The President has authorized the Department of Defense to assist Santa with the Twelve Days of Christmas. Status of acquisitions follows: Day 1 - Partridge in a pear tree: The Army and Air Force are in the process of deciding whose area of responsibility Day 1 falls under. Since the partridge is a bird, the Air Force believes it should have the lead. The Army, however, feels trees are part of the land component command's area of responsibility. After three months of discussion, a $1M study has been commissioned to decide who should lead this joint program. Day 2 - Two turtle doves: Since doves are birds, the Air Force claims responsibility. However, turtles are amphibious, so the Navy/Marine Corps team feels it should take the lead. Initial studies have shown that turtles and doves may have interoperability problems. Terms of reference are being coordinated for a four year, $10M study. Day 3 - Three French Hens: At State Department instigation, the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs has blocked offshore purchase of hens, from the French or anyone else. A $6M program is being developed to find an acceptable domestic alternative. Day 4 - Four Calling Birds: Source selection has been completed, with the contract awarded to AT&T. However, the award is being challenged by a small disadvantaged business. Day 5 - Five Golden Rings: No available rings meet MILSPEC for gold plating. A three year, $5M accelerated development program has been initiated. Day 6 - Six Geese a-Laying: The six geese have been acquired. However, the shells of their eggs seem to be very fragile. It might have been a mistake to build theproduction facility on a nuclear waste dump at former Air Force base that was closed under BRAC. Day 7 - Seven Swans a-Swimming: Fourteen swans have been killed trying to get through the Navy SEAL training program. The program has been put on hold while the training procedures are reviewed to determine why the washout rate is so high. Day 8 - Eight Maids a-Milking: The entire class of maids at a milking training program at Aberdeen is involved in a sexual harassment suit against the Army. The program has been put on hold pending resolution of the lawsuit. Day 9 - Nine Ladies Dancing: Recruitment of the ladies dancing has been halted by a lawsuit from the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell Association." Members claim they have a right to dance and wear women's clothing as long as they're off duty. Day 10 - Ten Lords a-Leaping: The ten lords have been abducted by terrorists. Congress has approved $2M in funding to conduct a rescue operation. Army Special Forces and a USMC MEU are conducting a competition for the right to rescue. Day 11 - Eleven Pipers Piping: The pipe contractor delivered the pipes on time. However, he thought the DOD wanted smoking pipes. The DOD lost the claim due to defective specifications. A $22M dollar retrofit program is in process to bring the pipes into spec. Day 12 - Twelve Drummers Drumming: Due to cutbacks only six billets are available for drumming drummers. The DOD is in the process of coordinating an RFP to obtain the six additional drummers by outsourcing; however, funds will not be available until FY 06. As a result of the above mentioned programmatic delays, and due to a High OPSTEMPO that requires diversion of modernization funds to support current readiness, Christmas is hereby postponed until further notice.
