Friday, August 21, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Wounded Warrior Outreach
This is a step in the right direction. There is an outreach program here at Fort Bragg, but it'd be nice to see things like this in smaller communities. I think it makes a huge difference in the lives of wounded soldiers. The Wounded Warrior Project has a number of wonderful programs. I'd like to see local gyms and YMCA's reach out to local wounded vets...
From: "U.S. Department of Defense" Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:21:11 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: Chairman Urges Athletic Directors to Help Wounded Warriors
Chairman Urges Athletic Directors to Help Wounded Warriors
Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:05:00 -0500
Chairman Urges Athletic Directors to Help Wounded Warriors
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
ORLANDO, Fla., June 20, 2009 - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff spoke to a nontraditional audience that believes in some very traditional American values here today.
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen told the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics annual convention that its members are in a position to connect veterans – especially wounded veterans – to their greater communities.
The chairman spoke about the role that sports has played in his life, and how coaches – going back to a Little League coach in mid-1950s Los Angeles – influenced him along the way. It also made him a Dodgers fan, a Lakers fan and a UCLA basketball fan, he added.
Sports even influenced the admiral's decision to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. He played basketball in high school and wanted to play on the East Coast where Bill Bradley – a standout for the Princeton Tigers – played. Sports allowed Mullen the opportunity to attend the Naval Academy, which he called "a place that literally changed my life forever."
The admiral said he wants the athletic directors to do what they can in their communities for wounded warriors, noting that young men and women from the Wounded Warrior Project were attending their convention. "What you do and the people you touch make such a difference in our country," Mullen said to them.
The 170,000 to 180,000 young men and women in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan are his main concern as chairman, Mullen said. The military is in its eighth year of war and the force is pressed, he added, noting that, on average, servicemembers are on their fourth deployment.
The admiral told the athletic directors that he is a Vietnam vet. "That was my first war, and I remember it like yesterday," he said. "I am fortunate enough to be in a position of leadership to make sure that some of the things that happened back then – particularly the disconnect between the American people and its military – never recur. Your support of these young men and women is a big part of that."
The country must take care of those who are wounded and provide for the families of those killed, Mullen said. "We must take care of, provide for [and] create opportunities for them for the rest of their lives," he added.
The directors' participation, he told the group, is important to recognize the sacrifices servicemembers have made and to help wounded warriors and their families continue. "Their lives have changed forever, but their dreams haven't changed at all," he said.
Recognition on college campuses around the United States helps to connect the American people to its military, the admiral said.
"We're a much smaller military than we used to be – 2.2. million men and women who serve – and being able to tell their stories and to connect with the rest of America is absolutely vital," he said. "Those who serve overseas in these wars just want to know one thing: Are the American people behind us? When that question is answered positively, they don't have questions. They don't worry about the politics; they carry out the mission. And the American people are behind our men and women in the military."
More than 35,000 young men and women serving in the military have been physically injured since Sept. 11, 2001, the chairman noted, along with "tens of thousands more who are suffering from combat stress, post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries – the signature injuries of the war. I believe that we, as a country, owe them for what they've done, even in tough economic times."
It all goes back to their dreams, Mullen said. These veterans want an education, a good job, a chance to send their children to school and to own their own homes. "The dreams haven't changed, but the path has," said he told the athletic directors.
Civilian communities, he told the group, are part of the map that charts the path. The Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs have a role, he said, but so do communities.
More than 100,000 servicemembers need "people to put their arms around them and support them as they move to their future," Mullen said. "The only way we can do that is to have communities throughout the land know that combat warriors are living in their communities, and to match up the individual needs with community support."
He spoke of meeting a young Navy SEAL who had been blinded in combat. His home county had people waiting for him when he got home, the chairman said. They helped him with education, training and rehabilitation, and in finding a job. And the young man is poised – like the rest of his comrades – to contribute to the United States for the rest of their lives, the chairman said.
From: "U.S. Department of Defense" Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:21:11 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: Chairman Urges Athletic Directors to Help Wounded Warriors
Chairman Urges Athletic Directors to Help Wounded Warriors
Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:05:00 -0500
Chairman Urges Athletic Directors to Help Wounded Warriors
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
ORLANDO, Fla., June 20, 2009 - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff spoke to a nontraditional audience that believes in some very traditional American values here today.
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen told the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics annual convention that its members are in a position to connect veterans – especially wounded veterans – to their greater communities.
The chairman spoke about the role that sports has played in his life, and how coaches – going back to a Little League coach in mid-1950s Los Angeles – influenced him along the way. It also made him a Dodgers fan, a Lakers fan and a UCLA basketball fan, he added.
Sports even influenced the admiral's decision to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. He played basketball in high school and wanted to play on the East Coast where Bill Bradley – a standout for the Princeton Tigers – played. Sports allowed Mullen the opportunity to attend the Naval Academy, which he called "a place that literally changed my life forever."
The admiral said he wants the athletic directors to do what they can in their communities for wounded warriors, noting that young men and women from the Wounded Warrior Project were attending their convention. "What you do and the people you touch make such a difference in our country," Mullen said to them.
The 170,000 to 180,000 young men and women in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan are his main concern as chairman, Mullen said. The military is in its eighth year of war and the force is pressed, he added, noting that, on average, servicemembers are on their fourth deployment.
The admiral told the athletic directors that he is a Vietnam vet. "That was my first war, and I remember it like yesterday," he said. "I am fortunate enough to be in a position of leadership to make sure that some of the things that happened back then – particularly the disconnect between the American people and its military – never recur. Your support of these young men and women is a big part of that."
The country must take care of those who are wounded and provide for the families of those killed, Mullen said. "We must take care of, provide for [and] create opportunities for them for the rest of their lives," he added.
