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ABOUT.COM MILITARY MATTERS
Newsletter #77
10/09/00
Howdy all, and welcome to the 77th edition of Military Matters, the newsletter for About.com's U.S. Military Information Page. If you need information about anything concerning the Military, please try http://usmilitary.about.com. If you know anyone who is interested in military matters, please feel free to email them a copy of this newsletter.
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BACK-ISSUES: Back-issues of Military Matters are available to read online at:
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: When you enter the United States Military, you become subject to an entirely new justice system. Here is Part V of a multi-part article all about Military Justice. In this part, all about Self Incrimination Protections (Article 31).
http://usmilitary.about.com/library/weekly/aa100100a.htm
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Previous Poll: Should the Military Train Males and Females Together in
Boot Camp? 25 percent said (A) - Yes - Males & females must learn to work
together from the start; 68 percent said (B) - No - It results in problems with
morale and standards; and 8 percent said (C) - Only the Marine Corps should
have separate training (current policy)
http://usmilitary.about.com/library/polls/blcoedbasic.htm
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This Issue's Poll:Before 1980, Basic Training Drill Instructors would use profanity
as a method of increasing the stress-levels of recruits. Today, there is a strict
prohibition against Drill Instructors using profanity in front of recruits.
Is this policy wise, or does Today's Basic Training lose something in the translation?
Should Basic Training Drill Instructors Be Allowed to Use Profanity? (A) - Yes; or (B) No
http://usmilitary.about.com/library/polls/blprofanitybasic.htm
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NEWS AND COMMENTARY:
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Enduring the Warrior Ethic: Sound bites from government
budget battles and the presidential campaign have made military readiness one
of this year's political catch phrases. Most discussions on the topic concentrate
on easily quantifiable indicators of military strength like new weapon systems
or recruiting goals. But there are other less tangible elements of the military
that are equally important to readiness that are rarely heard in budgeting rhetoric.
This particularly applies to the Army, where it is still the determination and
professionalism of soldiers that brings success in many of the service's missions.
That's called the "warrior ethic," and it's harder to find and measure than
materiel statistics. You usually have to look at the Army from the inside to
see evidence of such spirit.
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Report Criticizes Army Readiness: The Army's 10th Mountain Division, which came under scrutiny when George W. Bush said it was not ready for war and the Army contradicted him, is persistently short on personnel in some critically important positions, a new study says. Most platoons lack a leading sergeant, less-experienced lieutenants fill captains' jobs and there is not enough training ammunition, according to a report by a Senate staffer who visited the 10th in August. Army officials challenged the aide's findings, calling them inaccurate and "unbalanced." Says the staffer's report, "The 10th Mountain is today experiencing multiple, serious shortages of people and material resources, training deficiencies and other impediments to readiness. "The division is short of critical basics, such as road marching gear and lightweight machine gun tripods," the defense analyst's 29-page report says. One commander describes manning shortages as "very bad and not getting better."
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Delay in Flu Vaccinations: WASHINGTON -- Delivery delays of the 2000-2001 influenza vaccine throughout the United States have activated a priority immunization program in DoD and the Coast Guard. DoD officials said the delay stems from two factors -- a slow- growing component of this year's vaccine formulation and production problems at two of the four pharmaceutical companies that produce flu vaccine. The Joint Preventive Medicine Policy Group under the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs developed the plan, which balances military readiness with the responsibility to protect DoD's most vulnerable populations. Officials said DoD and the Coast Guard will delay organized flu vaccination campaigns until early to mid-November, pending receipt of adequate vaccine supplies. They said currently available supplies will be administered first to operational military personnel, health-care workers with direct patient contact, and active duty and nonactive duty Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System enrollees who have high-risk medical conditions. To the extent possible, these groups will be done simultaneously, they noted. Next in order of priority will be military trainees, groups in close contact with high-risk persons, all other military members in priority for deployment, other active duty members and mission-critical DoD civilians at overseas facilities, and all other beneficiaries.
