-Caveat Lector- <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/"> </A> -Cui Bono?- WJPBR Email News List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peace at any cost is a prelude to war! 000164. Commentary: No shortchanging defense by William S. Cohen Secretary of Defense WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- President Clinton shortly will send to Congress a defense budget that sustains United States leadership throughout the world. It provides men and women in uniform the resources they need to remain the world's preeminent military force. Most important, it supports our people and the quality of life that our military members and their families deserve. This budget continues the administration's commitment for the first real defense increase in over a decade, maintaining current readiness. It also meets the Joint Chiefs' goal of $60 billion for modernization of major weapon systems and preserving our unparalleled technological superiority in the future. And it supports our troops with higher pay, improved housing and other quality-of-life initiatives that enable us to retain the highly qualified men and women who are the core of our military capability. H. L. Mencken observed that cynics are those who, when they smell flowers, look for a coffin. While not all in America's military can be said to be coming up roses, the spate of recent commentaries that our armed forces are broken, debilitated or demoralized fails to comport with reality. Consider any recent operation the military has conducted around the world and the results are similar to those achieved in Kosovo, where we demonstrated that we have the most precise, most lethal, most versatile, best equipped and best trained forces on Earth. Some charge that peacekeeping deployments are depleting military morale. Admittedly, troops can't train for a major theater war responsibility while deployed in Bosnia or Kosovo. But they gain valuable experience and leadership skills when deployed there, and quickly shift their training focus once back at home station. If improved retention rates for these deployed units are an indicator, morale actually goes up when the troops see that they can make a difference in places such as Tuzla and Urosevac. Because of the increased pace of these operations, the Defense Department watches readiness indicators, operational tempo and the impact on our people very closely. We are using reserve forces to take the burden off our first-to-fight units. We have increased funding for maintenance and spare parts, and we are changing the way we operate. The Air Force has become an expeditionary force, giving its airmen and their families greater deployment predictability. The Navy is embracing new ship designs that will mean fewer sailors at sea at any one time. The Army is transforming itself into a lighter, more mobile force to deal with new threats. The Marine Corps has developed new capabilities to fight in an urban environment, not just on remote shores. Several journalists and academicians point to a cultural divide between the military and the larger American society. Clearly, we demand higher standards from those who wear the uniform than we do of civilians. This is not a negative factor but a positive one that Americans continue to value. The military remains the most respected institution in our society. The American people recognize that our prosperity at home rests in part on the foundation of stability that our forces help maintain abroad, in areas such as Korea, the Balkans and the Persian Gulf. We ask much of our men and women in uniform. They are on call 24 hours a day and understand they will be regularly deployed, relocated and restricted in their lifestyle because of the unique demands of military life. They are prepared to lead troops into deadly conflict. They are trained to use lethal, cutting-edge technology. They can also be called upon to manage complex battlefields that include combatants and civilians, using the skills of both warrior and diplomat, as they are today in Bosnia and Kosovo. The long economic boom makes it challenging to recruit enough qualified soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines to fill our ranks. We are competing with colleges and civilian industry for America's best and brightest. We are looking for more effective ways to recruit young men and women to serve in the military and we need America's help to be successful. We can't pay them enough for what they do, but we are paying, and will continue to pay, them more and provide them an improved quality of life. We will continue to devote the resources that we need to ensure that we remain the best trained, best equipped, best led and most respected military in the future; one that is fully capable of defending our national interests worldwide. (Courtesy of American Forces Press Service) 000159. Voting info available via Internet by Army Staff Sgt. Kathleen T. Rhem American Forces Information Service WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- You can tell it's an election year, because there's a nonstop media barrage telling which candidates are saying what where. But where do uniformed members find clear-cut information on how to vote in their home districts? Well, look no further than the Federal Voting Assistance Program Web site, http://www.fvap.ncr.gov. Program officials have created the "one-stop shop" for the roughly six million potential voters covered under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986. The FVAP is responsible for informing and educating all U.S. citizens worldwide of their right to vote, fostering voter participation and protecting the integrity of the electoral process at the federal, state and local levels. To military members, civilian employees and their families stationed oversees, the different voting rules at federal, state and local levels may be as confusing as a maze. Perhaps the most important thing for them to know about absentee voting is how and why to fill out the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot, Standard Form 186. When a Web site visitor clicks on "Learn About Absentee Voting," several links will lead to different information about the postcard-sized form, which isn't available online. Individuals are advised to see their unit voting assistance officer. The site gives guidelines for determining or establishing a legal residence. Some service members mistakenly believe they may claim any state as their legal residence or that their home of record is automatically their legal residence. Actually, they must meet certain requirements. For instance, a person must have a physical presence in a state and have intent to remain or return. Also, spouses can't just assume their sponsor's legal residence; they must meet the same requirements in their own right. Residency and other rules are spelled out by clicking on "Learn About Absentee Voting" and then on "Voting Residence for UOCAVA Citizens." Other helpful features on the site include links to state election sites, a handy chart listing the dates of all state primary elections, and answers to frequently asked questions. There is also a link to a U.S. House of Representatives page that lets visitors search for their representative by state and ZIP code. The site further helps unit voting assistance officers by providing information on training, and allowing them to download pamphlets and flyers about the Federal Voting Assistance Program. 