WEBVTT 00:00.740 --> 00:01.740 Yeah . 00:06.140 --> 00:08.450 Good afternoon , everybody . So I'm a 00:08.450 --> 00:11.960 couple minutes late . All right . 00:14.740 --> 00:18.080 Mhm . Got a couple of things at the top 00:18.080 --> 00:20.302 here for you , and then we'll get right 00:20.302 --> 00:23.770 at it First . I want 00:23.770 --> 00:26.440 Thio . Highlight the new directive . I 00:26.440 --> 00:29.220 think you've seen it issued by the 00:29.220 --> 00:31.164 department on the use of masks and 00:31.164 --> 00:33.210 other public health measures in 00:33.210 --> 00:36.240 accordance with executive order , all 00:36.240 --> 00:38.580 individuals on military installations 00:38.590 --> 00:40.812 and all individuals performing official 00:40.812 --> 00:43.034 duties on behalf of the department from 00:43.034 --> 00:45.257 any location other than the individuals 00:45.257 --> 00:48.120 home , including outdoor shared spaces . 00:48.290 --> 00:50.512 War masks . In accordance with the most 00:50.512 --> 00:53.930 current CDC guidelines , all 00:53.930 --> 00:56.041 individuals on military installations 00:56.041 --> 00:58.260 will also continue toe practice social 00:58.260 --> 01:00.316 distancing in combination with other 01:00.316 --> 01:03.130 everyday preventative actions to reduce 01:03.130 --> 01:05.130 the spread of Cove in 19 . The full 01:05.130 --> 01:07.297 memo is available online . If you care 01:07.297 --> 01:09.519 toe see it . We certainly encourage all 01:09.519 --> 01:12.060 our employees in the department thio 01:12.070 --> 01:14.181 make sure that they've looked at it . 01:14.240 --> 01:16.820 Um , as I think you've heard , the 01:16.830 --> 01:18.880 White House Cove in Task Force 01:18.880 --> 01:20.658 announced this morning that the 01:20.658 --> 01:22.980 Secretary Secretary Austin has approved 01:22.990 --> 01:26.220 1110 active duty service members to 01:26.220 --> 01:29.360 support five FEMA vaccination centers . 01:29.640 --> 01:33.330 A team of 222 personnel will support 01:33.340 --> 01:36.180 each one of these mega sites . I think 01:36.180 --> 01:38.347 you know , there's two different types 01:38.347 --> 01:41.850 that that FEMA is working to 01:41.860 --> 01:43.800 establish , uh , in areas of the 01:43.800 --> 01:46.220 country that I'm talking . In this 01:46.220 --> 01:48.640 particular case of the mega sites , 01:48.650 --> 01:51.120 thes teams will include medical and 01:51.120 --> 01:53.800 support personnel . It will be largely 01:53.800 --> 01:56.510 medical personnel . Details for the 01:56.510 --> 01:58.660 exact sourcing of the requirement is 01:58.660 --> 02:00.882 now at the service level . I'm not able 02:00.882 --> 02:03.480 to read out to you specifically how , 02:03.490 --> 02:06.880 uh , each of these sites will be 02:06.910 --> 02:08.966 source that's working at the service 02:08.966 --> 02:10.966 level right now . And , of course , 02:10.966 --> 02:12.780 it's always relies on . We are 02:12.780 --> 02:15.720 supporting FEMA and FEMA . We'll 02:15.720 --> 02:18.990 determine which site each team supports . 02:19.840 --> 02:21.840 We'll continue to work closely with 02:21.840 --> 02:24.062 FEMA to scope additional requirements . 02:24.062 --> 02:25.951 Uh , FEMA and the department will 02:25.951 --> 02:28.250 jointly determine when D o d 02:28.250 --> 02:30.560 vaccination capabilities are no longer 02:30.560 --> 02:34.420 required . Uh , also as you may have 02:34.420 --> 02:37.000 seen yesterday , um , in the secretary 02:37.000 --> 02:39.510 statement after President Biden speech , 02:39.520 --> 02:41.576 the department will conduct a global 02:41.576 --> 02:43.353 force posture review of U . S . 02:43.353 --> 02:45.298 Military footprint resource is and 02:45.298 --> 02:47.242 strategies . This review will help 02:47.242 --> 02:49.298 inform the secretary's advice to the 02:49.298 --> 02:51.353 commander in chief about how we best 02:51.353 --> 02:53.520 allocate military forces in pursuit of 02:53.520 --> 02:55.520 our national interests . The review 02:55.520 --> 02:56.964 will be led by the acting 02:56.964 --> 02:59.020 undersecretary of defense for policy 02:59.020 --> 02:59.010 and close coordination with the 02:59.010 --> 03:01.232 chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff . 03:01.232 --> 03:03.288 Of course , well , we also will , as 03:03.288 --> 03:05.177 the secretary indicated , consult 03:05.177 --> 03:07.399 closely with our allies and partners as 03:07.399 --> 03:09.454 we move through this review , and we 03:09.454 --> 03:11.788 expect to have it completed by mid year . 03:13.140 --> 03:15.470 Uh , a couple of readouts . Earlier 03:15.470 --> 03:17.581 this morning , Secretary Austin spoke 03:17.581 --> 03:20.230 with His Excellency Ashraf Ghani , the 03:20.230 --> 03:22.286 president of the Islamic Republic of 03:22.286 --> 03:24.341 Afghanistan , to reaffirm the United 03:24.341 --> 03:26.341 States commitment to an enduring US 03:26.341 --> 03:28.286 Afghan partnership . Secretary and 03:28.286 --> 03:30.508 president . Ghani discussed this shared 03:30.508 --> 03:32.680 sacrifices of US and Afghan forces in 03:32.680 --> 03:35.120 the field on the importance of the 03:35.120 --> 03:37.342 Afghan peace process and the imperative 03:37.342 --> 03:39.509 for a negotiated settlement to end the 03:39.509 --> 03:42.310 war . In closing , both secretary and 03:42.320 --> 03:44.042 president Ghani emphasized the 03:44.042 --> 03:46.209 importance of seizing this opportunity 03:46.209 --> 03:48.300 for peace . This morning , Secretary 03:48.300 --> 03:50.780 Austin also hosted Averil Haynes , the 03:50.780 --> 03:53.002 director of national intelligence . The 03:53.002 --> 03:54.891 two spoke about the importance of 03:54.891 --> 03:57.113 collaboration between the Department of 03:57.113 --> 03:59.391 Defense and the intelligence community . 03:59.391 --> 03:59.080 Director Haynes also had a chance to 03:59.080 --> 04:01.136 meet with Chairman Millie as well as 04:01.136 --> 04:03.191 senior intelligence officers of each 04:03.191 --> 04:06.930 service . Um , lastly , Secretary met 04:06.930 --> 04:10.200 with the chiefs , uh , in the Joint 04:10.200 --> 04:12.311 Chiefs Conference room Cloak , really 04:12.311 --> 04:14.478 known as the tank . Met with them this 04:14.478 --> 04:16.590 morning . Uh , it was his first 04:16.590 --> 04:18.420 opportunity to meet with them 04:18.430 --> 04:20.380 collectively in the tank , uh , to 04:20.380 --> 04:23.400 discuss a range of of issues of 04:23.400 --> 04:26.150 importance to all of them . Hey , Had a 04:26.150 --> 04:28.660 chance toe walk through with them what 04:28.740 --> 04:31.510 his priorities were as he is now 04:31.520 --> 04:33.687 getting getting more acclimated to the 04:33.687 --> 04:36.020 job and sort of things he wanted . Thio , 04:36.020 --> 04:38.930 um , Thio to tackle as well as 04:38.940 --> 04:41.530 listening to them about what was on 04:41.530 --> 04:43.641 their minds and what their priorities 04:43.641 --> 04:45.808 were . So it was the first of what I'm 04:45.808 --> 04:49.300 sure will be , uh , many such many such 04:49.300 --> 04:51.680 discussions with that Take questions I 04:51.680 --> 04:54.970 think I have . Oh , by the way . So , e , 04:54.980 --> 04:57.147 I have been appropriately counseled by 04:57.147 --> 04:59.480 all of you about the use of the phones 04:59.480 --> 05:03.020 versus the room , and , uh , I can be 05:03.020 --> 05:05.187 taught . So what we're gonna do is I'm 05:05.187 --> 05:07.560 gonna go toe to on the phone and two in 05:07.560 --> 05:09.616 the room , and we'll just keep going 05:09.616 --> 05:11.782 back and forth like that . We'll start 05:11.782 --> 05:15.130 with leader . Go ahead . I don think , 05:15.140 --> 05:18.440 Um , two things . One . I'm wondering 05:18.440 --> 05:20.670 if you have any even timing estimates 05:20.670 --> 05:23.490 on the FEMA , um , on the FEMA teams . 05:23.490 --> 05:25.960 And just a quick point of clarification . 05:26.020 --> 05:28.880 Do you know if the military of one of 05:28.880 --> 05:30.824 these five or two of these five or 05:30.824 --> 05:32.936 whatever are one of them going to one 05:32.936 --> 05:35.158 of the sites in California , or are two 05:35.158 --> 05:37.324 of the team's going to California ? Uh 05:37.324 --> 05:39.860 huh . So the first , um , 05:40.740 --> 05:44.160 since the the first what ? What we 05:45.040 --> 05:48.960 What we know is that sort of 1100 . Um , 05:49.740 --> 05:53.200 a new initial group one team of 05:53.210 --> 05:56.850 222 will be a 05:57.640 --> 06:01.300 deploying to California , uh , to a 06:01.300 --> 06:04.140 site in California . Um , in coming 06:04.140 --> 06:06.660 days , we expect that they will be able 06:06.660 --> 06:10.580 to get on site honor about the 15th 06:10.580 --> 06:14.240 of this month . Um uh , but I would 06:14.240 --> 06:16.670 refer you to a FEMA thio to speak 06:16.670 --> 06:19.630 specifically Thio Thio . What location ? 