The directors' participation, he told the group, is important to recognize the sacrifices servicemembers have made and to help wounded warriors and their families continue. "Their lives have changed forever, but their dreams haven't changed at all," he said.
Recognition on college campuses around the United States helps to connect the American people to its military, the admiral said.
"We're a much smaller military than we used to be – 2.2. million men and women who serve – and being able to tell their stories and to connect with the rest of America is absolutely vital," he said. "Those who serve overseas in these wars just want to know one thing: Are the American people behind us? When that question is answered positively, they don't have questions. They don't worry about the politics; they carry out the mission. And the American people are behind our men and women in the military."
More than 35,000 young men and women serving in the military have been physically injured since Sept. 11, 2001, the chairman noted, along with "tens of thousands more who are suffering from combat stress, post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries – the signature injuries of the war. I believe that we, as a country, owe them for what they've done, even in tough economic times."
It all goes back to their dreams, Mullen said. These veterans want an education, a good job, a chance to send their children to school and to own their own homes. "The dreams haven't changed, but the path has," said he told the athletic directors.
Civilian communities, he told the group, are part of the map that charts the path. The Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs have a role, he said, but so do communities.
More than 100,000 servicemembers need "people to put their arms around them and support them as they move to their future," Mullen said. "The only way we can do that is to have communities throughout the land know that combat warriors are living in their communities, and to match up the individual needs with community support."
He spoke of meeting a young Navy SEAL who had been blinded in combat. His home county had people waiting for him when he got home, the chairman said. They helped him with education, training and rehabilitation, and in finding a job. And the young man is poised – like the rest of his comrades – to contribute to the United States for the rest of their lives, the chairman said.
Future Combat Systems Update...
The plot thickens...In typical Army fashion, they plan on changing another acronym though the program itself does not seem too far off from the original and seems even more cumbersome.
Future Combat System (FCS) Program Transitions to Army Brigade Combat Team Modernization
Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:12:00 -0500
________________________________________
IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 451-09
June 23, 2009
________________________________________
Future Combat System (FCS) Program Transitions to Army Brigade Combat Team Modernization
The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics issued an acquisition decision memorandum (ADM) today that implements decisions regarding the Future Combat Systems Brigade Combat Team (FCS BCT) program announced by Secretary Robert M. Gates in April. FCS is the Army's largest modernization program.
In making decisions for the fiscal 2010 FY10 Gates expressed a specific concern that the portion of the FCS program to field new manned combat vehicles did not adequately reflect the lessons of counterinsurgency and close quarters combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was further troubled by the terms of the current single contract covering the whole FCS effort. The restructuring ordered today addresses these issues.
The ADM released today cancels the Future Combat Systems Brigade Combat Team (FCS BCT) program and in its place directs the Army to transition to a modernization plan consisting of a number of separate but integrated acquisition programs to meet the secretary's objectives. Those integrated programs include one to spin out the initial increment of the FCS program to seven infantry brigades in the near term and additional programs for information and communications networks, umanned ground and air vehicles and sensors, and an integration effort aimed at follow-on spinouts to all Army brigades. The ADM also terminates the manned ground vehicle portion of the previous FCS program and directs an assessment with the Marine Corps of joint capability gaps for ground combat vehicles. The assessment will inform new requirements for Army ground combat vehicle modernization, leading to the launch of a new acquisition program in 2010.
The termination of the Manned Ground Vehicles portion of the FCS program will negatively impact the Army's ability to develop the Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon (NLOS-C) independent of the FCS development timeline as required by the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009. The department is working closely with the Congress to determine the appropriate path forward for the NLOS-C.
The ADM directs the Army to identify the most efficient means to end the manned ground vehicle development effort with the least cost to the taxpayer and to use work already completed in any follow-on ground combat vehicle developmental programs.
The Army's Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) has established a task force to examine critical issues in Army-wide modernization. This modernization task force will lead a comprehensive review of force designs, the BCT modernization plan, network integrated architectures, and ground combat vehicle operational requirements.
"The BCT modernization strategy will yield a versatile mix of BCTs that will leverage mobility, protection, information, and precision fires to conduct effective operations across the spectrum of conflict," said Lt. Gen. Michael Vane, director, Army Capabilities Integration Center, TRADOC.
For more information on the Army issues, contact Lt. Col. Martin Downie, Office of the Chief of Public Affairs Army, at (703) 697-7591. For question on the ADM, please call Cheryl Irwin at OSD-PA at (703) 697-5131.
U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
On the Web: http://www.defenselink.mil/Releases/
Future Combat System (FCS) Program Transitions to Army Brigade Combat Team Modernization
Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:12:00 -0500
________________________________________
IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 451-09
June 23, 2009
________________________________________
Future Combat System (FCS) Program Transitions to Army Brigade Combat Team Modernization
The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics issued an acquisition decision memorandum (ADM) today that implements decisions regarding the Future Combat Systems Brigade Combat Team (FCS BCT) program announced by Secretary Robert M. Gates in April. FCS is the Army's largest modernization program.
In making decisions for the fiscal 2010 FY10 Gates expressed a specific concern that the portion of the FCS program to field new manned combat vehicles did not adequately reflect the lessons of counterinsurgency and close quarters combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was further troubled by the terms of the current single contract covering the whole FCS effort. The restructuring ordered today addresses these issues.
The ADM released today cancels the Future Combat Systems Brigade Combat Team (FCS BCT) program and in its place directs the Army to transition to a modernization plan consisting of a number of separate but integrated acquisition programs to meet the secretary's objectives. Those integrated programs include one to spin out the initial increment of the FCS program to seven infantry brigades in the near term and additional programs for information and communications networks, umanned ground and air vehicles and sensors, and an integration effort aimed at follow-on spinouts to all Army brigades. The ADM also terminates the manned ground vehicle portion of the previous FCS program and directs an assessment with the Marine Corps of joint capability gaps for ground combat vehicles. The assessment will inform new requirements for Army ground combat vehicle modernization, leading to the launch of a new acquisition program in 2010.
