DR. HAMRE TO PARTICIPATE IN TOTAL FORCE INTEGRATION CEREMONY

Deputy Secretary of Defense John J. Hamre will participate in a ceremony commemorating the first anniversary of the signing of the Total Force "Seamless" Integration Memorandum concerning the integration of the Active and Reserve Forces on Friday, Sept. 4 in Room 3E869 in the Pentagon at 11:30 a.m. (EDT). The event is open to the media.

The memorandum, signed Sept. 4, 1997 by Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen, called upon all civilian and military leaders of the Defense Department to "eliminate all residual barriers - structural and cultural - to effective integration of the Reserve and Active forces into a seamless Total Force." The ceremony will highlight the accomplishments and initiatives undertaken during the past year.

Hosting the ceremony are Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Rudy de Leon and Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs Charles L. Cragin, each of whom will make brief remarks.

Those interested in attending or obtaining more information may call Lt. Col. Terry Jones, 703-695-3620.