1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:09,740 --> 00:00:12,600 afternoon , everybody happy friday to 3 00:00:12,600 --> 00:00:15,150 you . So I got a few things to get 4 00:00:15,150 --> 00:00:18,860 through at the top here . Um 5 00:00:19,740 --> 00:00:23,380 you may have seen uh that the White 6 00:00:23,380 --> 00:00:26,000 House just announced that the president 7 00:00:26,000 --> 00:00:28,210 will be presenting the Medal of honor 8 00:00:28,210 --> 00:00:32,110 to Master Sergeant Earl Plumlee . Uh 9 00:00:32,120 --> 00:00:35,670 mrs mrs mrs Tamara Cash on behalf of 10 00:00:35,670 --> 00:00:38,450 Sergeant First class out one Cash And 11 00:00:38,450 --> 00:00:41,420 mrs Katie Celia's on behalf of Sergeant 12 00:00:41,430 --> 00:00:44,040 1st class Christopher Sillas at a White 13 00:00:44,040 --> 00:00:46,318 House ceremony scheduled for next week . 14 00:00:46,940 --> 00:00:50,910 I think you probably know Many of 15 00:00:50,910 --> 00:00:52,910 these stories , but Master Sergeant 16 00:00:52,910 --> 00:00:54,854 Plumley is receiving the award for 17 00:00:54,854 --> 00:00:56,688 heroism and selflessness that he 18 00:00:56,688 --> 00:00:59,080 displayed on 28 August 2013 in Ghazni 19 00:00:59,080 --> 00:01:01,990 province Afghanistan . Sergeant 1st 20 00:01:01,990 --> 00:01:04,260 class cash is receiving the award 21 00:01:04,260 --> 00:01:05,871 posthumously for heroism and 22 00:01:05,871 --> 00:01:08,610 selflessness that he displayed October 23 00:01:08,610 --> 00:01:12,310 17 , 2005 . and province Iraq and 24 00:01:12,310 --> 00:01:15,220 Sergeant first class Ellis is receiving 25 00:01:15,230 --> 00:01:17,397 the award posthumously for heroism and 26 00:01:17,397 --> 00:01:19,397 selflessness that he displayed july 27 00:01:19,397 --> 00:01:22,350 12th 2000 and 18 in Paktika Province 28 00:01:22,350 --> 00:01:25,190 Afghanistan . These awards are long 29 00:01:25,190 --> 00:01:27,400 awaited and undoubtedly well deserved 30 00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:29,233 for such displays of heroism and 31 00:01:29,233 --> 00:01:31,400 courage . We remain grateful to Master 32 00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:33,622 Sergeant Plumlee Sergeant . First class 33 00:01:33,622 --> 00:01:36,030 Cash . Sergeant first class L is for 34 00:01:36,110 --> 00:01:38,166 and their families for their service 35 00:01:38,166 --> 00:01:41,920 and their sacrifice . On 36 00:01:41,930 --> 00:01:44,097 scheduling notes , Deputy Secretary of 37 00:01:44,097 --> 00:01:46,152 Defense Dr Kathleen Hicks hosted the 38 00:01:46,152 --> 00:01:48,319 fifth iteration of the U . S . U . K . 39 00:01:48,319 --> 00:01:50,208 Defense dialogue via secure video 40 00:01:50,208 --> 00:01:52,600 called today with her UK counterpart , 41 00:01:52,610 --> 00:01:54,554 Permanent Secretary for Defense Mr 42 00:01:54,554 --> 00:01:56,800 David Williams . The two leaders met 43 00:01:56,800 --> 00:01:58,880 virtually to deepen cooperation on a 44 00:01:58,880 --> 00:02:01,047 wide range of issues including Defense 45 00:02:01,047 --> 00:02:03,102 strategy , technology , innovation , 46 00:02:03,102 --> 00:02:04,880 force development and strategic 47 00:02:04,880 --> 00:02:06,713 competition . They discussed the 48 00:02:06,713 --> 00:02:08,769 upcoming National Defense strategy , 49 00:02:08,769 --> 00:02:10,269 the nuclear posture review 50 00:02:10,269 --> 00:02:12,491 implementation of the trilateral august 51 00:02:12,491 --> 00:02:14,324 partnership and opportunities to 52 00:02:14,324 --> 00:02:16,436 improve technological cooperation and 53 00:02:16,436 --> 00:02:18,436 supply chain resilience . They also 54 00:02:18,436 --> 00:02:20,602 discussed Russia's concerning military 55 00:02:20,602 --> 00:02:22,602 movement near Ukraine's borders and 56 00:02:22,602 --> 00:02:24,713 reaffirm their unwavering support for 57 00:02:24,713 --> 00:02:26,824 Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial 58 00:02:26,824 --> 00:02:28,658 integrity . The two leaders also 59 00:02:28,658 --> 00:02:30,824 affirmed a shared commitment to deepen 60 00:02:30,824 --> 00:02:32,991 space cooperation , agreeing to sign a 61 00:02:32,991 --> 00:02:35,158 statement of intent regarding enhanced 62 00:02:35,158 --> 00:02:37,269 space cooperation between the U . S . 63 00:02:37,269 --> 00:02:39,491 Department of Defense , the UK Ministry 64 00:02:39,491 --> 00:02:39,430 of Defense . Their statement intent 65 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:41,840 outlined strategic objectives to pursue 66 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:44,170 integrated and inter operable space 67 00:02:44,170 --> 00:02:46,226 capabilities , mitigate threats that 68 00:02:46,226 --> 00:02:48,281 are posed by adversaries and support 69 00:02:48,281 --> 00:02:50,880 freedom of action in all domains and 70 00:02:50,880 --> 00:02:54,700 again uh travel . I'm sorry I schedule 71 00:02:54,700 --> 00:02:57,030 issue uh for the Deputy secretary . She 72 00:02:57,030 --> 00:02:59,450 will depart on domestic travel monday 73 00:02:59,460 --> 00:03:01,571 the 13th of december . She will visit 74 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:03,896 Selfridge Air National Guard Base in 75 00:03:03,896 --> 00:03:06,118 michigan US Northern Command , US Space 76 00:03:06,118 --> 00:03:08,118 Command and the U . S . Space force 77 00:03:08,118 --> 00:03:10,229 training and readiness command out in 78 00:03:10,229 --> 00:03:12,890 colorado . She will also visit US indo 79 00:03:12,890 --> 00:03:15,000 pacific command in hawaii Naval 80 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:16,667 amphibious base , coronado in 81 00:03:16,667 --> 00:03:18,500 California and U . S . Strategic 82 00:03:18,500 --> 00:03:20,500 Command in Nebraska . She'll have a 83 00:03:20,500 --> 00:03:22,278 chance to talk with lawmakers , 84 00:03:22,278 --> 00:03:24,500 military leaders and service members to 85 00:03:24,500 --> 00:03:26,667 see firsthand the department's efforts 86 00:03:26,667 --> 00:03:28,889 to rapidly advance warfighting concepts 87 00:03:28,889 --> 00:03:30,778 and capabilities to meet advanced 88 00:03:30,778 --> 00:03:32,778 threats and of course to hear about 89 00:03:32,778 --> 00:03:34,833 challenges and successes within each 90 00:03:34,833 --> 00:03:37,000 command . Dr hicks will also meet with 91 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:39,222 leaders and service members across each 92 00:03:39,222 --> 00:03:39,220 of these commands that she's visiting 93 00:03:39,220 --> 00:03:41,331 to gain insight into family readiness 94 00:03:41,331 --> 00:03:43,331 challenges , career development and 95 00:03:43,331 --> 00:03:45,750 other issues which affect the workforce 96 00:03:46,640 --> 00:03:49,070 and finally this saturday , I think you 97 00:03:49,070 --> 00:03:51,237 all know , the secretary will join the 98 00:03:51,237 --> 00:03:53,970 Chairman at the 122nd Army Navy 99 00:03:53,970 --> 00:03:56,137 football game at three o'clock Eastern 100 00:03:56,137 --> 00:03:58,200 time at Metlife Stadium in East 101 00:03:58,210 --> 00:04:00,432 Rutherford , New Jersey . It's always a 102 00:04:00,432 --> 00:04:02,430 memorable afternoon when these two 103 00:04:02,430 --> 00:04:04,541 teams get to play . And of course , I 104 00:04:04,541 --> 00:04:06,708 think any of you seen the game or been 105 00:04:06,708 --> 00:04:08,874 around long enough to know that it's , 106 00:04:08,874 --> 00:04:10,874 it's really more than just football 107 00:04:10,874 --> 00:04:13,152 here . These cadets , these midshipmen , 108 00:04:13,152 --> 00:04:15,319 they are the future leaders of the sea 109 00:04:15,319 --> 00:04:17,430 services and of course of of the army 110 00:04:17,430 --> 00:04:19,652 and we wish them both the very best and 111 00:04:19,652 --> 00:04:21,819 look forward to seeing them play . And 112 00:04:21,819 --> 00:04:23,986 uh , and the and the secretary is very 113 00:04:23,986 --> 00:04:26,208 excited to get a chance to , to do that 114 00:04:26,208 --> 00:04:28,374 in person tomorrow afternoon . So with 115 00:04:28,374 --> 00:04:30,152 that bob . Thank you , john you 116 00:04:30,152 --> 00:04:32,486 mentioned the National Defense Strategy . 