Panetta meets with senior enlisted advisors

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Panetta meets with senior enlisted advisors

Posted 7/7/2011

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7/7/2011 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta hosted a luncheon for the senior enlisted advisors from each service at the Pentagon July 6, 2011. From left to right, the advisors were: Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Michael P. Leavitt; Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick D. West; Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III; Sgt. Major of the Marine Corps Michael Barrett; and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy. (Defense Department photo/ Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey)

Comments

7/22/2011 11:24:50 AM ET
I don't always post idiotic racial comments on an official .mil website... But when I do, I cry about getting called out by a Chief.

The most interesting Airman in the world, Langley Air Force Base

7/22/2011 1:51:29 AM ET
To all those jumping Tell the Truth, especially Chief Elliot, real mature calling someone an idiot. Kind of ashamed to be in the same SNCO tier as you right now. Tell the Truth has a point. We as a service have probably 8 different months devoted to different diversities or female genders and yet in this group they are all white males. And yet you attack this person for pointing out the obvious. I know you are an E-9 and not used to people questioning your opinions but this is valid. And SMSgt. Ret why did you have to make the distinction between AD vs. guard or Reserve? Are they any less than AD? With my work with the part timers, I chose them over AD. Get with it, people.

MSgt , AL

7/22/2011 1:27:54 AM ET
Last time I checked there was no extra points given on the EPR or PDGSKT for being Latino, Asian, Black, or any other ethnicity. Nor do they award extra points based on being a man or a woman. We promote those who excel and do their job well not because of the color of their skin or their gender. To deny promotion of anyone because there is a LESS-qualified person who may be a minority would be a slap in the face to our entire military. Work hard if you want to be promoted. Don't count on the color of your skin to let you get a foot in the door.

Figgles, Undisclosed SWA

7/14/2011 7:53:23 PM ET
You know, I seem to remember a hoopla around a news article complaining about the under-representation of minorities in leadership positions in the military. The problem is there are a GREATER percentage of minority leaders in the military than the simple percentage of the military that said minorities represent. In other words, the minorities are statistically more successful in the military than white guys are. So why the complaint? Because the percentage of the military leadership from each minority is smaller than the percentage of the general population that each minority represents. What goes through people's heads when they expect the military to represent general population statistics when those who voluntarily enlist do not. Tell the Truth, like so many other people in our nation today, is too busy trying to sell his assumed reality to be bothered to evaluate the actual strength or weakness of his position. That's just sad.

Retired and relaxed, Middle America

7/14/2011 7:41:48 PM ET
I myself am a person of color - a black man. I think there should be more colored people like myself in charge. Sure we have Mr. Obama, but we need more black generals and admirals and in the Air Force. At least we had a black commander here at Yokota. I mean, they don't think it be like it is but they do.

G. G. Allan, Yokota AB JP

7/14/2011 6:10:52 PM ET
@Tell the Truth. That's the problem with statistics and numbers. Applied with no reference or care of other factors, they can be used to prove any point you wish. To imply a bias and state statistical facts based on numbers alone is either leading or dumb.

M Cole, Lackland

7/14/2011 5:39:02 PM ET
Tell the Truth, are you a service member, retiree, or...? I didn't notice the make-up of the group when I opened the link, only that the SECDEF is meeting with the people who stand for our enlisted force. I think you do see the world through a prism.

MSgt, Texas

7/13/2011 6:24:16 PM ET
All my comment is serious and on point. I don't see the world through a prism but many still do. I never suggested that a senior leader should be selected for position based on race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religious affiliation, or otherwise. However, the facts support: the vast majority of the top officer and civilian leaders are white men and when selecting key subordinate senior leaders for appointments, they are more comfortable selecting white men like themselves. I myself am a white man but that's neither here nor there to me. I came from a very modest lower middle class upbringing and am a self made man through great opportunities, now very experienced and highly educated. I made my comments so all of you would seriously think about this issue a bit and at the same time, your own biases. @Caveman, the numbers are still stacked against unbiased appointments if you do the total math. @MM, CMSgt Elliott began the discussion about the top enlisted leaders of all the

Tell the Truth, U.S.

7/13/2011 5:25:11 PM ET
@Tell the Truth, I know Chief Elliot from a previous assignment. He calls them how he sees them. Grow a thick skin and get over it. I couldn't agree more with the Chief.

