In a ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Austin said the Senate’s refusal to confirm military leaders is disrupting the force and could affect relations with allies and partners internationally.
Confirmations of new commanders for the Army and Marine Corps are among more than 300 promotions blocked by Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who opposes the Pentagon’s policy of paying for travel for any member of the military who want to leave your state to have an abortion or receive other reproductive care.
“Today for the first time in Defense Department history, two of our services are operating without a Senate-confirmed commander,” Austin stated. “A great team needs a great leader, and that’s vital to maintaining the full power of the deadliest fighting force on the planet.”
Army General James McConville is retiring and General Randy George, the current deputy commander, has been nominated to be the next commander. On Friday, George became the acting commander. Similarly, Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith has been nominated as the next commanding officer, but he is serving on an interim basis because he has not been confirmed.
Both can serve on an interim basis, but cannot fulfill roles that require confirmation. Therefore, they cannot move into the main residences or offices, or issue formal planning guidelines, which is customary for a new boss. And officials have also warned that there are certain authorities, such as preparing budgets, that do not correspond to the interim chiefs.
“We need these leaders to ensure the readiness of our force,” Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth declared at the same ceremony. “And we have to end all this uncertainty for our military families.” She noted that many officers and their families are on hiatus, waiting to see if they move to new bases, statuses or positions.
Smith addressed the issue in a letter to the Army on Thursday, outlining the need for the Marine Corps to modernize and expand its programs to improve its combat capability.
FOUNTAIN: Associated Press
