Service Members, Veterans & Military Families News & Updates: April 2011

Friday, 29 April 2011

Soldiers serve as linguists, " oh-nine-leemahs" ambassadors - War On Terror News

Soldiers serve as linguists, " oh-nine-leemahs" ambassadors - War On Terror News
ritten by Maj. William Mott, STT, 1st Bn., 12th Cav. Regt. UPAR, 3rd AAB, 1st Cav. Div. Tuesday, April 26, 2011

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRAH, Iraq – Most of us are familiar with the local national interpreters, however there is a new generation of Soldiers born from Operation Iraqi Freedom, and developed into combat multipliers for Operation New Dawn; U.S. Soldier interpreters under the military occupational specialty O-9L Linguist here in Basrah, Iraq.

They are referred to as “oh-nine-leemahs,” Arabic speaking Americans who have joined the U.S. military to serve as linguists.

Spc. Ali Gamah, origi....

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Sailors, Marines Learn Laughter May be Best Medicine in Preventing Combat Stress

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines learned how humor can help prevent combat stress issues at the 2011 Navy and Marine Corps Combat Operational Stress Control (COSC) Conference in San Diego, April 27.

The second day of the four-day conference emphasized different methods to deal with stress and featured guest appearances from the National Cartoonist Society and representatives from The Humor Project, Inc.

"There are a whole variety of ways stress can be prevented using humor," said Dr. Joel Goodman, Humor Project founder and director. "Steve Allen said nothing is quite as funny as the unintended humor of reality. So, a homework assignment would be, for five minutes a day, to make believe you're Steve Allen, looking for humor in reality.....

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Thursday, 28 April 2011

Foundation to Award Cash Prizes through “Life During Deployment” Media Contest

New Media Coverage!

We were featured on PR Log.com

Opinion: Veterans in higher education call for responsible leadership | San Francisco Bay Area News - Crosscurrents from KALW

Opinion: Veterans in higher education call for responsible leadership | San Francisco Bay Area News - Crosscurrents from KALW
The past three months have taught us a lot about what it means to be a veteran advocate in the United States. With recent reports citing the near $640 million theft of the new GI Bill by for-profit, online colleges, and the response by those best positioned to help defend against it, the time has come to re-assess what we want from those who represent us. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and Student Veterans of America are the two most prominent organizations we could hold accountable for failures in adequately promoting quality higher education among returning veterans.....

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VA Begins Process to Create Open Source Electronic Health Record - Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today released a draft Request for Proposal (RFP) aimed at forming an Open Source community around its ground-breaking VistA (Veterans Integrated System Technology Architecture) electronic health record (EHR) system. When award is made under a planned RFP for a custodial agent, VA will commit to deploy the Open Source version of VistA to all of its facilities, and will contribute all non-security essential modifications to the product it makes or pays for directly to the Open Source custodian. VA will also commit to participate in Open Source VistA with other public and private sector participants......

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Wednesday, 27 April 2011

Foundation to Award Cash Prizes Through “Life During Deployment” Media Contest

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., (April 27, 2011) — The Grant Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) is set to launch Combat Relief’s “Life During Deployment” media contest May 1st 2011.

Combat Relief, a GHF program supporting American service members, veterans, and their families, is slated to begin a media contest that will foster creativity and camaraderie in the military community. The contest will run from May 1, 2011 until June 1st 2011. Contestants and their peers are encouraged to rate submissions on a four star system. The top rated submissions will be submitted to a panel of four esteemed judges for the final decision.

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Military News - Log Barn Makes U.S. Special Forces Mission Possible

PARWAN, Afghanistan United States Special Forces Operational Detachments Alpha operate in some of the most remote locations of Afghanistan. The narrow valleys and mountaintops make constant access to these locations extremely difficult.