The termination of the Manned Ground Vehicles portion of the FCS program will negatively impact the Army's ability to develop the Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon (NLOS-C) independent of the FCS development timeline as required by the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009. The department is working closely with the Congress to determine the appropriate path forward for the NLOS-C.
The ADM directs the Army to identify the most efficient means to end the manned ground vehicle development effort with the least cost to the taxpayer and to use work already completed in any follow-on ground combat vehicle developmental programs.
The Army's Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) has established a task force to examine critical issues in Army-wide modernization. This modernization task force will lead a comprehensive review of force designs, the BCT modernization plan, network integrated architectures, and ground combat vehicle operational requirements.
"The BCT modernization strategy will yield a versatile mix of BCTs that will leverage mobility, protection, information, and precision fires to conduct effective operations across the spectrum of conflict," said Lt. Gen. Michael Vane, director, Army Capabilities Integration Center, TRADOC.
For more information on the Army issues, contact Lt. Col. Martin Downie, Office of the Chief of Public Affairs Army, at (703) 697-7591. For question on the ADM, please call Cheryl Irwin at OSD-PA at (703) 697-5131.
U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
On the Web: http://www.defenselink.mil/Releases/
D.A.D.T.
A friend of mine shared this article with me...
Allies' stance cited in US gays-in-military debate
By DAVID CRARY, AP National Writer David Crary, Ap National Writer – Sun Jul 12, 3:38 pm ET
NEW YORK – When it comes to dealing with gay personnel in the ranks, the contrasts are stark among some of the world's proudest, toughest militaries — and these differing approaches are invoked by both sides as Americans renew debate over the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
In the United States, more than 12,000 service members — including dozens of highly trained Arabic linguists — have been dismissed since 1994 because it became known they were gay. Current targets for discharge include a West Point graduate and Iraq war veteran, Army National Guard Lt. Dan Choi, and a veteran of combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan, Air Force Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach.
In Britain, on the other hand, gay and lesbian service members marched in crisp uniforms in the annual Pride London parade July 4. Gay Australian soldiers and sailors had their own float in Sydney's Gay Mardi Gras parade. In Israel, the army magazine earlier this year featured two male soldiers on the cover, hugging one another.
America's "don't ask, don't tell" policy — which prohibits gays from serving openly in the armed forces — is the target of intensifying opposition, and President Barack Obama says he favors lifting the ban. But he wants to win over skeptics in Congress and the Pentagon, and a fierce debate lies ahead that will inevitably touch on the experiences of allied nations that have no bans.
U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, the first Iraq war veteran elected to Congress, has just launched a campaign for a bill to repeal "don't ask, don't tell." He observed British troops in Iraq operating smoothly with a serve-openly policy and bristles at the contention that America's armed forces would suffer morale and recruiting problems if they followed suit.
"I take it as a personal affront to our warriors," said the Pennsylvania Democrat. "To say that other countries' soldiers are professional enough to handle this and American soldiers aren't is really a slap in the face."
Those seeking to preserve the U.S. ban question whether the allies' experiences have been as smooth as advertised and depict America's military as so unique that lessons from overseas should be ignored anyway.
"We are the military leaders in the world — everybody wants to be like us," said Brian Jones, a retired sergeant major who served in the Army Rangers. "Why in the world would we try to adjust our military model to be like them?"
With such polarized views as a backdrop, Associated Press reporters took an in-depth look at how the militaries of Israel, Britain and Australia have managed with serve-openly policies, and interviewed partisans on both sides of the debate in the United States about the relevance of those experiences.
___
Israel:
A nation in a constant state of combat readiness, Israel has had no restrictions on military service by gays since 1993 — a policy now considered thoroughly uncontroversial.
Gays were permitted to serve even before then, but not in certain intelligence positions where, at the time, they were deemed possible security risks vulnerable to blackmail. Now, gays and lesbians — among them several senior officers — serve in all branches of the military, including combat duty.
"In this regard, Israel has one of the most liberal armies in the world," said Yagil Levy, a sociologist from the Open University of Israel.
The army recognizes the partners of gay officers as their bereaved next-of-kin after their deaths, eligible for benefits. Gay officers at promotions and other ceremonies often have their partners by their sides.
Maj. Yoni Schoenfeld, a gay officer who is the editor of the military magazine, Bamahane, said there was very little friction in the ranks related to gay soldiers.
He served as a combat soldier and as commander of a paratrooper company, and said his sexual orientation — though known to fellow soldiers — was never an issue. Gay jokes would sometimes surface, unusually not malicious, he said, while receptiveness to gays in combat units could vary.
"If you're gay and live in the 'manly' world, there are no problems," he said. "Those who are more feminine in their speech and appearance have a harder time fitting in."
He sympathized with gays in the U.S. military who don't enjoy the same liberty he did.
"There shouldn't be a problem with it," he said. "It's the nature of man, and when you allow it to happen (serving openly), it's not a problem anymore."
Schoenfeld's magazine has reflected the evolving attitudes. In 2001, it was shut down briefly after featuring an interview with a retired colonel who had come out of the closet. Yet this year, there was no adverse reaction to the cover picture of two male soldiers embracing.
A gay magazine, meanwhile, named a major as its "man of a year" a few years ago; he continues to serve without harm to his career.
The military also provided the backdrop for Israel's precursor to "Brokeback Mountain" — the 2002 movie "Yossi & Jagger" about two Israeli combat soldiers who fall in love on the front lines. It was a hit with critics and the public, and was even screened on military bases.
