'Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin went on offense Tuesday against one Republican senator’s blockade of 160 senior military promotions, cautioning that delaying the moves will harm national security.

Austin delivered the warning at a Senate Armed Services hearing Tuesday, where he made the case for the Pentagon’s annual defense budget. The defense chief was asked about Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s temporary hold, which is based on new policies aimed
at shoring up troops’ access to abortions, and pleaded with the Republican to change course.

Without naming the Alabama senator or citing the abortion policy, Austin called the impact of delaying routine military promotions “absolutely critical” as dozens, potentially hundreds, of general and flag officer picks pile up. He cited a number of
tense global situations, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China and Iran.

“There are a number of things happening globally that indicate that we could be in a contest on any one given day,” Austin said. “Not approving the recommendations for promotions actually creates a ripple effect through the force that makes us far
less ready than we need to be.”
“The effects are cumulative and it will affect families. It will affect kids going to schools because they won’t be able to change their duty station,” he added. “It’s a powerful effect and will impact on our readiness.”

On the other side is Tuberville, a member of the Armed Services Committee, who is following through on a threat to object to quick confirmations of Pentagon civilian nominees and senior military officer promotions after Austin rolled out policies that
cover expenses and permit leave for troops who have to travel to obtain abortions.
During Tuesday’s session, Tuberville criticized Austin and the Biden administration over a raft of policies he and other conservatives argue politicize the military — including rooting out extremism, booting troops over a now-repealed Covid vaccine
mandate and instituting the new abortion payment policy.

Tuberville and Austin spoke last week, but the Alabama Republican hasn’t budged. Austin appealed directly to Tuberville during the hearing to relinquish his objections.

“I really implore you to reconsider and allow our nominations to move forward,” Austin said. “It will make a significant difference for our force.”

Austin defended the Pentagon’s response to extremism, noting that the military has long had regulations against extremist behavior. He also said the vaccine mandate, which Congress repealed late last year, “saved lives” and argued it didn’t
affect recruiting.

The abortion policy was based on feedback from troops and senior leaders, Austin said, “based on strong legal ground.”

“Almost one in five of our troops is women,” Austin said. “And they don’t get a chance to choose where they’re stationed. So almost 80,000 of our women are stationed in places where they don’t have access to non-covered reproductive health
care.”

Senate Armed Services Chair Jack Reed (D-R.I.), who teed up the early question at Tuesday’s hearing, agreed with Austin. He warned of senior military positions that would come open in the coming months, including the next Joint Chiefs chair.

“As I look forward, I have never in my almost three decades here seen so many key military positions coming up for replacement,” Reed said.

“If we cannot resolve the situation, we will be, in many respects, leaderless at a time of great conflict,” the chair warned. “So, I would hope we would expedite and move quickly on this front.”
A Defense Department official said the Pentagon projects that, between now and the end of the year, 650 general and flag officers will require Senate confirmation. Eighty of those are three and four-star generals or admirals, the official noted.

A plethora of senior military leaders are set to retire in the coming months, including top officers in the Marine Corps, Navy and Army. Multiple combatant commanders, including the heads of U.S. Northern Command, Space Command and Cyber Command, are
also set to rotate out of their posts. https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/28/lloyd-austin-military-promotions-blockade-00089183

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 3:22:14 PM UTC-4, risky biz wrote:

'Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin went on offense Tuesday against one Republican senator’s blockade of 160 senior military promotions, cautioning that delaying the moves will harm national security.

Austin delivered the warning at a Senate Armed Services hearing Tuesday, where he made the case for the Pentagon’s annual defense budget. The defense chief was asked about Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s temporary hold, which is based on new policies aimed

at shoring up troops’ access to abortions, and pleaded with the Republican to change course.

Without naming the Alabama senator or citing the abortion policy, Austin called the impact of delaying routine military promotions “absolutely critical” as dozens, potentially hundreds, of general and flag officer picks pile up. He cited a number

of tense global situations, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China and Iran.

“There are a number of things happening globally that indicate that we could be in a contest on any one given day,” Austin said. “Not approving the recommendations for promotions actually creates a ripple effect through the force that makes us

far less ready than we need to be.”

“The effects are cumulative and it will affect families. It will affect kids going to schools because they won’t be able to change their duty station,” he added. “It’s a powerful effect and will impact on our readiness.”

On the other side is Tuberville, a member of the Armed Services Committee, who is following through on a threat to object to quick confirmations of Pentagon civilian nominees and senior military officer promotions after Austin rolled out policies that

cover expenses and permit leave for troops who have to travel to obtain abortions.

