Turner Calls for Ouster of Army Surgeon General Kiley

Turner Calls for Ouster of Army Surgeon General Kiley

Congressman Michael R. Turner (R-Centerville), today called on Defense Secretary Robert Gates to relieve Army Surgeon General and former Commander of Walter Reed Army Hospital, Lieutenant General Kevin Kiley, of his command.

Rep. Turner, a member of the House Armed Services, Veterans, and Government Reform Committees has already participated in two hearings concerning the care and treatment of service members at Walter Reed Army Hospital.

At both of those hearings Turner directly questioned General Kiley about his supervision and leadership in his positions as Surgeon General of the U.S. Army and former Commander of Walter Reed Army Hospital. "His responses to questioning demonstrated his lack of awareness of deplorable conditions literally right across the street from where he lived, and furthermore an absolute unwillingness to accept responsibility for conditions that occurred under his command," said Congressman Turner.

In a letter to Secretary Gates, Turner states: "It is unacceptable to believe that the Army would ever become so busy or unable to anticipate events that rodents or mold in a hospital zone's living quarters would become acceptable. Further, I am amazed that soldiers receiving care at Walter Reed were routinely unaccounted for and were left seeking each others assistance to secure their needed medical care. Clearly, General Kiley's performance does not meet the leadership standards of the U.S. military. As a result of the additional information learned during Congressional hearings, it is my strong recommendation that you relieve Lieutenant General Kiley of his command as Surgeon General of the U.S. Army."

http://www.house.gov/miketurner/news/press.rel/3.8.07.shtml