Despite the rough terrain SF ODAs require constant resupply of the basics such as ammo, food, water and clothing. The Logistics Barn, referred to as the Log Barn for short, out of Camp Montrond, Bagram Airfield, keep the supplies rolling in so that operations can continue.

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Military News - Video shows Afghan attack on US convoy

New footage obtained by Press TV showing Afghan fighters attacking a US supply convoy in the northeast province of Kunar.

The convoy had entered Afghanistan through Torkham border in the east and was carrying supplies, including fuel, for a US military base in the province.

The convoy was escorted by eight US armored vehicles carrying about 40 American soldiers and an Afghan military truck when it came under attack in Jalala village.

SECNAV: Women will serve on attack subs - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

By Joshua Stewart - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Apr 27, 2011 14:23:15 EDT

The Navy’s top civilian said that attack submarines are in the future for both enlisted and commissioned women.

As the first wave of female officers moves through training to report to ballistic and guided-missile submarines in November, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said enlisted women should also have the opportunity to serve on submarines. Additionally, both enlisted women and female officers should be allowed to serve onboard attack submarines, not just the guided-missile and ballistic boats open to them today.

The Navy is “doing whatever needs to be done to integrate women into attack submarines as well. That will be a lit.....

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Tuesday, 26 April 2011

Military Children Add Joy to Care Package Stuffing Event | USO

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Matt Ludwig might be a child, but he understands, even at a young age, the sacrifices that thousands of military families make each day. His father, who serves in the U.S. Navy, recently returned from a deployment to Afghanistan.

When this son of a sailor had the chance to help American service members serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn, he put a smile on his face and joined up with other military kids for a consequential day of fun. They spent several hours stuffing care packages at Virginia’s Fort Belvoir, as part of Operation USO Care Package. The special USO Metropolitan Washington-hosted event benefited thousands of U.S. troops stationed overseas.

"Life During Deployment" Media Contest

Combat Relief is excited to launch its “Life During Deployment” media contest in less than a week! The contest will offer a creative outlet for military service members, veterans, and their families in order to depict what life is like for the soldier and/or the soldier’s family when he or she is called into service away from home. The contest will accept videos, videos of musical performances, photos, photos of original art work, and any other form of art that can be submitted in video or photo form.

Photo Courtesy of Department of Defense

While Combat Relief is anticipating the opening day of the contest, there are some rules and information that all contestants should be aware of:

-The first rule and probably the most important rule, is please do not harm yourself or others while creating your submissions. Combat Relief won’t accept submissions that harmed a person or animal in order to create the project no matter how riveting the subject matter. Inappropriate submissions will be disqualified....

Please visit the Combat Relief Official Blog for more info

Enlisted Early Transition Extended

April 25, 2011

Navy News|by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (AW) LaTunya Howard

MILLINGTON, Tenn. -- With the release of NAVADMIN 142/11, April 22, the Navy has extended the Enlisted Early Transition Program (EETP) to Sept. 30, 2013.

Due to the Navy's unprecedented retention and successful recruitment, Sailors are being offered a voluntary early separation option.

"Our end strength and our over-manning in certain ratings was a consideration for the extension of this program," said Mike Dawson, head enlisted community manager, Navy Personnel Command. "Our community managers have also received a lot of feedback from Sailors and the Fleet that they would apply for an early-out if they were eligible.......

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Monday, 25 April 2011

Military News - 3 US-led troops killed in S Afghanistan

Three more US-led soldiers have been killed in Blasts in southern Afghanistan, bringing the number of foreign troops killed in the war-torn country to over 130 in 2011.

Earlier on Saturday five US-led forces were also killed in an attack on an Afghan army base in eastern Afghanistan.

In a Saturday statement, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed the number of casualties caused by the attack in eastern Afghanistan, Xinhua news agency reported. click the title to read more.....

