Former Navy Seaman Convicted in Child Pornography Case

WASHINGTON—Former U.S. Navy Seaman James Driver, 24, of Midland, Michigan, was convicted today by a federal jury in the Eastern District of Michigan on one count of possession of child pornography, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

According to court documents and testimony presented during the trial, the case originated from a Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) investigation into an individual, later identified as James Driver, suspected of possessing and distributing child pornography using a peer-to-peer file sharing network. Driver, who at the time was a U.S. Navy seaman stationed in Japan, admitted in an interview to being interested in child pornography for the past five years.

At sentencing, Driver faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and lifetime supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for September 6, 2012.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The case is being prosecuted by CEOS Trial Attorneys Thomas Franzinger and Mi Yung Park. The case was investigated by NCIS and CEOS’s High Technology Investigative Unit. Assistance was provided by the FBI’s Innocent Images Unit.

Michael Steinbach Named Special Agent in Charge of FBI Jacksonville Division

Director Robert S. Mueller, III has named Michael B. Steinbach special agent in charge of the FBI’s Jacksonville Division. Mr. Steinbach most recently served as special assistant to associate deputy director Thomas Harrington at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Steinbach began his career as a special agent at the FBI in April 1995. His first assignment was to the Chicago Division, where he worked in the fugitive and violent crimes/major offenders programs. While on duty in Chicago, Mr. Steinbach also served as the division coordinator for the National Center for Analysis of Violent Crime and was a member of the SWAT team.

In 2003, Mr. Steinbach was promoted to the position of supervisor in the Counterterrorism Division at Headquarters. While in this role, he provided program management for FBI operations at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and in Afghanistan. In 2004, he was deployed to Afghanistan to serve as the deputy on-scene commander for FBI operations. In recognition of his actions while engaged with adversarial forces, Mr. Steinbach was awarded the FBI’s Shield of Bravery that year.

In 2005, Mr. Steinbach was promoted to assistant legal attaché for Tel Aviv, Israel, and in January 2006 he was appointed as legal attaché, Tel Aviv. In this role, Mr. Steinbach worked with the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority on all FBI investigative matters, with an emphasis on national security issues. In 2008, Mr. Steinbach and his team received the Director’s Award for Special Achievement for their efforts in Israel.

In 2008, Mr. Steinbach was selected as supervisor of the Violent Crimes Task Force at the FBI Washington Field Office and returned to the United States to fulfill this new role. In this position, he led a multi-agency task force that was responsible for responding to all violent crimes in the nation’s capital and surrounding areas.

In 2009, Mr. Steinbach was promoted to assistant section chief for the International Terrorism Operations Section, Counterterrorism Division. He later served as acting section chief, during which time he provided program management for all FBI international terrorism investigations within the United States.

In May 2010, Director Mueller designated Mr. Steinbach as deputy director for Law Enforcement Services at the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center. In October of that year, he was appointed to his most recent post.

Mr. Steinbach earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering from the United States Naval Academy in 1988, after which he served as a naval aviator in the United States Navy. Mr. Steinbach is married and has four children.

Justice Department Files Complaint Against City of Pittsfield, Mass., for Violating the Employment Rights of a U.S. Navy Reservist

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today the filing of a complaint against the city of Pittsfield, Mass., for violating the rights of a U.S. Navy Reservist under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA).

The lawsuit alleges that the city violated Pittsfield firefighter Jeffrey Rawson’s rights by passing him over for promotion to lieutenant in the Pittsfield Fire Department because of his military service obligations.   In November 2009, Rawson took a promotional exam for a lieutenant position.  Based on the results of the examination, Rawson was ranked second on the promotional list.   In July 2010, the city informed Rawson that he was being skipped for promotion and that a firefighter ranked lower on the promotional list was instead being promoted to lieutenant. The lower ranked firefighter was promoted to lieutenant in September 2010.

Rawson initially filed a complaint with the Labor Department’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, which investigated the matter, determined that the complaint had merit, and referred the matter to the Justice Department.   The lawsuit also alleges that, subsequent to Rawson’s complaint, the city again violated USERRA when it retaliated against him by refusing to reinstate him to the list of firefighters eligible to serve as an acting lieutenant.

