FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Statement by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on Same-Sex Benefits
On Oct. 31, I called on the chief of the National Guard Bureau to work with several states to fully implement Department of Defense policy by providing DoD identification cards to all eligible military spouses, regardless of sexual orientation. Following consultations between the National Guard Bureau and the adjutants general of the states, all eligible service members, dependents and retirees - including same-sex spouses - are now able to obtain ID cards in every state. All military spouses and families sacrifice on behalf of our country. They deserve our respect and the benefits they are entitled to under the law. All of DoD is committed to pursuing equal opportunities for all who serve this nation, and I will continue to work to ensure our men and women in uniform as well as their families have full and equal access to the benefits they deserve.
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Showing posts with label SECRETARY OF DEFENSE HAGEL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SECRETARY OF DEFENSE HAGEL. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Friday, October 18, 2013
SECRETARY OF DEFENCE HAGEL'S MESSAGE TO DEFENSE DEPARTMENT PERSONELL
FROM: DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Message to Department of Defense Personnel from Secretary Hagel on Reopening the Government
To All DoD Personnel:
Today the Department of Defense is resuming normal operations across the world, now that Congress has finally restored funding for DoD and the rest of the federal government. This manufactured crisis was an unwelcome and unnecessary distraction from our critical work of keeping the country safe.
I know that each of your lives has been disrupted and affected in different ways. I regret the impact that this shutdown had on so many of our civilian personnel, particularly those who I was previously unable to recall from emergency furlough.
Starting today, we will be welcoming all of our civilians back to their normal duties. To those returning from furlough: know that the work you perform is incredibly valued by your military teammates and by me. I appreciate your professionalism and your patience during this difficult period of time, which came on top of last summer's sequestration-related furloughs. Your managers will have more information about this, but I can assure you that you will be paid in full for the time you were furloughed during the shutdown.
Now that this latest budget crisis has come to an end, we have an opportunity to return to focusing on the critical work of this department. Unfortunately, Congress did not end the budget uncertainty that has cast such a shadow of uncertainty over this department for much of the year. In the months ahead, they will have an opportunity to do so. My hope is that they will realize that these kinds of crises do great damage to our people, our national security, our economy, and America's standing in the world. Congress has a responsibility to govern, and it must fulfill those basic responsibilities in order to keep our country strong.
Message to Department of Defense Personnel from Secretary Hagel on Reopening the Government
To All DoD Personnel:
Today the Department of Defense is resuming normal operations across the world, now that Congress has finally restored funding for DoD and the rest of the federal government. This manufactured crisis was an unwelcome and unnecessary distraction from our critical work of keeping the country safe.
I know that each of your lives has been disrupted and affected in different ways. I regret the impact that this shutdown had on so many of our civilian personnel, particularly those who I was previously unable to recall from emergency furlough.
Starting today, we will be welcoming all of our civilians back to their normal duties. To those returning from furlough: know that the work you perform is incredibly valued by your military teammates and by me. I appreciate your professionalism and your patience during this difficult period of time, which came on top of last summer's sequestration-related furloughs. Your managers will have more information about this, but I can assure you that you will be paid in full for the time you were furloughed during the shutdown.
Now that this latest budget crisis has come to an end, we have an opportunity to return to focusing on the critical work of this department. Unfortunately, Congress did not end the budget uncertainty that has cast such a shadow of uncertainty over this department for much of the year. In the months ahead, they will have an opportunity to do so. My hope is that they will realize that these kinds of crises do great damage to our people, our national security, our economy, and America's standing in the world. Congress has a responsibility to govern, and it must fulfill those basic responsibilities in order to keep our country strong.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
9-11 COMMEMORATED
FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Obama, Hagel, Dempsey Commemorate 9/11 Anniversary
By Terri Moon Cronk
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2013 - More than the stone and water that commemorate those who died at the Pentagon, the lives of survivors of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack are the greatest tribute to those who were lost, President Barack Obama said during the 12th anniversary wreath-laying ceremony for the attacks at the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial today.
Surrounded by hundreds of family members and survivors of that day -- when American Airlines Flight 77 struck the northwest side of the Pentagon -- the president, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey offered words of solace to those in attendance.
"From scripture, we learn of the miracle of restoration," Obama said. "'You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again. From the depths of the earth, you will bring me up again. You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.'"
Hearts still ache for the futures snatched away and the lives that might have been, the president said.
"The victims slipped from their loved ones' grasp, but it was written what the heart has once owned and had it shall never lose," he said. "What your families lost in the temporal, in the here and now, is now eternal, the pride that you carry in your hearts, the love that will never die.
Today, we remember not only those who died that September day, we pay solemn tribute to more than 6,700 patriots who have given their full measure since -- military and civilians," the president said. The nation sees their legacy in friendships they've forged, attacks they've prevented, innocent lives they've saved, and in their comrades in Afghanistan who are completing the mission and who, by the end of next year, will have helped to end the war there, he added.
"Let us have the wisdom to know that, while force is at times necessary, force alone cannot build the world we seek, so we recommit to the partnerships and progress that builds mutual respect, and deepens trust, and allows more people to live in dignity, prosperity and freedom," the president said.
"Let us have the confidence and the values that make us Americans, which we must never lose, the shining liberties that make us a beacon of the world, the rich diversity that makes us stronger, the unity and commitment to one another that we sustain on this National Day of Service and Remembrance," Obama said. "And above all, let us have the courage, like the survivors and families here today, to carry on no matter how dark the night or how difficult the day."
Hagel began his remarks by noting the significance of the timing and location of today's observance.
"Twelve years ago, at this hour, in this place, a horrific act of terror claimed 184 innocent lives," he said.
"We comfort the loved ones they left behind who still mourn and grieve, despite the passage of time," the secretary continued. "And our thoughts turn to others whose lives [were affected] by the fateful events that clear September morning, the first responders and survivors whose heroism we celebrate, the Pentagon personnel who came to work the next day with a greater sense of determination than ever before, and the men and women in uniform who have stepped forward to defend our country over 12 long years of war, bearing incredible sacrifices, along with their families."
In all of those men and women, the strength, resilience, and the sense of purpose that have always defined the United States of America is evident, he said.
"And that, too, is what the American people reflect upon today, for it is in these timeless qualities that we find hope for a better world and a better future," Hagel said.
Dempsey noted that at the point of Flight 77's impact, the Pentagon halls are lined with handmade quilts created by people from all around the country to "honor the selfless efforts" of responders and ordinary Americans who came to the rescue that day.
"And they wanted to affirm that our nation's fallen would be forever sewn into our hearts," he added.
Sept. 11 is a day that always will stand apart in the nation, the chairman said, "not because of what we say up here about service and selflessness and sacrifice, courage and character."
"It's something more," he said. "It's what those things say about us as Americans. No acts of terrorism can strike who we are. Nothing can steal away that for which we stand."
Obama, Hagel, Dempsey Commemorate 9/11 Anniversary
By Terri Moon Cronk
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2013 - More than the stone and water that commemorate those who died at the Pentagon, the lives of survivors of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack are the greatest tribute to those who were lost, President Barack Obama said during the 12th anniversary wreath-laying ceremony for the attacks at the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial today.
Surrounded by hundreds of family members and survivors of that day -- when American Airlines Flight 77 struck the northwest side of the Pentagon -- the president, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey offered words of solace to those in attendance.
"From scripture, we learn of the miracle of restoration," Obama said. "'You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again. From the depths of the earth, you will bring me up again. You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.'"
Hearts still ache for the futures snatched away and the lives that might have been, the president said.
"The victims slipped from their loved ones' grasp, but it was written what the heart has once owned and had it shall never lose," he said. "What your families lost in the temporal, in the here and now, is now eternal, the pride that you carry in your hearts, the love that will never die.
Today, we remember not only those who died that September day, we pay solemn tribute to more than 6,700 patriots who have given their full measure since -- military and civilians," the president said. The nation sees their legacy in friendships they've forged, attacks they've prevented, innocent lives they've saved, and in their comrades in Afghanistan who are completing the mission and who, by the end of next year, will have helped to end the war there, he added.
"Let us have the wisdom to know that, while force is at times necessary, force alone cannot build the world we seek, so we recommit to the partnerships and progress that builds mutual respect, and deepens trust, and allows more people to live in dignity, prosperity and freedom," the president said.
"Let us have the confidence and the values that make us Americans, which we must never lose, the shining liberties that make us a beacon of the world, the rich diversity that makes us stronger, the unity and commitment to one another that we sustain on this National Day of Service and Remembrance," Obama said. "And above all, let us have the courage, like the survivors and families here today, to carry on no matter how dark the night or how difficult the day."
Hagel began his remarks by noting the significance of the timing and location of today's observance.
"Twelve years ago, at this hour, in this place, a horrific act of terror claimed 184 innocent lives," he said.
"We comfort the loved ones they left behind who still mourn and grieve, despite the passage of time," the secretary continued. "And our thoughts turn to others whose lives [were affected] by the fateful events that clear September morning, the first responders and survivors whose heroism we celebrate, the Pentagon personnel who came to work the next day with a greater sense of determination than ever before, and the men and women in uniform who have stepped forward to defend our country over 12 long years of war, bearing incredible sacrifices, along with their families."
In all of those men and women, the strength, resilience, and the sense of purpose that have always defined the United States of America is evident, he said.
"And that, too, is what the American people reflect upon today, for it is in these timeless qualities that we find hope for a better world and a better future," Hagel said.
Dempsey noted that at the point of Flight 77's impact, the Pentagon halls are lined with handmade quilts created by people from all around the country to "honor the selfless efforts" of responders and ordinary Americans who came to the rescue that day.
"And they wanted to affirm that our nation's fallen would be forever sewn into our hearts," he added.
Sept. 11 is a day that always will stand apart in the nation, the chairman said, "not because of what we say up here about service and selflessness and sacrifice, courage and character."
"It's something more," he said. "It's what those things say about us as Americans. No acts of terrorism can strike who we are. Nothing can steal away that for which we stand."
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
SECRETARY HAGEL EMPHASISES DEFENSE DEPARTMENTS RESOLVE IN PREVENTING MILITARY SUICIDES
FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Hagel Emphasizes Department's Resolve in Suicide Prevention
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3, 2013 - As the nation observes Suicide Prevention Month, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel issued a message to the men and women of the Defense Department today, emphasizing the department's collective resolve in its efforts to prevent military suicides.
Here is the secretary's message:
The Department of Defense has no more important responsibility than supporting and protecting those who defend our country and that means we must do everything possible to prevent military suicide. As we observe Suicide Prevention Month, the entire DoD community – Service members, civilians, members of our families and leaders at every level – must demonstrate our collective resolve to prevent suicide, to promote greater knowledge of its causes and to encourage those in need to seek support. No one who serves this country in uniform should ever feel they have nowhere to turn.
The Department of Defense has invested more than $100 million into research on the diagnosis and treatment of depression, bipolar disorder and substance abuse, as well as interventions for relationship, financial and legal issues – all of which can be associated with suicide. We are working to reduce drug and alcohol abuse and we are steadily increasing the number of mental health professionals and peer support counselors.
Effective suicide prevention training is critical to all these efforts and we are instructing our leaders on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of crisis and encourage service members to seek support. We are also reaching out to military families and the broader community to enlist their support in this cause.
Seeking behavioral health care is a choice that embodies moral courage, honor and integrity. Those values are at the foundation of what that we stand for and what we defend. The Military Crisis Line is there for all who need it. I encourage anyone in need to call 1-800-273-8255 and press one to speak to a trained professional, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This service is confidential and available to all service members and their families.
Always remember that our most valuable resource is each other. When one of us faces a challenge, we all must stand together. By fighting as one team, we can – and we will – help prevent suicide. Thank you.
Hagel Emphasizes Department's Resolve in Suicide Prevention
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3, 2013 - As the nation observes Suicide Prevention Month, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel issued a message to the men and women of the Defense Department today, emphasizing the department's collective resolve in its efforts to prevent military suicides.
Here is the secretary's message:
The Department of Defense has no more important responsibility than supporting and protecting those who defend our country and that means we must do everything possible to prevent military suicide. As we observe Suicide Prevention Month, the entire DoD community – Service members, civilians, members of our families and leaders at every level – must demonstrate our collective resolve to prevent suicide, to promote greater knowledge of its causes and to encourage those in need to seek support. No one who serves this country in uniform should ever feel they have nowhere to turn.
The Department of Defense has invested more than $100 million into research on the diagnosis and treatment of depression, bipolar disorder and substance abuse, as well as interventions for relationship, financial and legal issues – all of which can be associated with suicide. We are working to reduce drug and alcohol abuse and we are steadily increasing the number of mental health professionals and peer support counselors.
Effective suicide prevention training is critical to all these efforts and we are instructing our leaders on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of crisis and encourage service members to seek support. We are also reaching out to military families and the broader community to enlist their support in this cause.
Seeking behavioral health care is a choice that embodies moral courage, honor and integrity. Those values are at the foundation of what that we stand for and what we defend. The Military Crisis Line is there for all who need it. I encourage anyone in need to call 1-800-273-8255 and press one to speak to a trained professional, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This service is confidential and available to all service members and their families.
Always remember that our most valuable resource is each other. When one of us faces a challenge, we all must stand together. By fighting as one team, we can – and we will – help prevent suicide. Thank you.
Friday, August 30, 2013
HAGEL MEETS WITH ASEAN COUNTERPARTS
FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Hagel Meets with ASEAN Defense Ministers in Brunei
By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei, Aug. 28, 2013 - On the first day of Southeast Asia's most important annual defense ministerial conference, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met here with his counterparts from the 10 nations that make up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
On the sidelines, the secretary also took time for bilateral talks on the region and broader topics with his counterparts from Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Brunei, Burma and China.
The ASEAN member states are Burma, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. During lunch today and a meeting afterward, Hagel and the members discussed the need to advance practical cooperation to build trust and lower tensions throughout the region.
When Hagel was in Singapore in June attending the Shangri-La Dialogue meeting, he invited the ASEAN defense ministers to Hawaii in 2014 for an informal meeting -- their first in the United States. During the luncheon, all 10 ministers accepted his invitation.
"I'm obviously very pleased about that," Hagel said today. "It will give us another opportunity to strengthen and deepen the relationship with our partners here in the Asia-Pacific."
Hagel noted the need to continue progress toward peacefully resolving territorial disputes, and committed to continued U.S. support for ASEAN, including its Defense Ministers' Meeting, or ADMM, as a strong organization for achieving shared goals and upholding the common good, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.
During the meeting, a senior defense official said, each country expressed strong support for the steady U.S. presence in the Asia-Pacific and viewed U.S. engagement in the region as a key contributor to peace and stability.
The representatives also expressed their support for continued active engagement by the United States in this part of the world, he said. "They see it's essential for a peaceful stable environment and a prosperous environment around them," the official added.
Brunei has served as chair of ASEAN this year, and yesterday Hagel met with Brunei's energy minister, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin. Little said the secretary recognized Brunei's strong leadership as ASEAN chair and organizer of the June joint exercise involving humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and military medicine. Burma will take over next year as ASEAN chair.
Tomorrow morning, Hagel will attend the ADMM-Plus ministerial conference, hosted by Yasmin and made up of the 10 ASEAN defense ministers and eight dialogue partners: the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, India, New Zealand and Russia.
Senior defense officials said today that Hagel's bilateral meetings were positive and productive.
During a meeting this morning with Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, Hagel was pleased to accept an invitation to visit Japan next year, and the two militaries agreed to establish a cyber defense effort together, a senior defense official said today.
"There's a recognition that with both state and nonstate actors, cyber threats and thefts of intellectual property as well as penetrations of government and industrial networks are an increasing concern and there's a need to cooperate and share information to deal with that," the official said.
In other discussions, Little said, Hagel and Onodera exchanged views on the regional security environment, including North Korea's continued nuclear and ballistic missile developments.
Hagel said he looks forward during a visit to Tokyo in October to continued bilateral discussion on strengthening the alliance, and both men reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance in defending Japan and contributing to regional peace and security, Little added.
