Military

            Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Douglas J. Feith announced today that he would leave his position this summer.  As he has informed Secretary Rumsfeld, Mr. Feith made his decision for personal and family reasons.

            Managing an organization of approximately 1,500 persons, Mr. Feith also represents the Department in interagency policy making on national security affairs.

            Under Mr. Feith's leadership, the Defense Department's policy organization has developed a number of key initiatives relative to the Department's future, including:

• defense policy advice in the global war on terror;
• development of a new U.S. global defense posture;
• global peace operations;
• policy guidance to the 21^st century defense strategy;
• Defense Department aspects of the Moscow Treaty on strategic offensive nuclear weapons and the 2002 Nuclear Posture Review; and
• Defense Department work on the enlargement and reform of NATO.

            Commenting on Mr. Feith's planned departure, Secretary Rumsfeld said, "Doug Feith has contributed to the security of the country.  He is creative, well organized, and energetic, and he has earned the respect of civilian and military leaders across the government.  Regretfully, he has decided to depart, and he will be missed."