1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:06,940 --> 00:00:07,940 Yeah , 3 00:00:22,040 --> 00:00:25,960 Okay , just a couple of points 4 00:00:25,960 --> 00:00:28,127 right off the top , and then we'll get 5 00:00:28,127 --> 00:00:30,450 right at it , she probably saw . 6 00:00:31,340 --> 00:00:34,520 On Friday afternoon , Secretary Austin 7 00:00:34,530 --> 00:00:37,220 issued some guidance to the force about 8 00:00:37,230 --> 00:00:39,980 the directed stand down that he ordered 9 00:00:39,990 --> 00:00:42,000 Thio Thio address the issue of 10 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:44,800 extremism in the ranks . Specifically , 11 00:00:44,800 --> 00:00:46,689 he directed commanding officers . 12 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:51,220 Specifically , he had directed 13 00:00:51,220 --> 00:00:53,387 commanding officers and supervisors at 14 00:00:53,387 --> 00:00:55,553 all levels to select a date within the 15 00:00:55,553 --> 00:00:57,776 next 60 days to conduct a one day stand 16 00:00:57,776 --> 00:01:00,230 down with their personnel . Now he made 17 00:01:00,230 --> 00:01:02,230 it very clear that leaders have the 18 00:01:02,230 --> 00:01:04,397 discretion to tailor their discussions 19 00:01:04,397 --> 00:01:06,563 with their personnel as appropriate to 20 00:01:06,563 --> 00:01:08,563 their command for their location to 21 00:01:08,563 --> 00:01:10,619 there thio to their operations . But 22 00:01:10,619 --> 00:01:12,786 that's such discussions should include 23 00:01:12,786 --> 00:01:14,841 the importance of the oath of office 24 00:01:14,841 --> 00:01:17,750 that service members , uh , take a 25 00:01:17,750 --> 00:01:20,790 description of impermissible behaviors 26 00:01:20,800 --> 00:01:23,520 on procedures for reporting suspected 27 00:01:23,530 --> 00:01:26,020 or actual extremist behaviors in 28 00:01:26,020 --> 00:01:28,353 accordance with the D . O D instruction . 29 00:01:28,620 --> 00:01:30,287 This is also importantly , an 30 00:01:30,287 --> 00:01:33,860 opportunity for leadership toe . Listen 31 00:01:34,240 --> 00:01:37,700 to the men and women they lied on 32 00:01:38,840 --> 00:01:42,060 to their concerns to their experiences 33 00:01:42,070 --> 00:01:44,210 and maybe even to their possible 34 00:01:44,210 --> 00:01:46,930 solutions for how to tackle this 35 00:01:46,930 --> 00:01:49,060 problem . The last thing I'll say on 36 00:01:49,060 --> 00:01:51,282 this and secretary did it himself . But 37 00:01:51,282 --> 00:01:53,570 it's an important point to reiterate is 38 00:01:53,570 --> 00:01:56,830 that this is just a step in what the 39 00:01:56,830 --> 00:01:59,850 secretary believes will be a very 40 00:01:59,850 --> 00:02:02,140 deliberate process to try to tackle 41 00:02:02,140 --> 00:02:05,540 this problem . He understands that a 42 00:02:05,550 --> 00:02:07,550 one day stand down across the force 43 00:02:07,550 --> 00:02:09,550 isn't going toe , you know is gonna 44 00:02:09,550 --> 00:02:11,661 solve everything . But it might bring 45 00:02:11,661 --> 00:02:13,883 toe light concerns and experiences that 46 00:02:13,883 --> 00:02:15,994 were otherwise not aware . And he was 47 00:02:15,994 --> 00:02:18,106 informed by his own experience in the 48 00:02:18,106 --> 00:02:20,328 mid nineties about stuff that was going 49 00:02:20,328 --> 00:02:22,439 on in his , uh , in his command right 50 00:02:22,439 --> 00:02:24,383 underneath his nose that he didn't 51 00:02:24,383 --> 00:02:26,383 realize about . So part of this , a 52 00:02:26,383 --> 00:02:28,550 really big part of this is , as we say 53 00:02:28,550 --> 00:02:30,717 in the Navy , getting down to the deck 54 00:02:30,717 --> 00:02:32,883 plates and to try to understand , uh , 55 00:02:32,883 --> 00:02:35,050 mawr how the problem , what exists out 56 00:02:35,050 --> 00:02:37,161 there , Uh , in the force and again , 57 00:02:37,161 --> 00:02:39,540 listening to our men and women as they 58 00:02:39,550 --> 00:02:41,439 as they share their own views and 59 00:02:41,439 --> 00:02:43,606 perspectives , which will , no doubt I 60 00:02:43,606 --> 00:02:47,230 think inform whatever , uh , 61 00:02:47,240 --> 00:02:49,520 whatever Procedures , policies or 62 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:51,631 actions the secretary puts in place . 63 00:02:51,631 --> 00:02:54,040 Going forward on the personnel front , 64 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:56,130 we continue toe welcome new members 65 00:02:56,130 --> 00:02:58,352 across the Pentagon today we on boarded 66 00:02:58,352 --> 00:03:00,519 11 new employees . And that brings our 67 00:03:00,519 --> 00:03:03,020 total to 56 . 57 . If you count the 68 00:03:03,020 --> 00:03:05,720 secretary out of approximately , you 69 00:03:05,720 --> 00:03:07,900 know , 350 positions . So we're 70 00:03:07,900 --> 00:03:09,900 chipping away at it . We're getting 71 00:03:09,900 --> 00:03:12,011 more people on board were making this 72 00:03:12,011 --> 00:03:14,233 doing this in a very deliberate fashion 73 00:03:14,233 --> 00:03:16,289 on . We welcome them all , and we're 74 00:03:16,289 --> 00:03:18,400 thankful for their willingness toe to 75 00:03:18,400 --> 00:03:20,400 serve the country . Finally , we're 76 00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:22,344 gonna have a busy week here in the 77 00:03:22,344 --> 00:03:22,210 building , and we look forward to a 78 00:03:22,210 --> 00:03:24,520 visit on Wednesday by President Biden , 79 00:03:24,530 --> 00:03:27,380 Commander in chief on Do With that , I 80 00:03:27,380 --> 00:03:29,658 will open it up to questions , I think . 81 00:03:29,658 --> 00:03:31,880 Bob , we got you on the phone . Is that 82 00:03:31,880 --> 00:03:34,860 right ? Yes . Thanks . John . 83 00:03:36,040 --> 00:03:38,440 Um , I just wanted to ask you a couple 84 00:03:38,440 --> 00:03:40,496 of things . A couple of other things 85 00:03:40,496 --> 00:03:42,329 that you announced last week and 86 00:03:42,329 --> 00:03:44,720 whether you have any update on those 87 00:03:44,720 --> 00:03:48,530 things first is , um , the , uh 88 00:03:48,540 --> 00:03:50,762 Whether you have any more d o d teams , 89 00:03:50,762 --> 00:03:52,818 they're getting set up at FEMA sites 90 00:03:52,818 --> 00:03:54,984 for vaccination assistance beyond what 91 00:03:54,984 --> 00:03:56,873 you announced last week . And the 92 00:03:56,873 --> 00:03:59,170 second one is whether the service 93 00:03:59,180 --> 00:04:01,640 chiefs have provided to Secretary 94 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:05,340 Austin the , um , the information he 95 00:04:05,340 --> 00:04:07,173 asked him for about their sexual 96 00:04:07,173 --> 00:04:09,330 assault programs with to give him two 97 00:04:09,330 --> 00:04:11,760 weeks . Has that been provided yet ? 98 00:04:12,240 --> 00:04:14,410 Thanks , Bob . I don't have an update 99 00:04:14,410 --> 00:04:18,120 for you on the request to support , uh , 100 00:04:18,130 --> 00:04:20,330 FEMA and state and local authorities . 101 00:04:20,340 --> 00:04:23,560 Um , we are still working with FEMA , 102 00:04:23,940 --> 00:04:27,650 um , to determine what other sites uh , 103 00:04:27,660 --> 00:04:31,440 they would like us to populate . Um , 104 00:04:31,450 --> 00:04:34,560 in this first traunch of 1110 105 00:04:34,940 --> 00:04:38,480 um , active duty personnel on . We're 106 00:04:38,480 --> 00:04:40,424 still working through the sourcing 107 00:04:40,424 --> 00:04:43,080 solutions for for the first team . 108 00:04:43,090 --> 00:04:46,350 Uh , on exactly . You know where that's 109 00:04:46,350 --> 00:04:48,572 gonna come from . So I'm afraid I don't 110 00:04:48,572 --> 00:04:50,628 have any specific updates for you on 111 00:04:50,628 --> 00:04:52,683 that today . Um , as for your second 112 00:04:52,683 --> 00:04:54,906 question , the services did , in fact , 113 00:04:54,906 --> 00:04:58,740 submit their reports on time , Uh , to 114 00:04:58,750 --> 00:05:01,140 the personnel and Readiness Director 115 00:05:01,140 --> 00:05:04,870 here at the at the department on DWI . 116 00:05:04,870 --> 00:05:08,260 Expect that the the secretary will 117 00:05:08,260 --> 00:05:11,450 receive a readout of those reports . 118 00:05:11,460 --> 00:05:15,380 Uh , this week , Um , probably midweek . 119 00:05:15,390 --> 00:05:17,446 We're we're working on that with the 120 00:05:17,446 --> 00:05:19,612 schedule , but But they did submit and 121 00:05:19,612 --> 00:05:21,834 he'll get a readout later this week and 122 00:05:21,834 --> 00:05:23,612 then , uh , as appropriate will 123 00:05:23,612 --> 00:05:25,834 certainly keep you informed that Answer 124 00:05:25,834 --> 00:05:28,150 your questions , Bob . Yeah . One quick 125 00:05:28,150 --> 00:05:30,261 follow up . If you don't mind on that 126 00:05:30,261 --> 00:05:32,428 second part . What ? What would be the 127 00:05:32,428 --> 00:05:34,539 next step after the secretary against 128 00:05:34,539 --> 00:05:34,490 the readout on what the programs are . 129 00:05:34,490 --> 00:05:36,712 What does he intend to do then ? Well , 130 00:05:36,712 --> 00:05:38,546 so a couple of things . I mean , 131 00:05:38,546 --> 00:05:42,500 certainly this these reports from 132 00:05:42,500 --> 00:05:45,360 the services will help inform , um , 133 00:05:45,840 --> 00:05:49,110 the secretary's establishment and 134 00:05:49,120 --> 00:05:51,390 conduct of the 90 day commission that 135 00:05:51,390 --> 00:05:54,180 President Biden order , which which d o . 