Military Officer - March 2009 - (Page 10) fromtheeditor Uncertain Future While the future of Guantanamo Bay (GTMO), Cuba, remains precarious, Military Officer interviews a recent GTMO deputy commander to find out what really goes on behind closed doors. O ne challenge of publishing a print magazine is the lag between editorial deadlines and when the magazine actually touches readers’ hands. For example, a few days before this column was due, we witnessed an inauguration celebration that dwarfed anything Washington had ever seen. But by the time you read these words, it will be almost two months after the event — old news! We try to handle current events by putting them in historical perspective. For example, the January Military Officer featured a story with photos from past inaugurations explaining how the military supports such events. This allowed us to print a story to coincide with breaking news, even if the content was produced months before. This month, we find ourselves in another editorial quandary. As we prepared to go to press with this issue, the administration announced plans to close the Guantanamo Bay (GTMO), Cuba, detention center within a year. As it turns out, we had been preparing a story about Joint Task Force Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO) for publication in this issue. Was that story overcome by events? Or would it actually be more timely because of renewed interest in GTMO? Hastily rereading the story, I decided it would be a timely feature. The point of the story isn’t to debate GTMO’s future. That’s outside our purview. Rather, the intent is to give readers an appreciation for the challenges U.S. troops at GTMO face daily. We want to give you an insider’s view of that 10 MILITARY OFFICER MARCH 2009 operation. How do troops handle this tough mission? To tell this story, Military Officer speaks to Brig. Gen. Gregory Zanetti, ARNG, commander, Joint Forces Land Component, New Mexico Army National Guard. Zanetti recently served as deputy commander, Joint Task Force Guantanamo, which is responsible for the “safe, humane, transparent, and legal care and custody of the detainees.” We hope the story “A Look Inside,” page 94, gives you some insight into an environment that few people have witnessed or experienced firsthand. As the nation debates the future of GTMO and its detainees, we welcome your thoughts. Go online to www .moaa.org/discussion and click on “GTMO” or mail us at MOAA, Attn: Editor, 201 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314. “America can be exceptionally proud of the troopers at [Joint Task Force Guantanamo],” says Zanetti. “Every day these men and women do their duty with honor, integrity, and courage. Rest easy. If GTMO is any indication, the nation’s future is in good hands.” — Col. Warren S. Lacy, USA-Ret. PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT http://www.moaa.org/discussion http://www.moaa.org/discussion
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