By Jeff Schogol
Published: June 30, 2010
The Army will make sure that all 330,000 people buried at Arlington National Cemetery are in the correct place, but officials could not say how long that process might take.
Earlier this month, an Army Inspector General’s Office report found that at least 211 graves at the cemetery were unmarked or misidentified.
“There could in fact be more,” said Lt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb, Army Inspector General, at June 10 news conference.
By Leo Shane III
Published: June 30, 2010
Officials over at the Department of Labor just announced a new $5.2 million push to help homeless female veterans through a series of job training, mental health counseling and affordable housing programs. Twenty-six groups in 15 states will receive the funds, each working to find answers for the estimated 5,000 single female vets who spend the night on the streets.
In a conference call with reporters Wednesday, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis said the grants are the first ever of their kind to be handed out by her agency. “The members of our armed forces make enormous sacrifices for the nation. The least we owe them when they return to civilian life is a chance to earn a living, support their families and have a stable place to rest their heads each night.”
By Leo Shane III
Published: June 30, 2010
ISAF officials today marked the one-year anniversary of the disappearance of Spc. Bowe Bergdahl, declared missing after he didn't show up for a unit roll call last summer. By mid-July commanders knew where he was; a Taliban propaganda video showed the young soldier in their captivity.
Bergdahl, a member of the 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, is the only known U.S. servicemember currently being held by enemy fighters. Taliban commanders released two more videos featuring the soldier from Idaho in December 2009 and April 2010, demanding the release of prisoners at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in exchange for his freedom.
By Leo Shane III and Kevin Baron
Published: June 29, 2010
This morning Gen. David Petraeus is scheduled to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing for the command of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The event comes just days after the president dismissed commander Gen. Stanley McChystal from the post, and two weeks since Petraeus' last appearance before the committee (as head of CENTCOM).
We'll be following the hearing all morning here -- check back for updates on the new commander's views on the rules of engagement in Afghanistan, metric for success there, and changes troops on the ground could see.
By Kevin Baron
Published: June 29, 2010
General David Petraeus heads back to Capitol Hill for his confirmation hearing Tuesday morning, but he tells all you need know in an 18 page answer sheet to advance questions.
Do you agree with the President’s decision to begin reductions of U.S. forces in July 2011?
Answer: Yes.
By Jeff Schogol
Published: June 25, 2010
Gen. David Petraeus faces one billion pressing issues once he assumes command of all U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan: When will the offensive in Kandahar start? Can he show progress by July 2011? Will the Burger King at Kandahar Air Field re-open?
We asked Petraeus’ spokesman about that last item.
As anyone who’s been in Afghanistan knows, recently-cashiered Gen. Stanley McChrystal waged a jihad against fast food and other creature comforts for the troops because getting such luxuries into Afghanistan took up valuable cargo space that could be used for vital equipment.
By Leo Shane III
Published: June 25, 2010
FOX News is reporting that incoming Afghan commander Gen. David Petraeus has already drawn up plans to drop his predecessor's controversial rules of engagement in order to "make it easier for U.S. troops to engage in combat with the enemy." A spokesman for Petraeus immediately denied the story, saying simply that's one of the things he'll look at.
Many of the rules are unpopular with American troops in the country, who want less restrictions on when they can return fire and when air support can be called into a firefight. But civilian casualties have decreased since the rules were put in place, and proponents of the counterinsurgency strategy emphasize that winning Afghan citizens' trust is as important to success as killing the enemy.
By Leo Shane III
Published: June 25, 2010
In his public remarks this week the president emphasized that Afghan commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal's firing was "a change in personnel, not a change in policy" and that he expects replacement commander Gen. David Petraeus to continue the "hearts and minds" counterinsurgency strategy already in place there.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen reiterated that point in a Pentagon press conference Thursday, but also noted that doesn’t mean everything will stay the same. Some of specific rules of engagement – when troops can return fire, where they can patrol, who they can detain – could see major changes in coming weeks.
