The U.S. Pentagon Will Not Cut It's Public Tours

The Pentagon, headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, taken from an airplane in January 2008. David B. Gleason, Wikipedia

Unlike White House, Pentagon Keeps Up Public Tours -- Washington Times

The Defense Department may be keeping just one aircraft carrier in the strategically important Persian Gulf because of budget cuts, but the Pentagon is keeping its doors open for public tours, unlike the White House.

The White House halted its popular tours because of the automatic, across-the-board spending cuts known as sequestration that took effect March 1.

The closure has stirred a wave of protests among politicians and commentators who say that the cost of conducting tours is small and that it is part of an Obama administration tactic to win the PR battle over the federal budget.

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My Comment: This is what I call a smart move.

9 Interesting Facts On The U.S. Pentagon

The Pentagon (Wikipedia

9 Things You May Not Know About the Pentagon -- History

On January 15, 1943, work was completed on the new headquarters for the U.S. War Department (the modern-day Department of Defense) in Arlington, Virginia. The massive complex, commonly known as the Pentagon, was built to house the nearly 30,000 defense workers tasked with helping America win World War II. With more than 17 miles of corridors, it remains one of the largest office buildings in the world, and has become a symbol—for better and for worse—of military might. Eighty years after its completion, here are nine things you may not know about the Pentagon.

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Editor: Wikipedia's entry on the Pentagon is very comprehensive. That link is here.

Pentagon: "Lot Of Money" Can Still Be Made In The Arms Business

Pentagon Says "Lot Of Money" Still To Be Made In Arms Business -- Reuters

(Reuters) - The Pentagon's chief weapons buyer on Wednesday reassured industry executives and investors that there was still "a lot of money" to be made in the defense business, despite mounting budget pressures that will limit spending on new arms programs.

Frank Kendall, defense undersecretary for acquisition, technology and logistics, said the budget outlook had clearly changed after a decade of continuous increases in U.S. military spending.

But he said the Pentagon's annual budget remained quite large -- and even a worst case scenario that would cut defense spending by an additional $50 billion or around 10 percent in fiscal year 2013 -- was "not the end of the world."

"We're going to work our way through this," Kendall told an investor conference hosted by Credit Suisse. "There's a lot of money still to be made."

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My Comment: I admit that the Reuters headline caught my attention .... but it is true .... even with huge cuts forecast to hit the defense budget .... if you have the right product and price point and the Pentagon needs it .... you will have sales and you will make money.

Building The Pentagon (Photo Gallery)

WNU Editor: From Life Magazine ....

..... Rare, Unseen: Building the Pentagon

The Pentagon -- and, by extension, the U.S. military -- has become such a prominent and obvious symbol of American might over the years that it's easy to forget that the world's largest office building and home of the Department of Defense is just that: a building. Here, on both the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attack in Washington that left 125 Pentagon employees dead and, eerily, the 70th anniversary of the Pentagon's September 11, 1941, groundbreaking, LIFE.com presents rare and unpublished photographs of the iconic, colossal edifice under construction.

The gallery of pictures starts here.

Terror Scare Reported At The Pentagon (Update: Nothing Suspicious Has Been Found)

Man With Suspicious Device Detained At Pentagon -- ABC News

A man who was carrying suspected bomb making materials and pro-al-Qaeda literature was arrested in Arlington National Cemetery early today, triggering a bomb scare that snarled Washington's morning rush hour. The FBI, however, determined that the material in his backpack was harmless.

Brenda Heck, special agent in charge of counterterrorism for the FBI, "There was not a device and the products found are determined right now to be inert."

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More News On Today's 'Scare' At The Pentagon

Pentagon scare: ‘Nothing suspicious’ found in vehicle -- Washington Post (Live Updates)
1 person in custody in investigation at Pentagon -- Yahoo News/AP
Man in custody over suspicious car near Pentagon -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Police block roads around Pentagon after arrest -- Yahoo News/AFP
Pentagon scare prompts probe; 1 in custody -- CBS
Pentagon threat? Police grab man after finding suspicious devices and vehicle -- New York Daily News
Suspect detained near Pentagon with materials initially deemed 'very concerning' in a backpack -- USA Today
Man in Custody Over Suspicious Car Near Pentagon -- Wall Street Journal
'Suspicious' Man Leads To Closed Roads, Traffic Jam Around Pentagon -- NPR
Pentagon Police Arrest Man Linked to Suspicious Vehicle -- Voice of America

Pentagon Unleashes On The White House Bin Laden Leakers

PENTAGON BRIEFING - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, conduct a press conference at the Pentagon, May 18, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

SEAL Team Six: Pentagon Ramps Up War Of Words Over White House Leaks -- Christian Science Monitor

Defense Secretary Robert Gates expresses dismay that the Situation Room pact not to talk about the details of the SEAL Team Six operation 'lasted about 15 hours.' Adm. Mike Mullen says further leaks could jeopardize the effectiveness of future special ops.