___
Australia:
Back in 1992, Anita Van Der Meer was threatened with discharge from the Australian navy for being a lesbian. She denied the charge to save her job — and later that year the military's ban on gays and lesbians was lifted.
This spring, Van Der Meer marched proudly with more than 100 other service members in Sydney's annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade under an Australian Defense Force banner. Even a general joined the march.
Now a chief petty officer, Van Der Meer was a junior sailor in 1992 when someone reported she was engaged in a same-sex relationship.
"It was very traumatic for me, but I still had the cooperation of my supervisors and my peers," said Van Der Meer, 41. "In the end, I had more support than I expected."
Chief Petty Officer Stuart O'Brien, who joined the navy 19 years ago, said being openly gay has not been an issue, even when working alongside U.S. military personnel in Baghdad in 2006.
"They valued the work that I did and that's all that it comes down to at the end of the day," O'Brien said. "Sexuality has nothing to do with anything any more within the services."
The lifting of the ban on gays was preceded by years of heated debate, yet the change itself was relatively uneventful aside from a few unexpected coming-outs of high-profile commanders.
"Everyone said, 'Good heavens, that's a bit of a surprise' and after five minutes the conversation reverted back to football," said Neil James of the Australian Defense Association, a security think tank. "After a while it was met with a collective yawn."
Among opponents of the change at the time was Australia's main veterans group, the Returned and Services League, which has now withdrawn its objections.
The league's president, retired Maj. Gen. Bill Crews, said concerns about lowered morale and HIV transmission on the battlefield had proved ill-founded.
"I was there in the early days of it. ... I thought there'd be a continuing problem because of prejudice that exists in parts of the community," Crews said. "I don't see any evidence now that homosexuals are in any way discriminated against. ...A homosexual can be just as effective a soldier as a heterosexual."
Some skepticism lingers, however.
Brig. Jim Wallace, who commanded an elite Special Air Service mechanized brigade until retiring in 2000, argues that gays and women should be barred from combat roles.
"Do you want an army which is already likely to be outnumbered wherever it fights to be fighting at its most effective or its least effective?" Wallace asks. "If you want to sacrifice fighting effectiveness for political correctness, then all right, go ahead."
He referred to the traditional 10-soldier units commonly deployed in Australian combat forces.
"Now if you introduce into that 10 men a love or lust relationship, you immediately damage the phenomenon of mateship," he said. "There is some discrimination that has to be done to maintain the effectiveness of society or the effectiveness of fighting units."
___
Britain:
British policymakers had been wrestling for years with whether to scrap a long-standing ban on gays in the military — but the pivotal decision was made abroad, by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France.
The court ruled in 1999 that Britain had violated the rights of four former service members who were dismissed from the military for being gay and lesbian.
King's College professor Christopher Dandeker said there had been significant opposition to the change among military officers. There were predictions — not borne out — that unit cohesion would suffer and that large numbers of personnel would leave the military if gays could serve.
Once the ban was lifted, Dandeker said, the opposition dwindled, and the government of Prime Minister Tony Blair embraced the chance to be seen as a beacon of tolerance.
Lord Alan West, former head of the Royal Navy and now Britain's terrorism minister, served before and after the ban was lifted.
"It's much better where we are now," West said in an interview at the House of Lords. "For countries that don't do that — I don't believe it's got anything to do with how efficient or capable their forces will be. It's to do with other prejudices, I'm afraid."
As for Britain's trans-Atlantic ally: "I think the Americans really need to make the move," West said.
Peter Tatchell, a London-based gay-rights activist often critical of the government, praises the military's handling of the change.
"Since the ban has been lifted, there hasn't been a word of complaint from senior military staff," he said. "They've said that having gay and lesbian people in the services has had no damaging effect at all."
Mandy McBain joined the Royal Navy at age 19, in 1986, at the most junior rank possible. Now a lieutenant commander, she remembers what it was like to serve when being a lesbian had to be a secret.
"It's exhausting," she said. "It's quite incredible to look back and see how much time and energy I spent leading a double life."
In one past assignment, she processed the paperwork of comrades being dismissed because of their sexuality. "That," she said quietly, "I found very difficult."
Military expert Amyas Godfrey of the Royal United Services Institute, a London think tank, was serving with the British Army in Northern Ireland when the policy changed.
"I remember our commanding officer at the time called the entire battalion together and said, 'This is how it is going to be now. We are not going to discriminate. We are not going to bully. If someone in your group says that he is gay, you treat them as normal,'" Godfrey recalled.
"And that, really, was the implementation of it. For all the years I served after that, it was never an issue."
___
United States:
For those in the U.S. military community who oppose letting gays serve openly, there's a widely shared sentiment that America has nothing to learn from the roughly two-dozen nations that have no bans.
"Who's the only superpower military out there?" argued Maj. Brian Maue, a professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy, in a debate in June at the McCormick Freedom Museum in Chicago. "This is hardly convincing to say, 'Ah, the others are doing it. We should too.'"
Maue — who says he's been speaking out on his own, not as a military spokesman — suggests that repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" would prompt straight service members to complain of privacy violations and "dignity infractions."
"An openly gay military would be the heterosexual equivalent to forcing women to constantly share bathrooms, locker rooms and bedrooms with men," he wrote in a New York Times online forum.
Retired Army Lt. Col. Robert Maginnis, another supporter of the ban, contends that some field commanders in nations that allow gays to serve openly have resorted to "tacit discrimination" — excluding them from front-line units for fear that problems would surface in rugged, close-quarters living conditions.
Maginnis also cited America's multiple overseas missions.
"You have a large part of the world with no tolerance for open homosexuality, and if we were to deploy there, it would be a serious problem," he said.
