DoDLive | Tag Archive | Secretary of Defense

Episode #100: Weekly News Roundup for August 26

Filed under DoD News by jtozer on August 26, 2011 at 4:36 pm {no comments}

In the “This Week in the DoD” podcast for August 26:

Hurricane Irene picked up speed, heading towards the eastern seaboard as a category three storm, and immediately the Defense Department sprung into action. Defense Secretary Panetta released a statement to the service members asking the to be prepared and stay safe. Working closely with FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security, the DoD has a comprehensive government response to the storm, and to keeping people safe. For more information, visit ready.gov, fema.gov or noaa.gov as the storm continues to develop.

Talk of finance and budgets have remained a steady theme as Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has been traveling to speak with service members. With rumors of changes to military pay and retirement hovering within the ranks, Secretary Panetta told the audience that the Defense Department is already making wide-spread cuts, and if Congress mandates any more, it could spell trouble for the military. Still, he says that many changes won’t affect current service members, but the defense budget of the future is still presented with uncertainty.

Earlier this week, much of the eastern United States, including the Pentagon, felt a shocking set of tremors from an earthquake that registered 5.9 on the Richter scale. The quake, which centered in Virginia, was felt as far North as Canada and as far South as Georgia. It was the the East Coast strongest earthquake in 67 years.

The Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus joined a DoD Bloggers Roundtable this week to discuss the Navy’s push toward a more energy-efficient force and further energy independence. To learn more about what the Navy is doing with alternative energy, visit Task Force Energy on Facebook. Task Force Energy is focused on conserving energy, developing alternative energy options, and securing energy distribution.

Listen to the podcast here.

Episode #99: Weekly News Roundup for August 19

Filed under DoD News, Emerging Media by Bradley Cantor on August 19, 2011 at 6:25 pm {no comments}

In the “This Week in the DoD” podcast for August 19:

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met at Fort McNair in Washington D.C., Tuesday to discuss current affairs abroad and at home. The discussion moderated by CNN correspondent Frank Sesno focused on the mission in Afghanistan.

Marine Sgt. Dakota Meyer was selected to receive the medal of honor for his actions during a mission in Afghanistan on September 8th, 2009. After being ambushed in a village, Meyer led a life-threatening effort to rescue the trapped wounded and to retrieve casualties. He saved the lives of 13 Marines and 23 Afghan soldiers. Meyer is the first living Marine to receive the Medal of Honor in 41 years.

Gen. David H. Petraeus is preparing to retire from the military after 37 years as an officer in the United States Army. After he leaves the service on August 31, 2011 Petraeus will take the role of C.I.A. director, succeeding now Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta.

August 16th was the 11th annual National Airborne Day. The event celebrates the history and strength of the U.S. Army’s airborne soldiers. For more information about National Airborne Day, visit the Airborne and Special Operations Museum website.

Bloggers interested in speaking with Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus are invited to join us Monday, August 22nd, for a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable. Secretary Mabus will be speaking about efforts in the Department of the Navy to increase alternative energy use. Please RSVP to newmedia[at]dma.mil as soon as possible to receive dial in information.

Listen to the podcast here.

Episode #97: Weekly News Roundup for August 5

Filed under DoD News, Emerging Media by jtozer on August 5, 2011 at 5:53 pm {2 comments}

In the “This Week in the DoD” podcast for August 5:

President Barack Obama has announced a proposal to provide incentives for businesses who hire veterans. He stated that many veterans find military skills don’t qualify them for civilian jobs, and this new program will help them adjust to their new life.

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta held is first press briefing Thursday at the Pentagon. He discussed current budget issues, withdrawal activities in Iraq and Afghanistan, and what this could mean for the future of the Department of Defense.

For the first time in history, a combatant command has officially cased it colors. In an plan initiated by former Defense Secretary Robert Gates to find $100 billion in savings, the Joint Forces Command received the budget ax and was officially dissolved as of Thursday, August 4.

The Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff formerly stepped down this week. The nation bid farewell to Marine Corps Gen. James Cartwright in a formal ceremony. He is replaced by Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr.

Listen to the podcast here.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Certified

Filed under DoD News by jtozer on July 22, 2011 at 7:12 pm {3 comments}

Today marks a historic occasion. After a careful and methodical process, the President and the Department of Defense have certified that prerequisites for the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” have been met. Since December of last year, the Repeal Implementation Team has worked to coordinate the necessary changes to policy and regulations and has worked deliberately to provide education and training to all service members.

This effort, led by Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Clifford R. Stanley, was designed to ensure the smoothest possible transition for the U.S. military to implement this important change. Today, as a result of strong leadership and proactive education throughout the force, officials are taking the next step in the process.

In a briefing earlier today, Dr. Stanley said, “The President, the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff certified and they are satisfied with the advice of the service secretaries, the chiefs and the combatant commanders that the services are ready to implement the implementation of the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” consistent with the standards of military readiness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion and recruiting and retention in the armed forces.”

Maj. Gen. Steven Hummer, Chief of Staff of the Repeal Implementation Team went on to say, “This is a fine example of how the services can come together efficiently and effectively to perform and complete a task.”

Here’s what you need to know:

- On Sep. 20, the law commonly known as Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, will be repealed

- (As of July 15) 1.979 million service members, the majority of the force, have been trained, and training will continue throughout the 60 day period through repeal

“With this certification, and in accordance with the law, on September 20, ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ will be repealed. We will have taken the time necessary to get this done right and to ensure that service members are properly trained for a change that I believe is essential to the effectiveness of our all-volunteer force.” said Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta in a statement.

It remains the policy of the Department of Defense not to ask service members or applicants about their sexual orientation, to treat all members with dignity and respect, and to ensure maintenance of good order and discipline.

The United States Military is committed to promoting an environment free from personal, social, or institutional barriers that prevent service members from rising to the highest level responsibility and professionalism in which they are capable.

Read More:

The President certifies that the military is ready for Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal. Click here for the story.

To read Secretary Panetta’s statement click here.
To read Adm. Mike Mullen’s statement click here.

Episode #95: Weekly News Roundup for July 22

Filed under DoD News by Ian Graham on July 22, 2011 at 4:50 pm {no comments}

In the “This Week in the DoD” podcast for July 22:

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta was formally sworn into office Friday, July 22, by Vice President Joe Biden.

Marine Corps Gen. John Allen was promoted from lieutenant general and took command of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. He succeeds Army Gen. David Petraeus, who will retire from service and accept his nomination to head the CIA.

While traveling to visit leaders in Japan, China and Korea, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen held an all-hands call at U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan in Seoul, Republic of Korea. He spoke with soldiers there about the evolution of the military and issues facing the Korean Peninsula.

The Army and Air Force hosted a joint energy forum this week in Arlington, Va. This Wednesday, two top energy officials joined journalists on a DoDLive Bloggers’ Roundtable to discuss the forum and the two services’ energy policies.

Finally, Army Gen. David Petraeus leaves some parting words as he retires from the military and prepares to take over as director of the CIA. He will replace the CIA’s former director, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta.

Listen to the podcast here.