USERRA prohibits civilian employers from discriminating against military reservists such as Rawson with respect to civilian employment opportunities, including promotions, based on their past, current, or future uniformed service obligations.   The federal law also prohibits employers from retaliating against uniformed services members for exercising their rights under USERRA, including filing a complaint.

Among other things, the suit seeks to provide Rawson with a retroactive promotion to lieutenant ahead of the lower ranked firefighter who was promoted in September 2010, the lost wages and benefits that Rawson would have enjoyed if he had not been passed over for promotion, and liquidated damages.

 “No servicemember should be prevented from advancing in his or her civil career because of military duties,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.   “The Civil Rights Division is committed to protecting the rights of those who, through their bravery and sacrifice, secure the rights of all Americans.”

U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Carmen M. Ortiz said, “Our service men and women make the ultimate sacrifice by serving our country.   We simply cannot let employers disadvantage them based on their military service or military status.”

This case is being handled by the Employment Litigation Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.   Additional information about USERRA can be found on the Justice Department’s websites, www.usdoj.gov/crt/emp and www.servicemembers.gov, as well as the Labor Department’s website at www.dol.gov/vets/programs/userra/main.htm.

White Supremacist Pleads Guilty in Veterans Affairs Pension Case

COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that August Byron Kreis III, age 56, formerly of Lexington County, South Carolina, pled guilty today in federal court to submitting a pension eligibility report to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that falsely claimed that he had no income, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001. As a result of his guilty plea, Kreis faces a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and $250,000 fine. United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr., will impose sentence after he has reviewed a presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Facts presented during the guilty plea and at an earlier bond hearing established that Kreis was receiving an “Improved Pension” as a result of his nine-month service in the United States Navy. Despite his brief service and discharge based on a determination that he was not suited for military service, Kreis qualified for this pension because he served during war time. The Improved Pension is based on need, and all recipients are required to report all income from any source. The VA then reduces pension benefits on a dollar-for-dollar basis for any qualifying income. It also uses reported income to determine continued eligibility.

Kreis has been a national leader in the Aryan Nations White Supremacist movement, and he has publicly stated his belief that the United States government was behind the events of September 11, 2001. As a leader of the white supremacist movement, Kreis was sought out by national media for comments during the 10th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. During an interview that was broadcast on national television, Kreis stated that he and members of his movement desired to join al-Qaida in its Jihad against the United States government. Actions in material support of enemies of the government are criminal, and federal law enforcement investigated whether Kreis was acting on these statements or providing support to al Qaeda.

Financial records from Kreis’ bank accounts were obtained and analyzed. They did not show support for the enemy, but they did reveal that he had substantial unreported funds going into his bank accounts. During 2005, for example, Kreis received approximately $33,669 from sources other than the VA, and he failed to report any of the money. Furthermore, in an eligibility report that he submitted to the VA on August 29, 2006, Kreis stated that during 2005, he had no income from any source. This false report formed the basis for the crime to which Kreis pleaded guilty.

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Dean A. Eichelberger is handling the case.

NAS Jax Security Personnel, Local Law Enforcement Catch Fugitive

By Kaylee LaRocque Naval Air Station Jacksonville Public Affairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- Nearly 70 Navy and civilian law enforcement personnel teamed up to track down a wanted suspect who crashed a stolen vehicle through a perimeter fence at Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jax) Sept. 24.

After crashing through the fence, the suspect hid in a densely wooded area aboard the air station.

Personnel and K-9 units from the NAS Jax Security Department, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO), Naval Station (NS) Mayport, Naval Submarine Base (NSB) Kings Bay, Ga., Navy Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the NAS Jax-based U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spent hours combing the densely wooded area on foot and in the air searching for the suspect.

Phillip Chason, 39, of Jacksonville, was found hiding in a recreational vehicle (RV) in a RV/boat storage lot within the area that was under heavy containment and constant surveillance by base police. He was apprehended and taken to a local hospital, under JSO police custody, for injuries sustained during the car crash.

Chason has numerous charges pending, including charges of theft of a motor vehicle, grand theft and probation violation, according to jail records.