During Tuesday’s session, Tuberville criticized Austin and the Biden administration over a raft of policies he and other conservatives argue politicize the military — including rooting out extremism, booting troops over a now-repealed Covid vaccine

mandate and instituting the new abortion payment policy.

Tuberville and Austin spoke last week, but the Alabama Republican hasn’t budged. Austin appealed directly to Tuberville during the hearing to relinquish his objections.

“I really implore you to reconsider and allow our nominations to move forward,” Austin said. “It will make a significant difference for our force.”

Austin defended the Pentagon’s response to extremism, noting that the military has long had regulations against extremist behavior. He also said the vaccine mandate, which Congress repealed late last year, “saved lives” and argued it didn’t

affect recruiting.

The abortion policy was based on feedback from troops and senior leaders, Austin said, “based on strong legal ground.”

“Almost one in five of our troops is women,” Austin said. “And they don’t get a chance to choose where they’re stationed. So almost 80,000 of our women are stationed in places where they don’t have access to non-covered reproductive health

care.”

Senate Armed Services Chair Jack Reed (D-R.I.), who teed up the early question at Tuesday’s hearing, agreed with Austin. He warned of senior military positions that would come open in the coming months, including the next Joint Chiefs chair.

“As I look forward, I have never in my almost three decades here seen so many key military positions coming up for replacement,” Reed said.

“If we cannot resolve the situation, we will be, in many respects, leaderless at a time of great conflict,” the chair warned. “So, I would hope we would expedite and move quickly on this front.”
A Defense Department official said the Pentagon projects that, between now and the end of the year, 650 general and flag officers will require Senate confirmation. Eighty of those are three and four-star generals or admirals, the official noted.

A plethora of senior military leaders are set to retire in the coming months, including top officers in the Marine Corps, Navy and Army. Multiple combatant commanders, including the heads of U.S. Northern Command, Space Command and Cyber Command, are

also set to rotate out of their posts.

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/28/lloyd-austin-military-promotions-blockade-00089183

How many did they kick out for not taking the clot shot?

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 9:22:18 AM UTC-7, BTSinAustin wrote:

On Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 3:22:14 PM UTC-4, risky biz wrote:

'Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin went on offense Tuesday against one Republican senator’s blockade of 160 senior military promotions, cautioning that delaying the moves will harm national security.

Austin delivered the warning at a Senate Armed Services hearing Tuesday, where he made the case for the Pentagon’s annual defense budget. The defense chief was asked about Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s temporary hold, which is based on new policies

aimed at shoring up troops’ access to abortions, and pleaded with the Republican to change course.

Without naming the Alabama senator or citing the abortion policy, Austin called the impact of delaying routine military promotions “absolutely critical” as dozens, potentially hundreds, of general and flag officer picks pile up. He cited a number

of tense global situations, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China and Iran.

“There are a number of things happening globally that indicate that we could be in a contest on any one given day,” Austin said. “Not approving the recommendations for promotions actually creates a ripple effect through the force that makes us

far less ready than we need to be.”

“The effects are cumulative and it will affect families. It will affect kids going to schools because they won’t be able to change their duty station,” he added. “It’s a powerful effect and will impact on our readiness.”

On the other side is Tuberville, a member of the Armed Services Committee, who is following through on a threat to object to quick confirmations of Pentagon civilian nominees and senior military officer promotions after Austin rolled out policies

that cover expenses and permit leave for troops who have to travel to obtain abortions.

During Tuesday’s session, Tuberville criticized Austin and the Biden administration over a raft of policies he and other conservatives argue politicize the military — including rooting out extremism, booting troops over a now-repealed Covid

vaccine mandate and instituting the new abortion payment policy.

Tuberville and Austin spoke last week, but the Alabama Republican hasn’t budged. Austin appealed directly to Tuberville during the hearing to relinquish his objections.

“I really implore you to reconsider and allow our nominations to move forward,” Austin said. “It will make a significant difference for our force.”

Austin defended the Pentagon’s response to extremism, noting that the military has long had regulations against extremist behavior. He also said the vaccine mandate, which Congress repealed late last year, “saved lives” and argued it didn’t

affect recruiting.

The abortion policy was based on feedback from troops and senior leaders, Austin said, “based on strong legal ground.”

“Almost one in five of our troops is women,” Austin said. “And they don’t get a chance to choose where they’re stationed. So almost 80,000 of our women are stationed in places where they don’t have access to non-covered reproductive

health care.”

