DoD outlines transition preparations

[unhappycamper]

DoD outlines transition preparations
By JOHN T. BENNETT - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Nov 6, 2008 20:37:31 EST

As Pentagon officials late last week made final arrangements to begin working with President-elect Barack Obama’s defense transition team, defense insiders in Washington said the list of individuals who could lead his Pentagon team was shortening.

Under directions by Robert Gates, the defense secretary, and Adm. Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, several special Defense Department teams have for months been working to ensure the handoff from the Bush administration to the still-forming Obama administration goes smoothly.

“Secretary Gates made it clear early on that the DoD should do more than has ever been done before to prepare the new administration to govern immediately upon taking office and to be ready to respond to any national crisis,” said Cmdr. Darryn James, a Pentagon spokesman.

After Gates issued his instructions over the summer, a special transition task force was established. Mullen also commissioned his own transition group, composed of 14 senior officers from across the services.

Gates was briefed on the Pentagon’s transition preparations Nov. 5.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/military_cabinet_transition_110608/%2e