117 00:04:32,486 --> 00:04:34,486 I've noticed that mara Karlin today 118 00:04:34,486 --> 00:04:36,541 said that the nuclear posture review 119 00:04:36,541 --> 00:04:38,708 and the missile defense review will be 120 00:04:38,708 --> 00:04:40,930 quote nested under the National Defense 121 00:04:40,930 --> 00:04:43,152 Review . And I'm wondering if you could 122 00:04:43,152 --> 00:04:45,374 explain whether that means that we will 123 00:04:45,374 --> 00:04:48,320 see any of those pieces in january or 124 00:04:48,330 --> 00:04:50,552 are they all going to come out together 125 00:04:50,552 --> 00:04:52,719 or how is that going to work ? I don't 126 00:04:52,719 --> 00:04:54,719 have an update on the exact rollout 127 00:04:54,719 --> 00:04:56,719 scheme . I think what Dr Carlin was 128 00:04:56,719 --> 00:04:58,774 referring to is that they are , they 129 00:04:58,774 --> 00:05:00,886 are all informing the Nds of course . 130 00:05:00,886 --> 00:05:03,052 Um And I think you heard the secretary 131 00:05:03,052 --> 00:05:04,941 talked about the National defense 132 00:05:04,941 --> 00:05:07,108 strategy last weekend and uh said that 133 00:05:07,108 --> 00:05:09,219 his expectation is that we'll be able 134 00:05:09,219 --> 00:05:11,274 to get it out early next year . So I 135 00:05:11,274 --> 00:05:13,163 don't have an update on the exact 136 00:05:13,163 --> 00:05:15,219 schedule . But we're working hard on 137 00:05:15,219 --> 00:05:17,330 the National Defense strategy as well 138 00:05:17,330 --> 00:05:19,552 as you have the reviews . Uh and uh and 139 00:05:19,552 --> 00:05:21,663 again they will certainly inform each 140 00:05:21,663 --> 00:05:23,774 other . It's a quick follow up on the 141 00:05:23,774 --> 00:05:25,886 on the nuclear posture review . There 142 00:05:25,886 --> 00:05:27,941 have been reports and I guess it's a 143 00:05:27,941 --> 00:05:29,830 known fact because I guess it was 144 00:05:29,830 --> 00:05:31,774 announced that the D . O . D . Has 145 00:05:31,774 --> 00:05:33,886 asked Carnegie to do a separate study 146 00:05:33,886 --> 00:05:36,052 to feed into that regarding the future 147 00:05:36,052 --> 00:05:38,219 of the I . C . B . M . Force . There's 148 00:05:38,219 --> 00:05:40,441 been questions about whether that means 149 00:05:40,441 --> 00:05:42,663 it's delayed the nuclear posture review 150 00:05:42,663 --> 00:05:44,970 or if they're just starting that now 151 00:05:44,970 --> 00:05:47,640 will it really come out in january ? I 152 00:05:47,640 --> 00:05:49,900 don't know of any delays to the nuclear 153 00:05:49,900 --> 00:05:53,670 posture review bob . I think again this 154 00:05:53,670 --> 00:05:55,726 is an inter agency effort . It's not 155 00:05:55,726 --> 00:05:57,670 just a D . O . D . Effort and it's 156 00:05:57,670 --> 00:05:59,614 being led by the National Security 157 00:05:59,614 --> 00:06:01,614 Council staff . So I'd refer you to 158 00:06:01,614 --> 00:06:03,670 them for any updates on timing but I 159 00:06:03,670 --> 00:06:05,892 mean we're we're contributing to it and 160 00:06:05,892 --> 00:06:08,210 um and um and I don't I don't I don't 161 00:06:08,210 --> 00:06:11,730 know of any scheduled delays on the 162 00:06:11,990 --> 00:06:14,600 Nsc is leading the nuclear posture it's 163 00:06:14,600 --> 00:06:16,980 an interagency effort . It's not just 164 00:06:16,990 --> 00:06:19,450 it's not just the missile defense 165 00:06:19,450 --> 00:06:21,617 review as well . I don't have to check 166 00:06:21,617 --> 00:06:23,672 bob . I don't know . Let me check in 167 00:06:23,890 --> 00:06:26,300 january . Or is that again , I'd say 168 00:06:26,300 --> 00:06:28,411 early next year , which is what we're 169 00:06:28,411 --> 00:06:30,522 driving too . But I don't have a date 170 00:06:30,522 --> 00:06:32,689 certain to give that to you . Yeah jen 171 00:06:32,689 --> 00:06:34,800 john I'd like to get your reaction to 172 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:37,022 the possibility of Julian assange being 173 00:06:37,022 --> 00:06:39,420 extradited to the US from the UK . I 174 00:06:39,420 --> 00:06:41,531 have not seen reporting on that gym . 175 00:06:41,531 --> 00:06:43,800 So I'd I'd below to give you a position 176 00:06:43,800 --> 00:06:46,750 by the department on that . I I don't 177 00:06:46,750 --> 00:06:48,806 have anything on that today . Okay , 178 00:06:48,806 --> 00:06:51,250 let me move on to Ukraine and Russia . 179 00:06:51,540 --> 00:06:53,762 The Russian Foreign Ministry has called 180 00:06:53,762 --> 00:06:55,984 on the U . S . To rescind any offers to 181 00:06:55,984 --> 00:06:59,110 join NATO to Ukraine and Georgia . Is 182 00:06:59,110 --> 00:07:01,460 that something that of the 183 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:04,140 administration would agree to ? Where 184 00:07:04,140 --> 00:07:06,960 do things stand on offers of membership 185 00:07:06,960 --> 00:07:09,930 in NATO for Ukraine and Georgia . Yeah , 186 00:07:09,940 --> 00:07:12,162 I mean , we've talked to this , I think 187 00:07:12,162 --> 00:07:14,218 the Secretary has spoken to this . I 188 00:07:14,218 --> 00:07:17,440 mean obviously um NATO membership 189 00:07:17,450 --> 00:07:21,320 is a NATO decision to make . Um it's 190 00:07:21,330 --> 00:07:24,890 the secretary General Stoltenberg has 191 00:07:24,900 --> 00:07:26,960 made it very clear that the alliance 192 00:07:26,960 --> 00:07:29,016 makes those kinds of decisions . And 193 00:07:29,016 --> 00:07:31,182 the other thing you've heard President 194 00:07:31,182 --> 00:07:32,960 biden say is that uh it's up to 195 00:07:32,960 --> 00:07:34,849 individual sovereign countries to 196 00:07:34,849 --> 00:07:37,071 determine their own associations uh and 197 00:07:37,071 --> 00:07:39,238 how uh and to what degree they want to 198 00:07:39,238 --> 00:07:41,238 participate in associations . So uh 199 00:07:41,238 --> 00:07:44,250 this is this is what membership in NATO 200 00:07:44,260 --> 00:07:47,300 regardless is again for NATO allies to 201 00:07:47,300 --> 00:07:49,630 determine . Is it off the table if the 202 00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:52,260 Russian ministry has said that tensions 203 00:07:52,260 --> 00:07:55,350 will decrease if NATO membership is off 204 00:07:55,350 --> 00:07:57,780 the table for Ukraine and Georgia . Is 205 00:07:57,780 --> 00:07:59,724 that something that you would ever 206 00:07:59,724 --> 00:08:01,836 agree to ? That's not ? So , first of 207 00:08:01,836 --> 00:08:04,002 all , that again , is not a Department 208 00:08:04,002 --> 00:08:05,947 of Defense call . Um , and that is 209 00:08:05,947 --> 00:08:08,058 again , sovereign nations decide that 210 00:08:08,058 --> 00:08:10,280 and NATO allies are sovereign nations . 