Inside the DoD

On February 27, during a ceremony at the Pentagon, former Senator Chuck Hagel was sworn in as the 24th Secretary of Defense, replacing Leon Panetta.

Hagel was confirmed a day earlier by the Senate after weeks of debate. Visit the Defense.gov special here: http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2013/0213_hagel-welcome/

By the end of 2013, the Department of Defense will have to cut $47 billion from it's fiscal year 2013 budget, due to sequestration. The impact of the

cuts began earlier this year with the anticipation of sequester causing the services to make changes. Fortunately, service members pay WILL NOT be affected. For more news on the sequestration visit: http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2013/0213_sequestration/

As the Department of Defense looks to the future of Social Media and new formats, "Inside the DoD" will be on a temporary hiatus. For our loyal listeners, fear not, we shall return.

We'd also like to know what types of videos you'd like to see more of. We produce videos for you and your input to our process is valuable, so let us know how we are doing by writing newmedia [at] dma.mil or by dropping us a line on Facebook or Twitter. facebook.com/dodlive and @DoDLiveMil

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced a new medal on Feb. 13, the Distinguished Warfare Medal. The new medal will be awarded to service members directly affecting combat operations who may not be who may not be geographically collocated. For more on this story: http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=119290

Former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Clint Romesha was presented the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama for his actions during a battle in Afghanistan in October 2009. Romesha was also honored a day later when he was inducted into the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes by Panetta. He spoke at the Pentagon and had this to say: "Four hundred Taliban versus 53 American soldiers: it just doesn't seem fair ... for the Taliban." To learn more about this story: http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=119277

The month of February is recognized by the United States as African-American History Month. Today, nearly 18 percent of the all-volunteer military are African-American, and nine percent of officers. Brig. Gen. Stephen Twitty, deputy chief of staff communication, International Security Assistance Force, United States Forces - Afghanistan, and Clarence Johnson, director,

Diversity Management and Equal Employment Opportunity, share their thoughts on what the month means to them. To see the full special: http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2013/0213_aahm/

President Obama addressed reporters during a press conference about looming sequestration, which could be triggered March 1, if Congress fails to agree on a budget by then. Additionally, Under Secretary Of Defense (Comptroller) and Chief Financial Officer Robert Hale discussed what the Department of Defense plans are in the event of a furlough. Military service members are not subject to furlough. Their pay and monetary benefits will continue even if sequestration is triggered. For comprehensive coverage on sequestration: http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2013/0213_sequestration/

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey announced the end of the direct ground combat exclusion rule for female members of the military, which will open about 237,000 positions to women. This change has been hotly debated since its announcement, but photos of women currently serving and Secretary Panetta's words "There are no guarantees of success. Not everyone can be a combat soldier, but everyone is entitled to a chance," evince the

evolving landscape of our country's armed forces. Read more about this story here: http://www.defense.gov/News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=119098

George Little, Pentagon Press Secretary, provided an update on United States role in

supporting French operations in Mali during a press event at the Pentagon. Troops there

are continuing to back French air operations to thwart the AQIM threat in the region.

http://www.defense.gov/News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=119077

Former Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel appeared before the Senate Armed Services

Committee recently where he spoke and provided testimony about his policies should

he be sworn in as the next Defense Secretary. Hagel will be the 24th Defense Secretary if confirmed and vows to make U.S. policy "worthy of our troops and their families and the sacrifices we ask them to make. http://www.defense.gov/News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=119152

On Dec. 18, after years of planning and training, a group of 16 specialized

surgeons performed an extremely rare surgery on U.S. Army Spc. Brendan Marrocco.