Repealing the ban would trigger the departure of some career service members who object to homosexuality and deter some people from enlisting, said Maginnis. "It doesn't matter what general population thinks — it's what the young people who have a propensity to enlist think."
Prominent advocates of open service for gays and lesbians acknowledge there would be some hitches, but predict the overall change would be smooth and professional.
"There's been very little trouble in the nations that lifted their ban on gays," said professor David Segal, director of the University of Maryland's Center for Research on Military Organization. "My guess is there will be slightly more in the U.S. — we have a somewhat higher level of intolerance."
However, Segal doubted the change would spur a large exodus from the military or hamper recruitment.
"There will be some gay bashing at the unit level, and that will be a problem in the short run for NCOs and junior officers," he said. "But they will deal with it, just as they dealt with racial integration and gender integration."
Nathaniel Frank, a research fellow at the University of California, Santa Barbara's Palm Center and author of a book on "don't ask, don't tell," says his studies of allied nations suggest that lifting the ban in the U.S. would not impair overall military effectiveness.
"There will be some forms of de facto discrimination and prejudice — a policy change is not going to wipe that out of people's hearts and minds overnight," he said. "But more and more people in the military are seeing it doesn't serve them to have this policy in place."
There's no question, Frank said, that the U.S. military is unique — the most powerful in the world. But he said it should be embarrassing that "our allies can tell the truth about gay soldiers and the U.S. stands with China, Iran, North Korea among the nations that can't."
The key to a smooth transition, Frank added, is emphatic direction from top commanders and the adoption of a code of conduct that would deter disciplinary problems by spelling out unacceptable behavior.
Dan Choi, the gay lieutenant facing dismissal from the Army, says the current "don't ask" policy is disruptive — forcing the gays who are serving to be furtive and dishonest.
"Closeting is what causes instability," he said. "It's the most toxic poison."
As for the U.S. being different from its allies, Choi agrees.
"We are exceptional — because we take the lead on things," he said. "To me, it's an insult to the idea of American exceptionalism to say we're somehow scared of gays."
___
Contributing to this report were Associated Press writers Danica Kirka and Jennifer Quinn in London, Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia, and Aron Heller in Jerusalem.
Allies' stance cited in US gays-in-military debate
By DAVID CRARY, AP National Writer David Crary, Ap National Writer – Sun Jul 12, 3:38 pm ET
NEW YORK – When it comes to dealing with gay personnel in the ranks, the contrasts are stark among some of the world's proudest, toughest militaries — and these differing approaches are invoked by both sides as Americans renew debate over the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
In the United States, more than 12,000 service members — including dozens of highly trained Arabic linguists — have been dismissed since 1994 because it became known they were gay. Current targets for discharge include a West Point graduate and Iraq war veteran, Army National Guard Lt. Dan Choi, and a veteran of combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan, Air Force Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach.
In Britain, on the other hand, gay and lesbian service members marched in crisp uniforms in the annual Pride London parade July 4. Gay Australian soldiers and sailors had their own float in Sydney's Gay Mardi Gras parade. In Israel, the army magazine earlier this year featured two male soldiers on the cover, hugging one another.
America's "don't ask, don't tell" policy — which prohibits gays from serving openly in the armed forces — is the target of intensifying opposition, and President Barack Obama says he favors lifting the ban. But he wants to win over skeptics in Congress and the Pentagon, and a fierce debate lies ahead that will inevitably touch on the experiences of allied nations that have no bans.
U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, the first Iraq war veteran elected to Congress, has just launched a campaign for a bill to repeal "don't ask, don't tell." He observed British troops in Iraq operating smoothly with a serve-openly policy and bristles at the contention that America's armed forces would suffer morale and recruiting problems if they followed suit.
"I take it as a personal affront to our warriors," said the Pennsylvania Democrat. "To say that other countries' soldiers are professional enough to handle this and American soldiers aren't is really a slap in the face."
Those seeking to preserve the U.S. ban question whether the allies' experiences have been as smooth as advertised and depict America's military as so unique that lessons from overseas should be ignored anyway.
"We are the military leaders in the world — everybody wants to be like us," said Brian Jones, a retired sergeant major who served in the Army Rangers. "Why in the world would we try to adjust our military model to be like them?"
With such polarized views as a backdrop, Associated Press reporters took an in-depth look at how the militaries of Israel, Britain and Australia have managed with serve-openly policies, and interviewed partisans on both sides of the debate in the United States about the relevance of those experiences.
___
Israel:
A nation in a constant state of combat readiness, Israel has had no restrictions on military service by gays since 1993 — a policy now considered thoroughly uncontroversial.
Gays were permitted to serve even before then, but not in certain intelligence positions where, at the time, they were deemed possible security risks vulnerable to blackmail. Now, gays and lesbians — among them several senior officers — serve in all branches of the military, including combat duty.
"In this regard, Israel has one of the most liberal armies in the world," said Yagil Levy, a sociologist from the Open University of Israel.
The army recognizes the partners of gay officers as their bereaved next-of-kin after their deaths, eligible for benefits. Gay officers at promotions and other ceremonies often have their partners by their sides.
Maj. Yoni Schoenfeld, a gay officer who is the editor of the military magazine, Bamahane, said there was very little friction in the ranks related to gay soldiers.
He served as a combat soldier and as commander of a paratrooper company, and said his sexual orientation — though known to fellow soldiers — was never an issue. Gay jokes would sometimes surface, unusually not malicious, he said, while receptiveness to gays in combat units could vary.
"If you're gay and live in the 'manly' world, there are no problems," he said. "Those who are more feminine in their speech and appearance have a harder time fitting in."
He sympathized with gays in the U.S. military who don't enjoy the same liberty he did.
"There shouldn't be a problem with it," he said. "It's the nature of man, and when you allow it to happen (serving openly), it's not a problem anymore."