211 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:12,447 So I don't have anything additional to 212 00:08:12,447 --> 00:08:14,613 offer on that today . And what are you 213 00:08:14,613 --> 00:08:16,780 seeing in terms of the build up on the 214 00:08:16,780 --> 00:08:18,947 border since the President's call with 215 00:08:18,947 --> 00:08:21,169 Putin ? I would say that there still is 216 00:08:21,169 --> 00:08:24,020 a sizable amount of Russian forces in 217 00:08:24,020 --> 00:08:25,909 the western part of their country 218 00:08:25,909 --> 00:08:29,110 around the borders while the border 219 00:08:29,110 --> 00:08:32,200 with Ukraine uh , to the to the north , 220 00:08:32,210 --> 00:08:36,030 uh to the east and to the south of that , 221 00:08:36,040 --> 00:08:38,207 that extreme eastern part of Ukraine , 222 00:08:38,470 --> 00:08:41,050 there have been , I don't have 223 00:08:41,940 --> 00:08:45,610 uh any major changes to speak to today , 224 00:08:45,880 --> 00:08:48,550 but we have continued to see 225 00:08:49,090 --> 00:08:51,560 increases over recent days and weeks . 226 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:56,670 Zoe . And , you know , yesterday , 227 00:08:56,680 --> 00:08:59,730 during his meeting with the Minister 228 00:08:59,730 --> 00:09:02,660 accounts , the Secretary said that if 229 00:09:02,670 --> 00:09:06,350 the talks with Iran fail 230 00:09:06,360 --> 00:09:09,560 us is going to turn to other 231 00:09:09,570 --> 00:09:13,550 options is the military option 232 00:09:13,630 --> 00:09:15,980 one you are thinking about what the 233 00:09:15,980 --> 00:09:18,290 Secretary said was that President biden 234 00:09:18,290 --> 00:09:21,060 has said that he wants to see diplomacy 235 00:09:21,060 --> 00:09:23,830 succeed . And and should it uh fail , 236 00:09:23,830 --> 00:09:26,108 he's open to considering other options , 237 00:09:26,108 --> 00:09:28,760 there's lots of options available to 238 00:09:28,760 --> 00:09:31,093 the Commander in chief to the President . 239 00:09:31,093 --> 00:09:33,204 Um And I'm not going to speculate one 240 00:09:33,204 --> 00:09:35,540 way or another about what they might be . 241 00:09:35,550 --> 00:09:37,980 I would simply say , as I've said 242 00:09:37,980 --> 00:09:40,220 before , we have a robust presence in 243 00:09:40,220 --> 00:09:42,387 the region . We have national security 244 00:09:42,387 --> 00:09:44,164 interests in the region and the 245 00:09:44,164 --> 00:09:46,109 secretary's job is to defend those 246 00:09:46,109 --> 00:09:48,276 national security interests . So we're 247 00:09:48,276 --> 00:09:48,140 going to continue to do that . 248 00:09:48,150 --> 00:09:51,120 Secretary himself uh wants to see 249 00:09:51,120 --> 00:09:53,287 diplomacy succeed here . No problem in 250 00:09:53,287 --> 00:09:55,540 the Middle East gets easier uh to solve 251 00:09:55,540 --> 00:09:58,720 with a nuclear armed Iran . Um And he 252 00:09:58,720 --> 00:10:02,260 believes uh that diplomacy and return 253 00:10:02,550 --> 00:10:05,930 to the J . C . Puree is is uh is the 254 00:10:05,930 --> 00:10:08,700 best way uh to uh to prevent that 255 00:10:08,700 --> 00:10:12,360 outcome . General Mackenzie 256 00:10:12,370 --> 00:10:16,270 told the Financial Times yesterday 257 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:19,660 that the US has plenty of military 258 00:10:19,660 --> 00:10:23,530 options at its disposal . So 259 00:10:23,540 --> 00:10:26,600 this is what kind of 260 00:10:26,610 --> 00:10:30,080 look this institution exists to 261 00:10:30,080 --> 00:10:32,800 provide the President options across 262 00:10:32,800 --> 00:10:34,967 all manner of contingency . So but I'm 263 00:10:34,967 --> 00:10:37,189 not going to speculate about where this 264 00:10:37,189 --> 00:10:39,078 is going to go . We still believe 265 00:10:39,078 --> 00:10:41,189 there's room for diplomacy . We still 266 00:10:41,189 --> 00:10:43,244 believe that um that that's the best 267 00:10:43,244 --> 00:10:45,700 path forward . Um and uh and that's 268 00:10:45,700 --> 00:10:47,922 what that's what this administration is 269 00:10:47,922 --> 00:10:50,144 focused on is getting back into the J . 270 00:10:50,144 --> 00:10:52,144 C . P . O . A . And preventing Iran 271 00:10:52,144 --> 00:10:54,367 from being able to achieve that nuclear 272 00:10:54,367 --> 00:10:56,478 capability . Yeah . Thank you john so 273 00:10:56,478 --> 00:10:58,422 I'm going to stay on the same same 274 00:10:58,422 --> 00:11:00,920 topic in light of the meeting yesterday 275 00:11:00,930 --> 00:11:04,840 that the U . S . Um the US agreed to 276 00:11:04,840 --> 00:11:08,730 hold joint military exercises 277 00:11:08,740 --> 00:11:12,150 on Targeting Iranian nuclear 278 00:11:12,150 --> 00:11:15,720 facilities as reported by Channel 13 in 279 00:11:15,720 --> 00:11:19,510 Israel . The so a couple of 280 00:11:19,510 --> 00:11:21,454 thoughts there . First of all , we 281 00:11:21,454 --> 00:11:23,900 routinely training exercise with our 282 00:11:23,900 --> 00:11:26,122 Israeli counterparts . That's not new . 283 00:11:26,340 --> 00:11:28,396 We we we have done that historically 284 00:11:28,396 --> 00:11:32,370 will continue to do that . I'm uh I'm 285 00:11:32,370 --> 00:11:34,990 not gonna get into specific training 286 00:11:34,990 --> 00:11:37,950 scenarios . Um and I have no 287 00:11:39,240 --> 00:11:42,060 additional or more specific training 288 00:11:42,060 --> 00:11:44,282 events or exercises to speak to today , 289 00:11:46,140 --> 00:11:49,630 broadly speaking as you would expect 290 00:11:49,660 --> 00:11:52,070 Iran . And their destabilizing 291 00:11:52,070 --> 00:11:54,237 behaviors and activities in the region 292 00:11:54,237 --> 00:11:56,290 were absolutely a key topic of 293 00:11:56,290 --> 00:11:58,820 discussion yesterday and the secretary 294 00:11:58,820 --> 00:12:02,000 and the minister discussed uh that 295 00:12:02,000 --> 00:12:04,700 activity uh on many different levels , 296 00:12:04,710 --> 00:12:08,390 but I have no additional or or 297 00:12:08,390 --> 00:12:10,557 future training and exercises to speak 298 00:12:10,557 --> 00:12:13,090 to today . So just to clarify before I 299 00:12:13,100 --> 00:12:15,530 follow up , so you don't count this as 300 00:12:15,530 --> 00:12:17,190 a follow up when you say , 301 00:12:17,200 --> 00:12:20,910 I don't want to miss my opinion . 