secdef

This edition features stories on the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF), Robert Gates, presenting U.S. Transportation Command Airman the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, a new system implemented for traumatic brain injury (TBI) screening, a planning conference in Sarajevo for exercise Combined Endeavor, a new web application that enhances tracking of government travel card purchases, . Hosted by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Kurtz. Part 1 of 3.

This edition features stories on Secretary of Defense Robert Gates' visit to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, a new loading point on Kahdahar Air Base, MEDLITE 2011 and U.S. service members providing health care in Djibouti. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Shannon Ofiara. Part 1 of 3.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey announced the end of the direct ground combat exclusion rule for female members of the military, which will open about 237,000 positions to women. This change has been hotly debated since its announcement, but photos of women currently serving and Secretary Panetta's words "There are no guarantees of success. Not everyone can be a combat soldier, but everyone is entitled to a chance," evince the evolving landscape of our country's armed forces. Read more about this story here: http://www.defense.gov/News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=119098 George Little, Pentagon Press Secretary, provided an update on United States role in supporting French operations in Mali during a press event at the Pentagon. Troops there are continuing to back French air operations to thwart the AQIM threat in the region. http://www.defense.gov/News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=119077 Former Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee recently where he spoke and provided testimony about his policies should he be sworn in as the next Defense Secretary. Hagel will be the 24th Defense Secretary if confirmed and vows to make U.S. policy "worthy of our troops and their families and the sacrifices we ask them to make. http://www.defense.gov/News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=119152 On Dec. 18, after years of planning and training, a group of 16 specialized surgeons performed an extremely rare surgery on U.S. Army Spc. Brendan Marrocco. What kind of surgery? Watch or listen to the podcast to find out, either way you'll be amazed. http://www.army.mil/article/95523Double_arm_transplant_helps_Soldier_who_lost_limbs_in_Iraq/ Media for Spc. Marrocco's story provided by Johns Hopkins Medicine: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/johns_hopkins_medicine_press_briefing_on_double_arm_transplant_featuring_the_patient_and_his_surgeons

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced a new medal on Feb. 13, the Distinguished Warfare Medal. The new medal will be awarded to service members directly affecting combat operations who may not be who may not be geographically collocated. For more on this story: http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=119290 Former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Clint Romesha was presented the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama for his actions during a battle in Afghanistan in October of 2009. Romesha was also honored a day later when he was inducted into the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes by Secretary Panetta. He spoke at the Pentagon and had this to say: "Four hundred Taliban versus 53 American soldiers: it just doesn't seem fair ... for the Taliban." To learn more about this story: http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=119277 The month of February is recognized by the United States as African American History Month. Today, nearly 18 percent of the all-volunteer military are African-American, and nine percent of officers. Brig. Gen. Stephen Twitty, Deputy Chief of Staff Communication, International Security Assistance Force, United States Forces - Afghanistan, and Clarence Johnson, Director, Diversity Management and Equal Employment Opportunity, share their thoughts on what the month means to them. To see the full special: http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2013/0213_aahm/ President Obama addressed reporters during a press conference about looming sequestration, which could be triggered March 1, if Congress fails to agree on a budget by then. Additionally, Under Secretary Of Defense (Comptroller) and Chief Financial Officer Robert Hale discussed what the Department of Defense plans are in the event of a furlough. Military service members are not subject to furlough. Their pay and MONETARY benefits will continue even if sequestration is triggered. For comprehensive coverage on sequestration: http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2013/0213_sequestration/ Available in High Definition.

On February 27, during a ceremony at the Pentagon, former Senator Chuck Hagel was sworn in as the 24th Secretary of Defense, replacing Leon Panetta. Hagel was confirmed a day earlier by the Senate after weeks of debate. Visit the Defense.gov special here: http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2013/0213_hagel-welcome/ By the end of 2013, the Department of Defense will have to cut $47 billion from it's fiscal year 2013 budget, due to sequestration. The impact of the cuts began earlier this year with the anticipation of sequester causing the services to make changes. Fortunately, service members pay WILL NOT be affected. For more news on the sequestration visit: http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2013/0213_sequestration/ As the Department of Defense looks to the future of Social Media and new formats, "Inside the DoD" will be on a temporary hiatus. For our loyal listeners, fear not, we shall return. We'd also like to know what types of videos you'd like to see more of. We produce videos for you and your input to our process is valuable, so let us know how we are doing by writing newmedia [at] dma.mil or by dropping us a line on Facebook or Twitter. facebook.com/dodlive and @DoDLiveMil Available in high definition.