000159. Voting info available via Internet by Army Staff Sgt. Kathleen T. Rhem American Forces Information Service WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- You can tell it's an election year, because there's a nonstop media barrage telling which candidates are saying what where. But where do uniformed members find clear-cut information on how to vote in their home districts? Well, look no further than the Federal Voting Assistance Program Web site, http://www.fvap.ncr.gov. Program officials have created the "one-stop shop" for the roughly six million potential voters covered under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986. The FVAP is responsible for informing and educating all U.S. citizens worldwide of their right to vote, fostering voter participation and protecting the integrity of the electoral process at the federal, state and local levels. To military members, civilian employees and their families stationed oversees, the different voting rules at federal, state and local levels may be as confusing as a maze. Perhaps the most important thing for them to know about absentee voting is how and why to fill out the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot, Standard Form 186. When a Web site visitor clicks on "Learn About Absentee Voting," several links will lead to different information about the postcard-sized form, which isn't available online. Individuals are advised to see their unit voting assistance officer. The site gives guidelines for determining or establishing a legal residence. Some service members mistakenly believe they may claim any state as their legal residence or that their home of record is automatically their legal residence. Actually, they must meet certain requirements. For instance, a person must have a physical presence in a state and have intent to remain or return. Also, spouses can't just assume their sponsor's legal residence; they must meet the same requirements in their own right. Residency and other rules are spelled out by clicking on "Learn About Absentee Voting" and then on "Voting Residence for UOCAVA Citizens." Other helpful features on the site include links to state election sites, a handy chart listing the dates of all state primary elections, and answers to frequently asked questions. There is also a link to a U.S. House of Representatives page that lets visitors search for their representative by state and ZIP code. The site further helps unit voting assistance officers by providing information on training, and allowing them to download pamphlets and flyers about the Federal Voting Assistance Program. 000161. Aviano member injured in parcel detonation AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy (AFPN) -- A sergeant here suffered minor injuries Feb. 3, when a parcel he received through the American military postal system detonated upon opening. The incident occurred about noon Central European Time. The package was addressed to the sergeant from a U.S. address. Air Force doctors treated him for minor cuts and burns and released him. All American military postal operations here were suspended after the incident for security sweeps, with normal postal operations expected to resume Feb. 4. Initial reports indicate the incident appears to be a private matter. It is under criminal investigation by the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations in cooperation with Italian authorities. (Courtesy of U.S. Air Forces in Europe News Service) 000166. Early ambition leads to prestigious award by Master Sgt. Cathy Landroche 16th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFPN) -- As a teen, his parents encouraged him to begin searching for a career. So, after a visit to her local eye doctor, his mother suggested optometry. Following her lead, he visited the man. He spent the day "observing and probably irritating the heck out of the doctor" with questions about the "instrumentation and gadgetry." The fascination was too much to resist and his future as an optometrist was set. Now, 36 years later, Lt. Col. (Dr.) Michael Chyrek will be honored as the 1999 Armed Forces Optometric Society's Federal Service Optometrist of the Year. He receives the award at the Southern Educational Congress of Optometry's convention Feb. 28 in Atlanta. The winner of this prestigious award is selected from candidates throughout the Air Force, Army, Navy, Veteran's Administration and U.S. Public Health Service. The award is based on achievements throughout an individual's entire career. The doctor, who wears a variety of hats at Hurlburt Field, is first and foremost, the 16th Medical Group's chief, optometry services and Aerospace Medicine deputy flight commander. He also serves as the major command Biomedical Sciences Corps executive for Air Force Special Operations Command, and is the AFSOC consultant for optometry. "The award was a shock," he said. "Very highly respected optometrists have been selected in the past and it's an honor to be considered amongst them in the same category," he said. The Maryland native's journey into eye care began in 1973, when he was accepted to the Southern College of Optometry with a state-sponsored seat through the University of Maryland. His career really took off, however, when as a charter member of the Students Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity organization, he organized and participated in a 1976 humanitarian mission to remote areas of Costa Rica, caring for 5,500 people. Dr. Chyrek describes the trip as "one of the most rewarding experiences in my career." While there he met a woman in her mid-70s whose sight was so blurred, she'd never even seen her grandchildren's faces. "In fact, she hadn't seen anything clearly for 20 years -- everyone just assumed she couldn't see at all," he said. "When we corrected her vision -- and the lenses were as thick as Coke bottles -- it was a very emotional time for everyone involved. The tears just streamed down her face as she thanked us," he said, adding even after