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Pentagon names members of Walter Reed panel

Two former service secretaries, a former service chief of staff, three doctors and a nurse are among the members of an independent Pentagon panel that will look into administrative and quality-of-life problems experienced by wounded war veterans being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington

Members of the group, announced Friday at the Pentagon, are:

* Togo West, former secretary of Veterans Affairs and secretary of the Army under President Clinton.

* Jack Marsh, secretary of the Army under President Reagan.

* Joe Schwartz, a physician and former Republican congressman from Michigan.

* Jim Bacchus, former Democratic congressman from Florida, now at Vanderbilt University.

* Retired Gen. John Jumper, former Air Force chief of staff.

* Retired Lt. Gen. Chip Roadman, former Air Force surgeon general.

* Retired Rear Adm. Kathy Martin, former Navy deputy surgeon general.

* Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Larry Holland, formerly senior enlisted adviser for the assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs.

The group’s makeup reflects comments Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman made earlier in the week that it would include “people from outside, perhaps some retirees.” Whitman said the group will have “unrestricted access to all facilities and personnel and will be provided appropriate assistance and administrative support.”

The group’s efforts will run parallel to, and be complemented by, probes announced Feb. 20 by the secretaries of the Army and Navy.

Whitman said Defense Secretary Robert Gates wants to hear the independent group’s findings within 45 days.

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