Both also expressed interest in continuing to modernize the alliance by enhancing their already strong security cooperation initiatives, the press secretary said.
"The U.S. very much appreciates Japan's important role as a contributor to peace and stability in this region and the rest of the world," Hagel told Onodera through a translator as the meeting began, "and I'm very much looking forward to my upcoming visit to Japan."
Hagel also met today with South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin, thanking him for his friendship and reaffirming the United States' enduring defense and extended deterrence commitments to South Korea. Little said Hagel told Kim it is a mutual duty to remain vigilant during this time of heightened tension on the Korean Peninsula.
The leaders discussed the importance of recent U.N. Security Council resolutions designed to limit North Korea's progress on nuclear and missile programs, the press secretary said. The Defense Department is focused on fulfilling security commitments but Hagel said diplomatic efforts are fundamental to encouraging North Korea to pursue the path of peace, Little added.
Hagel will travel to the South Korean capital of Seoul in October to attend the annual Security Consultive Meeting, a senior defense official said, and as part of that trip will be able to help commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War with the country's leaders.
Later today, during bilateral discussions with Vietnamese Defense Minister Gen. Phung Quang Thanh, Hagel accepted with appreciation an invitation to visit Vietnam in 2014 and through a translator wished the general a happy National Day, which the Vietnamese celebrate on Sept. 2.
Hagel expressed his commitment to growing the bilateral defense relationship with Vietnam and working on issues like maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and recovering the remains of U.S. personnel missing in action, Little said.
The secretary also conveyed his commitment to continuing to implement the 2011 Memorandum of Understanding for Advancing Bilateral Defense Cooperation, the press secretary added.
On regional security, Little said, the leaders noted the importance of peacefully resolving disputes in the South China Sea and welcomed steps to develop an ASEAN Code of Conduct to guide that process.
This afternoon, Hagel met briefly with Burma's defense minister, Lt. Gen. Wai Lwin, expressing his support for Burma's upcoming ASEAN chairmanship and telling the general that the department looks forward to supporting their efforts on ASEAN defense events next year.
A senior defense official noted that such a bilateral meeting at the defense minister level had not happened in more than 20 years with Burma, and that the meeting today is a "a sign of changes and the Obama administration's very positive engagement with the Burmese, [as well as] recognition of the reforms that have been underway in that country and progress that's being made on human rights."
Hagel discussed with the Burmese defense minister the importance of continued progress on reform and said it's also important that Burma sever military ties to North Korea, Little said.
Hagel applauded the Burmese military's support for the government's democratic reform efforts and encouraged that the reforms continue.
Hagel also held a bilateral meeting with representatives from China.
Hagel Meets with ASEAN Defense Ministers in Brunei
By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei, Aug. 28, 2013 - On the first day of Southeast Asia's most important annual defense ministerial conference, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met here with his counterparts from the 10 nations that make up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
On the sidelines, the secretary also took time for bilateral talks on the region and broader topics with his counterparts from Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Brunei, Burma and China.
The ASEAN member states are Burma, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. During lunch today and a meeting afterward, Hagel and the members discussed the need to advance practical cooperation to build trust and lower tensions throughout the region.
When Hagel was in Singapore in June attending the Shangri-La Dialogue meeting, he invited the ASEAN defense ministers to Hawaii in 2014 for an informal meeting -- their first in the United States. During the luncheon, all 10 ministers accepted his invitation.
"I'm obviously very pleased about that," Hagel said today. "It will give us another opportunity to strengthen and deepen the relationship with our partners here in the Asia-Pacific."
Hagel noted the need to continue progress toward peacefully resolving territorial disputes, and committed to continued U.S. support for ASEAN, including its Defense Ministers' Meeting, or ADMM, as a strong organization for achieving shared goals and upholding the common good, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.
During the meeting, a senior defense official said, each country expressed strong support for the steady U.S. presence in the Asia-Pacific and viewed U.S. engagement in the region as a key contributor to peace and stability.
The representatives also expressed their support for continued active engagement by the United States in this part of the world, he said. "They see it's essential for a peaceful stable environment and a prosperous environment around them," the official added.
Brunei has served as chair of ASEAN this year, and yesterday Hagel met with Brunei's energy minister, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin. Little said the secretary recognized Brunei's strong leadership as ASEAN chair and organizer of the June joint exercise involving humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and military medicine. Burma will take over next year as ASEAN chair.
Tomorrow morning, Hagel will attend the ADMM-Plus ministerial conference, hosted by Yasmin and made up of the 10 ASEAN defense ministers and eight dialogue partners: the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, India, New Zealand and Russia.
Senior defense officials said today that Hagel's bilateral meetings were positive and productive.
During a meeting this morning with Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, Hagel was pleased to accept an invitation to visit Japan next year, and the two militaries agreed to establish a cyber defense effort together, a senior defense official said today.
"There's a recognition that with both state and nonstate actors, cyber threats and thefts of intellectual property as well as penetrations of government and industrial networks are an increasing concern and there's a need to cooperate and share information to deal with that," the official said.
In other discussions, Little said, Hagel and Onodera exchanged views on the regional security environment, including North Korea's continued nuclear and ballistic missile developments.
Hagel said he looks forward during a visit to Tokyo in October to continued bilateral discussion on strengthening the alliance, and both men reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance in defending Japan and contributing to regional peace and security, Little added.
Both also expressed interest in continuing to modernize the alliance by enhancing their already strong security cooperation initiatives, the press secretary said.
"The U.S. very much appreciates Japan's important role as a contributor to peace and stability in this region and the rest of the world," Hagel told Onodera through a translator as the meeting began, "and I'm very much looking forward to my upcoming visit to Japan."
Hagel also met today with South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin, thanking him for his friendship and reaffirming the United States' enduring defense and extended deterrence commitments to South Korea. Little said Hagel told Kim it is a mutual duty to remain vigilant during this time of heightened tension on the Korean Peninsula.
The leaders discussed the importance of recent U.N. Security Council resolutions designed to limit North Korea's progress on nuclear and missile programs, the press secretary said. The Defense Department is focused on fulfilling security commitments but Hagel said diplomatic efforts are fundamental to encouraging North Korea to pursue the path of peace, Little added.
Hagel will travel to the South Korean capital of Seoul in October to attend the annual Security Consultive Meeting, a senior defense official said, and as part of that trip will be able to help commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War with the country's leaders.
Later today, during bilateral discussions with Vietnamese Defense Minister Gen. Phung Quang Thanh, Hagel accepted with appreciation an invitation to visit Vietnam in 2014 and through a translator wished the general a happy National Day, which the Vietnamese celebrate on Sept. 2.
Hagel expressed his commitment to growing the bilateral defense relationship with Vietnam and working on issues like maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and recovering the remains of U.S. personnel missing in action, Little said.
The secretary also conveyed his commitment to continuing to implement the 2011 Memorandum of Understanding for Advancing Bilateral Defense Cooperation, the press secretary added.
On regional security, Little said, the leaders noted the importance of peacefully resolving disputes in the South China Sea and welcomed steps to develop an ASEAN Code of Conduct to guide that process.
This afternoon, Hagel met briefly with Burma's defense minister, Lt. Gen. Wai Lwin, expressing his support for Burma's upcoming ASEAN chairmanship and telling the general that the department looks forward to supporting their efforts on ASEAN defense events next year.
A senior defense official noted that such a bilateral meeting at the defense minister level had not happened in more than 20 years with Burma, and that the meeting today is a "a sign of changes and the Obama administration's very positive engagement with the Burmese, [as well as] recognition of the reforms that have been underway in that country and progress that's being made on human rights."
Hagel discussed with the Burmese defense minister the importance of continued progress on reform and said it's also important that Burma sever military ties to North Korea, Little said.
Hagel applauded the Burmese military's support for the government's democratic reform efforts and encouraged that the reforms continue.
Hagel also held a bilateral meeting with representatives from China.
Monday, August 26, 2013
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE HAGEL SPEAKS OF PARTNERSHIP WITH MALAYSIA
FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Hagel Underscores Commitment to Partnership With Malaysia
By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 25, 2013 - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel had productive meetings here today with Malaysian officials and said the United States is committed to building on progress made over the past few years and strengthening the U.S.-Malaysian partnership.
Hagel's first visit to Malaysia as defense secretary is part of an Asia-Pacific trip that will include visits to Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines.
"Malaysia has been a good friend to the United States, and the close security partnership we've forged holds great promise for ensuring our shared security and prosperity in the 21st century," Hagel said this afternoon during a joint news conference with Defense Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
"I know President [Barack] Obama appreciates the close relationship that exists between our two countries," he added, "and I know he looks forward to his visit here in October to [attend] the Global Entrepreneurship Summit."
Hagel and Hishammuddin met, the secretary said, "to discuss a range of security issues of importance to both our countries and to this region."
Praising Malaysia's growing military capabilities, Hagel said Malaysia has made increasingly important contributions to regional and global security.
The Malaysian military has made impressive contributions to counterpiracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and to United Nations peacekeeping efforts with nearly 1,000 troops deployed worldwide this year, he said, adding that Malaysian armed forces medical personnel are contributing to security in Afghanistan.
The United States welcomes these efforts by the Malaysian military, Hagel said, "and today I made clear that the U.S. is continuing to assist Malaysia's military as it increases its capabilities in areas like humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping, maritime security and counterterrorism."
This year the United States will conduct more than 75 activities, exchanges and visits with the Malaysian military, the secretary added, all designed to help it become a more professional and flexible force.
Hagel said he and the defense minister also discussed ways to counter transnational threats, such as trafficking and proliferation, and future areas of cooperation, such as technology collaboration and expanding defense trade and information sharing.
"Minister Hishammuddin and I reaffirmed our shared belief that greater multilateral cooperation and strong regional institutions are essential -- essential," Hagel stressed, "to greater stability in the region."
After the news conference, Hagel met with Prime Minister Najib Razak and later delivered a speech at the Ministry of Defense to a packed auditorium of defense officials and business leaders.
In the speech, the secretary discussed how the Asia-Pacific region will help to shape the trajectory of global security and prosperity, and how the United States is rebalancing the weight of its global diplomatic, economic and security engagement toward the Asia-Pacific.
"Since President Obama took office in 2009, the United States has made major advances in its relationships in Southeast Asia and recognized the centrality of ASEAN," Hagel said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, whose 10 member states are Burma, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Defense ministers from these nations are attendees of the annual ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting, or ADMM. And the upcoming ADMM-Plus meeting is made up of ASEAN members and eight dialogue partners: the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, India, New Zealand and Russia.
"My upcoming visit to the ADMM-Plus [in Brunei]," Hagel said, "and my travel to Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines this week is an example of how the United States is engaging in 'defense diplomacy' in the region."
Other diplomatic efforts include engagement with Burma, engagement in the region by Obama administration officials, and a high-standard trade agreement called the Trans-Pacific Partnership whose negotiations Malaysia has joined, the secretary said.
"These diplomatic and economic initiatives are designed to bring greater prosperity to all of our nations by building trade and investment, increasing our cultural and societal ties, educating our people, and fostering innovation to provide better health care, more renewable energy, and a sustainable environment," Hagel said. "But success in every one of these areas is underpinned by peace and security."
A key component of the U.S. security strategy is to help nations and institutions across the region improve their ability to address these threats through joint military exercises and engagements, he said. As part of the rebalance, the United States is making such exercises more robust and is including more nations across the region. An example is Cobra Gold.
What began as a bilateral military exercise between the United States and treaty ally Thailand in 1980 has evolved into a multilateral exercise involving more than 13,000 personnel from the United States, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea, the secretary said, all training together in areas such as jungle warfare, counterproliferation, and combined arms.
Another example is RIMPAC, he said, the U.S. Navy's largest multilateral exercise. This features 46 navy vessels, 200 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel. India joined the exercise in 2012, and in 2014 Brunei and China will participate for the first time.
The United States is also helping partners improve capabilities by providing new defense technology and equipment.
"Our most recent budget includes $90 million for foreign military financing and international military education and training programs in Southeast Asia, an increase of more than 50 percent compared to four years ago," Hagel said.
The United States is increasing commercial defense trade, he added, and envisions moving toward co-production and co-development of new platforms with close partners in the region, sharing American technology and expertise to deepen security partnerships.
Multilateral cooperation -- U.S. partners in the region cooperating more effectively with each other and with other nations in the region -- is essential to meeting transnational security challenges, Hagel explained. Such nations include close U.S. allies Australia, Japan and South Korea, and emerging powers such as China and India, he added, without whose active involvement and participation no security architecture in Southeast Asia can succeed.
"To further this kind of cooperation, we are making new investments in the Asia-Pacific region's growing security architecture, particularly ASEAN-led institutions like the ADMM-Plus, which is now Asia's primary multilateral defense ministerial," the secretary said.
Enhancing U.S. contributions to regional institutions is a key pillar of U.S. strategy in the region, he added.
"Together," Hagel told the audience, "the United States and all the nations of this region are defining a new future, one where we embrace the obligation to conduct ourselves responsibly and identify ways to work together to solve common challenges."
Hagel Underscores Commitment to Partnership With Malaysia
By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 25, 2013 - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel had productive meetings here today with Malaysian officials and said the United States is committed to building on progress made over the past few years and strengthening the U.S.-Malaysian partnership.
Hagel's first visit to Malaysia as defense secretary is part of an Asia-Pacific trip that will include visits to Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines.
"Malaysia has been a good friend to the United States, and the close security partnership we've forged holds great promise for ensuring our shared security and prosperity in the 21st century," Hagel said this afternoon during a joint news conference with Defense Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
"I know President [Barack] Obama appreciates the close relationship that exists between our two countries," he added, "and I know he looks forward to his visit here in October to [attend] the Global Entrepreneurship Summit."
Hagel and Hishammuddin met, the secretary said, "to discuss a range of security issues of importance to both our countries and to this region."
Praising Malaysia's growing military capabilities, Hagel said Malaysia has made increasingly important contributions to regional and global security.
The Malaysian military has made impressive contributions to counterpiracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and to United Nations peacekeeping efforts with nearly 1,000 troops deployed worldwide this year, he said, adding that Malaysian armed forces medical personnel are contributing to security in Afghanistan.
The United States welcomes these efforts by the Malaysian military, Hagel said, "and today I made clear that the U.S. is continuing to assist Malaysia's military as it increases its capabilities in areas like humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping, maritime security and counterterrorism."
This year the United States will conduct more than 75 activities, exchanges and visits with the Malaysian military, the secretary added, all designed to help it become a more professional and flexible force.
Hagel said he and the defense minister also discussed ways to counter transnational threats, such as trafficking and proliferation, and future areas of cooperation, such as technology collaboration and expanding defense trade and information sharing.
"Minister Hishammuddin and I reaffirmed our shared belief that greater multilateral cooperation and strong regional institutions are essential -- essential," Hagel stressed, "to greater stability in the region."
After the news conference, Hagel met with Prime Minister Najib Razak and later delivered a speech at the Ministry of Defense to a packed auditorium of defense officials and business leaders.
In the speech, the secretary discussed how the Asia-Pacific region will help to shape the trajectory of global security and prosperity, and how the United States is rebalancing the weight of its global diplomatic, economic and security engagement toward the Asia-Pacific.
"Since President Obama took office in 2009, the United States has made major advances in its relationships in Southeast Asia and recognized the centrality of ASEAN," Hagel said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, whose 10 member states are Burma, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Defense ministers from these nations are attendees of the annual ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting, or ADMM. And the upcoming ADMM-Plus meeting is made up of ASEAN members and eight dialogue partners: the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, India, New Zealand and Russia.
"My upcoming visit to the ADMM-Plus [in Brunei]," Hagel said, "and my travel to Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines this week is an example of how the United States is engaging in 'defense diplomacy' in the region."
Other diplomatic efforts include engagement with Burma, engagement in the region by Obama administration officials, and a high-standard trade agreement called the Trans-Pacific Partnership whose negotiations Malaysia has joined, the secretary said.
