Capitol Journal - Military Pensions
Capitol Journal - Military Pensions
(01:00:00) WETA logo, PBS funding credits (01:00:13) Opens to shot of Navy graduation ceremonies at Annapolis (?) - shot from the back of graduating class who stand and chant three cheers and throw off their hats on the third cheer, two unidentified men comment on the need for military pension changes, Capital Journal host HODDING CARTER stands outside the Capitol Building and introduces show (01:01:16) Capital Journal title screen and animation (01:01:23) Series of b/w photos and footage used to illustrate history of American military pensions - included is brief footage of troops fighting and marching in World War I, troops fighting in World War II, the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima, troops - some wounded - kiss the ground upon returning from World War II (homecoming, getting off ship at night), footage of Generals DOUGLAS MACARTHER and DWIGHT EISENHOWER consulting and walking with American troops in World War II, repeat of Navy graduation footage where graduating class throw off hats and cheer, brief clip from contemporary tv advertisement for the U.S. Navy (01:02:41) Carter standing outside the Capital Building explains why military pensions currently a hot topic (01:03:30) Footage of Representative LES ASPIN entering his office followed by his big shaggy dog, shot of Representative Aspen sitting at his desk and talking business on the phone, in interview with Carter Representative Aspen explains the military pension changes he is implementing, various shots of Aspen around office and walking to the Capital Building (01:06:34) In interview with Carter LESLIE GELB of the New York Times comments on Representative Aspen as the Chairman of the House Armed Forces Committee and his history as a Congressman (01:07:37) Shots of Representative Aspin's office and staff, very quick clips of Aspen appearing on various tv news programs, the Joint Chiefs of Staff meet with the House Armed Forces Committee - Chief of Naval Operations - Admiral J.D. WATKINS expresses his concern over the military's inability to pay its members' penions, commentary of Leslie Gelb on military pension crisis (01:09:00) In interview with Carter Assistant Secretary for Manpower LAWRENCE KORB praises Representative Aspen's pension plan and illustrates possible changes to the current pension system (01:10:07) Carter back outside the Capital segues to report on issue from Norfolk Virginia Naval Base, panning shot of two huge carriers at dock, group of jogging soldiers hold flag before them and chant song -"sound off"- in unison, shot of large camouflaged military carrier plane taking off, shot of men working in air traffic tower (01:10:52) A Navy tv commercial shows shots of Navy members taking on technical and mechanical tasks - doctor performing surgery, man using surveying tool, soldier reading radar screen etc - unfortunately Carter's narration is dubbed over commercial's sound, various shots of sailors working on a large carrier docked at the Norfolk base, two military men - one in service and one retired - comment on proposed pension plan cuts, shots of jets and their pilots moving about carrier deck (01:11:56) Carter interviews Retired Chief Recruiter RICHARD PINGREY of the Richmond District who speaks wearily of proposed pension cuts, footage of meeting between a Navy petty officer and her Navy career counselor - they discuss the future of the pension plan in Navy meeting room, Commander Masterchief JAMES KEENE of the Norfolk base describes the military retiring system as a mountain of "eroding sand", more shots of sailors doing various chores on board a large ship (01:15:00) Members of the Fleet Association in Northfolk - older retired sailors - sit around a table at their club and comment on how they think the proposed pension cuts will be detrimental to the armed services and its personnel (01:17:13) A series of Navy men tell Congress they should try the military life and experience the hard work it involves before voting to cut pensions (01:18:01) Carter interviews Senator THOMAS EAGLETON and GEORGE WILSON of the Washington Post in a fancy Congressional office - they talk about how heavy the cuts will be and the Pentagon's response, why the cuts are necessary and how it will effect armed services recruitement (01:26:12) Carter thanks guests and closes out show, credits roll over footage of sailors performing a ceremonial march in front of a Washington monument - a bugler plays "taps" and President RONALD REAGAN is in attendence (01:27:31) PBS funding credits