Hagel Orders Reviews Of Nuclear Weapons Personnel After Cheating, Drug Scandals

http://breakingdefense.com/2014/01/hagel-orders-reviews-of-nuclear-weapons-personnel-after-cheating-drug-scandals/



Hagel Orders Reviews Of Nuclear Weapons Personnel After Cheating, Drug Scandals
By Colin Clark
on January 23, 2014 at 4:22 PM

PENTAGON: In the wake of drug abuse and cheating on proficiency tests at nuclear missile silos, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel ordered a two-pronged review of the nuclear weapons program today. Hagel issued his memo after speaking with Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James, who had toured the service’s ICBM sites in the wake of the scandals.

James had already ordered all missileers be tested for proficiency after the cheating scandal erupted. Pentagon Spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby told reporters here that 481 missile combat crew members have been tested; 18 are still to be tested. Some 22 airmen have failed their tests for a 95 precent pass rate.

The Hagel memo orders a meeting in the next two weeks by senior officials, including himself and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Martin Dempsey, to discuss any needed personnel changes, Kirby said. This group will draw up an action plan while looking at the leadership, management, training, and culture of the men and women who handled and would fire our nuclear weapons. The group will identify problems and best management practices and recommend solutions in 60 days.

In parallel, Hagel ordered up an independent review of the strategic deterrence enterprise. They will tear apart the Pentagon’s action plan and make their own recommendations 90 days from the time they start.