"These diplomatic and economic initiatives are designed to bring greater prosperity to all of our nations by building trade and investment, increasing our cultural and societal ties, educating our people, and fostering innovation to provide better health care, more renewable energy, and a sustainable environment," Hagel said. "But success in every one of these areas is underpinned by peace and security."
A key component of the U.S. security strategy is to help nations and institutions across the region improve their ability to address these threats through joint military exercises and engagements, he said. As part of the rebalance, the United States is making such exercises more robust and is including more nations across the region. An example is Cobra Gold.
What began as a bilateral military exercise between the United States and treaty ally Thailand in 1980 has evolved into a multilateral exercise involving more than 13,000 personnel from the United States, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea, the secretary said, all training together in areas such as jungle warfare, counterproliferation, and combined arms.
Another example is RIMPAC, he said, the U.S. Navy's largest multilateral exercise. This features 46 navy vessels, 200 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel. India joined the exercise in 2012, and in 2014 Brunei and China will participate for the first time.
The United States is also helping partners improve capabilities by providing new defense technology and equipment.
"Our most recent budget includes $90 million for foreign military financing and international military education and training programs in Southeast Asia, an increase of more than 50 percent compared to four years ago," Hagel said.
The United States is increasing commercial defense trade, he added, and envisions moving toward co-production and co-development of new platforms with close partners in the region, sharing American technology and expertise to deepen security partnerships.
Multilateral cooperation -- U.S. partners in the region cooperating more effectively with each other and with other nations in the region -- is essential to meeting transnational security challenges, Hagel explained. Such nations include close U.S. allies Australia, Japan and South Korea, and emerging powers such as China and India, he added, without whose active involvement and participation no security architecture in Southeast Asia can succeed.
"To further this kind of cooperation, we are making new investments in the Asia-Pacific region's growing security architecture, particularly ASEAN-led institutions like the ADMM-Plus, which is now Asia's primary multilateral defense ministerial," the secretary said.
Enhancing U.S. contributions to regional institutions is a key pillar of U.S. strategy in the region, he added.
"Together," Hagel told the audience, "the United States and all the nations of this region are defining a new future, one where we embrace the obligation to conduct ourselves responsibly and identify ways to work together to solve common challenges."
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
SECRETARY OF HAGEL MEETS WITH TROOPS AT FORT BRAGG
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Hagel Meets With Troops at Fort Bragg, Discusses Budget
By Claudette Roulo
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 15, 2013 - In an uncertain and dangerous world, American service members are helping to build a better future for all mankind, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said today during a town hall meeting at Fort Bragg, N.C.
"We are truly defining a future for our country and helping others define their futures around the world," Hagel told troops, civilians and family members at the event.
Service members do more than just put on a uniform, and civilians do more than just show up to work, the secretary said. Everyone connected to the Defense Department is part of something bigger than themselves -- bigger than even the nation, Hagel added.
"I think occasionally we all can drift a bit and define ourselves, define our work, and define our missions in a more narrow channel," the defense secretary said. "But we are helping build a new world, a better world, a fairer world, a freer world, [and] we can't do it alone."
The world looks to the United States not because it's bigger, better or prosperous, Hagel said, but because of what the nation represents.
"That's a heavy burden to carry," he said, one that can't be carried alone. Over the years, through many difficult lessons, the United States has learned =it must rely on partnerships and relationships to solve some of the world's biggest problems, Hagel said.
Tolerance, respect and dignity still anchor the human condition, the secretary said. "That's what we try to address every day and what we try to protect every day, and hopefully give people opportunities to live that kind of life."
This effort is not without its challenges, the defense secretary said.
The nation is unwinding from the longest war it has ever been in, but it still has responsibilities and commitments around the world, Hagel said. The question -- not for the first time in the nation's history -- is how to balance these competing needs with the department's more direct responsibilities for the nation's fiscal health, he said.
"This time is probably more dramatic for some of the reasons I've already mentioned, but also if these dramatic [defense spending] reductions continue on the course they're on through the current budget cap sequestration," Hagel said. "This is forcing us to take deeper, steeper, and more abrupt reductions than we've ever had to do."
Hagel said his role as defense secretary is to prepare the department for the future based on today's realities, and that includes the possibility that sequestration will continue. "I could not stand back as secretary of defense and try to lead this institution based on -- 'Well, I hope we'll get a change' [or] 'Well, I think maybe something will change,'" he said.
"You can't lead based on hope and thinking and maybes," the secretary continued. "You have a responsibility of leading ... with the reality of what's in front of you, and you do the best you can to repair your institution. In the end, that's the definition of each of our lives."
That reality forced the department to prioritize, Hagel said, adding that he had to make some difficult choices. And while budget isn't directing national security strategy, he said, it's an important part.
"You can have all the strategy you want," the defense secretary said, "but you better be able to assure the president of the United States, commander in-chief, and the people of this country and your families that, in fact, we can implement that strategy -- that, in fact, the president has the options when he calls [the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff] or me, and we call [commanders] and say, 'Can we do it? Do we have the capacity to do it?'"
One vehicle for addressing budget limitations, the recently announced force structure changes, is predicated on preserving combat power and readiness, Hagel said. The military's only responsibility is the defense of the nation, he added, and everything else has to fit within that framework.
"That's not always an easy assemblage of pieces to have to come together to assure that one responsibility, especially during a time of ... significant reductions in our budget," the defense secretary said. Preserving current readiness is coming at a cost to future readiness, "but I have to preserve as much as I can preserve with the resources I have," he said. If sequestration continues into fiscal year 2014, an additional $52 billion in cuts will occur across the department, Hagel added.
As he sought additional ways to protect readiness, furloughs for the Defense Department's civilian employees were the last thing he wanted to do, Hagel said, but he told the Fort Bragg audience he had no other options. Congress was unwilling to authorize the reprogramming of funds that would have prevented the need to furlough about 650,000 defense civilian employees, he explained.
"I could not take down that readiness line any further than where we were," he said. "We've essentially cut [and] frozen everything we can in order to maintain those numbers."
This may be the most difficult time to be serving the nation, Hagel said, "but we have no choice but to get through it, and we will get through it."
Though some of the services were in better fiscal shape than others going into the sequestration period, Hagel said, he was determined for the department to stay unified. "It's the whole point of the joint command," he said. "I couldn't as secretary of defense get into a situation where I was going to allow each service to make their own decisions on this. ... I thought that everybody had to come into this together and go out together.
"If [for] no other reason," he continued, "I did that because I just think it's the fair way to do it, as fair as you can be in this business."
When people are treated unfairly, the secretary said, it does damage to the institution.
"This is bigger than the Defense Department. It's people. We as individuals -- as human beings -- each want to be treated fairly, with some dignity and some respect," Hagel said. "And if you think you're not treated fairly, there will be a residue of a problem there. And I thought it would be a mistake for me to make a decision [to] allow each of the services to figure out, 'Well, I've got more money in my budget, and maybe he squandered his budget, and so therefore, I should be in a higher position because of my budget.'"
Hagel said a great deal of credit belongs to the service chiefs for maintaining departmental unity and not allowing budget constraints to drive the services into "tribal warfare."
Despite the department's efforts, the fiscal future remains uncertain, the defense secretary said. Following a departmentwide Strategic Choices and Management Review, Hagel said, the department has mapped out three options: the president's proposed budget for fiscal year 2014, full sequestration and some compromise in between.
"But I think it's fair to say if we're going to be living with an additional $52 billion cut, there [is] going to continue to be bad news with every aspect of our budget," the defense secretary said.
Though he doesn't yet know what Congress will do about the fiscal year 2014 budget request, Hagel said, he has a responsibility to work closely with the president, Congress and the people of the United States. "That's the way our Constitution is built, and we work best when we're working together," he added.
"We're going to work through this," the defense secretary said. "In the end, we are defining a new force structure, a new institution, not unlike after Vietnam, not unlike after every conflict, not unlike every sequence of the historic cycle of world affairs."
Hagel Meets With Troops at Fort Bragg, Discusses Budget
By Claudette Roulo
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 15, 2013 - In an uncertain and dangerous world, American service members are helping to build a better future for all mankind, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said today during a town hall meeting at Fort Bragg, N.C.
"We are truly defining a future for our country and helping others define their futures around the world," Hagel told troops, civilians and family members at the event.
Service members do more than just put on a uniform, and civilians do more than just show up to work, the secretary said. Everyone connected to the Defense Department is part of something bigger than themselves -- bigger than even the nation, Hagel added.
"I think occasionally we all can drift a bit and define ourselves, define our work, and define our missions in a more narrow channel," the defense secretary said. "But we are helping build a new world, a better world, a fairer world, a freer world, [and] we can't do it alone."
The world looks to the United States not because it's bigger, better or prosperous, Hagel said, but because of what the nation represents.
"That's a heavy burden to carry," he said, one that can't be carried alone. Over the years, through many difficult lessons, the United States has learned =it must rely on partnerships and relationships to solve some of the world's biggest problems, Hagel said.
Tolerance, respect and dignity still anchor the human condition, the secretary said. "That's what we try to address every day and what we try to protect every day, and hopefully give people opportunities to live that kind of life."
This effort is not without its challenges, the defense secretary said.
The nation is unwinding from the longest war it has ever been in, but it still has responsibilities and commitments around the world, Hagel said. The question -- not for the first time in the nation's history -- is how to balance these competing needs with the department's more direct responsibilities for the nation's fiscal health, he said.
"This time is probably more dramatic for some of the reasons I've already mentioned, but also if these dramatic [defense spending] reductions continue on the course they're on through the current budget cap sequestration," Hagel said. "This is forcing us to take deeper, steeper, and more abrupt reductions than we've ever had to do."
Hagel said his role as defense secretary is to prepare the department for the future based on today's realities, and that includes the possibility that sequestration will continue. "I could not stand back as secretary of defense and try to lead this institution based on -- 'Well, I hope we'll get a change' [or] 'Well, I think maybe something will change,'" he said.
"You can't lead based on hope and thinking and maybes," the secretary continued. "You have a responsibility of leading ... with the reality of what's in front of you, and you do the best you can to repair your institution. In the end, that's the definition of each of our lives."
That reality forced the department to prioritize, Hagel said, adding that he had to make some difficult choices. And while budget isn't directing national security strategy, he said, it's an important part.
"You can have all the strategy you want," the defense secretary said, "but you better be able to assure the president of the United States, commander in-chief, and the people of this country and your families that, in fact, we can implement that strategy -- that, in fact, the president has the options when he calls [the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff] or me, and we call [commanders] and say, 'Can we do it? Do we have the capacity to do it?'"
One vehicle for addressing budget limitations, the recently announced force structure changes, is predicated on preserving combat power and readiness, Hagel said. The military's only responsibility is the defense of the nation, he added, and everything else has to fit within that framework.
"That's not always an easy assemblage of pieces to have to come together to assure that one responsibility, especially during a time of ... significant reductions in our budget," the defense secretary said. Preserving current readiness is coming at a cost to future readiness, "but I have to preserve as much as I can preserve with the resources I have," he said. If sequestration continues into fiscal year 2014, an additional $52 billion in cuts will occur across the department, Hagel added.
As he sought additional ways to protect readiness, furloughs for the Defense Department's civilian employees were the last thing he wanted to do, Hagel said, but he told the Fort Bragg audience he had no other options. Congress was unwilling to authorize the reprogramming of funds that would have prevented the need to furlough about 650,000 defense civilian employees, he explained.
"I could not take down that readiness line any further than where we were," he said. "We've essentially cut [and] frozen everything we can in order to maintain those numbers."
This may be the most difficult time to be serving the nation, Hagel said, "but we have no choice but to get through it, and we will get through it."
Though some of the services were in better fiscal shape than others going into the sequestration period, Hagel said, he was determined for the department to stay unified. "It's the whole point of the joint command," he said. "I couldn't as secretary of defense get into a situation where I was going to allow each service to make their own decisions on this. ... I thought that everybody had to come into this together and go out together.
"If [for] no other reason," he continued, "I did that because I just think it's the fair way to do it, as fair as you can be in this business."
When people are treated unfairly, the secretary said, it does damage to the institution.
"This is bigger than the Defense Department. It's people. We as individuals -- as human beings -- each want to be treated fairly, with some dignity and some respect," Hagel said. "And if you think you're not treated fairly, there will be a residue of a problem there. And I thought it would be a mistake for me to make a decision [to] allow each of the services to figure out, 'Well, I've got more money in my budget, and maybe he squandered his budget, and so therefore, I should be in a higher position because of my budget.'"
Hagel said a great deal of credit belongs to the service chiefs for maintaining departmental unity and not allowing budget constraints to drive the services into "tribal warfare."
Despite the department's efforts, the fiscal future remains uncertain, the defense secretary said. Following a departmentwide Strategic Choices and Management Review, Hagel said, the department has mapped out three options: the president's proposed budget for fiscal year 2014, full sequestration and some compromise in between.
"But I think it's fair to say if we're going to be living with an additional $52 billion cut, there [is] going to continue to be bad news with every aspect of our budget," the defense secretary said.
Though he doesn't yet know what Congress will do about the fiscal year 2014 budget request, Hagel said, he has a responsibility to work closely with the president, Congress and the people of the United States. "That's the way our Constitution is built, and we work best when we're working together," he added.
"We're going to work through this," the defense secretary said. "In the end, we are defining a new force structure, a new institution, not unlike after Vietnam, not unlike after every conflict, not unlike every sequence of the historic cycle of world affairs."
Monday, July 15, 2013
TRANSCRIPT: SECRETARY OF DEFENSE HAGEL'S SPEECH AT FORT BRAGG
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Presenter: Presenters: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel; General Daniel B. Allyn
July 15, 2013
Remarks by Secretary Hagel to Soldiers & Civilians at Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, N.C.
GENERAL DANIEL B. ALLYN: All right, everybody, please take your seats. It's an incredible honor for us to have today with us the 24th Secretary of Defense for the United States of America, and it's particularly fitting that he would present a Purple Heart to Specialist [Trevor G.] Hoover here today, as he earned two Purple Hearts and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry as a squad leader in the 9th Infantry Division, where he also earned his combat infantryman's badge.
So very, very appropriate that he would be coming here to Fort Bragg to -- to talk to the soldiers and families about service to our nation. As he returned home after the Vietnam War, he earned his college degree via the G.I. Bill, and he continued to be a servant leader in industry, in our Congress for 12 years, and now as the 24th secretary of defense. So let's give a Department of Defense Fort Bragg welcome to the 24th Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Chuck Hagel. (Applause.)
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE CHUCK HAGEL: Thank you. General Allen, thank you very much. I want to also thank General [Charles] Cleveland and [Joseph] Votel for your time this afternoon and all the work that you do to represent all of you and thank all of you for what you do for our country every day, what you have done, what you will continue to do.
Sergeant Major, thank you for your time and for your leadership, as well. And to Specialist Hoover, it's sometimes conflicting to say congratulations, but as a friend of mine and friend of all our forces across the world, John McCain once kidded about a Purple Heart. Well, it's nothing particularly special, McCain said, he was actually directing at me, you just got in the way. (Laughter.)
That's not exactly the way I'd define a Purple Heart, but he said that with much affection. And if he was here today, he would give you a big hug, Specialist. So we're very proud of you and very proud of your work, as we are proud of everybody here and the families who are here today.
I also want to acknowledge a very, very good friend and leader for our armed forces and their families, over many years, your congressman here, Congressman Price is here today. Congressman, thank you. (Applause.)
And I know we have representatives from other offices here, as well, and please thank your representatives and senators for the work that they do.
Speaking of families, we have the family of the year with us today, the Lewandowskis. And I know they have been acknowledged, but I want to acknowledge the Lewandowski family, the family of First Sergeant Evan and Melissa Lewandowski for what you represent to our armed forces and to our families and to our countries. You represent the best.
And these three guys right here, now which one is Joshua? Hi, Joshua. You've never looked better. You look terrific. Now, that must be Samantha. Hi, Samantha. I like your outfit. Do you have any trouble with your brothers? You do? (Laughter.)
I know Wyatt doesn't give you any trouble. Hello, Wyatt. Hello. (Laughter.)
He's speaking to the speakers. (Laughter.)