Schoenfeld's magazine has reflected the evolving attitudes. In 2001, it was shut down briefly after featuring an interview with a retired colonel who had come out of the closet. Yet this year, there was no adverse reaction to the cover picture of two male soldiers embracing.
A gay magazine, meanwhile, named a major as its "man of a year" a few years ago; he continues to serve without harm to his career.
The military also provided the backdrop for Israel's precursor to "Brokeback Mountain" — the 2002 movie "Yossi & Jagger" about two Israeli combat soldiers who fall in love on the front lines. It was a hit with critics and the public, and was even screened on military bases.
___
Australia:
Back in 1992, Anita Van Der Meer was threatened with discharge from the Australian navy for being a lesbian. She denied the charge to save her job — and later that year the military's ban on gays and lesbians was lifted.
This spring, Van Der Meer marched proudly with more than 100 other service members in Sydney's annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade under an Australian Defense Force banner. Even a general joined the march.
Now a chief petty officer, Van Der Meer was a junior sailor in 1992 when someone reported she was engaged in a same-sex relationship.
"It was very traumatic for me, but I still had the cooperation of my supervisors and my peers," said Van Der Meer, 41. "In the end, I had more support than I expected."
Chief Petty Officer Stuart O'Brien, who joined the navy 19 years ago, said being openly gay has not been an issue, even when working alongside U.S. military personnel in Baghdad in 2006.
"They valued the work that I did and that's all that it comes down to at the end of the day," O'Brien said. "Sexuality has nothing to do with anything any more within the services."
The lifting of the ban on gays was preceded by years of heated debate, yet the change itself was relatively uneventful aside from a few unexpected coming-outs of high-profile commanders.
"Everyone said, 'Good heavens, that's a bit of a surprise' and after five minutes the conversation reverted back to football," said Neil James of the Australian Defense Association, a security think tank. "After a while it was met with a collective yawn."
Among opponents of the change at the time was Australia's main veterans group, the Returned and Services League, which has now withdrawn its objections.
The league's president, retired Maj. Gen. Bill Crews, said concerns about lowered morale and HIV transmission on the battlefield had proved ill-founded.
"I was there in the early days of it. ... I thought there'd be a continuing problem because of prejudice that exists in parts of the community," Crews said. "I don't see any evidence now that homosexuals are in any way discriminated against. ...A homosexual can be just as effective a soldier as a heterosexual."
Some skepticism lingers, however.
Brig. Jim Wallace, who commanded an elite Special Air Service mechanized brigade until retiring in 2000, argues that gays and women should be barred from combat roles.
"Do you want an army which is already likely to be outnumbered wherever it fights to be fighting at its most effective or its least effective?" Wallace asks. "If you want to sacrifice fighting effectiveness for political correctness, then all right, go ahead."
He referred to the traditional 10-soldier units commonly deployed in Australian combat forces.
"Now if you introduce into that 10 men a love or lust relationship, you immediately damage the phenomenon of mateship," he said. "There is some discrimination that has to be done to maintain the effectiveness of society or the effectiveness of fighting units."
___
Britain:
British policymakers had been wrestling for years with whether to scrap a long-standing ban on gays in the military — but the pivotal decision was made abroad, by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France.
The court ruled in 1999 that Britain had violated the rights of four former service members who were dismissed from the military for being gay and lesbian.
King's College professor Christopher Dandeker said there had been significant opposition to the change among military officers. There were predictions — not borne out — that unit cohesion would suffer and that large numbers of personnel would leave the military if gays could serve.
Once the ban was lifted, Dandeker said, the opposition dwindled, and the government of Prime Minister Tony Blair embraced the chance to be seen as a beacon of tolerance.
Lord Alan West, former head of the Royal Navy and now Britain's terrorism minister, served before and after the ban was lifted.
"It's much better where we are now," West said in an interview at the House of Lords. "For countries that don't do that — I don't believe it's got anything to do with how efficient or capable their forces will be. It's to do with other prejudices, I'm afraid."
As for Britain's trans-Atlantic ally: "I think the Americans really need to make the move," West said.
Peter Tatchell, a London-based gay-rights activist often critical of the government, praises the military's handling of the change.
"Since the ban has been lifted, there hasn't been a word of complaint from senior military staff," he said. "They've said that having gay and lesbian people in the services has had no damaging effect at all."
Mandy McBain joined the Royal Navy at age 19, in 1986, at the most junior rank possible. Now a lieutenant commander, she remembers what it was like to serve when being a lesbian had to be a secret.
"It's exhausting," she said. "It's quite incredible to look back and see how much time and energy I spent leading a double life."
In one past assignment, she processed the paperwork of comrades being dismissed because of their sexuality. "That," she said quietly, "I found very difficult."
Military expert Amyas Godfrey of the Royal United Services Institute, a London think tank, was serving with the British Army in Northern Ireland when the policy changed.
"I remember our commanding officer at the time called the entire battalion together and said, 'This is how it is going to be now. We are not going to discriminate. We are not going to bully. If someone in your group says that he is gay, you treat them as normal,'" Godfrey recalled.
"And that, really, was the implementation of it. For all the years I served after that, it was never an issue."
___
United States:
For those in the U.S. military community who oppose letting gays serve openly, there's a widely shared sentiment that America has nothing to learn from the roughly two-dozen nations that have no bans.
"Who's the only superpower military out there?" argued Maj. Brian Maue, a professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy, in a debate in June at the McCormick Freedom Museum in Chicago. "This is hardly convincing to say, 'Ah, the others are doing it. We should too.'"
Maue — who says he's been speaking out on his own, not as a military spokesman — suggests that repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" would prompt straight service members to complain of privacy violations and "dignity infractions."
