DOD Secretary Robert M. Gates and Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen, conducted a briefing today highlighting the Memorandum to senior civilian and military members of DOD, concerning the rules and recommendations for media engagement today (08 Jul 10). It was noted that the process concerning the memo for media engagement was occurring long before the Rolling Stone article that inevitably led to the resignation of Gen Stanley McChrystal, ISAF Commander, Afghanistan. It is ironic that the memo was on the heels of the Gen McChrystal debacle, yet Secretary Gates did note in the briefing today and in the memo of the two high-level commanders that he’s lost over the last two years to “media related” issues.
The above video is the briefing from today with questions from the press in the Pentagon press room. At about 1025, up to 1320, a single reporter asked approximately three questions—she interpreted the memo from Secretary Gates as an interruption of First Amendement Rights of military members. Admiral Mullen answered the question in length and of which, “military members follow certain guidelines.” Folks that have never served their country will never fully understand the many policies, rules, and regulations that a military member follows and the reporter that asked the Secretary and Chairman the question is a perfect example of that. Since the Secretary and Chairman have to remain political in answering questions, I’ll answer her question. Military members follow rules/regulations that are more strict than civilian law(s). There is a saying when you join the military, “you don’t have rights, you belong to me, you belong to the government.” Every military unit/base has a public affairs office—“they’ll answer your question.”
At 1720, Secretary Gates draws a comparison of a Captain with a reporter embedded in the field versus a Captain working on budgets for the DOD—I think you’ll find that a bit funny just as well the reporters did. Admiral Mullen makes this clear, “But military and civilian personnel need to follow certain guidelines when they interact with members of the media. Mullen said. “[The memo] is to actually, in great part, emphasize guidance that has been out there for an extensive period of time, but we’ve just walked away from,” he said.” In another briefing followed below, Lt. Gen David Rodriquez was asked from who I believe is the same reporter concerning “rights” of military members. Gen Rodriguez stated, “the memo from Secretary Gates is only reaffirmation and reinforces the policies, and makes clear what our personnel are to accomplish when engaging with the media, that they are to speak on what they have expertise in.”
The memo, not released to the public as of yet, is viewed by most media outlets as Secretary Gates “tightening the rules” on media engagement. I don’t view it as a “tightening” of the rules—I view the memo as a method of reaffirming and/or reminding those working for DOD that they follow a different set of rules and the rules have been in place for a long time. I applaud the Secretary and Chairman for broaching this subject with the public and those serving. People are people and people have opinions, regardless if you’re in uniform or not. On the other hand, those serving in uniform know when to share those opinions, either when they get out of the military or never.
Source Story: Pentagon News Report, 08 Jul10; Pentagon News Report, 06 Jul 10
Photo Source: Pentagon
Thank you for this article. That's almost all I'm able to declare. A person almost certainly are making this web site in to something special. An individual plainly know what you do, you've got covered so many angles.Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSell Runescape Gold