302 00:12:20,920 --> 00:12:24,660 When you say I don't have 303 00:12:24,670 --> 00:12:27,360 additional exercises to speak up . You 304 00:12:27,360 --> 00:12:30,350 mean there's nothing scheduled or I 305 00:12:30,350 --> 00:12:32,294 mean I have no additional training 306 00:12:32,294 --> 00:12:36,220 exercises to to speak to . Um um again , 307 00:12:36,230 --> 00:12:38,770 I addressed this a little bit yesterday , 308 00:12:38,770 --> 00:12:40,714 I've seen the press reporting . We 309 00:12:40,714 --> 00:12:43,820 routinely trained with the Israelis and 310 00:12:43,820 --> 00:12:46,110 I have nothing to announce today with 311 00:12:46,110 --> 00:12:49,070 respect to the reports in those 312 00:12:49,070 --> 00:12:53,020 articles tweeted yesterday about 313 00:12:53,020 --> 00:12:55,187 the mirroring that he talked about the 314 00:12:55,187 --> 00:12:57,260 need to deepen our dialogue and 315 00:12:57,640 --> 00:12:59,740 cooperation including on topics of 316 00:12:59,750 --> 00:13:03,060 military readiness to stop face Iran's 317 00:13:03,070 --> 00:13:04,292 regional like Russian 318 00:13:06,640 --> 00:13:08,560 the military readiness . He was 319 00:13:08,560 --> 00:13:12,190 speaking about Vis a vis Iran . Did it 320 00:13:12,190 --> 00:13:14,710 include nuclear facilities as well ? 321 00:13:14,900 --> 00:13:16,789 I'm not going to go into any more 322 00:13:16,789 --> 00:13:19,011 detail than than what the minister went 323 00:13:19,011 --> 00:13:21,067 into . He is the Minister of Defense 324 00:13:21,067 --> 00:13:23,122 Secretary Austin as the Secretary of 325 00:13:23,122 --> 00:13:25,067 Defense . It makes sense that they 326 00:13:25,067 --> 00:13:27,067 would talk about military readiness 327 00:13:27,067 --> 00:13:29,289 against a shared common threat and Iran 328 00:13:29,289 --> 00:13:31,400 presents a shared common threat to us 329 00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:33,344 and to our Israeli partners to the 330 00:13:33,344 --> 00:13:35,400 region . Um So of course they talked 331 00:13:35,400 --> 00:13:37,011 about military readiness and 332 00:13:37,011 --> 00:13:40,540 capabilities . Yeah . Well Thanks to 333 00:13:40,540 --> 00:13:43,170 questions Please . one as far as the 334 00:13:43,180 --> 00:13:45,680 helicopter military helicopter crash in 335 00:13:45,680 --> 00:13:48,220 India carrying a C . D . S or general 336 00:13:48,230 --> 00:13:51,740 robert and his team is concerned any 337 00:13:51,740 --> 00:13:54,600 comments on that . And also secretary 338 00:13:54,600 --> 00:13:56,950 have had met with him on several 339 00:13:56,950 --> 00:13:59,140 occasions during his visits to India . 340 00:13:59,250 --> 00:14:02,850 Any effect on the US India 341 00:14:03,240 --> 00:14:05,240 the ability to military relations , 342 00:14:05,240 --> 00:14:07,407 there won't be any strategic effect on 343 00:14:07,407 --> 00:14:09,660 our relationship . Oil . We have a 344 00:14:09,670 --> 00:14:11,670 close defense partnership with with 345 00:14:11,670 --> 00:14:14,550 India . Um and we want to see that 346 00:14:14,550 --> 00:14:17,320 continue to grow and to deepen as you 347 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:19,542 know , the secretary was in New Delhi a 348 00:14:19,542 --> 00:14:21,653 few months ago uh to have discussions 349 00:14:21,653 --> 00:14:24,980 and uh and but more critically as I 350 00:14:24,980 --> 00:14:27,060 said the other day , the entire 351 00:14:27,060 --> 00:14:29,116 department mourns with the people of 352 00:14:29,116 --> 00:14:31,227 India and the indian military for the 353 00:14:31,227 --> 00:14:34,690 loss of General Rawat and his his wife 354 00:14:34,700 --> 00:14:36,867 and all the others that were killed in 355 00:14:36,867 --> 00:14:40,160 that tragic helicopter crash . Uh and 356 00:14:40,170 --> 00:14:44,160 uh we're gonna obviously nothing 357 00:14:44,160 --> 00:14:46,730 we can do to assuage that grief . But 358 00:14:46,730 --> 00:14:48,786 we're certainly going to continue to 359 00:14:48,786 --> 00:14:50,952 look for ways to to keep their defense 360 00:14:50,952 --> 00:14:52,952 partnership um healthy and strong . 361 00:14:52,952 --> 00:14:54,952 Which is exactly what General Rawat 362 00:14:54,952 --> 00:14:58,780 would have wanted . So we're again we 363 00:14:58,880 --> 00:15:02,250 we grieve with them um and it is 364 00:15:02,250 --> 00:15:06,010 certainly a blow . Um but the strength 365 00:15:06,010 --> 00:15:08,010 of the partnership is strong enough 366 00:15:08,010 --> 00:15:10,177 that you know we believe we'll be able 367 00:15:10,177 --> 00:15:12,232 to overcome that . And again I think 368 00:15:12,232 --> 00:15:14,288 that's what the general would want . 369 00:15:14,288 --> 00:15:16,510 There is a high level of investigations 370 00:15:16,510 --> 00:15:18,621 going on if D . O . D . Is part of in 371 00:15:18,621 --> 00:15:21,590 any investigations of this tragedy . I 372 00:15:21,590 --> 00:15:24,060 know of no U . S . Military 373 00:15:24,240 --> 00:15:26,960 participation in investigations of this 374 00:15:26,960 --> 00:15:29,960 crash . That's a all those questions 375 00:15:29,960 --> 00:15:32,127 are much better put to the Ministry of 376 00:15:32,127 --> 00:15:34,380 Defense in India . Second question if I 377 00:15:34,380 --> 00:15:37,430 may as far as the U . S . National 378 00:15:37,430 --> 00:15:40,460 security is concerned and the regional 379 00:15:41,240 --> 00:15:44,660 peace in the indian ocean or in the 380 00:15:44,670 --> 00:15:47,950 south Asia C who is more dangerous 381 00:15:48,640 --> 00:15:52,050 Russia or china . Um 382 00:15:52,540 --> 00:15:56,240 Nice try . Um Look , we uh you've heard 383 00:15:56,240 --> 00:15:58,240 the secretary talk about the pacing 384 00:15:58,240 --> 00:16:00,960 challenge of china . Uh would certainly 385 00:16:00,970 --> 00:16:03,026 commend you to look at the speech he 386 00:16:03,026 --> 00:16:05,490 gave at the Reagan Defense form a week 387 00:16:05,490 --> 00:16:07,490 or so ago . I think he laid out his 388 00:16:07,490 --> 00:16:10,190 concerns very very clearly . We talked 389 00:16:10,190 --> 00:16:12,190 about the fact that we have to face 390 00:16:12,190 --> 00:16:14,246 this challenge with confidence , not 391 00:16:14,246 --> 00:16:17,800 fear . Um And uh and the Well , well 392 00:16:17,800 --> 00:16:19,967 there certainly advancing capabilities 393 00:16:19,967 --> 00:16:21,967 China is not 10 ft tall . His exact 394 00:16:21,967 --> 00:16:23,740 words and you've heard us talk 395 00:16:23,750 --> 00:16:25,972 throughout the last couple of weeks for 396 00:16:25,972 --> 00:16:27,861 sure . But even longer back about 397 00:16:27,861 --> 00:16:30,000 Russia . Um and the destabilizing 398 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:31,833 activities that they continue to 399 00:16:31,833 --> 00:16:35,450 proffer , whether that's uh in space or 400 00:16:35,460 --> 00:16:38,060 on the ground and in the air at sea . 401 00:16:38,070 --> 00:16:41,660 Um and uh and that's all I think 402 00:16:42,800 --> 00:16:45,500 evident in the concern over Russia is 403 00:16:45,500 --> 00:16:47,611 evident in the President's discussion 404 00:16:47,611 --> 00:16:49,778 with with President Putin earlier this 405 00:16:49,778 --> 00:16:52,970 week . So um , they both present 406 00:16:53,340 --> 00:16:55,830 challenges to our national security 407 00:16:55,830 --> 00:16:58,052 interests and that's why we're going to 408 00:16:58,052 --> 00:17:00,300 remain focused on being able to address 409 00:17:00,310 --> 00:17:02,170 those challenges across multiple 410 00:17:02,170 --> 00:17:04,226 domains . You've heard the Secretary 411 00:17:04,226 --> 00:17:07,450 talk about integrated deterrence . Um 412 00:17:07,460 --> 00:17:09,800 that that gets exactly to what I'm 413 00:17:09,800 --> 00:17:11,967 trying to talk to today , which is the 414 00:17:11,967 --> 00:17:14,410 the idea of netting together all our 415 00:17:14,410 --> 00:17:16,577 capabilities and the joint force , but 416 00:17:16,577 --> 00:17:18,466 also those capabilities among our 417 00:17:18,466 --> 00:17:20,632 allies and partners to deal with these 418 00:17:20,632 --> 00:17:22,854 kinds of threats and challenges because 419 00:17:22,854 --> 00:17:24,743 we obviously want to her to deter 420 00:17:24,743 --> 00:17:26,966 conflict to prevent it from happening , 421 00:17:27,140 --> 00:17:29,307 then have to fight it . But if we have 422 00:17:29,307 --> 00:17:31,640 to fight it , we have to be able to win . 