Some E-4s do the work of NCOs, lack the status - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

By Scott Fontaine - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Apr 25, 2011 8:27:49 EDT

Senior Airman Benjamin Jones has seven years under his belt. He makes sure more than 25 A-10C Warthogs are maintained and inspected. He oversees four senior airmen and two airmen first class and writes their enlisted performance reviews.

Once in a while, Jones runs a shift for his flight when the noncommissioned officer isn’t there. His flight chief has asked him how the shift schedule should look.

Destroyer squadron boss fired on deployment - Military News | News From Afghanistan, Iraq And Around The World - Military Times

By Gidget Fuentes - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Apr 25, 2011 17:15:40 EDT

SAN DIEGO — A senior officer deployed with the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group operating in the Arabian Sea was fired Saturday while an investigation looks into allegations of an “inappropriate relationship,” the Navy announced Monday.

Capt. Donald Hornbeck, commodore of San Diego-based Destroyer Squadron 1, was relieved by the Vinson strike group commander, Rear Adm. Samuel Perez, Navy officials said.

“There is an investigation into an allegation of an inappropriate relationship,” Lt. Beth Teach, a 3rd Fleet spokeswoman, said Monday. The Navy provided no other details.

Hornbeck, who previously served as the destroyer squadron’s deputy commodore, is being temporarily reassigned to 3rd Fleet in San Diego, Teach said.

Friday, 22 April 2011

Bank to pay $48 million to military homeowners - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

New to the Military?

Military families know that military service is not a job, it's a lifestyle. visit militaryfamily.org for guidance

Navy Performance Evaluation Instruction Updated

An update to the Navy Performance Evaluation System instruction BUPERSINST 1610.10C was released April 21 by Navy Personnel Command (NPC).

The update cancels BUPERSINST 1610.10B and incorporates several NAVADMINs affecting performance evaluations and fitness reports.

"The changes cover new E-5 promotion recommendation rules, Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) documentation requirements, a new billet sub-category for performance reports, details on Reserve component unit reporting responsibilities, elimination of references to the enlisted field service record and several other items," said James Price, director, Navy NPC Performance Evaluation Division.

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Thursday, 21 April 2011

veteranshour

"The Distinguished Military Site Award"

The Editors of Military.Com: have selected The Veterans Hour as one of the best military sites on the Web. Military.Com recognized this website as a valued resource for the military community. In appreciation, We received "The Distinguished Military Site Award". Thanks Military.Com - Please visit their site.

Founder of The Veterans Hour - SMSgt. Gary Thomas USAF Ret. A decorated combat veteran, he was awarded The Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism while participating in aerial flight over Dak To II, Republic of Vietnam. Other awards include; The Air Medal with (First Oak Leaf Cluster) for Meritorious Achievement while participating in aerial flight over enemy territory, and The Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service.

Numerous other medals include; The Japanese Occupation Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Medal, National Defense Medal with (First Oak Leaf Cluster) Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. During the Vietnam War he was also nominated for a second Distinguished Flying Cross and Two Bronze Stars.

Gary Thomas has been a long time advocate for veterans rights locally and on the national scene. Though limited for health reasons he continues to be recognized for his leadership and tireless devotion to veterans, their families and our nation. He is a graduate of the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy and currently holds memberships in the V.F.W., D.A.V., N.C.O.A., American Legion, Life Member of U.V.O.A. and is President Emeritus of The Brotherhood of Vietnam Veterans.

visit this site by clicking the title

Brass ponders better armor for war-zone troops - Military News | News From Afghanistan, Iraq And Around The World - Military Times

Wednesday, 20 April 2011

11 Days 'till the "Life During Deployment" Media Contest Opens

There is an electricity buzzing in the Combat Relief program, as the team gets ready to open their first media contest on May 1st.

-The prize is marked at $800 for first place and $200 for second place.-

The awards will go to the image or video that best conveys "Life During Deployment" and is open to all members of the military community. This includes but is not limited to veterans, spouses, children and of course service members.

The big question is: Who are the "Celebrity" Judges?

