General relies on blogs to swap info and ideas

The Huntsville Times ^ | Wednesday, August 17, 2005 | SHELBY G. SPIRES

[FreedomCalls]

First, Cartwright had to knock down traditional barriers

Picture the modern-day blogger and the ramrod straight, spit-and-polish image of a four-star Marine general isn't what comes to mind.

Gen. James "Hoss" Cartwright is breaking the mold.

Cartwright, whose nickname came from Bonanza television show character, heads U.S. Strategic Command, or STRATCOM, which oversees the Army's Space & Missile Defense Command. Cartwright, who spoke in Huntsville Tuesday at the annual Space & Missile Defense Conference at the Von Braun Center, is a big proponent of using a Web log, or blog, as a communication tool.

About a year ago, Cartwright set up blog so that soldiers and employees throughout the Strategic Command could exchange information and ideas.

It was a culture shock for most of the Cold War-trained middle management commanders who had lived in the "cleared by commander" rubber stamp world of the Pentagon for years.

"The first thing that came out was 'Don't post anything on that blog without clearance from the commander,' " Cartwright said. "We had to beat that down."

The next firewall thrown up to Cartwright's blog were responses that came from only senior staff officers like captains and majors "giving me only what their commanders wanted me to hear," he said. "I called that the 'tethered goat' response and it wasn't all that helpful.

"What I wanted was information and context to help with decision making. I can't wait for the perfect advice," Cartwright said. "If there is a bad decision then that's on me. That's my responsibility."

Finally after "blowing the doors down and sitting on" the blog nay-sayers, Cartwright is getting what he wants from STRATCOM's Web tools, he said.

"In the morning, I'll log on and see the various commands and their blogs inboxes on my screen," Cartwright said. "I can post a question and then an airman from (another command) will answer it."

[FreedomCalls]

This is a great idea. I'm glad to see some some people breaking with past practice to innovate.

[Bluedaddy]

Unfortunately, the military's mid-level senior leadership is not getting it. The information age, in particularly the global media environment, is proving one area that is going to kill us. Look at how inaffective we are at responding to, or countering, global islamofacist disinformation and propaganda. They are eating our lunch with cheap CDs and DVDs produced on laptops that glamorize the terror they spread. Cartwright's approach is a glimmer of hope.

[A.A. Cunningham]

General James E. Cartwright Commander, U.S. Strategic Command
General Cartwright assumed his duties as the Commander, U.S. Strategic Command on 9 July 2004. General Cartwright's previous assignment was as the Director for Force Structure, Resources, and Assessment (J-8), the Joint Staff. As director, he supported the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in force structure requirements; studies, analyses, and assessments; and in the evaluation of military forces, plans, programs, and strategies. As secretary of the Joint Requirements Oversight Council, he coordinated Joint Staff actions in support of the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and represented the interests of the commanders of the combatant commands in requirements generation, acquisition and planning, and programming and budgeting. General Cartwright was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in November 1971. He attended Naval Flight Officer training and graduated in April 1973. He attended Naval Aviator training and graduated in January 1977. He has operational assignments as an NFO in the F-4, and as a pilot in the F-4, OA-4, and F/A-18. General Cartwright's operational assignments include: Commanding General, First Marine Aircraft Wing (2000-2002), Deputy Commanding General Marine Forces Atlantic (1999-2000), Commander Marine Aircraft Aircraft Group 31 (1994-1996), Commander Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 (1992), Fixed Wing Operations Marine Aircraft Group 24 (1991), Commander Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 (1989-1990), Administration Officer and Officer-In-Charge Deployed Carrier Operations VMFAT-101 (1983-1985), Aircraft Maintenance Officer VMFA-235 (1979-1982), Line Division Officer VMFA-333 USS NIMITZ (1975-1977), Embarkation OIC VMFA-251 & 232 (1973-1975). General Cartwright's staff assignments include: Director for Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, J-8 the Joint Staff (2002-2004), Directorate for Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, J-8 the Joint Staff (1996-1999), Deputy Aviation Plans, Policy, and Budgets Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps (1993-1994), Assistant Program Manager for Engineering, F/A-18 Naval Air Systems Command (1986-1989). General Cartwright was named the Outstanding Carrier Aviator by the Association of Naval Aviation in 1983. He graduated with distinction from the Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB 1986, and received his Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island 1991. He was selected for and completed a fellowship with Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1994. (Updated 30 August 2004, HQMC)

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[Kevin OMalley]

cool... read later bump