Coast Guard Overlooked One of Only Three Black Captains for Academy Admissions Director – Coast Guard Remains a White Mans Service

From Friends of Webster.com

Bill Would Require Nominations at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy

Bill OK’d to Boost Number of Blacks at Coast Guard School

Diversity is coming to the Coast Guard Academy and Congress will now determine who shows up on indoctrination day. I suppose Congress was tired of excuses and failed initiatives. People have left vitriolic comments on several forums and questioned the direction of the Coast Guard Academy. Some comments have insenuated that there was not a problem with 2.5% African-American enrollment, even though Annapolis, West Point, Air Force have matriculated a far greater percentage of black officers.

When the Associated Press contacted Wilmer Hale, LLP and me, asking for my opinion on the Coast Guard Academy diversity issue, I chose to decline. I recommended that they contact Captain Roderick Walker, my father or Edward Richards. Captain Walker is one of the three black 0-6’s in the Coast Guard; he was denied the Admissions Director position at the Coast Guard Academy.  With the recruiting problems that the Coast Guard Academy has, Captain Walker would have been perfect for the role.  He knows what it takes to graduate from the Academy and he overcame much adversity to do so. He would have opened the doors to potential cadets that instead, choose the D.O.D. academies and Ivy League institutions.

Like the change that we see in Washington, this will surely become a vitriolic topic of discussion at and around the New England College (see 10/24 comment on sidebar).  Then again, I don’t see why Congress voted to intervene in the first place. I mean, there is a black regimental commander. Over four years ago, the MOST QUALIFIED cadet at the academy had to scratch and claw her way to a conditional appointment and then wait a year at the New Mexico Military Institute before being considered as intellectually competent as her classmates. Preparatory schools like New Mexico Military Institute prepares individuals who would have difficulty graduating without that year of preparation. Who would have known that the CGA minority recruiting program would transform one of the least prepared applicants to the class of 2009 into the most qualified cadet in the class of 2010. Perhaps more qualified black cadets would accept appointments if they didnt always have to spend a year in Roswell, New Mexico prior to commencing four years of CGA training and education.  I’d be willing to bet that Congress will find them; next year’s retention rates will reflect their success.

Learn More About The U.S. Army at Fort Hood, Texas

Like the State of Texas, Fort Hood is big and boasts of being the largest active duty armored post in the United States Armed Services. Fort Hood is nicknamed The Great Place because of the quality of life the post and area offer Soldiers and their families. These qualities are important, especially with home-basing initiatives, frequent deployments and family stability and support.

Soldiers assigned to Fort Hood can expect to have one of the highest quality of life standards in the Army. New housing, quality medical care, thriving communities, recreation and schools combine to ensure that Fort Hood is The Great Place.

Fort Hood covers a total of 340-square miles and supports multiple units, a corps headquarters and a robust mobilization mission. Fort Hood also meets the training and support requirements for many smaller units and organizations, thus maintaining a vital defense force for the United States of America.

Fort Hood rests in the beautiful ‘hill and lake’ country of Central Texas between Killeen and Copperas Cove and is approximately 60 miles north of the capital city of Austin, 50 miles south of Waco, 160 miles south of Dallas, and 150 miles north of San Antonio.

For everyone who enjoys the outdoors, The Great Place is the ideal location, because of warm winters and hot summers. The nearby lakes, Belton and Stillhouse, offer year round outdoor recreation activities.

Fort Hood also captures the attention of the entertainment industry and is the frequent host of celebrities, entertainers and theatrical shows from national dance teams. There are also many opportunities to enjoy the Central Texas atmosphere at Fort Hood, as local talent is frequently performing at Fort Hood clubs.

With all the current deployments, be sure to make the most of available down time at Fort Hood. The Fort Hood experience is only limited by the individual. So, make the most of the time here!

Fort Hood shooting: Suspected gunman not among fatalities — latimes.com

Fort Hood shooting: Suspected gunman not among fatalities — latimes.com

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President Orders American Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Fort Hood Victims

By John J. Kruzel, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (Nov. 6, 2009) — President Barack Obama has ordered American flags to be flown at half-staff until Veterans Day in honor of the victims of yesterday’s shooting at Fort Hood, Texas.

Twelve Soldiers and a civilian were killed and 30 others were wounded when Maj. Nidal Malik Hassan allegedly opened fire on the base in what the president described yesterday as a “horrific outburst of violence.”

From now until the Nov. 11 Veterans Day observance, flags will fly at half-staff at the White House and other federal buildings.

Army Major Declared Sole Suspect in Fort Hood Shooting

A first responder to a lone gunman's attack at Fort Hood, Texas, Nov. 5, 2009, renders honors at retreat after aiding his fellow Soldiers.

By Lisa Daniel, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (Nov. 5, 2009) — U.S. Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan is believed to be the lone shooter of some 43 people on Fort Hood, Texas, and he survived being shot by a civilian police officer, the base commander said.

In a televised press briefing tonight, Army Lt Gen. Robert Cone corrected earlier reports that said Hasan and the police officer, who shot him several times, were killed. Rather, he said, both are recovering at a nearby hospital.

All but two of the victims are Soldiers, Cone said.