06:19.630 --> 06:22.690 That is . Um um , that's just one team 06:22.690 --> 06:26.590 of this initial traunch of of 1100 06:26.600 --> 06:29.690 personnel were still working with FEMA 06:29.700 --> 06:32.860 to determine what , uh , those other 06:32.860 --> 06:34.916 teams , what sites those other teams 06:34.916 --> 06:36.916 will go to . And in what order ? In 06:36.916 --> 06:39.138 other words , what the timeline is what 06:39.138 --> 06:41.610 I can tell you is the first team of 222 06:42.560 --> 06:45.260 will be going Thio will be going to a 06:45.260 --> 06:47.371 site in California . Does that answer 06:47.371 --> 06:50.790 your question , Lida ? Um , yeah , The 06:50.800 --> 06:53.090 second one was actually with Saudi 06:53.090 --> 06:55.440 Arabia . Can you give us a broader 06:55.440 --> 06:58.850 understanding right now of what U S 06:58.860 --> 07:02.470 military , um , aid or training ? 07:02.480 --> 07:05.330 Um , going to Saudi Arabia and whether 07:05.330 --> 07:07.497 or not there are any , I think all the 07:07.497 --> 07:09.719 Patriot batteries were removed . But if 07:09.719 --> 07:11.830 there's any other , um , equipment or 07:11.830 --> 07:13.719 other military aircraft and other 07:13.719 --> 07:16.240 weapons systems there and what you're 07:16.240 --> 07:18.351 understanding is of what the military 07:18.351 --> 07:20.407 will be able to continue to do under 07:20.407 --> 07:22.462 the president's latest order . Thank 07:22.462 --> 07:26.430 you . Um , well , I'll have to 07:26.430 --> 07:28.319 take the question on the lay down 07:28.319 --> 07:30.486 leader . I don't have that in front of 07:30.486 --> 07:32.374 me . Exactly what is there in the 07:32.374 --> 07:34.610 country . But as a result of the 07:34.620 --> 07:38.150 president's order yesterday , um , 07:38.160 --> 07:41.060 duty had been providing some limited , 07:41.440 --> 07:45.010 um , non combat assistance for 07:45.010 --> 07:47.121 coalition operations , and that would 07:47.121 --> 07:50.040 include intelligence on and some advice 07:50.040 --> 07:52.690 and best practices , and that all has 07:52.690 --> 07:56.590 been terminated . Uh , but Saudi 07:56.590 --> 07:59.450 Arabia remains ah , partner in terms of 07:59.460 --> 08:02.940 combating terror in the region . The 08:02.950 --> 08:06.300 president's the president's order was 08:06.310 --> 08:09.360 was very much directed on the coalition 08:09.360 --> 08:11.540 efforts , uh , in Yemen , and I would 08:11.550 --> 08:13.717 stress that you know this thing , this 08:13.717 --> 08:15.939 will be an interagency process figuring 08:15.939 --> 08:18.217 out how we're gonna go forward on this . 08:18.217 --> 08:20.328 And we certainly wouldn't want to get 08:20.328 --> 08:22.439 ahead of any decisions that have been 08:22.439 --> 08:23.860 made yet . Um , 08:26.940 --> 08:29.162 down here , you put my glasses on . You 08:29.162 --> 08:31.329 guys have got to write this in big fun 08:31.329 --> 08:34.580 now . Uh , Louis Martinez , 08:37.140 --> 08:39.870 John , quick question about the global 08:39.870 --> 08:41.920 posture review . You said that you 08:41.920 --> 08:44.080 expected to take place or be resolved 08:44.090 --> 08:46.910 by midyear . Does that mean that any 08:46.910 --> 08:50.720 force level drops around the world ? Uh , 08:50.730 --> 08:53.900 or any inflows are not going to happen 08:53.910 --> 08:56.560 until that time , and particularly in a 08:56.570 --> 08:59.450 given the focus on Germany . Thanks . 09:00.140 --> 09:02.196 So , Louis , I mean , in terms of in 09:02.196 --> 09:04.470 terms of permanent structure and 09:04.470 --> 09:07.380 permanent areas where we are 09:07.390 --> 09:09.557 permanently based , forward deployed , 09:09.557 --> 09:12.700 if you will . Obviously , the secretary 09:12.700 --> 09:14.811 wants to get his arms around all that 09:14.811 --> 09:16.978 on . That's what the posture Review is 09:16.978 --> 09:19.089 about . It's about where we are based 09:19.089 --> 09:21.033 in tow . What degree ? Uh , we are 09:21.033 --> 09:23.970 there in terms of numbers off of men 09:23.970 --> 09:27.070 and women , but also the You know the 09:27.080 --> 09:29.136 purpose for being there , and that's 09:29.136 --> 09:31.191 what the force posture review is all 09:31.191 --> 09:33.302 about . But and I don't think you are 09:33.302 --> 09:35.524 asking this . But just to be clear , we 09:35.524 --> 09:37.524 still have a rotational presence in 09:37.524 --> 09:39.570 many parts of the world . Just last 09:39.570 --> 09:41.570 week we were talking about aircraft 09:41.570 --> 09:43.737 carriers and where they're operating , 09:43.737 --> 09:45.792 so that rotational deployment scheme 09:45.792 --> 09:47.737 that's not affected by the posture 09:47.737 --> 09:49.514 review . We still have security 09:49.514 --> 09:51.570 commitments around the world that we 09:51.570 --> 09:50.780 have to meet , and we're going to 09:50.780 --> 09:53.520 continue to meet them . But before the 09:53.520 --> 09:56.490 secretary advises or recommends to the 09:56.490 --> 09:59.080 president any permanent for structure 09:59.090 --> 10:02.350 changes in terms of our are 10:02.940 --> 10:06.230 our facilities and our and the units 10:06.230 --> 10:08.174 that we have around the world , he 10:08.174 --> 10:10.286 wants to get this posture review done 10:10.286 --> 10:12.341 first . Did I answer your question ? 10:12.341 --> 10:14.341 Really , it does . And also just on 10:14.341 --> 10:16.397 Afghanistan . Is that separate ? You 10:16.397 --> 10:19.530 know the conditions based assessment of 10:19.530 --> 10:22.140 the deal with the Taliban ? Um , is 10:22.140 --> 10:24.418 that a part of the same posture review ? 10:24.418 --> 10:26.640 Or is that a separate assessment consul 10:26.640 --> 10:28.640 itself ? Because that's a that's ah 10:28.640 --> 10:30.740 obviously , uh , an area of current 10:30.750 --> 10:34.170 operations , Louise . So I mean , I 10:34.180 --> 10:37.790 think we will be . The administration 10:37.790 --> 10:40.740 will be , um , reviewing future force 10:40.740 --> 10:43.870 posture , uh , in Afghanistan in a in 10:43.870 --> 10:47.740 a way that's commensurate with , uh , 10:47.750 --> 10:49.583 what we're trying to get done in 10:49.583 --> 10:51.806 Afghanistan , you know , trying thio in 10:51.806 --> 10:53.806 this war in a responsible way . And 10:53.806 --> 10:55.750 it'll be done in concert with , of 10:55.750 --> 10:57.972 course , our our NATO partners That air 10:57.972 --> 11:00.320 there on the ground . Um , S o I 11:00.320 --> 11:02.900 wouldn't I wouldn't go so far as to say 11:02.900 --> 11:06.630 it , Z it's totally separate . I mean , 11:06.630 --> 11:08.574 the Global Posture Review is still 11:08.574 --> 11:11.850 looking at our force posture , um , 11:11.860 --> 11:14.950 around the world . But obviously , um , 11:14.960 --> 11:17.140 what what happens with respect to 11:17.140 --> 11:19.600 Afghanistan will be will be done in 11:19.610 --> 11:21.443 keeping with the decision making 11:21.443 --> 11:23.666 processes that are already in place for 11:23.666 --> 11:25.832 that , um , for that part of the world 11:25.832 --> 11:28.050 and in keeping with again our NATO 11:28.050 --> 11:29.828 allies , you know , the defense 11:29.828 --> 11:31.550 ministerial is coming up . The 11:31.550 --> 11:33.717 secretary intends to participate , and 11:33.717 --> 11:35.828 obviously this will be a key topic of 11:35.828 --> 11:37.994 discussion inside that venue as well . 11:38.120 --> 11:40.700 Lucas John , How does an unarmed adult 11:40.700 --> 11:43.110 male break into a plane that Andrews 11:43.110 --> 11:45.277 used by the vice president , secretary 11:45.277 --> 11:47.388 of defense , and other top government 11:47.388 --> 11:49.890 officials That is exactly what the Air 11:49.890 --> 11:52.168 Force is investigating . Now , I think , 11:52.440 --> 11:54.440 uh , everybody is taking this very 11:54.440 --> 11:57.340 seriously . And the acting secretary of 11:57.340 --> 11:59.451 the Air Force and the Air Force Chief 11:59.451 --> 12:02.710 of Staff , um , are going to order 12:03.140 --> 12:06.860 the air Force Inspector General to 12:06.860 --> 12:08.582 fully investigate this issue . 12:08.582 --> 12:11.600 Everybody takes seriously what happened 12:11.610 --> 12:14.720 on day will do a thorough investigation 12:14.730 --> 12:16.897 on when , and I'm sure they will learn 12:16.897 --> 12:19.470 things out of this that that will be 12:19.470 --> 12:21.860 able to share with you . I can also , 12:22.240 --> 12:25.290 uh , tell you that clearly 12:25.300 --> 12:27.750 they , uh , 12:28.730 --> 12:31.760 they've adjusted some of their 12:32.800 --> 12:35.910 security protocols at Andrews this 12:35.910 --> 12:38.021 morning . I won't go into the details 12:38.021 --> 12:40.243 of that , of course , and I might add , 12:40.243 --> 12:42.466 and I didn't say when I first mentioned 12:42.466 --> 12:44.310 it , but , uh , but this , uh , 12:44.320 --> 12:47.530 investigation by the Air Force I g this 12:47.530 --> 12:49.474 review and investigation will also 12:49.474 --> 12:51.697 include their installations worldwide . 