General Pace Visits Service Members in Djibouti

Photo By Staff Sgt. Matthew Bright | Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace hands out challenge coins to every service member present at a "Town Hall Meeting". Gen. Pace answered questions, shook hands and talked with service members during his visit to Camp Lemonier. Through a humanitarian mission of capacity building and military training to help Africans help themselves, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa conducts operations such as well-drilling, school construction, medical and veterinary civic action programs and military-to-military training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Matthew S. Bright)  

CAMP LEMONNIER, DJIBOUTI

08.16.2007

Story by Sgt. Brandon McCarty 

131st Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

By Army Sgt. Brandon McCarty
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Public Affairs

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti – The "head honcho." The "King of the Jungle." The "Big Boss Man." Marine Gen. Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is the highest-ranking commissioned officer in the U.S. military, but he still takes the time to meet with even the lowest ranking service members.

General Pace, on a morale visit to Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, answered questions and addressed concerns from a large audience of service members during a "Town Hall meeting" at the Thunder Dome Aug.14.

"What (service members) are doing in the Horn of Africa will be a model as the U.S. military sets up Africa Command," said Pace.

Currently, through a humanitarian mission of capacity building and military training to help Africans help themselves, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa conducts operations such as well-drilling, school construction, medical and veterinary civic action programs and military-to-military training.

"During General Pace's speech, I felt that his top priority is taking care of the service member first," said Army 1st Sgt. Gene Guzman, Delta Company, 1/294th Infantry.

After the question and answer session, Pace told everyone to line up so he could shake each individual's hand and thank each troop for a job well done. Pace also surprised everyone by giving them his personal coin.

Many troops were surprised to see such a high-level general visiting an expeditionary base in Africa.

"I believe that this visit (from General Pace) is proof that our leaders worldwide, in particular in Washington, D.C. are interested in what we do and how well we're doing it," said Rear Admiral James Hart, CJTF-HOA commander.

"Seeing General Pace at Camp Lemonier, soldiers my faith that our senior leadership cares about every single service member," said Air Force Maj. Anthony Cooper, Theatre Support Command planner.

After the sun set, Pace mingled with service members and posed for pictures at the New Cantina for a few hours before retiring for the night.

"It is great to see the general out enjoying himself and talking with all of the troops," said Petty Officer 1st Class Roger Beaumont, a yeoman with CJTF-HOA Administration. "I feel lucky to have met him while deployed here."

Pace was also scheduled to make a visit to Korea to speak with service members before returning to the Pentagon.

General Pace is the first U.S. Marine appointed to be America's highest-ranking military officer. Appointed by George W. Bush, Pace succeeded U.S. Air Force Gen. Richard Meyers on September 30, 2005. General Pace was sworn in as the 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

• Date Taken: 08.16.2007
• Date Posted: 08.17.2007 05:54
• Story ID: 11858
• Location: CAMP LEMONNIER, DJ