423 00:17:31,640 --> 00:17:33,862 And that's where we're focused on . Let 424 00:17:33,862 --> 00:17:36,300 me um get here Alex Horton Washington 425 00:17:36,300 --> 00:17:37,170 post . 426 00:17:40,340 --> 00:17:43,260 Hey john thanks . Um yeah , the the 427 00:17:43,260 --> 00:17:45,380 army's vaccine numbers are coming out 428 00:17:45,380 --> 00:17:47,436 next week and we already have a good 429 00:17:47,436 --> 00:17:49,436 idea of where they're at , which is 430 00:17:49,436 --> 00:17:51,920 about Uh 14,000 or so soldiers who have 431 00:17:51,920 --> 00:17:54,510 gotten the vaccine of any kind . Um And 432 00:17:54,510 --> 00:17:56,454 that also means that we now have a 433 00:17:56,454 --> 00:17:58,621 pretty good picture of how many active 434 00:17:58,621 --> 00:18:01,360 duty troops across the services Um are 435 00:18:01,360 --> 00:18:03,249 in vaccinated , which is you know 436 00:18:03,249 --> 00:18:06,020 somewhere around 40,000 . So uh as of 437 00:18:06,020 --> 00:18:08,620 now with that number of mind , I mean 438 00:18:08,620 --> 00:18:11,160 what you say , the secretary expected 439 00:18:11,160 --> 00:18:13,440 that much , is that below or above the 440 00:18:13,440 --> 00:18:15,496 targets you were you were hoping for 441 00:18:15,840 --> 00:18:19,290 and separately uh with with Dr Fauci 442 00:18:19,290 --> 00:18:21,179 making recommendations to get the 443 00:18:21,179 --> 00:18:23,710 booster ? Well , a three shot regimen 444 00:18:23,720 --> 00:18:25,990 uh being the new requirements for the 445 00:18:25,990 --> 00:18:27,712 department going forward . The 446 00:18:27,712 --> 00:18:30,710 secretary's expectation is 100% 447 00:18:30,710 --> 00:18:32,821 vaccination . That's what he wants to 448 00:18:32,821 --> 00:18:36,480 see . Um and I would uh certainly I 449 00:18:36,480 --> 00:18:38,424 won't speak for the army and their 450 00:18:38,424 --> 00:18:40,536 numbers of where they are right now , 451 00:18:40,536 --> 00:18:43,480 but With active duty personnel with at 452 00:18:43,480 --> 00:18:47,270 least one dose right now we're at 96.4% . 453 00:18:47,280 --> 00:18:49,336 Active duty personnel that are fully 454 00:18:49,336 --> 00:18:51,340 vaccinated stands at 90% . And then 455 00:18:51,340 --> 00:18:53,507 across the total force , this includes 456 00:18:53,507 --> 00:18:55,690 reserves and guard fully vaccinated 457 00:18:55,690 --> 00:18:58,630 where it's almost 74% . So the numbers 458 00:18:58,630 --> 00:19:01,340 keep keep trending in the right 459 00:19:01,340 --> 00:19:03,673 direction . We're glad to see that Alex , 460 00:19:03,673 --> 00:19:05,673 we know there's more work to do and 461 00:19:05,673 --> 00:19:07,673 there's some deadlines that haven't 462 00:19:07,673 --> 00:19:09,840 passed yet , as as you well know uh as 463 00:19:09,840 --> 00:19:11,700 well . Um But the secretary's 464 00:19:11,710 --> 00:19:13,710 expectation is because this is a 465 00:19:13,710 --> 00:19:15,710 mandatory military readiness 466 00:19:15,710 --> 00:19:17,821 requirement is that everybody's going 467 00:19:17,821 --> 00:19:19,932 to get it with the exception of those 468 00:19:19,932 --> 00:19:21,932 of course who are properly exempted 469 00:19:21,932 --> 00:19:23,932 from it . Either doctor's orders or 470 00:19:23,932 --> 00:19:23,890 they have applied for an exemption that 471 00:19:23,890 --> 00:19:27,540 has been uh accepted . Um And I'm sorry 472 00:19:27,540 --> 00:19:29,707 I completely lost train on your second 473 00:19:29,707 --> 00:19:32,620 question . The second question is Dr 474 00:19:32,620 --> 00:19:34,787 Fauci has recommended everyone get the 475 00:19:34,787 --> 00:19:37,020 booster . So is what are you guys doing 476 00:19:37,020 --> 00:19:39,900 about policy for for service members 477 00:19:39,900 --> 00:19:42,067 that are considered fully vaccinated ? 478 00:19:42,067 --> 00:19:44,067 Will that move to a booster shot as 479 00:19:44,067 --> 00:19:45,956 well ? That's a that's a terrific 480 00:19:45,956 --> 00:19:48,178 question . There are active discussions 481 00:19:48,178 --> 00:19:50,233 here in the department at the policy 482 00:19:50,233 --> 00:19:53,820 level um about booster 483 00:19:53,820 --> 00:19:56,290 shots and whether or not to make those 484 00:19:56,340 --> 00:19:58,396 mandatory . There have been no final 485 00:19:58,396 --> 00:20:00,229 decisions made about that . Rest 486 00:20:00,229 --> 00:20:02,840 assured that um should there be an 487 00:20:02,840 --> 00:20:05,000 addition to that in terms of the 488 00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:07,550 mandatory vaccine requirement , we will 489 00:20:07,560 --> 00:20:09,616 will clearly communicate that and be 490 00:20:09,616 --> 00:20:11,671 transparent about it . But there are 491 00:20:11,671 --> 00:20:13,838 discussions in the department about um 492 00:20:13,838 --> 00:20:16,810 the efficacy of enact booster mandatory 493 00:20:16,810 --> 00:20:20,760 policy as well . Okay . Yes rio 494 00:20:21,440 --> 00:20:24,120 thank you to questions about the 495 00:20:24,120 --> 00:20:27,790 Southeast Asia , the Secretary said in 496 00:20:27,790 --> 00:20:30,540 there Reagan National Defense program . 497 00:20:30,550 --> 00:20:33,360 He would visit the Southeast Asia early 498 00:20:33,360 --> 00:20:35,930 next year which countries is a 499 00:20:35,930 --> 00:20:38,050 secretary looking at to visit the 500 00:20:38,050 --> 00:20:41,960 secondary uh One of the conclusions of 501 00:20:41,970 --> 00:20:44,440 the global force posture review for the 502 00:20:44,450 --> 00:20:47,340 in the pacific region is the D . O . D . 503 00:20:47,340 --> 00:20:50,280 Should expand the regional access . So 504 00:20:50,290 --> 00:20:52,950 is that part of the objective for the 505 00:20:52,950 --> 00:20:55,350 Secretary's upcoming trip to the region . 506 00:20:55,840 --> 00:20:58,350 Well we haven't announced this upcoming 507 00:20:58,350 --> 00:21:00,406 travel . You're right . He did tease 508 00:21:00,406 --> 00:21:02,800 that in the Reagan speech , I think 509 00:21:02,810 --> 00:21:06,120 uh in relatively short order we'll be 510 00:21:06,120 --> 00:21:08,410 able to talk about the upcoming trip to 511 00:21:08,410 --> 00:21:10,632 Southeast Asia . I'm not prepared to go 512 00:21:10,632 --> 00:21:12,910 into the details of it right now today , 513 00:21:12,910 --> 00:21:15,170 but we are in the planning stages of a 514 00:21:15,170 --> 00:21:18,390 trip to Southeast Asia . Um and 515 00:21:18,400 --> 00:21:21,400 uh wherever we go in the indo pacific 516 00:21:21,410 --> 00:21:25,120 this issue of um of 517 00:21:25,260 --> 00:21:27,670 access opportunities , additional 518 00:21:27,670 --> 00:21:31,000 training opportunities , um bilateral 519 00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:33,950 defense relationship , growth and 520 00:21:33,950 --> 00:21:37,410 development , all that will be on the 521 00:21:37,410 --> 00:21:39,700 agenda every time we go to the region . 