The public rift between the Pentagon and the White House over the leaking of details surrounding the Navy SEAL raid of Osama bin Laden’s Pakistan compound intensified Wednesday, as senior defense officials warned of their worries about the safety of the highly secretive US military commando team.

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More News On Sec. of Defense Gates And Adm. Mike Mullen Remarks To Reporters

Stop talking about bin Laden raid: US military -- Yahoo News/AFP
Gates: Time to stop talking about bin Laden raid -- USA Today
Gates: Details on raid are dangerous -- Politico
Mullen, Gates tell senior officials 'It is time to stop talking' -- Washington Examiner
Robert Gates, Mike Mullen To Bin Laden Raid Leakers: Stop Talking -- David Wood, Huffington Post

US humiliated Pakistan by carrying out Abbottabad operation: Defence secretary -- DNA India
Bin Laden raid was humiliating to Pakistanis, Gates, Mullen say -- CNN

Gates Says ‘Somebody’ in Pakistan Knew about Bin Laden -- New York Times
Gates, Mullen: No evidence top Pakistani leaders knew of bin Laden's presence -- CNN
No Proof Top Pakistanis Knew of Bin Laden: Gates -- Bloomberg
Gates: ‘Somebody knew’ in Pakistan that bin Laden was hiding there, maybe not top leaders -- Washington Post
Gates: Somebody in Pakistan knew about bin Laden -- Yahoo News/AP
'Someone' in Pakistan knew about bin Laden -- Sydney Morning Herald
Gates: No Proof, But 'Somebody' In Pakistan 'Had To Know' About Bin Laden -- NPR

Gates and Mullen insist relationship with Pakistan must endure -- Stars and Stripes
US should continue Pakistan aid, says defense chief -- DAWN/AFP
US should continue Pakistan aid: Robert Gates -- Express Tribune/AFP/Reuters

Who Will Be In President Obama's Next Pentagon Team?

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen (DoD photo)

Obama's Pentagon Team: Who's the Next Secretary of Defense When Robert Gates Leaves? -- ABC News

Gates, Adm. Mike Mullen Plan to Step Down; Replacements Unknown

Is Leon Panetta headed to the Pentagon to succeed Defense Secretary Bob Gates when he retires later this year?

Will Gen. David Petraeus leave the war in Afghanistan to take over Panetta's post at the CIA if Panetta takes over at the Pentagon?

If Petraeus doesn't go to the CIA, will he succeed Adm. Mike Mullen as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff when his term runs out? These are all questions that national security types in Washington have been discussing this week while the rest of the city has been consumed by the possibility of a government shutdown.

But the real question is: Are any of these possibilities grounded in fact?

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More News On Who Is President Obama's Next Pentagon Team

New Posts Considered for Panetta, Petraeus -- Wall Street Journal
Obama to remake national security team -- Washington Post
Obama Is Set to Redo Team on War Policy -- New York Times
Petraeus Enjoys Bipartisan Support for CIA Job -- Newsmax
Speculation of Petraeus job change has seal of approval from lawmakers -- The Hill
National security leadership to shift -- Washington Post
How can we replace these guys? -- Military Times
Obama's Foreign Policy Shuffle -- Jacob Heilbrunn, National Interest

My Comment: Usually these appointments are thought of well in advance .... but my gut is telling me otherwise. A part of me suspects that President Obama has not even considered who will be his next Pentagon team, and while there is probably a move afoot to lobby for these posts from many individuals, the final decisions will be made over the summer (if not the fall).

Getting Ready For The Shakeup In U.S. Defense Leadership Positions

Gen David Petraeus talks to reporters in Kabul last December (Photo: Toby Harnden)

Analysis: Is Obama Ready For Pentagon Leadership Turnover? -- Reuters

(Reuters) - As Libya adds a third war to President Barack Obama's growing list of foreign policy challenges, a big question is how soon a long-anticipated shakeup of U.S. defense leadership might unfold.

Admiral Mike Mullen, the military's top officer, is expected to retire after his term as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ends in September -- a tight timeline for congressional confirmation that could require the White House to nominate a replacement soon.

But the hardest part will be naming a successor to Robert Gates, who has announced his intention to retire as defense secretary this year.

