If you are a military veteran, spouse or active-duty service member in transition, you will inevitably get stumped in an interview.

At some point in the job hunt, an interviewer will ask you a question so weird it makes you choke on your own tongue. You simply will not have an answer. Even if you are smart enough to practice with our "99 Ultimate Interview Questions for Veterans and Spouses," some interviewer will come up with a doozy of a question that will put you off your game.

Instead of crashing to the floor of the conference room with a boom like a 1,000-pound log, you could decide to become an unstumpable job seeker. After all, you are a veteran -- a practical, adaptable, unstumpable force. If impossible questions are an inevitable part of the process, why not plan to handle them?

To that end, consider adopting our sweet little interview trick of preparing and practicing a stall, a short pause designed to buy you enough time to think up a good answer to an impossible interview question. Here are five terrific stalls we introduced last month in our master class Introvert Advantage: How to Beat the Extrovert to the Job Offer.

(If you are not getting interview requests, you need our newest Transition Master Class: Resume Learning Lab: Fix Your Resume Fast on Thursday, Aug. 17, at 4 p.m. Eastern.)

1. The Classic Stall: 'That's a Great Question'

The classic reply to an impossible interview question is to say, "That's a great question." In fact, this stall is so well known an entire segment of "This American Life" was devoted to how often podcast interviewees started their answers with those words. It is so common that some interview experts advise candidates not to use it at all.

I think using this stall once during the interview is OK, but because it's so recognizable, you shouldn't rely on it for your greatest stalls.

2. The Curiouser Stall: 'Can You Say More About That?'

Sometimes, an interviewer asks you a weird question for which there are a dozen possible answers like, "How much would you charge to wash every car in the city?" Or "Can you list some things that make you nervous?" By asking them to say more about the question, you have a moment to figure out what they really want from you and then formulate an appropriate response.

It is also fair to take this moment to clarify the question. You can ask, "Am I right in understanding you want me to describe how I would solve this problem? Or, "Am I right in understanding that you want to know how I manage around my own preferences?"

3. The Introvert's Stall: 'I Want to give You a Thoughtful Reply'

Sometimes, an interviewer will ask you a question that really matters for the job, but there are a lot of possible political potholes along the way. This is especially true when it comes to questions about leadership, diversity and inclusion. It is enough to make an introvert freeze.

So go ahead and take the introvert's stall. Say something like, "No one has asked me that yet. Let me think. I want to give you a thoughtful reply." Then give one of the thoughtful replies you developed in your research.

4. The Extrovert's Stall: 'Let's Think This Through'

One reason the job hunt can favor the extrovert is because interviews require so much thinking on your feet. Extroverts love this. Hearing their own ideas often sparks the answer they really wanted to say all along. By using the extrovert's stall, you bring the interviewer to your side of the table so they see how you can solve problems together.

5. The Redirect: 'I'm Glad You Asked That Question'

Some job interviews are a reach. You know you don't have quite the experience the prospective employer is looking for in a candidate. Or you have most of the experience they want, but you are missing a big piece of it, like direct experience with profit and loss or closing a sale.

Use the redirect stall to move the interview to something you do know or something you want to learn. Say something like, "I'm glad you asked that question. Clearly, I have not had experience with closing a sale, but I have often had to sell an idea to my bosses. Let me tell you about one experience I had …"

6. The Bartleby the Scrivener: 'I Would Prefer Not To'

In the classic Herman Melville short story "Bartleby, the Scrivener," a law clerk answers every request with the same reply: "I would prefer not to." While you would not want to follow Bartleby's example all the way, you should know you can refuse to answer if you get asked an uncomfortable question in an interview like "How many other offers do you have?"

It's worth noting that the research does show that declining to answer a question often makes a worse impression than whatever personal information you would have to disclose. If the question is not immoral or illegal, it might be worth answering.

7. The Deflection: 'Were You Going to … ?'

Another way you can gain a little more time while thinking of your final answer is to make a deflection. Researchers at the Harvard Business Review found that in interviews or negotiation, people who deflected the difficult question by asking a question of their own usually had a better result.

For example, if you are asked, "How many other offers do you have?" you can ask a question of your own like, "Were you going to make an offer?" If they ask an illegal question in an interview like "How many more children are you going to have?" or "Will you have to deploy with the National Guard?" you can ask a question of your own like "Is absenteeism a big problem at your company?" While they answer, you have a moment to think of where you want this conversation to go next.

Interviews are usually not set up to trick you. Interviewers mostly want to know whether you are qualified for the job and how you would fit in with the other people on their team. Preparing interview questions in advance and preparing a couple of our stalls will help you see your way clear every time.