By Leo Shane III
Published: June 24, 2010
At a press conference alongside Russian President Dmitry Medvedev this afternoon, President Barack Obama fielded a question from the press corps about whether the dismissal of Afghan commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal would affect the U.S. withdrawal timeline from that country. He said no, but emphasized that the July 2011 goal isn't the end of the road either.
"We did not say that, starting July 2011, suddenly there would be no troops from the United States or allied countries in Afghanistan," the president said. "We didn't say we should be switching off the lights or closing the door behind us."
By Leo Shane III
Published: June 24, 2010
With the sudden change of leadership of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, it's been easy this week to overlook what's happening with the tens of thousands of American troops in the other major overseas conflict. But, before the Senate Armed Services grills incoming Afghanistan commander Gen. David Petraeus next week, they'll focus today on the nominee to head U.S. forces in Iraq.
Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin, who has worked as second-in-command in Iraq in 2008, is set to take over for current commander Gen. Ray Odierno when his normal rotation ends in September. The move comes at a critical time for the U.S. mission there; By this fall, fewer than 50,000 troops will remain in the country as American forces hand over more responsibilities to their Iraqi counterparts.
By Kevin Baron
Published: June 24, 2010
General David Petraeus said Wednesday night it will be a full month before the media gets to him.
When President Barack Obama announced from the Rose Garden that Petraeus was taking over, the general stood stone faced at his side and said nothing. This reporter, and probably plenty others, soon went for the get. For my money, I want to be on that plane when the general makes his first return to Afghanistan as war commander of those 90,000+ troops.
By Kevin Baron
Published: June 23, 2010
The Senate will hold confirmation hearings by Tuesday for Gen. David Petraeus to take over command of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan, according to the chairman who decides.
“I expect to hold the confirmation hearing on General Petraeus’ nomination no later than next Tuesday,” said Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
By Kevin Baron
Published: June 23, 2010
Do you like Tampa? Warm breezes, gulf beaches (Oil free! So far.), and Cuban-ish cigars? Then CENTCOM is the place for you!
Central Command is about to have a vacant post in the big office with the view when General David Petraeus takes command of the war in Afghanistan.
But if you come, you better come correct, as there is early scuttle in the Pentagon halls that Marine Corps Lt. General John Allen is the top candidate. Allen has been Petraeus' deputy for two years. According to bio, here, he was: "Deputy Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) and Commanding General, 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, deploying to Iraq for OIF 06-08, serving as the Deputy Commanding General of Multinational Force – West (MNF-W) and II MEF (Forward) in Al Anbar Province, Iraq."
By Kevin Baron
Published: June 23, 2010
General Stanley McChrystal was shown on CNN leaving the White House about 20 minutes past 10:00 a.m. after meeting with President Barack Obama.
The White House has a full Afghanistan war council meeting at 11:45 p.m. in the Situation Room.
By Kevin Baron
Published: June 23, 2010
Ahead of schedule, Gen. Stanley McChrystal had a closed-door meeting early Wednesday in the Pentagon with Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said the meeting began at 8am and lasted 30 minutes. He would not indicate whether Gates or Mullen will give a formal recommendation on McChrystal's fate to the president, saying it was the president's decision.
By Kevin Baron
Published: June 22, 2010
What would YOU do? It's our simple question to you.
At 11:45am on Wednesday, President Barack Obama's entire war council will meet in person for a previously scheduled meeting with a highly unscheduled thought bubble over everyone's head. Will President Obama fire Gen. McChrystal, relieving him of command of the war in Afghanstan?
Please post your comments below. Keep it clean, this site will be moderated for content.
By Kevin Baron
Published: June 22, 2010
The trickle of news began around 6 p.m. Monday night that Rolling Stone had a new profile on Gen. Stanley McChrystal. Then we all started to read it. Wow. He said what? They’re drinking where? Uh oh.
By mid-evening, several military reporters and bloggers were dissecting what we were seeing before our eyes. Then the apology came. Not a denial, not a nondenial, not even a “Those quotes are out of context.”
By Kevin Baron
Published: June 22, 2010
Should he stay or should he go? There are ample reasons to take either side.
