Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 06/21/2004

Dear Sgt. Shaft
I have a question - Did Public Law 94-479, dated October 11, 1976, appointing George Washington to the grade of "General of the Armies of the United States" make him the only 6 Star General in the history of the U.S. Military? Or did it make him a 5 Star General who would always rank first among all officers of the Army, past and present?

Ajay G.
Internet

Dear Ajay
The following is a summary of Public Law 94-474. > which outlines the intent on the Resolution. > > "Establishes the grade of General of Armies of the United States which > shall have precedence over all other grades of the Army, past and present. > Authorizes the President to appoint George Washington posthumously to such > grade effective July 4, 1976." > > To answer your specific question there was no insignia described in the Resolution. >

Shaft Notes
A Shaft shot to the Department of Defense and the United States Postal Service for their inefficient and costly approach to handling overseas military absentee ballots by using overnight mail instead of planet codes.

Planet codes are a proven automated method the United States Postal Service (USPS) uses to track mail. The Office of the Secretary of Defense Federal Voting Assistance Office should begin plan to use planet codes for absentee ballot voting for service men and their families overseas. Using planet codes is automated, efficient, and the least expensive way to track USPS mail...

The Sarge is once again looking forward to joining fellow members of the National Press Club, other media representatives, and guests at an upcoming Club luncheon on July 15. This event will feature remarks from the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James Hagee

General Hagee graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. He also holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. He is a graduate of the Command and Staff College and the U.S. Naval War College.

General Hagee's command assignments include: Commanding Officer Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines (1970); Platoon Commander, Company A and Commanding Officer Headquarters and Service Company, First Battalion, First Marines (1970-1971); Commanding Officer, Waikele-West Loch Guard Company (1974-1976); Commanding Officer, Pearl Harbor Guard Company (1976-1977); Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines (1988-1990); Commanding Officer, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (1992-1993); Commanding General, 1st Marine Division (1998-1999); and Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force(2000-2002).

General Hagee's staff assignments include: Communications-Electronics Officer, 1st Marine Air Command and Control Squadron (1971); Assistant Director, Telecommunications School (1972-1974); Training Officer, 3d Marine Division (1977-1978); Electrical Engineering Instructor, U.S. Naval Academy (1978-1981); Head, Officer Plans Section, Headquarters Marine Corps (1982-1986); Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1, 2d Marine Division (1987-1988); Executive Officer, 8th Marines (1988); Director Humanities and Social Science Division/Marine Corps Representative, U.S. Naval Academy (1990-1992); Liaison Officer to the U.S. Special Envoy to Somalia (1992-1993); Executive Assistant to the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps (1993-1994); Director, Character Development Division, United States Naval Academy (1994-1995); Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C.; Executive Assistant to the Director of Central Intelligence (1995-1996); Deputy Director of Operations, Headquarters, U.S. European Command (1996-1998); and Director Strategic Plans and Policy, U.S. Pacific Command (1999-2000).

As part of his press club remarks, I am sure he will pay tribute to our Marines serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and those warriors who have made the supreme sacrifice

One of the most requested reprints of the Sarge's columns is the following Marine invocation, which has anonymously evolved throughout the years. So bow your heads while standing tall and share this with your fellow Marines:

O Lord, we have long known that prayer should include confession. Therefore, on behalf of the Marines and their guests here gathered, I confess their sins: Lord, they're just not in step with today's society. They are unreasonable in clinging to old-fashioned ideas like patriotism, duty, honor, and country. They hold radical ideas like believing that they are their brother's keeper and responsible for the Marine on their flank. They have been standing when colors pass, singing the National Anthem at ball games, and drinking toasts to fallen comrades. Not only that, they have been observed standing tall, taking charge, and wearing their hair unfashionably short. They have taken John Kennedy's words too seriously and are overly concerned with what they can do for their country instead of what this country can do for them.

They take the Pledge of Allegiance to heart and believe that the oath is to be honored. Forgive them, Lord, for being stubborn men and women who hold fast to such old-fashioned values. After all, what can you expect? They're Marines!

O Lord our God, bless our misguided ideals, continue to raise up in this nation strong leaders and deliver us from "me first" managers and "don't ask me" followers.

Be our honored guest this day. Let it be a day of laughter, good food, good drink, and the telling of tall tales and legends that far exceed the truth.

Watch over and keep safe those who wear this nation's uniform with special attention to their families everywhere.

Now through this day and all the days ahead, God bless this great Nation and God bless the Corps.

Anyone interested in attending the Press Club Luncheon should contact Pat Nelson at 202-662-7500

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-462-4430 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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