-- Jacey Eckhart is Military.com's transition master coach. She is a certified professional career coach and military sociologist who helps military members get their first civilian job by offering career-level Master Classes through our Veteran Employment Project and on her website, SeniorMilitaryTransition.com. Reach her at Jacey.Eckhart@Monster.com.

Find Your Next Job Fast

Transitioning military, veterans and spouses may be qualified for the job, but they are missing the secrets of civilian hiring. Find out everything you need to know with our FREE master class series, including our next class. You can view previous classes in our video library. Questions for Jacey? Visit our Facebook page.

In the military, you were probably used to direct and clear orders, with no fluff in between. In civilian life, clear direction is still important, but you have more latitude to create an emotional connection with your message, enhance the narrative of your communication and showcase your creativity in how you tell a story. A story has the power to connect people and to make a deeper impact with a message than just reciting cold data points. This is especially true during a job interview.

What Is Storytelling?

When we tell a story, we paint a mental and emotional picture of a situation or event. We bring the listener into the situation with us and help them to understand the essence of our message.

Stories can be playful, funny, shocking, sad, happy or insightful. They're designed to highlight an important message, teach a lesson (moral or otherwise) and illustrate a point we're trying to make. Instead of just sharing data and information, a story helps give the material context, allowing the listener to visualize for themselves the impact or significance of what's being shared.

When Is a Story Needed?

Consider a typical job interview: The interviewer asks a question, and you answer. For example, "Tell me about a career highlight for you?" might lead you to reply by sharing a situation you experienced during a challenging combat mission where stakes were high and outcomes were uncertain. You highlight your ability to adapt and overcome in that story, and it's more memorable than if you'd just shared where you were, what you were tasked with and how many made it home safely.

Another interviewer question could focus on the results you produced in your role as a field artillery officer. As you frame this story, you could present sheets of data with statistics and numbers and graphs and charts ... or you could tell a story. Yes, you'll need to back up your story with information that supports your response, but the interviewer will remember your story in the context of the response best.

Key Storytelling Ingredients

There are as many formulas for a great story as there are great stories. To get started thinking about the stories you can share, follow these tips:

• Humanize your message. Think of personal, life experiences that can help the listener understand your viewpoint. As you share your story, feel the emotions of the situation you're describing. Always practice these kinds of stories, so you don't inadvertently venture into sharing too personal information.
• Share someone else's experience. If you don't have your own story, or aren't comfortable sharing one yet, share someone else's. Just be sure to give full attribution to the other person, so there's no misunderstanding.
• Know your audience. Consider how the listener may feel about the story. Can they relate to what you went through? Have they had a similar experience? Also think about how much backstory or advance information they might need to understand the story. This may lead you to find a different story altogether.
• Set the stage. Your story's opening should get their attention. You could cite an alarming statistic, share an example that surprised or delighted you, or otherwise frame up the story to bring the listener in to want to know what came next.
• Focus on the middle. The center of the story is where the key points are made. Don't leave these to chance -- craft them with intention and practice delivering them in order.
• End with impact. The story's close is as important as any other part. If you just trail off, you could lose all the momentum you've built. Consider what you want the listener to do with the story: Do you want them to ask you a question, make a decision, consider your request, change their behavior or ...?

Storytelling can become part of all aspects of your career and life. Consider when you have to share an important message, teach someone something new or demonstrate a technique using a story to frame up what you're communicating. You'll see nuances of the story resonate with your listener and likely enjoy the storytelling process!

The author of "Success After Service: How to Take Control of Your Job Search and Career After Military Duty" (2020) and "Your Next Mission: A personal branding guide for the military-to-civilian transition" (2014), Lida Citroën is a keynote speaker and presenter, executive coach, popular TEDx speaker and instructor of multiple courses on LinkedIn Learning. She regularly presents workshops on personal branding, executive presence, leadership communication and reputation risk management.

A contributing writer for Military.com, Lida is a passionate supporter of the military, volunteering her time to help veterans transition to civilian careers and assist employers who seek to hire military talent. She regularly speaks at conferences, corporate meetings and events focused on military transition.

Want to Know More About Veteran Jobs?

Be sure to get the latest news about post-military careers as well as critical info about veteran jobs and all the benefits of service. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox.

Frequently Asked Questions- Veteran's Educational Benefits Ch. 31

Frequently Asked Questions- Veteran's Educational Benefits Ch. 33

Picture this: you're chilling during your free time, your favorite beverage in one hand, scrolling through the latest tech updates with the other, when suddenly a friend texts, panicking about a cyberattack that has just left them devastated. 