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Pentagon Defends Anthrax Vaccine: Despite a barrage
of criticism from House lawmakers and emotional stories of death and serious
illness from a half-dozen troops and family members, Pentagon officials refused
to budge Tuesday on their insistence that mandatory anthrax vaccinations are
safe, effective and necessary. Military officials also said there is no evidence
to link the vaccine to any of the health problems suffered by five of the six
vaccine recipients whose experiences were cited at the House Government Reform
Committee hearing. However, after years of denials, the Pentagon admitted Tuesday
the chemical agent squalene has been found in some of the anthrax vaccine it
has been administering to military personnel. Squalene increases the body’s
ability to absorb vaccines, and its use has raised fears among opponents of
the military’s anthrax vaccination program that it may be contributing to ill
effects suffered by some of those receiving the inoculations.
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More Enlisted Becoming Officers: MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. — Former Tech.
Sgt. Mark Lacey would have stood out in the crowd a few years ago.| But not
today. Today, the towering 34-year-old is part of something bigger — a revolution
of sorts at Officer Training School. OTS used to be for people who joined the
Air Force straight out of college. But not anymore. Too many officers have jumped
ship, forcing the Air Force to compensate by tripling the number of people it
sends to OTS. To meet that goal, the service has to spend $54 million to build
a new OTS campus here and hire dozens of new field training instructors. Both
investments are good news for airmen like Lacey who have long dreamed about
trading in their enlisted stripes for golden officers bars and a better way
of life. In fact, there’s never been a better time than now for enlisted members
to cross over to the officer ranks.
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Neglect Charge Sparks Bethesda Probe: Four bullets ripped into Cpl. Joshua Callihan’s back April 17; he lay on the ground severely injured by a fellow Marine. “I couldn’t move hardly at all,” he recalled. Evacuated from Kuwait, where he’d been training, Callihan was ultimately taken to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., the crown jewel of Navy medicine just outside Washington, D.C. And that’s when his ordeal really began. Bethesda’s patient list includes admirals and even the president. But as Callihan underwent treatment there for six weeks, he suffered neglect that he and an influential congressman say could have killed him.
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Vote on Marine Uniform Changes: The Marine Corps unveiled prototypes of several
new utility uniforms and will use a new Web site to allow Marines to vote on
what may be their next new uniform. Officials stress that there’s been no decision
made to replace the existing camouflage utilities. Instead, Corps officials
hope the information they gather from the Web site will give them clues about
Marines’ uniform likes and dislikes, such as name tapes and chest pockets. Marines
taking the survey — to be posted Oct. 1 at http://www.uniform.pdsinfo.com and
http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/mcub — will be asked to rate each uniform option from
0 to 10. Results of the survey will be posted sometime after it ends Oct. 15.
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Unusual Substance Found in Vaccine Samples: Federal health officials found trace
amounts of a substance called squalene in samples of the anthrax vaccine, contradicting
the Pentagon’s repeated assertions that the compound was not there. Squalene,
which is found in the cells of humans, plants and animals, is a building block
for producing cholesterol. It has been used to boost immune responses in some
experimental vaccines, but the Food and Drug Administration has not approved
its use in licensed vaccines. In one controversial study, researchers looking
into possible causes of Persian Gulf War illnesses said they found antibodies
to squalene in most of the sick veterans they studied, including those who were
immunized against anthrax but not deployed. Scientists and lawmakers want more
research done to determine how squalene got into the anthrax vaccine and what
effect it could have on people who receive the shots. The Defense Department
insists the substance was not part of the formula for making anthrax vaccine.
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Retirees Get Better Dental Plan - At Twice the Price: WASHINGTON -- Military
retirees asked for a more comprehensive dental plan, and now they have one.
As a result of retiree feedback, the enhanced TRICARE Retiree Dental Program
went into effect Oct. 1 and adds more than 100 new procedures and extends eligibility
criteria, said Navy Capt. Lawrence McKinley, TRICARE senior consultant for dentistry.
The new program supersedes one started in February 1998 that augmented "space-available"
retiree dental care at military hospitals and clinics. "The basic TRDP didn't
cover all the dental needs of the retired community," McKinley said. After listening
to retirees and cataloging their needs and requests over the past 18 months,
he said, Delta Dental Plan of California, the insurance administrator; the TRICARE
Management Activity; and the dental service chiefs worked together to determine
the best program possible while keeping the premium costs affordable.
