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In the Military
Gregg K. Kakesako
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25th Infantry to install leader
Maj. Gen. Robert Caslen, who has been criticized for improperly participating in a promotional video for an evangelical group called Christian Embassy, will officially assume command of the 25th Infantry Division on May 21 at Schofield Barracks' Sills Field.
The Army's inspector general in August said Caslen was one of four generals and three officers who violated Pentagon rules by giving the appearance of governmental sanction to the Christian group, and did so while in uniform.
The report said Caslen agreed to appear in the Christian Embassy video because other generals had agreed to participate, including Brig. Gen. Vincent Brooks, who was chief of Army public affairs.
Caslen and another general "accepted full responsibility for their actions and committed to be more alert to ethical issues in the future," the report said. Caslen and Brooks received "written memoranda of concern" from the Army.
Mikey Weinstein, of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, said Caslen's new assignment in Hawaii is further evidence of a pattern by the military to tolerate the promotion of fundamentalist Christianity among its ranks.
Capt. Dixon R. Smith, commander of Naval Base San Diego, will be the next commander of Navy Region Hawaii. He also will command Naval Surface Group, MIDPAC. The Pearl Harbor assignment also means that Smith will be promoted to rear admiral.
The highlight of Hawaii Military Appreciation Month will be the combined military band concert which will be held 7 p.m. May 16 at the Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall. The concert will feature Hawaii's musicians from the military bands for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Hawaii Army National Guard. They will combine their musical talents in a specially produced concert featuring a variety of music ranging from popular military marches to traditional American favorites. Tickets may be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii at 1132 Bishop St., Suite 402. The Blaisdell box office will also be distributing tickets this week. Tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating is also on a first-come, first-served basis. The concert is free.
The U.S. Navy commissioned USS North Carolina, the newest Virginia Class attack submarine on May 3, in Wilmington, N.C. Three Virginia-class submarines will be stationed at Pearl Harbor. The 377-foot USS Hawaii, USS Texas and USS North Carolina will arrive in the islands next year.
"Virginia Class submarines form a strong foundation for today's and tomorrow's submarine force," said Rear Adm. William Hilarides, program executive officer for submarines. "They provide the right mix of capabilities now and the flexibility to ensure undersea superiority far into the future."
Six additional Virginia Class submarines are under construction. Commissioning for USS New Hampshire is scheduled for Oct. 25 at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine.
"In the Military" was compiled from wire reports and other sources by reporter
Gregg K. Kakesako, who covers military affairs for the Star-Bulletin. He can be reached by phone at 294-4075 or by e-mail at
gkakesako@starbulletin.com.