"Unfortunately for the suspect, he picked the wrong place to run to," said Capt. Jeffrey Maclay, NAS Jacksonville commanding officer. "There was no way he was going to walk freely off our heavily guarded military installation. Our base security department, along with several other law enforcement agencies did an outstanding job tracking the suspect and apprehending him."

Maclay further praised the fine job done by all.

"I commend and salute them for the safe apprehension of the suspect within our heavily contained and secured hard perimeter search area," he said. "Their execution of force protection was flawless."

The incident began early Friday morning when a JSO officer observed the suspect driving a car at a high rate of speed. The tag was checked and the vehicle had been reported stolen. The suspect lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a fence on NAS Jax property. He then fled into the wooded area.

"We got the call at 4:26 a.m., JSO was in pursuit of a vehicle that went through the NAS Jax fence line near Building 938," said Sgt. David Bayot NAS Jax Security Department. "The individual managed to get out of the vehicle and proceeded to walk on down

South Perimeter Road

where he was confronted by an NAS Jax police unit. He then ran into the densely wooded area."

The area was immediately secured and there was no danger to personnel or housing residents. Law enforcement personnel and canine units were called in to assist. Also supporting the operation from the air were helicopter crews from FWC and CBP.

"The NAS Jax Security personnel involved in containing, searching and apprehending the suspect performed in a very professional fashion, and I am very proud of them," said Glenn Williams, NAS Jax director of security. "The entire law enforcement team worked around the clock under extreme heat and humidity. In partnership with JSO, FWC, NCIS, CBP, Union County Correction's Tracking Unit and security personnel NSB Kings Bay and NS Mayport they performed a Herculean task safely."

Navy Region Southeast Force Protection Program Director and Regional Security Director Bruce Toth said the collective team that came together for this event was impressive from start to finish.

"NAS Jacksonville's integrated security response to the intruder combined multiple 'outside-the-fenceline' law enforcement agencies from the surrounding area to contain the intruder, and protect military resources and personnel within the installation," said Toth. "As the search for the suspect continued throughout the day and into the night, the integration of follow-on Navy security teams from Mayport and Kings Bay provided timely relief on the containment area perimeter and exemplified the concept of 'One Team, One Fight.'

"The contingency operations employed by the NAS Jacksonville security force were textbook in execution, and the successful multi-agency integration was seamless. The endgame to this coordinated effort was a mishap-free capture of a fugitive felon within a relatively short period of time. I would like to thank everyone for a job well done and pass on a (Bravo Zulu) to all those involved," said Toth.

According to Randy Gommer, NAS Jax deputy director of security, all security breaches or threats are taken very seriously.

"Our law enforcement and security force personnel train extensively for rapid response to these types of situations," he said. "It was the combined efforts of local law enforcement and our NAS Jax team that contributed directly to the containment and capture of the suspect.

"The Security Department personnel are deeply committed to protecting the NAS Jax community and its essential global mission. We pride ourselves in our professionalism and law enforcement ability to combat any threat." Gommer said.

NAVSEA Program Office, Field Activities Recognized for Safety Excellence

From Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Corporate Communications

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- A Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) program office and two field activities were recognized Sept. 14 by Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) as Safety Excellence Award recipients for 2010.

NAVSEA's Ship-to-Shore Connector, Amphibious Warfare Program Office (PMS377) received the Safety Integration in Acquisition Award; Southwest Regional Maintenance Center tied with Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow in the Ashore, Industrial, Category B; and the Weapons System Explosives Safety Review Board was recognized as an Emerging Center of Excellence.

"As COMNAVSEA, I am always concerned about the safety of our workforce as well as the warfighters we support," said Vice Adm. Kevin M. McCoy, commander, NAVSEA. "Increasing safety across the board continues to be a NAVSEA priority because, as an organization and in the environment that we work, that is the only way we can approach the business we are in. I'm very proud of our team for this recognition. Of course, the true reward is in the reduction of accidents, injuries and mishaps."

Award recipients will be presented with a plaque, citation and the Secretary of the Navy's Safety Excellence flag at a ceremony to be held Oct. 4 at the Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center, Washington, D.C. Award recipients will be authorized to fly the SECNAV Safety Excellence flag for a period of one year.