Senate Armed Services Chair Jack Reed (D-R.I.), who teed up the early question at Tuesday’s hearing, agreed with Austin. He warned of senior military positions that would come open in the coming months, including the next Joint Chiefs chair.

“As I look forward, I have never in my almost three decades here seen so many key military positions coming up for replacement,” Reed said.

“If we cannot resolve the situation, we will be, in many respects, leaderless at a time of great conflict,” the chair warned. “So, I would hope we would expedite and move quickly on this front.”
A Defense Department official said the Pentagon projects that, between now and the end of the year, 650 general and flag officers will require Senate confirmation. Eighty of those are three and four-star generals or admirals, the official noted.

A plethora of senior military leaders are set to retire in the coming months, including top officers in the Marine Corps, Navy and Army. Multiple combatant commanders, including the heads of U.S. Northern Command, Space Command and Cyber Command, are

also set to rotate out of their posts.

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/28/lloyd-austin-military-promotions-blockade-00089183

~ How many did they kick out for not taking the clot shot?


Enough to keep the U.S. military efficient and focused on the mission.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 12:31:25 PM UTC-4, risky biz wrote:

On Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 9:22:18 AM UTC-7, BTSinAustin wrote:

On Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 3:22:14 PM UTC-4, risky biz wrote:

'Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin went on offense Tuesday against one Republican senator’s blockade of 160 senior military promotions, cautioning that delaying the moves will harm national security.

Austin delivered the warning at a Senate Armed Services hearing Tuesday, where he made the case for the Pentagon’s annual defense budget. The defense chief was asked about Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s temporary hold, which is based on new policies

aimed at shoring up troops’ access to abortions, and pleaded with the Republican to change course.

Without naming the Alabama senator or citing the abortion policy, Austin called the impact of delaying routine military promotions “absolutely critical” as dozens, potentially hundreds, of general and flag officer picks pile up. He cited a

number of tense global situations, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China and Iran.

“There are a number of things happening globally that indicate that we could be in a contest on any one given day,” Austin said. “Not approving the recommendations for promotions actually creates a ripple effect through the force that makes

us far less ready than we need to be.”

“The effects are cumulative and it will affect families. It will affect kids going to schools because they won’t be able to change their duty station,” he added. “It’s a powerful effect and will impact on our readiness.”

On the other side is Tuberville, a member of the Armed Services Committee, who is following through on a threat to object to quick confirmations of Pentagon civilian nominees and senior military officer promotions after Austin rolled out policies

that cover expenses and permit leave for troops who have to travel to obtain abortions.

During Tuesday’s session, Tuberville criticized Austin and the Biden administration over a raft of policies he and other conservatives argue politicize the military — including rooting out extremism, booting troops over a now-repealed Covid

vaccine mandate and instituting the new abortion payment policy.

Tuberville and Austin spoke last week, but the Alabama Republican hasn’t budged. Austin appealed directly to Tuberville during the hearing to relinquish his objections.

“I really implore you to reconsider and allow our nominations to move forward,” Austin said. “It will make a significant difference for our force.”

Austin defended the Pentagon’s response to extremism, noting that the military has long had regulations against extremist behavior. He also said the vaccine mandate, which Congress repealed late last year, “saved lives” and argued it didn’t

affect recruiting.

The abortion policy was based on feedback from troops and senior leaders, Austin said, “based on strong legal ground.”

“Almost one in five of our troops is women,” Austin said. “And they don’t get a chance to choose where they’re stationed. So almost 80,000 of our women are stationed in places where they don’t have access to non-covered reproductive

health care.”

Senate Armed Services Chair Jack Reed (D-R.I.), who teed up the early question at Tuesday’s hearing, agreed with Austin. He warned of senior military positions that would come open in the coming months, including the next Joint Chiefs chair.

“As I look forward, I have never in my almost three decades here seen so many key military positions coming up for replacement,” Reed said.

“If we cannot resolve the situation, we will be, in many respects, leaderless at a time of great conflict,” the chair warned. “So, I would hope we would expedite and move quickly on this front.”
A Defense Department official said the Pentagon projects that, between now and the end of the year, 650 general and flag officers will require Senate confirmation. Eighty of those are three and four-star generals or admirals, the official noted.

A plethora of senior military leaders are set to retire in the coming months, including top officers in the Marine Corps, Navy and Army. Multiple combatant commanders, including the heads of U.S. Northern Command, Space Command and Cyber Command,

are also set to rotate out of their posts.

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/28/lloyd-austin-military-promotions-blockade-00089183

~ How many did they kick out for not taking the clot shot?

Enough to keep the U.S. military efficient and focused on the mission.

LOL

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)