12:51.697 --> 12:54.830 They're not just gonna limit it to uh 12:54.830 --> 12:56.997 oh , Andrew . I mean , clearly they're 12:56.997 --> 12:59.108 gonna investigate this incident , but 12:59.108 --> 12:58.710 they're also gonna take a look at 12:58.710 --> 13:01.720 security protocols across the force . 13:01.730 --> 13:04.320 How long was this guy on the plane ? I 13:04.320 --> 13:07.220 don't have exact details about this . 13:07.230 --> 13:09.341 Uh , Lucas , I would refer you to the 13:09.341 --> 13:11.790 Air Force for more specific details 13:11.790 --> 13:13.846 about this , uh , description of the 13:13.846 --> 13:15.846 suspect we just heard unarmed adult 13:15.846 --> 13:17.846 male . Any more than that , I don't 13:17.846 --> 13:19.901 have anything more than that again . 13:19.901 --> 13:21.846 That's really for the Air Force to 13:21.846 --> 13:24.012 speak , Thio . But again , everybody's 13:24.012 --> 13:23.470 taking this seriously . The secretary 13:23.470 --> 13:26.320 is taking this seriously , Onda uh and 13:26.320 --> 13:28.431 we'll leave it to the air Force toe , 13:28.431 --> 13:30.680 investigate this and , uh , on report 13:30.680 --> 13:34.210 out . Yeah , or hey was arrested 13:34.210 --> 13:36.321 on outstanding warrants . Do you know 13:36.321 --> 13:38.543 what those words were for ? And just in 13:38.543 --> 13:40.650 terms of Seems like a pretty big 13:40.660 --> 13:43.510 failure or screw up letting this happen 13:43.520 --> 13:45.520 and letting him get onto the flight 13:45.520 --> 13:47.853 line and onto a C 40 I don't know about . 13:47.853 --> 13:49.687 I've seen reports about existing 13:49.687 --> 13:51.631 warrants on , and I'd refer you to 13:51.631 --> 13:53.853 local law enforcement for that . That's 13:53.853 --> 13:53.760 not the kind of thing that we would 13:53.760 --> 13:56.540 have knowledge about . And again , I 13:56.550 --> 13:59.490 think you it wasn't a question you 13:59.490 --> 14:03.260 asked , but to your point . Uh , 14:03.400 --> 14:05.270 everybody in the department and 14:05.270 --> 14:07.326 certainly everybody in the Air Force 14:07.326 --> 14:09.492 understands what a serious matter this 14:09.492 --> 14:12.220 is . They have a They have made 14:12.220 --> 14:14.442 adjustments to their security protocols 14:14.442 --> 14:16.664 at Andrews . They've now ordered a full 14:16.664 --> 14:18.960 investigation of it , and they've gone 14:19.540 --> 14:22.460 a step further on in order to look at 14:22.470 --> 14:25.060 all the security protocols that 14:25.060 --> 14:27.227 installations worldwide . So let's let 14:27.227 --> 14:29.171 them do their work . Let's let the 14:29.171 --> 14:31.338 investigators finish what they need to 14:31.338 --> 14:33.504 finish . Um , we'll learn things . I'm 14:33.504 --> 14:35.449 sure about this . And I have every 14:35.449 --> 14:37.393 confidence that the Air Force will 14:37.393 --> 14:36.760 share what they've learned with you 14:36.760 --> 14:38.816 when they can . Okay , I gotta go to 14:38.816 --> 14:41.270 the phones now , or I'll get in trouble . 14:41.270 --> 14:45.240 So , uh , see , 14:45.240 --> 14:48.860 Phil Stewart , Reuters . Thanks , John . 14:48.870 --> 14:51.092 I'm just quick , full quickly following 14:51.092 --> 14:53.148 up on Afghanistan . So did Secretary 14:53.148 --> 14:56.270 often raised the maid deadline with 14:56.280 --> 14:58.400 with President Ghani . And did he did 14:58.400 --> 15:01.480 he exempt , uh , Afghanistan from this 15:01.480 --> 15:04.450 global posture review ? I'm not totally , 15:04.640 --> 15:06.973 totally clear on where it fits in there . 15:06.973 --> 15:08.973 And I would question about the math 15:08.973 --> 15:12.090 mandate to done , uh , clearly they 15:12.090 --> 15:14.312 talked about as I said in my read out , 15:14.312 --> 15:16.534 they talked about the importance of the 15:16.534 --> 15:19.380 peace process . Um , and they talked 15:19.380 --> 15:21.590 about the , uh the importance of this 15:21.590 --> 15:23.880 being Afghan led they talked about , um 15:23.890 --> 15:27.240 uh , the enduring commitment that that 15:27.240 --> 15:31.000 we have , uh , um to to 15:31.000 --> 15:33.960 Afghanistan writ large . Um I won't . I 15:33.960 --> 15:36.840 won't get into specific discussions , 15:36.840 --> 15:39.570 as I said about force posture , because 15:39.570 --> 15:41.792 no decisions have been made on on force 15:41.792 --> 15:45.690 posture at this time . And when I you 15:45.690 --> 15:47.857 know , I think I don't want you to get 15:47.857 --> 15:49.968 hung up or wrapped around the axle on 15:49.968 --> 15:52.190 whether Afghanistan is or is not in the 15:52.190 --> 15:54.190 global posture review . I mean , we 15:54.190 --> 15:56.450 have toe as a as an administration . We 15:56.450 --> 15:58.940 have to decide . And we are reviewing , 15:58.950 --> 16:01.820 uh , what we're doing in Afghanistan . 16:01.820 --> 16:05.100 We're reviewing the the the Doha 16:05.100 --> 16:06.933 Agreement . We're reviewing that 16:06.933 --> 16:09.156 compliance with the Doha agreement . We 16:09.156 --> 16:11.650 have recommitted ourselves to a 16:11.660 --> 16:13.771 political solution . We don't believe 16:13.771 --> 16:15.938 there's a military solution , and that 16:15.938 --> 16:18.410 process of review is ongoing . Will it 16:18.410 --> 16:20.560 inform or potentially informed the 16:20.560 --> 16:22.810 Global Posture Review ? Possibly . But 16:22.810 --> 16:25.960 I don't think I would not . I don't 16:25.960 --> 16:28.182 think it's useful to think of this in a 16:28.182 --> 16:30.404 binary way . It's in or it's out . Um , 16:30.404 --> 16:32.349 there is a There is an interagency 16:32.349 --> 16:34.720 process going on to review what our 16:34.720 --> 16:36.331 future is gonna look like in 16:36.331 --> 16:38.442 Afghanistan . We've already said that 16:38.442 --> 16:40.442 while no decisions have been made , 16:40.442 --> 16:42.664 that decisions will be conditions based 16:42.664 --> 16:44.776 on , but to the degree that that work 16:44.776 --> 16:46.776 informs the posture review . Well , 16:46.776 --> 16:46.670 that's to the benefit of the posture 16:46.670 --> 16:48.448 review , but we just I mean , I 16:48.448 --> 16:50.559 wouldn't I wouldn't try to look at it 16:50.559 --> 16:53.190 in such a binary way . Then it's your 16:53.190 --> 16:55.950 question , Phil . Yeah , thanks . And 16:55.950 --> 16:58.061 then on the on the math mandate . But 16:58.061 --> 17:00.228 you just give us a sense of what drove 17:00.228 --> 17:02.640 the change in the math mandate at a pen 17:02.650 --> 17:04.830 in general . And is there gonna be 17:04.830 --> 17:06.719 exception made for all briefers , 17:06.719 --> 17:09.420 Including yourself ? Yeah . What drove 17:09.420 --> 17:13.310 the mass mandate was the president , 17:13.310 --> 17:15.532 United States , who issued an executive 17:15.532 --> 17:17.754 order that all that that that there was 17:17.754 --> 17:19.643 going to be wearing a mask on all 17:19.643 --> 17:21.588 federal properties on we and you , 17:21.840 --> 17:24.007 You're on federal property right now . 17:24.007 --> 17:26.880 So eso that's what drove it was the 17:26.890 --> 17:29.057 president's executive order . Although 17:29.057 --> 17:31.780 I would the I would hasten to add that 17:31.780 --> 17:35.420 secretary fully supports that I 17:35.430 --> 17:38.400 have , as my colleague at the White 17:38.400 --> 17:41.650 House has , I have a waiver to not use 17:41.650 --> 17:43.983 a mask for the purposes of briefing you , 17:43.983 --> 17:46.540 uh , to make sure that we're doing it 17:46.550 --> 17:50.200 with clarity on bond . Uh , concession . 17:50.210 --> 17:53.090 So I wore it on the way up here , and I 17:53.090 --> 17:55.312 will wear it on the way out and for the 17:55.312 --> 17:58.170 rest of the day . But in the act of 17:58.540 --> 18:00.540 conducting a press interaction like 18:00.540 --> 18:02.762 this , I have been given away or not to 18:02.762 --> 18:06.170 wear a mask . Oh , see ? Dan them off ? 18:09.540 --> 18:11.940 Uh , yes . Thanks for your time , Uh , 18:11.950 --> 18:14.500 to to follow ups on the stand on 18:14.500 --> 18:17.350 Related to extremism . The first one . 18:17.840 --> 18:20.050 Um , we've seen these in the past for 18:20.050 --> 18:22.106 other issues like sexual assault and 18:22.106 --> 18:24.217 suicide , but on a force wide level , 18:24.217 --> 18:26.272 can you provide some context for how 18:26.272 --> 18:28.330 frequent they are ? Uh , maybe other 18:28.330 --> 18:30.274 issues where it's come up and then 18:30.440 --> 18:32.607 second follow up . We've seen a number 18:32.607 --> 18:34.718 of critics suggest in the last couple 18:34.718 --> 18:36.662 of days that this , uh , extremism 18:36.662 --> 18:39.040 focus in the military months to sort of 18:39.040 --> 18:41.096 a political witness test to root out 18:41.096 --> 18:43.240 conservative . Can you just address 18:43.240 --> 18:45.440 that in general ? Thanks . Yes , sir . 