All eyes are on Commander-in-Chief Barack Obama, who must decide whether to fire his war commander over the Rolling Stone interview, or to stand by his side and from the White House proclaim he trusts Gen. Stanley McChrystal (and so should 94,000 troops under his command).
There is a lot to weigh. McChrystal is the war commander hand-picked by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, probably the most influential member of Obama's cabinet. And McChrystal's team has a good relationship with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Rolling Stone said. Pentagon officials like to say, frequently, that “nobody gets it” more than "Stan McChrystal" about counterinsurgency, about Afghanistan, about the politics of it all. And besides, who could possibly replace him?
By Kevin Baron
Published: June 21, 2010
Final pretrial hearings for three alleged “enemy combatants” are scheduled to begin next week at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, marking the last steps before the first full trial of the U.S. military commissions under President Barack Obama begins in August.
Almost immediately after taking office, Obama declared the detention center at Guantanamo would be closed in one year. That was a year and a half ago, and there is no end in sight. Congress blocked the federal government from buying an Illinois prison the White House wanted to use. This month, Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, paid a surprise visit to the brig at Charleston, S.C., one of the potential sites to receive some – not all – of the prisoners.
By Jeff Schogol
Published: June 18, 2010
Defense officials are considering limiting the scope of the popular Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program for new applicants, funding education providing “portable skills” rather than traditional four-year degrees, said Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell.
The program provides military spouses up to $6,000 for education-related expenses, but it became so popular that the Defense Department abruptly halted the program in February while it tried to figure out how to fund it. MyCAA resumed in March, allowing the 136,583 people already enrolled in the program to access their accounts, but it has not accepted new applicants.
By Leo Shane III
Published: June 17, 2010
At first glance, the discussion on Captiol Hill this week on the RAND/National Military Family Association study on military children seems to contain few surprises: Kids of deployed military personnel face more emotional and behavioral difficulties than their civilian counterparts, and the longer the deployment the more problems they encounter.
But the survey does contain one detail that Guardsmen and reservists are well aware of but has largely gone unreported: Families that live on-base deal better with the stress of deployment, both during and after the separation, than families living in non-military communities.
By Leo Shane III
Published: June 16, 2010
In testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee this morning, Defense Secretary Robert Gates again repeated his (and President Barack Obama's) opposition to "wasteful" defense spending such as the continuation of the C-17 production line and money for the joint strike fighter alternate engine. But he added a new twist too: Don't assume that the "don't ask, don't tell" repeal and other positives in the budget bills will be enough to save them.
"It would be a very serious mistake to believe the president would accept these unneeded programs simply because the authorization or appropriations legislation includes other provisions important to him and to this administration," he said.
By Kevin Baron
Published: June 15, 2010
President Barack Obama, in his first nationally televised speech from the Oval Office, said he tapped Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus to lead the Gulf of Mississippi clean up, which he said will be paid for by BP.
"I asked Ray Mabus, the Secretary of the Navy, a former governor of Mississippi, and a son of the Gulf, to develop a long-term Gulf Coast Restoration Plan as soon as possible," Obama said. "The plan will be designed by states, local communities, tribes, fishermen, businesses, conservationists, and other Gulf residents."
By Leo Shane III
Published: June 15, 2010
Initially, of course, everyone was concerned after CENTCOM commander Gen. David Petraeus fell ill during a Senate hearing this morning. But, after he returned fine and offered an explanation of "just a little dehydration," veterans of the rather warm regions of Iraq and Afghanistan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
Dehydration? From someone who's familiar with the sun and heat of those deserts? Shouldn't he know better?
"C'mon, General Petraeus. You are a four-star general. That's a cherry mistake," wrote the folks over at the VetVoice blog (who also conceded that "dehydration can happen to the best of us").
By Leo Shane III
Published: June 15, 2010
Veterans Affairs officials announced today they've revised paperwork for first-time disability and pension claims, shortening the 23-page form down to a mere 10-page application. In a statement, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki said the move symbolizes "changes underway to make VA more responsive to Veterans and their families.”
Of course, the new form still includes four pages of instructions, plus a two-page addendum at the end to authorize release of personal information to VA claims researchers. Even if the process is faster, that doesn't mean it's a quick turnaround.