What kind of surgery? Watch or listen to the podcast to find out, either way you'll be

amazed. http://www.army.mil/article/95523/Double_arm_transplant_helps_Soldier_who_lost_limbs_in_Iraq/

Media for Spc. Marrocco's story provided by Johns Hopkins Medicine: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/johns_hopkins_medicine_press_briefing_on_double_arm_transplant_featuring_the_patient_and_his_surgeons

President of the United States Barack Obama was sworn into office for his

second term as President and Commander in Chief on Monday, Jan. 21. Obama, the 44th President, took the opportunity at his swearing in and later on at his Inaugural Ball to thank service members for their sacrifice. His appearance at the Commander in Chief's Inaugural Ball was marked by current service members, Gold Star Families, Tuskegee Airmen and wounded warriors that enjoyed incredible musical performances and a five foot tall cake, baked my

Duff Goldman of "Ace of Cakes."

See more about the DoD's support of the inauguration here: http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2013/0113_inauguration/

In response to ongoing violence in neighboring Syria, the U.S. has deployed

two Patriot Missile Batteries to Turkey as a larger group of NATO forces. Joining the U.S. service members will be missile defenders from Germany and The

Netherlands. Read more about it here: http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=118797

January is National Blood Donor Month and the Department of Defense is working to raise awareness about the Armed Services Blood Program. Air Force Col. Richard McBride, director of the Armed Services Blood Program was interviewed by the Pentagon Channel about the differences between civilian and military blood programs, and how you can donate. This mission is one which we should all promote or take part in. The blood stays in the military blood system and heads out to military

hospitals around the world and to our brothers and sisters on the front

lines. Find out how and where to donate here: http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta visited troops and International Security

Assistance Force Allies throughout Europe in what is likely be his last trip

abroad as the Secretary of Defense. While on travel, he continued to build relationships

with our allies and took some time to impress future recruits. See more from his trip here: http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2013/0113_panetta1/

Commander in Chief, Barack Obama signed a $633 billion defense

spending bill into law, which he said will provide support for service

members and their families, and help ensure the United States will continue

to have one of the strongest militaries in the world. Read about the defense spending bill here: http://www.defense.gov/News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=118913

On Jan. 7, President Obama announced former U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel and John Brennan as his nominations for the next Defense

Secretary and the next C.I.A. Director respectively. Both men will have to be confirmed by Congress. Read about the nominations here: http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=118930

Tax season is upon us and for service members, that can make for a large

headache. Fortunately, MilitaryOneSource is offering free tax preparation for service members. For more info visit www.militaryonesource.mil

Finally we invite you to visit our blog www.dodlive.mil to take a look at "Afghanistan: 2012 a Year in Review" from NATO TV highlighting some of the key events and social progress made in Afghanistan during 2012.

For the past several weeks, more than 10,000 Marines have been displaying

their amphibious assault capabilities and sharpening their other skill sets

during Exercise Steel Knight, in Camp Pendleton, Calif. The Marines are

using this exercise as they transition from fighting in Afghanistan back to

the essential roles of the Marine Corps. To see Maj. Gen. Bailey's full interview follow the link: http://www.pentagonchannel.mil/Video.aspx?videoid=193018

In the wake of Typhoon Pablo, which struck the Philippines on December 4,

the Department of Defense has been providing humanitarian support.

Personnel and aircraft with III Marine Expeditionary Force have been

transporting supplies from Marine Corps Station Futenma in Okinawa to

affected areas in the Philippines, including Manila to Davao International

Airport in Mindanao, the region most affected by the typhoon. See the Defense.gov story here: http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=118794

Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta was traveling the past few weeks, with

stops in Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Turkey. While in Kuwait, and then also in

Afghanistan, Secretary Panetta spent time with troops and thanked them for

their service and sacrifice. Panetta also met with ISAF Commander, Gen. John

Allen, and Afghan President Hamid Karzai. While on his way to Turkey to meet

with top officials, Panetta signed an order that will deploy 400 U.S.

personnel to Turkey to support the deployment that NATO agreed to recently

of Patriot missile capability there. See more media about Secretary Panetta's travels here: http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2012/1212_panetta1/

Finally, a few holiday greetings from President Barack Obama, his wife

Michelle, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin Dempsey,

his wife Deannie and their grandsons. Check out our playlist with more DoD leadership holiday messages here: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXW_E5mHof0E-I_Gnw9N4t-pj6ljTYCX2

Another year is upon us and that means another Army-Navy Football game. The Army has lost the last 10 years...in a row. Is this the year they break the streak AND capture the Commander in Chief's trophy while taking care of that goat?

http://armynavygame.com/

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta traveled last week to the Asia Pacific Region, making stops in Australia, Thailand, and Cambodia. The Secretary, along with Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, met with their Australian counterparts for the 2012 Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations where a number of agreements were reached that will lead to further cooperation between the two countries military forces.