"An openly gay military would be the heterosexual equivalent to forcing women to constantly share bathrooms, locker rooms and bedrooms with men," he wrote in a New York Times online forum.
Retired Army Lt. Col. Robert Maginnis, another supporter of the ban, contends that some field commanders in nations that allow gays to serve openly have resorted to "tacit discrimination" — excluding them from front-line units for fear that problems would surface in rugged, close-quarters living conditions.
Maginnis also cited America's multiple overseas missions.
"You have a large part of the world with no tolerance for open homosexuality, and if we were to deploy there, it would be a serious problem," he said.
Repealing the ban would trigger the departure of some career service members who object to homosexuality and deter some people from enlisting, said Maginnis. "It doesn't matter what general population thinks — it's what the young people who have a propensity to enlist think."
Prominent advocates of open service for gays and lesbians acknowledge there would be some hitches, but predict the overall change would be smooth and professional.
"There's been very little trouble in the nations that lifted their ban on gays," said professor David Segal, director of the University of Maryland's Center for Research on Military Organization. "My guess is there will be slightly more in the U.S. — we have a somewhat higher level of intolerance."
However, Segal doubted the change would spur a large exodus from the military or hamper recruitment.
"There will be some gay bashing at the unit level, and that will be a problem in the short run for NCOs and junior officers," he said. "But they will deal with it, just as they dealt with racial integration and gender integration."
Nathaniel Frank, a research fellow at the University of California, Santa Barbara's Palm Center and author of a book on "don't ask, don't tell," says his studies of allied nations suggest that lifting the ban in the U.S. would not impair overall military effectiveness.
"There will be some forms of de facto discrimination and prejudice — a policy change is not going to wipe that out of people's hearts and minds overnight," he said. "But more and more people in the military are seeing it doesn't serve them to have this policy in place."
There's no question, Frank said, that the U.S. military is unique — the most powerful in the world. But he said it should be embarrassing that "our allies can tell the truth about gay soldiers and the U.S. stands with China, Iran, North Korea among the nations that can't."
The key to a smooth transition, Frank added, is emphatic direction from top commanders and the adoption of a code of conduct that would deter disciplinary problems by spelling out unacceptable behavior.
Dan Choi, the gay lieutenant facing dismissal from the Army, says the current "don't ask" policy is disruptive — forcing the gays who are serving to be furtive and dishonest.
"Closeting is what causes instability," he said. "It's the most toxic poison."
As for the U.S. being different from its allies, Choi agrees.
"We are exceptional — because we take the lead on things," he said. "To me, it's an insult to the idea of American exceptionalism to say we're somehow scared of gays."
___
Contributing to this report were Associated Press writers Danica Kirka and Jennifer Quinn in London, Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia, and Aron Heller in Jerusalem.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
82nd casualty
Courtesy: Lincoln Journal Star. June 3. 2009.
The father of a 31-year-old Moline native who died Tuesday in Iraq said his son was promoted to sergeant in March, less than a year after joining the Army.
“He actually was able to beat the standard time it takes to become a sergeant,” Joe Duffy of Cozad, Neb., said of his son, Sgt. Justin J. Duffy. “So he was really proud of that.”
Justin Duffy died in Baghdad after the Humvee he was driving hit an improvised explosive device shortly after 1 p.m. local Iraqi time Tuesday, according to the Department of Defense.
He was the only soldier who died in the blast, although three others were injured, his father said.
He was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division based in Fort Bragg, N.C. In Baghdad, his unit was based at Camp Loyalty and provided security for military leadership.
Justin Duffy grew up in Moline, Ill., and moved with his family to Cozad when he was in the sixth grade.
After graduating from Cozad High School in 1995, he earned a degree in criminal justice from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He worked for Eaton Corp. in Kearney for five years before joining the Army.
“He didn’t see a future in the manufacturing environment and needed more of a challenge,” Joe Duffy said. “He found the challenge in the U.S. Army.”
He said his son’s unit was busy in Iraq, going on one to two operations a day, six days a week. It provided escort security for high-ranking Army officials.
“Most of the operations were very uneventful,” Joe Duffy said.
He said his son had a strong will and pursued his goals fervently.
“He wouldn’t take no,” Joe Duffy said. “He wouldn’t stop. He had a very strong work ethic and drive.”
He said his son also enjoyed spending time with friends.
He leaves behind his parents, including his mother, Janet Duffy of Cozad, and his grandfather, LeRoy Hood of Moline.
Funeral arrangements are pending at Rafferty Funeral Home, 2111 1st St. A, Moline, Ill. He will be buried at Rock Island National Cemetery on Arsenal Island.
His family is planning a memorial service in Cozad after his funeral.
“My wife and I had nothing but pride in our son,” Joe Duffy said. “He made a choice, a difficult choice. He was going to make a career of the Army.”
The Lincoln Journal Star is a Lee Enterprises newspaper. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The father of a 31-year-old Moline native who died Tuesday in Iraq said his son was promoted to sergeant in March, less than a year after joining the Army.
“He actually was able to beat the standard time it takes to become a sergeant,” Joe Duffy of Cozad, Neb., said of his son, Sgt. Justin J. Duffy. “So he was really proud of that.”
Justin Duffy died in Baghdad after the Humvee he was driving hit an improvised explosive device shortly after 1 p.m. local Iraqi time Tuesday, according to the Department of Defense.
He was the only soldier who died in the blast, although three others were injured, his father said.
He was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division based in Fort Bragg, N.C. In Baghdad, his unit was based at Camp Loyalty and provided security for military leadership.
Justin Duffy grew up in Moline, Ill., and moved with his family to Cozad when he was in the sixth grade.
After graduating from Cozad High School in 1995, he earned a degree in criminal justice from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He worked for Eaton Corp. in Kearney for five years before joining the Army.