136 00:05:54,180 --> 00:05:57,760 D will run , um , part and parcel of 137 00:05:57,760 --> 00:06:00,100 the tasker that he put on out on Day 138 00:06:00,100 --> 00:06:02,156 two , if you might remember , was to 139 00:06:02,156 --> 00:06:04,378 task the services toe , identify senior 140 00:06:04,378 --> 00:06:07,680 leaders both both uniformed , civilian 141 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:11,230 and enlisted , uniformed to serve as 142 00:06:11,230 --> 00:06:13,850 members of , uh , this commission and 143 00:06:13,860 --> 00:06:16,410 that to those names were submitted by 144 00:06:16,410 --> 00:06:18,410 the services . So he'll be he'll be 145 00:06:18,410 --> 00:06:20,466 using the reports and the readout he 146 00:06:20,466 --> 00:06:23,260 gets this week to help him actually 147 00:06:23,260 --> 00:06:26,550 populate , um , and and organize the 148 00:06:26,550 --> 00:06:28,717 work of the 90 day commission that the 149 00:06:28,717 --> 00:06:30,717 president ordered . Did that answer 150 00:06:30,717 --> 00:06:32,994 your question , Bob ? Thank you . Yeah , 151 00:06:32,994 --> 00:06:35,290 thanks very much . Okay . Go . Thio . 152 00:06:35,300 --> 00:06:38,710 Jennifer san timer from , uh I'm sorry . 153 00:06:38,710 --> 00:06:42,350 Steinhauer , New York Times . Hi . I 154 00:06:42,350 --> 00:06:44,572 was just wondering if you have any more 155 00:06:44,572 --> 00:06:46,683 clarity on what the situation is than 156 00:06:46,683 --> 00:06:48,630 last week on folks in the military 157 00:06:48,630 --> 00:06:50,741 getting the vaccine . Um , I inferred 158 00:06:50,741 --> 00:06:52,741 from some things you said last week 159 00:06:52,741 --> 00:06:54,630 that there has been a significant 160 00:06:54,630 --> 00:06:56,686 refusal , but I know you didn't have 161 00:06:56,686 --> 00:06:58,908 specific numbers , and I'm wondering if 162 00:06:58,908 --> 00:07:01,074 there's been advancement on that . I'm 163 00:07:01,074 --> 00:07:03,186 afraid I don't have good data for you 164 00:07:03,186 --> 00:07:05,408 on that . Um , let me take the question 165 00:07:05,408 --> 00:07:08,120 to see if what we could do the But I 166 00:07:08,120 --> 00:07:10,460 think it's important to remember that , 167 00:07:11,140 --> 00:07:14,860 Um , I don't think there's consistency 168 00:07:14,860 --> 00:07:18,360 in terms of how how 169 00:07:18,740 --> 00:07:22,530 commands at the unit level , how and 170 00:07:22,530 --> 00:07:24,308 whether and to what degree they 171 00:07:24,308 --> 00:07:26,197 actually keep track of refusals . 172 00:07:26,197 --> 00:07:28,308 Certainly they keep track of vaccines 173 00:07:28,308 --> 00:07:30,810 on hand and vaccines distributed . Um , 174 00:07:30,820 --> 00:07:32,598 but I don't know that there's a 175 00:07:32,598 --> 00:07:34,400 uniformed reporting process for 176 00:07:34,410 --> 00:07:36,910 refusals , and again it is . It is not 177 00:07:36,910 --> 00:07:39,920 a mandatory vaccine . And on we have a 178 00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:42,350 duty to protect , uh , certainly the 179 00:07:42,360 --> 00:07:44,360 privacy , as well as the private 180 00:07:44,360 --> 00:07:47,350 medical concerns of of individuals who , 181 00:07:47,360 --> 00:07:49,710 for whatever reason , declined to take 182 00:07:49,710 --> 00:07:53,420 it . I so I can't promise you specific 183 00:07:53,420 --> 00:07:55,730 data , Jennifer , but what I can 184 00:07:55,730 --> 00:07:57,930 promise is we'll take a look and and 185 00:07:57,930 --> 00:07:59,708 see if there's a better way toe 186 00:07:59,708 --> 00:08:03,310 quantify this , Tom . Speaking of data , 187 00:08:03,320 --> 00:08:05,320 has the secretary received any more 188 00:08:05,320 --> 00:08:07,542 information from the services about the 189 00:08:07,542 --> 00:08:09,598 extent of extremism ? The military ? 190 00:08:09,598 --> 00:08:11,764 The Marines put out some information . 191 00:08:11,764 --> 00:08:13,820 16 Marines over the past three years 192 00:08:13,820 --> 00:08:16,230 were substantiated information of 193 00:08:16,240 --> 00:08:19,020 domestic extremism , mostly social 194 00:08:19,020 --> 00:08:21,930 media . Post number one number two . In 195 00:08:21,930 --> 00:08:24,041 his stand down order , he talks about 196 00:08:24,240 --> 00:08:26,351 supervisors commanders talking to the 197 00:08:26,351 --> 00:08:28,650 troops about proper behavior and so 198 00:08:28,650 --> 00:08:30,690 forth , listening to them and maybe 199 00:08:30,690 --> 00:08:33,360 coming up with possible solutions . I'm 200 00:08:33,360 --> 00:08:35,527 just wondering if the Secretary anyone 201 00:08:35,527 --> 00:08:37,638 in the building do they have possible 202 00:08:37,638 --> 00:08:39,638 solutions ? And will the supervisor 203 00:08:39,638 --> 00:08:41,693 commanders kind of just do their own 204 00:08:41,693 --> 00:08:43,916 thing ? Or they get guidance readings , 205 00:08:43,916 --> 00:08:46,150 information from the Pentagon itself , 206 00:08:46,340 --> 00:08:49,450 A Z you saw in the the director of that 207 00:08:49,450 --> 00:08:51,506 he sent out on Friday , he did point 208 00:08:51,506 --> 00:08:53,728 them to some resource is online that we 209 00:08:53,728 --> 00:08:56,006 have that we encourage them to look at . 210 00:08:56,006 --> 00:08:59,750 Um uh , What he didn't I want to 211 00:08:59,750 --> 00:09:02,060 do is be overly prescriptive on this 212 00:09:02,070 --> 00:09:04,237 because every commands different every 213 00:09:04,237 --> 00:09:06,181 service is different . Um , and of 214 00:09:06,181 --> 00:09:08,403 course , some commands are very much in 215 00:09:08,403 --> 00:09:10,570 harm's way right now , and you have to 216 00:09:10,570 --> 00:09:10,550 make sure that they could do this in a 217 00:09:10,550 --> 00:09:12,870 way that , um that doesn't , 218 00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:16,320 uh , impede their ability to 219 00:09:16,320 --> 00:09:18,487 accomplish missions around the world . 220 00:09:18,840 --> 00:09:21,330 Um uh , and one of the reasons why I 221 00:09:21,330 --> 00:09:24,750 put that memo out , uh , on friday was 222 00:09:24,750 --> 00:09:26,861 to sort of mawr closely bound it . In 223 00:09:26,861 --> 00:09:28,917 other words , you know , making sure 224 00:09:28,917 --> 00:09:31,028 that they tried to do this in one day 225 00:09:31,028 --> 00:09:33,139 to the degree that they can , and and 226 00:09:33,139 --> 00:09:35,250 he very clearly laid out that this is 227 00:09:35,250 --> 00:09:37,472 this is about , um , the behaviors that 228 00:09:37,472 --> 00:09:40,230 this kind of ideology can , uh , can 229 00:09:40,230 --> 00:09:43,210 incite and can inspire . Um , a 230 00:09:43,210 --> 00:09:45,432 reminder about the oath . I mean , that 231 00:09:45,432 --> 00:09:47,432 was very specifically in his memo , 232 00:09:47,432 --> 00:09:49,488 something he wants very specifically 233 00:09:49,488 --> 00:09:51,543 that he wants leaders throughout the 234 00:09:51,543 --> 00:09:53,654 force to spend some time on . And how 235 00:09:53,654 --> 00:09:55,877 they do that , I mean , is up to them . 236 00:09:55,877 --> 00:09:58,099 I mean , some commands might might want 237 00:09:58,099 --> 00:10:01,010 to have there their members actually 238 00:10:01,940 --> 00:10:04,051 recite the oath again and and take it 239 00:10:04,051 --> 00:10:05,996 again . Or maybe just , you know , 240 00:10:05,996 --> 00:10:08,110 study . It s so again , he doesn't 241 00:10:08,110 --> 00:10:10,650 wanna I mean , it's he did try to put , 242 00:10:10,660 --> 00:10:13,360 I think , reasonable expectations on 243 00:10:13,360 --> 00:10:15,304 the force , But he didn't wanna be 244 00:10:15,304 --> 00:10:17,582 overly prescriptive to the degree that , 245 00:10:17,582 --> 00:10:20,380 um , that thes stand down opportunities 246 00:10:20,380 --> 00:10:24,180 lacked authenticity , lacked a genuine 247 00:10:24,180 --> 00:10:27,630 give and take in a conversation with 248 00:10:27,630 --> 00:10:29,852 men and women in the force . So I think 249 00:10:29,852 --> 00:10:32,019 I think that was that was his intent . 250 00:10:32,019 --> 00:10:34,297 And as for your question on on data No , 251 00:10:34,297 --> 00:10:37,030 I don't , um , And again , it's not the 252 00:10:37,030 --> 00:10:38,974 kind of thing that we're centrally 253 00:10:38,974 --> 00:10:41,210 tracking here , that that OSD has a a 254 00:10:41,210 --> 00:10:43,210 database that we could just go pull 255 00:10:43,210 --> 00:10:45,266 from it . Z not the case right now . 256 00:10:45,266 --> 00:10:48,870 Now should that be , And , uh , 257 00:10:48,880 --> 00:10:51,102 should that be something that we take a 258 00:10:51,102 --> 00:10:52,769 harder look at is how has the 259 00:10:52,769 --> 00:10:56,290 accumulation of of usable data . I 260 00:10:56,290 --> 00:10:58,620 think it's a fair question , and I 261 00:10:58,630 --> 00:11:00,463 certainly would expect that that 262 00:11:00,463 --> 00:11:02,463 Secretary and leaders here would be 263 00:11:02,463 --> 00:11:04,630 taking a look at the data pool in what 264 00:11:04,630 --> 00:11:06,630 it exists . But as you know , Tom , 265 00:11:06,630 --> 00:11:08,686 because we've talked about this Ah , 266 00:11:08,686 --> 00:11:10,908 lot . Some of that data doesn't doesn't 267 00:11:10,908 --> 00:11:13,130 clearly doesn't exist here because it's 268 00:11:13,130 --> 00:11:15,352 in law enforcement lanes , not military 269 00:11:15,352 --> 00:11:15,290 law enforcement , but civil law 270 00:11:15,290 --> 00:11:17,346 enforcement . And there's a limit to 271 00:11:17,346 --> 00:11:19,620 what you know we're going to be able to 272 00:11:19,630 --> 00:11:22,120 obtain in that regard . So e I take the 273 00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:24,398 point . The data pool's important . Um , 274 00:11:24,398 --> 00:11:26,342 that's something we're gonna we're 275 00:11:26,342 --> 00:11:28,453 gonna work through . And then you had 276 00:11:28,453 --> 00:11:30,676 another