18:45.440 --> 18:47.607 Can I just ask you for a clarification 18:47.607 --> 18:49.718 on your first question ? How frequent 18:49.718 --> 18:51.773 are stand down ? Is that what you're 18:51.773 --> 18:53.773 asking , Dan ? I'm aware that their 18:53.773 --> 18:55.940 common in general sort of , you know , 18:55.940 --> 18:58.051 within units within the service , but 18:58.051 --> 19:00.218 I'm talking the fourth wide d o d wide 19:00.218 --> 19:02.218 level stand downs that we're seeing 19:02.218 --> 19:04.580 this time , Dan . I will . I'm gonna 19:04.580 --> 19:06.770 have my staff . We'll take your 19:06.770 --> 19:08.770 question technically because it's a 19:08.770 --> 19:10.881 good one , and I don't have that kind 19:10.881 --> 19:12.992 of data in front of me . I don't even 19:12.992 --> 19:12.940 know if it exists , but so let me get 19:12.940 --> 19:14.910 back to you on that . But , um , I 19:14.910 --> 19:18.010 won't challenge your , um your 19:18.010 --> 19:20.490 assertion that they're rare d o d wide 19:20.490 --> 19:22.601 stand down there , not something that 19:22.601 --> 19:24.823 we we do frequently or often . Andi , I 19:24.823 --> 19:27.170 think in this case , it points to the 19:27.170 --> 19:29.720 seriousness with which the secretary 19:29.720 --> 19:31.776 and the leaders here at the Pentagon 19:31.776 --> 19:33.942 are taking this particular issue . But 19:33.942 --> 19:36.310 I owe you a better answer on . I owe 19:36.310 --> 19:38.600 you better answer on frequency . On 19:38.600 --> 19:40.210 your second question 19:40.220 --> 19:44.080 the argument that 19:44.090 --> 19:46.257 this amounts to some sort of political 19:46.257 --> 19:48.360 litmus test that is absolutely 19:48.370 --> 19:50.460 unfounded and untrue 19:51.110 --> 19:54.870 what first of all we have ? 19:54.880 --> 19:57.770 This isn't This isn't sadly , is not an 19:57.770 --> 19:59.770 issue that we haven't dealt with or 19:59.770 --> 20:02.610 tried to deal with in the past . Uh , 20:02.620 --> 20:04.676 one of the last instruction that was 20:04.676 --> 20:06.898 written on this and I think I've talked 20:06.898 --> 20:08.953 to you about this was back in 2012 , 20:08.953 --> 20:10.787 and I assure you that this issue 20:10.787 --> 20:13.009 predates 2012 . You heard the secretary 20:13.009 --> 20:15.009 himself talked about when he was in 20:15.009 --> 20:17.320 command of the 82nd Airborne down in 20:17.320 --> 20:19.487 Fort Bragg . A knish you they had with 20:19.487 --> 20:21.653 skinheads in the union . That was when 20:21.653 --> 20:23.876 he was a lieutenant colonel back in the 20:23.876 --> 20:26.098 mid nineties . Um , sadly , this is not 20:26.098 --> 20:28.920 something that is new . That said a Z I 20:28.920 --> 20:31.031 mentioned the other day . I think the 20:31.031 --> 20:32.698 events of January 6 certainly 20:32.698 --> 20:36.580 galvanized a sense that that it is 20:36.590 --> 20:39.920 It is still in the ranks . 20:39.930 --> 20:43.770 Still a problem . Andi , Um , we 20:43.780 --> 20:46.260 you know , as evidenced by the events 20:46.270 --> 20:48.550 that day we've got , You know , we've 20:48.560 --> 20:50.616 We've got to take a turn in terms of 20:50.616 --> 20:52.960 rooting it out . So it's not about 20:53.440 --> 20:56.420 politics . We encourage our troops toe 20:56.430 --> 20:58.560 vote . We encourage them to register 20:58.570 --> 21:00.970 with the political party of their 21:00.970 --> 21:03.210 choice . We go out of our way to make 21:03.210 --> 21:05.390 it clear that they get a vote . They 21:05.390 --> 21:07.630 get a voice in the political electoral 21:07.630 --> 21:09.852 process in this country because they're 21:09.852 --> 21:12.074 American citizens . It's not about what 21:12.074 --> 21:14.130 you believe . It's about what you do 21:14.130 --> 21:16.352 with those beliefs . It's about how you 21:16.352 --> 21:18.352 act with those beliefs and when you 21:18.352 --> 21:20.130 start acting on those beliefs , 21:20.130 --> 21:22.600 whatever they are , um , and not all 21:22.600 --> 21:25.490 extremists in the military or motivated 21:25.490 --> 21:27.400 by politics . But whatever the 21:27.400 --> 21:30.010 motivation is , when you violate good 21:30.010 --> 21:32.121 order and discipline when you violate 21:32.121 --> 21:34.288 the ucmj A or you violate civil laws , 21:34.288 --> 21:36.510 then we got a problem . And that's what 21:36.510 --> 21:38.677 the secretary is trying to get after , 21:38.677 --> 21:40.843 I will say , and I will say this every 21:40.843 --> 21:42.788 single time I get asked about this 21:42.788 --> 21:44.788 because it's really important . The 21:44.788 --> 21:46.899 vast , vast majority . You know , the 21:46.899 --> 21:50.180 99.9% of men and women that are serving 21:50.180 --> 21:52.236 in the military do so with honor and 21:52.236 --> 21:54.013 character and integrity and are 21:54.013 --> 21:56.490 upholding our values every single day 21:56.500 --> 21:58.667 on there . And they're they're putting 21:58.667 --> 22:00.389 themselves in harm's way , and 22:00.389 --> 22:02.611 sometimes they're doing that right here 22:02.611 --> 22:04.778 not very far from where we're standing 22:04.778 --> 22:06.500 on . I think it's important to 22:06.500 --> 22:09.190 understand that this is not while it is . 22:09.200 --> 22:12.350 While it is troubling on while we are 22:12.360 --> 22:14.360 why we are worried that the numbers 22:14.360 --> 22:15.971 maybe more than what we'd be 22:15.971 --> 22:17.916 comfortable seeing them be at this 22:17.916 --> 22:20.138 point , I mean , obviously the number , 22:20.138 --> 22:22.230 the number should be zero , But I'm 22:22.230 --> 22:24.341 saying that the numbers may be bigger 22:24.341 --> 22:26.397 than what we may think . That's what 22:26.397 --> 22:28.508 the secretary wants to get after . It 22:28.508 --> 22:30.452 doesn't mean that it's not still a 22:30.452 --> 22:32.619 problem worth going after . It doesn't 22:32.619 --> 22:34.730 mean that even though the numbers may 22:34.730 --> 22:34.570 be small that there that is not an 22:34.580 --> 22:37.300 insignificant issue to deal with . Did 22:37.300 --> 22:41.240 that answer your questions , Dan ? Yes . 22:41.250 --> 22:44.460 Thank you . Hey , Tom , that Saudi 22:44.460 --> 22:46.460 Arabia , what you said about you're 22:46.460 --> 22:48.516 gonna start providing intel and also 22:48.516 --> 22:50.738 best practices . I understand the Intel 22:50.738 --> 22:52.738 was basically defensive in nature . 22:52.940 --> 22:55.051 Someone's gonna shoot a missile . The 22:55.051 --> 22:57.273 truth is gonna shoot a missile in Saudi 22:57.273 --> 22:59.051 Arabia . And the best practices 22:59.051 --> 23:00.884 included how to prevent civilian 23:00.884 --> 23:03.051 casualties . So if you're getting away 23:03.051 --> 23:05.273 from both , won't it make matters worse 23:05.273 --> 23:09.130 with no harm to civilians and so 23:09.130 --> 23:11.880 forth ? By getting rid of that that 23:11.880 --> 23:13.936 assist us , we've made it very clear 23:13.936 --> 23:17.400 over a long period of time made 23:17.420 --> 23:20.760 a that 23:21.640 --> 23:25.090 Uh huh . We need to see 23:26.140 --> 23:28.500 a more serious effort by the Saudis to 23:28.500 --> 23:30.278 address the problem of civilian 23:30.278 --> 23:33.170 casualties . And again , 23:34.040 --> 23:36.030 uh , I wouldn't get ahead of an 23:36.030 --> 23:38.308 interagency process on this on sort of , 23:38.308 --> 23:41.360 What's the next steps ? Clearly , 23:41.960 --> 23:45.350 one of the things driving this decision 23:45.360 --> 23:47.360 by the administration is the 23:47.360 --> 23:49.416 humanitarian crisis in Yemen and how 23:49.416 --> 23:51.940 serious it is . Andi . I would also 23:51.940 --> 23:55.830 remind you , Tom , that are , um 23:55.840 --> 23:58.120 support Thio . Saudi Arabia isn't just 23:58.120 --> 24:00.120 military . I know that's what we're 24:00.120 --> 24:02.398 here talking about . But there's other . 24:02.398 --> 24:04.176 There's other components to the 24:04.176 --> 24:06.064 bilateral relationship with Saudi 24:06.064 --> 24:08.064 Arabia , and Saudi Arabia does have 24:08.064 --> 24:10.009 legitimate right to self defense . 