522 00:21:39,700 --> 00:21:41,867 So I don't want to get ahead of a trip 523 00:21:41,867 --> 00:21:43,922 that hasn't been announced yet rio . 524 00:21:43,922 --> 00:21:46,144 But when we can talk about it with more 525 00:21:46,144 --> 00:21:48,620 detail and and dexterity we will . But 526 00:21:48,630 --> 00:21:50,880 yes , there is a the trip coming up 527 00:21:50,890 --> 00:21:53,610 early in the year to Southeast Asia . 528 00:21:53,610 --> 00:21:55,777 And again , we'll have more details on 529 00:21:55,777 --> 00:21:57,943 that . As as it as it gets finalized . 530 00:21:58,240 --> 00:22:00,810 Okay , um Jeff Seldin Vol 531 00:22:01,870 --> 00:22:04,037 John thanks very much for doing this . 532 00:22:04,037 --> 00:22:06,092 two questions . One on Ukraine , one 533 00:22:06,092 --> 00:22:08,490 about Afghanistan on Ukraine , how 534 00:22:08,500 --> 00:22:10,610 confident is the pentagon in the 535 00:22:10,610 --> 00:22:13,700 Ukrainian military's ability to defend 536 00:22:13,700 --> 00:22:16,340 itself from a Russian incursion , given 537 00:22:16,340 --> 00:22:18,451 that some other recent efforts helped 538 00:22:18,451 --> 00:22:20,396 arm and train forces so they could 539 00:22:20,396 --> 00:22:22,284 function without US forces on the 540 00:22:22,284 --> 00:22:24,284 ground . Haven't gone so well . And 541 00:22:24,284 --> 00:22:26,540 then with Afghanistan in an interview 542 00:22:26,540 --> 00:22:28,870 with Ap yesterday ? Uh centcom's 543 00:22:28,870 --> 00:22:30,814 General McKenzie indicated that it 544 00:22:30,814 --> 00:22:32,981 seems Al Qaeda is growing right now in 545 00:22:32,981 --> 00:22:34,814 Afghanistan , wondering what the 546 00:22:34,814 --> 00:22:37,037 pentagon can say about this growth . Is 547 00:22:37,037 --> 00:22:39,850 it leaders ? Is it foot soldiers ? And 548 00:22:39,850 --> 00:22:41,572 what does it say as far as the 549 00:22:41,572 --> 00:22:43,350 Taliban's commitment to prevent 550 00:22:43,350 --> 00:22:45,517 Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven 551 00:22:45,517 --> 00:22:47,880 for plotting against the west in the US . 552 00:22:48,410 --> 00:22:50,960 Thanks Jeff on Ukraine . As you know , 553 00:22:50,960 --> 00:22:54,660 we we continue to 554 00:22:54,670 --> 00:22:57,170 provide measures of security assistance 555 00:22:57,170 --> 00:22:59,170 to them . We talked about Just this 556 00:22:59,170 --> 00:23:02,350 week , uh the conclusion of the the $60 557 00:23:02,350 --> 00:23:06,220 million Biden approved this 558 00:23:06,220 --> 00:23:09,020 year . That has just wrapped up , 559 00:23:09,030 --> 00:23:12,550 our security assistance covers a range 560 00:23:12,550 --> 00:23:16,220 of capabilities . Um not all of it 561 00:23:16,230 --> 00:23:20,050 uh in the lethal cap or defensive 562 00:23:20,060 --> 00:23:22,350 category , but but we believe all of it 563 00:23:22,620 --> 00:23:25,250 important to help bolster their 564 00:23:25,250 --> 00:23:27,370 capabilities to defend themselves and 565 00:23:27,370 --> 00:23:30,630 defend their people . Um And as you 566 00:23:30,630 --> 00:23:33,700 heard , the National Security Advisor , 567 00:23:33,710 --> 00:23:35,821 jake Sullivan said the other day that 568 00:23:36,110 --> 00:23:38,740 uh you know , we are certainly keeping 569 00:23:38,740 --> 00:23:41,030 on the table and the potential for 570 00:23:41,040 --> 00:23:43,151 additional security assistance should 571 00:23:43,151 --> 00:23:46,740 that be required . But the Ukrainian uh 572 00:23:46,750 --> 00:23:48,917 defense forces and and they don't just 573 00:23:48,917 --> 00:23:51,480 get assistance from the United States , 574 00:23:51,480 --> 00:23:53,702 they get security assistance from other 575 00:23:53,702 --> 00:23:56,320 countries as well . Uh and um I would 576 00:23:56,320 --> 00:24:00,040 let them speak to uh their capabilities 577 00:24:00,040 --> 00:24:04,000 and uh um and uh and their 578 00:24:04,010 --> 00:24:06,121 their level of confidence in their in 579 00:24:06,121 --> 00:24:08,288 their capabilities , but we're we have 580 00:24:08,288 --> 00:24:09,954 and will continue to look for 581 00:24:09,954 --> 00:24:11,850 opportunities to help them better 582 00:24:11,850 --> 00:24:15,840 defend themselves on um Al Qaeda and 583 00:24:15,840 --> 00:24:18,007 General Mackenzie's comments , I think 584 00:24:18,007 --> 00:24:21,570 he also noted that uh that uh while he 585 00:24:21,570 --> 00:24:24,730 saw some increase uh in footprint there , 586 00:24:24,730 --> 00:24:27,470 that it wasn't uh it wasn't significant . 587 00:24:27,480 --> 00:24:29,940 And and he noted as we have all noted 588 00:24:29,940 --> 00:24:32,010 that , you know , that we expect the 589 00:24:32,010 --> 00:24:34,177 taliban to meet their commitments when 590 00:24:34,177 --> 00:24:36,420 uh their commitments that they made , 591 00:24:36,430 --> 00:24:39,030 that they would not harbor al Qaeda , 592 00:24:39,030 --> 00:24:42,080 that they would not uh bolster al Qaeda , 593 00:24:42,080 --> 00:24:44,300 that they would um that they would not 594 00:24:44,300 --> 00:24:48,270 tolerate um attacks being planned by 595 00:24:48,270 --> 00:24:50,450 al Qaeda on their soil . So , I mean , 596 00:24:50,450 --> 00:24:52,310 that's that continues to be our 597 00:24:52,310 --> 00:24:56,030 expectation for the taliban . That said , 598 00:24:56,530 --> 00:24:59,150 we're clear eyed about this , uh and 599 00:24:59,160 --> 00:25:02,020 we're going to continue to work to make 600 00:25:02,020 --> 00:25:04,530 sure we have the kinds of over the 601 00:25:04,530 --> 00:25:06,920 rising capabilities in place . Such 602 00:25:06,920 --> 00:25:10,090 that should we see indications uh 603 00:25:10,100 --> 00:25:12,156 credible indications of an attack on 604 00:25:12,156 --> 00:25:14,378 our homeland or our interests emanating 605 00:25:14,378 --> 00:25:17,290 from there or anywhere else that that 606 00:25:17,290 --> 00:25:19,840 we can take the steps to eliminate that 607 00:25:19,840 --> 00:25:22,270 risk ? Um , 608 00:25:23,720 --> 00:25:25,790 See Mallory us and I , 609 00:25:27,940 --> 00:25:30,107 hi john , thanks for doing this . Um , 610 00:25:30,107 --> 00:25:32,162 I wanted to follow up on the vaccine 611 00:25:32,162 --> 00:25:34,162 question . Um , are there still any 612 00:25:34,162 --> 00:25:36,384 ongoing remediation efforts for service 613 00:25:36,384 --> 00:25:38,273 members who have not received the 614 00:25:38,273 --> 00:25:40,218 vaccine ? And how committed is the 615 00:25:40,218 --> 00:25:42,384 pentagon to separating service members 616 00:25:42,384 --> 00:25:43,996 who have continued to refuse 617 00:25:43,996 --> 00:25:46,107 vaccination , including after they've 618 00:25:46,107 --> 00:25:48,490 had a denied exemption . Those are 619 00:25:48,490 --> 00:25:50,323 great questions actually for the 620 00:25:50,323 --> 00:25:53,990 military departments Mallory um that 621 00:25:54,000 --> 00:25:57,140 