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More News On Leadership Changes At America's National Security/Military Posts

Obama weighs shuffle of top national security posts -- AFP
Gen. Petraeus Being 'Seriously Considered' For CIA Director, NPR Reports -- NPR
U.S. war hero Petraeus could take over at CIA after missing out on top Pentagon role -- The Daily Mail
Factbox: Who could Obama pick to lead the military? -- Reuters

My Comment: I do not see a radical change .... what I do see is the shifting of chairs into different positions. In short .... the same individuals .... but different titles.

Shots Fired At The Pentagon

Shots Fired At The Pentagon, Police Say -- CNN

Washington (CNN) -- Shots were fired at the Pentagon early Tuesday, authorities said, striking a window of the building.

Pentagon police spokesman Chris Layman said it's not known who fired the shots. Pentagon police officers heard at least five shots around 4:50 a.m., Layman added.

According to another Pentagon Force Protection Agency spokesman, Terry Sutherland, two bullets hit the Pentagon on the south side of the building -- one striking a window and the other hitting the building itself. This is an unoccupied part of the building that is being renovated.

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More News On Shots Being Fired At The Pentagon

Shots fired at Pentagon, no injuries -- Reuters
Gunshots heard near Pentagon, police search underway -- AFP
Gunshots Fired At the Pentagon -- FOX News
Pentagon Shuts Entrances Amid Shooting Report -- AOL News

My Comment: This is a breaking story. We will update this story as the news reports come in.

Meet The New U.S. Commander For CENTCOM

Gen. Mattis Picked For Central Command -- Wall Street Journal

Just three weeks after Gen. Stanley McChrystal was relieved as commander in Afghanistan, the Pentagon today completed its high-level shuffle of generals by announcing one of the Marine Corps’ most seasoned battlefield commanders would become head of U.S. Central Command, the headquarters overseeing the Middle East and Central Asia.

Gen. James Mattis, who headed the first conventional forces to move into Afghanistan nine years ago and then led the 1st Marine Division during the invasion of Iraq a year later, would replace Gen. David Petraeus, if he is confirmed by the Senate. Petraeus became McChrystal’s successor in Kabul last week.

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More News On The Appointment Of Gen. James Mattis To U.S. Central Command

'Tough talking' general picked to oversee Iraq, Afghan wars -- CNN
Marine Gen. Picked to Lead U.S. Central Command -- Defense News
Gen. 'Mad Dog' Moving Up to Central Command -- New York Daily News
Blunt General Appointed to Lead Forces in Mideast -- New York Times
Gen. James Mattis is named head of U.S. Central Command -- L.A. Times
Gen. James Mattis: Petraeus's new boss boasts a salty mouth, keen mind -- Christian Science Monitor
U.S. general named to lead Iraq and Afghan war theatre -- Reuters
Gates Names to Central Command General Who Called Shooting Enemies 'Fun' -- FOX News
Marines' Mattis to take over Central Command -- AP
Tech Skeptic Is Petraeus’ New Boss -- The Danger Room
It's fun to kill in Afghanistan, says top US commander -- The Independent
James Mattis: 'It's fun to shoot some people' -- Washington Post
Mattis May Get Chance to Test Innovative Concepts in New AO -- Defense Tech
Obama Taps Two Men Who Know How to Win -- KT McFarland, FOX News

Securing The Pentagon Against Threats

The Pentagon. Getty Images

Pentagon To Increase Security Measures -- Washington Post

Pentagon officials announced new security measures on Thursday that include more random screening of visitors and Defense Department workers, a wider security perimeter and more lighting around the building's main entrance, after a shooting incident there last month that left the gunman dead and two police officers injured.

The changes will be most noticeable at the busy southeast side of the building near the Metro station, according to the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, which has installed more lighting and positioned police officers closer to the station's escalators.

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My Comment: You would have thought that this was done right after 9/11.

Life As A Security Guard In The Pentagon

The view from a prescreening booth outside the Pentagon where a gunman opened fire on police officers and then was shot and killed. Nicole Bengiveno/The New York Times

A Quiet Evening, Waiting for the Next Angry Man -- New York Times

A couple of weeks ago, the chief of the little-known police force at the Pentagon warned some of his officers to be vigilant for an “active shooter” — the breath-catching term for an armed individual who appears from nowhere and attacks, with no interest in survival.

It just seemed to the chief, Richard Keevill, that these kinds of troubling incidents were increasing. The Army doctor who opened fire at Fort Hood. The man who flew a plane into the Internal Revenue Service offices in Austin. The professor who killed three colleagues in Alabama because she had been denied tenure.

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My Comment: A long time (1988-1993) I took on an evening job as a security guard to earn extra money. My hours were from 4:00 PM to midnight, Monday to Friday. But what made this job special was the building that I was responsible for .... it was the UN's International Civil Aviation Building (ICAO) in Montreal.