By Derek Turner
Published: June 14, 2010
Wounded and dazed from a series of explosions, Marine Staff Sgt. Dustin Velzeboer nevertheless jumped behind the wheel of an EOD truck filled with munitions that were slowly beginning to detonate. With only seconds to spare, he drove the vehicle safely away from his comrades and then raced away on foot before it too went up in flames.
Army Staff Sgt. Jarion Halbisengibbs, Sgt. 1st Class Michael Lindsay and Capt. Matthew Chaney, essentially on their own, took out a compound teeming with enemy fighters and killed a wanted insurgent leader, despite each of them being peppered with bullets and rocked by grenade blasts.
By Leo Shane III
Published: June 14, 2010
The news isn't really enough to cancel that summer trip to the shore with your family, but the Department of Defense has updated its rules allowing troops to carry over as many as 75 days of accrued leave from this fiscal year into 2011.
The move, approved by Congress last year, is designed to help troops deployed for lengthy periods to Iraq and Afghanistan to make the most of their hard-earned vacation time. Currently the law limits carry-over days to 60, but in 2008 lawmakers extended that rule another 15 days because of the large number of troops unable to use their time while stationed in combat zones.
By Kevin Baron
Published: June 11, 2010
A popular Facebook page for Robert Gates, the secretary of defense, appears to have been hacked, and then went missing altogether from the website on Friday.
One problem: Sec. Gates doesn't have a Facebook page, according to Col. Dave Lapan, director of press ops at the Pentagon's Office of the Secretary of Defense.
By Leo Shane III
Published: June 11, 2010
Stars and Stripes reporters Jeff Schogol and Kevin Baron are reporting that police responded Friday afternoon to a man with a suspicious package outside the Pentagon’s Metro entrance. Police with guns drawn shouted at a man to “Get down!”
Keep an eye here, and on our Pentagon reporters' Twitter feeds (@StripesBaron and @JeffSchogol) for updates as this unfolds.
By Leo Shane III
Published: June 11, 2010
Veterans groups reacted quickly and harshly to news yesterday that the remains of more than 200 veterans were misplaced or lost by workers at Arlington National Cemetery, demanding immediate improvements to Amry records systems and a change in the "culture of complacency" at the hallowed site.
Shortly after the Pentagon press conference yesterday House Armed Services Committee leaders announced plans to hold hearings on the problems at Arlington. Chairman Ike Skelton, D-Mo., noted the staff's conduct "is disgraceful and cannot be tolerated." Ranking member Buck McKeon, R-Calif., said "families demand, and most importantly, deserve to know that their loved ones are being treated with the utmost respect and decorum."
By Kevin Baron
Published: June 10, 2010
One of the obstacles (criticisms?) facing the creation of a federal government-wide cybersecurity system has been to coordinate the countless agencies and military commands that have a say in the hydra.
On Thursday, leading Senators on homeland security introduced a bill that would establish the federal government’s central cyber authority firmly at the Department of Homeland Security. It creates a National Center for Cybersecurity and Communication and gives the president authority to declare a cyber emergency, allowing private companies to act without fear of liability.
By Leo Shane III
Published: June 10, 2010
In his briefing with reporters earlier this week House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton, D-Mo., said he still has serious concerns about what a repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" law might mean and how House leaders guided the proposal through the defense authorization bill debate. Those remarks, especially his comment that "What do mommies and daddies say to their 7-year-old child?" about the issue, have drawn harsh criticism from repeal supporters.
But Skelton also told us that his objections may be moot. "If (a repeal vote) happens to be exactly the same in the Senate as it was in the House, than this won't even be a conferenceable issue," he said. "We'll have to see what the Senate does."
By Leo Shane III
Published: June 9, 2010
The Archives of General Psychiatry this month features a pair of military-related studies on post-traumatic stress disorder. The first, which saw up to a third of soldiers returning from combat may suffer from some type of stress disorder, received a fair amount of attention from news outlets earlier this week.
