Pentagon Leaders Request YouTube Questions from Public

Here is your chance to ask questions of the top ranking members of the DOD leadership. Both Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen have requested that the public to include civilians and military members ask them direct questions through new media interactive sessions on defense.gov and youtube.com/dodvclips by Aug. 31, 2009.

"We need to embrace these technologies. We need to use them because that's what the young people use these days. We need to communicate with them," said Price Floyd, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for public affairs in a report by the American Forces Press Service. "Here in the Pentagon, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has his own Twitter site. I have a Twitter site," he said.

Adm. Mullen's twitter site is http://twitter.com/thejointstaff and has close to 6,000 followers. Floyd has over 1,000 followers at http://twitter.com/pricefloyd. Adm. Mullen's twitter feed from Aug. 12 reads, " Reading Dexter Filkins' book, The Forever War. Gripping acct of tough fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Any one that has questions for Secretary Gates can submit them on the front page of defense.gov. All questions are welcome and questions can be from civilians or military members. All you have to do is click on the "Ask a Question" link on the front page. At the end of this month, there will be a two-week period where people can vote on the questions that were submitted. The Defense Secretary will then answer the top ten questions that get the most votes.

Adm. Mullen is asking participants to "Ask the Chairman" at www.youtube.com/dodvclips. The virtual town hall is open to everyone, whether they're in the military or a military family or simply care about military issues. Viewers can ask questions about whatever is on their minds -- the wars in Afghanistan or Iraq, what the military is doing for wounded warriors and families, the new Post-9/11 GI Bill or another topic of interest.

These Pentagon leaders are truly reaching out to everyone through these new media sites. This kind of access to top level DOD leaders is unprecedented and truly historic. The DOD can be proud to have such a transparent organization that is willing to open itself up to any and all questions at the highest level. This idea is well thought out and may be a great idea to continue on a periodic basis.

Make sure to go to both sites and ask your pressing questions or concerns.

Sources:

American Forces Press Service "Gates, Mullen Use New Media To Hear From Troops, Public" Donna Miles

Twitter.com/thejointstaff

Twitter.com/pricefloyd