CLICK TO GET KURT’S FREE CYBERGUY NEWSLETTER WITH SECURITY ALERTS, QUICK TIPS, TECH REVIEWS AND EASY HOW-TO’S TO MAKE YOU SMARTER 

This scenario is more common than you think and could easily happen to anyone, especially those who harbor stubborn myths about cyber security. 

Myth #1 - underestimating your appeal to hackers 

If you're tossing your hair back, saying, "Well, I don't have anything a hacker would want," think again. Hackers aren't picky eaters. They'll feast on any bit of data they can find. Your banking details? Yummy appetizers. Personal information? A delicious main course. 

To hackers, we're all just meals waiting to be devoured. The fix here is simple: Take digital threats seriously, set up a sound security system, and be mindful of what you share online.

HOW TO ADD SAFE BROWSERS TO YOUR MOBILE DEVICE

Solution #1 - use identity theft protection 

In the quest for robust protection against these lurking cyber threats, there’s a beacon of hope. Identity theft services. Identity theft protection companies can monitor personal information like your home title, Social Security Number (SSN), phone number and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals. 

One of the best parts of using some services is that they might include identity theft insurance of up to 1 million dollars to cover losses and legal fees and a white glove fraud-resolution team where a U.S.-based case manager helps you recover any losses. 

See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft by visiting Cyberguy.com/IdentityTheft 

Myth #2 - relying on password strength alone 

For all those confident souls who think a strong password is all the protection they need, here's a wake-up call: Hackers have become more intelligent. They've got tools and tricks to crack even the most complex passwords. 

BEWARE OF CHERRYBLOS, THE ANDROID MALWARE THAT STEALS PASSWORDS

Solution #2 - use strong and unique passwords  

Create strong passwords for your accounts and devices, and avoid using the same password for multiple online accounts. Consider using a password manager to securely store and generate complex passwords. It will help you to create unique and difficult-to-crack passwords that a hacker could never guess.  

It also keeps track of all your passwords in one place and fills passwords in for you when you're logging into an account so that you never have to remember them yourself.  The fewer passwords you remember, the less likely you will be to reuse them for your accounts. 

What qualities should I look for in a password manager? 

When it comes to choosing the best password manager for you, here are some of my top tips: 

• Deploys secure
• Works seamlessly across all of your devices
• Creates unique complicated passwords that are different for every account
• Automatically populates login and password fields for apps and sites you revisit
• Has a browser extension for all browsers you use to automatically insert passwords for you
• Allows a failsafe in case the primary password is ever lost or forgotten
• Checks that your existing passwords remain safe, and alerts you if ever compromised
• Uses two-factor authentication security

Check out my best expert-reviewed password managers of 2023 by heading to Cyberguy.com/Passwords. 

FOR MORE OF MY TECH TIPS AND SECURITY ALERTS, SUBSCRIBE TO MY FREE CYBERGUY REPORT NEWSLETTER HERE 

Myth #3 - the antivirus illusion 

You got antivirus protection? Awesome! But remember, not all antivirus software is created equal. Some may provide better protection and performance than others, so choose wisely. And if you are running a free antivirus program, consider replacing it for these reasons. 

Solution #3 - have good antivirus software on all your devices

For sure, the best way to protect yourself from having your data breached is to have antivirus protection installed on all of your devices. This will make sure you are stopped from clicking on any potential malicious links that may install malware on your devices and allow hackers to gain access to your personal information. 

See my expert review of the best antivirus protection for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices by heading to Cyberguy.com/LockUpYourTech   

Myth #4 - trusting all apps from official stores 

It's time to also address the belief that only downloading apps from official app stores is 100% safe. Here's the thing: official app stores do offer a safer environment, but they're not invincible. Some malicious apps can slip through, disguised as popular apps. A little extra caution won't hurt here. 

Solution #4 - smart app selection: investigate before installation  

Before downloading an app, do a little detective work. Check reviews, ratings, developer details, and app permissions. You will likely find this information at the bottom of the description page of whatever app you are attempting to download from the App Store or Google Play store. 

Myth #5 - overconfidence in WiFi passwords 

TOP APPS TO TROUBLESHOOT YOUR WI-FI SIGNAL

Have faith in your WiFi password? It’s time to go a step further and boost your WiFi security. With Cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, enhancing your WiFi security measures can safeguard your personal data and prevent unauthorized access to your network, ensuring you're more protected when you're online. 

Solution #5 - effective measures for a safer WiFi network  

Enabling encryption: By enabling encryption, such as WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) or WPA3, you can ensure that the data transmitted over your Wi-Fi network is encrypted and not easily accessible to unauthorized users. Encryption adds a layer of security by encoding the data in a way that can only be decrypted by devices with the correct encryption key. 