those sorts of of actions are not being 622 00:25:57,150 --> 00:26:00,640 handled centrally by the department at 623 00:26:00,640 --> 00:26:02,584 this level , by at the secretary's 624 00:26:02,584 --> 00:26:04,960 level . Uh the service secretaries and 625 00:26:04,960 --> 00:26:07,240 the and the service chiefs are in 626 00:26:07,240 --> 00:26:09,073 charge of their the way they are 627 00:26:09,073 --> 00:26:11,080 implementing the mandatory vaccine 628 00:26:11,080 --> 00:26:13,590 requirements . And each of them have to 629 00:26:13,590 --> 00:26:15,646 do that in accordance with their own 630 00:26:15,646 --> 00:26:17,812 manpower , their own resources , their 631 00:26:17,812 --> 00:26:19,923 own operational requirements . Uh And 632 00:26:19,923 --> 00:26:19,870 they're doing that . So I think each of 633 00:26:19,870 --> 00:26:21,870 the services can better answer that 634 00:26:21,870 --> 00:26:24,780 question in terms of um what what their 635 00:26:24,780 --> 00:26:26,669 administrative procedures are for 636 00:26:26,669 --> 00:26:28,558 people who continue to refuse the 637 00:26:28,558 --> 00:26:30,630 vaccine are not exempted from it 638 00:26:30,640 --> 00:26:32,807 officially exempted from it . The only 639 00:26:32,807 --> 00:26:35,060 thing I would add to that is that it 640 00:26:35,060 --> 00:26:37,060 remains the Secretary's expectation 641 00:26:37,060 --> 00:26:40,160 that the mandatory vaccine will be 642 00:26:40,940 --> 00:26:43,240 implemented in a in a compassionate and 643 00:26:43,240 --> 00:26:45,000 thoughtful way that that his 644 00:26:45,000 --> 00:26:48,550 expectation is not that uh that uh the 645 00:26:48,550 --> 00:26:50,920 result would immediately go to some 646 00:26:50,920 --> 00:26:53,380 sort of punitive or administrative 647 00:26:53,380 --> 00:26:55,436 action against a member , that every 648 00:26:55,436 --> 00:26:57,547 effort be made to make sure that they 649 00:26:57,547 --> 00:26:59,547 understand the ramifications of the 650 00:26:59,547 --> 00:27:01,602 decision that they're making and the 651 00:27:01,602 --> 00:27:03,658 ramifications to their health and to 652 00:27:03,658 --> 00:27:05,820 their units readiness before any sort 653 00:27:05,820 --> 00:27:07,820 of administrative action is taken . 654 00:27:07,820 --> 00:27:10,042 That's his expectation . That's what he 655 00:27:10,042 --> 00:27:12,098 laid down for the services . So if I 656 00:27:12,098 --> 00:27:14,153 could just follow up on that . So it 657 00:27:14,153 --> 00:27:16,153 does that mean is there a window of 658 00:27:16,153 --> 00:27:18,209 time for that , you know , for those 659 00:27:18,209 --> 00:27:18,040 efforts to be ongoing . I mean , I 660 00:27:18,040 --> 00:27:19,818 guess there has to be a cut off 661 00:27:19,818 --> 00:27:21,990 eventually . Right . And each service 662 00:27:21,990 --> 00:27:24,046 would be responsible for determining 663 00:27:24,046 --> 00:27:26,268 how long would counseling and education 664 00:27:26,268 --> 00:27:28,268 go before some sort of action would 665 00:27:28,268 --> 00:27:30,212 have to be taken again , that that 666 00:27:30,212 --> 00:27:32,379 would be in the purview of each of the 667 00:27:32,379 --> 00:27:34,546 military departments to determine . So 668 00:27:34,546 --> 00:27:36,657 it's up to the services . Thank you . 669 00:27:36,657 --> 00:27:39,650 Yes , ma'am , going back to the vaccine 670 00:27:39,660 --> 00:27:41,860 um and about discussions to make it 671 00:27:41,860 --> 00:27:43,638 mandatory . Does that mean it's 672 00:27:43,638 --> 00:27:45,804 voluntary right now ? Are you strongly 673 00:27:45,804 --> 00:27:49,470 encouraging the booster ? Um be taken 674 00:27:49,470 --> 00:27:51,900 by service members ? I mean it's not 675 00:27:51,910 --> 00:27:54,180 it's not voluntary anymore . It's a 676 00:27:54,180 --> 00:27:56,730 mandatory military requirement booster . 677 00:27:56,830 --> 00:27:58,830 Yeah , I think we talked about this 678 00:27:58,830 --> 00:28:01,270 earlier . There are active discussions 679 00:28:01,270 --> 00:28:04,800 here at the department about um the 680 00:28:04,800 --> 00:28:06,940 efficacy of a mandatory booster 681 00:28:06,940 --> 00:28:09,320 requirement . We aren't we aren't we 682 00:28:09,320 --> 00:28:11,470 are at that point now louis but there 683 00:28:11,470 --> 00:28:13,530 are active discussions about whether 684 00:28:13,530 --> 00:28:15,586 and to what degree that might be the 685 00:28:15,586 --> 00:28:17,697 right way forward . And if we do make 686 00:28:17,697 --> 00:28:19,308 that decision will certainly 687 00:28:19,308 --> 00:28:21,030 communicate that we'll have to 688 00:28:21,030 --> 00:28:23,030 communicate that to the force . But 689 00:28:23,030 --> 00:28:25,141 there's uh there's no requirement for 690 00:28:25,141 --> 00:28:27,400 it at this time fully vaccinated either 691 00:28:27,400 --> 00:28:30,680 means one , johnson and johnson or two 692 00:28:30,680 --> 00:28:32,960 of the other types of vaccines . Uh and 693 00:28:32,960 --> 00:28:35,182 in this case the fighter one is the one 694 00:28:35,182 --> 00:28:37,640 that is being used for them mandatory 695 00:28:37,650 --> 00:28:40,650 uh , for the mandatory requirement 696 00:28:40,650 --> 00:28:44,230 because it's it's been approved . Um We 697 00:28:44,230 --> 00:28:47,880 obviously encourage those who can 698 00:28:47,880 --> 00:28:51,490 and and who by CDC guidelines are are 699 00:28:51,500 --> 00:28:53,611 recommended to get the booster to get 700 00:28:53,611 --> 00:28:55,700 the booster . Uh so the secretary 701 00:28:55,700 --> 00:28:58,820 absolutely encourages people um , if 702 00:28:58,820 --> 00:29:01,390 they can and if they qualify to get the 703 00:29:01,390 --> 00:29:03,334 booster , but right now there's no 704 00:29:03,334 --> 00:29:05,390 requirement for it . MR is not being 705 00:29:05,390 --> 00:29:07,710 offered at Military hospitals and 706 00:29:07,710 --> 00:29:09,840 military healthcare . Yeah , it is . 707 00:29:10,140 --> 00:29:12,660 I've gotten one myself right here in 708 00:29:12,660 --> 00:29:15,020 the pentagon . Um , can I switch over 709 00:29:15,020 --> 00:29:17,540 to Hawaii , please ? Um , the Pearl 710 00:29:17,540 --> 00:29:19,651 Harbor situation there , the Red Hill 711 00:29:19,651 --> 00:29:21,960 situation continues to develop . Um , I 712 00:29:21,960 --> 00:29:23,960 asked you earlier this week whether 713 00:29:23,960 --> 00:29:26,127 there was consideration will be moving 714 00:29:26,127 --> 00:29:28,293 on and you said that the Navy is still 715 00:29:28,293 --> 00:29:30,238 looking at this process , um , but 716 00:29:30,238 --> 00:29:30,110 there are national security 717 00:29:30,110 --> 00:29:32,610 implications now because of the request 718 00:29:32,610 --> 00:29:36,480 for the state of Hawaii to completely 719 00:29:36,480 --> 00:29:39,580 shut down and drain out the fuel that's 720 00:29:39,580 --> 00:29:42,270 there . Um , is that a concern for this 721 00:29:42,270 --> 00:29:44,480 department as well ? Or is that just 722 00:29:44,480 --> 00:29:46,647 something that because it is a joint , 723 00:29:46,647 --> 00:29:48,758 you know , it's a Navy facility , but 724 00:29:48,758 --> 00:29:50,980 it's fuel for all of the joints joining 725 00:29:50,980 --> 00:29:53,147 forces for