The news is there will be:

four judges
all are members of the entertainment community
all have high respect in each of their artistic fields
Two are female and two are male

but WHO ARE THEY?

Have a CLUE? Post your answer on our facebook wall:

facebook.com/combatrelief

Flight of the Dudettes

Female F-15 pilots and aircrew conducting an all female air
support mission at Bagram Airfield,
Afghanistan. Produced by Staff Sgt. Larry Moore.

Click here for the Military Times Video Clip

Military Times Service Members of the Year

Military Times Service Members of the Year
Each year several "Everyday Heros" are nominated as Service members of the year. These special people deserve a little extra recognition so click the title to vote for your hero! only two days left !

Top DoD reserve official stepping down - Military News | News From Afghanistan, Iraq And Around The World - Military Times

A top Defense Department official who has been pushing to reshape the military’s reserve components is stepping down.

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs Dennis McCarthy announced his retirement Monday in an email to his Pentagon colleagues.

McCarthy’s resignation comes shortly after he co-authored a long-term proposal to dramatically expand the role of the military’s 1.2 million reservists.....

Tuesday, 19 April 2011

Defense.gov News Article: RC-East Troops Making Progress Against Insurgents

Defense.gov News Article: RC-East Troops Making Progress Against Insurgents
Army Maj. Gen. John F. Campbell makes no bones of the fact that his job as the commander Regional Command East is the most challenging problem he ever has confronted.
“This is the most complex thing I’ve ever dealt with,” Campbell said here today. “Every day you can be frustrated. But as a leader you’re not very effective if you stay frustrated. It is, many days, two steps forward [and] one step back, but it is progress.”
Campbell, who also commands the 101st Airborne Division, spoke to reporters traveling with Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“RC-East is probably the most complex problem set I’ve seen,” he said. “I spent 19 months in Baghdad during the surge, and this is exponentially harder because of the tribal dynamics, the political dynamics, the terrain, the weather, the distance –- it’s just a huge prob......

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http://www.defense.gov/dodcmsshare/newsphoto/2011-04/hires_110414-F-WA217-103.jpg

Moving Photo-Senior level Sergeants helping the North Dakota National Guard: QUICK RESPONSE FORCE TEAM

Arlington Cemetery officials tell lawmakers wrongs will be righted

Arlington National Cemetery officials told congressmen that past faulty management practices are being fixed, including employee training and automation of record-keeping systems. In a hearing before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations April 14, 2011, Kathryn A. Condon, executive director of the Army National Cemeteries Program and Patrick Hallinan, superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery, described how they are handling administrative problems they faced....

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Monday, 18 April 2011

Fort Bragg operating today on 2-hour delay - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Fort Bragg officials announced on Facebook that the base will operate on a two-hour delay on Monday except for adverse weather personnel, who are to report at normal duty hours or as directed. Civilian employees and schools will also operate on a two-hour delayed schedule.

The base remained closed Sunday except for key and essential personnel after severe weather damaged buildings and cut off power to the installation Saturday.

There are no reports of loss of life or significant injuries on post, according to a statement post....read more by clicking the title

Smith Optics We Make the Great Days Better Contest

THIS IS WHY WE DO THIS

Two weeks after getting out of the Army, I flew with a group of friends across Cook Inlet into the rarely skied Neacola Mountains. We set up camp on the Blockade Glacier and skied everything in site over the next 8 days. Our timing was perfect....

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Combat Relief Supports National Effort to Improve Veteran Health Care

Mill Valley, CA – Combat Relief today has joined the American Hospital Association, HealthPartners and more than a dozen national organizations in a nationwide effort to educate millions of Americans about the problems faced by returning veterans and their families. Through the Joining Forceseducation campaign and curricula, medical professionals across the nation can now receive training online on how to deal with the health issues facing our nation’s troops as they return home from service. Additionally, outreach efforts are....

