Secretary of the Army John McHugh visits Camp Buehring

Photo By Spc. Mathew Schlueter | Spc. Aaron Peterson of Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 94th Cavalry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division “Red Bulls” asks a question about recent cut backs in military spending.  

CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT

12.15.2011

Story by Spc. Mathew Schlueter 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait - Secretary of the Army John McHugh paid a visit with soldiers at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Dec. 15.

He wanted to give soldiers the opportunity to ask a few questions in a town hall setting. He wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and to thank soldiers for all they have done.

A few hundred soldiers listened to what The Secretary of the Army had to say about our impending futures.

“The ball is on the one yard line, and as soon as we cross the goal line its lights out in Iraq," said Secretary of the Army John McHugh in reference to the drawdown of American forces in Iraq to close out the eight year war.

With the 'deadline' just a few weeks away soldiers were concerned with issues of 'where do we go next'? 'Are we going back home soon'? If we do go home what is it going to be like home because of budget cuts?

McHugh on the topic of the draw down and going home was “The idea of a soldier coming home to no job worries me, that is why the Army plans for many soldiers to go through a full deployments. Now with drawdown and soldiers being completely pulled from Iraq the Army is now finding new and applicable missions for soldiers to perform so the can still get paid and still have a job despite the end of the war in Iraq.”

McHugh closed the Town Hall meeting out by saying “Thank you all for your great service for the mission you have done and will be continuing on in this region may be here in Kuwait or over in Afghanistan; Every soldier has done an amazing job and I just want to say Marry Christmas and have a Happy Holiday.”

• Date Taken: 12.15.2011
• Date Posted: 12.29.2011 07:36
• Story ID: 81852
• Location: CAMP BUEHRING, KW