24:10.009 --> 24:13.700 Andre have suffered attacks on that 24:13.710 --> 24:15.821 southern border . There's no question 24:15.821 --> 24:17.932 about that . What we're talking about 24:17.932 --> 24:21.270 here is coalition offensive 24:21.270 --> 24:25.050 operations in Yemen , operations 24:25.050 --> 24:27.161 that the administration believes have 24:27.161 --> 24:30.460 contributed to On made much worse what 24:30.460 --> 24:33.360 is already a human catastrophe . And 24:33.360 --> 24:35.416 again , I don't want to get into any 24:35.416 --> 24:38.370 more specifics other than to say that d 24:38.370 --> 24:41.860 o d we have a role in in the 24:41.860 --> 24:44.082 president's directive , and we're going 24:44.082 --> 24:46.249 to carry that out . We're also we also 24:46.249 --> 24:48.790 have a role , and we'll carry out three 24:48.790 --> 24:51.012 interagency discussion going forward on 24:51.012 --> 24:53.030 this and and what the outcomes look 24:53.030 --> 24:55.590 like long term Make matters worse . If 24:55.590 --> 24:57.757 you're not providing assistance on how 24:57.757 --> 24:59.868 to prevent civilian casualties and do 24:59.868 --> 25:01.868 not providing specific intel , that 25:01.868 --> 25:03.868 would help Saudi . They're gonna go 25:03.868 --> 25:06.190 after this problem anyway , and it 25:06.190 --> 25:08.523 could be worse without that key support . 25:08.523 --> 25:11.060 I take the point . I take the point and 25:11.070 --> 25:13.181 everybody is concerned about civilian 25:13.181 --> 25:15.070 casualties and that that has been 25:15.070 --> 25:17.237 expressed to the Saudis . I don't want 25:17.237 --> 25:19.181 to get ahead of future decisions , 25:19.181 --> 25:21.403 Laura . Eso just one follow up on Yemen 25:21.403 --> 25:23.570 and then I have a different question . 25:23.570 --> 25:26.070 Eso are you Are you saying that you're 25:26.070 --> 25:28.000 specifically ending intelligence 25:28.000 --> 25:30.222 sharing related to the defense of Saudi 25:30.222 --> 25:32.410 Arabia ? No , it's not at all what I'm 25:32.410 --> 25:34.630 saying . I'm saying it's related 25:35.240 --> 25:38.300 related . Thio these relate 25:38.310 --> 25:40.860 what we've been doing related to 25:41.440 --> 25:44.040 coalition operations inside Yemen . 25:44.270 --> 25:46.270 Okay , because my understanding was 25:46.270 --> 25:48.437 that was the bulk of the intel sharing 25:48.437 --> 25:50.603 that we did . I'm not gonna talk about 25:50.603 --> 25:52.826 intelligence matters up here , but this 25:52.826 --> 25:55.030 is related to coalition operations in 25:55.040 --> 25:57.770 Yemen . Okay , so somebody coalition . 25:57.780 --> 26:00.113 So we're providing that kind of support . 26:00.113 --> 26:03.970 Previously there was there was no way 26:03.970 --> 26:06.210 had been providing intel sharing 26:06.220 --> 26:10.200 support for the coalition obvious . And 26:10.200 --> 26:12.410 then my second question is , did 26:12.410 --> 26:14.410 Secretary Austin attend the meeting 26:14.410 --> 26:16.650 today with NSE on Iran and always 26:16.650 --> 26:20.000 discussed ? I'm not gonna I think I'd 26:20.000 --> 26:22.690 refer you Thio to the White House for 26:22.700 --> 26:25.160 readouts of meetings that are hosted 26:25.160 --> 26:27.990 and chaired by by the NSC . That's not 26:27.990 --> 26:31.420 for us to read out here , Thio . I'll 26:31.420 --> 26:34.600 let the White House speak . Thio Thio 26:34.610 --> 26:36.666 NSC meetings . In the pace of that , 26:36.740 --> 26:39.090 let me go back to the phones , as I 26:39.090 --> 26:39.860 promised . 26:42.140 --> 26:46.020 Uh , Todd 26:46.030 --> 26:47.350 from military times . 26:49.640 --> 26:51.362 Thank you . You've answered my 26:51.362 --> 26:53.529 questions already . Thank you . Okay . 26:53.529 --> 26:57.050 Bonus . Uh , 26:58.940 --> 27:01.260 let's see Jeff Task and purpose . 27:03.640 --> 27:05.807 Thank you . The Air Force just put out 27:05.807 --> 27:08.029 a statement that it's ordering a review 27:08.029 --> 27:10.100 of security worldwide following this 27:10.100 --> 27:12.250 intrusion , I'm wondering what is it 27:12.250 --> 27:14.570 about this particular incident that 27:14.570 --> 27:16.370 warrants some kind of worldwide 27:16.370 --> 27:19.020 evaluation when it hasn't happened in 27:19.020 --> 27:20.798 past intrusions ? Like when the 27:20.798 --> 27:22.964 Security Forces airman put five rounds 27:22.964 --> 27:25.187 through a door because he couldn't open 27:25.187 --> 27:27.620 it ? That's really That's a question 27:27.620 --> 27:29.850 that's really better place Thio to the 27:29.850 --> 27:32.072 Air Force . It was the acting secretary 27:32.072 --> 27:34.406 of the Air Force and the chief of Staff , 27:34.406 --> 27:36.628 General Brown , who ordered this review 27:36.628 --> 27:38.850 of security protocols worldwide . And I 27:38.850 --> 27:40.961 think , uh , secretary has full trust 27:40.961 --> 27:43.183 and confidence in their ability Thio to 27:43.183 --> 27:45.239 take a look at what they need , what 27:45.239 --> 27:47.350 they believe they need to look at for 27:47.350 --> 27:49.517 security purposes . And we would refer 27:49.517 --> 27:51.572 you to the Air Force for for more on 27:51.572 --> 27:55.160 that , uh , let's see Jared from al 27:55.160 --> 27:57.680 monitor track . How many service 27:57.680 --> 28:00.010 members are declining ? Covic Vaccine . 28:00.100 --> 28:02.350 But we've learned there's actually a d 28:02.350 --> 28:05.610 h a 217 that each service member has to 28:05.620 --> 28:08.620 fill out indicating Excuse me , D h a 4 28:08.630 --> 28:11.000 to 07 indicating whether they have the 28:11.000 --> 28:13.111 vaccine or not . Given that , can you 28:13.111 --> 28:15.056 give us updated numbers on how the 28:15.056 --> 28:17.410 service members of decline ? Uh , Jeff , 28:17.410 --> 28:19.580 I'm sorry , but I only caught the last 28:19.590 --> 28:21.840 five seconds of that question . So can 28:21.840 --> 28:25.120 you repeat it for me ? Oh , sure . All 28:25.120 --> 28:27.231 previously , we've been told that the 28:27.231 --> 28:29.287 Defense Department doesn't track the 28:29.287 --> 28:31.064 number of service members whose 28:31.064 --> 28:33.120 declined getting the coded vaccine . 28:33.120 --> 28:35.231 We've learned there's actually a form 28:35.231 --> 28:37.176 called D H a form 207 that service 28:37.176 --> 28:39.064 members have to fill out , and it 28:39.064 --> 28:41.231 indicates whether or not they accepted 28:41.231 --> 28:43.342 the vaccine . So , given that that is 28:43.342 --> 28:45.231 available , can you provide us an 28:45.231 --> 28:47.453 update on the number of service members 28:47.453 --> 28:49.620 who are refusing to get inoculated ? I 28:49.620 --> 28:52.060 have a nup date on that , Jeff , and , 28:52.070 --> 28:55.970 uh , I don't know . I 28:55.980 --> 28:58.036 honestly don't know the protocols in 28:58.036 --> 29:00.440 terms of what the service member signs 29:00.440 --> 29:02.607 or doesn't sign when they elect not to 29:02.607 --> 29:04.662 get the vaccine . So I don't know if 29:04.662 --> 29:06.607 that kind of you said that that is 29:06.607 --> 29:08.718 available . I don't know that it is , 29:08.718 --> 29:10.718 but I'm happy . Toe . Have my staff 29:10.718 --> 29:12.773 take that question and we'll do some 29:12.773 --> 29:15.510 research on it . Eso Let's see . Did I 29:15.600 --> 29:18.460 got had one more on the phone here ? 29:19.200 --> 29:21.090 Jared from Al Monitor 29:23.440 --> 29:25.718 Pricer . Thanks so much for doing this . 29:25.718 --> 29:27.829 Just a quick question . Yesterday , a 29:27.829 --> 29:29.996 United Nations report reported that Al 29:29.996 --> 29:32.107 Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula leader 29:32.107 --> 29:34.329 had been captured back in October . I'm 29:34.329 --> 29:36.107 wondering if you can confirm US 29:36.107 --> 29:38.218 involvement in the operation . What ? 29:38.218 --> 29:40.930 This , uh , Al Qaeda figures location 29:40.930 --> 29:43.208 is now and any further details on that ? 29:43.640 --> 29:45.751 I'm afraid I can't help you with that 29:45.751 --> 29:47.862 from the podium today . Again , we'll 29:47.862 --> 29:50.084 take that question . Um , I'd also , um 29:50.084 --> 29:52.670 uh , referring to Central Command . Uh , 29:52.680 --> 29:54.847 perhaps they can help you better , but 29:54.847 --> 29:56.958 I'll pull the string here and and see 29:56.958 --> 29:59.069 if we can't be useful . But again , I 29:59.069 --> 30:01.013 think sent comes probably the best 30:01.013 --> 30:03.013 place to go . Yeah . Good . Captain 30:03.013 --> 30:05.124 Kirby . Um , I have several questions 30:05.124 --> 30:07.291 about transgender military service . I 30:07.291 --> 30:09.347 sell the statement the Secretary put 30:09.347 --> 30:11.458 out after the executive order , but I 30:11.458 --> 30:13.236 thought it lacked clarity and a 30:13.236 --> 30:14.902 timeline for both transgender 30:14.902 --> 30:16.902 enlistments and the military health 30:16.902 --> 30:18.958 system paying for transition related 30:18.958 --> 30:21.180 care and surgeries justice that would , 30:21.180 --> 30:23.347 for any other medical procedure . Will 30:23.347 --> 30:22.550 you affirm the Pentagon will get to 30:22.550 --> 30:26.230 both of those outcomes . Well , I , 30:26.240 --> 30:28.890 um I'm not sure I agree with your 30:28.900 --> 30:31.233 characterization that it lacked clarity . 