006 Update
Today, the headlines are SecDef Rumsfield is resigning. It would have been better to have done so a month or more ago, or to have waited for a month or more after the election. Just not today, the day after the election. I wonder what effect this will have our military. I am not a politician, so I don't have any idea regarding the political impact, but I have my reservations regarding it's effect on the discipline and morale our troops and officer corps.
~g
Saturday, November 04, 2006
9,300 reservists to be mobilized over next 12 months
9,300 reservists to be mobilized over next 12 months
By Chris Amos
Navy Times Staff writer
November 2, 2006
The Navy Reserve expects to mobilize 9,300 sailors during the next 12 months, according to briefing documents obtained by Navy Times and confirmed by Vice Adm. John G. Cotton, chief of the Navy Reserve. That figure means that nearly one in three available reservists — not counting the 38,000 who have already been mobilized and the approximately 5,000 listed as not deployable for medical, dental, or other administrative reasons — will mobilize during the next year for deployments ranging from six months to more than one year.
Cotton said he does not believe the rate of mobilizations will exhaust the pool of available reservists; that is because the Navy Reserve’s 26 percent yearly turnover creates a fresh supply of deployable sailors every year, according to Capt. David J. Wray, spokesman for the Navy Reserve. But most new reservists are prior-service sailors who enter from the active component as already deployable assets.
Such sailors who have deployed within their last 12 months on active duty can ask that mobilizations be put off for their first year in the Navy Reserve. As of Oct. 31, there were 71,300 people serving in the selected reserve, according to Cotton.Cotton said the number of reservists who will be contacted for possible mobilization will be higher than 9,300.
That’s because Navy officials have found that as many as 40 percent of reservists contacted for recent mobilizations could not deploy, despite being listed as deployable by their units. Cotton said the exact number of reservists who can expect a mobilization call next year is unknown because it is difficult to predict precisely how many sailors who are called will be determined to be deployable.
The Navy Reserve had been authorized by Congress to have as many as 6,200 mobilized reservists throughout the year, a number that does not include a smaller number of reservists who count against active-duty billets or who have been mobilized for 30-day operational deployments to fulfill their annual drilling requirements.
That 6,200 is a number Congress has specifically authorized for the Navy Reserve to bring sailors on full time but not have them count against the active-duty end strength. In the past, the Navy had to do a juggling act to ensure the number of activated reservists did not put the Navy over the end strength authorized by Congress.Cotton said he anticipated keeping no more than 6,000 reservists mobilized at any given time during the next 12 months.
By Chris Amos
Navy Times Staff writer
November 2, 2006
The Navy Reserve expects to mobilize 9,300 sailors during the next 12 months, according to briefing documents obtained by Navy Times and confirmed by Vice Adm. John G. Cotton, chief of the Navy Reserve. That figure means that nearly one in three available reservists — not counting the 38,000 who have already been mobilized and the approximately 5,000 listed as not deployable for medical, dental, or other administrative reasons — will mobilize during the next year for deployments ranging from six months to more than one year.
Cotton said he does not believe the rate of mobilizations will exhaust the pool of available reservists; that is because the Navy Reserve’s 26 percent yearly turnover creates a fresh supply of deployable sailors every year, according to Capt. David J. Wray, spokesman for the Navy Reserve. But most new reservists are prior-service sailors who enter from the active component as already deployable assets.
Such sailors who have deployed within their last 12 months on active duty can ask that mobilizations be put off for their first year in the Navy Reserve. As of Oct. 31, there were 71,300 people serving in the selected reserve, according to Cotton.Cotton said the number of reservists who will be contacted for possible mobilization will be higher than 9,300.
That’s because Navy officials have found that as many as 40 percent of reservists contacted for recent mobilizations could not deploy, despite being listed as deployable by their units. Cotton said the exact number of reservists who can expect a mobilization call next year is unknown because it is difficult to predict precisely how many sailors who are called will be determined to be deployable.
The Navy Reserve had been authorized by Congress to have as many as 6,200 mobilized reservists throughout the year, a number that does not include a smaller number of reservists who count against active-duty billets or who have been mobilized for 30-day operational deployments to fulfill their annual drilling requirements.
That 6,200 is a number Congress has specifically authorized for the Navy Reserve to bring sailors on full time but not have them count against the active-duty end strength. In the past, the Navy had to do a juggling act to ensure the number of activated reservists did not put the Navy over the end strength authorized by Congress.Cotton said he anticipated keeping no more than 6,000 reservists mobilized at any given time during the next 12 months.
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