Eric Shinseki Explained

Eric Shinseki
Office:7th United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs
President:Barack Obama
Deputy:W. Scott Gould
Sloan D. Gibson
Term Start:January 21, 2009
Term End:May 30, 2014
Predecessor:James Peake
Successor:Bob McDonald
Office1:34th Chief of Staff of the United States Army
President1:Bill Clinton
George W. Bush
Term Start1:June 21, 1999
Term End1:June 11, 2003
Predecessor1:Dennis Reimer
Successor1:Peter Schoomaker
Office2:28th Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army
President2:Bill Clinton
Term Start2:November 24, 1998
Term End2:June 21, 1999
Predecessor2:William W. Crouch
Successor2:Jack Keane
Birth Date:28 November 1942
Birth Place:Lihue, Hawaii, U.S.
Spouse:Patricia Shinseki
Children:2
Education:United States Military Academy (BS)
Duke University (MA)
Allegiance:United States
Branch:United States Army
Rank:General
Serviceyears:1965–2003
Commands:Chief of Staff of the United States Army
Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army
Seventh United States Army
Allied Land Forces Central Europe
NATO Stabilization Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina
1st Cavalry Division
2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division
3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division
3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division
Battles:Vietnam War
Bosnian War
Mawards:Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Army Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit (2)
Bronze Star Medal (3)
Purple Heart (2)[1] [2]

Eric Ken Shinseki (; Japanese: 新関 健|''Shinseki Ken'', born November 28, 1942) is a retired United States Army general who served as the seventh United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs (2009–2014) and the 34th Chief of Staff of the Army (1999–2003).[3] Shinseki is a veteran of two tours of combat in the Vietnam War, in which he was awarded three Bronze Star Medals for valor and two Purple Hearts.[4] He was the first Asian-American four-star general, and the first Asian-American Secretary of Veterans Affairs.[5]

Early life and education

Shinseki was born in Lihue, Kauaʻi, in the then Territory of Hawaii, to an American family of Japanese ancestry. His grandparents emigrated from Hiroshima to Hawaii in 1901.[6] He grew up in a sugarcane plantation community on Kaua'i and graduated from Kaua'i High and Intermediate School in 1960. While attending Kaua'i he was active in the Boy Scouts and served as class president. As a boy, Shinseki learned that three of his uncles had served in the 442nd Infantry Regiment, a unit of Japanese Americans that became one of the most decorated fighting units in United States history.[7] Motivated by his uncles' example, he attended the United States Military Academy and graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as a second lieutenant. He earned a Master of Arts degree in English Literature from Duke University in 1974. He was also educated at the Armor Officer Advanced Course, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the National War College of National Defense University.

Military service

Shinseki served in a variety of command and staff assignments in the Continental United States and overseas, including two combat tours with the 9th and 25th Infantry Divisions in the Republic of Vietnam as an artillery forward observer and as commander of Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment during the Vietnam War. During one of those tours while serving as a forward artillery observer, he stepped on a land mine, which blew the front off one of his feet; after spending almost a year recovering from his injuries, he returned to active duty in 1971.[4]

Shinseki has served at Schofield Barracks, Hawai'i, with Headquarters, United States Army Hawaii, and Fort Shafter with Headquarters, United States Army Pacific. He has taught at the U.S. Military Academy's Department of English. During duty with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Bliss, Texas, he served as the regimental adjutant and as the executive officer of its 1st Squadron.

Shinseki's ten-plus years of service in Europe included assignments as Commander, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry, 3rd Infantry Division (Schweinfurt); Commander, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division (Kitzingen); Assistant Chief of Staff, G3, 3rd Infantry Division (Operations, Plans and Training) (Würzburg); and Assistant Division Commander for Maneuver, 3rd Infantry Division (Schweinfurt). The 3rd Division was organized at that time as a heavy mechanized division. He also served as Assistant Chief of Staff, G3 (Operations, Plans, and Training), VII Corps (Stuttgart). Shinseki served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Support, Allied Land Forces Southern Europe (Verona), an element of the Allied Forces Southern Europe.