30:31.233 --> 30:33.760 I mean , it was pretty clear that 30:34.850 --> 30:38.820 from the secretary statement that if a 30:38.820 --> 30:40.820 Nen vivid jewel meets all the other 30:41.440 --> 30:44.210 fitness on academic requirements to 30:44.210 --> 30:47.050 join the military transgender identity 30:47.050 --> 30:49.390 will not be a bar . So it was pretty 30:49.390 --> 30:52.320 clear there that , um that recruitment 30:52.320 --> 30:55.760 and sessions will continue . Um , 30:56.220 --> 30:58.960 and he also talked about 30:59.440 --> 31:03.340 the reversing the decision by the 31:03.350 --> 31:05.239 previous administration about not 31:05.239 --> 31:07.406 providing associate ID , inappropriate 31:07.540 --> 31:10.760 medical assistance and care 31:11.050 --> 31:14.450 for those undergoing a 31:14.460 --> 31:17.170 transition . Now what 31:18.240 --> 31:21.610 What does need to be done ? And I think 31:21.610 --> 31:23.777 I'm getting at the larger part of your 31:23.777 --> 31:25.870 question is I mean , he gave the 31:25.880 --> 31:29.780 department two months to come back 31:29.780 --> 31:32.300 to him with more specific 31:32.310 --> 31:34.270 implementation guidelines and 31:34.270 --> 31:36.270 procedures and protocols . This had 31:36.270 --> 31:39.570 been started as you know in 2016 and 31:39.570 --> 31:42.620 then more abruptly stopped , I 31:42.630 --> 31:45.310 think 2018 . I could be wrong about 31:45.310 --> 31:49.160 that . So , um so a lot of that 31:49.170 --> 31:51.820 muscle memory that had been in place in 31:51.820 --> 31:55.260 2016 was gone , and he wanted to give 31:55.260 --> 31:57.630 the department a couple of months to 31:57.640 --> 32:00.450 get it back on . And that's what's 32:00.450 --> 32:02.617 going on right now . And I'm sure that 32:02.617 --> 32:05.080 once we get that those and we've been 32:05.080 --> 32:07.136 able to solidify the recommendations 32:07.136 --> 32:09.350 going forward , you'll see us put out 32:09.740 --> 32:12.100 what the implementation specific 32:12.100 --> 32:14.270 implementation on all the aspects of 32:14.640 --> 32:17.340 transgender service . Are you expected 32:17.340 --> 32:19.562 timeline to get to the end result . I'm 32:19.562 --> 32:21.784 sorry . Expected timeline to get to the 32:21.784 --> 32:24.950 end . Result and result . Being writing 32:24.950 --> 32:27.410 for care Transgender enlistments on 32:27.420 --> 32:30.260 again , I would say , in terms of 32:30.260 --> 32:33.170 enlistments that issue solved 32:34.110 --> 32:37.250 right now . You can if you meet all the 32:37.250 --> 32:39.700 other requirements you know , physical 32:39.700 --> 32:42.300 fitness and your academic and all the 32:42.300 --> 32:44.490 other requirements to enlist in a 32:44.500 --> 32:46.111 branch of the armed forces . 32:46.540 --> 32:49.150 Transgender identity will not be a bar . 32:49.160 --> 32:52.000 So today somebody could walk in and 32:52.010 --> 32:54.121 join . Now , I said , there's there's 32:54.121 --> 32:56.177 there's some implementation , things 32:56.177 --> 32:58.800 that we have to get in place , uh , to 32:58.800 --> 33:02.540 make sure that continued service is 33:02.540 --> 33:05.510 not impacted either . And so we just 33:05.510 --> 33:07.454 want to go back and take a look at 33:07.454 --> 33:09.621 where we were in 2016 and make sure we 33:09.621 --> 33:11.621 issue appropriate guidelines to the 33:11.621 --> 33:13.566 force . Might be splitting hairs . 33:13.566 --> 33:15.621 Transgender identity is not a bar to 33:15.621 --> 33:17.788 service , but as a diagnosis of gender 33:17.788 --> 33:19.954 dysphoria borrow to service . No . And 33:19.954 --> 33:22.120 then the executive order , uh , calls 33:22.120 --> 33:24.398 for consultation with the Joint Chiefs . 33:24.398 --> 33:26.509 And this matter , what kind of weight 33:26.509 --> 33:28.620 will the Joint Chiefs have on this As 33:28.620 --> 33:30.676 this goes forward , the Joint Chiefs 33:30.676 --> 33:32.676 are also service chiefs . They have 33:32.676 --> 33:34.787 significant title 10 responsibilities 33:34.787 --> 33:37.270 to recruit , to retain , to train to 33:37.270 --> 33:41.130 equipped . That's by law . They are 33:41.130 --> 33:43.380 the service providers to the combatant 33:43.380 --> 33:45.720 commanders around the world . So , uh , 33:45.730 --> 33:48.850 they have , ah , very large vote and a 33:48.850 --> 33:51.120 voice with the service secretaries . Of 33:51.120 --> 33:54.250 course , the civilian oversight in how 33:54.260 --> 33:56.204 these policies will be implemented 33:56.204 --> 33:59.580 going forward again . We're on our way 33:59.580 --> 34:01.469 here , and I think in a couple of 34:01.469 --> 34:03.524 months we'll be able to provide more 34:03.524 --> 34:05.469 detail vote that implies that they 34:05.469 --> 34:05.210 might be able to vote sort of thing . 34:05.220 --> 34:07.490 Look , I don't don't read too much into 34:07.490 --> 34:09.650 the word vote . What I meant was they 34:09.650 --> 34:12.080 have a voice in the policy making 34:12.090 --> 34:15.100 process . They have . Ah , they are 34:15.110 --> 34:17.221 integral . The service secretaries in 34:17.221 --> 34:20.100 the service chiefs are integral to , uh , 34:20.110 --> 34:22.930 implementing and executing the policies 34:22.930 --> 34:24.986 that the secretary has now ordered . 34:24.986 --> 34:27.210 And that and that will happen . And and 34:27.210 --> 34:29.377 they will be that we will consult with 34:29.377 --> 34:32.220 them as we move forward . Um , and they 34:32.220 --> 34:34.780 will . They will provide their best 34:34.780 --> 34:37.330 advice about how to implement . I think 34:37.330 --> 34:39.500 you may be getting things idea that 34:39.500 --> 34:41.667 they're going to somehow resist or are 34:41.667 --> 34:44.050 not in favor of or we'll find a way toe , 34:44.440 --> 34:46.410 you know , a blocker stonewall 34:46.420 --> 34:48.476 implementation . And that's just not 34:48.476 --> 34:50.698 going to happen . That's just not gonna 34:50.698 --> 34:53.030 happen . One last question . Did this 34:53.030 --> 34:55.197 issue come up today at all in the tank 34:55.197 --> 34:57.141 and , uh , who is spearheading the 34:57.141 --> 34:59.363 separate court ? I'm not gonna read out 34:59.363 --> 35:02.140 specifics of the discussions between 35:02.150 --> 35:04.460 the secretary and the service chiefs in 35:04.460 --> 35:08.420 the tank . Um um , but I think I think 35:08.420 --> 35:10.500 it I could be wrong about this , So 35:10.500 --> 35:12.556 check me , but I think in the in the 35:12.556 --> 35:14.667 memo that the secretary sign , he put 35:14.667 --> 35:16.560 the dot on the Undersecretary of 35:16.560 --> 35:18.727 defense for personnel and readiness to 35:18.727 --> 35:20.910 lead this 60 day , uh , implementation 35:20.910 --> 35:23.940 review . Tony , talk about the cost to 35:23.940 --> 35:26.420 mobilize the 26,000 National Guardsmen 35:26.420 --> 35:28.760 and women to protect us from extremism . 35:29.440 --> 35:31.607 What's the What's the going bill right 35:31.607 --> 35:33.773 now ? Here ? It's about 480 million to 35:33.773 --> 35:36.300 500 million . I think the army put out 35:36.300 --> 35:38.880 a number on that e deferred to you , I 35:38.880 --> 35:41.960 guess . Um , 35:42.740 --> 35:45.018 I don't have I don't think I have that , 35:45.018 --> 35:48.990 uh , figure here . 35:48.990 --> 35:50.940 Let me just check . But I think we 35:50.940 --> 35:53.460 could get it to you . Tony . What ? E 35:53.460 --> 35:55.516 think ? Well , the public . I'm sure 35:55.516 --> 35:57.738 you would . You know , Is that incurred 35:57.738 --> 35:59.960 cost or a net estimate through April or 35:59.960 --> 36:02.238 how long they're gonna be there ? Tony , 36:02.238 --> 36:04.460 let me get back to you . Another taking 36:04.460 --> 36:04.300 question . I think that's an easy one . 36:04.310 --> 36:06.254 I just didn't I just don't I don't 36:06.254 --> 36:08.350 think kind of USS McCain . Transit 36:08.360 --> 36:10.760 question of the did General Austin . 36:10.960 --> 36:13.250 Excuse me , Secretary Austin , sign off 36:13.250 --> 36:16.370 on the McCain's transit of the strait 36:16.370 --> 36:19.080 a Taiwan street and then going into the 36:19.080 --> 36:21.310 South China Sea . Or was that a pre 36:21.310 --> 36:25.140 planned Indo Pacific end up a cop did 36:25.140 --> 36:27.630 not require specific sign off by the 36:27.630 --> 36:30.130 Secretary of Defense . Thank you . All 36:30.130 --> 36:33.540 right , let's go back to the phones 36:36.330 --> 36:38.330 upon that . Why are you still doing 36:38.330 --> 36:40.930 those operations shopping ? Why are we 36:40.930 --> 36:42.400 still doing those ? 36:45.030 --> 36:48.660 Well , I mean what ? Uh huh . 