Changing default passwords: Many Wi-Fi routers come with default usernames and passwords set by the manufacturer. It is crucial to change these default credentials, as they are widely known and can make your network vulnerable to unauthorized access. Choose strong, unique passwords that are not easily guessable, and use a password manager, as I detailed above. 

Using a Virtual Private Network: A VPN establishes an encrypted connection between your device and a remote server, routing your internet traffic through the VPN server. This adds an extra layer of security and privacy to your Wi-Fi network, as the data transmitted between your device and the VPN server is encrypted. It can help protect your data from potential eavesdropping and provide anonymity by masking your IP address.  

For best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices by visiting CyberGuy.com/VPN 

MORE: HOW TO SPEED UP YOUR WIFI AND INTERNET CONNECTION 

Myth #6 - regularly updating your software and devices is challenging and hard to do 

Despite the myth that it is difficult and time-consuming to update your software and devices, it is very easy and doesn't take a lot of time. You do not want to neglect those software-update notifications that pop up on your devices. Updates often include important security patches that fix vulnerabilities and protect against the latest threats. Keeping your operating system, apps and antivirus software up to date is crucial in maintaining a strong defense against cyberattacks. 

Solution #6 - embrace updates for enhanced protection 

Set your devices to automatically install updates or make it a habit to manually check for updates regularly to ensure you're running the latest, most secure versions. And don’t forget to always back up your devices if you should ever need to restore them. Remember, an outdated system is an open invitation for hackers. It's like leaving your doors unlocked when you go to bed. 

Kurt's key takeaways 

It's always better to be safe than sorry. With these cyber security myths busted wide open, it's important to remember that digital security isn't a set-and-forget deal. It's more like a perpetual chess game, and you always need to stay a move ahead of the hackers out there. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

What's one thing that might change your behavior after knowing the truth behind these myths? Could it be finally tapping that neglected 'Update' button? Or perhaps it's time to secure that home Wi-Fi with a reliable VPN? Every strategy counts in this game. How will you up your cyber security game? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact. 

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter. 

Copyright 2023 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. 

A Defense Department family is seeking answers after their two beloved bulldogs died, apparently from heat prostration, during a military-contracted flight from South Korea to Seattle.

“Nothing will ever be the same for our family,” said Anne Surette, whose husband, Timothy, is a civilian employee of the Defense Intelligence Agency. “Everything has been a nightmare that will not go away.”

The Surette family boarded a Patriot Express flight, a commercial airliner contracted by Air Mobility Command, and left South Korea Aug. 17 during the first leg of their permanent change of station move to Washington, D.C. In the hold were the family’s two pets, she said,11-year-old Winter, an Olde English bullldog, and 5-year-old Soju, a French bulldog. Both were healthy before the flight, she said.

When the plane stopped for a scheduled layover at Misawa Air Base, Japan, they were able to take the dogs out to walk and feed them. Both dogs were okay at that point, she said.

But after the passengers reboarded the plane, they were told there would be a delay. As the plane sat on the tarmac, it lost power and the air conditioner quit working, Even so, for the next two hours, no one could leave the plane, including the dogs.

“It was hot in the cabin for us,” she said.

About 40 minutes into that delay, the flight attendant said they had checked on the dogs and given them water; later they said they opened the door to allow air flow for the dogs.

But when they arrived in Seattle, after an 8½-hour flight, they were informed their dogs didn’t make it, Surette said. The Surettes found that Winter’s water bottle had disappeared and Soju’s bottle was empty.

Ironically, the Surettes had decided to take that flight because it was supposed to be a temperature-controlled aircraft. Patriot Express flights can accept pets for transportation during a PCS move on a limited space-available basis. The rates vary from $125 to $375, depending on the weight of the pet.

“What happened that it was so hot for Winter and Soju to suffer and then [leave] us?” Surette wrote in a Facebook post that same day “Why didn’t they take the dogs out when we had to wait in the heat for almost two hours?”

She posted pictures of their deceased dogs and noted that both Soju and Winter looked like they were sleeping.

“Their bodies were stiff and hard,” she said.”

No other pets died on this flight, according to the Air Mobility Command.

The day after their flight, Aug. 18, two Air Force officers came to meet them at their hotel, Surette told Military Times. “They said they would be in touch with the command team in Japan and launch an investigation,” she said.

Air Mobility Command leaders “were able to meet with the family on Friday to express condolences, answer their questions and offer support,” said Air Force 1st Lt. James Stewart, in an Aug. 23 email response to questions. AMC officials have looked into the circumstances surrounding this mission, which involved a mix of military and contracted support, he said.