question which I thought it was 277 00:11:30,676 --> 00:11:30,300 fair . That's , you know , have there 278 00:11:30,300 --> 00:11:32,189 been ideas coming from inside the 279 00:11:32,189 --> 00:11:34,189 building . And when he spoke to the 280 00:11:34,189 --> 00:11:36,189 Chiefs the other day , Um , many of 281 00:11:36,189 --> 00:11:38,356 them did have interesting ideas that , 282 00:11:38,356 --> 00:11:40,522 um that I think the secretary believes 283 00:11:40,522 --> 00:11:42,633 is worth ironing out . One of them is 284 00:11:42,633 --> 00:11:44,910 education . You know , we were 285 00:11:44,910 --> 00:11:47,140 certainly , uh , need to take a look at 286 00:11:47,150 --> 00:11:49,960 how we're educating potential recruits 287 00:11:50,040 --> 00:11:52,262 when they're still civilians and before 288 00:11:52,262 --> 00:11:54,540 they sign on the dotted line . Clearly , 289 00:11:54,540 --> 00:11:57,580 there's probably education , uh , that 290 00:11:57,590 --> 00:11:59,530 we need to do while people are in 291 00:11:59,530 --> 00:12:01,474 uniform and in the , you know , in 292 00:12:01,474 --> 00:12:04,880 service about the pull of these some of 293 00:12:04,880 --> 00:12:08,470 these extremist groups . But But there 294 00:12:08,470 --> 00:12:10,414 was also a very healthy discussion 295 00:12:10,414 --> 00:12:12,470 about what do you do when people are 296 00:12:12,470 --> 00:12:14,526 mustering out on DSO ? Some of these 297 00:12:14,526 --> 00:12:16,637 groups are very organized . They very 298 00:12:16,637 --> 00:12:20,240 aggressively recruit , uh , soon to be 299 00:12:20,240 --> 00:12:23,240 veterans because they believe , uh , 300 00:12:23,250 --> 00:12:25,880 they believe some , you know , some 301 00:12:25,880 --> 00:12:28,240 some of them believe that they espouse 302 00:12:28,240 --> 00:12:30,030 the same ideologies , but more 303 00:12:30,030 --> 00:12:31,697 critically , they value their 304 00:12:31,697 --> 00:12:34,120 leadership skills , their management up 305 00:12:34,130 --> 00:12:37,060 capabilities there , Uh , in some cases , 306 00:12:37,070 --> 00:12:40,010 I think there's a belief that because 307 00:12:40,010 --> 00:12:42,177 they know how to use weapons , right , 308 00:12:42,177 --> 00:12:44,130 so there's a There's a There's a 309 00:12:44,140 --> 00:12:46,540 organized , almost aggressive effort by 310 00:12:46,540 --> 00:12:48,373 some of these groups . Thio pull 311 00:12:48,373 --> 00:12:51,910 veterans into their into their circle . 312 00:12:51,920 --> 00:12:55,320 Um , and so one of the discussions that 313 00:12:55,330 --> 00:12:57,640 that they had was to what degree do we 314 00:12:57,650 --> 00:12:59,817 really need to take a look at how when 315 00:12:59,817 --> 00:13:01,872 we're getting ready to muster people 316 00:13:01,872 --> 00:13:04,094 out ? What are we ? What are we helping 317 00:13:04,094 --> 00:13:06,150 them understand about what's waiting 318 00:13:06,150 --> 00:13:08,094 for them on the other side and who 319 00:13:08,094 --> 00:13:10,261 might be waiting for them on the other 320 00:13:10,261 --> 00:13:10,260 side ? So I think , you know , there 321 00:13:10,260 --> 00:13:12,371 was a lot of good ideas shared , Um , 322 00:13:12,371 --> 00:13:14,680 and , uh , and and and the secretary 323 00:13:14,680 --> 00:13:17,780 was encouraged by the seriousness with 324 00:13:17,780 --> 00:13:19,891 which the Chiefs took it . So , yes , 325 00:13:19,891 --> 00:13:21,947 there is some good ideas coming from 326 00:13:21,947 --> 00:13:24,169 inside the building to Jeff um , John . 327 00:13:24,169 --> 00:13:26,280 One thing both this administration in 328 00:13:26,280 --> 00:13:28,320 the last agree on is that genocide 329 00:13:28,320 --> 00:13:30,870 occurred in Jin Jing Province , and 330 00:13:30,870 --> 00:13:32,980 it's still occurring in China . Does 331 00:13:32,980 --> 00:13:35,100 the Pentagon have evidence that 332 00:13:35,100 --> 00:13:38,700 genocide is occurring in China , and if 333 00:13:38,700 --> 00:13:41,170 so , what does that require of you as a 334 00:13:41,170 --> 00:13:42,170 military ? 335 00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:45,960 I certainly wouldn't speak 336 00:13:45,960 --> 00:13:48,100 Thio intelligence issues Jen , so I 337 00:13:48,100 --> 00:13:50,770 don't know . Um um I don't wanna 338 00:13:50,770 --> 00:13:54,550 gettinto the evidentiary disclosures 339 00:13:54,550 --> 00:13:56,480 here except to say that 340 00:13:56,490 --> 00:13:59,550 the department 341 00:14:00,850 --> 00:14:04,170 supports the assessment made by the 342 00:14:04,180 --> 00:14:06,600 State Department , Uh , in terms of 343 00:14:06,600 --> 00:14:09,860 what's happened . Um uh , to the 344 00:14:09,860 --> 00:14:12,560 Wickers , and we would refer you to the 345 00:14:12,560 --> 00:14:14,782 State Department for further comment on 346 00:14:14,782 --> 00:14:16,838 that . And can I just follow up with 347 00:14:16,838 --> 00:14:19,171 the question on troops around the world ? 348 00:14:19,171 --> 00:14:20,838 Is the Biden . Does the Biden 349 00:14:20,838 --> 00:14:23,004 administration have its eye on certain 350 00:14:23,004 --> 00:14:25,060 areas where they would like to bring 351 00:14:25,060 --> 00:14:26,949 troops home ? And could you see a 352 00:14:26,949 --> 00:14:29,060 situation where President Biden sends 353 00:14:29,060 --> 00:14:31,004 more troops to Afghanistan ? Since 354 00:14:31,004 --> 00:14:33,171 there was a swift draw down at the end 355 00:14:33,171 --> 00:14:35,227 of the last administration , I would 356 00:14:35,227 --> 00:14:37,449 not get ahead of the commander in chief 357 00:14:37,449 --> 00:14:39,671 in terms of force posture , decisions , 358 00:14:39,671 --> 00:14:41,782 this force posture review that he has 359 00:14:41,782 --> 00:14:43,671 tasked the Secretary Thio conduct 360 00:14:43,671 --> 00:14:45,838 really is just now starting . And as I 361 00:14:45,838 --> 00:14:47,782 said last week , we expected to be 362 00:14:47,782 --> 00:14:51,580 complete by midsummer ish or so , uh , 363 00:14:51,590 --> 00:14:53,812 and I think that will greatly inform an 364 00:14:53,812 --> 00:14:55,820 interagency discussion and decision 365 00:14:55,820 --> 00:14:58,640 making process about where we have 366 00:14:58,640 --> 00:15:00,862 troops where we need mawr where we need 367 00:15:00,862 --> 00:15:03,029 less and I would not want to get ahead 368 00:15:03,029 --> 00:15:05,307 of that decision making process at all . 369 00:15:05,307 --> 00:15:07,529 That just would not be . That would not 370 00:15:07,529 --> 00:15:09,751 be wise . Uh , let me go to back to the 371 00:15:09,751 --> 00:15:11,918 phones here . I promise . I have to do 372 00:15:11,918 --> 00:15:14,084 two on each side , and then we'll keep 373 00:15:14,084 --> 00:15:16,196 coming back . But I have been council 374 00:15:16,196 --> 00:15:18,196 about this , so I need to make sure 375 00:15:18,196 --> 00:15:20,362 that I'm doing it right . Address from 376 00:15:20,362 --> 00:15:23,350 Reuters . Thanks , John . Um , question 377 00:15:23,350 --> 00:15:25,750 on the FEMA request for covert 378 00:15:25,750 --> 00:15:27,806 assistance , Um , is the expectation 379 00:15:27,806 --> 00:15:29,806 that that number of troops required 380 00:15:29,806 --> 00:15:32,160 it's gonna go to about 10,000 . Um , 381 00:15:32,170 --> 00:15:34,114 and and And if it is , um , is the 382 00:15:34,114 --> 00:15:36,170 secretary satisfied with sort of the 383 00:15:36,170 --> 00:15:38,114 pace at which the request is being 384 00:15:38,114 --> 00:15:40,226 sourced ? Obviously , 1000 or so have 385 00:15:40,226 --> 00:15:42,448 already , um , you know , are are about 386 00:15:42,448 --> 00:15:44,559 to move out . But if he satisfied the 387 00:15:44,559 --> 00:15:46,670 department is is feeling that request 388 00:15:46,670 --> 00:15:48,559 quickly enough . The secretary is 389 00:15:48,559 --> 00:15:52,460 satisfied that the services have taken 390 00:15:52,460 --> 00:15:54,516 this request seriously . And I think 391 00:15:54,516 --> 00:15:56,293 it's , um uh it's , um , really 392 00:15:56,293 --> 00:15:58,516 important to understand that we have to 393 00:15:58,516 --> 00:16:00,571 work in lockstep with FEMA state and 394 00:16:00,571 --> 00:16:02,800 local authorities . Here s Oh , you 395 00:16:02,800 --> 00:16:05,078 know , you mentioned the 10,000 number . 396 00:16:05,078 --> 00:16:07,244 I know . That's a number that FEMA has 397 00:16:07,244 --> 00:16:09,467 acknowledges in there request . I would 398 00:16:09,467 --> 00:16:11,578 tell you that what our focus is on is 399 00:16:11,578 --> 00:16:13,633 more towards capabilities and not so 400 00:16:13,633 --> 00:16:16,810 much numbers . And so I don't know what 401 00:16:16,820 --> 00:16:18,820 when , When we're all when it's all 402 00:16:18,820 --> 00:16:20,653 said and done , I can't say with 403 00:16:20,653 --> 00:16:22,764 certainty what the final total number 404 00:16:22,764 --> 00:16:24,876 will be . That's why we're doing this 405 00:16:24,876 --> 00:16:27,160 in tranches , working in lockstep with 406 00:16:27,160 --> 00:16:29,150 FEMA and again state and local 407 00:16:29,150 --> 00:16:31,150 authorities to make sure that we're 408 00:16:31,150 --> 00:16:33,206 providing them numbers that they can 409 00:16:33,206 --> 00:16:35,317 accommodate and can handle and can be 410 00:16:35,317 --> 00:16:37,428 and will be helpful and not overwhelm 411 00:16:37,428 --> 00:16:39,960 them . Uh , you know , with teams 412 00:16:39,960 --> 00:16:43,390 showing up , um before sites have been 413 00:16:43,390 --> 00:16:45,446 established and agreements have been 414 00:16:45,446 --> 00:16:47,223 worked out with state and local 415 00:16:47,223 --> 00:16:49,390 authorities to do this . So we want to 416 00:16:49,390 --> 00:16:51,446 do this at a very deliberate pace so 417 00:16:51,446 --> 00:16:53,723 that we're not overwhelming the system , 418 00:16:53,723 --> 00:16:55,779 But we're also ready to go when FEMA 419 00:16:55,779 --> 00:16:57,779 and state and local authorities are 420 00:16:57,779 --> 00:16:59,890 already toe . Have us did that Answer 421 00:16:59,890 --> 00:17:01,970 your question ? It doesn't just a 422 00:17:01,980 --> 00:17:04,036 totally separate topic . President , 423 00:17:04,036 --> 00:17:06,147 Biden said , is coming on Wednesday . 