36:49.200 --> 36:52.340 We have an obligation . The 36:53.030 --> 36:55.220 have many obligations in the in the 36:55.220 --> 36:58.560 Indo Pacific . Fear one of them is too 36:58.570 --> 37:01.760 coarse . Um uh , 37:01.790 --> 37:05.450 reinforcing and supporting , 37:06.530 --> 37:09.600 uh , the 37:09.900 --> 37:12.011 navigation rights and freedoms of all 37:12.011 --> 37:13.622 countries in accordance with 37:13.622 --> 37:15.733 international law . Andi . That's why 37:15.733 --> 37:18.470 we continue Thio conduct what we refer 37:18.470 --> 37:21.170 to as freedom of navigation operations . 37:21.170 --> 37:23.520 These in international waters . Um , 37:23.570 --> 37:25.792 and I think it's important . We believe 37:25.792 --> 37:29.750 it's important to demonstrate that 37:29.760 --> 37:31.870 we support the idea that these are 37:31.870 --> 37:34.037 international waters and that and that 37:34.037 --> 37:37.600 way , like every other nation , has 37:38.320 --> 37:42.040 the right to operate , to sail , to 37:42.040 --> 37:45.990 fly an international maritime 37:45.990 --> 37:48.960 space and air space . Okay . 37:51.810 --> 37:55.670 Gillian , hi . Thank you so much . I do 37:55.670 --> 37:57.503 have a question about those mass 37:57.503 --> 37:59.726 vaccination centers that were announced 37:59.726 --> 38:01.892 today . Do you have any idea where the 38:01.892 --> 38:04.114 troops will be coming from what faces ? 38:04.114 --> 38:06.114 What installations ? What locations 38:06.114 --> 38:08.226 around the country . And you have any 38:08.226 --> 38:10.392 idea of you had mentioned . Two of the 38:10.392 --> 38:12.448 five will be in California Where the 38:12.448 --> 38:14.760 other three to start out with . I refer 38:14.760 --> 38:17.370 you Thio FEMA for specific locations . 38:17.370 --> 38:20.750 What ? What we can say today is that 38:20.760 --> 38:23.440 the initial the 38:24.020 --> 38:27.470 the part of the initial group of 38:27.470 --> 38:30.040 1110 . So roughly around 38:30.040 --> 38:33.620 222 that initial traunch 38:33.630 --> 38:36.040 will be going to a site in California . 38:36.040 --> 38:37.929 I would refer you to FEMA to talk 38:37.929 --> 38:40.096 specifically about what site that is , 38:40.096 --> 38:43.330 um , on Daz for what 38:43.820 --> 38:46.900 units are represented in this initial 38:46.900 --> 38:49.120 group of 200 on where they're coming 38:49.120 --> 38:51.180 from . I don't have that information 38:51.180 --> 38:53.347 right now . A zay said at the outset . 38:53.347 --> 38:56.730 The military services are sourcing that 38:56.740 --> 38:59.350 right now . And , um , I'm sure when we 38:59.350 --> 39:02.140 have more information about that , we 39:02.140 --> 39:04.307 should be able to provide it . I don't 39:04.307 --> 39:06.196 think that would take very long , 39:06.196 --> 39:08.307 either . As I said , the goal here is 39:08.307 --> 39:10.473 to get , uh , this initial team of 200 39:10.473 --> 39:13.650 on site on or about the 15th of the 39:13.650 --> 39:15.706 month . So , you know , a little bit 39:15.706 --> 39:18.950 more than within 10 days away , Dan , 39:19.620 --> 39:21.842 to the earlier question about extremism 39:21.842 --> 39:25.070 in the ranks . Um , where do you draw 39:25.070 --> 39:28.450 the line , right ? So if if a 39:28.820 --> 39:31.570 service member is , for example 39:31.570 --> 39:33.870 expressing their views that , uh , the 39:33.870 --> 39:35.703 current president wasn't somehow 39:35.703 --> 39:38.270 legitimately elected versus maybe 39:38.270 --> 39:40.159 someone who's actually advocating 39:40.159 --> 39:42.103 violence , do you draw the line at 39:42.103 --> 39:45.660 advocating violence ? It's extremism 39:45.880 --> 39:48.047 is a hard thing that is a subjective , 39:48.047 --> 39:50.380 obviously that Well , So you've hit on 39:50.390 --> 39:53.140 something that's really important , Dan , 39:53.140 --> 39:56.190 and that z how you get your arms around 39:56.190 --> 40:00.130 this problem on in one of the 40:00.130 --> 40:03.950 discussions that in the 40:03.960 --> 40:06.016 meeting earlier in the week that the 40:06.016 --> 40:08.127 secretary had with the Chiefs and the 40:08.127 --> 40:10.293 service secretaries was exactly that . 40:10.293 --> 40:12.516 What other definitions ? You know , the 40:12.516 --> 40:14.682 definitions that we're operating under 40:14.682 --> 40:17.770 now we're based on 202,000 and 12 40:17.770 --> 40:19.800 instruction , and so do we need to 40:19.800 --> 40:21.967 revisit that . Is that Does that still 40:21.967 --> 40:24.030 apply ? Andi , I think those are the 40:24.030 --> 40:26.086 questions . You know , you're you're 40:26.086 --> 40:28.030 asking the very same question that 40:28.030 --> 40:30.252 secretary and the chief you're asking , 40:30.252 --> 40:32.474 you know , how do you How do you define 40:32.474 --> 40:36.330 it ? Uh , but to your other point , 40:36.340 --> 40:39.370 Dan , it really it isn't It isn't about . 40:39.380 --> 40:42.650 It isn't about what you've internalized . 40:42.660 --> 40:46.330 It's how you externalize those beliefs . 40:46.790 --> 40:49.420 And when the externalization of those 40:49.420 --> 40:51.820 beliefs threatens 40:52.410 --> 40:55.140 or , um 40:56.010 --> 40:59.990 or does harm when it affects the good 40:59.990 --> 41:02.320 order and discipline of a unit . Then 41:02.320 --> 41:04.600 it becomes something that leaders have 41:04.600 --> 41:07.250 thio to have accountability measures in 41:07.250 --> 41:10.840 place to deal with . And and so that's 41:10.850 --> 41:13.017 you know that zoo . You ask me , where 41:13.017 --> 41:14.961 do you draw the line that Z That's 41:14.961 --> 41:18.010 where we are currently at , um , but 41:18.010 --> 41:21.310 again , in terms of what is and what 41:21.310 --> 41:23.930 isn't , um , extremism is something 41:23.930 --> 41:27.460 that e think that we all agree we need . 41:27.470 --> 41:29.680 We need better . We need better 41:29.690 --> 41:31.801 definition on . And I don't just mean 41:31.801 --> 41:34.350 that in the vocabulary sense of the 41:34.350 --> 41:37.350 word . Sorry . One separate question on 41:37.350 --> 41:39.461 the vaccinations . I understand . You 41:39.461 --> 41:41.628 can't say how many people have decided 41:41.628 --> 41:44.950 not to do it , but at what point is 41:44.950 --> 41:48.110 there a concern that you don't get 41:48.120 --> 41:50.980 enough of your personnel vaccinated and 41:50.980 --> 41:53.790 you actually can't protect the force of 41:53.790 --> 41:56.520 enough if enough people decide not to 41:56.530 --> 41:59.940 do it ? Um , 42:00.400 --> 42:02.730 well , so we have to remember it's a 42:03.200 --> 42:06.830 voluntary vaccine . Um um 42:06.840 --> 42:10.480 and we have toe be mindful of that . We 42:10.480 --> 42:13.880 want obviously to protect everybody in 42:13.880 --> 42:16.600 the force . Um and we want them to have 42:16.600 --> 42:18.711 the opportunity to make this decision 42:18.711 --> 42:21.080 for themselves . Um , I could tell you 42:21.080 --> 42:24.200 that as of today as the fifth of 42:24.200 --> 42:25.867 February , we've administered 42:25.867 --> 42:29.840 76.4% of all the vaccines 42:29.840 --> 42:33.310 that we have on hand , so it's a robust 42:33.700 --> 42:35.867 process , and it's getting more robust 42:35.867 --> 42:39.730 every day . Um , on and clearly we have 42:39.730 --> 42:42.610 to balance are legitimate concerns for 42:42.610 --> 42:44.777 health of the force and readiness with 42:44.777 --> 42:48.220 the fact that , um , these 42:48.230 --> 42:51.260 individuals have a right thio say that 42:51.260 --> 42:54.640 they don't want it . Um , but I'm not a 42:54.650 --> 42:56.872 clinician and not a doctor . So I can't 42:56.872 --> 42:58.872 tell you that a certain number at a 42:58.872 --> 43:01.094 certain percentage all of a sudden gets 43:01.094 --> 43:04.880 us there . Um , but we're making a 43:04.890 --> 43:07.030 very concerted effort . And as I said 43:07.030 --> 43:10.400 it zipping . It's getting more refined 43:10.410 --> 43:13.990 and better every day . But we're making 43:13.990 --> 43:16.850 a very concerted effort to make the 43:16.850 --> 43:19.880 vaccines available to as many people in 43:19.880 --> 43:22.900 the workforce as we can follow up on 43:22.900 --> 43:25.510 extremism . Those 2012 rigs you talk 43:25.510 --> 43:28.530 about so you could be a member of one 43:28.530 --> 43:30.810 of these groups , but not an active 43:30.820 --> 43:33.040 member . Eyes that something You're 43:33.040 --> 43:34.762 gonna look at that . Maybe you 43:34.762 --> 43:36.818 shouldn't even be a member of one of 43:36.818 --> 43:39.040 these groups . I think it's safe to say 43:39.040 --> 43:41.262 that the secretary wants the leadership 43:41.262 --> 43:43.540 here to look at all components of this . 43:43.540 --> 43:45.818 And I certainly wouldn't rule that out . 