“Once passengers and pets were loaded onto the plane, the international charter service personnel take over the remainder of coordination for preparing the aircraft, passengers and pets for flight,” he said. “It is at this point that AMC personnel were no longer involved in the immediate decision-making and preparation of flight.

“However, AMC leadership and teams will continue to work on improving processes for our families and their pets,” he said.

“While we cannot change the outcome of this unfortunate situation, AMC leadership is analyzing the circumstances of this mission and are committed to doing all they can to reduce negative outcomes while still providing pet transport for our service members.”

The deaths of the two pet bulldogs comes just over a year after the four-star general in charge of Air Mobility Command apologized to military families for the deaths of three dogs during overseas moves during a two-week period in July 2022.

In a statement emailed to Military Times, Liz K. Hensel, CEO and founder of Leave No Paws Behind USA, said she is “disappointed and heartbroken for the family who lost their two dogs.” The organization’s mission is helping military families with their pet transportation costs when they move to and from overseas locations.

“Not only is this unacceptable but it could have been completely avoidable. Service members shouldn’t have to think, ‘Is my pet going to survive this flight?’ when PCSing,” Hensel said.

“Air Mobility Command needs to answer to this family. What are the contingency plans if there is another power loss and you have pets in cargo? Are there air conditioned rooms nearby for pets and families to wait in? This family will never be the same due to their negligence. This family and all the other families will never be the same.”

Until now, and “despite it being one of the hottest years on record, AMC had suffered one pet fatality this season,” Stewart said. He noted AMC has made a number of changes over the past year to Improve pet safety, to include authorizing pets to stay in AMC terminals with their owners until boarding and loading pets as late as possible. The animals are also taken off the plane at transit locations and loaded as late as possible for the next flight segment, so they aren’t in the lower compartment for the full duration of the route.

“Ground air-conditioning units are also used to cool the lower compartment in the aircraft if and when available,” he said.

“We deeply regret the deaths of these pets,” Stewart said. “We take the movement of families and pets very seriously, and that’s why we’ve adjusted our procedures and have implemented changes to better serve customers. We continue to coordinate with air carriers to Improve travel and we take pride and professionalism to ensure passengers, families and their pets receive the best service and care that we can offer.”

According to information provided to Military Times by Air Mobility Command in 2022, 16 animals had died between 2017, when AMC began transporting pets around the world, and 2022. In those five years, AMC had transported nearly 46,000 pets.

Fourteen of the pets that died were dogs of snub-nosed breeds, like bulldogs and pugs, whose shortened snouts make them more prone to respiratory problems.

A number of airlines severely restrict or eliminate travel for certain breeds, health conditions and climates.

Stewart noted the trends of certain breeds, such as snub/short-nosed dogs, that are at greater risk for air transport. This is briefed to travelers before their travel, and they are required to acknowledge they’ve considered the risk, he said.

AMC officials advise travelers to follow their AMC travel page for the most up-to-date information, and to read the pet travel pamphlet that’s provided to everyone traveling on Patriot Express flights. Pet owners should also check with their veterinarian.

The American Veterinarian Medical Association notes that the U.S. Department of Transportation released statistics in 2010 showing that short-nosed breeds of dogs — such as pugs, Boston terriers, boxers, some mastiffs, Pekingese, Lhasa Apsos, Shih tzus and bulldogs — are more likely to die on airplanes than dogs with normal-length muzzles.

Because of these shortened muzzles, the organization states, “they don’t breathe as efficiently as dogs with normal-length snouts and can have difficulty cooling off when they’re playing or exercising, or if they’re stressed or overheated.”

But questions remain about what measures were taken in the extreme heat when the aircraft lost power.

Over the past few years, transportation of pets during PCS has become increasingly difficult and expensive for military families.

Under a new Defense Department policy that takes effect Jan. 1, troops on PCS orders may be reimbursed for the eligible costs of relocating one dog or one cat per move. The DoD policy allows reimbursement of up to $2,000 if the move is made to or from overseas.

Popular artificial intelligence applications like ChatGPT or DALL-E are growing more popular with the masses, and the Department of Defense is taking note. To get ahead of potential uses and risks of such tools, on August 10, the DoD announced the creation of a new task force analyze and possibly integrate generative artificial intelligence into current operations.

AI is an imprecise term, and the technologies that can make headlines about AI often do so as much for their flaws as for their potential utility. The Pentagon task force is an acknowledgement of the potential such tools hold, while giving the military some breathing room to understand what, exactly, it might find useful or threatening about such tools.

