European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 28, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 6 stars and stripes wednesday March 282007 Dod no wrongdoing in Tillman death Post Tillman by Lolita c Baldor the associated press Washington the us military has found no criminal wrongdoing in the Friendly fire death of army Ranger Pat Tillman in Afghanistan but says there were critical errors in reporting the former professional football stars death and failing to provide details to his family army and defense department investigators said monday that officers looking into the incident passed along misleading and inaccurate information and delayed reporting their belief that Tillman was killed by his fellow sol Diers the investigators recommended the army take action against the officers among those blamed were the three Star general in charge of army special operations As Well As Tillmans regimental commander Tillman Drew widespread attention for abandoning a lucrative athletic career to join the army after the sept 112001 attacks the investigation also recommended that the army review its award of the Silver Star to Tillman defense department acting in Spector general Thomas f Gimble said some information provided to justify the citation was inaccurate the highest current ranking officer blamed in the incident is it Gen Stanley Mcchrystal commander of the joint special operations command investigators said he was account Able for the inaccurate and misleading assertions contained in the papers recommending that Tillman get the Silver Star but investigators said there was no Broad coverup we thought there was never an at tempt to cover up that we saw Gimble said the conclusions were described by army investigators As they released a pair of reports into Tillmans 2004 killing the military initially told the Public and Tillmans family that the death had occurred during an ambush in a re Mote part of Afghanistan but did not say it was caused by members of his own unit we As an army failed in our duty to the Tillman family the duty we owe to All the fam Ilies of our fallen soldiers give them the truth the Best we know it As fast As we can said acting army Secretary Pete Geren our failure in fulfilling this duty brought discredit to the army and compounded the grief suffered by the Tillman family for that on be half of the army i apologize to the Tillman family the army he said will take corrective action and hold people accountable he said he had accepted the recommendation of an army Board that Tillmans Silver Star award be affirmed even though some in formation submitted in support of it was inac curate the Silver Star stands Geren said he added that the citation would be rewritten to Correct inaccuracies conference explores solutions for Afghanistan by Matt Millham stars and stripes Freising Germany Al though there is not a consensus on what it will take to win in Afghanistan there seems to be agreement that the solution will rely on More than military might alone what a More comprehensive approach to Success in Afghani Stan might encompass however is an ongoing debate a George c Marshall Europe an Center for Security studies conference that began monday has drawn More than 180 people from 37 countries and organizations to discuss How to apply the full Range of military and civilian capabilities to bring peace stability and reconstruction to so called challenged states so How does the International Community address these issues when there is no single Model for Success John Rose director of the Marshall Center asked in opening remarks ambassador Martin Erdmann natos assistant Secretary Gen eral for political affairs and Secu Rity policy was the first to at tempt an answer we understood that the threat of military Force and even its use is not enough on its own to Guaran tee our Security said Erdmann who is helping to develop natos comprehensive War strategy be cause natos new strategy is in its infant stages Erdmann said his comments were his own views and not necessarily the views of nato however the comprehensive approach Erdmann envisions will rely on closer engagement with Nonnato nations and promote a new level of cooperation among International organizations More and More countries real ize that we All face the same risks and threats and that its in our Mutual interest that we face them to Gether Erdmann said when asked Why a comprehensive approach which All the speakers seemed to agree offered the Best Chance for Success in Afghanistan haunt been developed sooner Erdmann said he didst think anyone had the requisite experience before now to develop one there was after no Blue print for any nation on How to Deal with asymmetric threats and asymmetric warfare we had to collect the experience Over time and we have done so i think very he said if the insurgency in Afghani Stan follows the path past insurgencies took nato and other players in Afghanistan could have a lot More time to continue learning according to Hekmat Karrais calculations successful counter insurgent cies take about 14 years said Karzai a close relative of Afghani Stan president Hamid Karzai and yearlong deployment May be coming for 1800 individual ready Reserve marines by Jeff Schogol stars and stripes Arlington a the Marine corps plans to notify 1800 marines in the individual ready re serve this month that they could be mobilized for one year to include an expected seven month deployment to Iraq said maj Steven Oconnor re serve Liaison officer at Headquarters Marine corps Public affairs troops in the Irr have left Active duty but still have time on their obligation to serve unlike other reservists they do not Drill of the marines notified about 1200 Are expected to get orders to join the i Marine expeditionary Force in Iraq Oconnor said monday he said the corps is looking to Call up marines in the following specialities aviation maintenance logistics and support infantry tanks and artillery motor transport communications intelligence military police in August the corps announced that it planned to mobilize up to 2500 marines in the Irr to Stem a shortfall of 1200 marines the corps had been rely ing on volunteers from the Irr but fewer marines in the Irr had volunteered to be mobilized since then 150 marines in the Irr have been Noti fied they could deploy of which 69 have received or Ders to go to Iraq Oconnor said the corps decides on a Caseb Case basis whether calling up marines from the Irr would pose an undue hardship to individual marines he said those marines who receive orders to deploy can expect to be on Active duty from about oct 92007 to sept 30 2008 Oconnor said they will receive their training stateside before heading downrange in addition to receiving combat pay and other benefits that Active duty troops get the Irr marines will receive a per diem to cover meals lodging and incidentals he said their Tricase benefits will also kick in 90 Days before they deploy and remain in effect for 180 Days after they come Home should the corps need More marines from the Irr notifications could go out again this july Oconnor said about 4700 marines from the Irr have been mobilized since 2001 As part of the Overall War on terrorism email Jeff Schogol at director of the Center for conflict and peace studies in Kabul citing a study by the Rand corp and successful insurgencies take about 11 years he added because of this information he said it will be important for the people of Afghanistan and the International Community to Man age their expectations sorry to mess up the expectations of those who think the Situa Tion in Afghanistan will be re solved within the next year or two the key Issue is How Long do we have and i would argue we Haven got forever said Gen David Richards former International Security assistance Force commander people in Afghanistan Are rightfully thinking about their future and their childrens futures Richards said we need to deliver on their expectations a Little More quickly the military has been working in concert with civilian agencies in the country he said but we can always do better email Matt Millham at get a payday a of Hill w come to our office on 2281 Chuo Okinawa City Orinza 2f visit  to pick your or Call 921 0907 location near Kab Camps Lester Foster free parking swimming Pool for everyone water purifier installed Friendly English speaking staff Annex comfortable furnished rooms free internet connection in every room and no limit Cable to Call for reservations office hours 9 am 6 pm Mon Fri 9 am 1 pm sat closed sunday us naval Hospital Camp Lester  Todge