F.P Report
WASHINGTON: Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby briefed media over significant issues, local and international on Friday. During his press briefing, Kirby begun with providing updates on the COVID-Vaccine distribution support.
He commented that COVID community vaccination centers in Chicago, Illinois and Greensboro, North Carolina began full operations, saying that ‘we also achieved two milestones yesterday, the first day with over 50,000 shots provided by DOD-supported community vaccination centers, and overall, more than 500,000 shots given at the 17 supported sites’.
Moving forward, Pentagon press secretary also shed light over the Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks issuing a memorandum to commanders of the combatant commands, defense agency and DOD field activity directors on the governance structure for deputy-secretary-managed processes.
He also remarked that the memorandum describes formal mechanisms that the deputy secretary will use to assist the secretary in advancing his priorities; specifically, Deputy Secretary of Defense Hicks is establishing a new governance body, the Deputy’s Workforce Council, to advance the priorities laid out last week in Secretary Austin’s message to the force.
Mentioning the policies over important matters, he also mentioned that council will examine work to create lasting institutional change around the department’s policies and processes on critical matters
While adding more details he stated that, these include sexual assault prevention and response, countering extremism, transgender issues, diversity, equity and inclusion, workforce development and talent management, professional military education, and leveraging technology in support of workforce goals.
Press Secretary also shed light over the recent comments made by the host of a popular cable show about who serves in the military, and what that service means, over this matter, Kirby said that the diversity of our military is one of our greatest strengths.
Sharing his experience he mentioned that, “I’ve seen it for myself in long months at sea and in the combat waged by our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. I’ve seen it up on Capitol Hill just this past month, and I see it every day here right at the Pentagon”.
Furthermore, he also commented on the recent nominations saying that “We’re proud that two great leaders like Generals Van Ovost and Richardson have been nominated to combatant command, but we recognize the lack of female leadership across the senior ranks. We pledge to do better and we will, he added.
Pentagon Press Secretary also pointed out that we absolutely won’t do is take personnel advice from a talk show host or the Chinese military, adding that now maybe those folks feel like they have something to prove; that’s on them. We know we’re the greatest military in the world today, and even for all the things we need to improve, he said.
Commenting on the extension of National Guard troops up on Capitol Hill one day longer than they need to be, he said that the Secretary recognizes that there is a legitimate need for them, adding that a valid requirement because of some capability gaps and capacity shortages right now that the Capitol Police are experiencing, as they adjust to a new post-January 6th environment.
Importantly he also briefed media over Secretary’s recent trips overseas, saying that the secretary’s very pleased to be able to make his first trip overseas, and to do so with the secretary of state, and to the Indo-Pacific region, which is such a critical part of the world, he added.
Kirby emphasized saying that the main thrust of the trip is really to revitalize and to and to show our support to our alliances and partnerships over there, specifically our alliance with Japan and with South Korea, those are the two big stops there for both Cabinet officials.
Responding to a question regarding nomination of Dr. Kahil, he added that secretary fully stands by the nomination of Dr. Kahl to be the undersecretary of defense for policy.
Kirby further added that he’s exactly the right person to head up that effort here at the Pentagon with vast and significant experience in the field of policymaking, and he looks forward to working with the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate writ large in the confirmation process, and very much looks forward to a successful vote, and to getting Dr. Kahl in the building, he commented.
Lastly, Kirby also reaffirmed that U.S will continue to support the Law of the Sea Convention;saying that we recognize the Senate’s role in ratifying that, and continue to be supportive of a frank and candid discussion with legislators about what the Law of the Sea affords us.
