The studies -- one conducted by a senior panel of military officers and civilian experts and another by the Army's Inspector General -- are complete, Meyer said.

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Officials said one possibility is that retired high-ranking officers would be asked to take charge of a panel of outside experts and perhaps military and civilian authorities.

CNN: Purple Hearts proposed for Fort Hood victims

There was, initially at least, much rejoicing among the guardsmen last year when the national defence panel, a group of experts with a mandate to review the country's military priorities, called for greater emphasis on countering poison gas or germ warfare attacks at home.

ECONOMIST: Anything useful to do, besides fighting the army?