From March 1994 to July 1995, Shinseki commanded the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. In July 1996, he was promoted to lieutenant general and became Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, United States Army. In June 1997, Shinseki was appointed to the rank of general before assuming duties as Commanding General, Seventh United States Army; Commander, Allied Land Forces Central Europe; and Commander, NATO Stabilization Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Shinseki became the Army's 28th Vice Chief of Staff on November 24, 1998, then became its 34th Chief of Staff on June 22, 1999,[8] the last Vietnam War veteran to hold the post. Shinseki retired on June 11, 2003, at the end of his four-year term. His Farewell Memo contained some of his ideas regarding the future of the military.[9] At that time, General Shinseki retired from the Army after 38 years of military service.

, Shinseki was the highest-ranked Asian American in the history of the United States.[10] Additionally, as of 2004, he is the highest-ranked Japanese American to have served in the United States Armed Forces.[11]

Army Chief of Staff

During his tenure as Army Chief of Staff, Shinseki initiated an innovative but controversial plan to make the army more strategically deployable and mobile in urban terrain by creating Stryker Interim-Force Brigade Combat Teams.[12] He conceived a long-term strategic plan for the army dubbed "Objective Force", which included a program he designed, Future Combat Systems.[13] One other controversial plan that Shinseki implemented was the wearing of the black beret for all army personnel.[14] Prior to Shinseki implementing this policy, only the United States Army Rangers could wear the black beret. When the black beret was given to all soldiers and officers, the Rangers moved to the tan beret.

Shinseki publicly clashed with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld during the planning of the war in Iraq over how many troops the United States would need to keep in Iraq for the postwar occupation of that country. As Army Chief of Staff, Shinseki testified to the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services on February 25, 2003, that "something in the order of several hundred thousand soldiers" would probably be required for postwar Iraq. This was an estimate far higher than the figure being proposed by Secretary Rumsfeld in his invasion plan, and it was rejected in strong language by both Rumsfeld and his Deputy Secretary of Defense, Paul Wolfowitz, who was another chief planner of the invasion and occupation.[15] From then on, Shinseki's influence on the Joint Chiefs of Staff reportedly waned.[16] Critics of the Bush administration alleged that Shinseki was forced into early retirement as Army Chief of Staff because of his comments on troop levels;[17] however, his retirement was announced nearly a year before those comments.[18]

When the insurgency took hold in postwar Iraq, Shinseki's comments and their public rejection by the civilian leadership were often cited by those who felt the Bush administration deployed too few troops to Iraq.[19] On November 15, 2006, in testimony before Congress, CENTCOM Commander General John Abizaid said that Shinseki had been correct that more troops were needed.[19]

Post-military career

Shinseki has served as a director for several corporations: Honeywell International and Ducommun, military contractors; Grove Farm Corporation; First Hawaiian Bank;[20] and Guardian Life Insurance Company of America.[21] He is a member of the Advisory Boards at the Center for Public Leadership, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, and to the U.S. Comptroller General. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Atlantic Council of the United States, and the Association of the United States Army.[22]

United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs (2009–2014)

On December 7, 2008, then-President-elect Barack Obama announced at a press conference in Chicago that he would nominate Shinseki to become the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.[23] Shinseki was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on January 20, 2009, and sworn in the next day.[24]

Veterans Health Administration scandal

See main article: article and Veterans Health Administration scandal of 2014. In May 2014, Shinseki was embroiled in a scandal involving the Veterans Health Administration, which is a component of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Questions involving substandard timely care and false records covering up related timelines had come to light, involving treatment of veterans in a number of veterans hospitals.[25] [26] On May 30, 2014, President Obama announced that he had accepted Shinseki's resignation as Secretary.[27] [28] Shinseki said he could not explain the lack of integrity among some leaders in veterans healthcare facilities: "That breach of integrity is irresponsible, it is indefensible, and unacceptable to me." He said he could not defend what happened because it was indefensible, but he could take responsibility for it and he would.[29] Shinseki's resignation meant that 2014 was the first time since 2000 that there had not been an Asian American in the Cabinet of the United States.[30] In an interview with retired General Peter W. Chiarelli, journalist Robert Siegel described the situation as "a case of a very, very good man who's run up against some pretty terrible problems in his job," to which Chiarelli responded, "I don't look up to any man more than I look up to Eric Shinseki."[31]

Family

Shinseki is married to his high school sweetheart, Patricia; they are the parents of two children, Lori and Ken.[32] He also has seven grandchildren.[33]

Awards, decorations, and badges

Shinseki was awarded the following medals, ribbons, badges, and tabs:[34] [35]