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Sunday, 17 April 2011

A woman’s place — in combat? - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Rules that limit female soldiers’ careers likely to change

By Lance M. Bacon - Staff writer
Posted : Sunday Apr 17, 2011 9:19:44 EDT

Ten months after she graduated from West Point, 1st Lt. Maxine Gourley was in Afghanistan.

During numerous route-clearing missions in the dangerous Pech and Konar valleys, her engineer platoon was hit at least 30 times with direct-fire engagements, indirect fire or improvised explosive devices.

Most engagements were not the typical hit-it-and-get-it. The area was littered with the professional and well-armed Haqqani network, and firefights lasting more than 10 hours were not uncommon. As ground commander, she had to communicate with higher headquarters, call for indirect fire and maneuver her soldiers into defensive perimeters and to repel assaults.

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Friday, 15 April 2011

Employers promise 100,000 jobs for vets p1 - Military Transition - Military Times EDGE

Staff report

Wednesday Mar 23, 2011 16:16:55 EDT

A partnership of 11 companies, led by financial services firm JPMorgan Chase, has committed to hiring 100,000 military veterans by the end of 2020.

“Not only is this the right thing to do for veterans, but all of the companies in the 100,000 Jobs Mission recognize it’s a great thing to do for our businesses,” said Frank Bisignano, JPMorgan Chase chief administrative officer.

The program expects to add more partners and increase the target number of jobs as it grows.

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Month of the Military Child Essay Contest

Month of the Military Child Essay Contest

April 01, 2011

Month of the Military Child Essay Contest

Today, April 1st, begins the Month of the Military Child. Throughout the month, BSF will be celebrating our littlest heroes with programs just for them. Kicking it off is an essay contest for military children with some exciting prizes, including a Barnes & Noble Nook!

In celebration of April’s Month of the Military Child, Blue Star Families wants to know what being a military child means to America’s youngest heroes. Every military child has different experiences that help them grow into rounded young adults, ready to excel under any circumstances. This is their opportunity to let America know what it means to be a military child.

Throughout the month of April, Blue Star Families will be holding an essay contest for children kindergarten through fifth grade, posing the question “What does it mean to you to be a military child?”

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Military families learn Tricare isn’t a preferred NCH Healthcare insurer » Naples Daily News

NAPLES — Kathleen Rever was stunned by the letter from the federal health insurance program for the military that said she could no longer see the primary care doctor she had come to trust.

The March 11 letter from Tricare for active duty and retired military, along with their family members, simply stated her doctor no longer was available. The 55-year-old was being assigned to a doctor in Cape Coral, a bit of a distance from her south Fort Myers home, and the switch was effective in two weeks.

After several phone calls, her husband, Kim Rever, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, learned the NCH Healthcare System no longer was part of the Tricare network. Initially he was told by an NCH patient advocate that there must be some mistake.

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Thursday, 14 April 2011

2011 Milbloggies Now Open for Nominations : My Military Life

April 13, 2011 by Wendy

Do you have a favorite military blog? Now is your chance to nominate your favorite blog(s) in the 2011 Milbloggies.

The Milbloggies Award recognizes military bloggers for their contribution to blogging, news and information, and to the military over the past year. Think of it as the People’s Choice awards for the military blogs.

To learn more click on the title.

Neuro-Bio Tests for PTSD? | Healing PTSD Trauma

Christel B. D’Agostino, MSW, LCSW-R, CtH

There are all these disturbing news about veterans committing suicide and veterans’ accidental death due to powerful drug cocktails. When I came across the announcement about Neuro-Bio blood tests and neuroceuticals for PTSD out of the cutting-edge field of neuroscience it felt like a breath of fresh air and renewed hope for all the sufferers of PTSD, their families and caretakers.

My “Healing PTSD Trauma” will not become obsolete, far from it. My Universal Vibrational Therapy ™ is also cutting-edge, in my case in the field of energy therapy. However, before I tell you more about “Healing PTSD Trauma” let me give you some information about Neuro-Biotech Corp., Basel, Switzerland , the Neuro-Bio test kits and distribution plans.

Click on the title to read more about Healing PTSD Trauma.

Wednesday, 13 April 2011

Joining Forces | The White House

Joining Forces | The White House

Watch First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden announce the new initiative for military families.

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Discovery Launches Campaign To Back Military Families - 2011-04-12 18:16:33 | Multichannel News

by MCN Staff -- Multichannel News, 4/12/2011 2:16:33 PM

Discovery Communications is launching a national initiative to build awareness for the need to give ongoing support to America's military families.

Discovery's multi-network and multi-platform contribution to this critical campaign is comprised of Discovery Education, TLC, Military Channel and Discovery's social media division.

The campaign dovetails with a call from the White House by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden.

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Caring for Yourself While Helping Support Your Service Member at Real Warriors

Caring for Yourself While Helping Support Your Service Member at Real Warriors

Military deployments are emotionally and physically demanding. The experiences of living in high-stress combat environments can continue to affect service members as they return home. They may have trouble adjusting to living in a comfortable, relaxed and loving environment. Additionally, you may notice your service member feeling and acting differently then they did before they left. These feelings may not be temporary and might not disappear the moment they return home. Your service member may need your support to help him or her adjust to living and feeling at home again.

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Tuesday, 12 April 2011

Obama announces new initiative to support military families - CNN.com

Washington (CNN) -- Supporting military families with jobs, education and other services is a matter of national security, President Barack Obama said Tuesday in helping his wife Michelle, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill announce a new initiative supporting relatives of American service members.

"Joining Forces" will encourage businesses to provide jobs for military spouses, schools to find ways to provide additional support to children of service members and also encourage everyday Americans to find ways to personally get involved.

Click the title to watch President Obama's speech.

Defense.gov News Article: Camaraderie, Challenge Inspire Wounded Warriors

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

SNOWMASS VILLAGE, Colo., March 29, 2011 – Camaraderie and the opportunity to challenge themselves are proving to be some of the best therapy possible for wounded warriors attending the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic here as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Few might have guessed during the early days of last year’s clinic that one of its most reluctant participants would return this year as one of its biggest supporters.

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Arianna Huffington: Military Families Week: Putting the Spotlight on the Sacrifices of Those Left Behind

Arianna Huffington: Military Families Week: Putting the Spotlight on the Sacrifices of Those Left Behind

Posted: 04/12/11 09:40 AM ET

Talk about letting bygones be bygones: less than a year after President Obama relieved him of his command, the White House announced Sunday that Gen. Stanley McChrystal will help supervise a new initiative designed to put a spotlight on the sacrifices of America's military families -- and the practical steps the rest of us can take to help them.

Dubbed Joining Forces, the program will be officially announced today by Michelle Obama and Jill Biden -- whose husband McChrystal famously mocked by saying, "Who's that?"

But that was then and this is now -- a time to, as the First Lady put it, "build upon our nation's great patriotism by asking all Americans to take action and ensure our military families have the support they have earned." (For more on Joining Forces, be sure to check out the "You've Got..." video on AOL, which will feature Michelle Obama and Jill Biden talking about the effort and, as Biden puts it in the video, turning our "gratitude into concrete action.")

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Monday, 11 April 2011

20 M land mines in Iraq | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) — Twenty-five percent of the world's unexploded land mines are buried in Iraq, making it one of the most contaminated countries, the environment ministry said Tuesday.

More than 20 million mines are scattered in the war-plagued nation, Deputy Environment Minister Kamal Hussein Latif said.

"That has become a heavy legacy on the country that hobbles its economy and health,'' Latif said in Baghdad.

Many of the land mines date to 1960s, when Iraq launched military operations to quell the Kurdish rebellion in the north. But they also are a legacy of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war, when Saddam Hussein's regime planted them in the desert near the border, along with the first Gulf War in 1991 and the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003.