The Safety Excellence Award, established in 2002 by former Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England, is the Department of the Navy's premier tribute to commands and programs promoting Sailor, Marine and civilian safety, and protecting U.S. Navy ships, facilities and aircraft from mishap.

Cops and Veterans

April 3, 2008 (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com is a website that lists state and local police officers who have written books. Each of the police officers newly listed on the website is also a former servicemember.

In 1954, Robbie Waters enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, completing his tour of duty in 1957. In 1958, he joined the Sacramento Police Department. His law enforcement career with the Sacramento Police Department included assignments in patrol, detectives, and administrative functions. Retiring at the rank of lieutenant, he was elected sheriff of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department.

In addition to serving as a member of the law enforcement community for over 28 years, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology from California State University at Sacramento. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He retired from the Sacrament County Sheriff’s Department in 1987 and was subsequently elected to the Sacramento City Council. Robbie Waters is the author of An Introduction to Law Enforcement.

Arthur Knuckey was a Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy. Discharged in 1951, he returned to his life as a professional rodeo cowboy. In 1954, he joined the San Bernardino Police Department (California), retired 22 years later at the rank of lieutenant. A law school graduate, he was ultimately appointed as a Superior Court Commissioner in 1988 and retired in 1999. He is the author of Me and Other Great Hunters: A Humorous Look at True Events in the Sport of Hunting; Recollections of a Rodeo Cowboy: We May Not Have Been; and, The Odor of Death.

According to the book description of The Odor of Death, “With its cast full of brawny, bright, and beautiful characters, this book is a thrill a minute! The Odor of Death is a must for anyone who loves a modern adventure. The author has crafted a compelling and thoroughly entertaining story that includes wonderfully accurate depictions of cowboys, cops, and civilians.”

Richard Carlson is a veteran of the US Army and who joined the San Diego Police Department in 1969. During his 35 year law enforcement career, Richard Carlson worked patrol, crime prevention and detectives. He spent eight years a homicide detective and five years assigned to the Violent Crime Task Force. Richard Carlson is the author of I'm in the Tub, Gone.

According to the book description of I'm in the Tub, Gone, “We now live in a time of comfort, convenience and opportunity such as mankind has never known. With all the great things we are provided, we also get many side effects that some thrive on and others do not welcome. Some of these are expectations, added or unwanted responsibility, inconvenience, or extreme supervision to name a few. We all deal with these pressures in a different manner. Then we add another factor, our personal lives. Most people have the ultimate goal to make their personal lives better. We want a happy, normal life at home, no matter what our status is in the community. Some choose suicide as an option to get relief. These are true stories of those final thoughts. Could they have been helped? We will never know. Can we help others in desperate need? Maybe, if we provide a little kindness and understanding. At least we can try.”

Police-Writers.com now hosts 921 police officers (representing 390 police departments) and their 1931 police books in 33 categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.

Police History, Korea and Community Relations

January 2, 2008 (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com is a website that lists state and local police officers who have written books. Police officers who have written on history and community policing were added to the website.

Todd L. Shulman is a seven-year member of the Napa Police Department, (California) currently serving as a detective. An avid historian, Todd Shulman founded the Napa Police Historical Society in 2006 and has culled their archives for many of the photographs included in his book, Napa County Police. According the book description of Napa County Police, “with dazzling vintage imagery and rich historical text, Todd Shulman tells the tale of policing Napa County - from the Wild West days of the 1850s, through the boom era of the 1940s, and into the 21st century.”

Alfred F. McDonald, a retired Buffalo Police Department (New York) Lieutenant, was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. He served his country in the United States Navy during World War II from 1944 – 1947, was placed on inactive reserves and was called back to duty during the Korean Conflict in 1950. He served in the Navy again from late in 1950 through 1952. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Alfred McDonald returned to civilian life as a husband and father. Having been brought up with strong family values and work ethic, Al worked hard at the railroad as a brakeman, until becoming a police officer in 1956. From there, Al’s career flourished and he advanced until reaching his retirement rank of Lieutenant. Alfred McDonald is the author of Korea ‘Operation War Dance.’