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GI Bill Transfer Program Defeated: Sen. Max Cleland, D-Ga., admitted defeat
Sept. 28 in his attempt to give service members the option of transferring their
GI Bill benefits to family members. For the second consecutive year, House and
Senate negotiators rejected Cleland’s initiative as they reconciled differences
between their separate versions of the annual defense authorization bill. But
Cleland said he did not leave empty-handed. Three other education initiatives
will be included in the final version of the defense bill.
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Report: Soldier Bragged About Rape: FORT BRAGG, N.C. –– A U.S. soldier who raped
and killed an 11-year-old girl in Kosovo repeatedly bragged to his comrades
about assaulting girls in other countries, but no one told a commanding officer,
an Army report said. The soldiers said they kept quiet in part because Staff
Sgt. Frank Ronghi threatened to kill them, The Fayetteville Observer reported,
quoting Army findings on abuses by peacekeeping forces in Kosovo. Ronghi pleaded
guilty to premeditated murder and forcible sodomy of Merita Shabiu in January,
while his unit was on a six-month peacekeeping duty in Kosovo. Ronghi, a weapons
squad leader for the 82nd Airborne Division, is serving a life sentence without
parole. A month before Merita was killed and her body hidden in the woods, Ronghi
took his squad to that spot and told them it was a good place to dump a body,
the Army report said. "Anybody could scream at the top of their lungs without
anybody hearing," a sergeant said, recounting Ronghi's words. Soldiers told
investigators that Ronghi had bragged
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Report: DOD Dragging Feet in Jobs Cut: WASHINGTON –– The Defense Department
is behind schedule to eliminate about 9,500 headquarters management jobs by
the end of fiscal year 2002, according to a congressional report released Thursday.
The Pentagon plans to cut only 2,800 jobs by the end of fiscal year 2001, according
to the report prepared by the General Accounting Office, Congress' investigative
agency. It is required by law to eliminate 9,460 by 2002. Defense officials
say such positions have been reduced significantly in the past 10 years and
more cuts would hurt the United States' military readiness, according to the
report. The report did not examine whether those concerns were valid.
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Spouse Employment Top Priority: WASHINGTON -- Creating job opportunities for
military spouses and exiting service members is a top priority of DoD's new
partnership with corporate America. DoD has teamed up with the U.S. Chamber
of Commerce to improve service members' quality of life. Defense and chamber
officials formally launched the initiative at the chamber's headquarters here
Oct. 5 at what they dubbed "the first annual" Military Quality of Life Summit.
Defense Secretary William S. Cohen and other senior defense officials met with
H. Ross Perot and other corporate executives to discuss ways to increase cooperation.
The chamber represents 3 million businesses and organizations across the country
as well as American business interests around the globe. Cohen told the business
leaders that military spouses have the same talent, energy and drive as the
men and women in uniform. They want to work, but they often can't find employment
due to frequent moves and, in some cases, local restrictions. "You can help
by calling on some of your subsidiaries, your associates, to employ these talented
people," he told chamber members.
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North Korea May Come Off Terrorist List: SEOUL, South Korea –– The military
permeates life in communist North Korea. By law, most men must serve 13 years
in the armed forces. Propaganda hails soldiers as the revolutionary vanguard.
The North's missile program is a key foreign policy tool. So the decision of
the totalitarian government to send its second most powerful military leader
to talks in Washington D.C. next week with President Clinton augurs significant
improvement in the edgy relationship between the two countries. Some observers
believe the talks could end with a decision by Washington to remove North Korea
from its list of seven countries that sponsor terrorism. Under U.S. law, that
designation bars all but humanitarian aid to Pyongyang and rules out bank loans
from international financial organizations, which are heavily influenced by
Washington.