Defense Distinguished Service Medal[36] (with one oak leaf cluster)[37]
Army Distinguished Service Medal (with one oak leaf cluster)
Navy Distinguished Service Medal[38]
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster)
Bronze Star (with "V" Device and two Oak Leaf Clusters)
Purple Heart (with Oak Leaf Cluster)
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters)
Air Medal
Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster)[39]
Army Achievement Medal
National Defense Service Medal with Service star
Vietnam Service Medal with four Service stars
Armed Forces Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
NATO Medal for Former Yugoslavia
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Order of Military Merit (Grand Officer; Brazil)[40]

References

Further reading

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Award citations, Eric Ken Shinseki . Hall of Valor . Military Times . April 20, 2015.
  2. Web site: Biography, General Eric K. Shinseki . Campaign for the National Museum of the United States Army . January 21, 2015 . Army Historical Foundation . April 20, 2015.
  3. News: Jaffe . Greg . O'Keefe . Ed . May 30, 2014 . Obama accepts resignation of VA Secretary Shinseki . Washington Post . August 19, 2014.
  4. Web site: Remarks by Secretary Eric K. Shinseki, 2009 Secretary's Awards for Excellence in Nursing . Eric Shinseki . U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs . May 12, 2009 . May 31, 2014 . October 6, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141006090946/http://www.va.gov/opa/speeches/2009/09_0512.asp . dead .
  5. Web site: Overseas Contingency Operations Profiles . Asia Pacific Americans in the United States Army . United States Army . August 19, 2014.
  6. Obata, Hiroshi. 両祖父母は広島出身 ("Shinseki: both grandparents are from Hiroshima"). Hiroshima Peace Media (Japan). January 30, 2009
  7. Web site: Eric K. Shinseki. Encyclopædia Britannica. May 30, 2014.
  8. News: May 27, 2006. Fahrig. Jody T.. Army welcomes Shinseki as new chief. Army News Service. June 23, 1999 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080312164047/http://www4.army.mil/ocpa/read.php?story_id_key=4731. March 12, 2008.
  9. News: Eric K. Shinseki. End of Tour Memorandum. https://web.archive.org/web/20090307104405/http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/opinions/documents/shinseki.pdf. dead. March 7, 2009. The Washington Post Company. June 10, 2003 . December 7, 2008.
  10. News: A Second Act for General Shinseki. Thom Shanker . The New York Times. January 14, 2009. February 6, 2012.
  11. News: An Inspiration for a Generation . Gregg K. Kakesako. . March 31, 2004. February 6, 2012.
  12. News: Army Takes on Critics of an Armored Vehicle. Thom Shanker. The New York Times. October 29, 2002. March 20, 2011.
  13. Web site: Objective Force is Needed for Relevancy. April 1, 2001. AUSA News. Association of the United States Army. March 20, 2011. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140509002847/http://www3.ausa.org/WEBINT/DeptAUSANews.nsf/byid/CCRN-6CGLGV. May 9, 2014. mdy-all.
  14. News: Beret battle: Army approves color change . Amarillo Globe=News. March 16, 2001. March 20, 2011.
  15. News: Schmitt. Eric . Pentagon Contradicts General on Iraq Occupation Force's Size. The New York Times. February 28, 2003 . April 4, 2012.
  16. Shanker, Thom "New Strategy Vindicates Ex-Army Chief Shinseki", New York Times, January 12, 2007.
  17. News: Dowd . Maureen . Alan (not atlas) shrugged . The New York Times . September 19, 2007 . Gale Document Number: GALE A168804830 . Gale General OneFile . A25(L) . He shoved Gen. Eric Shinseki into retirement -- and failed to show up at his retirement party -- after the good general correctly told Congress that it would take several hundred thousand troops to invade and control Iraq.
  18. CNN Political Unit. CNN Political Unit debate fact check. CNN.com. October 9, 2004.
  19. News: Abizaid Says Withdrawal Would Mean More Unrest. Thomas E. . Ricks . Ann Scott Tyson. The Washington Post. November 16, 2006. A22. General [Eric] Shinseki was right that a greater international force contribution, U.S. force contribution and Iraqi force contribution should have been available immediately after major combat operations.. December 13, 2006.
  20. News: December 7, 2008. Shinseki Slated to Head VA, Obama Confirms. Philip. Rucker. Thomas E. Ricks. Washington Post . December 6, 2008.
  21. News: December 7, 2008 . Shinseki biography. https://web.archive.org/web/20081210181024/http://people.forbes.com/profile/eric-k-shinseki/41426. dead. December 10, 2008. Forbes.