424 00:17:06,147 --> 00:17:08,313 Is there anything in particular ? Um , 425 00:17:08,313 --> 00:17:07,960 he will be announcing , or is it more 426 00:17:07,960 --> 00:17:10,293 of a you know , get not get to know you . 427 00:17:10,293 --> 00:17:12,071 But introductory meeting at the 428 00:17:12,071 --> 00:17:14,238 Pentagon . Well , I certainly wouldn't 429 00:17:14,238 --> 00:17:16,349 speak for the president in terms of , 430 00:17:16,349 --> 00:17:18,630 uh , anything that he would have 431 00:17:18,630 --> 00:17:21,700 specifically to say . Um , what I would 432 00:17:21,700 --> 00:17:24,000 tell you is that , um what we're 433 00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:26,720 planning for is for him to get a chance 434 00:17:26,720 --> 00:17:29,250 to meet with senior leaders here , uh , 435 00:17:29,260 --> 00:17:31,410 at the Pentagon , senior civilian and 436 00:17:31,410 --> 00:17:34,930 uniformed leaders he'll have with them , 437 00:17:34,940 --> 00:17:38,350 um , Thio to talk about foreign and 438 00:17:38,350 --> 00:17:40,517 defense policy issues as appropriate . 439 00:17:40,517 --> 00:17:42,683 I don't have a specific agenda of what 440 00:17:42,683 --> 00:17:44,628 the topics will be . That would be 441 00:17:44,628 --> 00:17:46,628 something for the White House to to 442 00:17:46,628 --> 00:17:48,850 speak thio on . Then hey , will have an 443 00:17:48,850 --> 00:17:51,290 opportunity to speak directly to the d 444 00:17:51,290 --> 00:17:54,110 o d workforce on again . I would , you 445 00:17:54,110 --> 00:17:56,221 know , I certainly wouldn't get ahead 446 00:17:56,221 --> 00:17:58,443 of the president . About what , uh what 447 00:17:58,443 --> 00:18:00,443 specifically his messages will be . 448 00:18:00,443 --> 00:18:02,443 We're glad to have him here . We're 449 00:18:02,443 --> 00:18:04,610 looking forward to it . But those were 450 00:18:04,610 --> 00:18:06,777 really the two aims to get a chance to 451 00:18:06,777 --> 00:18:08,777 sit down and talk to senior leaders 452 00:18:08,777 --> 00:18:10,943 here and then also a chance to address 453 00:18:10,943 --> 00:18:13,610 the workforce . Um , go ahead . You're 454 00:18:13,610 --> 00:18:16,720 welcome . Uh , on the issue of the U . 455 00:18:16,720 --> 00:18:20,430 S . Space forces , the US 456 00:18:20,440 --> 00:18:23,780 space forces . Have you bean deployed 457 00:18:23,790 --> 00:18:27,170 to South Korea ? Can you tell us 458 00:18:27,740 --> 00:18:31,120 what is the their mission and 459 00:18:31,120 --> 00:18:33,770 sizes ? You're saying that they have 460 00:18:33,770 --> 00:18:36,610 been deployed into the Republic of 461 00:18:36,610 --> 00:18:39,330 Korea ? I'm not aware of that s o 462 00:18:39,340 --> 00:18:43,730 e . 463 00:18:43,740 --> 00:18:45,907 Trust you . I'm not . I'm not aware of 464 00:18:45,907 --> 00:18:48,073 that particular deployment . I'd refer 465 00:18:48,073 --> 00:18:50,129 you to the space Force to speak Thio 466 00:18:50,129 --> 00:18:52,240 their specific operations in the back 467 00:18:52,240 --> 00:18:54,470 there . Thank you very much . I want to 468 00:18:54,480 --> 00:18:56,790 follow up The global post post shall 469 00:18:56,790 --> 00:18:58,846 review that . I understand you can't 470 00:18:58,846 --> 00:19:01,740 get into the data of it right now . But 471 00:19:01,750 --> 00:19:04,340 the Pentagon , because China has the 472 00:19:04,350 --> 00:19:06,730 biggest challenge , so were the 473 00:19:06,740 --> 00:19:09,640 Pentagon . Consider the option off 474 00:19:09,650 --> 00:19:12,360 increasing the military presence in the 475 00:19:12,370 --> 00:19:14,481 in the Pacific region throughout that 476 00:19:14,481 --> 00:19:18,360 distribute e mean , I'm just not 477 00:19:18,360 --> 00:19:20,416 going to get ahead of decisions that 478 00:19:20,416 --> 00:19:22,582 the Secretary hasn't made yet and that 479 00:19:22,582 --> 00:19:24,749 the whole reason we're doing a posture 480 00:19:24,749 --> 00:19:24,610 review is to get a better sense of the 481 00:19:24,610 --> 00:19:26,832 lay down around the world , match it to 482 00:19:26,832 --> 00:19:29,110 the strategy and the mission sets , um , 483 00:19:29,110 --> 00:19:31,870 and no decisions about no changes . 484 00:19:31,870 --> 00:19:35,770 Thio force posture , you know , in 485 00:19:35,770 --> 00:19:37,714 the Asia Pacific are in the offing 486 00:19:37,714 --> 00:19:40,330 today . We will continue to maintain , 487 00:19:40,340 --> 00:19:44,160 uh , our 488 00:19:44,160 --> 00:19:46,330 security commitments to our allies and 489 00:19:46,330 --> 00:19:48,386 partners there . We will continue to 490 00:19:48,386 --> 00:19:51,710 maintain rotational , uh , force 491 00:19:51,720 --> 00:19:53,887 deployments in and out of the region , 492 00:19:53,887 --> 00:19:55,887 just like we talked about last week 493 00:19:55,887 --> 00:19:57,887 with aircraft carriers . But as the 494 00:19:57,887 --> 00:19:59,998 specific , you know , force posture , 495 00:19:59,998 --> 00:20:02,220 hypotheticals . I just don't think that 496 00:20:02,220 --> 00:20:04,387 would be wise to get into Let me go to 497 00:20:04,387 --> 00:20:06,550 the the phones again . Dan Siegel on 498 00:20:06,550 --> 00:20:09,580 PBS I Thanks for taking my question . 499 00:20:09,590 --> 00:20:11,750 Can you clarify who will be under 500 00:20:11,750 --> 00:20:14,110 sexual assault commission ? Um , is it 501 00:20:14,110 --> 00:20:16,277 gonna be just People who work at D O . 502 00:20:16,277 --> 00:20:18,443 D . Will be outside experts . You tell 503 00:20:18,443 --> 00:20:20,554 us . What is their charter ? Are they 504 00:20:20,554 --> 00:20:23,120 going to take outside trips ? Well , 505 00:20:23,130 --> 00:20:25,770 thanks , Dan s . So we know for We know 506 00:20:25,780 --> 00:20:27,836 at the very outset one of the things 507 00:20:27,836 --> 00:20:29,836 that the Secretary task was for the 508 00:20:29,836 --> 00:20:31,724 services to come back with senior 509 00:20:31,724 --> 00:20:33,780 leaders again . Enlisted officer and 510 00:20:33,780 --> 00:20:37,130 senior s S es civilian members to help 511 00:20:37,130 --> 00:20:39,590 form the core of this commission . The 512 00:20:39,600 --> 00:20:41,767 It has not been completely fleshed out 513 00:20:41,767 --> 00:20:43,878 yet , so I don't want to get ahead of 514 00:20:43,878 --> 00:20:46,540 that . I'm not saying that all those 515 00:20:46,540 --> 00:20:48,651 members of the sum total I'm sure the 516 00:20:48,651 --> 00:20:50,762 secretary will want to take a look at 517 00:20:50,762 --> 00:20:52,818 that and appropriately resourced the 518 00:20:52,818 --> 00:20:54,929 commission to make sure that they are 519 00:20:54,929 --> 00:20:57,207 actually able to come up with tangible , 520 00:20:57,207 --> 00:20:59,390 practical solutions to solving this to 521 00:20:59,390 --> 00:21:01,850 solving this scourge . And as for 522 00:21:02,240 --> 00:21:05,060 whether they'll go outside again , I 523 00:21:05,060 --> 00:21:06,930 don't know . But I would not be 524 00:21:06,930 --> 00:21:09,540 surprised if they if they , in the 525 00:21:09,540 --> 00:21:11,651 course of their work , are willing to 526 00:21:11,651 --> 00:21:14,710 reach out and consult experts outside 527 00:21:14,710 --> 00:21:16,890 the Department of Defense . Um , that 528 00:21:16,890 --> 00:21:19,130 makes eminent sense . And I I wouldn't 529 00:21:19,130 --> 00:21:21,241 be at all surprised if that happens . 530 00:21:21,241 --> 00:21:23,463 As for travel , nobody's traveling much 531 00:21:23,463 --> 00:21:25,830 right now . Dan s O to the degree 532 00:21:25,830 --> 00:21:27,774 travel was absolutely necessary to 533 00:21:27,774 --> 00:21:30,300 commit to conduct the commission's work . 534 00:21:30,300 --> 00:21:32,870 I suspect , um , that will That will 535 00:21:32,870 --> 00:21:34,759 take a look at that and take that 536 00:21:34,759 --> 00:21:36,703 seriously . But right now , I just 537 00:21:36,703 --> 00:21:38,870 can't get ahead of that right now . So 538 00:21:38,870 --> 00:21:41,037 at this point , no decisions have been 539 00:21:41,037 --> 00:21:40,720 made of outside experts will be on it 540 00:21:40,720 --> 00:21:42,776 or not . No . No decisions right now 541 00:21:42,776 --> 00:21:44,887 about whether outside experts will be 542 00:21:44,887 --> 00:21:46,887 on the commission . Okay , The last 543 00:21:46,887 --> 00:21:48,998 follow up questions does the civilian 544 00:21:48,998 --> 00:21:50,887 leadership . But do you think the 545 00:21:50,887 --> 00:21:52,998 command climate in the situation that 546 00:21:52,998 --> 00:21:55,053 was founded Fort Hood with respect , 547 00:21:55,053 --> 00:21:57,164 the sexual assault was that unique to 548 00:21:57,164 --> 00:21:58,998 Fort Hood ? Or does the civilian 549 00:21:58,998 --> 00:22:01,053 leadership think that the problem it 550 00:22:01,053 --> 00:22:03,450 for good are our elsewhere are every 551 00:22:03,450 --> 00:22:06,000 other base You're kind of breaking up 552 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:08,167 there , but I think the question was , 553 00:22:08,167 --> 00:22:10,333 Do we believe the command climate will 554 00:22:10,333 --> 00:22:12,333 have to be looked at as part of the 555 00:22:12,333 --> 00:22:14,389 commission's work ? Based on what we 556 00:22:14,389 --> 00:22:16,444 saw at Fort Hood , and I would point 557 00:22:16,444 --> 00:22:18,389 you back to what Secretary has has 558 00:22:18,389 --> 00:22:20,500 himself said , um , in testimony that 559 00:22:20,500 --> 00:22:22,700 command climate , certainly , by 560 00:22:22,710 --> 00:22:24,790 looking at the Fort Hood reports . 