all these years, it still affects him. Dr. Chyrek entered the Air Force in 1976 after being commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Medical Services Corps. The next year, he was awarded a doctor of optometry degree and promoted to first lieutenant in the Biomedical Sciences Corps. At his first duty station -- Duluth International Airport, Minn., he served as chief of optometry. After gaining flight experience in the T-33 Shooting Star, he developed an interest in aerospace vision, which carries over to this day. He got out of the Air Force in 1981, accepting a position as a civilian clinical associate with a group practice in Baltimore. When he joined the Air National Guard in 1986, he became the first-ever optometrist in the 175th Maryland ANG. He established and directed the evolution of the Aerospace Optometry Service. As a member of the ANG, he volunteered for and deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in January 1991. The doctor returned to active duty in 1992, and was assigned to Griffiss Air Force Base, NY. While there he developed an interest in night vision goggles based on complaints from B-52 pilots who were having trouble seeing. This led him to establish an operational night vision research program involving B-52 pilots using NVGs for low-level missions. He presented original research to the Aerospace Medical Association's annual meeting in May 1994, concerning NVGs and vision acuity. He was appointed to the association's Scientific Program committee in 1994, and served as chairman for the Neuro-Physiology Vision panel in 1995. He came to Hurlburt Field in 1995 as director, aerospace vision service, medical operations squadron. He established a multifaceted optometric program for AFSOC, including night vision programs in direct support of 11 squadrons, as well as conducting operational vision research on flight safety and performance. Exceptional performance led to his appointment as Aerospace Medicine flight commander and deputy squadron commander in 1997. "My slant is 'occupational vision' because that's the emphasis in AFSOC. We're trying to help maximize our potential in different environments." His personal motivation is keeping the pilots flying. "I'm always looking for ways to improve the (aircrew's) environment," he said. "There's always more to learn and a better way to implement technology." While the doctor loves the operational side of eye care, he finds patient care the most rewarding. "I'm here because of my interest in patient care," he said. "I enjoy helping people with their vision problems. After I got involved (in this profession), one of the things I enjoyed most -- and this may sound selfish -- was the instant gratification for both the patient and me," he said. One patient who can attest to the extra effort the doctor provides is Regina Lutman, wife of Tech. Sergeant Scott Lutman, 19th Special Operations Squadron. Lutman, who was diagnosed with double vision as a result of multiple sclerosis, was having a hard time coping with her vision problems. "Dr. Chyrek painstakingly consulted with other doctors, researching the best solution," she said. His final recommendation was to put press-on prisms on Lutman's glasses to correct her vision until her eyes healed. "He and his staff worked tirelessly to find the prisms and obtain them. The prisms corrected my vision and I'm on the slow road to recovery," she said. "I was dependent on my husband to take me wherever I needed to go. Dr. Chyrek gave me back my independence and I'm delighted to be able to drive again. I'm enormously grateful to everyone at the optometry clinic." The doctor said, throughout his career, he's had the opportunity to work with some fantastic people. "I have to give credit to a handful of flight surgeons who led me in the right direction," he said, "as well as great leadership from wing, group and squadron commanders who were always supportive of my NVG work and contact lens research." The colonel leaves Hurlburt Field Feb. 22, for an assignment to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, as the senior eye doctor for U.S. Air Forces in Europe and deputy squadron commander for aerospace medicine. 000166a.gif and 000166a.jpg Lt. Col. (Dr.) Michael Chyrek, (right) 16th Medical Group, Hurlburt Field, Fla., gives an eye examination to Airman Kenneth Mullins, 16th Aircraft Generation Squadron. (Photo by Master Sgt. Kevin L. Hoeth) 000162. DOD holds sixth POW/Missing Personnel prayer breakfast by Rudi Williams American Forces Press Service ARLINGTON, Va. (AFPN) -- Ex-prisoners of war and their wives and widows and children of servicemen missing in action were honored here Feb. 3 during the Defense Department's sixth annual POW/Missing Personnel prayer breakfast. The honored guests were from World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and the Cold War. "Most of the families are those of servicemen still missing from those wars," said Peggy Sue Marish-Boos, a spokesperson for DOD's POW/Missing Personnel Office, which hosts the annual event. Many POWs experienced a loss of religious and personal freedom and suffered intense brutality, but "they're not bitter, or angry, and they have no hate for their captors," Marish-Boos noted. "And they really enjoy life now because their freedom was taken away." Elizabeth M. Norman was the keynote speaker. She is the author of "Women at War: The Story of Fifty Military Nurses Who Served in Vietnam," and "We Band of Angels: The Untold Story of American Nurses Trapped on Bataan by the Japanese." In her remarks, she talked about the survival of the 99 women who served on Bataan and were held prisoner by the Japanese. Norman, who is working on a sequel to "We Band of Angels," is an associate professor and director of the doctoral program in the division of nursing at New York University's School of Education. Leaders from veterans service groups such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and AMVETS and family advocate organizations such as the National League of Families attended the breakfast. Senior administrative officials present included Hershel Gober, deputy secretary of veterans affairs; Robert L. Jones, deputy assistant secretary of defense for POW/Missing Personnel Affairs; and J. Alan Liotta, deputy director of the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office. **COPYRIGHT NOTICE** In accordance with Title 17 U. S. C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for nonprofit research and educational purposes only.[Ref. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml ] <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soap-boxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. 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