This edition features a story on Secretary of Defense (SECDEF), Robert Gates, heading a panel to look into the shooting at Ft. Hood, Texas, on Nov. 5, and . Hosted by Petty Officer 1st Class Dustin Diaz.

This edition features stories on Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, and Senior Pentagon officials releasing the new Nuclear Posture Review, the Navy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture holding an Energy Forum to increase bio-fuels production and meet the Navy’s renewable energy needs, and some of the purposes of Africa Partnership Station (APS) 2010. Hosted by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Gearhiser.

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter​ speaks on military children; and Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo Japan​ Sailors train to fight shipboard fires.

Defense Secretary, Dr. Ash Carter, travels to the Asia-Pacific, conducting a troop talk with the 1-25th SBCT at Fort Wainwright​, Alaska, and visiting the DMZ in South Korea.

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter​ holds a joint press conference with Republic of Korea Defense Minister, and the newly appointed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Joseph Dunford, Jr., visits the DMZ.

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter talks Pacific rebalance in Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam; and Yokota Air Base serves an essential role in Vigilant Ace 16.

On this Pacific Newsbreak, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter talks about the importance of Pacific Partnerships. Also a Marine Unit participating in Exercise Balikatan helps a Philippine Community rebuild a school damaged from Typhoon Yolanda.

SECDEF tours Indo-Asia Pacific and visits Yokota air base and Fleet Activities Yokosuka.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis makes his first overseas visit as secretary, and a new squadron lands at Iwakuni.

Leaders of the defense community from over 50 nations met in Singapore and service members in Thailand train to keep the waters safe.

EPISODE #195-- Today we talk about a remote-controlled Israeli assassination, Trump's stupid obsession with a steam-powered aircraft carrier, and a hamster that will buy and sell ass just like that.

Plus we talk Nissans, QAnon dummies, Lethal Weapon 2, and questionable director's commentaries. All this and more on today's World's a Mess!

Support our show at Patreon.com/quality! Follow James on twitter @kislingtwits and Alex @giraffetermath. Follow us on tumblr at https://worldsamess.tumblr.com/. Donate directly to James at Ko-fi.com/T6T16E5D. Thanks to Sef Joosten for our show art (http://spexdoodles.tumblr.com). Our theme music is "The World's a Mess" by X. Outro is "She's Lost Control" by Joy Division. Our sources are UPI, Jerusalem Post, Press TV, New York Times, Insider, NPR, and Twitch (I guess).

IN THE NEWS: RIP "RUMMY"; Field refutes SECDEF's denial of CRT in the military; The Joint Chief Chair and the search for 'white rage'; The other racial extremist; US troops don't seek extremist content; Rep Crenshaw's woke whistleblowers; Capitol Police using DoD tech to spy on Americans; US sneaks out of Bagram Air Base; And The Onion called it!; Complete withdrawal +/- 1,000; Surprise! US still can't explain UFOs; Space Force says 'good-bye' to promotion tests; Update on the REAL Space Force; Sloppy maintenance and a smoldering F-22; But the drag queen show was a BIG success; The new cringe-worthy USAF fitness test; Army puts corporal before sergeant; Sticker shock at this Army-Navy country club; Report says Navy is woke first, mission-ready second; Marines train opening/closing White House door; Congress hasn't paid the bill for ANG protection.

Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/57

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In early February, in the aftermath of the January 6th Capitol “riot,” Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, ordered a 60-day stand-down within all the military branches in order to address extremism in the ranks. Despite an October 2020 Pentagon report commissioned by Congress that concluded extremist views were not widespread and identified "a low number of cases in absolute terms," this was an urgent matter that needed to be addressed immediately.

In the weeks following, the Pentagon released training materials to guide military units in conducting their stand-down events. Appropriately, within this guidance were examples of unacceptable and impermissible extremist activities. The only problem? All were examples of white supremacy as if that’s the only form extremism takes. There was no mention of ANTIFA anarchists who assaulted federal facilities, from ICE facilities to courthouses for a year. And the subject of Black Lives Matter (BLM) was described as an acceptable discussion of a social policy issue although BLM was responsible for 90% of the “protest” violence that occurred during the summer of 2020. And let’s not forget Major Nidal Hasan, the Islamic extremist who killed 13 people and wounded 30 others in a Fort Hood killing spree.

Are there people serving or who have served in the military who hold extremist views? Certainly. We’re an all-volunteer force, so the military is a reflection of society. However, narrowing the definition of extremism to that of white nationalism without including or ignoring outright its other manifestations, demonstrates the Pentagon’s and Secretary Austin’s lack of seriousness in truly addressing this issue.

Show notes at https://thedigressionpodcast.com/48

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