561 00:22:24,790 --> 00:22:26,679 Certainly , command climate was a 562 00:22:26,679 --> 00:22:28,901 factor Andi would want that looked at , 563 00:22:29,520 --> 00:22:32,970 you know , across the force . Now to 564 00:22:32,970 --> 00:22:35,081 your question , you do , we do . Does 565 00:22:35,081 --> 00:22:36,820 he believe that it is an issue 566 00:22:36,820 --> 00:22:38,931 everywhere across the force ? I don't 567 00:22:38,931 --> 00:22:40,987 know that he would go that far , but 568 00:22:40,987 --> 00:22:42,931 certainly , you know , he believes 569 00:22:42,931 --> 00:22:44,987 command climate and leadership , and 570 00:22:44,987 --> 00:22:44,680 he's talked about sexual assault . 571 00:22:44,690 --> 00:22:46,930 Being a leadership issue is certainly a 572 00:22:46,930 --> 00:22:49,097 key part of any command climate , So I 573 00:22:49,097 --> 00:22:50,930 would fully expect that that the 574 00:22:50,930 --> 00:22:53,152 commission would would consider that in 575 00:22:53,152 --> 00:22:56,020 their work going forward , uh , JJ 576 00:22:56,020 --> 00:22:59,900 Green , Yeah , 577 00:22:59,910 --> 00:23:02,021 Admiral Kirby , um , it's good to see 578 00:23:02,021 --> 00:23:04,077 you back at the Pentagon , and thank 579 00:23:04,077 --> 00:23:06,188 you for this opportunity . Question . 580 00:23:06,188 --> 00:23:08,354 Um , two quick questions . The tone of 581 00:23:08,354 --> 00:23:10,250 the relationship with the U . S . 582 00:23:10,260 --> 00:23:12,427 Allies the president's been very clear 583 00:23:12,427 --> 00:23:14,280 about some of the U . S . Is the 584 00:23:14,290 --> 00:23:16,401 posture of US posture towards some of 585 00:23:16,401 --> 00:23:18,679 the nation's adversaries , like Russia , 586 00:23:18,679 --> 00:23:20,623 for example . But from a strategic 587 00:23:20,623 --> 00:23:22,679 point of view , how is the d . O . D 588 00:23:22,679 --> 00:23:24,568 Undersecretary Austin positioning 589 00:23:24,568 --> 00:23:27,520 itself to engage with the U . S allies 590 00:23:27,520 --> 00:23:29,631 in the immediate future ? The Germany 591 00:23:29,631 --> 00:23:31,631 troop withdrawal free sent a strong 592 00:23:31,631 --> 00:23:33,687 message , but I'm wondering what the 593 00:23:33,687 --> 00:23:35,853 overall strategy is , and just quickly 594 00:23:35,853 --> 00:23:38,020 how big a factor will the NATO mission 595 00:23:38,020 --> 00:23:40,020 factor into any strategy ? That's a 596 00:23:40,020 --> 00:23:42,298 great question and very timely because , 597 00:23:42,298 --> 00:23:44,520 as you probably know , the NATO defense 598 00:23:44,520 --> 00:23:46,242 ministerial is next week , and 599 00:23:46,242 --> 00:23:48,464 Secretary is hard at work preparing for 600 00:23:48,464 --> 00:23:50,687 that . Um , I think you , uh , saw in a 601 00:23:50,687 --> 00:23:52,409 statement that he issued after 602 00:23:52,409 --> 00:23:54,520 President Biden's speech at the State 603 00:23:54,520 --> 00:23:56,631 Department last week how seriously in 604 00:23:56,631 --> 00:23:58,409 that statement how seriously he 605 00:23:58,409 --> 00:24:00,464 addressed the issue of alliances and 606 00:24:00,464 --> 00:24:02,687 partnerships and reinvigorating and and 607 00:24:02,687 --> 00:24:04,409 revitalizing our commitment to 608 00:24:04,409 --> 00:24:06,576 alliances and partnerships . It was no 609 00:24:06,576 --> 00:24:08,576 accident that his first call on the 610 00:24:08,576 --> 00:24:11,370 first day at the Pentagon was , uh , to 611 00:24:11,370 --> 00:24:14,710 the NATO Secretary General . Uh , he 612 00:24:14,720 --> 00:24:17,000 intends to put a lot of energy , uh , 613 00:24:17,010 --> 00:24:19,710 into revitalizing our commitments to 614 00:24:19,720 --> 00:24:21,942 alliances and partnerships , and it and 615 00:24:21,942 --> 00:24:24,320 it , uh , it obviously that goes beyond 616 00:24:24,320 --> 00:24:26,542 NATO , of course . But the NATO defense 617 00:24:26,542 --> 00:24:28,920 ministerial is coming up . Give him a 618 00:24:28,930 --> 00:24:30,930 great opportunity to do just that . 619 00:24:31,640 --> 00:24:35,260 That answer your question , JJ , Yes . 620 00:24:35,270 --> 00:24:38,230 Um , yeah . And I think , uh , well , 621 00:24:38,230 --> 00:24:40,397 yeah , that's it . That's good . Thank 622 00:24:40,397 --> 00:24:42,619 you . Okay . In the back there . Yeah . 623 00:24:42,740 --> 00:24:46,530 Mhm . Today . General Mackenzie said 624 00:24:46,540 --> 00:24:49,280 that there is an increased competition 625 00:24:49,280 --> 00:24:51,280 from China and Russia in the Middle 626 00:24:51,280 --> 00:24:53,447 East against the United States , which 627 00:24:53,447 --> 00:24:55,613 adds another layer off complication to 628 00:24:55,613 --> 00:24:58,950 the to the already this instability in 629 00:24:58,950 --> 00:25:00,920 the region . What is the Biden 630 00:25:00,920 --> 00:25:02,976 administration , military or defense 631 00:25:02,976 --> 00:25:05,031 strategy against China and Russia in 632 00:25:05,031 --> 00:25:06,031 Middle East ? 633 00:25:09,540 --> 00:25:11,540 There's no question that Russia and 634 00:25:11,540 --> 00:25:15,450 Chinese , Russian , Russia and China , 635 00:25:16,140 --> 00:25:18,760 um , are involved 636 00:25:19,640 --> 00:25:23,370 in areas in the Middle East . And 637 00:25:23,380 --> 00:25:26,060 I think you heard General Kensi speak 638 00:25:26,060 --> 00:25:29,690 specifically to , um , the degree to 639 00:25:29,690 --> 00:25:33,540 which that , uh , Russia has 640 00:25:33,540 --> 00:25:36,160 not been helpful in places like Syria . 641 00:25:37,040 --> 00:25:40,160 Um , you also heard the secretary talk 642 00:25:40,160 --> 00:25:42,290 about the existing national defense 643 00:25:42,290 --> 00:25:45,880 strategy and and his agreement that , 644 00:25:45,890 --> 00:25:48,810 um that the central tenets of that 645 00:25:48,820 --> 00:25:52,200 defense strategy that that China does 646 00:25:52,200 --> 00:25:54,500 pose a pacing challenge to the United 647 00:25:54,500 --> 00:25:56,667 States globally not just in the Middle 648 00:25:56,667 --> 00:25:59,350 East , but globally . Um , Andi that 649 00:25:59,840 --> 00:26:02,430 Russia , as they try to be resurgent , 650 00:26:02,440 --> 00:26:04,930 very often acts in ways that are 651 00:26:04,930 --> 00:26:06,819 inimical to not only our national 652 00:26:06,819 --> 00:26:08,986 interest but the national interests of 653 00:26:08,986 --> 00:26:10,874 of , uh , countless others in the 654 00:26:10,874 --> 00:26:13,990 international community . Um , he will , 655 00:26:14,000 --> 00:26:16,167 as he goes through this global posture 656 00:26:16,167 --> 00:26:18,960 review , take a look at , um , 657 00:26:20,080 --> 00:26:22,060 whether or not we are properly 658 00:26:22,060 --> 00:26:24,850 resourced on . But we are executing the 659 00:26:24,850 --> 00:26:27,830 right missions , um , to make sure that , 660 00:26:27,840 --> 00:26:29,990 um that we're protecting the United 661 00:26:29,990 --> 00:26:31,879 States and our national interests 662 00:26:31,879 --> 00:26:34,212 against those that would challenge that . 663 00:26:34,212 --> 00:26:37,010 So I don't wanna get in tow specific 664 00:26:37,020 --> 00:26:39,610 Middle East strategy here , since we're 665 00:26:39,610 --> 00:26:41,680 just now starting this , uh , this 666 00:26:41,680 --> 00:26:43,960 force posture review just to follow up 667 00:26:44,140 --> 00:26:47,420 Also , right now , Russia and Iran are 668 00:26:47,430 --> 00:26:50,230 fortifying Assad forces in northeast 669 00:26:50,230 --> 00:26:52,190 Syria as the tension is mounting 670 00:26:52,200 --> 00:26:55,000 between Assad regime and the SDF . So 671 00:26:55,010 --> 00:26:57,200 is the United States prepared to take 672 00:26:57,210 --> 00:27:00,500 action if it escalates into a conflict 673 00:27:00,500 --> 00:27:04,390 a combat between SDF and Russia and 674 00:27:04,390 --> 00:27:06,850 Iranian back militias ? I won't talk 675 00:27:06,850 --> 00:27:09,930 about operations specific 676 00:27:09,930 --> 00:27:12,760 operational , uh , issues here at the 677 00:27:12,760 --> 00:27:14,982 podium . And I'm certainly not going to 678 00:27:14,982 --> 00:27:17,204 get into hypothetical future operations 679 00:27:17,204 --> 00:27:19,149 That may or may not happen , but I 680 00:27:19,149 --> 00:27:21,160 think you did here . The General 681 00:27:21,160 --> 00:27:23,327 Mackenzie speak today that that we are 682 00:27:23,327 --> 00:27:25,160 in direct communication with the 683 00:27:25,160 --> 00:27:27,327 Russian military to facilitate air and 684 00:27:27,327 --> 00:27:29,438 ground deconfliction . We continue to 685 00:27:29,438 --> 00:27:31,549 urge Russia and all of the all of the 686 00:27:31,549 --> 00:27:33,270 parties to adhere to mutual 687 00:27:33,270 --> 00:27:35,492 deconfliction processes and to not take 688 00:27:35,492 --> 00:27:37,980 any provocative action in Syria . You 689 00:27:37,980 --> 00:27:41,860 go . Let me go to the phones . Uh , 690 00:27:41,870 --> 00:27:43,050 Todd South 691 00:27:48,140 --> 00:27:50,362 Hope you didn't have a question . I was 692 00:27:50,500 --> 00:27:52,611 There was a no next year name , and I 693 00:27:52,611 --> 00:27:54,722 missed it . They tried to write it in 694 00:27:54,722 --> 00:27:56,667 bigger font . Look at that . And I 695 00:27:56,667 --> 00:27:58,722 still missed it without my glasses . 