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Urinals on Carriers - P.C. Gone Mad?: The wacky proposal by Vice Admiral John
B. Nathman, commander of the Pacific Fleet Air Command, to remove all urinals
from aircraft carriers and replace them with S4 gender neutral water closets
reeks of political correctness run fantastically amok. While some may consider
the admiral's recommendation to be progressive thinking, it has raised eyebrows
among social and fiscal conservatives and moderates alike. When the astronomical
costs are weighed against the benefits, the modifications can't be justified
by any logic, reason or rationale. The question has to be asked: Just who will
benefit from this action? Taxpayers won't. The vast majority of sailors (male)
won't. Female sailors won't because just like women at every public rest room
all over the world, they will probably still have to squat over the toilet seats
anyway to avoid sitting in the splatter of urine on the seats. The contractors
who get the lucrative contracts for the toilet installations will benefit. They'll
be laughing at Navy folly all the way to the bank. Finally, Mr. Nathman will
benefit in the short-term. He'll gain some major brownie points with the feminists
and other hypersensitive, confused stink-raisers. Taxpayers are being ripped
off for somewhere in the neighborhood of $160,000 per woman in the air-wing
carrier command, to placate somebody's radical feminist demands to make men
sit down to urinate.
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Guard/Reserve Deployments Worry Employers: WASHINGTON -- Unprecedented Guard
and Reserve deployments over the last decade -- and no let up in sight -- are
worrying civilian employers concerned about the impact of that situation on
their workplaces, according to a recent DoD study. Reserve-component deployments
have increased 1,300 percent since the Berlin Wall collapsed in 1989. "The old
Cold War commitment for reservists, which called for duty on one weekend a month
and two weeks each summer, is largely a thing of the past," Charles L. Cragin,
principal deputy assistant secretary for reserve affairs, said recently. "Many
of today's Guard and Reserve personnel are often serving far in excess of this."
Employee absences and work scheduling have become hot topics for civilian employers
of Guardsmen and Reservists, said Bryan E. Sharratt, executive director of the
National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve in Arlington,
Va.
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DOD Pushes to Hire Disabled Civilians: A Defense Department plan would have
the Air Force try to hire 7,500 disabled civilian workers over the next five
years, a number equal to more than half DoD’s current disabled workforce. The
plan, which calls for 32,000 disabled people to be hired by the military in
the five years, is the result of Executive Order 13163, signed July 26 by President
Clinton. It gave all federal agencies two months to come up with such plans
in order to hire 100,000 disabled people so they can “compete for employment
on a more level playing field” for federal jobs against nondisabled workers.
The order doesn’t affect private industry. But hiring so many disabled people
may not be easy. Of the more than 160,000 Air Force civilian employees, 13,180
were disabled as of July 1. The Air Force hired 657 people in 1999 under a previous
program to recruit workers with severe disabilities.
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Program Links Army Recruits with Future Employers: FORT KNOX, Ky. — There’s
a rainbow shining over Pvt. Kris Kimari’s first term of enlistment and a pot
of gold at its end — the promise of a job with a big corporation. Kimari, who
shipped here for training Sept. 1, was the first soldier to join the Army through
the Partnership for Youth Success program. PAYS matches recruits with future
civilian employers, promising preferential hiring treatment to participating
soldiers at the end of their enlistments. Kimari’s PAYS patron is General Dynamics
(Land Systems Division), which needs people with the highly specialized skills
he’ll learn in Military Occupational Specialty 63A, as an Abrams tank system
maintainer. The company has a contract with the Army to do maintenance on the
heavy armor vehicle. Three years from now, should Kimari, 27, say sayonara to
the Army, his starting salary at General Dynamics could approach $33,000, said
Jim Birdwell, a human resources specialist with General Dynamics assigned to
recruit and advise PAYS soldiers.
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APO/FPO Xmas Mail Deadlines: WASHINGTON -- Everybody has good intentions when
selecting and sending gifts, but good intentions will carry one only so far
if packages arrive too late or damaged. To assist people in sending gifts out
on time, Military Postal Service Agency experts each year publish deadlines
to get cards and packages in the mail. To ensure cards and packages arrive at
their destination by Christmas, experts recommend the following guidelines.
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US Forces in Korea/Japan Under Review: HONOLULU — Senior military officials
say they are reviewing strategy to determine whether U.S. ground forces could
be reduced or removed from Japan and South Korea without a loss of military
power in the region. Under such a plan, the United States would rely on warships,
air power and rapidly deployable ground forces to maintain the American military
presence in Asia. Senior U.S. officials emphasized that no decisions have been
made, as the examination is still under discussion among military leaders in
the Pentagon, Pacific Command in Hawaii and U.S. Forces Korea in Seoul. They
stressed the review was not intended to lessen U.S. security commitments in
Asia. Even so, a fundamental shift in the composition of U.S. forces in Asia
is being contemplated over the next five or so years, officials said.