the joint . I mean , it's a 726 00:29:53,147 --> 00:29:55,313 strategic fueling capability . There's 727 00:29:55,313 --> 00:29:57,536 no doubt about that . We recognize that 728 00:29:57,536 --> 00:29:59,536 louis , I don't look , the navy has 729 00:29:59,536 --> 00:29:59,500 suspended operations there . The 730 00:29:59,500 --> 00:30:02,050 secretary supports that suspension . Um , 731 00:30:02,310 --> 00:30:05,360 and uh , uh , he also supports the 732 00:30:05,370 --> 00:30:07,592 Navy's investigative efforts . He wants 733 00:30:07,592 --> 00:30:09,481 to see that that we determine the 734 00:30:09,481 --> 00:30:11,703 source of this contamination and that , 735 00:30:11,703 --> 00:30:14,770 um , and that to the degree we can we 736 00:30:14,770 --> 00:30:17,450 stop that contamination . Uh , from 737 00:30:17,450 --> 00:30:19,283 where uh , you know , wherever , 738 00:30:19,283 --> 00:30:21,800 wherever it's emanating from . Um , So 739 00:30:21,800 --> 00:30:23,911 I don't I don't want to speak for the 740 00:30:23,911 --> 00:30:25,856 investigation or what it's finding 741 00:30:25,856 --> 00:30:28,550 that's still ongoing . Um We're mindful 742 00:30:28,550 --> 00:30:31,790 of the importance of the Red hill bulk 743 00:30:31,790 --> 00:30:33,957 storage facility to the joint forces . 744 00:30:33,957 --> 00:30:36,068 You rightly pointed out , I know that 745 00:30:36,068 --> 00:30:38,750 there , I'm well aware of the state of 746 00:30:38,750 --> 00:30:41,950 Hawaii's um desires here . I will let 747 00:30:41,950 --> 00:30:44,560 the Navy speak to their communications 748 00:30:44,570 --> 00:30:47,770 with Hawaiian state officials . Um I 749 00:30:47,780 --> 00:30:50,690 would just add , if I can . How 750 00:30:50,690 --> 00:30:52,968 seriously the secretary is taking this . 751 00:30:52,968 --> 00:30:55,300 Um In fact , he took a briefing by the 752 00:30:55,300 --> 00:30:57,356 Chief of Naval Operations last night 753 00:30:57,356 --> 00:31:00,210 last evening about their progress , 754 00:31:00,210 --> 00:31:02,210 mitigating measures , investigative 755 00:31:02,210 --> 00:31:04,220 process , taking how they're taking 756 00:31:04,220 --> 00:31:05,998 care of families that have been 757 00:31:05,998 --> 00:31:08,109 displaced as well as medical care for 758 00:31:08,109 --> 00:31:10,331 those who have sought medical care . Um 759 00:31:10,331 --> 00:31:12,553 So he is and he's getting daily updates 760 00:31:12,553 --> 00:31:14,880 from the Navy Department uh written 761 00:31:14,880 --> 00:31:17,030 updates as it is . But he did take a 762 00:31:17,030 --> 00:31:19,363 briefing from Admiral Dilday last night . 763 00:31:19,363 --> 00:31:21,600 So he is personally monitoring this 764 00:31:21,610 --> 00:31:24,310 very seriously concerned about it , 765 00:31:24,440 --> 00:31:27,260 wants to make sure first and foremost 766 00:31:27,260 --> 00:31:29,371 that the health and well being of our 767 00:31:29,371 --> 00:31:31,540 people are being being considered and 768 00:31:31,550 --> 00:31:34,690 uh and looked after uh and he's aware 769 00:31:34,690 --> 00:31:36,857 of what the Navy has been trying to do 770 00:31:36,857 --> 00:31:38,857 to get people temporary lodging and 771 00:31:38,857 --> 00:31:40,912 make sure that they get safe potable 772 00:31:40,912 --> 00:31:42,968 water and to restore the plumbing in 773 00:31:42,968 --> 00:31:45,134 their housing so that they can go back 774 00:31:45,134 --> 00:31:47,301 home . Um So he's he's monitoring that 775 00:31:47,301 --> 00:31:49,190 closely and secondly that again , 776 00:31:49,840 --> 00:31:51,396 whatever the source of this 777 00:31:51,396 --> 00:31:53,618 contamination is to the degree , we can 778 00:31:53,618 --> 00:31:55,784 stop it that we that we stop it . So I 779 00:31:55,784 --> 00:31:57,896 think that's where the focus is right 780 00:31:57,896 --> 00:31:59,896 now and again , I'll let the uh the 781 00:31:59,896 --> 00:32:01,784 Navy leadership speak about their 782 00:32:01,784 --> 00:32:03,951 coordination and discussions with with 783 00:32:03,951 --> 00:32:06,990 the state of Hawaii . Yes . A two part 784 00:32:06,990 --> 00:32:08,990 china question , the Military Power 785 00:32:08,990 --> 00:32:11,157 report talked about china's efforts to 786 00:32:11,157 --> 00:32:13,379 build essentially a network of bases or 787 00:32:13,379 --> 00:32:15,379 facilities across Asia , the Middle 788 00:32:15,379 --> 00:32:17,657 East and africa . The general question , 789 00:32:17,657 --> 00:32:19,879 the first one is how does the US assess 790 00:32:19,879 --> 00:32:21,823 that effort and what's the U . S . 791 00:32:21,823 --> 00:32:23,990 Doing to respond ? And the second part 792 00:32:23,990 --> 00:32:26,157 of much more specific one is china has 793 00:32:26,157 --> 00:32:28,268 upgraded uh facilities . I believe in 794 00:32:28,268 --> 00:32:30,212 Djibouti does that is the pentagon 795 00:32:30,212 --> 00:32:32,212 considering changing the posture at 796 00:32:32,212 --> 00:32:34,212 Camp Lemonier in Djibouti , I don't 797 00:32:34,212 --> 00:32:36,212 have anything with Camp Lemonier to 798 00:32:36,212 --> 00:32:39,640 speak to uh specifically . Um but to 799 00:32:39,640 --> 00:32:42,380 your broader question , yes , you're 800 00:32:42,380 --> 00:32:44,380 right . The report noted that china 801 00:32:44,380 --> 00:32:46,436 isn't trying to improve their access 802 00:32:46,436 --> 00:32:48,547 and influence all over the world . Um 803 00:32:48,547 --> 00:32:52,540 and uh we're not asking countries 804 00:32:52,540 --> 00:32:54,707 to choose between china and the United 805 00:32:54,707 --> 00:32:58,060 States , but as we talked about 806 00:32:58,770 --> 00:33:02,040 regarding equatorial guinea , we're 807 00:33:02,040 --> 00:33:03,818 also not gonna be bashful about 808 00:33:03,818 --> 00:33:06,950 speaking to foreign leaders about our 809 00:33:06,950 --> 00:33:08,894 national security concerns and the 810 00:33:08,894 --> 00:33:12,120 national security implications of of 811 00:33:13,240 --> 00:33:16,370 of permitting fostering that kind of 812 00:33:16,380 --> 00:33:18,650 chinese physical presence in those 813 00:33:18,650 --> 00:33:20,483 locations . So we're watching it 814 00:33:20,483 --> 00:33:23,310 obviously closely because we know and 815 00:33:23,320 --> 00:33:26,300 he's talked about this that uh in many 816 00:33:26,300 --> 00:33:29,110 ways and in many places , um the 817 00:33:29,110 --> 00:33:31,221 chinese are trying to disrupt a rules 818 00:33:31,221 --> 00:33:33,170 based international order that has 819 00:33:33,170 --> 00:33:36,900 really been in place and helped uh rise 820 00:33:36,900 --> 00:33:39,011 to prosperity and safety and security 821 00:33:39,011 --> 00:33:41,122 millions of people across the world . 822 00:33:41,122 --> 00:33:43,067 And they're trying to disrupt that 823 00:33:43,067 --> 00:33:45,067 rules based international order and 824 00:33:45,067 --> 00:33:47,289 that that we believe that those efforts 825 00:33:47,289 --> 00:33:47,060 are very much in our national security 826 00:33:47,060 --> 00:33:50,320 interests . Okay . Happy weekend , 827 00:33:50,320 --> 00:33:54,290 everybody . Um Go army , Go Navy . 828 00:33:55,040 --> 00:33:57,096 It's gonna be a good game . Thanks . 829 00:33:57,096 --> 00:33:57,170 See ya .