696 00:27:58,722 --> 00:28:02,010 Louis Martinez . Hey , John . Thanks . 697 00:28:02,020 --> 00:28:04,131 All my questions have been answered . 698 00:28:04,131 --> 00:28:06,353 Thank you . He did have a yes . Next to 699 00:28:06,353 --> 00:28:08,576 his name . I'm taking credit for that , 700 00:28:08,576 --> 00:28:11,450 though . So we thank you . I would like 701 00:28:11,450 --> 00:28:13,770 to go back toe the previous question 702 00:28:13,770 --> 00:28:17,130 about General Mackenzie this morning . 703 00:28:17,140 --> 00:28:20,590 He also said that he is very concerned 704 00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:23,910 about the fate off the 705 00:28:23,920 --> 00:28:27,790 foreign fighters for Isis in 706 00:28:27,800 --> 00:28:31,800 Syria . and I want to know what is 707 00:28:31,810 --> 00:28:35,490 the message ? Theo Biden administration 708 00:28:35,490 --> 00:28:37,900 wants to send toe the Western countries 709 00:28:37,930 --> 00:28:41,670 who have citizens in these camps . 710 00:28:42,040 --> 00:28:44,670 Uh , well , I mean , um , 711 00:28:46,240 --> 00:28:48,407 there's a couple of top points there . 712 00:28:48,407 --> 00:28:51,440 I mean , it's not a new worry that Isis 713 00:28:51,440 --> 00:28:53,662 would want to take advantage of refugee 714 00:28:53,662 --> 00:28:56,330 camps for incitement and recruitment . 715 00:28:56,340 --> 00:28:58,562 And I think the general was reiterating 716 00:28:58,562 --> 00:29:01,960 that the longstanding concern , um , 717 00:29:01,970 --> 00:29:04,137 and I would also say that , you know , 718 00:29:04,137 --> 00:29:07,150 we work in tandem with local and 719 00:29:07,150 --> 00:29:09,370 coalition partners . A swell of the 720 00:29:09,370 --> 00:29:11,810 international community , um , to try 721 00:29:11,810 --> 00:29:15,170 toe find a multi pronged approach to 722 00:29:15,170 --> 00:29:17,226 reduce the risks that are associated 723 00:29:17,226 --> 00:29:19,337 with isis fighters in these detention 724 00:29:19,337 --> 00:29:22,770 camps on with radicalized individuals . 725 00:29:23,140 --> 00:29:26,020 Um , humanitarian organizations 726 00:29:26,020 --> 00:29:28,131 administer the camps . We don't We're 727 00:29:28,131 --> 00:29:31,550 not in those camps . Um , but we have , 728 00:29:31,940 --> 00:29:34,860 uh , continued to send a message to the 729 00:29:34,860 --> 00:29:37,370 international community . Uh , that we 730 00:29:37,370 --> 00:29:39,490 all must work together to try to find 731 00:29:39,500 --> 00:29:42,650 local solutions to try to minimize that 732 00:29:42,650 --> 00:29:45,310 risk . Um , and as for you know , 733 00:29:45,320 --> 00:29:48,280 specific us policy with that with that 734 00:29:48,290 --> 00:29:50,900 camp in north northeast Syria , we we 735 00:29:50,900 --> 00:29:52,956 pointed the Department of State . Do 736 00:29:52,956 --> 00:29:56,160 you think the NATO allies do enough 737 00:29:56,840 --> 00:29:59,760 toe take care of their citizens there . 738 00:30:00,240 --> 00:30:03,970 Well , you probably seen before . I 739 00:30:03,970 --> 00:30:07,670 mean , we we obviously would support 740 00:30:08,620 --> 00:30:12,530 uhh states that have 741 00:30:12,530 --> 00:30:16,030 foreign fighters thio to bring them 742 00:30:16,030 --> 00:30:19,890 home . Aunt too . Um , hold them 743 00:30:19,890 --> 00:30:22,210 accountable within their own , uh , 744 00:30:22,220 --> 00:30:25,770 criminal justice systems . Uh , 745 00:30:26,140 --> 00:30:29,900 this isn't It's not a specifically NATO 746 00:30:29,910 --> 00:30:33,470 problem . I mean , many countries , uh , 747 00:30:33,480 --> 00:30:35,702 have had foreign fighters who have been 748 00:30:35,702 --> 00:30:38,410 inspired , uh , to join Isis or to 749 00:30:38,410 --> 00:30:41,730 support Isis on . So again , we call on 750 00:30:41,730 --> 00:30:43,897 the international community to kind of 751 00:30:43,897 --> 00:30:46,230 help us solve this problem collectively , 752 00:30:46,230 --> 00:30:48,286 Joe . Thank you . I would like to go 753 00:30:48,286 --> 00:30:50,452 back toe Qassams . Question in regards 754 00:30:50,452 --> 00:30:52,619 to the situation in north east Syria , 755 00:30:52,619 --> 00:30:54,786 could you tell us or could you give us 756 00:30:54,786 --> 00:30:56,952 an update about the current status off 757 00:30:56,952 --> 00:30:58,841 the U . S . Support for the SDF , 758 00:31:00,440 --> 00:31:04,260 So , Yeah , hold on a second job . Make 759 00:31:04,260 --> 00:31:05,260 sure I got it . 760 00:31:08,140 --> 00:31:11,060 There's about 900 U S service members 761 00:31:11,070 --> 00:31:13,330 that are serving in Syria right now . 762 00:31:13,330 --> 00:31:15,441 The numbers do fluctuate daily . Uh , 763 00:31:15,441 --> 00:31:17,510 do the operational requirements . I 764 00:31:17,510 --> 00:31:19,621 think it's important to remember that 765 00:31:19,621 --> 00:31:21,843 our mission there remains to enable the 766 00:31:21,843 --> 00:31:23,788 enduring defeat of Isis on U . S . 767 00:31:23,788 --> 00:31:25,732 Service members that air there are 768 00:31:25,732 --> 00:31:29,240 supporting the defeat Isis mission in 769 00:31:29,240 --> 00:31:31,462 Syria . That's what they're there for . 770 00:31:31,462 --> 00:31:33,684 And they're working in conjunction with 771 00:31:33,684 --> 00:31:35,880 local partner forces , Uh , in the in 772 00:31:35,880 --> 00:31:37,936 the northeast part of that country . 773 00:31:37,936 --> 00:31:39,824 That's that's been that's been an 774 00:31:39,824 --> 00:31:42,000 enduring mission . But you have any 775 00:31:42,000 --> 00:31:45,970 idea if there are any ? If the 776 00:31:45,970 --> 00:31:48,420 United States is providing any military 777 00:31:48,420 --> 00:31:52,360 materials toe the SDF or there are any , 778 00:31:52,370 --> 00:31:55,450 uh , military to military training , 779 00:31:55,460 --> 00:31:58,450 toe those toe the elements off the idea 780 00:31:58,940 --> 00:32:01,610 Part of the mission continues to be 781 00:32:01,610 --> 00:32:05,150 support to the SDF Aziz . They continue 782 00:32:05,150 --> 00:32:08,430 to fight Isis in the region . 783 00:32:08,440 --> 00:32:11,160 I'm not at liberty to quantify that or 784 00:32:11,160 --> 00:32:13,216 qualify that more deeply than that . 785 00:32:13,216 --> 00:32:15,271 But as General McKenzie talked about 786 00:32:15,271 --> 00:32:17,438 this morning , I mean that that defeat 787 00:32:17,438 --> 00:32:19,660 that that defeat Isis Coalition , which 788 00:32:19,660 --> 00:32:22,470 does include members of the SDF that 789 00:32:22,470 --> 00:32:24,540 war continues even though Isis is 790 00:32:24,540 --> 00:32:28,130 greatly diminished . Um , you know , 791 00:32:28,130 --> 00:32:30,297 there's that work . That work is still 792 00:32:30,297 --> 00:32:32,297 important . Okay . Can I do a quick 793 00:32:32,297 --> 00:32:34,660 follow over that American troops still 794 00:32:34,660 --> 00:32:38,050 protecting those oil fields ? Part of 795 00:32:38,050 --> 00:32:41,560 the mission is that no longer part ? I 796 00:32:41,570 --> 00:32:44,980 would just in terms of the , um uh 797 00:32:44,990 --> 00:32:48,290 you're talking about the oil fields in 798 00:32:48,290 --> 00:32:50,290 the north east . That company Delta 799 00:32:50,290 --> 00:32:52,410 Delta Crescent Energy . Is that what 800 00:32:52,410 --> 00:32:54,632 you're talking about ? Well , there are 801 00:32:54,632 --> 00:32:56,799 a number of oil fields that the US was 802 00:32:56,799 --> 00:32:58,820 U S forces were protecting up there 803 00:32:59,030 --> 00:33:01,197 under the previous administration . Is 804 00:33:01,197 --> 00:33:03,530 that just no longer part of the mission ? 805 00:33:03,530 --> 00:33:05,641 Where that is that continue ? I'd say 806 00:33:05,641 --> 00:33:07,752 Well , except for where appropriate . 807 00:33:07,752 --> 00:33:09,863 Under certain existing authorizations 808 00:33:09,863 --> 00:33:12,030 to protect civilians , D o D personnel 809 00:33:12,030 --> 00:33:14,086 or contractors are not authorized to 810 00:33:14,086 --> 00:33:16,308 provide assistance to any other private 811 00:33:16,308 --> 00:33:18,363 company , including its employees or 812 00:33:18,363 --> 00:33:20,141 agents seeking to develop oil . 813 00:33:20,141 --> 00:33:22,086 Resource is in northeast Syria . I 814 00:33:22,086 --> 00:33:24,363 think I'll leave it at that . Go ahead . 815 00:33:24,363 --> 00:33:24,280 You've been very patient . Thank you 816 00:33:24,280 --> 00:33:26,560 very much . E Afghan journalist . I 817 00:33:26,560 --> 00:33:28,393 know you don't have to introduce 818 00:33:28,393 --> 00:33:31,610 yourself every time you e okay . Do you 819 00:33:31,610 --> 00:33:34,530 have any update ? And also Taliban are 820 00:33:34,770 --> 00:33:36,992 with the think different country in the 821 00:33:36,992 --> 00:33:38,270 region like Pakistan . 822 00:33:42,150 --> 00:33:45,250 Do I have any update on about the peace 823 00:33:45,250 --> 00:33:47,260 process about the peace process ? 824 00:33:47,680 --> 00:33:49,513 Nothing new to say other than we 825 00:33:49,513 --> 00:33:53,100 continue Thio review the agreement on 826 00:33:53,630 --> 00:33:56,840 on the degree to which compliance is 827 00:33:56,840 --> 00:33:59,170 being met . Andi has been no decisions 828 00:33:59,170 --> 00:34:01,320 on force posture in Afghanistan going 829 00:34:01,320 --> 00:34:03,320 forward . I think you know that the 830 00:34:03,320 --> 00:34:05,320 secretary talked to President Ghani 831 00:34:05,320 --> 00:34:07,320 just the other day last week . Good 832 00:34:07,320 --> 00:34:09,487 discussion there on . Do you know , he 833 00:34:09,487 --> 00:34:11,376 continues to participate in inter 834 00:34:11,376 --> 00:34:13,320 agency discussions about about our 835 00:34:13,320 --> 00:34:15,320 future in Afghanistan . But I don't 836 00:34:15,320 --> 00:34:15,100 have anything to announce today . Thank 837 00:34:15,100 --> 00:34:17,267 you for Do you know the reason why the 838 00:34:17,267 --> 00:34:19,267 Taliban ? They traveled to Russia , 839 00:34:19,330 --> 00:34:21,710 Iran and the region country like 840 00:34:21,870 --> 00:34:23,759 Pakistan , Turkmenistan , Maybe . 