While Pentagon research into AI certainly carries implications about what that will ultimately mean for weapons, the heart of the matter is really about using it to process, understand, and draw certain predictions from its collection of data. Sometimes this data is flashy, like video footage recorded by drones of suspected insurgent meetings, or of hostile troop movements. However, a lot of the data collected by the military is exceptionally mundane, like maintenance logs for helicopters and trucks. 

Generative AI could, perhaps, be trained on datasets exclusive to the military, outputting results that suggest answers the military might be searching for. But the process might not be so simple. The AI tools of today are prone to errors, and such generative AI could also create misleading information that might get fed into downstream analyses, leading to confusion. The possibility and risk of AI error is likely one reason the military is taking a cautious approach to studying generative AI, rather than a full-throated embrace of the technology from the outset.

The study of generative AI will take place by the newly organized Task Force Lima, which will be led by the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office. CDAO was itself created in February 2022, out of an amalgamation of several other Pentagon offices into one designed to help the military better use data and AI.

“The DoD has an imperative to responsibly pursue the adoption of generative AI models while identifying proper protective measures and mitigating national security risks that may result from issues such as poorly managed training data,” said Craig Martell, the DoD Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer. “We must also consider the extent to which our adversaries will employ this technology and seek to disrupt our own use of AI-based solutions.”

One such malicious possibility of generative AI is using it for misinformation. While some models of image generation leave somewhat obvious tells for modified photos, like people with an unusual number of extra fingers and teeth, many images are passable and even convincing at first glance. In March, an AI-generated image of Pope Francis in a Balenciaga Coat proved compelling to many people, even as its AI origin became known and reproducible. With a public figure like the Pope, it is easy to verify whether or not he was photographed wearing a hypebeast puffy jacket. When it comes to military matters, pictures captured by the military can be slow to declassify, and the veracity of a well-done fake could be hard to disprove. 

[Related: Why an AI image of Pope Francis in a fly jacket stirred up the internet]

Malicious use of AI-generated images and data is eye-catching—a nefarious act enabled using modern technology. Of at least as much consequence could be routine error. Dennis Kovtun, a summer fellow at open source analysis house Bellingcat, tested Google’s Bard AI and Microsoft’s Bing AI as chatbots that can give information about uploaded images. Kovtun attempted to see if AI could replicate the process by which an image is geolocated (where the composite total of details allow a human to pinpoint the photograph’s origin). 

“We found that while Bing mimics the strategies that open-source researchers use to geolocate images, it cannot successfully geolocate images on its own,” writes Kovtun. “Bard’s results are not much more impressive, but it seemed more cautious in its reasoning and less prone to AI ‘hallucinations’. Both required extensive prompting from the user before they could arrive at any halfway satisfactory geolocation.” 

These AI ‘hallucinations’ are when the AI incorporates incorrect information from its training data into the result. Introducing new and incorrect information can undermine any promised labor-saving utility of such a tool. 

“The future of defense is not just about adopting cutting-edge technologies, but doing so with foresight, responsibility, and a deep understanding of the broader implications for our nation,” said Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks in the announcement of the creation of Task Force Lima. 

The US military, as an organization, is especially wary of technological surprise, or the notion that a rival nation could develop a new and powerful tool without the US being prepared for it. While Hick emphasized the caution needed in developing generative AI for military use, Task Force Lima mission commander Xavier Lugo described the work as about implementation while managing risk.

“The Services and Combatant Commands are actively seeking to leverage the benefits and manage the risks of generative AI capabilities and [Language Learning Models] across multiple mission areas, including intelligence, operational planning, programmatic and business processes,” said Lugo. “By prioritizing efforts, reducing duplication, and providing enabling AI scaffolding, Task Force Lima will be able to shape the effective and responsible implementation of [Language Learning Models] throughout the DoD.”

Generals who focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, lecture a “white colonel” about the need for more diverse officers, and proclaim climate change a national security threat seem to be finding rewards in the Biden administration.

In February, Air Force Brig. Gen. Stacy Jo Huser and two other women were part of a panel at the University of Mississippi about diversity and inclusion in the armed forces. The event’s sponsors were the Ole Miss Army ROTC program and the Trent Lott Leadership Institute.

In March, President Joe Biden nominated Huser for promotion to major general. 

Hers is one of more than 200 military promotions held up in an effort by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., to undo the Defense Department’s new taxpayer-funded abortion policy. 

“President Biden has appointed a bunch of woke advocates to senior positions in the armed forces; at the macro level, that is extremely problematic,” Tom Jones, president of the American Accountability Foundation, told The Daily Signal. 

The Senate Armed Services Committee and the full Senate are now being forced to review Biden’s individual military promotions rather than rubber-stamp all of them.

