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CNN Sunday Morning
Secretary of Army Visits Injured Reservists in Ft. Stewart
Aired October 26, 2003 - 09:34 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: The army's number one man is promising better living conditions for sick and injured reservists at Fort Stewart in Georgia. Les Brownlee visited the base after reservists back from Iraq complained of substandard living conditions and insufficient medical care. CNN's Kris Osborn reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KRIS OSBORN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Soldiers at Fort Stewart trained to face dangers in Iraq. But it was the situation here in Georgia which brought in the army's top brass.
LES BROWNLEE, SECRETARY OF THE ARMY: The army does recognize its obligation to take care of all of our soldiers from start to finish.
OSBORN: Les Brownlee, the acting secretary of the army, came to Fort Stewart to address the controversy surrounding medical care and living conditions here for soldiers returning home from Iraq. Some of them complained about living in these barracks, and others said they were waiting too long to see a doctor.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: We actually was part of it, 100 percent. And then come back and be treated like, you know, OK, you did your part, now we don't know you.
OSBORN: Touring the post, Brownlee agreed the army could do better for its sick soldiers.
BROWNLEE: People who are in a medical status should have a latrine that is inside the building. They shouldn't have to go outside to do that.
OSBORN: Brownlee's visit came at a time when some National Guard and reserve soldiers were complaining that regular army forces were receiving preferred treatment, and on a day when key democrats attacked the care the army was providing.
SEN. PATRICK LEAHY (D), VERMONT: Let's not leave any of those serving our country in the Guard or the Reserves out in the cold.
OSBORN: The army has already finished its assessment report, recommending short-term solutions such as improved medical care and living conditions, and longer-term changes such as streamlining procedures for returning troops.
OSBORN (on camera): Saying the issues here were not a problem for Fort Stewart but rather a concern for the entire army, Secretary Brownlee said hospital officials will be adding new case managers to assist in medical care for those processing through this facility. Additionally, he said the army would be investigating living conditions at other posts around the country as well.
Kris Osborn, CNN, Fort Stewart, Georgia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Stewart>
Aired October 26, 2003 - 09:34 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: The army's number one man is promising better living conditions for sick and injured reservists at Fort Stewart in Georgia. Les Brownlee visited the base after reservists back from Iraq complained of substandard living conditions and insufficient medical care. CNN's Kris Osborn reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KRIS OSBORN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Soldiers at Fort Stewart trained to face dangers in Iraq. But it was the situation here in Georgia which brought in the army's top brass.
LES BROWNLEE, SECRETARY OF THE ARMY: The army does recognize its obligation to take care of all of our soldiers from start to finish.
OSBORN: Les Brownlee, the acting secretary of the army, came to Fort Stewart to address the controversy surrounding medical care and living conditions here for soldiers returning home from Iraq. Some of them complained about living in these barracks, and others said they were waiting too long to see a doctor.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: We actually was part of it, 100 percent. And then come back and be treated like, you know, OK, you did your part, now we don't know you.
OSBORN: Touring the post, Brownlee agreed the army could do better for its sick soldiers.
BROWNLEE: People who are in a medical status should have a latrine that is inside the building. They shouldn't have to go outside to do that.
OSBORN: Brownlee's visit came at a time when some National Guard and reserve soldiers were complaining that regular army forces were receiving preferred treatment, and on a day when key democrats attacked the care the army was providing.
SEN. PATRICK LEAHY (D), VERMONT: Let's not leave any of those serving our country in the Guard or the Reserves out in the cold.
OSBORN: The army has already finished its assessment report, recommending short-term solutions such as improved medical care and living conditions, and longer-term changes such as streamlining procedures for returning troops.
OSBORN (on camera): Saying the issues here were not a problem for Fort Stewart but rather a concern for the entire army, Secretary Brownlee said hospital officials will be adding new case managers to assist in medical care for those processing through this facility. Additionally, he said the army would be investigating living conditions at other posts around the country as well.
Kris Osborn, CNN, Fort Stewart, Georgia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Stewart>