It's good to see you all. Thank you very, very much for what you do and what you continue to do. We're proud of you. Thank you. (Applause.)
Wyatt's ready to leave. He's had -- he's had his moment.
Let me take a minute or two to address some big issues that we're all dealing with in our country and in the world and in your profession, and then we'll open it up and talk about whatever you want to talk about. I'd be glad to entertain questions, whatever's on your mind.
First, I spent an hour with some of your leaders here. And we talked about the kind of world that we're living in today, the uncertainty of that world, the danger of this world, the combustibility of this world. We're living at a -- I believe a time where we are truly defining a future for our country and helping others define their futures around the world.
What you do every day is far more than just put a uniform on and for our civilians here who work just as hard, contribute just as much, as they come to work all over the world. It is something bigger than certainly ourselves, actually bigger than our institution. It is helping build a better world for all mankind.
And I start there, because I think occasionally we all can drift a bit and define ourselves, define our work, and define our missions in -- in a more narrow channel. But we are helping build a new world, a better world, a fairer world, a freer world. We can't do it alone. It's difficult. It's one day at a time. But if you build a platform right, and if you connect with people, if you enable people, you work with people, you mentor people, it's not unlike raising children, it's not unlike education, it's not unlike relationships. It's day-to-day.
And I say that because it's important for you to know that we know it, the president of the United States knows it. As your secretary of defense, and I'm very proud to be part of your team, I know it. I understand it. Your leaders understand it. Those that you lead, because everyone in this room is a leader, everyone here has influence, everyone here touches other people's lives, this is something so much bigger than anyone of us, even bigger than our country.
But the world looks to us not because we're smarter or better or richer or prosperous, but they look to us for what we represent. And that's difficult, because that's a heavy burden to carry. We can't carry it alone. We've learned difficult lessons over many, many years, that it takes partnerships, it takes relationships, because these problems are so big. And I think all we need to do is -- is isolate on some of the more dangerous parts of the world today, whether it's the Middle East or North Africa, and we start to have some sense of how complicated the world is, how many different interests there are out there.
And so tolerance and respect and dignity still anchor the human condition and are fundamental, and that's what we try to address every day and what we try to protect every day, and hopefully give people opportunities to live that kind of life.
Now, let me take that part of your jobs and now more specifically define some of our challenges within this institution, within the military, within each branch of service. I will begin with the reality of we have unwound from one long war. We are unwinding from the longest war we've ever been in. And we still have responsibilities and alliances and commitments and relationships around the world, and we will have for some time.
So how do we balance all of this? How do we prioritize all of this at the same time as some of those more direct responsibilities, as we unwind from two wars, mean a reduction in our budget, a reduction in our resources? Not the first time this has happened in the country, but this time is probably more dramatic for some of the reasons I've already mentioned, but also if these dramatic reductions continue on the course they're on, through the current budget cap sequestration, this is forcing us to take deeper, steeper, and more abrupt reductions than we've ever had to do.
I, as the secretary of defense, like each of you who has a responsibility for the men and women that you lead, have to do all I can to prepare this institution for what may come. I could not stand back as secretary of defense and try to lead this institution based on -- well, I hope we'll get a change, well, I think maybe something will change.
You don't lead, you -- you can't lead based on hope and thinking and maybes. You have a responsibility of leading just as each of you do with the reality of what's in front of you, and you do the best you can to prepare your institution. In the end, that's the definition of each of our lives.
What you leave behind is more important than you. How have you done your job? How have you touched people? How have you shaped the future, the next generation? How have you prepared the next generation?
So we're going through a very difficult time. I've had to make some difficult choices based on priorities. I want to address a couple of those here for a moment, because I think it's important that you hear these things directly from the secretary of defense. I know our leaders are preparing our force structure, and you read things, and you read directives and memos, and that's OK. That's a vehicle.
But there's nothing like hearing it directly. And so I'm trying to do as much of this outreach as I can within the limits of my schedule. I'll be on the road three days this week, visiting a number of bases, to have these conversations, to allow you to talk to me, question me, and hear it from me as to what I'm doing and -- and why, with, by the way, the coordination and the involvement and the partnership of all of our senior military leaders, which I very much appreciate, the chiefs, General [Martin] Dempsey, Admiral [Sandy] Winnefeld, all of your commanders, all over the world, as well as the civilian leadership in the Pentagon. This is beyond me. This is an entire leadership group working together to try to find answers to prepare our institution for the future, as well.
I have as a responsibility, as each of us do, the readiness of this force structure to preserve combat power and to assure one thing: to assure the president of the United States, the Congress, the people of America that we are prepared and will defend this country. That is the only responsibility we have, the defense of this nation.
If that is the priority, then everything else has to fit within that framework. How do we do that? And that's not always an easy assemblage of pieces to have to come together to assure that one responsibility, especially during a time of reduction, significant reductions in our budget.
So readiness, capability, capacity, combat power, assuring especially our warfighters, those who are in harm's way, those who are overseas that they will be protected, families. Families are the core. Families are the anchor. Families are the engines. They're the inspiration. We must protect our people in every way we can, those families. That was a commitment that our country made to men and women who not only joined our armed forces in uniform, but our civilians. And in every way I can protect that baseline part of our institution, I will.
So as we've gone through the process of the last few months, with the budget numbers we have as reality, I had to preserve readiness, and you all know that we have planes not flying, ships not sailing, soldiers not training. We are doing damage to our readiness -- future readiness. We're doing damage to our readiness now. But I have to preserve as much as I can preserve with the resources I have, along with the leadership, the management, and the wise counsel of our leaders.
Second, personnel, people. When the Defense Department started reviewing what's ahead in the way of reductions in our budget, a $37 billion reduction this year, [fiscal year] 2013, if those budget caps, sequestration continue into fiscal year 2014, beginning October 1st, January 1st, and we start to take an additional $52 billion cut in our budget, this is on top of the 10 years commitment that we started two years ago of $487 billion reduction in 10 years, so it's a tough deal.
So three months ago, as we explored everything, furloughs was the last thing I wanted to do for obvious reasons. Our probability then was 22 days furlough for fiscal year 2013 for most of our senior civilian employees. We had exemptions.
I announced a couple of months ago that I now believed that we were in a position where I had no choice but to execute a furlough program, moving it from the possibility if it was 22 days to 11 days. That's what we are doing now. The furloughs started last week. That's for FY 2013.
I said at the time when I went out and made the announcement at a town hall meeting outside the Pentagon and took questions from everybody that if we can find ways through a reprogramming, the Congress needs to authorize that, other ways to put us in a better position maybe by the end of this fiscal year. Maybe we can do better than 11 days, but I made -- made no promises, because the first responsibility we all have in this room is to be honest and be direct and not mislead. And I'll never do that. I'll never do that.
So I announced furloughs a couple of months ago. I know it's painful. It's the last thing we wanted to do, last thing I wanted to do. But I could not take down that readiness line any further than -- than where we were. We've essentially cut, frozen everything we can in order to maintain those numbers.
We'll get through this. This is difficult. In all of your careers in this room, I suspect this is the most difficult time of your service. I know that. I accept that. I understand that. Your leaders understand that. But we have no choice but to get through it, and we will get through it. This institution and its people, the people are the fabric of any institution, are just too good, and our commitment is too strong. It will be difficult. We've got difficult days ahead.
But as I said to the chiefs the first morning I met with them on this, we're all going in together, we're coming out together. And one of the things that I give tremendous credit to our chiefs and all of our service leaders is that our service leaders of each individual service have not allowed this problem to break out into tribal warfare, the Army against the Marines, the Navy against the Air Force. That's not happened. And it's not gonna happen.
Every service is a little different. Each mission is a little different. But we need each other. We can't have the institution we have without each other. Every institution, every individual, civilians, play an incredibly important role in who we are and what we're doing and what our mission is.
So I wanted to just generally address this. I don't know what the Congress is going to do with the president here in the next few months, if there can be a new budget agreement reached. I don't know. I was asked at a hearing a couple of months ago on the budget about this, and I said to the congressman who asked me the question the political side of the House, the policy side of the House, I left that world four years ago. I served with great privilege in the United States Senate for 12 years. That was my job. That's not my job now. I don't make fiscal policy, don't have anything to do with that.
I have a clear responsibility, which I've already articulated. I will give my opinion. I will tell our constituents and the country what I think. I give my opinion to the president of the United States, who's commander-in-chief of our services, work closely with the Congress. We need to work closely with the Congress. The Congress has to be -- is -- not just constitutionally, but a partner. The Congress has as much responsibility for our national security as -- as the president does. That's the way our Constitution is built, and we work best when we're working together.
So that element of the uncertainty that's out there, I will leave that to our policymakers. But this uncertainty is -- is cast -- casting a very dark cloud over our institution. And I understand that. You understand that. But I want you to know, I'm committed to working with you. We will get through it. Whatever comes, we will find the answers and the options to get through this.
So thank you for giving me some time. I know it's not a particularly happy message to give, but I do want to leave with one thing. As I said, I'll always be honest with you. I'll always listen to you. And we're going to work through this. And in the end, we are defining a new force structure, a new institution, not unlike after Vietnam, not unlike after every conflict, not unlike every sequence of the historic cycle of world affairs. We are redefining that now. That's why your roles are so absolutely important. And the redefinition of all this is -- is essentially going to build the baseline for our future.
General, thank you. And to everyone in this room, thank you, and to your families in particular for what you do for our country. Be glad to respond to questions, anything anybody wants to talk about.
Q: Hello. My name's Claire Riggle. I work at Womack Army Medical Center. I'm also married to a soldier who works at Womack. Working at Womack, I have been hit by the furloughs, and they're inconvenient and difficult, but what bothers me more is the effect it has on our children. And beginning in August, the schools will be having furloughs, so within the first month of school, the children will have missed a whole week of school, so I'm just wondering what's going to be done about the education requirements, the standard of education. What's going to be done for our children?
SEC. HAGEL: Thank you. I addressed the annual meeting of our military schools and leaders two weeks ago in Washington, and we talked about your question and other questions in great detail. Let me answer your questions.
As I noted -- and you all know -- the current policy is 11 days of furloughs for most all of our civilian employees. We have exempted about 150,000 safety -- different categories of exemptions. For our teachers, we exempted them up to five days. So our teachers are furloughed five days, but we coordinated those five days in every way we could, giving the principals and the leaders of each school district and school the flexibility of working that into the summertime and when -- when school is not on.
So we thought through this very carefully. And your issue about standards, about accreditation, those are areas that are exempt from any cuts. The AP preparations classes, all those are exempt. Most of the family programs are exempt. So that was an area that we looked at first, for the very reasons that you mentioned.
And we've given the flexibility for each of the leaders at their base level, civilian levels, and the school levels, principals' levels to work out how they want to define that. So we've tried to think through this as to, as I said at the beginning of my remarks, prioritizing the real important things that we thought that we just couldn't give up, and certainly education for our children falls -- falls in that area.
Thank you for what you're doing. I know this is difficult. And I know it's -- it is difficult for children, but thank you.
Q: Sir...
SEC. HAGEL: Yes?
Q: The furloughs (inaudible) $1.8 billion (inaudible) and my understanding is that a number of services did have options that would allow them to (inaudible) fiscal year without having a furlough. What would you need to hear from your advisers that would convince you that something less than 11 days would be satisfactory for the remainder of the fiscal year and for us to finish successfully? Thank you.
SEC. HAGEL: You're right. Some of the services were in a better fiscal condition than others. And if you took each of the service bands and their budgets, then some in those services may not have had to be furloughed. But -- but let me go back to the beginning.
I represent essentially 3 million people, not including families. That's active-duty. That's civilian employees. And that's National Guard and Reserves. That's 3 million people, plus their families.
And so as I said here a few minutes ago, I said to our chiefs and the secretaries when we started this, I want us to come at this -- in my opinion, we have to -- not as different services or different commands or different bases, that somehow each service command, base is -- is uniquely different when it comes to numbers, recognizing, which I said upfront to every service secretary and chief, I respect and I recognize each of your responsibilities to each of your own services. I understand that. You have an obligation, a high responsibility, but you have a higher responsibility to the department as a whole, and certainly to this country.
It's the whole point of the joint command, Goldwater-Nichols of 1986. We're in this together. Give you an example, the Army. Army has it -- the most difficult budget. Well, it's obvious why the Army has the most difficult budget. The Army has been carrying most of the budget load, manpower load in these two wars that we've been in.
Now, that is not to diminish what the Marines have done, Navy, Air Force, civilians. That isn't the issue. But you look at where those budgets are drawn down, it's been the Army's budget that's taken the biggest hit. And so I couldn't as secretary of defense get into a situation where I was going to allow each service to make their own decisions on this and then I didn't think be fair to other situations. I thought that everybody had to come into this together and go out together.
If no other reason I did that, because I just think it's the fair way to do it, as fair as you can be in this -- in this business -- but there's another reason I did it this way. At the end, yes, there will be winners and losers, but the damage that that does to an institution, to the people, if people are treated unfairly, you all know this. This is bigger than the Defense Department. It's people.
And we as individuals, as human beings each want to be treated fairly, with some dignity and some respect. And if you think you're not treated fairly, there will be a residue of a problem there. And I thought it would be a mistake for me to make a decision, allow each of the services to figure out, well, I've got more money in my budget, and maybe he squandered his budget, and so therefore I should be in a higher position because of my budget.
Well, we could probably debate those issues all day long, but I -- but I made the decision for the reasons I made it, and the chiefs accepted that, the leaders accepted it, the secretaries. And the deeper I get into this, the more I believe I made the right decision on it, to treat everybody fairly here.
Q: Good afternoon, Mr. Secretary. Senior Master Sergeant Wimmer from Valley City, North Dakota. Just to give you some historical background before I ask my question, I'm one of 23,000 family members -- or I have a daughter that's affected with autism. Is the DoD going to re-look at the even more restrictive policy in regards to coverage on applied behavioral analysis, which is also called ABA, which is to go into effect on the 25th of July, 2013? And are the plans to lift the fiscal cap on the coverage benefits for family members currently enrolled in the autism demonstration act in the ABA pilot program going to be lifted, as well? Thank you.
SEC. HAGEL: Well, thank you. And thank you for what you and your family do, the contributions you make. First, I don't know the specifics of your question, so rather than stand up here and try to stutter through it, I'm not going to do that. We will get your name. We've got guys here who are with me and how to reach you. Let me get you a specific answer. I am aware of the autism program. I'm aware that it's important. I'm aware of the cap issue. I'm aware generally of all those things. They came up during the weeks and weeks and weeks of consideration on how we do things, what's fair, what's right, what do we prioritize, what can we afford. So it's not a matter that it wasn't a factor and involved at the highest levels of prioritizing.
So -- but to go beyond that, I don't have a specific answer to your question. We will get one, and we'll get back to you right away on it. Thank you.
Yes?
Q: Good afternoon, sir. My name is Dan Sarsoza. I'm a civilian employee at the G8 18th Airborne Corps. And last Friday, sir, that was our first furlough day. And my question to you is, what is the chance of another year of furlough for the next fiscal year? And what is the plan of the department to avoid next or second- year furlough of the civilian employees?
SEC. HAGEL: Well, your question relates directly to the point I made earlier about uncertainty. I think I described it as the dark cloud that hangs over this institution, that uncertainty.
No one knows what's going to happen in fiscal year 2014. But four months ago, I instructed all of our leaders under the directorship of the deputy secretary of defense, Ash Carter, along with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dempsey, to undertake what I referred to as a Strategic Choice Management Review. And the objective of that review was to look at different scenarios of budget possibilities, in the case of sequestration, a current reality, because sequestration, as I think most of you know, is law right now. It is part of a budget cap agreement, Budget Control Act of 2011.
So it is the law. The budget that I presented on behalf of the president -- as you know, the president of the United States, through his cabinet, presents his budget each fiscal year, the one I presented, along with all our senior leaders at the Pentagon, was the president's budget for 2014.