“Sen. Tuberville is 100% right on the abortion policy. But his efforts have exposed that the Senate has done a terrible job of vetting these flag officers,” Jones said. 

In February, the Defense Department adopted a policy of allowing three weeks of taxpayer-funded paid leave and reimbursement of travel expenses for enlisted women who get an abortion. 

The American Accountability Foundation named several generals nominated by Biden for promotions. 

Jones said there is a “revolving door” from the military to Senate Armed Services Committee staff to defense contractors that causes a certain amount of deference for a president’s nominees. 

Biden nominated Army Maj. Gen. Anthony R. Hale for promotion to lieutenant general. Last year, Hale made diversity recruitment for military intelligence officers a priority. 

“With regards to African Americans, we’re below 9%,” Hale told KGUN 9 in Tucson, Arizona, noting that minorities in general make up just 30% of military intelligence officers. 

“And as we look at diversity, equity, and inclusion, getting after and doing something about the diversity within our MI Corps just makes us better,” Hale said. 

Army Lt. Gen. Laura A. Potter, renominated for lieutenant general, focused on climate change in a 2021 speech about rising sea levels.

“We consider that a national security problem,” Potter said in March 2021, according to the Army’s website. “You look at the impact of the changes to the permafrost and an increasingly navigable waterway, or if you look at the archipelagos and the threats of rising water levels, those become potential security challenges for those countries. And they certainly impact how the Army would have to operate.”

In an interview, she also stressed the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, as a priority on two fronts. 

“One, how are we growing a diverse MI corps in terms of gender and ethnicity, but also, how are we ensuring our talent management processes aimed for officers that we have diversity within the corps, diversity of assignments and opportunities to expose our soldiers and officers to everything they need to be proficient in their tasks,” Potter said. 

Potter also was a member of the women’s panel held in 2021 by the West Point Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunity.

Biden tapped Space Force Brig. Gen. Jody A. Merritt for promotion to major general. She promoted DEI in a post on LinkedIn.

 “Such an honor to be on this esteemed panel with you and the other panelists!” Merritt wrote. “United States Space Force #STEM #diversity #inclusion #diversityandinclusion #equality #leadership #womenleaders #genderequality.”

The Daily Caller reported that Merritt had tweeted in favor of gun control. However, the tweet linked by the media outlet appears to have been deleted. 

The Daily Signal previously reported on Air Force Col. Ben Jonsson, who Biden nominated for promotion to brigadier general. Jonsson wrote that his fellow “white colonels” are the “biggest barriers” to addressing “racial injustice” in the military because many are “blind to institutional racism.”

In an interview Tuesday on Newsmax, retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Blaine Holt said he knew Jonsson well and was “disappointed” in him.

“If you jump on the bandwagon of the day, which today is the Marxist concept of DEI [and] eliminating the meritocracy, maybe you’ll get promoted,” Holt told Newsmax. “But what I’d rather see is mission-focused officers and leaders who are true to their oath.”

The Daily Signal previously reported that Tuberville had blocked the promotion of Navy Capt. Michael Donnelly, who allowed a drag show on the USS Ronald Reagan, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. 

The Daily Signal also previously reported on two Air Force generals nominated by Biden for promotions—Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider as commander of Pacific Forces and Brig. Gen. Elizabeth Arledge as major general. 

Schneider had said he wanted DEI to be part of the Air Force’s “DNA.” Arledge has tweeted about the problem of “whiteness.”

Navy Rear Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, also nominated for a promotion, has focused on “gender equality and women’s empowerment” and complained that 80% of Congress is made up of men, The Daily Signal previously reported. 

The White House did not respond to an inquiry from The Daily Signal about this report. Previously, Biden has criticized Tuberville for blocking the nominations for military promotions over the abortion issue. 

“What Sen. Tuberville is doing is not only wrong—it is dangerous,” Biden said in an official statement July 21. “In this moment of rapidly evolving security environments and intense competition, he is risking our ability to ensure that the United States armed forces remain the greatest fighting force in the history of the world.”

In a July 28 letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Tuberville sought additional information from the Pentagon about how its abortion policy is being implemented. The Alabama Republican wrote:

Since the policy’s implementation and despite my numerous requests, the DoD has refused to provide basic information on the utilization of this policy, such as the budget from which it will draw funds necessary to cover this travel. In fact, the DoD recently provided a briefing for members of the Senate Armed Services Committee which failed to deliver any new information, and frankly, raised more questions than answers.

Tuberville also raised questions about how much his holds on Biden’s nominations actually affect the military. He noted that senators from both parties have used similar moves to get information from the Pentagon. 