According to the book description, Korea – Operation War Dance is “one man’s personal account of shipboard life of the men on the U.S.S. Silverstein. It’s about being under attack, living conditions on the ship, every aspect of a sailor’s life during the time period; and, is a tribute to the brave men and women who served their country during the Korean Conflict.”

Rick Braziel has been a member of the Sacramento Police Department for 28 years, and a Deputy Chief since 2002. In December 2007, he was appointed as chief of police of the Sacramento Police Department. He is a second generation police officer with his father Dick serving the Department for over 20 years. Rick Braziel consults and instructs for Humboldt State University in Teambuilding, Communication Skills, and Leadership. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Communication from California State University, Sacramento.

In 2006, Rick Braziel received a Master of Arts in Security Studies (Homeland Security and Defense) from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. Rick is also a 2002 graduate and class spokesperson of the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Command College; and 2004 graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s (P.E.R.F.) Senior Management Institute for Police.

Rick Braziel is co-author of the book titled COP Talk: Essential Communication Skills for Community Policing.

According to Kevin Brown, of Montana State University-Northern, in the American Communication Journal, “In this text for police officers the authors lay out the basics of the communication process with helpful vignettes derived from actual police experience to illustrate the principles. The authors lead the reader through a tour of contemporary communication contexts. The authors start with interpersonal communication and cover work groups, public speaking, community meetings, problem solving, network building and finally, public relations. The book is written for a beginning communication student and reflects an understanding that many police officers have had no formal communication training.”

Police-Writers.com now hosts 820 police officers (representing 367 police departments) and their 1731 law enforcement books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.

Defense Department Supports Afghan Poppy Eradication

By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service

June 14, 2007 – A top priority for U.S. government officials working in Afghanistan is eradicating poppy plants and creating alternative livelihoods for farmers, a Defense Department counternarcotics official said today. Richard Douglas, deputy assistant secretary of defense for counternarcotics, counterproliferation and global threats, spoke to military analysts in a teleconference from Kabul, Afghanistan. He said the Defense Department is working with U.S. Central Command, the U.S. State Department, and the British government to combat the narcotics problem in Afghanistan.

"It's Afghanistan's future and their fight, but we do what we can to support the combatant commander as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration in carrying out the effort here," Douglas said. "It's a very important effort. As you are well aware, there are some huge challenges here, but we're doing what we can to help (Navy Adm. William J. Fallon, commander of Central Command) and his folks here get their arms around it and make a contribution."

The State Department is leading a reassessment of the approach to poppy eradication, Douglas said, including a focus on creating viable alternative crops for farmers. The partner agencies also are looking at attacking the money that comes from the narcotics trade in Afghanistan and funds drug traffickers and the Taliban, he said.

"I think it's pretty clear at this point that the Taliban and other armed insurgents have awakened to the value to them of this source of income, and part of our challenge here is to help the combatant commander help other actors over here, both from the United States and from other countries, get a better handle on where this money's going, because as we've learned in our own hemisphere, an important way to hurt the drug trafficker and to hurt the terrorists that work hand in glove with them is to go after the money," Douglas said.

This is Douglas' fourth trip to Afghanistan since taking office in January 2006. He said there are challenges on the ground, but he sees progress in the fight against drugs in Afghanistan.

"It's not an easy problem to solve, but I do believe that the State Department and the British government appreciate the nature of the challenge," he said. "I think they've been taking a serious approach not only to the strategy but also reassessing the best way to go about this."

Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.

Gates Offers Leadership Philosophy to Graduating Midshipmen

Editor's Note: Gates' speech is applicable to criminal justice practitioners in leadership positions.

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

May 25, 2007 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates urged graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy accepting commissions today into the Navy and Marine Corps to apply the lessons they learned here to become strong, decisive leaders who motivate and inspire their sailors and Marines. Speaking to the Class of 2007 at its graduation and commissioning ceremony, Gates thanked the 1,028 graduating midshipmen for choosing to serve the country at a particularly challenging time in its history.

"Today, you take on the awesome responsibility of protecting and defending the constitution of the United States and the American people," he said. "Today we ask you to make the extraordinary the expected. Today, we ask you to lead free men and women by summoning each to his or her nobility."