43:45.818 --> 43:47.762 As one thing that they're thinking 43:47.762 --> 43:49.651 about is how do you get your arms 43:49.651 --> 43:51.818 around membership in these groups were 43:51.818 --> 43:54.040 right ? Right now , membership is not , 43:54.040 --> 43:57.390 um , um is not considered inconsistent 43:57.390 --> 43:59.860 with service in the military . Um , and 43:59.860 --> 44:02.230 it really is really about what you do 44:02.230 --> 44:05.110 with that membership . I'm not gonna be 44:05.110 --> 44:07.221 predictive one way or the other about 44:07.221 --> 44:09.388 where this discussion is going . But I 44:09.388 --> 44:11.388 think membership in these groups is 44:11.388 --> 44:13.610 certainly something that I would expect 44:13.610 --> 44:15.721 that the for them to look at . Yeah . 44:15.721 --> 44:17.666 Can you be more specific about the 44:17.666 --> 44:20.120 nature off assistant ? You continue , 44:20.130 --> 44:22.241 you will continue to provide to Saudi 44:22.241 --> 44:25.490 Arabia to defend its borders . On the 44:25.500 --> 44:27.820 second question , what level off 44:27.830 --> 44:30.120 cooperation you expect from Saudi 44:30.120 --> 44:33.540 Arabia and U . A . E uh , in the 44:33.540 --> 44:36.590 Pentagon's operation against Al Qaeda 44:36.590 --> 44:39.110 in the Arabian Peninsula , Off course 44:39.110 --> 44:41.277 in the light off . Actually , that's a 44:41.277 --> 44:43.499 good point . I mean , and I should have 44:43.499 --> 44:46.220 said that at the top that I mean the U . 44:46.220 --> 44:49.410 S . Operations against Isis and Al 44:49.410 --> 44:52.310 Qaeda will continue that this is not 44:52.320 --> 44:54.542 this decision is not affected by that . 44:54.542 --> 44:56.876 I think you're asking the same question . 44:56.876 --> 44:58.764 Leader asked about the panoply of 44:58.764 --> 45:01.340 things that that we still cooperate 45:01.340 --> 45:04.610 with Saudi Arabia with in terms of a 45:04.610 --> 45:06.332 bilateral military to military 45:06.332 --> 45:08.332 relationship . And I just don't I'm 45:08.332 --> 45:10.443 just not equipped right now . Today , 45:10.443 --> 45:12.666 Thio answer that So we'll get it to you 45:12.666 --> 45:14.721 just as we promised to get it . Thio 45:14.721 --> 45:16.721 Lida , let me go back to the phones 45:16.721 --> 45:18.650 here . Yeah . Wow . 45:20.890 --> 45:23.410 Z Sylvie from FFP . 45:26.190 --> 45:30.170 Hello . Um , I have a follow up to a 45:30.170 --> 45:33.230 question . Um unanswered you gave to 45:33.230 --> 45:37.070 Louis about the review 45:37.080 --> 45:40.610 The Worldwide Review Posture Review . 45:40.620 --> 45:44.210 Do you know how many troops Um , U s 45:44.220 --> 45:46.600 troops are actually in Germany right 45:46.610 --> 45:49.100 now ? And it's any withdrawal world 45:49.590 --> 45:52.940 started already under the previous 45:52.950 --> 45:55.540 administration . And also I would like 45:55.550 --> 45:58.470 to know the position off the Secretary 45:58.470 --> 46:02.100 on relationships with Turkey 46:02.580 --> 46:05.280 and the fact that turkey now using 46:05.280 --> 46:08.870 position off Russian , the Russian s 46:08.880 --> 46:11.900 400 Look , I'm gonna have 46:11.900 --> 46:15.300 Thio . I didn't 46:15.980 --> 46:18.310 prepare for the exact number of 46:18.320 --> 46:20.264 personnel we have in Germany , but 46:20.264 --> 46:22.376 that's a gettable number and weaken . 46:22.376 --> 46:24.376 Get that for you . The only thing I 46:24.376 --> 46:27.460 would say try to reiterate uh is what I 46:27.460 --> 46:29.516 said before in his conversation with 46:29.516 --> 46:31.870 the Minister of Defense of Germany . Um , 46:31.880 --> 46:33.870 he made it clear that while no 46:33.870 --> 46:36.980 decisions have been made yet , whatever 46:36.980 --> 46:39.760 decisions are made about our troop 46:39.760 --> 46:42.410 levels there or anywhere in Europe , 46:42.420 --> 46:44.642 we're gonna make those in consultations 46:44.642 --> 46:46.490 with the governments concerned . 46:46.500 --> 46:49.300 Grateful for support that the German 46:49.300 --> 46:51.522 government continues to give us and has 46:51.522 --> 46:54.460 given us for so many years , Onda 46:54.470 --> 46:57.190 Way will absolutely make sure that 46:57.190 --> 47:00.970 they're properly consulted if and when , 47:00.980 --> 47:03.650 if or when there's any changes to be 47:03.650 --> 47:07.000 talked about . Um , as for turkey , 47:07.480 --> 47:09.990 uh , again , I would remind that Turkey 47:09.990 --> 47:12.740 is a long standing and valued NATO ally . 47:12.740 --> 47:14.796 But their decision to purchase the S 47:14.796 --> 47:16.684 400 is inconsistent with Turkey's 47:16.684 --> 47:18.962 commitments as a U . S . And NATO ally . 47:18.962 --> 47:21.180 Our position has not changed . The S 47:21.180 --> 47:23.390 400 is incompatible with the F 35 47:23.520 --> 47:25.520 Turkey has been suspended from that 47:25.520 --> 47:28.090 program . We urge Turkey not to retain 47:28.280 --> 47:31.420 the S 400 system . Turkey had multiple 47:31.420 --> 47:33.531 opportunities over the last decade to 47:33.531 --> 47:35.531 purchase the Patriot defense system 47:35.531 --> 47:37.476 from the United States and instead 47:37.476 --> 47:39.364 chose to purchase the S 400 which 47:39.364 --> 47:41.420 provides Russia revenue , access and 47:41.420 --> 47:43.642 influence . Okay , I'll take one more , 47:43.642 --> 47:45.698 and I'll take it from the room . And 47:45.698 --> 47:45.620 then , uh , we'll head out . Go ahead . 47:45.620 --> 47:48.750 Sir , you were talking about vaccines . 47:48.760 --> 47:51.750 Once the vaccine is FDA approved , will 47:51.750 --> 47:54.480 it be mandated to soldiers ? And then 47:54.480 --> 47:56.647 you go and pick up all those that have 47:56.647 --> 47:58.813 been denying it . And then I'd like to 47:58.813 --> 48:00.591 follow up on rotations that you 48:00.591 --> 48:03.270 mentioned . So rotations are going to 48:03.280 --> 48:06.560 be continuing . Um , and in Europe 48:06.560 --> 48:08.810 specifically does Secretary agree with 48:08.810 --> 48:11.440 what Secretary Esper said last July , 48:11.440 --> 48:13.662 that more rotations should be happening 48:13.662 --> 48:15.551 in Eastern Europe . And are those 48:15.551 --> 48:17.718 conversations ongoing ? Are they gonna 48:17.718 --> 48:19.496 wait until the six month review 48:19.496 --> 48:21.662 finishes ? I don't know of any changes 48:21.662 --> 48:24.020 to rotational deployments toe Eastern 48:24.020 --> 48:26.242 Europe . And I have nothing in terms of 48:26.242 --> 48:28.131 future decisions to announce with 48:28.131 --> 48:30.131 respect to that today on your other 48:30.131 --> 48:32.187 questions , a hypothetical . I don't 48:32.187 --> 48:34.409 wanna get ahead of FDA certification of 48:34.409 --> 48:38.090 the vaccine if it becomes a certified 48:38.090 --> 48:40.500 FDA approved vaccine that I'm sure that 48:40.670 --> 48:43.330 medical policy , uh , in the military 48:43.330 --> 48:45.650 world , adjust to that . What ? That 48:45.650 --> 48:47.539 looks like . Exactly . I'm not at 48:47.539 --> 48:50.500 liberty to say today . Right now . It z 48:50.500 --> 48:52.722 being it's being offered on a voluntary 48:52.722 --> 48:54.833 basis , and we're gonna have Thio not 48:54.833 --> 48:57.056 have Thio . We are going to continue to 48:57.056 --> 48:58.778 respect that . Okay , Thanks , 48:58.778 --> 49:01.070 everybody . Who's Bill ? How did I not 49:01.070 --> 49:03.014 know that you were gonna just jump 49:03.014 --> 49:05.348 right in there ? Who's footing the bill ? 49:05.348 --> 49:07.514 What ? For ? The National Guard in the 49:07.514 --> 49:09.737 nation's capital . I would refer you to 49:09.737 --> 49:11.792 the army for that . I don't have the 49:11.792 --> 49:13.800 specific information of the budget 49:13.800 --> 49:15.744 process there , but the army could 49:15.744 --> 49:17.744 probably better . And when are they 49:17.744 --> 49:20.890 leaving ? As I said before on , the 49:20.890 --> 49:23.112 secretary made this case when he was up 49:23.112 --> 49:25.334 on Capitol Hill visiting with Guardsmen 49:25.334 --> 49:28.350 that we don't want them toe perform 49:28.350 --> 49:30.461 this mission one day longer than they 49:30.461 --> 49:32.572 have Thio . And we're proud of them . 49:32.572 --> 49:35.370 And we are grateful for what they're 49:35.370 --> 49:37.537 doing leaving their families and their 49:37.537 --> 49:40.540 jobs and , uh , you know , guarding our 49:40.540 --> 49:43.320 capitol grounds in , uh , in some in 49:43.320 --> 49:46.730 some cold , nasty weather . Um , it was 49:46.730 --> 49:49.008 inspiring , at least for me personally . 49:49.008 --> 49:51.530 T see them out there . Uh , it makes 49:51.530 --> 49:53.474 you proud , but we don't want them 49:53.474 --> 49:55.586 there one day longer . than they need 49:55.586 --> 49:57.808 to be on as I told you before , as long 49:57.808 --> 49:59.808 as the Secretary believes there's a 49:59.808 --> 50:01.974 valid requirement that that we have to 50:01.974 --> 50:03.919 meet at the request of federal and 50:03.919 --> 50:05.974 local law enforcement as well as the 50:05.974 --> 50:08.141 city , we're going to do that . Okay . 50:08.141 --> 50:10.308 Thanks , everybody . I appreciate it . 50:10.308 --> 50:10.790 Thank you so much .