The featured programs for the Department of Defense Tag http://www.c-spanvideo.org/browse?topic=912 en-US Copyright 2013, National Cable Satellite Corporation info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Sat, 18 May 2013 17:09:24 GMT Rajiv Chandrasekaran talked about his [Washington Post] article, "Too Big to Bail," an examination of the embattled F-35 jet fighter program. He highlights the program's unique ability to avoid budget cuts despite increases in production costs and delayed project completion. He points out that the program will not receive spending reductions from the budget sequester process. He defines what opponents of the F-35 call "political engineering" which he describes as a process employed by defense contractors to spread production throughout as many states as possible. He says this is one of many reasons defense contractor Lockheed Martin gets continued funding for their advanced fighter jet for the Navy, Air Force and Marines. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/311607-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/311607-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel talked about the impact on the military of prior fiscal year budget reductions and current year sequestration cuts. He also detailed the ongoing Strategic Choices and Management Review to decrease spending and programs, and outlined his vision of the global role of the U.S. military. Topics during the audience question portion included North Korea's nuclear threat and Defense Department employee furloughs. This was Secretary Hagel's first major speech since being confirmed as secretary of defense. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/311880-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/311880-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT House Republican leaders spoke to reporters about the sequestration budget cuts set to begin on March 1. They said that President Obama and Senate Democrats bear responsibility for the automatic spending cuts. Speaker Boehner stated that the House had already passed two bills to address sequestration, adding, "We should not have to move a third bill before the Senate gets off their ass and begins to do something." "Sequestration," a legal procedure in which every federal agency has the same percentage of its budget cut in order to take back deficit spending, was agreed to in the Budget Control Act of 2011 and scheduled to happen on March 1, 2013. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/311191-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/311191-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Former defense and foreign policy officials talked about cuts to the U.S. defense budget, maintaining national security, and modernizing the military budget. Among the topics they addressed were joint operations, partnering with allies, troop draw downs, addressing overhead costs, and establishing a an improved defense posture. They also addressed the potential impact of defense budget sequestration. They responded to questions from the audience. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/311128-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/311128-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Senate Armed Services Committee approved the nomination of Chuck Hagel to be secretary of defense by a 14-11 margin. All 14 Democrats supported the nomination, and 11 Republicans opposed. Senator David Vitter (R-LA) was not in the room at the time of the vote. Several Republican members voiced concerns over the nominee. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) accused former Senator Hagel of taking money for foreign entities and implied he lied about speeches he had given in the past. Chair Carl Levin (D-MI) reminded members of the committee's bipartisan history, saying, "We have survived party lines vote before. We will survive this one." http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/310957-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/310957-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT President Obama awarded the Medal of Honor to former Army Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha. Sergeant Romesha was honored for his actions during an October 3, 2009, battle with the Taliban in eastern Afghanistan, during which eight American soldiers were killed and 24 others were wounded. In remarks President Obama said U.S. troops should never again be asked to "defend the indefensible," a reference to Sergeant Romesha's outpost, which was positioned at the bottom of a valley, making it vulnerable to attack. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/310928-2 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/310928-2 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Secretary Leon Panetta talked about defense priorities. He focused on the threat of cyber attacks and emphasized the automatic spending cuts known as sequestration, saying they would seriously damage the country's economy and degrade the military's ability to respond to a crisis. He responded to questions from faculty and students during this address on leadership and public service in Georgetown University's Gaston Hall. Sequestration," a legal procedure in which automatic budget cuts are triggered, was agreed to in the Budget Control Act of 2011, and were scheduled to occur starting on March 1, 2013. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/310843-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/310843-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Former Senator Chuck Hagel testified on his nomination to be secretary of defense. Among the topics he addressed were military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, his opinions and votes on military operations, U.S. relations with Israel, projected Defense Department budget cuts, service by openly gay and lesbian personnel, Iranian nuclear development programs, and future roles for the U.S. military. He was introduced at the hearing by former Senators John Warner (R-VA) and Sam Nunn (D-NC). http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/310498-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/310498-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), the new ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, talked from Tulsa, Oklahoma, about key defense issues, including the confirmation hearing of former Senator Chuck Hagel to be defense secretary, women in combat roles, sequestration and its impact on the Pentagon, the defense budget, troop numbers in Afghanistan, the strength of al Qaeda, and the future of the U.S. military. After the interview, the reporters in the studio discussed his responses with the host. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/310601-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/310601-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT President Obama nominated John Brennan as director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and Former Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) for secretary of defense. He urged the Senate to act quickly on their confirmations. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/310237-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/310237-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT First Lady Michelle Obama helped children of military families visiting the White House make holiday decorations. She was assisted by White House chefs Cris Comerford and Bill Yosses and White House chief floral designer Laura Dowling. They made ornaments, healthy lollipops, and other tree decorations. At the end, Bo, the dog, came to visit the children. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/309732-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/309732-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Panelists talked about the treatment of returning war veterans. The panel included Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, former General Stanley McChrystal, Major General Marcia Anderson, Taryn Davis, founder of the American Widow Project , Paul Rieckhoff, head of Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans of America, and Lieutenant Melissa Stockwell, the first female soldier to lose a limb in the Iraq War. They responded to questions from the audience. This panel was part of the Chicago Ideas Week conference held annually in Chicago, Illinois in October and was presented by Chase and J.P. Morgan http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/308672-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/308672-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT President Obama spoke to reporters and answered questions in his first formal news conference since his re-election. Among the topics addressed were the resignation of General David Petraeus as CIA director, demographics of the American electorate, the state of the economy, budget negotiations and efforts to avoid the economic "fiscal cliff" in January 2013, potential cabinet appointments, and his agenda for a second term. He also strongly defended United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice against criticisms of her response to terrorist attacks in Benghazi, Libya and said he would not hesitate to nominate her as secretary of state if she was the most qualified candidate. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/309441-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/309441-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Medal of Honor recipients Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta and General James Livingston talked about their reasons for joining the military and some of their experiences abroad. Jerry Dumont also asked them questions about women serving in the military, how their military training helped them in their behavior in conflict, and the democratic process. Sergeant Giunta received the Medal of Honor for the war in Afghanistan, General Livingston for the Vietnam War. This event was from the American Veterans Center's 15th annual conference. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/309083-2 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/309083-2 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT President Obama and other dignitaries gathered at Arlington National Cemetery for the annual ceremony honoring the nation's veterans. The president laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns before proceeding to the nearby amphitheater where he, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, and others addressed military personnel, dignitaries, and veterans at a ceremony which included music and the parade of colors. In his remarks. the president talked about the nation's obligation to help returning veterans transition back into civilian life. He also noted that this Veterans Day was the first in a decade in which no American troops were "fighting and dying in Iraq." http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/309364-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/309364-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Two World War II veterans and a former Army nurse who helped liberate German concentration camps described the chaos and destruction they witnessed in Europe during the war. This event was from the American Veterans Center's 15th Annnual Conference in Washington, DC. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/309079-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/309079-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT President Obama spoke to troops at Fort Bliss, Texas. He announced a new executive order on mental health services for veterans. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/307895-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/307895-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Todd Harrison discussed Defense Department budget cuts that go into effect in January 2013 as a result of sequestration. The cuts are part of the 2011 Budget Control Act that raised the debt ceiling. In his remarks he said that the cuts would not have an immediate impact on weapons manufacturers but would force future contracts to be renegotiated. Mr. Harrison answered several questions from those in attendance. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/307750-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/307750-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Jeffrey Zients and Ashton Carter testified on the effects of automatic budget cuts on Defense Department and other government programs. The cuts, also known as sequestration, were part of the 2011 debt ceiling agreement and were scheduled for January 2013 unless Congress passed $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction. Among the programs discussed were base support services for military families and veterans, funding for civilian investments, training for troops in Afghanistan, the Federal Aviation Administration, food and workplace safety inspections, and the National Weather Service. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/307342-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/307342-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT David Wood talked about the ten-part series he authored for Huffington Post, "Beyond the Battlefield: The War Goes on for the Severely Wounded," for which he won the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for national reporting. He described spending over nine months interacting with severely wounded veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and recounted interviews with soldiers' families, military surgeons, combat medics, therapists, nurses and others at treatment facilities across the country. His goal was to share the struggles of everyday life for the severely wounded. The prize-winning series was released as a Huffington Post e-book and is available online. In this interview Mr. Wood also discussed his early years covering wars, including his receiving the Gerald R. Ford Journalism award for distinguished reporting on national defense. David Wood has worked at Politics Daily, and has written for the [Baltimore Sun], [Time] Magazine, the Newhouse News Agency, and the [Los Angeles Times]. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/306892-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/306892-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) talked about sequestration, defense spending, U.S. policy toward Syria, national security leaks, and other military issues. Following the interview journalists commented on his remarks. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/307140-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/307140-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Kirk Lippold talked about [Front Burner: Al Qaeda's Attack on the USS Cole], his historical narrative of the October 12, 2000, bombing at a refueling stop in the port of Aden in Yemen, which killed 17 crew members and injured 37. He described the heroic measures taken by his crew to save the ship from sinking and reduce casualties. He commented on the Navy's formal investigation, and the final report that concluded all the available force protection measures were not put in place by himself on that day. He described the adverse effect the report had on his own future, prompting a senator to block his nomination to be promoted to captain. He called the attack the "start of the war on terror" and discussed intelligence lapses before and after the incident. Kirk Lippold retired from the Navy at the rank of Commander in 2007 after serving 26 years. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1981, and received his Master's degree in Systems Engineering from the Navy. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/306536-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/306536-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Senate Republican leaders spoke to reporters about the Obama administration's national security leaks. They called for an independent investigation. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/306786-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/306786-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Witnesses testified on the employment of veterans by government contractors. Among the issues they covered were the lack of accurate accounting of the number of veterans employed by government contractors, employer incentives for hiring more veterans, and difficulties in translating military jobs skills to civilian jobs. Ted Daywalt in his testimony criticized the Department of Labor for not doing more to help veterans. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/306407-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/306407-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter talked about the U.S. defense budget priorities and the impact of possible January 2013 automatic budget cuts, also known as sequestration, as voted on by Congress in August 2011 as a condition for raising the debt ceiling. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/306311-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/306311-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Ceremonies marking the 144th observance of Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery included a Presidential Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath-Laying Ceremony as President Obama laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. This was followed by a remembrance program, hosted by the Department of Defense, in the Memorial Amphitheater. The ceremony included colors and music as well as remarks by President Obama. After the ceremony scenes included the Korean War Memorial. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/306232-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/306232-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Secret Service and Homeland Security officials testified on the scandal surrounding Secret Service agent interaction with Colombian prostitutes. Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan disputed the notion that agents have routinely engaged in sexual misconduct while on assignment. Homeland Security Department Acting Inspector General Charles Edwards promised a wholly independent investigation of the incident. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/306164-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/306164-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT President Obama awarded U.S. Army Specialist Leslie H. Sabo, Jr., with the Medal of Honor for his actions in combat during the Vietnam War. He was killed in action May 10, 1970, while serving as a rifleman in Cambodia. Specialist Sabo received the award because of his "conspicuous gallantry" and "heroic actions in combat." President Obama spoke about Specialist Sabo's serivce and about why it was only being recognized 42 years later. Specialist Sabo's brother was present as his widow accepted the medal. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/306047-2 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/306047-2 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Secretary Panetta and General Dempsey held a press briefing. Secretary Panetta began by calling on Congress to abide by the Budget Control Act of 2011 rather than passing the House Republican budget reconciliation bill. He warned that if Congress reverses the "tough decisions" the Defense Department has already made in its proposed budget, they risk potential gridlock and "could force the kind of trade-offs that could jeopardize our national defense." Other topics included President Obama's announced support of same-sex marriage, and the nomination of General Mark Welsh to replace retiring Air Force Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/305949-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/305949-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Attorney General Eric Holder explained the Obama administration's legal justification for killing an American-born al-Qaida operative in Yemen. In his speech he said the decision to kill a U.S. citizen living abroad who poses a terrorist threat is legal and sometimes necessary in the war on terror. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/304749-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/304749-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Martin Dempsey testified on the 2013 military budget. Secretary Panetta defended proposed cuts of $487 billion over the next decade that were required by an August 2011 agreement between President Obama and Congress, with many committee members arguing the cuts are a risk to national security. Secretary Panetta said that he had not prepared for additional budget cuts that will be triggered if Congress cannot agree to additional budget cuts. Other topics included troop levels in Afghanistan, military base closings, and Iran. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/304412-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/304412-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus discussed his military and political career, and his current role as the nation's 75th secretary of the Navy. He talked about the Navy's leadership in energy use and his plans for the Navy to use non-fossil fuel sources by 2020. He said that the future deployments of the Navy and Marines in the western Pacific and the Middle East would reduce the Marines ability to be used as a second land army. Other topics included his place in the chain of command, the procurement process for aircraft carriers, and troop reductions. Secretary Mabus also spoke about his experience in the Navy aboard the USS Little Rock, his days as the 60th governor of Mississippi, and his appointment as ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/303887-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/303887-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT General David Petraeus, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, and Michael O'Hanlon spoke at the Reserve Officers Association Symposium. They talked about meeting national security challenges in a tight budget environment and what the future held for both the CIA and NASA. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/304018-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/304018-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Secretary Leon Panetta and General Martin Dempsey outlined the military's fiscal 2013 budget request. The $525 billion package, with an additional request for $88.4 billion for overseas operations, mostly in Afghanistan was significantly lower than the previous year. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dempsey said the cuts were difficult but the budget reflected fiscal responsibility. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/303919-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/303919-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Ward Carroll talked about the Web site he edits, military.com. It provides news, information and support to current and former service members, their families, and non-militaryreaders. Topics included the workings of Defense Department procurement and the difficulty in canceling major weapons systems funding, citing the projected $25 million cost of the F-22 fighter jet as an example. He also talked about the actual total costs of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars in contrast to the amount former Defense Secretary Rumsfeld initially stated and the top defense contractors paid by the U.S. government in 2011. He shared stories about his time flying as the radar interceptor in the back seat of the F-14 Tomcat fighter jet. Ward Carroll graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy after studying naval aviation, flying the back seat of the F-14 for 16 of his 20 years. He flew over Bosnia, Sarajevo, and the no-fly zone in Iraq. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/303169-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/303169-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Defense Department officials testified on homegrown terrorism, specifically threats to U.S. bases and the military community. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/303057-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/303057-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Karl Marlantes talked about his autobiographical narrative, [What It Is Like To Go To War]. In the book he related many of his own combat experiences, including one intense battle in Vietnam that ultimately won him the Navy Cross, the highest citation awarded by the Department of the Navy. In this interview spoke of the profound impact of being a front line soldier on his life and shared his own anguish in dealing with post traumatic stress disorder. He feels the military did a poor job of reintegrating Vietnam veterans to life back in the U.S. Karl Marlantes graduated from Yale University and was a 1967 Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University. From his one year of combat experience in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968, he was awarded the Navy Cross, the Bronze Star, two Navy Commendation medals for valor, and two Purple Hearts. He also wrote [Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War], published in 2010. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/301545-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/301545-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT President Obama paid tribute to American veterans by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery, after which he and others addressed military personnel, dignitaries, and veterans in the amphitheater. In his remarks he urged businesses to hire veterans and called on lawmakers to enact legislation to provide more jobs for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/302633-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/302633-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Defense Department officials testified on adding the National Guard bureau chief to the Joint Chiefs Staff. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/302612-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/302612-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT General Richard Myers talked about some of the qualities necessary for leadership. He also told some personal stories from his military career, and discussed his most difficult decision as chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This was an address at the 14th annual American Veterans Center's Conference, held at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/302521-3 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/302521-3 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Military family advocates testified the financial hardships faced by military members and their families. Among the topics they addressed were predatory lending, foreclosures, current laws to protect military families, and the need to educate military families about financial stability. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/302471-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/302471-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Witnesses testified on changes in airline security operations and policy in the ten years since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Among the issues they addressed were the pilot program to expedite screening for frequent travelers and the safety of x-ray machines. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/302452-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/302452-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Federal officials testified on proposals to overhaul the military retirement system. They urged caution in moving forward with overhauling the military retirement system and said options were being reviewed carefully by the Defense Department. They also said changes could greatly affect retention and recruitment of the all-volunteer service, and that changes should not jeopardize readiness. They also talked about increasing fees and placing restrictions on the military's health care insurance program, Tricare. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/302291-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/302291-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Witnesses testified on lessons learned by the Department of Defense over the preceding decade, and gave a comprehensive assessment of how those lessons might be applied in the future in light of anticipated reductions in defense spending. This was General Dempsey's first appearance as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/302046-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/302046-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Defense Secretary Leon Panetta talked about the Pentagon's efforts to cut more than $450 billion dollars over the next ten years as mandated by the recent debt ceiling agreement. He warned against automatic spending cuts that would be triggered if Congress does not come up with additional cuts by the end of 2011. He said those automatic cuts would be wrong and catastrophic, both for the military and the country as a whole. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/302002-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/302002-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT House Armed Services Committee Chair Buck McKeon (R-CA) talked about Defense Department cuts as part of the effort to address the U.S. debt. He had been trying to keep the cuts from going deeper than the $350 billion that the Obama administration and Congress agreed to during the preceding summer. He discussed other military issues as well. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/301937-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/301937-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT President Obama and Defense Secretary Panetta praised Admiral Mike Mullen at his change of command and retirement ceremony. The ceremony included a military review, martial music, and a presentation of the Distinguished Service Medal. Adm. Michael Glenn Mike Mullen served as the highest-ranking officer in the U.S. Armed Forces and the president's principal military adviser. As such, he presided over all meetings and coordinated the efforts of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), advising the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/301836-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/301836-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates talked about the future of the U.S. military. Other topics included his legacy, the Mideast, the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, troop withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan, and his years at the CIA. Audience members included includes military, ROTC, and students, including an Iraqi studying in the U.S. who asked why the U.S. invaded Iraq. Mr. Gates implied the decision was a mistake and said he would not have trusted the intelligence if had he been involved. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/301707-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/301707-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Participants talked about veterans community re-integration upon returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. Some told personal and other soldiers' stories about returning. Topics included difficulties that soldiers' families face when veterans return with traumatic brain injuries and the differences between military and civilian life. They also answered questions from the audience. This program was part of the U.S. Naval Institute and the Military Officers Association's fifth annual defense forum. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/301754-2 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/301754-2 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Admiral Mike Mullen spoke to reporters about the repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy banning gays in the military, which ended on September 20. The ban was first put in placed in 1993, and lifting the policy was a campaign promise from President Obama. Other topics at the briefing included the Defense Department budget and the drawdown of troops from Iraq. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/301654-1 info@c-spanarchives.org (National Cable Satellite Corporation) http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/301654-1 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT