john rodriguez would be the first to tell you that the units coming out today are far more besht abled and equipped and do it in var tactical manner that is done very effectively than perhaps what he saw himself when he got there in 2009. so there is an improvement. they are getting bet. he is doing a lot more partnering. >> thank you. let's go to the crowd. please, again, stand, identify yourself and ask a short, clear question, if i could ask you to do that. the microphone is coming. >> i'm david wood from the huffington post. thank you for coming here today. appreciate. what is the attrition rate for the a.n.a. and secondly, what is gripping washington this week is the obama administration's deliberations about how fast and how many troops to pull out of afghanistan. what is the relationship between what you're doing and his ability to pull extra troops out and can you tell us anything about the combat readiness of the units you're graduating to take the lead in security operations? >> a couple of questions there. >> what i can tell you first of all is it is the best it has ever be

rodriguez. daniel joseph row. melny patricia ramono. john joseph rossi. andrew don rusino. scott kenneth royals. julie irene raerer rei. chase preston. [applause] >> john bratzenberger, in a career spanning more than 30 years, you displayed characters on popular television programs, iconic films, and ground breaking movies. perhaps best remembered for the portrayal of the salt of the earth mailman, you've been a champion of american ingenuity employing your background in acting, producing, and writing, you introduced us to the amazing work of entrepreneurs, inventers, and manufacturers throughout this nation whose products have contributed to its greatness, and true to your entrepreneurial nature, you invented a biodegradable paper as an alternative to plastic products. your ability to inspire the next generation found expression in the unique foundation you formed to promote this mission. it is also reflected in your new campaign to help rebuild america's skilled work force through expanded opportunities for career technical and vocational training. also close to your hear

rodriguez. i teach politics at richard stockton college in new jersey. >> i'm from the university of florida. >> kevin, political scientist at clairen university of pennsylvania. >> john smith, communication studies and political communication at the state university of new york. >> good morning. university in nigeria. >> joe foster. i teach political science at the united states air force academy. >> thank you for coming. i'm ryan and i teach political science at college of the redwoods in northern, california. >> janet brown, could you start and help us understand what we might be able to teach students about what's coming up in 2012, please. . . >> needless to say, these aren't just four nights that take place and then go away and are not part of a continuum of conversation and learning, they really haven't filled their potential. so this is what we are looking at every four years to try to understand how do we improve, how do we move forward. how do we use technology to make sure these have the greatest educational value, interest, and stimulate further discussion and further learning. >> one of the things i think presidential debates have done is they have instit

rodriguez, political science. >> thank you. >> craig gifford, i teach leadership at the university of florida. >> kevin, i teach at the university of pennsylvania. >> william lankin, i teach in glendale, arizona at the community college. >> john karen smith, professor of communications studies and the state university. >> heather tom -- thomly son, i teach political science. >> i teach political science at the college of the redwoods in northern california. >> i'm gene with the washington center. >> nice to meet you all. >> you do online journalism in politico? >> i do. >> you are also on twitter and facebook? >> i do. okay. good. >> i'm at -- at politicoroger on twitter and facebook you can find me if you look hard enough by typing in roger simon. there's also another roger l. simon who's a conservative. don't get confused between us. >> we've been reading and seeing a lot about twitter, facebook recently. what part of online media going to play in the upcoming campaign. >> well, a large part. i think there's a lot of confusion about both twitter and facebook. i've only been on for a week. i'm new. but bill keller, a man i respect enormously, the outgoing editor of the "new york times" did a famous attack on twitter a couple