The Alabama Republican writes in his letter to Austin:

According to the Congressional Research Service, there were approximately 863 active duty general/flag officers as of September 2022. The Pentagon estimates that my ‘hold’ on promotions being passed by unanimous consent could impact approximately 650 nominations by the end of the year. This would amount to roughly 75% of all active duty general/flag officers.

Have an opinion about this article? To sound off, please email letters@DailySignal.com and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the url or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state.

The inaugural round of India-U.S. 2+2 Dialogue will be held in New Delhi this week, a significant development reflective of the growing convergence of strategic interests between the world’s oldest and largest democracies. Minister of External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and Minister of Defense Nirmala Sitharaman will host both Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary James Mattis on September 6, where a host of strategic issues will be discussed.

One issue that will certainly dominate the discussions is the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA). With U.S.-India defense ties on an upward swing in exact years and the Trump administration looking to cultivate partners like New Delhi as it operationalizes the so-called free and open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy, there are reports suggesting that the two sides are moving closer to the signing of the agreement.

Before leaving office, U.S. President Obama categorized India as a “Major Defense Partner.” The Trump administration’s exact decision to give India the STA-1 status (Strategic Trade Authorization-1) is a clear acknowledgement of the growing synergy between India and the United States on the defense and security developments in the Indo-Pacific and beyond but also a recognition of India’s export control regimes being in line with global norms. So far, this status has been accorded only to the NATO countries and Australia, Japan and South Korea, a clear indication of India’s importance in the U.S. strategic calculus.

In an effort to elevate ongoing defense cooperation between India and the United States to a more meaningful level, the United States had sought to have India sign the last two of the four so-called foundational agreements – the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), the Logistics Supply Agreement (LSA) or what is now called the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), the Communication and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA) or what is now called the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) to suggest a more India-specific agreement, and the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA).

India signed the GSOMIA in 2002 and the LEMOA in 2016. Ever since the signing of the LEMOA, COMCASA has been the focus. Simply put, COMCASA will allow for greater access to critical communication networks to enable better interoperability between the Indian and U.S. militaries. This will facilitate installation of high-end security gadgets on the many defense equipment and weapon systems that India is buying from the United States.

Enjoying this article? Click here to subscribe for full access. Just $5 a month.

For instance, many defense platforms that India has bought from the United States are stripped-down versions without some of the more advanced electronic equipment. Security analysts have written about the case of the P-8I maritime aircraft that India has purchased for its Indian Navy which has none of the secure voice and data links – Data Link-11 and Data Link-16 which the other COMCASA-signed countries have been provided with. These data links are essential to have better interoperability through which a common tactical picture is developed between partner navies.

Absence of a COMCASA agreement, in the air platform context, would mean the absence of “precision Global Positioning System (GPS) gear, and state-of-the-art guidance” in some of systems that India is planning to buy. Analysts contend that signing the COMCASA becomes particularly important as India is set to buy the combat version of Sea Guardian drones from the United States.

It remains unclear if India and the United States have been able to iron out all their differences and are ready to sign the agreement at the 2+2 dialogue.  Like the LEMOA, there have been heated debates on COMCASA too. There are analysts who argue that COMCASA will “facilitate vertical and horizontal penetration by the US of India’s most sensitive government and military communications grids, including the nuclear Strategic Forces Command – the reason why the armed services are against signing it.” Proponents of this line of view have further called the BJP government “naïve and gullible” to buy into U.S. assurances that the information gathered from Indian systems won’t be shared with other countries.

A few others have questioned the growing closeness between New Delhi and Washington, saying that signing these military agreements will essentially “foreclose India’s options.” While some of these analysts see certain tactical benefits to signing these military pacts, according to them, there are “many more negative geopolitical and strategic consequences to becoming America’s military ally in all but name.” Such analysts believe that the BJP government in New Delhi is moving forward with US ties without these being debated and altering the course of India’s “geostrategics and foreign policy.”

Concerns have also been raised as to how signing COMCASA will “enhance Russia’s fears of compromising its high-value platforms, such as the leased Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine and the Su-30MKI combat aircraft” and that it will cause trouble with Russia.

But other analysts have argued that in the absence of the COMCASA-agreement, platforms that India buys from the United States will be less capable. Others have also pointed out that COMCASA can facilitate cooperation on areas such as Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), which is critical for India considering China’s foray into Indian Ocean. Retired naval officials also write about the “operational imperative” for the Indian military.

Given the disadvantages of not having the COMCASA, there is little doubt that India will sign the agreement at some point. But in typical fashion, India will likely take its own time to make its decision, and some of the aforementioned concerns are likely to linger as well. That should not obscure the fact that for New Delhi, ultimately, signing the COMCASA agreement is really a matter of when rather than if.