Episode #76: Weekly News Roundup for Mar. 4

Filed under DoD News, Emerging Media, Pentagon Channel by on March 4, 2011 at 5:08 pm {no comments}

In the “This Week in the DoD” podcast for March 4:

The Army introduces new physical fitness tests. This is the first update to the Army’s physical training regimen since 1980.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates speaks about the situation in Libya. The Department of Defense is ready to act when ordered, he said.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, the vice president’s wife, spoke about National Guard family issues with the National Governor’s Association. A new public awareness campaign will highlight National Guard and Reserve members and their families.

February was a month of celebration in Kuwait, where they commemorated the 20th anniversary of their liberation during Operation Desert Storm as well as the 50th anniversary of their independence from Great Britain.

Frank Buckles, the last known living American soldier who served in World War I, died February 27. He had recently celebrated his 110th birthday.

New changes to the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill are bringing new questions about how service members can use their benefit most effectively. The Pentagon Channel and the Department of Veterans Affairs have some answers.

A gunman opened fire on a bus carrying U.S. Airmen at Frankfurt International Airport in Germany. Two airmen died in the shooting, two others were injured.

Listen to the podcast here.

SECDEF Robert M. Gates on 2012 Budget Request

Filed under DoD News, Emerging Media by on February 15, 2011 at 1:18 pm {no comments}



Yesterday, we noted that President Obama had released the 2012 budget request, asking Congress for a $3.73 trillion budget he said would eventually cut the national deficity by $1 trillion.

Today we bring you the reaction of Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates to this budget request, via The Pentagon Channel.

Episode #68: Weekly News Roundup for Jan. 7

Filed under DoD News, Emerging Media by on January 7, 2011 at 3:36 pm {no comments}
In the “DoD This Week” podcast for Jan. 7: This week, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates unveiled a new plan to reallocate funding from redundant and unnecessary projects, facilities and personnel to more critical Defense Department programs. Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, released his guidance for 2011, including the need to improve our military’s health and fitness and to prioritize global risks and missions so the military can remain agile and ready in case of emergency at home or abroad. Leaders from regional commands in Afghanistan gave operational updates via satellite, highlighting the progress made in combat operations and in creating a relationship between U.S. and coalition forces and Afghan civilians. Finally, as of Jan. 1, smoking will no longer be allowed below decks on submarines; the Navy is working to create smoking cessation programs and other alternatives for smokers serving aboard subs.
Listen to the podcast.

Honor, Duty, Courage … And Sharp Uniforms

Filed under DoD News by on January 7, 2011 at 3:00 pm {no comments}

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates poses with Pentagon Tour Guides on the River steps in Arlington, Va., Nov. 5, 2010. DOD Photo by MSgt Jerry Morrison/Released.

As workers stream through the long, winding halls of the Pentagon, they might pass something you don’t see in every office building—a young Marine walking backwards, talking to himself.

No, the man in formal military dress isn’t crazy—necessarily. He’s training to become one of 30 Pentagon tour guides, chosen for the year-long assignment from the National Capital Region’s military ceremonial units. During the 90-minute Pentagon tour, the Marine will cover one-and-a-half miles and twenty pages of scripted speech, all while walking backward.

The Marine will also field a plethora of questions from visitors on the tour. Is the secretary of defense here today? Can we stop for coffee soon?

Begun in 1976 to celebrate the nation’s bicentennial, the program operates under the assistant secretary of defense for public affairs and has hosted millions of visitors, with some 100,000 per month. Schools, educational organizations and other select groups may call the Pentagon Tour Office for free tour reservations at 703.697.1776. For more information: Defense.gov.

Twitter Highlights from Gates Briefing on Efficiency

Filed under DoD News by on January 6, 2011 at 3:50 pm {no comments}

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates (DoD photo).

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates delivered a briefing today on the progress of a series of efficiency initiatives designed to instill a “culture of savings” in America’s defense institutions and reform the way in which the Pentagon conducts business.

According to Secretary Gates, services have found $70 billion in savings. This money would then be re-invested into funding other, higher-priority military capabilities.

A full story on the briefing can be viewed at defense.gov. His full statement can be viewed at http://go.usa.gov/rN7.

The briefing was streamed through the Pentagon Channel. DoDLive live-tweeted the event. Below are some Twitter highlights. You can join in on the conversation by following us @DoDLiveMil.

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  • photo from Tumblr

    An United States Air Force C-130J Hercules cargo aircraft from the 146th Airlift Wing, California Air National Guard, conducts flare training off the Ventura County coast. The flares are used as tactical infrared countermeasures to confuse and redirect heat-seeking missiles.

    (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Dave Buttner)


  • photo from Tumblr

    Famed Yankees pitcher “Lefty Gomez” once remarked “I’d rather be lucky than good,” but for one Tuskegee Airman, luck and good combined to make him one of the most successful combat pilots of World War II.

    During the summer of 1944, 2nd Lt. Clarence D. “Lucky” Lester was flying the P-51 Mustang over the skies of Italy’s Po Valley providing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers with cover support on their way to attack airfields in southern Germany.

    Lester was assigned to the 100th Fighter Squadron, a part of the 332nd Fighter Group, and had earned the nickname “Lucky” “because of all the tight situations from which I had escaped without a scratch or even a bullet hole in my aircraft.”

    Read the story of a flight that helped Lester earn his nickname here.


  • photo from Tumblr

    The only African-American ace of World War II, and a former Tuskegee Airman, went on to have a career in the Air Force, as well as success in the business world.

    Lee A. Archer joined the Army in 1941 with high hopes of becoming a pilot, but was initially denied because of his race. When the Army’s policy changed about a year later, Archer was accepted to the training program for black aviators at the Tuskegee Army Airfield in Alabama.

    Archer is best known for a day in late 1944 when he was involved in a series of dogfights over German-occupied Hungary. Flying a P-51 Mustang fighter, Archer shot down three German fighters. He would go on to add two more German fighters to his credit to become the first and only African-American ace of the war.

    As a civilian, Archer enjoyed even greater success, serving as vice president for urban affairs with General Foods, as CEO of North Street Capital Corp. and chairman of Hudson Commercial Corp. He also served on the board of directors of Beatrice International Foods and the Institute for American Business.

    Read the rest of his story here.