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Kosovo Raid Yields 10 Arrests: GNJILANE, Kosovo — Before dawn Wednesday morning,
soldiers and cops went after what they describe as Kosovo’s violent version
of Monopoly, raiding Gnjilane’s Park Place and sending 10 suspects directly
to jail. The bad guys did not pass go or collect $200. At 5:10 a.m., with two
nearly invisible helicopters hovering overhead, Capt. Robert Curtin coordinated
130 Americans, 40 British troops from 2nd Battalion, The Light Infantry, UNMIK,
and Kosovo police in a "cordon search." That’s Army talk for shutting off the
streets over the densely packed, three-block area of Abdullah Presheva on the
city’s northeast side, with no one entering and no one leaving. Then, the troops
searched about 100 homes and businesses, finding a small cache of weapons and
ammunition. But the point of the mission was to send a message to a family suspected
of operating the Kosovo version of a real estate brokerage, said Lt. Col. Michael
Cloy. The deal works like this, said Cloy, from the 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry
Brigade of 1st Armored Division, one of two battalion commanders at Camp Monteith:
KFOR troops and police investigators believe that displaced Muslims from the
Presevo Valley pay the family to find them housing. Two sons then hire thugs
to use grenades to intimidate Gnjilane’s remaining Serbs out of their homes,
which they then sell to the displaced Kosovar Albanians.
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Around and About:
Divorce -- Contemplating separation or divorce while in the Military? Take a
look at our "Military Divorce" information and resources.
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How To's - How to fold an American Flag, how to change you military records, how to spit-shine your boots, and more.
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U.S. Government Information - Found out almost
anything about the U.S. Government.
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Shopping About -- Buy your favorite items on the Internet.
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CHAT: Dennis Fauchier (DennisHOST) will be hosting General Military Chats every
Saturday from 6:00 PM (EST) to 7:00 PM (EST) and every Wednesday from 12:00
PM (EST) to 1:00 PM (EST). Edward Hanrahan (AssassinHOST) will host every Saturday
night from 9:00 PM (EST) to 1:00 AM (EST).
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MILITARY HUMOR: Returning from Remote Duty
HEADQUARTERS
U.S. ARMY
APO 001. U.S. ARMY
AG 1010.99.99 (DECCA)
SUBJECT: Indoctrination for Return to U.S.
TO: All Units.
1. In compliance with current policies for rotation of armed forces overseas it is directed that in order to maintain the high standard of character of the American Soldier and to prevent any dishonor to reflect on the uniform all individuals eligible for return to the U.S. under current directives will undergo an indoctrination course of demilitarisation prior to approval of hisapplication for return.
2. The following points will be emphasized in the subject indoctrinationcourse:-
a. In America there is a remarkable number of beautiful girls. These young ladies have not been liberated and many are gainfully employed as stenographers, sales girls, beauty operators or welders. Contrary to current practice they should not be approached with "How much?". A proper greeting is "Isn't it a lovely day?" or "Have you ever been to Chicago?". Don't say "How much?".
b. A guest in a private home is usually awakened in the morning by a light tapping on his door, and an invitation to join the host at breakfast. It is proper to say "I'll be there shortly". DO NOT say "Blow it out your ass".
c. A typical American breakfast consists of such strange foods as cantolopes, fresh eggs, milk, ham, etc. These are highly palatable and though strange in appearance are extremely tasty. Butter, made from cream, is often served. If you wish some butter, you turn to the person nearest it and say quietly "Please pass the butter". DO NOT say "Throw me the damn grease".
d. Very natural urges are apt to occur when in a crowd. If it is found necessary to defecate, one does NOT grab a shovel in one hand and paper in the other and run for the garden. At least 90% of American homes have one room called the "Bathroom", i.e. a room that, in most cases, contains a bathtub, wash basin, medicine cabinet, and a toilet. It is the latter that you will use in this case. (Instructors should make sure that all personnel understand the operation of toilet, particularly the lever or button arrangement that serves to prepare the device for reuse).