  22. Web site: December 7, 2008. The Purpose Prize: Shinseki. December 10, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081210205852/http://www.purposeprize.org/judges/shinseki.cfm. dead.
  23. News: December 7, 2008 . Obama: No one 'more qualified' than Shinseki to head VA . December 7, 2008. CNN.
  24. News: Abrams. Jim. Senate confirms 6 cabinet secretaries . January 10, 2013. Real Clear Politics. January 20, 2009.
  25. http://us.cnn.com/2014/05/15/politics/va-scandal-eric-shinseki-preview/index.html?hpt=po_c2 Shinseki 'mad as hell' about VA allegations, but won't resign
  26. Web site: VA's top health official resigns amid scandal over delays in vets' care | Military Times . militarytimes.com . May 15, 2014 . May 19, 2014 . May 19, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140519183727/http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20140516/NEWS05/305160047/VA-s-top-health-official-resigns-amid-scandal-over-delays-vets-care . dead .
  27. Web site: Embattled VA chief Shinseki resigns. USA Today. May 30, 2014. May 30, 2014.
  28. Web site: Veterans Secretary Eric Shinseki resigns . CNN. May 30, 2014. May 30, 2014.
  29. News: US president accepts with 'regret' Veterans Affairs chief's resignation. May 31, 2014. Chicago Chronicle. https://web.archive.org/web/20140531144235/http://www.chicagochronicle.com/index.php/sid/222467197/scat/b8de8e630faf3631/ht/US-president-accepts-with-regret-Veterans-Affairs-chiefs-resignation. May 31, 2014. dead.
  30. News: Mak . Tim . June 1, 2014 . There Are No Asian-Americans In The Cabinet For The First Time Since 2000 . The Daily Beast . August 19, 2014.
  31. Web site: Siegel. Robert. Retired Army Gen. On Shinseki: 'I Don't Look Up To Any Man More'. NPR. May 31, 2014. May 30, 2014.
  32. News: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Gen. Eric Shinseki. Bobbie Kyle . Sauer . U.S. News & World Report. December 18, 2008. April 9, 2015.
  33. News: Shane III . Leo . June 19, 2013 . Shinseki's style: Determined, quiet . Stars and Stripes . April 9, 2015 .
  34. Web site: Eric K. Shinseki. Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs . United States Department of Veterans Affairs . January 29, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140915001346/http://www.va.gov/opa/bios/bio_shinseki.asp . September 15, 2014 .
  35. Web site: Overseas Contingency Operations . Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Army . United States Army . January 28, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140126023258/http://www.army.mil/asianpacificsoldiers/history/overseasconops.html . January 26, 2014 . mdy-all .
    Web site: Chief of Staff of the Army Official Portrait . https://web.archive.org/web/20030429020649/http://www.army.mil/leaders/CSA/csa8X10.jpg . April 29, 2003 . June 24, 2001 . Army Leadership . United States ARmy . January 29, 2013 .
    Web site: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-resolution/190?q={%22search%22%3A[%22s+res+190%22}&resultIndex=7 S.RES.190 – Commending General Eric Shinseki of the United States Army for his outstanding service and commitment to excellence. (Agreed to Senate – ATS) ]. www.congress.gov . Library of Congress . Whereas General Shinseki has been awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with oak leaf clusters), Bronze Star Medal with 'V' Device (with 2 oak leaf clusters), Purple Heart (with oak leaf cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 oak leaf clusters), Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Army Achievement Medal, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge, Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge; .
  36. http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/thepresidentandcabinet/a/eric_shinseki.htm Eric K. Shinseki: Former Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs Biography
  37. News: Eric Ken Shinseki . Hall of Valor . Gannett . March 13, 2015 .
    News: Tran . Can . December 7, 2008 . Obama Picks Army Gen. Shinseki To Head VA . Digital Journal . September 14, 2014.
  38. Web site: President-Elect Barack Obama Announces General Eric Shinseki as Secretary of Veterans Affairs . December 7, 2008 . The American Presidency Project . UCSB . August 30, 2014 .
  39. http://www.asianamerican.net/bios/General_Shinseki.html General Eric K. Shinseki, Retired Chief of Staff, United States Army
  40. https://pesquisa.in.gov.br/imprensa/jsp/visualiza/index.jsp?data=15/03/2002&jornal=1&pagina=1 . Decree . 14 March 2002.

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