The sequestration cap represents a reduction of -- of $52 billion below where we are today. So the review that I asked for was to look at different scenarios, not too many to look at, one, what happens? How do we prepare for the reality right now of a $52 billion further reduction in our budget for 2014? We already have the plans for carrying out our 2014 budget that I presented, then looking at another option somewhere in between. What if there's a compromise between the current sequestration and what the president has proposed?
That was to inform the results of that, which came in on time, three -- came in a month ago -- was to inform our thinking as we prepare to get ready to prepare a -- and present a 2015 budget, which we will do, as you know, early next year. Also, look at what may be required for sequestration continuing in that $52 billion cut for next year, and then some option maybe in between.
Now, it was not a review that could never have been -- we didn't have enough time -- that was never intended to be a new budget or some special plan, but it was to give me, as the secretary of defense, and all our leaders some options. What are we going to have to do? What are our priorities? What are our options? What can we do? What shouldn't we do? And to put us at least on some high ground for preparing for what may, in fact, happen.
It was also to inform the reality of 2014, along with the 2015 and the next out budgets, 2015 through 2019, and also, as you -- I think most of you know -- there is -- there is a quadrennial review that will -- will start this summer. It was to help inform that quadrennial review.
So I answered that way, because it cuts right to your question, about next year and furloughs and beyond. First, I don't know. We are preparing for different options, but I think it's fair to say, if we're going to be living with an additional $52 billion cut, there are going to be -- there are going to continue to be bad news with -- with every aspect of -- of our budget.
Q: Mr. Secretary -- Mr. Secretary, we have time for one last question.
SEC. HAGEL: OK.
Q: Good afternoon Mr. Secretary -- is this thing on? Hi. Is it working?
SEC. HAGEL: It's working.
Q: Good afternoon, Mr. Secretary. I'm Staff Sergeant Travis Owens with the 722nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company. Thirteen years ago, whenever I enlisted, all four branches of service used generally the same common equipment for ground combat and for field conditions. We wore the same uniforms, same helmets, same boots, carried the same rifles, et cetera.
And then the war kicked off, the wars. And since then, all four branches of service have unilaterally developed a tremendous amount of equipment and clothing, to the point where now very little of what we use across the four branches of service are common, even if we're conducting the same missions. And in this era of deep cuts that affect all of us, that's a tremendous redundancy.
My question, sir, is, is there any planning or discussion at the Pentagon to force the branches to jointly develop and field some of this common equipment that we have out there to reduce that cost, reduce that redundancy?
SEC. HAGEL: Thank you. And thank you for your service. Yes, first, we're being forced to. In the review that I just referred to, I said right upfront to our comptroller, to all our evaluators, all the chiefs -- and everybody was involved in this, by the way, this review -- it wasn't some -- I've seen a press story or two about somehow it was in a -- this review was done in a smoke-filled room. Well, that's ridiculous. Everybody was part of the review. I insisted on it. It was. Junior enlisted through sergeants majors of every service, every combatant commander, every leader, every chief, every civilian leader was involved in that review. That's number one.
Number two, I said at the beginning, I want everything looked at. Everything has to be on the table, compensation, benefits, everything. Because there's no way we're going to be able to get the savings that we need, even -- even if sequestration comes down at some point, we're going to have to look at everything. And they did.
What you just said -- the question you asked was a significant part of that. That's exactly right. And we are doing that. And we are looking at it. We are going to be changing how we do business with a lot of things, acquisitions, logistics, across the board. And, again, when you've had essentially, over the last certainly 10 years, but really 11 years, a budget that has been almost unlimited in -- in requests, you're going to have a tremendous build-up of these kinds of things. I'm not going to go back and second-guess what was right, what was wrong, what was done the right way. That's history. I'll let the historians figure that out.
All I know is I've got a responsibility right now, July 2013. And more than that, I've got a responsibility to help prepare this institution and our country for the future. So whatever happened behind me happened behind me. But we're going to look at everything. We are looking at everything. We're going to be forced to change things.
And there will be some significant changes. I think for the better. I think there are some opportunities here. We all know in life -- but I can tell you in my old job I had, 12 years in the Senate -- leaders are always captive to a political environment, to political atmospherics to a certain extent. That means that there are boundaries.
And that isn't all bad. In a democracy, that's as it should be. There is no one in this room -- there is no one in this country, who is unaccountable. Our president's accountable. The Congress is accountable. Everybody's accountable. That's as it should be.
So what I'm saying is that we're each accountable, every program in the Defense Department is accountable to defend not only has it worked, is it a priority, will it be a priority, how do you defend it, how do you fund it, and how is this going to integrate into the kind of force structure and institution we're going to need for a new kind of future?
Ten years ago, how many in this room thought much about cyber? I mean, how many of you in this room five years ago thought that cyber warfare would be as dominant a threat to this country as any one thing? Well, it is. It is. I certainly wasn't wise enough or smart enough. Maybe some of you were. Cyber changes everything. It isn't one Army being sent against another Army. That's why we are shifting what this place does, as much as anything else. This is the heart, this institution right here where we're standing, where you work, that you're a part of, is the centerpiece in -- in responsiveness, in being smart and adaptive and flexible, and that's what's going on. And we have to -- we have to have programs to match that.
And budgets certainly are part of that. I was asked the other day, but -- but, Mr. Secretary, are you letting the budget direct national security strategy? I said, no, but the budget is a pretty important part of national security strategy, because you can have all the strategy you want, but you better be able to assure the president of the United States, commander-in-chief, and the people of this country and your families that, in fact, we can implement that strategy, that, in fact, the president has the options when he calls General Dempsey or me, and we call General Allen, General Cleveland, General Votel, and say, can we do it? Do we have the capacity to do it?
That's the real issue here. So it isn't a matter of strategy and think-tanks and op-eds and so on. On the ground, what you have to do every day, what I have to do every day, we have to be able to do it. And so budgets do matter.
Thank you all very much for what you do. Thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.)
-END-
Presenter: Presenters: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel; General Daniel B. Allyn
July 15, 2013
Remarks by Secretary Hagel to Soldiers & Civilians at Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, N.C.
GENERAL DANIEL B. ALLYN: All right, everybody, please take your seats. It's an incredible honor for us to have today with us the 24th Secretary of Defense for the United States of America, and it's particularly fitting that he would present a Purple Heart to Specialist [Trevor G.] Hoover here today, as he earned two Purple Hearts and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry as a squad leader in the 9th Infantry Division, where he also earned his combat infantryman's badge.
So very, very appropriate that he would be coming here to Fort Bragg to -- to talk to the soldiers and families about service to our nation. As he returned home after the Vietnam War, he earned his college degree via the G.I. Bill, and he continued to be a servant leader in industry, in our Congress for 12 years, and now as the 24th secretary of defense. So let's give a Department of Defense Fort Bragg welcome to the 24th Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Chuck Hagel. (Applause.)
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE CHUCK HAGEL: Thank you. General Allen, thank you very much. I want to also thank General [Charles] Cleveland and [Joseph] Votel for your time this afternoon and all the work that you do to represent all of you and thank all of you for what you do for our country every day, what you have done, what you will continue to do.
Sergeant Major, thank you for your time and for your leadership, as well. And to Specialist Hoover, it's sometimes conflicting to say congratulations, but as a friend of mine and friend of all our forces across the world, John McCain once kidded about a Purple Heart. Well, it's nothing particularly special, McCain said, he was actually directing at me, you just got in the way. (Laughter.)
That's not exactly the way I'd define a Purple Heart, but he said that with much affection. And if he was here today, he would give you a big hug, Specialist. So we're very proud of you and very proud of your work, as we are proud of everybody here and the families who are here today.
I also want to acknowledge a very, very good friend and leader for our armed forces and their families, over many years, your congressman here, Congressman Price is here today. Congressman, thank you. (Applause.)
And I know we have representatives from other offices here, as well, and please thank your representatives and senators for the work that they do.
Speaking of families, we have the family of the year with us today, the Lewandowskis. And I know they have been acknowledged, but I want to acknowledge the Lewandowski family, the family of First Sergeant Evan and Melissa Lewandowski for what you represent to our armed forces and to our families and to our countries. You represent the best.
And these three guys right here, now which one is Joshua? Hi, Joshua. You've never looked better. You look terrific. Now, that must be Samantha. Hi, Samantha. I like your outfit. Do you have any trouble with your brothers? You do? (Laughter.)
I know Wyatt doesn't give you any trouble. Hello, Wyatt. Hello. (Laughter.)
He's speaking to the speakers. (Laughter.)
It's good to see you all. Thank you very, very much for what you do and what you continue to do. We're proud of you. Thank you. (Applause.)
Wyatt's ready to leave. He's had -- he's had his moment.
Let me take a minute or two to address some big issues that we're all dealing with in our country and in the world and in your profession, and then we'll open it up and talk about whatever you want to talk about. I'd be glad to entertain questions, whatever's on your mind.
First, I spent an hour with some of your leaders here. And we talked about the kind of world that we're living in today, the uncertainty of that world, the danger of this world, the combustibility of this world. We're living at a -- I believe a time where we are truly defining a future for our country and helping others define their futures around the world.
What you do every day is far more than just put a uniform on and for our civilians here who work just as hard, contribute just as much, as they come to work all over the world. It is something bigger than certainly ourselves, actually bigger than our institution. It is helping build a better world for all mankind.
And I start there, because I think occasionally we all can drift a bit and define ourselves, define our work, and define our missions in -- in a more narrow channel. But we are helping build a new world, a better world, a fairer world, a freer world. We can't do it alone. It's difficult. It's one day at a time. But if you build a platform right, and if you connect with people, if you enable people, you work with people, you mentor people, it's not unlike raising children, it's not unlike education, it's not unlike relationships. It's day-to-day.
And I say that because it's important for you to know that we know it, the president of the United States knows it. As your secretary of defense, and I'm very proud to be part of your team, I know it. I understand it. Your leaders understand it. Those that you lead, because everyone in this room is a leader, everyone here has influence, everyone here touches other people's lives, this is something so much bigger than anyone of us, even bigger than our country.
But the world looks to us not because we're smarter or better or richer or prosperous, but they look to us for what we represent. And that's difficult, because that's a heavy burden to carry. We can't carry it alone. We've learned difficult lessons over many, many years, that it takes partnerships, it takes relationships, because these problems are so big. And I think all we need to do is -- is isolate on some of the more dangerous parts of the world today, whether it's the Middle East or North Africa, and we start to have some sense of how complicated the world is, how many different interests there are out there.
And so tolerance and respect and dignity still anchor the human condition and are fundamental, and that's what we try to address every day and what we try to protect every day, and hopefully give people opportunities to live that kind of life.
Now, let me take that part of your jobs and now more specifically define some of our challenges within this institution, within the military, within each branch of service. I will begin with the reality of we have unwound from one long war. We are unwinding from the longest war we've ever been in. And we still have responsibilities and alliances and commitments and relationships around the world, and we will have for some time.
So how do we balance all of this? How do we prioritize all of this at the same time as some of those more direct responsibilities, as we unwind from two wars, mean a reduction in our budget, a reduction in our resources? Not the first time this has happened in the country, but this time is probably more dramatic for some of the reasons I've already mentioned, but also if these dramatic reductions continue on the course they're on, through the current budget cap sequestration, this is forcing us to take deeper, steeper, and more abrupt reductions than we've ever had to do.
I, as the secretary of defense, like each of you who has a responsibility for the men and women that you lead, have to do all I can to prepare this institution for what may come. I could not stand back as secretary of defense and try to lead this institution based on -- well, I hope we'll get a change, well, I think maybe something will change.
You don't lead, you -- you can't lead based on hope and thinking and maybes. You have a responsibility of leading just as each of you do with the reality of what's in front of you, and you do the best you can to prepare your institution. In the end, that's the definition of each of our lives.
What you leave behind is more important than you. How have you done your job? How have you touched people? How have you shaped the future, the next generation? How have you prepared the next generation?
So we're going through a very difficult time. I've had to make some difficult choices based on priorities. I want to address a couple of those here for a moment, because I think it's important that you hear these things directly from the secretary of defense. I know our leaders are preparing our force structure, and you read things, and you read directives and memos, and that's OK. That's a vehicle.
But there's nothing like hearing it directly. And so I'm trying to do as much of this outreach as I can within the limits of my schedule. I'll be on the road three days this week, visiting a number of bases, to have these conversations, to allow you to talk to me, question me, and hear it from me as to what I'm doing and -- and why, with, by the way, the coordination and the involvement and the partnership of all of our senior military leaders, which I very much appreciate, the chiefs, General [Martin] Dempsey, Admiral [Sandy] Winnefeld, all of your commanders, all over the world, as well as the civilian leadership in the Pentagon. This is beyond me. This is an entire leadership group working together to try to find answers to prepare our institution for the future, as well.
I have as a responsibility, as each of us do, the readiness of this force structure to preserve combat power and to assure one thing: to assure the president of the United States, the Congress, the people of America that we are prepared and will defend this country. That is the only responsibility we have, the defense of this nation.
If that is the priority, then everything else has to fit within that framework. How do we do that? And that's not always an easy assemblage of pieces to have to come together to assure that one responsibility, especially during a time of reduction, significant reductions in our budget.
So readiness, capability, capacity, combat power, assuring especially our warfighters, those who are in harm's way, those who are overseas that they will be protected, families. Families are the core. Families are the anchor. Families are the engines. They're the inspiration. We must protect our people in every way we can, those families. That was a commitment that our country made to men and women who not only joined our armed forces in uniform, but our civilians. And in every way I can protect that baseline part of our institution, I will.
So as we've gone through the process of the last few months, with the budget numbers we have as reality, I had to preserve readiness, and you all know that we have planes not flying, ships not sailing, soldiers not training. We are doing damage to our readiness -- future readiness. We're doing damage to our readiness now. But I have to preserve as much as I can preserve with the resources I have, along with the leadership, the management, and the wise counsel of our leaders.
Second, personnel, people. When the Defense Department started reviewing what's ahead in the way of reductions in our budget, a $37 billion reduction this year, [fiscal year] 2013, if those budget caps, sequestration continue into fiscal year 2014, beginning October 1st, January 1st, and we start to take an additional $52 billion cut in our budget, this is on top of the 10 years commitment that we started two years ago of $487 billion reduction in 10 years, so it's a tough deal.
So three months ago, as we explored everything, furloughs was the last thing I wanted to do for obvious reasons. Our probability then was 22 days furlough for fiscal year 2013 for most of our senior civilian employees. We had exemptions.
I announced a couple of months ago that I now believed that we were in a position where I had no choice but to execute a furlough program, moving it from the possibility if it was 22 days to 11 days. That's what we are doing now. The furloughs started last week. That's for FY 2013.
I said at the time when I went out and made the announcement at a town hall meeting outside the Pentagon and took questions from everybody that if we can find ways through a reprogramming, the Congress needs to authorize that, other ways to put us in a better position maybe by the end of this fiscal year. Maybe we can do better than 11 days, but I made -- made no promises, because the first responsibility we all have in this room is to be honest and be direct and not mislead. And I'll never do that. I'll never do that.
So I announced furloughs a couple of months ago. I know it's painful. It's the last thing we wanted to do, last thing I wanted to do. But I could not take down that readiness line any further than -- than where we were. We've essentially cut, frozen everything we can in order to maintain those numbers.
We'll get through this. This is difficult. In all of your careers in this room, I suspect this is the most difficult time of your service. I know that. I accept that. I understand that. Your leaders understand that. But we have no choice but to get through it, and we will get through it. This institution and its people, the people are the fabric of any institution, are just too good, and our commitment is too strong. It will be difficult. We've got difficult days ahead.
But as I said to the chiefs the first morning I met with them on this, we're all going in together, we're coming out together. And one of the things that I give tremendous credit to our chiefs and all of our service leaders is that our service leaders of each individual service have not allowed this problem to break out into tribal warfare, the Army against the Marines, the Navy against the Air Force. That's not happened. And it's not gonna happen.
Every service is a little different. Each mission is a little different. But we need each other. We can't have the institution we have without each other. Every institution, every individual, civilians, play an incredibly important role in who we are and what we're doing and what our mission is.