841 00:34:23,759 --> 00:34:26,330 People said they get their support 842 00:34:26,520 --> 00:34:29,820 against the United States for peace 843 00:34:29,820 --> 00:34:32,090 process . I'm afraid I can't speak for 844 00:34:32,090 --> 00:34:34,380 the Taliban . I'm only barely able to 845 00:34:34,380 --> 00:34:36,324 speak for the Pentagon right now . 846 00:34:36,324 --> 00:34:38,700 Thanks , John s so just a quick 847 00:34:38,710 --> 00:34:40,877 clarification . Um , and then I follow 848 00:34:40,877 --> 00:34:43,099 up the global force posture review , he 849 00:34:43,099 --> 00:34:45,210 said , is expected to be completed by 850 00:34:45,210 --> 00:34:47,460 mid summer . Does that include 851 00:34:47,470 --> 00:34:50,830 Afghanistan ? And if so , does that 852 00:34:50,840 --> 00:34:53,830 mean we won't go to zero by May ? Well , 853 00:34:53,840 --> 00:34:56,260 still be talking about that ? We talked 854 00:34:56,260 --> 00:34:59,690 about this last week . Uh , I don't 855 00:34:59,690 --> 00:35:02,330 want you to think that that a review on 856 00:35:02,330 --> 00:35:04,219 Afghanistan policy and the Global 857 00:35:04,219 --> 00:35:06,163 Posture Review are sort of sort of 858 00:35:06,163 --> 00:35:08,163 separate or parallel tracks and the 859 00:35:08,163 --> 00:35:10,219 each will inform the other . So it's 860 00:35:10,219 --> 00:35:12,500 not binary , Okay ? And I began No , no 861 00:35:12,500 --> 00:35:15,640 decisions , uh , of course . Thio to 862 00:35:15,640 --> 00:35:17,640 speak to you right now . I gotta go 863 00:35:17,640 --> 00:35:19,862 back to the phones . Alright , I'm just 864 00:35:19,862 --> 00:35:21,973 just a different subject . How of our 865 00:35:21,973 --> 00:35:24,140 gulf partners reacted to the freeze on 866 00:35:24,140 --> 00:35:26,140 arms sales and ending until sharing 867 00:35:26,140 --> 00:35:28,470 that was announced last week until 868 00:35:28,470 --> 00:35:30,192 sharing on offensive coalition 869 00:35:30,192 --> 00:35:32,248 operations in Yemen . And how do you 870 00:35:32,248 --> 00:35:34,359 mitigate the concerns ? Concerns that 871 00:35:34,359 --> 00:35:37,500 this might send a negative signal , a 872 00:35:37,510 --> 00:35:39,677 couple of things that first of all , I 873 00:35:39,677 --> 00:35:41,843 won't speak for other countries . They 874 00:35:41,843 --> 00:35:43,954 should speak for themselves . But the 875 00:35:43,954 --> 00:35:46,121 president was very clear , uh , in his 876 00:35:46,121 --> 00:35:48,980 direction in terms off , uh , what we 877 00:35:48,980 --> 00:35:51,550 were no longer going to do to support 878 00:35:52,030 --> 00:35:54,010 Saudi led coalition offensive 879 00:35:54,010 --> 00:35:57,280 operations in Yemen . It doesn't mean 880 00:35:57,280 --> 00:35:59,336 that the counter isis fight in Yemen 881 00:35:59,336 --> 00:36:01,447 that we are participating in will not 882 00:36:01,447 --> 00:36:03,502 continue . It will . It doesn't mean 883 00:36:03,502 --> 00:36:05,950 that we are not going to continue to 884 00:36:05,950 --> 00:36:08,150 support Saudi Arabia as they 885 00:36:08,730 --> 00:36:11,110 legitimately need to defend themselves 886 00:36:11,110 --> 00:36:13,480 and their people . But again , I won't 887 00:36:13,480 --> 00:36:15,369 speak for I won't speak for other 888 00:36:15,369 --> 00:36:19,300 countries . The I think the message was 889 00:36:19,310 --> 00:36:22,750 very clear that , uh , 890 00:36:24,520 --> 00:36:28,310 that the war in Yemen has become , um 891 00:36:28,320 --> 00:36:31,010 ah , uniquely horrific humanitarian 892 00:36:31,010 --> 00:36:33,700 disaster on more needs to be done 893 00:36:33,710 --> 00:36:37,110 a za government as a government 894 00:36:37,110 --> 00:36:40,970 thio to try toe , reduce the effects of 895 00:36:40,970 --> 00:36:43,930 that catastrophe and alleviate the 896 00:36:43,940 --> 00:36:46,500 human suffering in Yemen . On it was a 897 00:36:46,500 --> 00:36:49,250 decision by this administration that a 898 00:36:49,250 --> 00:36:52,320 step in that process would be Thio to 899 00:36:52,330 --> 00:36:54,386 curtail the support to the offensive 900 00:36:54,386 --> 00:36:58,200 operations in the country . Go ahead . 901 00:36:58,210 --> 00:37:00,543 Yeah , Yemen . And one question on Iran , 902 00:37:00,543 --> 00:37:02,710 Uh , today you said you were following 903 00:37:02,710 --> 00:37:05,300 up on um , yeah , well , I might as 904 00:37:05,300 --> 00:37:07,411 well ask a second question . Thank my 905 00:37:07,411 --> 00:37:11,170 chances . Eso today during his address 906 00:37:11,170 --> 00:37:14,660 to I mean , I General Mackenzie said , 907 00:37:14,660 --> 00:37:16,900 quote unquote , we will move out 908 00:37:16,900 --> 00:37:19,570 smartly to comply with the direction we 909 00:37:19,570 --> 00:37:21,750 were given Talking about the decision 910 00:37:21,760 --> 00:37:23,780 to seize assistance to offensive 911 00:37:23,780 --> 00:37:26,050 operations to Saudi Arabia and Yemen . 912 00:37:27,130 --> 00:37:30,580 So has that type of assistance been 913 00:37:30,580 --> 00:37:33,130 terminated or not ? Is there a day for 914 00:37:33,130 --> 00:37:36,320 that ? Because it seems based on his 915 00:37:36,320 --> 00:37:39,090 statement , it's still ongoing . That's 916 00:37:39,090 --> 00:37:41,460 the first one and the second one today , 917 00:37:41,470 --> 00:37:44,580 Russia announced joint maritime 918 00:37:44,590 --> 00:37:47,590 exercises and the northern Indian Ocean 919 00:37:47,620 --> 00:37:50,870 between Russian , Chinese and Iranian 920 00:37:50,870 --> 00:37:54,560 navies . How do you look at such 921 00:37:54,560 --> 00:37:57,150 activities ? Do you think they How do 922 00:37:57,150 --> 00:37:59,570 you think they impact regional security 923 00:37:59,570 --> 00:38:03,530 one way or the other , um , 924 00:38:03,540 --> 00:38:05,950 on the exercises , I mean , 925 00:38:07,520 --> 00:38:10,870 and Navy's exercise . 926 00:38:12,320 --> 00:38:14,320 I didn't awful lot of that myself . 927 00:38:14,320 --> 00:38:16,542 That's what you do when you're at sea . 928 00:38:16,542 --> 00:38:19,640 Sometimes you exercise on bond . I 929 00:38:19,650 --> 00:38:22,130 don't think a particular exercise in 930 00:38:22,130 --> 00:38:25,780 itself . Um , you need that That more 931 00:38:25,780 --> 00:38:27,836 needs to be read into it , then that 932 00:38:27,836 --> 00:38:31,800 not , um what What we would say 933 00:38:31,800 --> 00:38:35,540 is that exercising naval capability is 934 00:38:35,920 --> 00:38:39,390 but to be expected on . But I don't 935 00:38:39,390 --> 00:38:42,440 think we view , 936 00:38:43,220 --> 00:38:45,640 uh , you know , exercises like this , 937 00:38:45,650 --> 00:38:48,750 Aziz as , 938 00:38:49,720 --> 00:38:53,180 uh , as 939 00:38:53,180 --> 00:38:56,940 contradictory to Thio 940 00:38:57,520 --> 00:39:00,960 or as an impediment to our ability 941 00:39:00,970 --> 00:39:03,950 to defend freedom of the seas and to 942 00:39:03,960 --> 00:39:06,127 support our alliances and partnerships 943 00:39:06,127 --> 00:39:08,770 around the world . Um , I think you 944 00:39:08,770 --> 00:39:10,770 might be reading . I mean , I don't 945 00:39:10,770 --> 00:39:12,881 want to speak for General Mackenzie , 946 00:39:12,881 --> 00:39:12,620 but I think you might be reading a 947 00:39:12,620 --> 00:39:14,898 little bit too much into this . I mean , 948 00:39:14,898 --> 00:39:16,731 the president issued his order . 949 00:39:16,731 --> 00:39:18,842 General Mackenzie said he's following 950 00:39:18,842 --> 00:39:20,787 the order . Um , uh , the kinds of 951 00:39:20,787 --> 00:39:23,290 support to the , uh to the offensive 952 00:39:23,290 --> 00:39:27,060 operations are are ended . Um , but I 953 00:39:27,060 --> 00:39:29,490 can't speak Teoh , you know , every 954 00:39:29,490 --> 00:39:31,601 little specific process . And I think 955 00:39:31,601 --> 00:39:33,768 that's probably what General Mackenzie 956 00:39:33,768 --> 00:39:35,879 was referring to . But I wouldn't . I 957 00:39:35,879 --> 00:39:35,280 think you might be reading more into it 958 00:39:35,280 --> 00:39:38,300 than than you need Thio . The president 959 00:39:38,300 --> 00:39:41,170 has Commander Chief issued in in order 960 00:39:41,170 --> 00:39:44,080 to end all support toe offensive 961 00:39:44,080 --> 00:39:46,191 operations of the Saudi led coalition 962 00:39:46,191 --> 00:39:48,191 in Yemen . And General Mackenzie is 963 00:39:48,191 --> 00:39:50,524 following that order . Thank you . Okay . 964 00:39:50,524 --> 00:39:52,940 Um , take Hope sec . 965 00:39:58,720 --> 00:39:59,250 Okay ? 966 00:40:02,660 --> 00:40:04,070 Jeff Schobel . 967 00:40:07,110 --> 00:40:09,221 Thanks for taking the question . Last 968 00:40:09,221 --> 00:40:11,221 week , I asked whether each service 969 00:40:11,221 --> 00:40:13,440 member has a form of defense health 970 00:40:13,440 --> 00:40:15,570 agency for two oh seven , which 971 00:40:15,580 --> 00:40:17,747 indicates whether or not they received 972 00:40:17,747 --> 00:40:19,636 approve it . Vaccine . I was just 973 00:40:19,636 --> 00:40:21,636 wondering if you had heard anything 974 00:40:21,636 --> 00:40:23,747 more about this form and whether that 975 00:40:23,747 --> 00:40:25,691 might provide Ah , uniforms way of 976 00:40:25,691 --> 00:40:27,802 deciding whether troops have declined 977 00:40:27,802 --> 00:40:30,260 the vaccine . Jeff , I don't have a 978 00:40:30,260 --> 00:40:32,093 good answer for you today , as I 979 00:40:32,093 --> 00:40:35,130 understand it . That that I'm not I'm 980 00:40:35,130 --> 00:40:38,330 not sure that form is uniforms . Uh , 981 00:40:38,340 --> 00:40:40,562 no pun intended . But I tell you what . 