The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) has forwarded the assignment files of dozens of generals, primarily three force commanders, 5th and 7th squadron commanders, and critical staff commanders. The Pentagon will also send a list of appointments to the Senate for many new command posts, including the Chief of Staff, following these appointments.
But Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, a Republican, blocked the entire list of appointments submitted in protest against the Pentagon’s December decision to reimburse abortion costs for soldiers in states where abortion is outlawed.
A defense official, who made an assessment to Anadolu Agency, said, “There are 5 lieutenant generals who need to change positions in the next 90 days and are expected to be approved. Among them are the Commander of the Fifth Fleet and the US Military Representative to NATO.” said.
80 ORGENERAL AND CORGENERALS NEED TO BE ASSIGNED
Stating that the blockade will cause more problems in the coming months, the official said that in the next 8 months, Cyber Forces (CYBERCOM), Space Forces (SPACECOM), Northern Forces (NORTHCOM) Commanders and Cyber Forces, Central Forces (CENTCOM) and African Forces (AFRICOM) Deputy Commanders. He said that it would be necessary to appoint about 80 generals and lieutenant generals.
“The term of Chief of Staff (General Mark) Milley will also be over. At the same time, the term of the Deputy Commander of the Land Forces, Navy and Marine Corps and Air Force will expire. By the end of the year, there are 650 generals who need to be approved by the Senate, and their 80 of them lieutenant generals and full generals.” gave the information.
It is stated that the delay of the pending assignments will also delay the next assignments, and the problem will lock the US command assignments.
Making a speech at the US Senate Armed Forces Committee, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned that the delay in appointments would adversely affect the combat readiness of the American army, which is making intense preparations especially for great power competition, and demanded the removal of the blockade.
EVENT HISTORY
On June 24, 2022, the US Supreme Court annulled the 1973 “Roe-Wade decision” that constitutionally guaranteed the right to abortion nationwide.
With the decision, abortion ceased to be a constitutional right, and the laws on this issue were left to the states’ own initiatives. New laws banning abortion were passed in Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
The Pentagon had introduced a new regulation to cover the abortion costs of soldiers in states where abortion is prohibited.
Alabama Senator Tuberville wrote a letter to Austin, accusing the Pentagon of trying to “turn around the abortion ban decisions” with this regulation, and reminding that the information session requested from the ministry was cancelled, he announced that he would suspend all appointments that would come before him.
The Republican Senator, in a letter he wrote on March 8, accused Austin of violating the legal regulation and stated that the resources of the American army should not be spent on the expenses of legally prohibited abortion.
Tuberville, in his article titled “Pentagon should not engage in culture wars”, which he wrote to the Wall Street Journal on April 2, stated that he would not approve the appointment lists before the ministry unless the ministry revokes the abortion regulation. (AA)