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Craig Newmark: Real Support for Military Families and Veterans

There's a lot happening which provides real support for military veterans and their families. Lots more needs to be done, but things are getting better. This is only a sampling, biased by efforts that I'm seriously involved with, or plan to become so. Hey, you can also help out.

Turns out that the Department of Veteran Affairs gets more and more done, like improving the systems for handling medical and educational claims. They're also leading novel public/private partnerships to better support veterans, like the Blue Button effort which will allow vets to download their health records. Recently announced efforts will lead to integration with the Pentagon health records system, which is a huge deal. They're also using social media to get the word out to vets, including getting help from social media nerds to further propagate the word. (Yes, it's true that I fulfill the "nerd" part.)

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28 medals awarded for rescue in Afghanistan - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

By John Ryan - Staff Writer
Posted : Monday Apr 11, 2011 5:28:51 EDT

The Army has awarded 28 medals, including five Distinguished Flying Crosses, for an audacious rescue of more than 90 pinned-down soldiers, including four casualties, in Afghanistan, according to a recent Army release.

Task Force Comanche, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division repelled insurgent attacks in an “enemy-held” valley on Oct. 2.

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Sunday, 10 April 2011

Marine Nuclear Team Ready in Japan

April 09, 2011

Associated Press

TOKYO - Wearing gas masks and baggy gray suits, a special U.S. Marine Corps unit trained to rescue people in chemical, biological or nuclear emergencies held drills Saturday with Japanese counterparts, standing ready to help out if needed around the crippled Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant.

The 145-member Chemical Biological Incident Response Force, based at a naval support facility in Indian Head, Maryland, near Washington D.C., flew to Japan on April 2 to offer its assistance to Japan, officials said.

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Pentagon’s second thoughts on Iraq withdrawal - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

WASHINGTON — Eight months shy of its deadline for pulling the last American soldier from Iraq and closing the door on an 8-year war, the Pentagon is having second thoughts.

Reluctant to say it publicly, officials fear a final pullout in December could create a security vacuum, offering an opportunity for power grabs by antagonists in an unresolved and simmering Arab-Kurd dispute, a weakened but still active al-Qaida or even an adventurous neighbor such as Iran.

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Veterans Still Affected by Increasing Problems, Often Ignored

Veterans Still Affected by Increasing Problems, Often Ignored

President Obama has clearly stated, “Whether you left the service in 2009 or 1949, we will fulfill our responsibility to deliver the benefits and care that you earned. That’s why I’ve pledged to build nothing less than a 21st-century VA”.
Among the issues we (Veterans-For-Change) has addressed recently are the following:
Herbicide, TCE/PCE, Benzene, JP-4, JP-8 and a host of other chemicals causing Contamination (CONUS, Including Alaska, HI, and Canada, Panama Canal):
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Wednesday, 6 April 2011

Defense.gov News Article: VA Budget Request Signals Commitment to Vets

Defense.gov News Article: VA Budget Request Signals Commitment to Vets
WASHINGTON, April 4, 2011 – President Barack Obama’s $132 billion 2012 budget request for the Veterans Affairs Department demonstrates that despite a tight fiscal environment, the United States stands by its commitment to men and women who have served in uniform, Deputy VA Secretary W. Scott Gould told American Forces Press Service......
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Defense.gov News Article: Holder Refers 9/11 Co-conspirators to Military Tribunal

Holder Refers 9/11 Co-conspirators to Military Tribunal

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 4, 2011 – The 9/11 co-conspirators will be tried by a military tribunal, Attorney General Eric Holder announced today.

This means the cases of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Muhammed Salih Mubarak Bin Attash, Ramzi Bin Al Shibh, Ali Abdul-Aziz Ali and Mustafa Ahmed Al Hawsawi –- the alleged conspirators in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States....