Gates noted the midshipmen have studied a lot about leadership during their four years in Annapolis, and said he has come to realize that real leadership is a rare commodity.

He offered his personal insights into what makes a leader, citing vision, integrity, conviction, self-confidence, courage and common decency.

Leadership takes vision, Gates told the midshipmen, and the ability to see beyond immediate tasks and challenges to what's ahead. "You must see what others do not or cannot, and then be prepared to act on your vision," he said.

Real leadership also demands integrity, Gates said, acknowledging with dismay that it's a notion many tend to consider curious and old-fashioned.

"For a real leader, personal values - self-reliance, self-control, honor, truthfulness, morality - are absolute," he said. "These are the building blocks of character, of integrity, and only on that foundation can true leadership be built."

Gates called deep conviction another critical leadership quality. "True leadership is a fire in the mind" that's able to transform and transfix others, he said "It is a strength of purpose and belief in a cause that reaches out to others, touches their hearts, and makes them eager to follow."

A true leader exhibits self-confidence, the secretary said. He emphasized that he wasn't referring to "chest-thumping, strutting egotism," but rather, "a quiet self-assurance that allows a leader to give others both real responsibility and credit for success."

A self-confident leader is able to make decisions, then delegate and trust others to carry them out, he said. In doing so, Gates said, the leader "doesn't cast such a large shadow that no one else can grow."

As essential as vision, integrity, deep conviction and self-confidence are to leadership, they aren't enough to make a leader, he told the midshipmen. "A leader must have the courage to act, often against the will of the crowd," he said.

A true leader works as a team, but also must be willing to buck popular opinion and take an independent stand when it's necessary, the secretary said. "Don't kid yourself," he told the midshipmen. "That takes courage."

As the graduates move on to their Navy and Marine Corps careers, Gates reminded them to apply another quality of real leadership: common decency. A true leader treats everyone - superiors, peers and subordinates alike - with fairness, respect and dignity, he said.

Gates urged the graduates to use their authority as military officers constructively to care for their sailors and Marines and help them improve and advance themselves. This, in turn, will build respect and loyalty, he said.

"Common decency builds respect and, in a democratic society, respect is what prompts people to give their all for a leader, even at personal sacrifice," he said.

Gates thanked the graduating midshipmen for choosing to serve the country at a time their country needs them and their leadership abilities.

He noted that most were high school juniors when the United States came under terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001, and all could have chosen an easier, less demanding path.

"You, however, are special, because you are among those who have chosen to deserve, to defend the dreams of others," he said. "And that sets you apart."

Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.

Exercise Tests Hurricane-Response Plans in Northeastern U.S.

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

April 30, 2007 – National Guard members today commenced a hurricane emergency preparedness and response exercise involving five states in the northeastern United States, a National Guard Bureau spokesman said. Code-named HURREX, the 11-day, command-post exercise involves Guard members from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and New York, National Guard spokesman Emanuel Pacheco told American Forces Press Service today. The exercise, he said, is part of the larger Operation Ardent Sentry-Northern Edge 2007, which also starts today.

"This exercise is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of the National Guard as the first military responder to any state crisis," Pacheco said.

A major focus of Ardent Sentry-Northern Edge 2007 is to test crisis-response coordination between federally controlled military forces and National Guard units, which come under the command of state governors, Peter F. Verga, acting assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense, said during an April 25 interview.

HURREX also tests Guard units' interaction and coordination capabilities with federal disaster-management organizations like the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Air National Guard Maj. Philip Nizoloski said today during a phone interview from Quonset State Airport, R.I. Operation Vigilant Guard is the Guard's contribution to the Ardent Sentry and HURREX exercises, he said.

The exercise scenario involves a fictitious Category 3 storm, "Hurricane Yvette," hitting Newport, R.I., Nizoloski said. The tabletop exercise will gauge the effectiveness of state, local and federal agencies' planning and coordinated response to such a catastrophe, he said.

"We're training the command staff and subordinate leaders basically to successfully plan, coordinate and synchronize (disaster relief) efforts during an emergency," Nizoloski explained. HURREX is slated to end May 10.

