Category: Pentagon

COVID-19, DOD, Pentagon March 17, 2020April 27, 2020

One Day at a Time | Military, the Unexpected Heroes

Washington (GGM) Analysis | March 17, 2020
by Noreen Wise

The most important rule of thumb in a crisis, is one day at a time. Panic over the long term, when there are so many changing variables, leads to poor decision making in the short term, and then many regrets. This happens because we process the long term based on what we have in the present, and there’s a gap between what we have and what we need. We aren’t able to factor in what we’ll acquire along the way, as well as all the twists and turns we’ll make so we can reach our goals.

Further, there’s so much happening behind the scenes that we’re unaware of. The only thing we can master each day, is each line item on our task list.

make our beds
get dressed for work even though we’re staying home
try and keep same work schedule
same lunch time
same work habits
stay in home quarantine as requested
eat right
exercise
sleep right

The small things are the only things we have absolute control over. If we strive to perfect each one, and check each off our list once completed, we’ll feel empowered and stable, which will make us that much more confident about the long term.

Then one day, we’ll be startled by unexpected good news. Like today, the military announcing it will donate 5 million face masks. I learned this after stressing for two hours that I didn’t have a face mask but had to run to the store for a quick errand. I was resourceful and came up with an alternative, but still. At the time though, I had no idea that a team in the military was diligently working on this. Filled with frustration earlier in the day, I wasted so much of brain power on what should have been applied to work projects.

In fact, I’ve been amazed by how involved the military has been with COVID-19 challenges. Every day I learn of a new solution the military has delivered to the trenches in the nick of time. Our military leaders are revealing what clever strategists and long term thinkers they are. Unexpected heroes supporting thousands of front line troops, our medical professionals.

According to Defense One, the following is a list of what the United States military has provided in the way of COVID-19 support:

Military financed Canadian company Medicago has created covid-19 vaccine in record timing, and began human sample testing yesterday, March 16, 2020
More than 1,600 National Guard have been activated around the country to set up containment zones, and to build “Mash” style hospitals
Donated 5 million N95 face masks
Supplied 2,000 ventilators
USAF flew half million covid-19 test kits from Italy to Tennessee
And most importantly, decisive leadership, quickly moving into action to execute solutions

So, one day at a time, nailing all the small things, following the CDC guidelines, staying connected through social media, and taking the advice shared on all social media platforms.

We’ve got this. Believe it.

National Security, Pentagon, Russia, Trump April 6, 2019April 7, 2019

Is Border Wall A Cover For Russian Nuclear Subs In Gulf of Mexico?

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Opinion | April 6, 2019) – As Russian collusion fever starts to escalate again, following a week of aggressive “collusion delusion” posturing by Trump, the one piece of the puzzle we must remember to factor into the equation is Russia’s monitoring of, and reaction to, the Trump|Russia election interference collusion political firestorm.

Is Trump intentionally trying to provide Russia cover to sneak undetected into the Gulf of Mexico and test their new stealth weapon systems, while Trump distracts the American public, and our military, by demanding all eyes be locked onto the southern border? And that troops be sent there as well. Staggering number of families destroyed, billions of dollars spent, endless hours debating whether a physical wall is logical or relevant in protecting the southern border from what amounts to a vast majority of asylum seeking women, children and families seeking safety and protection.

Since the wall along the southern border seems so pathetic and irrational, one can’t help but wonder what Trump’s ulterior motives might be? Distraction. Russian systems testing. A classic magic trick. It’s time to ponder the possibility.

“‘NATO members are alarmed by the growing threat from Russian submarines, and are investing more resources to deal with it,’ and Jorge Benitez, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council who previously served as the lead on NATO issues for the Office of the Secretary of Defense. ‘Under Putin, Russia has deployed new, stealthier sumbmarines in the North Atlantic that are much harder for NATO navies to track.'” ~David B. Later, Defense News

Back in December 2018, there were a few weeks of twitter positings about the nuclear submarines that have been sneaking in and out of U.S. waters in the Gulf of Mexico for several decades.

And then just a few weeks ago, more posts about the new Russian stealth nuclear subs being tested out in the waters.

Perhaps there were several alarming issues that Mattis and Trump didn’t see eye to eye on, not just Syria. In fact, this nuclear threat is 1,000 times more alarming than the southern border. Why isn’t Trump concerned about this national security threat?

Russia and Cuba have been allies since 1959, but in early November 2018 Russia and Cuba agreed to strengthen ties in 2019. Havana, Cuba is 90 miles from Key West. Russia is also bolstering relationships with other despots in Central America.

Translation of Trump’s bizarre, dangerous, life-threatening policies often takes time and research. But now that this Gulf of Mexico/Russian sub scenario seems highly probable – and that when Trump rages about the southern border wall, Russia is likely maneuvering and testing in the Gulf of Mexico or vicinity – if we can begin to believe that this sequence of events might be accurate, it may help our military save time and money detecting our arch enemy. Perhaps Trump’s border wall tweets, and visits to the border states, can be used as an early detection warning for Russian testing off the U.S. coastline.

DOD, National Security, Pentagon, Trump January 6, 2019January 22, 2019

Critical Mass, Kevin Sweeney’s Resignation

The unexpected resignation of Rear Admiral Kevin Sweeney, USN (Ret.), Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense, just days after the Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan took the reigns at the Pentagon, makes an already alarming situation that much more so.

The following highly experienced, top level decision makers have left their coveted positions at the Pentagon in quick succession:

Secretary of Defense James Mattis | December 20, 2018
Special presidential envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Brett McGurk | December 22, 2018
Secretary of Defense Chief Of Staff Kevin Sweeney | January 5, 2019

Having an unqualified Acting Secretary of Defense is a significant liability. But in light of the reason why Mattis resigned, it makes sense that McGurk would follow suit. Bolton seems to be scrambling to fill the gaping holes by slowing down the Syrian withdrawal, but to now lose the chief of staff, who came out of retirement at Mattis’ request to be his chief of staff in January 2017, further destabilizes this seat of power.

According to CNN, the White House requested Sweeney resign. He was “forced out.”

In a statement posted on the DOD website, Sweeney stated: “After two years in the Pentagon, I’ve decided the time is right to return to the private sector. It has been an honor to serve again alongside the men and women of the Department of Defense.”

Trump has seven vital vacancies with acting secretaries currently in charge, most of whom are severely under qualified. Being the president of the United States of America is the most challenging position on earth even when all cabinet positions are filled with the most qualified candidates. When Trump had his army of a transition team, and they were busy finding candidates for each position, that was considered challenging even with all hand on deck. But now Trump has nearly as many openings as he did in January 2017, but no transition team and very few advisors. Additionally, Trump has already proven himself to be unqualified for his position as president.

How is this manageable?

Now factor in a government shutdown, an MIA Senate Majority Leader, and it should be abundantly clear that Trump is incapable of overseeing this all-consuming disaster.

There needs to be a bipartisan political SWAT Team that can step in during these types of critical emergencies and keep our ship afloat when we start taking in this much water. In a crisis, leaders just jump in and start directing. No invitation needed.