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Tuesday, 5 April 2011

Tell us: Should women serve in combat roles? - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Staff report
Posted : Monday Apr 4, 2011 16:32:23 EDT

The military should lift its ban on women serving in combat roles, according to a newly released report to Congress, and Army Times wants to hear your thoughts on the issue.

To male soldiers: Should women be cleared to serve in the infantry? What challenges would female grunts face downrange? Do you have any reservations about serving a...

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Bringing Services to Combat Veterans

AZ Daily Times Article: Bringing Services to Combat Veterans

The brunt of the counseling services Erik Adams, a veteran and counselor, offers is for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Combat veterans come to him to speak of their experiences in combat zones and their difficulties in readjusting to civilian life.

....read more by clicking on the title

Defense.gov Photos

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Sherri A. Townsend, an air delivery specialist with Air Delivery Platoon, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, pulls a container of food and water down the ramp of a C-130 Hercules aircraft at Camp Bastion, Helmand province, Afghanistan, on March 20, 2011. The 2nd Marine Logistics Group worked alongside the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing to deliver supplies in support of International Security Assistance Force operations. DoD photo by Cpl. Michael Augusto, U.S. Marine Corps. (Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Sherri A. Townsend, an air delivery specialist with Air Delivery Platoon, 2nd Marine Logistics Group

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Monday, 4 April 2011

'Spice' Becomes Illegal; USMC Initiates Testing - War On Terror News

pice, a synthetic marijuana alternative, is apparently becoming more popular among service members due to the mistaken belief that its properties can’t be detected through urinalysis.

However, the Marine Corps does in fact have a test to detect the synthetic marijuana alternative and since September I Marine Expeditionary Force has dealt with at least four Spice related incidents.

“We are testing for it now because before it technically wasn’t a controlled substance,” said Staff Sgt. Daniel Paredes, substance abuse control officer for I Marine Expeditionary Headquarters Group. “There was no way for the state to stop selling it.” ......

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MQ-9 Reaper crashes at Holloman Air Force Base - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. — Holloman Air Force Base says an unmanned MQ-9 Reaper has crashed on landing at the southern New Mexico base.

Base officials say the remotely piloted aircraft was on a training mission when it crashed around 9:15 a.m. Saturday.

Officials with the base’s 49th Wing say the Reaper was damaged, but nobody on the ground....

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Loving A Soldier Blog: Operation Military Child Celebration

Operation: Military Child Celebration

© Tara Crooks

Military children are heroes. They are the most interesting, resilient, and resourceful creatures. In a military child’s world their hero, their king or queen, is their soldier. And part of being a military child is living the journey of that service. This April, the “Month of the Military Child”, they definitely deserve a celebration fit for…a soldier! That’s right, a soldier. Lace up your boots Private, because you’re about to read over an operational order creating a celebration for military children that could only be described as ….HOOAH!

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Friday, 1 April 2011

Q&A with the President of the Grant Humanitarian Foundation, Elena Grant | Grant Humanitarian Foundation

Q&A with the President of the Grant Humanitarian Foundation, Elena Grant | Grant Humanitarian Foundation
In order to get to know the Grant Humanitarian Foundation a little better, we arranged a question and answer session with the organization's founder and president, Elena Grant.

What inspired your foundation’s Combat Relief program? Read More Here

Returning Warrior Workshop Focuses on Mental Health - War On Terror News

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Charles White, Commander, Navy Reserve Force Public Affairs

TAMPA, Fla. (NNS) -- Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for National Guard Matters and approximately 150 combat-tour veterans and family members participated in a Returning Warrior Workshop (RWW) in Tampa, Fla., March 25 - 27.

Funded by the Department of Defense's Yellow Ribbon program, the RWW focuses on psychological health and is designed to aid in service members' post-deployment, reintegration into family and community life. The workshops are intended for Navy Reservists, but both active duty and reserve members of all services....