e. In the event the helmet is retained by the individual, he will refrain from using it as a chair, wash bowl, foot bath or bathtub. All these devices are furnished in the average American Home. It is not considered good practice to squat Indian fashion in a corner in the event all chairs are occupied. The host usually will provide suitable seats.
f. Belching or passing wind in company is strictly frowned upon. If you should forget about it, however, and belch in the presence of others, a proper remark is "Excuse me". DO NOT say "It must be that lousy chow we've been getting".
g. American dinners, in most cases, consist of several items, each served in a separate dish. The common practice of mixing various items, such as corn-beef and pudding, or lima beans and peaches, to make it more palatable will be refrained from. In time the "Separate Dish" system will become enjoyable.
h. Americans have a strange taste for stimulants. The drinks in common usage on the Continent, such as underripe wine, alcohol and grapefruit juice, or gasoline bitters and water (commonly known by the French as "Cognac") are not usually acceptable in civilian circles. A suitable use for such drinks is for serving one's landlord in order to break an undesirable lease.
i. The returning soldier is apt to find often that his opinions differ from those of his civilian associates. One should call upon his reserve etiquette and correct his acquaintance with such remarks as "I believe you have made a mistake", or "I am afraid you are in error on that". DO NOT say "Brother, you're really screwed up". This is considered impolite.
j. Upon leaving a friend's home after a visit, one may find his hat misplaced. Frequently it has been placed in a closet. One should turn to one's host and say "I don't seem to have my hat. Could you help me find it?". DO NOT say "Don't anybody leave this room, some S.O.B. has stolen my hat".
k. In traveling in the U.S., particularly in a strange city, it is often necessary to spend the night. Hotels are provided for this purpose and almost anyone can give directions to the hearest hotel. Here, for a small sum, you can register and be shown to a room where he can sleep for the night. The present practice of entering the nearest house, throwing the occupants into the yard and taking over the premises will cease.
l. Whiskey, a common American drink, may be offered to the soldier on social occasions. It is considered a reflection on the uniform to snatch the bottle from the hostess and drain the bottle, cork and all. All individuals are cautioned to exercise extreme control in these circumstances.
m. In motion picture theaters seats are provided. Helmets are not required. In is NOT considered good form to whistle every time a female over 8 and under 80 crosses the screen. If vision is impaired by the person in the seat in front, there are plenty of other seats which can be occupied. DO NOT hit him across the back of the head and say "Move your head, jerk, I can't see a damn thing".
n. It is not proper to go around hitting everyone of draft age in civilian clothes. He might have been released from the service for medical reasons. Ask for his credentials, and if he can't show any THEN go ahead and slug him.
o. Upon retiring, one will often find a pair of pajamas laid out on the bed. (Pajamas, it should be explained, are two-piece garments which are donned after all clothing has been removed.) The soldier, confronted by these garments, should assume an air of familiarity and not act as though he were not used to them. A casual remark such as "My, what a delicate shade of blue" will usually suffice. Under NO circumstances say "How in hell do you expect me to sleep in a get-up like that?".
p. Natural functions will continue. It may frequently be necessary to urinate. DO NOT walk behind the nearest tree or automobile you find to accomplish this. Toilets (see 2d above) are provided in all public buildings for this purpose.
q. Beer is sometimes served in bottles. A cap remover is usually available, and it is not good form to open the bottle by the use of one's teeth.
r. Always tip your hat before striking a lady.
s. Air raids and enemy patrols are not encountered in America. Therefore it is not necessary to wear the helmet in church or at social gatherings, or to hold the weapon at ready, loaded and cocked, when talking to civilians in the street.
t. Every American home and all hotels are equipped with bathing facilities. When it is desired to take a bath, it is not considered good form to find the nearest pool or stream, strip down, and indulge in a bath. This is particularly true in heavily populated areas.
u. All individuals returning to the U.S. will make every effort to conform to the customs and habits of the regions visited, and to make themselves as inconspicuous as possible. Any actions which reflect upon the honor of the uniform will be promptly dealt with.
For more military humor, check out the Military
Humor Netlink on the About.com U.S. Military Site at
http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/militaryhumor/index.htm
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Link)</A>
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With those words of wisdom, I once again leave you.,
Rod Powers
About.com's U.S. Military Information Site
