From: J. Wiehe (j.wiehe@sympatico.ca)
Date: Thu Dec 25 2003 - 16:30:31 PST
Just passing something along.
Jim Wiehe VA3JHW
j.wiehe@sympatico.ca
FROM: Office of the Secretary of Defense
TO: DOD ALLCON
CC: CIVWORLD
U N C L A S S
SUBJ: Twelve Days of DOD Christmas
The President has authorized the Department of Defense to assist Santa with the Twelve Days of Christmas. Status of acquisitions
follows:
Day 1- Partridge in a pear tree: The Army and Air Force are in the Process of deciding whose area of responsibility Day 1 falls
under. Since the partridge is a bird, the Air Force believes it should have the lead. The Army, however, feels trees are part of the
land component command's area of responsibility. After three months of discussion and repeated OpsDeps Tank sessions, a $1M study
has been commissioned to decide who should lead this joint program.
Day 2 - Two turtledoves: Since doves are birds, the Air Force claims responsibility. However, turtles are amphibious, so the
Navy-Marine Corps team feels it should take the lead. Initial studies have shown that Turtles and doves may have interoperability
problems. Terms of reference are being coordinated for a four-year, $10M DARPA study.
Day 3 - Three French Hens: At State Department instigation, the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs has blocked offshore purchase of
hens, From the French or anyone else. A $6M program is being developed to find an acceptable domestic alternative.
Day 4 - Four Calling Birds: Source selection has been completed, with the contract awarded to AT&T. However, the award is being
challenged by a small minority-owned business.
Day 5 - Five Golden Rings: No available rings meet MILSPEC for gold plating. A three-year, $5M accelerated development program has
been initiated.
Day 6 - Six Geese a-Laying: The six geese have been acquired. However, The shells of their eggs seem to be very fragile. It might
have been a mistake to build the production facility on a nuclear waste dump at former Air Force base that was closed under BRAC.
Day 7 - Seven Swans a-Swimming: Fourteen swans have been killed trying to get through the Navy SEAL training program. The program
has been put on hold while the training procedures are reviewed to determine why the washout rate is so high. The dead swans were
eaten by other SEAL candidates.
Day 8 - Eight Maids a-Milking: The entire class of maids a milking Training program at Aberdeen is involved in a sexual harassment
suit against the Army. The program has been put on hold pending resolution of the lawsuit.
Day 9 - Nine Ladies Dancing: Recruitment of the ladies dancing has been halted by a lawsuit from the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Association," former Congresswoman Patsie Schroeder, and Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY). Opponents claim they have a right to wear
women's clothing only under the "don't dance, don't ask" policy as long as they're off duty. A decision from the 9th Circuit Court
of Appeals is expected shortly.
Day 10 - Ten Lords a-Leaping: The ten lords have been abducted by terrorists. Congress has approved $2M in funding to conduct a
rescue operation. Army Special Forces and a USMC MEU(SOC) are conducting a "NEO-off" competition for the right to rescue.
Day 11 - Eleven Pipers Piping: The pipe contractor delivered the pipes on time. However, he thought DoD wanted smoking pipes. DoD
lost the claim due to defective specifications. A $22M dollar retrofit program is in process to bring the pipes into spec.
Day 12 - Twelve Drummers Drumming: Due to cutbacks only six billets are available for drumming drummers. DoD is in the process of
coordinating an RFP to obtain the six additional drummers by outsourcing; however, funds will not be available until FY 05.
The ACLU has also filed an emergency appeal before the Supreme Court of the United States, seeking to block use of the word
"Christmas" and replacing it with the words "Non-denominational Winter Solstice Celebration" so as not to offend anyone who does not
celebrate Christmas.
As a result of the above-mentioned programmatic delays, and due to a high OPTEMPO that requires diversion of modernization funds to
support current readiness, the Non-denominational Winter Solstice Celebration is hereby postponed until further notice.
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