Additionally, Secretary Panetta met with defense ministers from 10 countries that are apart of the Association of Southwest Asian Nations in Cambodia where it was agreed the U.S. will participate in three Southeast Asian military exercises next year.

For more from Secretary Panetta's travels visit: http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2012/1112_panetta1/

With November being Military Family Month, the DoD recognizes the commitment and contributions from military family members and some DoD officials are finding some unique ways to express their gratitude.

To learn more about the Military Spouse Employment Partnership go to: https://msepjobs.militaryonesource.mil/video/military-spouse-employment-partnership

Visit the new Military One Source website for more on Military Family month:

http://www.militaryonesource.mil/

The holiday season is now officially among us, and in order to help as many families have an unforgettable Christmas, the Marines have kicked off their annual "Toys for Tots" program. For more information on the Toys for Tots foundation, or how you can help check them out on the web at www.toysfortots.org

More than 3,500 troops are in Israel right now to participate in Austere Challenge 2012, the largest U.S.-Israeli exercise to date. The command post exercise began in

October and will continue through November in an effort to build on the long-standing relationship between the two countries. Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited Israel during the exercise and also met with officials there. For more on Austere Challenge check out this report:

http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=118239

Military financial readiness is getting attention at the highest levels of government because of partnerships forged to enhance the financial fitness and long term stability of military families. A new partnership formed by Secretary of Defense Leon

Panetta and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's Holly Petraeus, aims to protect military families from being the target of unscrupulous financial practices for military members with student loan debt. CFPB and the DoD also aim to provide education

resources and help to those currently having trouble managing student loans.

For more about the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (http://www.consumerfinance.gov/) visit their Facebook and Twitter pages here:

https://twitter.com/cfpbmilitary

https://www.facebook.com/CFPBMilitary

Another partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs, which began in 1944 marked a huge milestone in the driveway of a new home. The 20 millionth home loan was signed in the driveway of two new homeowners, the spouse of an Iraq war veteran and her small son. The VA home loan program guarantees home loans for veterans that have served honorably in the DoD.

To learn about the VA's home loan program, go to:

http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/

Hurricane Sandy swept through the Northeast last week, causing damage and leaving behind a path of devastation. That path is now marked by the efforts of sailors, Marines, airmen and soldiers that rushed to aid those affected. At least 24 states felt the wrath of the super-storm, with widespread flooding, structural damages and power outages. Now, the Department of Defense is focusing it's efforts on support. If you need assistance as a result of Hurricane Sandy, visit www.fema.gov

On Oct. 13, the U.S. Navy celebrated its 237th Birthday, a day that wasn't

officially recognized until 1972. In addition, this year also marks some of

the most decisive Navy battles fought and won, including the 70th

Anniversary of Guadalcanal, and the 50th Anniversary of the Cuban Missile

Crisis. For more on the Navy's Warfighting Team visit: http://www.navy.mil/features/index.asp?f=4

Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta announced leadership changes for NATO and

the International Security Assistance Force during the NATO Defense

Ministerial in Brussels, Germany. Gen. John Allen, Commanding General for

ISAF, was nominated by President Barack Obama as Commander, U.S. European

Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe while Gen. Joseph

Dunford will be replacing Gen. Allen as Commanding General for ISAF. Read about the changes here: http://www.defense.gov//News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=118153

October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Kathy Robertson,

manager of the Department of Defense Family Advocacy Program, says this

month is dedicated to raising awareness for those who need help. If you know

someone who is in need of help, contact your local Family Advocacy Program

office, call the national domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE

(7233) or visit the website: www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil

If you are stationed outside the United States go to:

www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil