Today, Monday 25 March, is Dominican Armed Forces Day. It is the 196th anniversary of General Matias Ramon Mella’s birthday and although President Medina has stated on occasion that there is a need for renewal of the top brass of the Armed Forces (and the National Police) El Nuevo Diario says that the current generals still include men long past retirement age. The reporter says that “men with 40, 42 and 44 years of military service still wear military uniforms, opening them for criticism from some quarters.” Despite the fact that many of these generals suffer from health problems, they refuse to leave the ranks. Some of the military personnel consulted said that the institutions needed to be strengthened with an influx of younger officers. Reporter Felix Rubio says that the current Minister of the Armed Forces, Admiral Sigfrido Pared Perez has already begun a process of renewal to place younger men in key positions.