The second study received less attention but might be more troubling. Researchers tracked more than 181,000 veterans 55 or older to see whether PTSD plays a factor in developing dementia later in life. The result? Those already struggling with the disorder were almost twice as likely as other veterans to suffer more serious cognitive impairment later in life.
By Leo Shane III
Published: June 8, 2010
Last month the House overwhelmingly (as in "426 co-sponsors" overwhelmingly) passed legislation to change the official service branch name from the Department of the Navy to the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps, a nod to the contributions of the leathernecks in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
It's not the first time the issue has moved through Congress. And yesterday, the Defense Department again said in no uncertain terms that they think it's a bad idea.
By Leo Shane III
Published: June 8, 2010
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton, D-Mo., told reporters this morning that he thinks a 1.9 percent pay raise for all troops next year -- 0.5 above what the Senate and president have asked for -- is the right move to support servicemembers and their families. But he added that he's interested in what the Senate has in store.
Last month the Senate Armed Services Committee approved only a 1.4 percent across-the-board raise for troops in 2011, but Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich., promised a more expansive pay policy when the bill comes to the full chamber floor for a vote.
By Leo Shane III
Published: June 7, 2010
In case you missed them, here's a quick round-up of some of the most compelling photos in our editions over the last few days.
To see the full gallery, click the image to the right. To read the stories behind the shots, visit the links below:
High-ranking officers killed in suicide attack
Landstuhl student competes in spelling bee
Amputee wins battle with Army over bomb injuries
Army considers colored belts for combatives
By Kevin Baron
Published: June 6, 2010
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. – Adm. Mike Mullen paid a surprise visit to the Naval Consolidated Brig, Charleston, on Thursday, walking right into the “special housing unit” – a cell bloc that held Guantanamo detainees as recently as March, and has 18 cells ready for “enemy combatants” at a moment’s notice.
The bloc is empty now, allowing Mullen and a party of his staff and traveling press – your truly included – to stand right in the middle of one of the locations the Obama administration is considering for the future transfer of Gitmo’s detainees to the continental U.S.
By Leo Shane III
Published: June 4, 2010
Here’s some encouraging news out of the Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning: The unemployment rate for May dropped slightly to 9.7 percent (from 9.9 the month before) but the rate among recently returned Iraq and Afghanistan veterans fell even more sharply, down from 13.1 percent in April to 10.6 percent last month.
But Department of Labor officials are warning that improvement may be short lived. Of the 431,000 new jobs created in May, more than 95 percent of those are temporary positions hired to work on Census 2010. So many of the young veterans who found work in May might only be employed for a few more weeks or months (although every paycheck helps).
By Kevin Baron
Published: June 3, 2010
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Adm. Mike Mullen marked the rollout Thursday of the 5,000th M-ATV from the South Carolina factory where the vehicles receive the finishing touches before being sent downrange.
“You have made an incredible difference to those in the fight … and their families,” the Joint Chiefs chairman told the workers assembled on the factory floor.
By Leo Shane III
Published: June 3, 2010
While the “don’t ask, don’t tell” debate grabbed nearly all the headlines from the House and Senate defense authorization bills last week, the legislation also includes a number of smaller tweaks to military and federal policy which could end up having a much greater impact on troops’ lives.
Among them is a provision offered by Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., which would provide a guaranteed two weeks leave for spouses, parents or children of deploying troops, to make sure they have time to say their goodbyes before the servicemembers depart for up to a year.
By Jeff Schogol
Published: June 2, 2010
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., has asked President Barack Obama to give the Defense Department a greater role in containing and cleaning up the oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded and sank on April 20, leading to the worst natural disaster in U.S. history. Several attempts to stop the ensuing oil spill have failed, and now oil is getting close to Florida.
By Kevin Baron
Published: June 1, 2010
Last month, I interviewed Lt. General Ken Keen, commander of the military’s disaster response in Haiti, for a “lessons learned” piece to mark today’s June 1 pullout of U.S. forces from the island.
I asked Keen for his immediate reaction to what he went through, the visceral stuff, beofre the the Defense Department, USAID and U.N. sift through the fallout to determine an official (and inevitable) assessment about what went wrong, and what went right.