Cone confirmed the identity of Hasan, reportedly a psychiatrist on the base who was scheduled soon to deploy, but would not say more about the suspect. Hasan has been in the company of a Criminal Investigative Division officer since the midday shooting, he said.

Somali Pirates: Two Ship Fight Off Attacks

From EagleSpeak

In the afternoon of November 2nd some 360 nautical miles east of Mombasa, Kenya, pirates attempted to hijack MV Harriette and MV Jo Cedar.

MV Harriette, a US flagged Cargo vessel was attacked by two small skiffs. The pirates opened fire with automatic weapons. Rocket Propelled grenades were also seen by the crew of the Harriette. The pirates tried to get onboard the vessel with a ladder but the master of Harriette made evasive maneuvers and succeeded in keeping the pirates off his ships. Nobody was reported injured on board.

Read more at EagleSpeak

Reader Suggests Coast Guard Own Up – Man Up

Our post “Coast Guard Academy Superintendent Exemplifies Leadership – Sets Example for Cadets and Peers” illustrates how one of our post caught the attention of Rear Admiral J. Scott Burhoe, Superintendent at the Coast Guard Academy.  He came to a quick defense in support of his Admissions Director.  Burhoe’s  comment on that post broke a long-standing policy of Flag Officers posting anonymously on this site.  Admiral Burhoe has out utmost respect and admiration for being a man of Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty.

But what caught our attention today was the comment below by reader “gibbley.”  Gibbley makes some observations worth exploring.

Sigh. Not sure how you could read ‘the job was to[o] complex for Bibeau’ into that.

It seems to me he is saying ‘it takes someone with a special perspective and set of characteristics / skill sets to pull this off, it’s not for everyone.’

I don’t know Capt Bibeau, but I do know that the organization rarely leaves someone in a position past the first term if they aren’t serving the position positively in some capacity. I’d be hard pressed to judge people I didn’t know, particularly if I hadn’t done the job. And if you don’t know ADM Burhoe – he’s among the finest I’ve met in the commissioned corps.

I’m a bit concerned as an observer that we may be hunting for causes of problems in the wrong place. Did anyone consider that the problem might not be tactics or strategy? Maybe the ‘problem’ of diversity isn’t really anything we can, or should, force greater numbers on to balance the ratio? I’m all for giving everyone an equal shot at the opportunity to serve in the service – hell, bring on the best. But I’m not for thumbing my nose at, or judging the performance of, folks that are doing what they can in a national cultural environment that may just not be interested in serving in the world’s finest sea going service.

To many… to most in this service color isn’t an issue. There’s too much negativity without paying much mind to some of the more positive realities. Does anyone else see the good in the service where unity is concerned? Regardless of race / creed / sex, or even sexual orientation in some cases. A brother is a brother. A sister is a sister. To most that serve(d) – we’re family, regardless of what we look like or where we came from.

Perhaps the biggest problem isn’t the cultural or skin color differences. We have greater issues with cultural toxicity and us vs. them mentality to address that aren’t race related. Yeah, I’m referring to the attitudes conveyed in many of the comments on the site. Focus on what’s wrong. Sometimes that involves taking a hard look in the mirror. Own up. Man up.

White House Executive Order on Tribal Consultation

MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

The United States has a unique legal and political relationship with Indian tribal governments, established through and confirmed by the Constitution of the United States, treaties, statutes, executive orders, and judicial decisions. In recognition of that special relationship, pursuant to Executive Order 13175 of November 6, 2000, executive departments and agencies (agencies) are charged with engaging in regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration with tribal officials in the development of Federal policies that have tribal implications, and are responsible for strengthening the government-to-government relationship between the United States and Indian tribes.

Former Military Officer Sentenced to 97 Months in Prison for Participating in Scheme to Steal Fuel From U.S. Army in Iraq

Former U.S. Army Captain Received Approximately $1 Million in Illegal Profits

WASHINGTON–Robert Young, 57, a former captain in the U.S. Army, was sentenced today to 97 months in prison for his participation in a scheme to steal approximately 10 million gallons of fuel from the U.S. Army in Iraq, announced Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division Lanny A. Breuer and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Neil H. MacBride.

Read more about Youngs scheme gone bad here.

Better Logistics Planning Needed to Aid Operational Decisions Related to the Deployment of the National Security Cutter and Its Support Assets

GAO-09-497 July 17, 2009

Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 58 pages)   Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

Summary

As part of its more than $24 billion Deepwater program to replace aging vessels and aircraft with new or upgraded assets, the Coast Guard is preparing the National Security Cutter (NSC) for service. GAO previously reported on Deepwater assets’ deployment delays and the Coast Guard’s management of the Deepwater program. GAO was legislatively directed to continue its oversight of the Deepwater program. As a result, this report addresses: (1) the operational effects, if any, of delays in the delivery of the NSC and its support assets of unmanned aircraft and small boats; (2) Coast Guard plans for mitigating any operational effects and any associated costs of these plans; and (3) the extent to which the Coast Guard has plans, to include cost estimates, for phasing in logistics support of the NSC while phasing out support for the High Endurance Cutter (HEC) it is replacing. GAO’s work is based on analyses of the (1) operational capabilities and maintenance plans of the NSC and its support assets and (2) data on the HECs’ condition; comparison of an NSC and HEC; and, interviews with Coast Guard officials.