Housing hundreds of international diplomats and scores of diplomatic offices, it never dawn on me that my job could in anyway be construed as dangerous .... I was just a young man trying to earn some extra money. I was almost always alone at the front desk, screening workers and visitors who may pass by to look at the artwork in the building. I was unarmed, and I enjoyed the responsibility that I had and the people that I was meeting.

It all changed when the first Gulf War broke out, and Saddam Hussein labeled all UN installations around the world as legitimate targets. My job was no longer safe, and I was no longer alone at my post .... I always had heavily armed RCMP officers that were positioned not far away. A few years later my job was replaced by the RCMP, and I became aware at that moment in time that the world had now changed and that security and protection must now be handled by the professionals.

Fortunately for the Pentagon, a few weeks ago those professionals acted courageously to protect the ones that they had vowed to protect. Kudos and commendations to these brave men who did their duty and fulfilled their responsibilities completely.

Pentagon On Lockdown After Officers Shot

Suspect, Police Hurt in Pentagon Shootout -- ABC News

Badly Injured Suspect in Custody; Police Suffer Graze Wounds

Two police officers were injured by a suspect who opened fire outside the Pentagon tonight after the officers asked him for an access pass, police said.

"He was pretty calm," Pentagon Police Chief Richard S. Keevill told reporters of the suspect's demeanor. "There was no distress. ... He reached into his pocket. They assumed he was going to get his [Pentagon access] pass out and he just started shooting."

The officers' injuries were not life-threatening, police said.

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More News On Tonight's Shooting At The Pentagon

2 Pentagon Police Officers Shot -- New York Times
Gunman wounds 2 officers at Pentagon metro station -- AP
Man Shoots 2 Officers at Pentagon Entrance -- CBS News
Two Pentagon security officers shot at rail station -- Reuters
3 people shot outside Pentagon Metro station -- CNN
US Defense Department in Lockdown After Shooting -- Voice of America
Pentagon Station reopens after shooting -- Washington Post

My Comment: A terrorism incident? Hmmmm .... too early to say.

Pentagon Prioritizes Pursuit Of Alternative Fuel Sources

The Pentagon is using new technologies to save energy. A portable refinery that turned garbage into biofuel to power a generator was deployed to Iraq. (Photos Courtesy Of Department Of Defense)

From the Washington Post:

For the Defense Department, the largest consumer of energy in the United States, addiction to fuel has greater costs than the roughly $18 billion the agency spent on it last year.

By some estimates, about half of the U.S. military casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan are related to attacks with improvised explosive devices on convoys, many of which are carrying fuel. As of March 20, 3,426 service members had been killed by hostile fire in Iraq, 1,823 of them victims of IEDs.

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My Comment: In future asymmetrical conflicts, energy sources and transport will be crucial in any battle. The stats on injured/killed personnel while transporting goods and materials in a war zone (like Iraq) is eye popping .... but not surprising. I guess the military is now figuring that out also.

Pentagon Looks At Green Options

Alternative engergy ... the Pentagon is looking at ways to become greener
by partnering with private firms / Reuters

From The Daily Telegraph:

THE Pentagon may seem an unlikely promoter of alternative energy, but the biggest consumer of oil in the United States is looking at ways to become just that by partnering with private firms.

"When you don't use as much fuel, not only does it not cost you as much, but it also saves lives and injuries of those people who would have to deliver fuel through hostile territory," Assistant Army Secretary for Installations and the Environment Keith Eastin said.

Despite reducing its overall energy consumption by five per cent between 2005 and 2007, the US military spent $US13 billion ($18.46 billion) on energy in 2007 and requested an additional $US5 billion ($7.1 billion) due to a spike in oil prices.

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My Comment: An army does not only march on its stomach .... it also needs fuel and energy. But green options .... I am skeptical.

New Post Proposed At Pentagon -- Director Of Independent Cost Assessments

From The Washington Post:

A bill to end cost overruns in major weapons systems would create a powerful new Pentagon position -- director of independent cost assessments -- to review cost analyses and estimates, separately from the military branch requesting the program.

Those reviews, unlike in the current process, would take place at key points in the acquisition process before a weapons program can proceed, according to legislation sponsored by Sen. Carl M. Levin (D-Mich.) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)

Last year, the Government Accountability Office reported that cost overruns on the Pentagon's 95 largest weapons acquisitions system totaled about $300 billion, even though the government cut quantities and reduced performance expectations.

"A train wreck is coming," McCain said at a hearing yesterday on the bill.

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My Comment: In theory this seems to be a good project. But much of this is still dependent on Congressional oversight .... and unfortunately (as we all know) Congress has a lousy history in providing oversight.