BShultz, Ft Bragg

7/13/2011 9:51:20 AM ET
I agree. Who cares about the ribbons. Also CL, you must not have looked closely but the CSM of the Army isn't wearing ribbons and I'm sure the MCPO of the Navy has more ribbons than that. @Tell the truth, you talk about all the top Enlisted leaders but only reference the CMSAF when it comes to being African American. From 1999-2011 there were three different Sgt Maj, Mar, Cor who were African-American. It's been 13 years since all five senior enlisted advisors appeared to be of the same color at the same time. I'm just thankful that I don't look at the world like you. I only care if the people in charge are competent and good leaders. When I look at them I don't see what color, ethnicity, sex, sexual preference, or religion they are. All I see is a person. My only hope is that person does his or her best to look out for enlisted members. In the end it's the only thing that really matters.

MM, FL

7/12/2011 4:27:44 PM ET
@ Tell the Truth - Basic research for you - SMA - Sergeant Major of the Army - McKinney CMSAF Barnes SMMCs -Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps - McMichael Estrada and Kent and MCPOCG Patton

Caveman, Bedrock

7/12/2011 3:42:18 PM ET
Chief Elliott, I expected more from an E-9 than a personal attack and insult. You called me an idiot. Why? I have paid attention over the past years and I do not know of facts that support your claim that the top Enlisted leaders of all the services have at one time or the other come from a variety of cultural and ethinic backgrounds. I do know the last and only African American, CMSAF Barnes, was appointed and extended in position from 1973-1977, some 35 years ago. Please reply with the facts to support your statement or you have described yourself in your last sentence.

Tell the Truth, U.S.

7/12/2011 1:58:54 PM ET
Hoorah, Chief Elliott. @ Tell the Truth I hope you're not an active duty member of any of our military services. Next time do some basic research before making such an ignorant comment.

SMSgt ret., Florida

7/11/2011 10:33:11 PM ET
With the upmost respect to the comments posted, if race or gender is not a factor, why do we track it? If you don't think there's a problem in that area, rather it's percieved or real, then I think we all need to do some research. Computer's don't pick these top positions so the ability for best qualified will always be questioned. I agree this is brought up too much but if it's never talked about then I think things will never change. I agree with both sides, but for a CMSgt to call a person an idiot on a public forum simply is worse than the general statement from the first comment. What's wrong with America? I guess you're the gatekeeper. Have a great day all.

KJM, Las vegas NV

7/11/2011 9:35:49 PM ET
Chief Elliott, very unprofessional and unimpressive of you, an E-9, to resort to name calling and insults. Tell you what. Since you are so richly steeped in research, I'd appreciate you providing me specifics of, as you said it, that the top Enlisted leaders of ALL the services have at one time or the other come from a variety of cultural and ethinic backgrounds. When you do so, please provide the dates that these gentlemen served. Your last sentence is more fitting for you than me. I'm standing by. Expect you will not reply and if you do you will not fully support your own hypothesis.

Tell the Truth, U.S.

7/11/2011 3:04:40 PM ET
The CMSAF is also the only one wearing a tie. That makes him more dressed up than the rest of the fellas in my opinion. Who cares about the stupid ribbons? SECDEF? Uuh, no.

RichieRich, Tyndall AFB

7/11/2011 10:26:58 AM ET
@Tell the Truth....you're an idiot. The rich cultural diversity of our Armed Services may not be immediately apparent in the photo you reference but if you've been paying any amount of attention over the past few years you would know that the top Enlisted leaders of all the services have at one time or the other come from a variety of cultural and ethinic backgrounds. No women yet but that day is coming very soon. Do a little research next time before you open your mouth.

CMSgt D.E. Elliott, Kirtland AFB NM

7/11/2011 7:49:07 AM ET
Why did the race/gender cards come into play? Maybe it based on best qualified and that in the time frame that these men were selected they were the best qualified. This is what's wrong with America today Get a life and maybe put as much energy into being the best qualifed and stop crying the race - gender issue

Ron Reid, Graham NC

7/11/2011 6:56:38 AM ET
Funny how our very own CMSAF is not wearing ribbons yet everybody else is when meeting with the SecDef.

CL, Ramstein

7/10/2011 4:32:35 PM ET
A photo is worth a thousand words ... Is it just coincidence that all five services' SEAs are white men? Even without imposing a diversity quota, statistics support that at least one should be a woman or African American, Hispanic American, Latino. Declined to Categorize.

Tell the Truth, U.S.

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