So I wanted to just generally address this. I don't know what the Congress is going to do with the president here in the next few months, if there can be a new budget agreement reached. I don't know. I was asked at a hearing a couple of months ago on the budget about this, and I said to the congressman who asked me the question the political side of the House, the policy side of the House, I left that world four years ago. I served with great privilege in the United States Senate for 12 years. That was my job. That's not my job now. I don't make fiscal policy, don't have anything to do with that.
I have a clear responsibility, which I've already articulated. I will give my opinion. I will tell our constituents and the country what I think. I give my opinion to the president of the United States, who's commander-in-chief of our services, work closely with the Congress. We need to work closely with the Congress. The Congress has to be -- is -- not just constitutionally, but a partner. The Congress has as much responsibility for our national security as -- as the president does. That's the way our Constitution is built, and we work best when we're working together.
So that element of the uncertainty that's out there, I will leave that to our policymakers. But this uncertainty is -- is cast -- casting a very dark cloud over our institution. And I understand that. You understand that. But I want you to know, I'm committed to working with you. We will get through it. Whatever comes, we will find the answers and the options to get through this.
So thank you for giving me some time. I know it's not a particularly happy message to give, but I do want to leave with one thing. As I said, I'll always be honest with you. I'll always listen to you. And we're going to work through this. And in the end, we are defining a new force structure, a new institution, not unlike after Vietnam, not unlike after every conflict, not unlike every sequence of the historic cycle of world affairs. We are redefining that now. That's why your roles are so absolutely important. And the redefinition of all this is -- is essentially going to build the baseline for our future.
General, thank you. And to everyone in this room, thank you, and to your families in particular for what you do for our country. Be glad to respond to questions, anything anybody wants to talk about.
Q: Hello. My name's Claire Riggle. I work at Womack Army Medical Center. I'm also married to a soldier who works at Womack. Working at Womack, I have been hit by the furloughs, and they're inconvenient and difficult, but what bothers me more is the effect it has on our children. And beginning in August, the schools will be having furloughs, so within the first month of school, the children will have missed a whole week of school, so I'm just wondering what's going to be done about the education requirements, the standard of education. What's going to be done for our children?
SEC. HAGEL: Thank you. I addressed the annual meeting of our military schools and leaders two weeks ago in Washington, and we talked about your question and other questions in great detail. Let me answer your questions.
As I noted -- and you all know -- the current policy is 11 days of furloughs for most all of our civilian employees. We have exempted about 150,000 safety -- different categories of exemptions. For our teachers, we exempted them up to five days. So our teachers are furloughed five days, but we coordinated those five days in every way we could, giving the principals and the leaders of each school district and school the flexibility of working that into the summertime and when -- when school is not on.
So we thought through this very carefully. And your issue about standards, about accreditation, those are areas that are exempt from any cuts. The AP preparations classes, all those are exempt. Most of the family programs are exempt. So that was an area that we looked at first, for the very reasons that you mentioned.
And we've given the flexibility for each of the leaders at their base level, civilian levels, and the school levels, principals' levels to work out how they want to define that. So we've tried to think through this as to, as I said at the beginning of my remarks, prioritizing the real important things that we thought that we just couldn't give up, and certainly education for our children falls -- falls in that area.
Thank you for what you're doing. I know this is difficult. And I know it's -- it is difficult for children, but thank you.
Q: Sir...
SEC. HAGEL: Yes?
Q: The furloughs (inaudible) $1.8 billion (inaudible) and my understanding is that a number of services did have options that would allow them to (inaudible) fiscal year without having a furlough. What would you need to hear from your advisers that would convince you that something less than 11 days would be satisfactory for the remainder of the fiscal year and for us to finish successfully? Thank you.
SEC. HAGEL: You're right. Some of the services were in a better fiscal condition than others. And if you took each of the service bands and their budgets, then some in those services may not have had to be furloughed. But -- but let me go back to the beginning.
I represent essentially 3 million people, not including families. That's active-duty. That's civilian employees. And that's National Guard and Reserves. That's 3 million people, plus their families.
And so as I said here a few minutes ago, I said to our chiefs and the secretaries when we started this, I want us to come at this -- in my opinion, we have to -- not as different services or different commands or different bases, that somehow each service command, base is -- is uniquely different when it comes to numbers, recognizing, which I said upfront to every service secretary and chief, I respect and I recognize each of your responsibilities to each of your own services. I understand that. You have an obligation, a high responsibility, but you have a higher responsibility to the department as a whole, and certainly to this country.
It's the whole point of the joint command, Goldwater-Nichols of 1986. We're in this together. Give you an example, the Army. Army has it -- the most difficult budget. Well, it's obvious why the Army has the most difficult budget. The Army has been carrying most of the budget load, manpower load in these two wars that we've been in.
Now, that is not to diminish what the Marines have done, Navy, Air Force, civilians. That isn't the issue. But you look at where those budgets are drawn down, it's been the Army's budget that's taken the biggest hit. And so I couldn't as secretary of defense get into a situation where I was going to allow each service to make their own decisions on this and then I didn't think be fair to other situations. I thought that everybody had to come into this together and go out together.
If no other reason I did that, because I just think it's the fair way to do it, as fair as you can be in this -- in this business -- but there's another reason I did it this way. At the end, yes, there will be winners and losers, but the damage that that does to an institution, to the people, if people are treated unfairly, you all know this. This is bigger than the Defense Department. It's people.
And we as individuals, as human beings each want to be treated fairly, with some dignity and some respect. And if you think you're not treated fairly, there will be a residue of a problem there. And I thought it would be a mistake for me to make a decision, allow each of the services to figure out, well, I've got more money in my budget, and maybe he squandered his budget, and so therefore I should be in a higher position because of my budget.
Well, we could probably debate those issues all day long, but I -- but I made the decision for the reasons I made it, and the chiefs accepted that, the leaders accepted it, the secretaries. And the deeper I get into this, the more I believe I made the right decision on it, to treat everybody fairly here.
Q: Good afternoon, Mr. Secretary. Senior Master Sergeant Wimmer from Valley City, North Dakota. Just to give you some historical background before I ask my question, I'm one of 23,000 family members -- or I have a daughter that's affected with autism. Is the DoD going to re-look at the even more restrictive policy in regards to coverage on applied behavioral analysis, which is also called ABA, which is to go into effect on the 25th of July, 2013? And are the plans to lift the fiscal cap on the coverage benefits for family members currently enrolled in the autism demonstration act in the ABA pilot program going to be lifted, as well? Thank you.
SEC. HAGEL: Well, thank you. And thank you for what you and your family do, the contributions you make. First, I don't know the specifics of your question, so rather than stand up here and try to stutter through it, I'm not going to do that. We will get your name. We've got guys here who are with me and how to reach you. Let me get you a specific answer. I am aware of the autism program. I'm aware that it's important. I'm aware of the cap issue. I'm aware generally of all those things. They came up during the weeks and weeks and weeks of consideration on how we do things, what's fair, what's right, what do we prioritize, what can we afford. So it's not a matter that it wasn't a factor and involved at the highest levels of prioritizing.
So -- but to go beyond that, I don't have a specific answer to your question. We will get one, and we'll get back to you right away on it. Thank you.
Yes?
Q: Good afternoon, sir. My name is Dan Sarsoza. I'm a civilian employee at the G8 18th Airborne Corps. And last Friday, sir, that was our first furlough day. And my question to you is, what is the chance of another year of furlough for the next fiscal year? And what is the plan of the department to avoid next or second- year furlough of the civilian employees?
SEC. HAGEL: Well, your question relates directly to the point I made earlier about uncertainty. I think I described it as the dark cloud that hangs over this institution, that uncertainty.
No one knows what's going to happen in fiscal year 2014. But four months ago, I instructed all of our leaders under the directorship of the deputy secretary of defense, Ash Carter, along with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dempsey, to undertake what I referred to as a Strategic Choice Management Review. And the objective of that review was to look at different scenarios of budget possibilities, in the case of sequestration, a current reality, because sequestration, as I think most of you know, is law right now. It is part of a budget cap agreement, Budget Control Act of 2011.
So it is the law. The budget that I presented on behalf of the president -- as you know, the president of the United States, through his cabinet, presents his budget each fiscal year, the one I presented, along with all our senior leaders at the Pentagon, was the president's budget for 2014.
The sequestration cap represents a reduction of -- of $52 billion below where we are today. So the review that I asked for was to look at different scenarios, not too many to look at, one, what happens? How do we prepare for the reality right now of a $52 billion further reduction in our budget for 2014? We already have the plans for carrying out our 2014 budget that I presented, then looking at another option somewhere in between. What if there's a compromise between the current sequestration and what the president has proposed?
That was to inform the results of that, which came in on time, three -- came in a month ago -- was to inform our thinking as we prepare to get ready to prepare a -- and present a 2015 budget, which we will do, as you know, early next year. Also, look at what may be required for sequestration continuing in that $52 billion cut for next year, and then some option maybe in between.
Now, it was not a review that could never have been -- we didn't have enough time -- that was never intended to be a new budget or some special plan, but it was to give me, as the secretary of defense, and all our leaders some options. What are we going to have to do? What are our priorities? What are our options? What can we do? What shouldn't we do? And to put us at least on some high ground for preparing for what may, in fact, happen.
It was also to inform the reality of 2014, along with the 2015 and the next out budgets, 2015 through 2019, and also, as you -- I think most of you know -- there is -- there is a quadrennial review that will -- will start this summer. It was to help inform that quadrennial review.
So I answered that way, because it cuts right to your question, about next year and furloughs and beyond. First, I don't know. We are preparing for different options, but I think it's fair to say, if we're going to be living with an additional $52 billion cut, there are going to be -- there are going to continue to be bad news with -- with every aspect of -- of our budget.
Q: Mr. Secretary -- Mr. Secretary, we have time for one last question.
SEC. HAGEL: OK.
Q: Good afternoon Mr. Secretary -- is this thing on? Hi. Is it working?
SEC. HAGEL: It's working.
Q: Good afternoon, Mr. Secretary. I'm Staff Sergeant Travis Owens with the 722nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company. Thirteen years ago, whenever I enlisted, all four branches of service used generally the same common equipment for ground combat and for field conditions. We wore the same uniforms, same helmets, same boots, carried the same rifles, et cetera.
And then the war kicked off, the wars. And since then, all four branches of service have unilaterally developed a tremendous amount of equipment and clothing, to the point where now very little of what we use across the four branches of service are common, even if we're conducting the same missions. And in this era of deep cuts that affect all of us, that's a tremendous redundancy.
My question, sir, is, is there any planning or discussion at the Pentagon to force the branches to jointly develop and field some of this common equipment that we have out there to reduce that cost, reduce that redundancy?
SEC. HAGEL: Thank you. And thank you for your service. Yes, first, we're being forced to. In the review that I just referred to, I said right upfront to our comptroller, to all our evaluators, all the chiefs -- and everybody was involved in this, by the way, this review -- it wasn't some -- I've seen a press story or two about somehow it was in a -- this review was done in a smoke-filled room. Well, that's ridiculous. Everybody was part of the review. I insisted on it. It was. Junior enlisted through sergeants majors of every service, every combatant commander, every leader, every chief, every civilian leader was involved in that review. That's number one.
Number two, I said at the beginning, I want everything looked at. Everything has to be on the table, compensation, benefits, everything. Because there's no way we're going to be able to get the savings that we need, even -- even if sequestration comes down at some point, we're going to have to look at everything. And they did.
What you just said -- the question you asked was a significant part of that. That's exactly right. And we are doing that. And we are looking at it. We are going to be changing how we do business with a lot of things, acquisitions, logistics, across the board. And, again, when you've had essentially, over the last certainly 10 years, but really 11 years, a budget that has been almost unlimited in -- in requests, you're going to have a tremendous build-up of these kinds of things. I'm not going to go back and second-guess what was right, what was wrong, what was done the right way. That's history. I'll let the historians figure that out.
All I know is I've got a responsibility right now, July 2013. And more than that, I've got a responsibility to help prepare this institution and our country for the future. So whatever happened behind me happened behind me. But we're going to look at everything. We are looking at everything. We're going to be forced to change things.
And there will be some significant changes. I think for the better. I think there are some opportunities here. We all know in life -- but I can tell you in my old job I had, 12 years in the Senate -- leaders are always captive to a political environment, to political atmospherics to a certain extent. That means that there are boundaries.
And that isn't all bad. In a democracy, that's as it should be. There is no one in this room -- there is no one in this country, who is unaccountable. Our president's accountable. The Congress is accountable. Everybody's accountable. That's as it should be.
So what I'm saying is that we're each accountable, every program in the Defense Department is accountable to defend not only has it worked, is it a priority, will it be a priority, how do you defend it, how do you fund it, and how is this going to integrate into the kind of force structure and institution we're going to need for a new kind of future?
Ten years ago, how many in this room thought much about cyber? I mean, how many of you in this room five years ago thought that cyber warfare would be as dominant a threat to this country as any one thing? Well, it is. It is. I certainly wasn't wise enough or smart enough. Maybe some of you were. Cyber changes everything. It isn't one Army being sent against another Army. That's why we are shifting what this place does, as much as anything else. This is the heart, this institution right here where we're standing, where you work, that you're a part of, is the centerpiece in -- in responsiveness, in being smart and adaptive and flexible, and that's what's going on. And we have to -- we have to have programs to match that.
And budgets certainly are part of that. I was asked the other day, but -- but, Mr. Secretary, are you letting the budget direct national security strategy? I said, no, but the budget is a pretty important part of national security strategy, because you can have all the strategy you want, but you better be able to assure the president of the United States, commander-in-chief, and the people of this country and your families that, in fact, we can implement that strategy, that, in fact, the president has the options when he calls General Dempsey or me, and we call General Allen, General Cleveland, General Votel, and say, can we do it? Do we have the capacity to do it?
That's the real issue here. So it isn't a matter of strategy and think-tanks and op-eds and so on. On the ground, what you have to do every day, what I have to do every day, we have to be able to do it. And so budgets do matter.
Thank you all very much for what you do. Thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.)
-END-
Saturday, July 13, 2013
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE HAGEL MEETS WITH CHINES STATE COUNCILOR YANG JIECHI
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Hagel, Senior Chinese Official Meet at Pentagon
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 12, 2013 - Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and China's State Councilor Yang Jiechi met at the Pentagon today to discuss the United States-China military relationship, the Defense Department announced.
Hagel expressed DOD's support for the Strategic and Economic Dialogue and the related Strategic Security Dialogue and Cyber Working Group. The defense secretary was pleased that the day-long security dialogue expanded this year to include nuclear policy and missile defense issues.
The defense secretary also affirmed the importance of the inaugural cyber discussion, which will serve as a platform to build better understanding and increase practical cooperation in cyberspace and enhanced cooperation on regional security issues of concern to both the United States and China, including North Korea.
Hagel congratulated State Councilor Yang on his promotion, and the two leaders discussed their shared history and friendship that stretches back many years to their previous positions in government service.
The defense secretary told State Councilor Yang that he looks forward to hosting China's Minister of National Defense General Chang Wanquan at the Pentagon next month.
Hagel, Senior Chinese Official Meet at Pentagon
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 12, 2013 - Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and China's State Councilor Yang Jiechi met at the Pentagon today to discuss the United States-China military relationship, the Defense Department announced.
Hagel expressed DOD's support for the Strategic and Economic Dialogue and the related Strategic Security Dialogue and Cyber Working Group. The defense secretary was pleased that the day-long security dialogue expanded this year to include nuclear policy and missile defense issues.
The defense secretary also affirmed the importance of the inaugural cyber discussion, which will serve as a platform to build better understanding and increase practical cooperation in cyberspace and enhanced cooperation on regional security issues of concern to both the United States and China, including North Korea.
Hagel congratulated State Councilor Yang on his promotion, and the two leaders discussed their shared history and friendship that stretches back many years to their previous positions in government service.