The hurricane season begins June 1, Nizoloski said, noting the National Guard and its partners are "doing everything we can to prepare."

This year's Ardent Sentry-Northern Edge exercise is the biggest yet, Verga pointed out. The hurricane scenario is one among 15 during the overall exercise, he said, which also includes a nuclear-weapon-explosion scenario involving the deployment of more than 2,000 active-duty troops and almost 1,000 Guard members to Camp Atterbury and the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Indiana.

The Indiana portion of the exercise will test emergency-response capabilities involving the fictitious detonation of a 10-kiloton nuclear device in an urban area, Verga said.

"National Guard soldiers ... will always be the first military forces to respond to an emergency because of their proximity, (and) will then be reinforced by the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosives consequence-management response force in the active-duty force," Verga explained.

The Indiana sites provide "a very realistic environment that'll allow the soldiers to operate in an urban environment and see how they'll have to respond to that kind of emergency," Verga said.

Another scenario held off the Alaskan coast will feature a maritime situation, he said.

"There will be a ship with a 'suspicious cargo' that's going to need to be intercepted," Verga said. The Canadian navy will participate in that scenario and some other simulated incidents during the two-weeklong exercise, he added.

An air-defense exercise will feature Canadian military participation as well, Verga said. Canada's armed forces partner with the North American Aerospace Defense Command in the defense of North America.

Fighting the global war against terrorism is the U.S. military's main mission, but being ready to respond to potential homeland contingencies also is important, Verga said. "We also have to be prepared, at all times, to respond to an emergency at home," he said.

The exercise, directed by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is slated to end May 18. It is co-sponsored by U.S. Northern Command and also includes participation by the U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command and the Department of Homeland Security.

Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.

500th Police Officer Author

Police-Writers.com is a website dedicated to listing state and local police officers who have authored books. With the Jack Sullivan, Mary Sullivan and Joe Sanchez, Police-Writers.com now lists over 500 state and local police officers who have written books. Command Jack Sullivan, USN(r) is the 500th Writer added to the list.

Commander Jack Sullivan, United States Navy (R), was called to active duty in three wars: World War II; Korean War; and, Vietnam War. He was also called to active during the Cuban Missile Crisis. His book, Shields of Honor, “tells of his part in these wars and realistically portrays the role the Reserve Component of the Navy played in each. He combines the lighter parts of his life in the Navy with his role in combat. His characters are portrayed with true service humor, but also depict their sincere dedication to duty as well. It's an interesting read for anyone who had a friend or relative in the Reserve or National Guard.” When he wasn’t serving his county in the Navy, Jack Sullivan was a detective for the New York Police Department.

According to Lona Manning, New York Police Department, “policewoman Mary Sullivan was banished from the undercover assignments she loved, to a succession of dreary station-houses, doing the usual woman’s work – looking after lost children and guarding female suspects. It was the height of the Roaring Twenties, there were plenty of bootleggers, drug traffickers and fake fortune-tellers to apprehend, and Sullivan, a young widow with a friendly Irish manner, impressed her superiors with her ability to transform herself into a dance hall girl or a society dame looking for a good speakeasy.” Mary Sullivan’s Biography, My Double Life: The Story of a New York Policewoman, was originally published in 1938 and re-released in 1983.

Joe Sanchez is a former New York Police Department police officer who lived the life and times he writes about in his book A Tale of Police Omerta from the NYPD. The stories are his, and though they're fiction, he has drawn on his on-the-job experience for their inspiration. He returned from Vietnam as a combat-wounded veteran to embark on a law enforcement career that included the Port Author of New York City, the New York Police Department and the New York Department of Corrections.

According to the book description, Joe Sanchez “has been trying to tell this story for some time. It’s his story, but not his alone. It’s also the story of those who lived and died alongside him, in Viet Nam and in that other battle, for justice and safety under the shield of the law, that is fought daily in the streets of every big city by every honest cop. In his case, the city was the Naked City and the cop was a Latino. And the battle was neither for the civilians alone, nor just against the bad guys in the street. Sometimes the bad guys were in the Department. And sometimes the people who needed protection were the honest cops.”

Police-Writers.com now hosts 501 police officers (representing 208 police departments) and their 1057 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.