982 00:40:40,562 --> 00:40:42,840 I'm gonna take the question . And , uh , 983 00:40:42,840 --> 00:40:45,062 since you asked about it last time , we 984 00:40:45,062 --> 00:40:47,007 owe you a better answer for that . 985 00:40:47,310 --> 00:40:49,421 Thank you . And to what extent is the 986 00:40:49,421 --> 00:40:51,421 Defense Department helping to bring 987 00:40:51,421 --> 00:40:53,890 Austin Tice home ? We'll continue to , 988 00:40:54,080 --> 00:40:57,590 um the want to see 989 00:40:58,110 --> 00:41:01,830 Austin come home . Nothing has changed 990 00:41:01,830 --> 00:41:05,190 about our commitment to that , and I I 991 00:41:05,200 --> 00:41:08,100 not at liberty to discuss anything more 992 00:41:08,100 --> 00:41:10,267 specific than that other than he's not 993 00:41:10,267 --> 00:41:12,600 been for gotten Now there is his family . 994 00:41:12,600 --> 00:41:15,230 Um , and we continue to want to see him 995 00:41:15,240 --> 00:41:18,940 home . Uh , you know , and 996 00:41:19,710 --> 00:41:22,160 rejoined rejoined his family , But I 997 00:41:22,160 --> 00:41:24,327 just don't have any updates for you on 998 00:41:24,327 --> 00:41:26,549 that back in the back there . Thank you 999 00:41:26,549 --> 00:41:28,438 for taking my question . Kristina 1000 00:41:28,438 --> 00:41:30,460 Anderson . A w past news . Um , the 1001 00:41:30,470 --> 00:41:32,730 Arctic strategy is relatively new , but 1002 00:41:32,730 --> 00:41:35,010 it was formed at a time when , uh , 1003 00:41:35,020 --> 00:41:37,400 multilateralism and the emphasis was 1004 00:41:37,400 --> 00:41:39,900 not so strong on partnerships . Is 1005 00:41:39,900 --> 00:41:41,900 there any thought to now revisiting 1006 00:41:41,900 --> 00:41:44,480 that in the near future ? With island 1007 00:41:44,490 --> 00:41:46,601 strengthening partnerships in the far 1008 00:41:46,601 --> 00:41:48,768 north , I think part and parcel of the 1009 00:41:48,768 --> 00:41:50,434 secretary's desire to restore 1010 00:41:50,434 --> 00:41:52,657 revitalize alliances and partnerships . 1011 00:41:52,657 --> 00:41:54,980 I think you'll see that manifested in , 1012 00:41:54,990 --> 00:41:57,660 uh , in places all over the world on I 1013 00:41:57,660 --> 00:42:00,340 would fully expect that whatever the 1014 00:42:00,340 --> 00:42:02,870 approach , uh , Arctic strategy is 1015 00:42:02,870 --> 00:42:04,481 going forward . It will be a 1016 00:42:04,481 --> 00:42:06,148 multilateral one . It will be 1017 00:42:06,148 --> 00:42:08,259 cooperative . Andi will be integrated 1018 00:42:08,259 --> 00:42:10,540 not just internationally , but in 1019 00:42:10,550 --> 00:42:12,920 inside the interagency . The secretary 1020 00:42:12,920 --> 00:42:15,230 has made it very clear that he views 1021 00:42:15,230 --> 00:42:17,341 climate change as a national security 1022 00:42:17,341 --> 00:42:19,563 issue because it affects our operations 1023 00:42:19,563 --> 00:42:21,786 that affects our facilities , certainly 1024 00:42:21,786 --> 00:42:23,841 affect security and stability around 1025 00:42:23,841 --> 00:42:23,820 the world , for which and to which 1026 00:42:24,300 --> 00:42:26,620 American men and women in uniform have 1027 00:42:26,620 --> 00:42:30,020 to deploy eso ITT's in that obviously 1028 00:42:30,020 --> 00:42:32,242 lots of change going on in the Arctic , 1029 00:42:32,242 --> 00:42:34,187 I think , without getting ahead of 1030 00:42:34,187 --> 00:42:36,409 decisions he hasn't made , I can assure 1031 00:42:36,409 --> 00:42:38,860 you that he will be looking at Arctic 1032 00:42:38,860 --> 00:42:40,527 strategy in a collaborative , 1033 00:42:40,527 --> 00:42:43,680 multilateral way . Uh , just , uh , 1034 00:42:43,690 --> 00:42:45,801 talking about climate change , change 1035 00:42:45,801 --> 00:42:48,260 and so forth . Uh , is there any look ? 1036 00:42:48,260 --> 00:42:52,030 Is there any chance the effort to 1037 00:42:52,040 --> 00:42:54,230 visit biodiversity is part of that 1038 00:42:54,240 --> 00:42:56,240 overall picture of climate change ? 1039 00:42:56,240 --> 00:42:58,184 Because this is a big issue that's 1040 00:42:58,184 --> 00:43:00,296 developing in Europe , for instance . 1041 00:43:00,296 --> 00:43:02,351 But the US hasn't hasn't really that 1042 00:43:02,351 --> 00:43:04,518 hasn't haven't seen it reflected in US 1043 00:43:04,518 --> 00:43:06,518 policy yet . I don't I don't have a 1044 00:43:06,518 --> 00:43:08,629 good answer for you other than to say 1045 00:43:08,629 --> 00:43:10,796 that , you know , he's certainly going 1046 00:43:10,796 --> 00:43:12,740 to be a part of the Global Posture 1047 00:43:12,740 --> 00:43:12,590 Review and just strategy reviews in 1048 00:43:12,590 --> 00:43:15,480 general . Um , he'll be looking at the 1049 00:43:15,490 --> 00:43:18,640 full panoply of of challenges that the 1050 00:43:18,640 --> 00:43:21,020 climate poses to national security . Um , 1051 00:43:21,030 --> 00:43:23,170 I don't want to rule anything in and 1052 00:43:23,170 --> 00:43:25,392 out of that specifically , I don't have 1053 00:43:25,392 --> 00:43:27,503 a good answer for you specifically on 1054 00:43:27,503 --> 00:43:29,670 biodiversity , but it is on his mind . 1055 00:43:29,670 --> 00:43:32,130 Onda has been , um uh , certainly even 1056 00:43:32,130 --> 00:43:35,300 before . Hey . Took the job so well , 1057 00:43:35,310 --> 00:43:38,100 More on that later back here , Little 1058 00:43:38,100 --> 00:43:40,322 Secretary Austin briefed members of the 1059 00:43:40,322 --> 00:43:42,544 media with the president on Wednesday . 1060 00:43:42,900 --> 00:43:45,360 If not , when will he brief members of 1061 00:43:45,360 --> 00:43:47,400 the media and following up on a 1062 00:43:47,400 --> 00:43:49,511 question from last week Do have costs 1063 00:43:49,511 --> 00:43:51,622 yet on the National Guard presence in 1064 00:43:51,622 --> 00:43:54,930 the capital . So I'm not again . I I've 1065 00:43:54,940 --> 00:43:57,240 characterized the president's visit . 1066 00:43:57,250 --> 00:44:00,710 Uh , and , uh , let the white House 1067 00:44:00,710 --> 00:44:03,340 speak specifically beyond that . 1068 00:44:03,930 --> 00:44:07,750 Secretary will brief you . He's 1069 00:44:07,750 --> 00:44:10,880 made that commitment . Um , and I think 1070 00:44:10,880 --> 00:44:14,420 you can expect that soon . Um , 1071 00:44:15,490 --> 00:44:17,712 I actually do have an answer for you on 1072 00:44:17,712 --> 00:44:20,920 that national guard . Yeah . 1073 00:44:21,290 --> 00:44:24,940 So the estimate through March 1074 00:44:24,940 --> 00:44:28,260 15th is that the total cost of National 1075 00:44:28,260 --> 00:44:31,300 Guard uh support will come to 1076 00:44:31,300 --> 00:44:34,210 483 million dollars . 1077 00:44:34,790 --> 00:44:38,320 Um , 284 million of that is for 1078 00:44:38,320 --> 00:44:41,120 personnel and 199 million of that is 1079 00:44:41,120 --> 00:44:43,660 for operations . And that gets us Uhh 1080 00:44:43,670 --> 00:44:45,820 through March 15th . You have further 1081 00:44:45,830 --> 00:44:48,710 breakdown than that for where those 1082 00:44:48,710 --> 00:44:50,710 costs , Where that money is spent . 1083 00:44:50,990 --> 00:44:53,046 Well , I could break it down by Army 1084 00:44:53,046 --> 00:44:55,101 and Air National Guard . If you want 1085 00:44:55,101 --> 00:44:57,101 that , that's best I got right here 1086 00:44:57,101 --> 00:44:58,823 from the Army . National Guard 1087 00:44:58,823 --> 00:45:01,510 personnel comes out 256 million 1088 00:45:01,510 --> 00:45:04,130 operations at 1 65 Air National Guard . 1089 00:45:04,140 --> 00:45:06,760 28 million for personnel , 34 million 1090 00:45:06,760 --> 00:45:09,060 for operations . And I'm told that it 1091 00:45:09,060 --> 00:45:11,420 all adds up . I didn't do the math 1092 00:45:11,420 --> 00:45:13,640 myself , but I've been told that those 1093 00:45:13,640 --> 00:45:16,860 numbers all that up , Okay , was that 1094 00:45:16,870 --> 00:45:19,460 What about hotels ? I I'll check , but 1095 00:45:19,460 --> 00:45:21,516 I'm pretty sure that's factored into 1096 00:45:21,516 --> 00:45:24,520 this into these costs . Can I ask you ? 1097 00:45:24,530 --> 00:45:26,530 You get the last one today ? Yeah , 1098 00:45:26,530 --> 00:45:29,280 thank you very much . Now , using Korea 1099 00:45:29,290 --> 00:45:32,090 South Korean military exercises on the 1100 00:45:32,090 --> 00:45:35,370 march next month . Is there any 1101 00:45:35,450 --> 00:45:37,980 change in this case ? E schedule 1102 00:45:38,000 --> 00:45:40,270 changes . I refer you to the US Forces 1103 00:45:40,270 --> 00:45:42,159 Korea for their specific exercise 1104 00:45:42,159 --> 00:45:44,660 regimen . I don't have any updates on 1105 00:45:44,670 --> 00:45:47,390 specifically that I'm sorry . Why don't 1106 00:45:47,390 --> 00:45:50,500 you find it up ? Maybe just pan e . 1107 00:45:50,500 --> 00:45:52,722 What ? I'll take the question and we'll 1108 00:45:52,722 --> 00:45:54,944 see if we can find out asking the South 1109 00:45:54,944 --> 00:45:58,000 Korea , but that's their job . your job 1110 00:45:58,010 --> 00:46:00,810 right here . This Thank you , e . 1111 00:46:00,820 --> 00:46:03,820 I will try to remember that . Thank you . 1112 00:46:03,830 --> 00:46:06,370 I will try to remember my job . Thank 1113 00:46:06,370 --> 00:46:08,310 you . All right . See you guys .