The defense secretary told State Councilor Yang that he looks forward to hosting China's Minister of National Defense General Chang Wanquan at the Pentagon next month.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
SEQUESTRATION AND 'PLAN B'
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Hagel Details Defense 'Plan B' if Sequestration Continues
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 10, 2013 - If sequestration continues into fiscal year 2014, the Defense Department will be forced to consider involuntary reductions-in-force for the civilian workforce, draconian cuts to military personnel accounts and a virtual halt to military modernization, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in a letter to Senate leaders today.
The senators had requested detailed information on how continued sequestration could affect the military.
In the letter, Hagel detailed the "Plan B" the department must confront if Congress does not pass legislation that averts sequestration in fiscal 2014. If the process continues, DOD will be forced to cut $52 billion more from the budget that year.
Hagel stressed in the letter that he fully supports President Barack Obama's fiscal 2014 budget request and noted that if sequestration remains in effect, "the size, readiness and technological superiority of our military will be reduced, placing at much greater risk the country's ability to meet our current national security commitments."
Congress gave DOD some flexibility to handle the cuts need for fiscal 2013, but more than 650,000 DOD civilians must still be furloughed without pay for 11 days. However, the cuts in 2014 are too great even for flexibility within accounts to handle.
DOD hopes to avoid furloughs in 2014, the defense secretary said, but if sequestration remains in effect, "DOD will have to consider involuntary reductions-in-force to reduce civilian personnel costs."
Readiness has already been diminished this year, Hagel said, and it will continue to decline if sequestration continues in 2014. Hiring freezes will also continue and facilities maintenance funds will further erode, he added.
If the sequestration mechanism is applied to military personnel funding, "DOD could accommodate the required reductions only by putting into place an extremely severe package of military personnel actions including halting all accessions, ending all permanent-change-of-station moves, stopping discretionary bonuses and freezing all promotions," Hagel wrote.
He called on Congress to work with the department to avoid sequestration in fiscal 2014 and to approve the president's defense budget request.
The president's budget request slows military pay raises and raises fees for some military retiree's health care. It also looks to retire older Air Force and Navy assets and calls for a new base realignment and closure program.
"If the cuts continue, the department will have to make sharp cuts with far-reaching consequences, including limiting combat power, reducing readiness and undermining the national security interests of the United States," Hagel said.
Hagel Details Defense 'Plan B' if Sequestration Continues
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 10, 2013 - If sequestration continues into fiscal year 2014, the Defense Department will be forced to consider involuntary reductions-in-force for the civilian workforce, draconian cuts to military personnel accounts and a virtual halt to military modernization, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in a letter to Senate leaders today.
The senators had requested detailed information on how continued sequestration could affect the military.
In the letter, Hagel detailed the "Plan B" the department must confront if Congress does not pass legislation that averts sequestration in fiscal 2014. If the process continues, DOD will be forced to cut $52 billion more from the budget that year.
Hagel stressed in the letter that he fully supports President Barack Obama's fiscal 2014 budget request and noted that if sequestration remains in effect, "the size, readiness and technological superiority of our military will be reduced, placing at much greater risk the country's ability to meet our current national security commitments."
Congress gave DOD some flexibility to handle the cuts need for fiscal 2013, but more than 650,000 DOD civilians must still be furloughed without pay for 11 days. However, the cuts in 2014 are too great even for flexibility within accounts to handle.
DOD hopes to avoid furloughs in 2014, the defense secretary said, but if sequestration remains in effect, "DOD will have to consider involuntary reductions-in-force to reduce civilian personnel costs."
Readiness has already been diminished this year, Hagel said, and it will continue to decline if sequestration continues in 2014. Hiring freezes will also continue and facilities maintenance funds will further erode, he added.
If the sequestration mechanism is applied to military personnel funding, "DOD could accommodate the required reductions only by putting into place an extremely severe package of military personnel actions including halting all accessions, ending all permanent-change-of-station moves, stopping discretionary bonuses and freezing all promotions," Hagel wrote.
He called on Congress to work with the department to avoid sequestration in fiscal 2014 and to approve the president's defense budget request.
The president's budget request slows military pay raises and raises fees for some military retiree's health care. It also looks to retire older Air Force and Navy assets and calls for a new base realignment and closure program.
"If the cuts continue, the department will have to make sharp cuts with far-reaching consequences, including limiting combat power, reducing readiness and undermining the national security interests of the United States," Hagel said.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
SITUATION IN EGYPT UNDER REVIEW
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
President, Advisors Review Situation in Egypt
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 6, 2013 - President Barack Obama conferred with the National Security Council today to review the situation in Egypt, according to a White House release.
The National Security Council is the president's principal forum for considering national security and foreign policy matters with his senior national security advisors and cabinet officials, according to the council's website. Since its inception under President Harry S. Truman, the council's function has been to advise and assist the president on national security and foreign policies. The council also serves as the president's principal arm for coordinating these policies among various government agencies.
Here is the text of the White House release:
"President Obama convened a secure conference call with the National Security Council today to review the very fluid situation in Egypt. The President condemned the ongoing violence across Egypt and expressed concern over the continued political polarization. He reiterated that the United States is not aligned with, and does not support, any particular Egyptian political party or group.
"In line with that position, the United States categorically rejects the false claims propagated by some in Egypt that we are working with specific political parties or movements to dictate how Egypt's transition should proceed. We remain committed to the Egyptian people and their aspirations for democracy, economy opportunity, and dignity. But the future path of Egypt can only be determined by the Egyptian people.
"During this transitional period, we call on all Egyptians to come together in an inclusive process that allows for the participation of all groups and political parties. Throughout that process, the United States will continue to engage the Egyptian people in a spirit of partnership, consistent with our longstanding friendship and shared interests -- including our interest in a transition to sustainable democracy.
"We urge all Egyptian leaders to condemn the use of force and to prevent further violence among their supporters, just as we urge all those demonstrating to do so peacefully. As Egyptians look forward, we call on all sides to bridge Egypt's divisions, reject reprisals, and join together to restore stability and Egypt's democracy."
Also today, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little provided the following readout on Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's recent conversations with officials from Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
Here is the text of the readout:
"Yesterday and today, Secretary Hagel spoke to Egyptian Defense Minister al-Sisi on three occasions to discuss on-going events in Egypt. In their conversations, Secretary Hagel emphasized the need for a peaceful civilian transition in Egypt. He also noted the importance of security for the Egyptian people, Egypt's neighbors, and the region.
"Secretary Hagel also spoke to Crown Prince bin Zayed of the United Arab Emirates today to discuss the situation in Egypt and matters of mutual security concern in the Middle East."
President, Advisors Review Situation in Egypt
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 6, 2013 - President Barack Obama conferred with the National Security Council today to review the situation in Egypt, according to a White House release.
The National Security Council is the president's principal forum for considering national security and foreign policy matters with his senior national security advisors and cabinet officials, according to the council's website. Since its inception under President Harry S. Truman, the council's function has been to advise and assist the president on national security and foreign policies. The council also serves as the president's principal arm for coordinating these policies among various government agencies.
Here is the text of the White House release:
"President Obama convened a secure conference call with the National Security Council today to review the very fluid situation in Egypt. The President condemned the ongoing violence across Egypt and expressed concern over the continued political polarization. He reiterated that the United States is not aligned with, and does not support, any particular Egyptian political party or group.
"In line with that position, the United States categorically rejects the false claims propagated by some in Egypt that we are working with specific political parties or movements to dictate how Egypt's transition should proceed. We remain committed to the Egyptian people and their aspirations for democracy, economy opportunity, and dignity. But the future path of Egypt can only be determined by the Egyptian people.
"During this transitional period, we call on all Egyptians to come together in an inclusive process that allows for the participation of all groups and political parties. Throughout that process, the United States will continue to engage the Egyptian people in a spirit of partnership, consistent with our longstanding friendship and shared interests -- including our interest in a transition to sustainable democracy.
"We urge all Egyptian leaders to condemn the use of force and to prevent further violence among their supporters, just as we urge all those demonstrating to do so peacefully. As Egyptians look forward, we call on all sides to bridge Egypt's divisions, reject reprisals, and join together to restore stability and Egypt's democracy."
Also today, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little provided the following readout on Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's recent conversations with officials from Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
Here is the text of the readout:
"Yesterday and today, Secretary Hagel spoke to Egyptian Defense Minister al-Sisi on three occasions to discuss on-going events in Egypt. In their conversations, Secretary Hagel emphasized the need for a peaceful civilian transition in Egypt. He also noted the importance of security for the Egyptian people, Egypt's neighbors, and the region.
"Secretary Hagel also spoke to Crown Prince bin Zayed of the United Arab Emirates today to discuss the situation in Egypt and matters of mutual security concern in the Middle East."
Saturday, June 29, 2013
U.S. BUILDING UP PARTNERS IN SYRIAN REGION TO PREVENT SPREAD OF VIOLENCE
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Capacity-building Central to Syria Strategy
By Claudette Roulo
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 26, 2013 - In an effort to help prevent the violence in Syria from spreading to its neighbors, the Defense Department is focusing on building partner capacity in the region, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said today during a joint Pentagon news conference with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.
"Militarily, what we're doing is assisting our partners in the region, the neighbors of Syria, to ensure that they're prepared to account for the potential spillover effects," Dempsey said.
As part of these efforts, the U.S. will leave some Patriot missile batteries and some F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft in Jordan and is working with its Iraqi counterparts, the Lebanese armed forces, and Turkey through NATO, the chairman said.
"And we've made a recommendation that, as we look at the challenges faced by the Lebanese armed forces, the Iraqi security forces with a re-emerging Al-Qaida in Iraq, and the Jordanians, that we would work with them to help them build additional capability," he added.
The assistance would take the form of training teams or accelerated foreign military sales of equipment, the chairman said.
"This is about building their capability, not ours," he added.
These actions are in addition to the recent decision to provide military aid to opponents of the Assad regime, Dempsey said.
The defense secretary acknowledged that delivering the military aid raises a number of challenges.
"The opposition represents many different groups," Hagel said. "And we will always be and have to be assured that assistance we give to the Syrian military council gets to the right people, and that isn't a decision that can be answered quickly. It's a constant process of assessment."
One option under consideration, a no-fly zone, would be difficult to impose, the chairman told reporters.
"My concern has been that ensuring that Syria's airplanes don't fly addresses about 10 percent of the problem, in terms of the casualties that are taken in Syria," Dempsey said.
"The Syrian air defense system is sophisticated and it's dense," he noted, adding that implementing a no-fly zone is essentially an act of war.
"I'd like to understand the plan to make peace before we start a war," Dempsey said. But, he added, if the decision is made to impose a no-fly zone, "We'll make it happen."
Capacity-building Central to Syria Strategy
By Claudette Roulo
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 26, 2013 - In an effort to help prevent the violence in Syria from spreading to its neighbors, the Defense Department is focusing on building partner capacity in the region, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said today during a joint Pentagon news conference with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.
"Militarily, what we're doing is assisting our partners in the region, the neighbors of Syria, to ensure that they're prepared to account for the potential spillover effects," Dempsey said.
As part of these efforts, the U.S. will leave some Patriot missile batteries and some F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft in Jordan and is working with its Iraqi counterparts, the Lebanese armed forces, and Turkey through NATO, the chairman said.
"And we've made a recommendation that, as we look at the challenges faced by the Lebanese armed forces, the Iraqi security forces with a re-emerging Al-Qaida in Iraq, and the Jordanians, that we would work with them to help them build additional capability," he added.
The assistance would take the form of training teams or accelerated foreign military sales of equipment, the chairman said.
"This is about building their capability, not ours," he added.
These actions are in addition to the recent decision to provide military aid to opponents of the Assad regime, Dempsey said.
The defense secretary acknowledged that delivering the military aid raises a number of challenges.
"The opposition represents many different groups," Hagel said. "And we will always be and have to be assured that assistance we give to the Syrian military council gets to the right people, and that isn't a decision that can be answered quickly. It's a constant process of assessment."
One option under consideration, a no-fly zone, would be difficult to impose, the chairman told reporters.
"My concern has been that ensuring that Syria's airplanes don't fly addresses about 10 percent of the problem, in terms of the casualties that are taken in Syria," Dempsey said.
"The Syrian air defense system is sophisticated and it's dense," he noted, adding that implementing a no-fly zone is essentially an act of war.
"I'd like to understand the plan to make peace before we start a war," Dempsey said. But, he added, if the decision is made to impose a no-fly zone, "We'll make it happen."
Friday, June 28, 2013
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE HAGEL MEETS WITH SWEDEN'S DEFENSE MINISTER ENSTROM
 |
| U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel meets with Swedish Defense Minister Karin Enström at the Pentagon, June 26, 2013. The leaders discussed issues of mutual interest and concern. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo |
Hagel, Sweden's Defense Minister Meet at Pentagon
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 26, 2013 - Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel met with Sweden's Minister of Defense Karin Enström at the Pentagon today, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.
During the meeting Hagel praised Sweden for its role as a key partner to the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Little said.
In particular, he added, Hagel thanked Minister Enström for Sweden's commitment and sacrifices in Afghanistan, and for its key leadership in other NATO operations such as Libya and Kosovo.
"Secretary Hagel reiterated the United States' steadfast commitment to standing together with U.S. allies and partners," Little said.
And Hagel affirmed "that the Defense Department will continue to seek ways to enhance our bilateral defense relationship with Sweden," Little added, "and that our two nations will continue to work closely together to advance our common interests around the world."
Thursday, June 27, 2013
SECRETARY OF STATE HAGEL ASKS RUSSIA TO TURN OVER SNOWDEN
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Hagel Calls on Russia to Hand Snowden Over to U.S.
By Nick Simeone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 26, 2013 - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel today called on Russia to hand over Edward Snowden to the United States.
Hagel said he believes that Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor and now fugitive who has admitted to revealing highly classified U.S. government surveillance programs, is probably still at a Moscow airport.
"I would hope that the Russians do the right thing here and turn Snowden over to the United States," Hagel told reporters during a Pentagon news conference, adding that he did not know if Moscow has made a final decision on what to do with the man now charged with espionage.
Hagel called the Snowden affair a negative in U.S.-Russian relations but nevertheless one that both nations must work through.
Hagel, along with Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters that Snowden's decision to reveal details about the NSA's gathering of phone records of millions of Americans as well as a separate classified program that involved eavesdropping on Internet activity by foreigners overseas did uncalculated damage to U.S national security.
"We are assessing that now. But make no mistake. This violation of our laws was a serious security breach," Hagel said. He added that he was in the Senate when the laws approving the programs were passed.
"They are legal," Hagel said of those laws, "and they do protect the United States."
Army Gen. Keith B. Alexander, director of the National Security Agency and commander of U.S. Cyber Command, has told Congress the classified surveillance programs have prevented more than 50 terrorist plots since the 9/11 attacks.
Snowden has not been seen in public since arriving in Russia June 23 from Hong Kong, where, despite a U.S. request that he be detained there, was allowed to board a flight to Moscow.
"We're very disappointed in the Chinese government in how they've handled this," Hagel said, adding that both countries could have chosen to cooperate.
"And this was an occasion, I think, where we had an opportunity to do that," Hagel added. "But that was the decision of the Chinese government." Even so, Hagel said, he did not foresee a disruption in Sino-U.S. military relations.
While steps are always being taken to evaluate insider threats and to counter them through upgraded systems and improved technologies, Hagel said, in the end, little can be done if someone with a top-secret security clearance is willing to break the law.
"I don't know how you can ever completely 100-percent guard against someone who wants to break the law and violate the statutes and the interests of our nation," Hagel said.
Hagel Calls on Russia to Hand Snowden Over to U.S.
By Nick Simeone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 26, 2013 - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel today called on Russia to hand over Edward Snowden to the United States.
Hagel said he believes that Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor and now fugitive who has admitted to revealing highly classified U.S. government surveillance programs, is probably still at a Moscow airport.
"I would hope that the Russians do the right thing here and turn Snowden over to the United States," Hagel told reporters during a Pentagon news conference, adding that he did not know if Moscow has made a final decision on what to do with the man now charged with espionage.
Hagel called the Snowden affair a negative in U.S.-Russian relations but nevertheless one that both nations must work through.
Hagel, along with Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters that Snowden's decision to reveal details about the NSA's gathering of phone records of millions of Americans as well as a separate classified program that involved eavesdropping on Internet activity by foreigners overseas did uncalculated damage to U.S national security.
"We are assessing that now. But make no mistake. This violation of our laws was a serious security breach," Hagel said. He added that he was in the Senate when the laws approving the programs were passed.
"They are legal," Hagel said of those laws, "and they do protect the United States."
Army Gen. Keith B. Alexander, director of the National Security Agency and commander of U.S. Cyber Command, has told Congress the classified surveillance programs have prevented more than 50 terrorist plots since the 9/11 attacks.
Snowden has not been seen in public since arriving in Russia June 23 from Hong Kong, where, despite a U.S. request that he be detained there, was allowed to board a flight to Moscow.
"We're very disappointed in the Chinese government in how they've handled this," Hagel said, adding that both countries could have chosen to cooperate.
"And this was an occasion, I think, where we had an opportunity to do that," Hagel added. "But that was the decision of the Chinese government." Even so, Hagel said, he did not foresee a disruption in Sino-U.S. military relations.
While steps are always being taken to evaluate insider threats and to counter them through upgraded systems and improved technologies, Hagel said, in the end, little can be done if someone with a top-secret security clearance is willing to break the law.
"I don't know how you can ever completely 100-percent guard against someone who wants to break the law and violate the statutes and the interests of our nation," Hagel said.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE HAGEL SAYS BUDGET CALLS FOR MORE BASE CLOSINGS
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Hagel Details Budget Request, Calls for More Base Closures
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 11, 2013 - Sequestration and the need for another base closure and realignment commission headlined Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee today.
Hagel and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, defended the president's request for $526.6 billion for the Defense Department's fiscal year 2014 budget and an additional $79.4 billion for overseas contingency operations.
"This budget enables the department to support troops still at war in Afghanistan, protect readiness, modernize the military's aging weapons inventory in keeping with the president's strategic guidance and sustain the high quality of the all-volunteer force," Hagel said. "This budget also continues the department's approach of the last couple of years of targeting growing costs in areas of support, overhead, acquisition and pay and benefits."
But the specter of sequestration hangs over this budget. DOD is absorbing $37 billion in fiscal 2013 spending cuts, which has necessitated furloughs of 700,000 civilian employees for up to 11 days.
DOD also has cut facilities maintenance, instituted hiring freezes, cut overhead and reduced important, but lower-priority, programs, the secretary told the senators, noting that the department has submitted a request to Congress to allow Pentagon officials to shift $9.6 billion in funding.
"We ask this subcommittee's assistance in providing rapid review and approval of this critical reprogramming request," Hagel said.
The spending cuts have forced the services to reduce training and maintenance of nondeployed operating forces, Hagel said.
"The Army has stopped rotations at its key combat training centers for all but deploying units, more than a dozen combat coded Air Force squadrons either already have or will soon stop flying and the Navy has curtailed deployments," the secretary said.
The fiscal 2014 budget request is based on $487 billion in spending reductions over 10 years mandated by the Budget Control Act of 2011 -- it does not include the effects of sequestration, Hagel told the panel, and if sequestration continues, it will mean a further $500 billion on top of the already agreed-to cuts.
"The president's [fiscal] 2014 budget replaces sequestration and gives the department the time and flexibility to plan and implement spending reductions wisely and responsibly," he said.
Under this request, Hagel added, DOD has identified $34 billion in new savings, including weapons program restructuring and terminations that achieve $8.2 billion in savings, slowdowns in military construction, and reductions in other programs.
The budget request's military compensation package "preserves DOD's world-class pay and benefits while putting our military on a more sustainable path for the future," Hagel said. "It includes changes to the TRICARE program to bring the beneficiary's cost share closer to the levels envisioned when the program was implemented."
Hagel called on the committee to support DOD's need to eliminate excess infrastructure. The budget request calls for one base realignment and closure round in 2015.
"BRAC is an imperfect process, and there are up-front costs, but in the long term, there are significant savings," the secretary said. He noted that previous BRAC rounds now save $12 billion a year.
"Although there are clearly opportunities to achieve significant savings by improving efficiency, consolidations and reducing overhead, the scale of the current spending reductions will also require cuts and changes to military operations," he said.
The budget request isn't all about cuts, Hagel noted. The defense strategic guidance issued in 2012 identified areas that must be increased. These include implementing the military rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region, maintaining America's nuclear stockpile, increasing cyber capabilities and sustaining the growth of special operations forces.
"Finally, this budget seeks to preserve a combat-ready force and sustain the high-quality all-volunteer force," he said.
The budget is the best effort to inject some certainty into the fiscal environment, Hagel told the Senate panel, noting that changes in top-line spending would require changes to the budget plan.
"Consequently, I directed a strategic choices and management review in order to assess the potential impact of further reductions and plan for those continued reductions," the secretary said.
Hagel assured the senators that the Defense Department will continue to find new ways to operate more affordably, efficiently and effectively.
"However, as I've stated, continued cuts on the scale and timeline of sequestration will require significant reductions in core military capabilities and the scope of our activities around the world," he said.
Hard choices remain, the secretary said, and continued partnership with Congress is essential.
"In the past, many modest reforms to personnel and benefits, along with efforts to reduce infrastructure and restructure acquisition programs, were met with fierce political resistance and not implemented," Hagel said. "We are now in a different fiscal environment. New realities are forcing us to more fully confront these tough and painful choices, and to make the reforms necessary to put this department on a path to sustain our military strength for the 21st century and meet new and complicated threats."
Hagel Details Budget Request, Calls for More Base Closures
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 11, 2013 - Sequestration and the need for another base closure and realignment commission headlined Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee today.
Hagel and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, defended the president's request for $526.6 billion for the Defense Department's fiscal year 2014 budget and an additional $79.4 billion for overseas contingency operations.
"This budget enables the department to support troops still at war in Afghanistan, protect readiness, modernize the military's aging weapons inventory in keeping with the president's strategic guidance and sustain the high quality of the all-volunteer force," Hagel said. "This budget also continues the department's approach of the last couple of years of targeting growing costs in areas of support, overhead, acquisition and pay and benefits."
But the specter of sequestration hangs over this budget. DOD is absorbing $37 billion in fiscal 2013 spending cuts, which has necessitated furloughs of 700,000 civilian employees for up to 11 days.
DOD also has cut facilities maintenance, instituted hiring freezes, cut overhead and reduced important, but lower-priority, programs, the secretary told the senators, noting that the department has submitted a request to Congress to allow Pentagon officials to shift $9.6 billion in funding.
"We ask this subcommittee's assistance in providing rapid review and approval of this critical reprogramming request," Hagel said.
The spending cuts have forced the services to reduce training and maintenance of nondeployed operating forces, Hagel said.
"The Army has stopped rotations at its key combat training centers for all but deploying units, more than a dozen combat coded Air Force squadrons either already have or will soon stop flying and the Navy has curtailed deployments," the secretary said.
The fiscal 2014 budget request is based on $487 billion in spending reductions over 10 years mandated by the Budget Control Act of 2011 -- it does not include the effects of sequestration, Hagel told the panel, and if sequestration continues, it will mean a further $500 billion on top of the already agreed-to cuts.
"The president's [fiscal] 2014 budget replaces sequestration and gives the department the time and flexibility to plan and implement spending reductions wisely and responsibly," he said.
Under this request, Hagel added, DOD has identified $34 billion in new savings, including weapons program restructuring and terminations that achieve $8.2 billion in savings, slowdowns in military construction, and reductions in other programs.
The budget request's military compensation package "preserves DOD's world-class pay and benefits while putting our military on a more sustainable path for the future," Hagel said. "It includes changes to the TRICARE program to bring the beneficiary's cost share closer to the levels envisioned when the program was implemented."
Hagel called on the committee to support DOD's need to eliminate excess infrastructure. The budget request calls for one base realignment and closure round in 2015.
"BRAC is an imperfect process, and there are up-front costs, but in the long term, there are significant savings," the secretary said. He noted that previous BRAC rounds now save $12 billion a year.
"Although there are clearly opportunities to achieve significant savings by improving efficiency, consolidations and reducing overhead, the scale of the current spending reductions will also require cuts and changes to military operations," he said.
The budget request isn't all about cuts, Hagel noted. The defense strategic guidance issued in 2012 identified areas that must be increased. These include implementing the military rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region, maintaining America's nuclear stockpile, increasing cyber capabilities and sustaining the growth of special operations forces.
"Finally, this budget seeks to preserve a combat-ready force and sustain the high-quality all-volunteer force," he said.
The budget is the best effort to inject some certainty into the fiscal environment, Hagel told the Senate panel, noting that changes in top-line spending would require changes to the budget plan.
"Consequently, I directed a strategic choices and management review in order to assess the potential impact of further reductions and plan for those continued reductions," the secretary said.
Hagel assured the senators that the Defense Department will continue to find new ways to operate more affordably, efficiently and effectively.
"However, as I've stated, continued cuts on the scale and timeline of sequestration will require significant reductions in core military capabilities and the scope of our activities around the world," he said.
Hard choices remain, the secretary said, and continued partnership with Congress is essential.
"In the past, many modest reforms to personnel and benefits, along with efforts to reduce infrastructure and restructure acquisition programs, were met with fierce political resistance and not implemented," Hagel said. "We are now in a different fiscal environment. New realities are forcing us to more fully confront these tough and painful choices, and to make the reforms necessary to put this department on a path to sustain our military strength for the 21st century and meet new and complicated threats."
Friday, June 7, 2013
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE HAGEL DESCRIBES FUTURE MISSION IN AFGHANISTAN
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Hagel Describes Post-ISAF Afghanistan Mission
By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service
BRUSSELS, June 5, 2013 - The United States will be the largest single contributor to the follow-on NATO operation that will replace the International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan in 2015 and beyond, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said at NATO headquarters here today.
Hagel told reporters during a news conference that today's defense minister meetings brought some clarity to the "Resolute Support" operation NATO will launch to train, advise and assist Afghan forces after those forces have assumed full security responsibility by the end of 2014.
The secretary spent two days in meetings here with his fellow NATO defense ministers, with today's sessions centered on planning alliance support for post-2014 Afghanistan.
Hagel's news conference followed NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen's. Rasmussen told reporters Resolute Support will be a much smaller mission with five regional components: one each in Afghanistan's east, west, north and south, and the fifth in the Afghan capital of Kabul. Rasmussen explained the train, advise and assist mission will put trainers at the national level, such as the ministries of defense and interior, and at the corps level of Afghan army and police forces.
Hagel said the U.S. role will be as the overall framework nation, with geographic responsibility in the east and south, the areas of strongest insurgent resistance to the Afghan government.
"We appreciate the commitments other nations are making, including the announcements by Germany and Italy that they will serve as lead nations for the west and the north," the secretary said. "Turkey has also indicated they are favorably considering serving as the framework nation in Kabul."
Hagel said U.S. support will include "new, expert, professional assistance to the [Afghan] army in the area of contracting and fuel support, not just soldiers." He added, "We intend to be there for the long haul, and I made that commitment very clear today."
The secretary also discussed NATO nations' defense spending in an era when growing security challenges strongly signal the need to invest in new capabilities. Hagel said ministers discussed how to plan such investment in the face of widespread budget constraints among alliance members.
Hagel noted his own department is studying ways to cut spending, but added that he assured his counterparts that the United States is "not considering any reductions that will affect NATO's ability to fulfill its core tasks of collective defense, crisis management and cooperative security."
The U.S. commitment to NATO remains ironclad, the secretary said. "Still, overdependence on any one country for critical capabilities brings with it risks," he said. "And as European defense investment continues to decline, the alliance's dependence on the United States is growing."
Hagel said he told his fellow ministers that to justify U.S. investment in the alliance to the American people, "we must be able to demonstrate that our NATO partners are willing to ... share in this burden."
Turning to cyber, the secretary said yesterday's first NATO defense ministerial session devoted exclusively to cybersecurity sharpened ministers' awareness that failure to get ahead of the threat could lead to "loss of life or serious economic consequences."
Rasmussen noted yesterday that NATO will form rapid-response teams to counter cyberattacks on its own networks and, eventually, to aid allies who request assistance in the face of attacks on their systems.
Libya also was an agenda item this week, Hagel noted. Defense ministers agreed yesterday to respond to the Libyan government's request for training assistance, he added.
"We will develop a plan for how NATO can play a role in boosting the capacity of the Libyan government to secure its borders and counter terrorism," he said. "This effort will enhance security for the Libyan people, and it will help address a security challenge on Europe's southern flank."
Hagel said now is a defining time for the transatlantic alliance, noting that President Barack Obama and Rasmussen agreed during their meeting last week to hold a NATO summit in 2014.
"This summit will help keep the alliance on a path for the future, following the end of the combat mission in Afghanistan," he said. "I look forward to working to help defend our common interests."
Hagel Describes Post-ISAF Afghanistan Mission
By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service
BRUSSELS, June 5, 2013 - The United States will be the largest single contributor to the follow-on NATO operation that will replace the International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan in 2015 and beyond, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said at NATO headquarters here today.
Hagel told reporters during a news conference that today's defense minister meetings brought some clarity to the "Resolute Support" operation NATO will launch to train, advise and assist Afghan forces after those forces have assumed full security responsibility by the end of 2014.
The secretary spent two days in meetings here with his fellow NATO defense ministers, with today's sessions centered on planning alliance support for post-2014 Afghanistan.
Hagel's news conference followed NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen's. Rasmussen told reporters Resolute Support will be a much smaller mission with five regional components: one each in Afghanistan's east, west, north and south, and the fifth in the Afghan capital of Kabul. Rasmussen explained the train, advise and assist mission will put trainers at the national level, such as the ministries of defense and interior, and at the corps level of Afghan army and police forces.
Hagel said the U.S. role will be as the overall framework nation, with geographic responsibility in the east and south, the areas of strongest insurgent resistance to the Afghan government.
"We appreciate the commitments other nations are making, including the announcements by Germany and Italy that they will serve as lead nations for the west and the north," the secretary said. "Turkey has also indicated they are favorably considering serving as the framework nation in Kabul."
Hagel said U.S. support will include "new, expert, professional assistance to the [Afghan] army in the area of contracting and fuel support, not just soldiers." He added, "We intend to be there for the long haul, and I made that commitment very clear today."
The secretary also discussed NATO nations' defense spending in an era when growing security challenges strongly signal the need to invest in new capabilities. Hagel said ministers discussed how to plan such investment in the face of widespread budget constraints among alliance members.
Hagel noted his own department is studying ways to cut spending, but added that he assured his counterparts that the United States is "not considering any reductions that will affect NATO's ability to fulfill its core tasks of collective defense, crisis management and cooperative security."
The U.S. commitment to NATO remains ironclad, the secretary said. "Still, overdependence on any one country for critical capabilities brings with it risks," he said. "And as European defense investment continues to decline, the alliance's dependence on the United States is growing."
Hagel said he told his fellow ministers that to justify U.S. investment in the alliance to the American people, "we must be able to demonstrate that our NATO partners are willing to ... share in this burden."
Turning to cyber, the secretary said yesterday's first NATO defense ministerial session devoted exclusively to cybersecurity sharpened ministers' awareness that failure to get ahead of the threat could lead to "loss of life or serious economic consequences."
Rasmussen noted yesterday that NATO will form rapid-response teams to counter cyberattacks on its own networks and, eventually, to aid allies who request assistance in the face of attacks on their systems.
Libya also was an agenda item this week, Hagel noted. Defense ministers agreed yesterday to respond to the Libyan government's request for training assistance, he added.
"We will develop a plan for how NATO can play a role in boosting the capacity of the Libyan government to secure its borders and counter terrorism," he said. "This effort will enhance security for the Libyan people, and it will help address a security challenge on Europe's southern flank."
Hagel said now is a defining time for the transatlantic alliance, noting that President Barack Obama and Rasmussen agreed during their meeting last week to hold a NATO summit in 2014.
"This summit will help keep the alliance on a path for the future, following the end of the combat mission in Afghanistan," he said. "I look forward to working to help defend our common interests."
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