“He didn’t see a future in the manufacturing environment and needed more of a challenge,” Joe Duffy said. “He found the challenge in the U.S. Army.”
He said his son’s unit was busy in Iraq, going on one to two operations a day, six days a week. It provided escort security for high-ranking Army officials.
“Most of the operations were very uneventful,” Joe Duffy said.
He said his son had a strong will and pursued his goals fervently.
“He wouldn’t take no,” Joe Duffy said. “He wouldn’t stop. He had a very strong work ethic and drive.”
He said his son also enjoyed spending time with friends.
He leaves behind his parents, including his mother, Janet Duffy of Cozad, and his grandfather, LeRoy Hood of Moline.
Funeral arrangements are pending at Rafferty Funeral Home, 2111 1st St. A, Moline, Ill. He will be buried at Rock Island National Cemetery on Arsenal Island.
His family is planning a memorial service in Cozad after his funeral.
“My wife and I had nothing but pride in our son,” Joe Duffy said. “He made a choice, a difficult choice. He was going to make a career of the Army.”
The Lincoln Journal Star is a Lee Enterprises newspaper. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Medic
Courage in Combat Earns Medic Valor Award
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs
Story by Sgt. 1st Class Alex Licea
Date: 05.30.2009
Posted: 05.30.2009 01:36
BAGHDAD – For Sgt. James Carter, his Iraq experience this time around is shaped by his experiences during his first tour in 2006.
As a line medic, the 33-year-old from Company B, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division—Baghdad, was credited for saving the lives of his fellow paratroopers during combat missions during one of the most violate times in Iraq during his last tour.
Now, as a non-commissioned officer, the St. Robert, Mo., native takes pride in teaching junior medics the responsibilities of the job. It is a change he welcomes.
"As an NCO, my role has changed in that now I am the teacher, and I try to incorporate realistic, tough training to prepare our medics for the great responsibility of being 'Doc'," he said.
It was that realistic training that gave Carter the skills he needed during an escort mission on July 17, 2007.
While serving as a platoon medic with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the company was conducting an explosive ordnance disposal escort mission along a major supply route in Samarra, Iraq.
During this patrol, a massive improvised explosive device detonated inside a culvert, causing a catastrophic effect under a U.S. Navy EOD vehicle. The enormous explosion threw the vehicle high into the air, causing it to land on its side; trapping the three Navy EOD personnel inside.
Carter risked his life by entering the burning vehicle in order to extract the trapped personnel. As a result of the attack, two of the EOD members were killed in action, however Sgt. Carter's was able to save one member of the team in an act of true bravery.
For his actions in Samarra, Carter was presented the Bronze Star Medal with valor device, May 22, by the 82nd Airborne Division commander, Maj. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, while visiting troops deployed to Baghdad.
Carter credits his fellow paratroopers for allowing him to do his job under the most stressful of situations.
"They were right there with me pulling security while I worked to save lives," he said. "I own a lot to them because I couldn't have done it on my own."
"Sgt. Carter represents the very best of the 2nd Panther Team and the Army. He displayed selfless-service by entering the burning vehicle multiple times embodying the spirit of the Army Values," said Lt. Col. Louis Zeisman, commander of the 2nd Bn., 505th Parachute Inf. Regt., of Fayetteville, N.C. "Sgt. Carter's actions truly define the meaning of a hero."
Life in uniform is nothing new in Carter's family. His father served in the Marine Corps and then the Army. Carter's father also served two tours during the Vietnam conflict.
Along with his valorous award, Carter was recently selected as the 3rd Brigade Combat Team's Medic of the Year during a board held in Baghdad.
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs
Story by Sgt. 1st Class Alex Licea
Date: 05.30.2009
Posted: 05.30.2009 01:36
BAGHDAD – For Sgt. James Carter, his Iraq experience this time around is shaped by his experiences during his first tour in 2006.
As a line medic, the 33-year-old from Company B, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division—Baghdad, was credited for saving the lives of his fellow paratroopers during combat missions during one of the most violate times in Iraq during his last tour.
Now, as a non-commissioned officer, the St. Robert, Mo., native takes pride in teaching junior medics the responsibilities of the job. It is a change he welcomes.
"As an NCO, my role has changed in that now I am the teacher, and I try to incorporate realistic, tough training to prepare our medics for the great responsibility of being 'Doc'," he said.
It was that realistic training that gave Carter the skills he needed during an escort mission on July 17, 2007.
While serving as a platoon medic with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the company was conducting an explosive ordnance disposal escort mission along a major supply route in Samarra, Iraq.
During this patrol, a massive improvised explosive device detonated inside a culvert, causing a catastrophic effect under a U.S. Navy EOD vehicle. The enormous explosion threw the vehicle high into the air, causing it to land on its side; trapping the three Navy EOD personnel inside.
Carter risked his life by entering the burning vehicle in order to extract the trapped personnel. As a result of the attack, two of the EOD members were killed in action, however Sgt. Carter's was able to save one member of the team in an act of true bravery.
For his actions in Samarra, Carter was presented the Bronze Star Medal with valor device, May 22, by the 82nd Airborne Division commander, Maj. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, while visiting troops deployed to Baghdad.
Carter credits his fellow paratroopers for allowing him to do his job under the most stressful of situations.
"They were right there with me pulling security while I worked to save lives," he said. "I own a lot to them because I couldn't have done it on my own."
"Sgt. Carter represents the very best of the 2nd Panther Team and the Army. He displayed selfless-service by entering the burning vehicle multiple times embodying the spirit of the Army Values," said Lt. Col. Louis Zeisman, commander of the 2nd Bn., 505th Parachute Inf. Regt., of Fayetteville, N.C. "Sgt. Carter's actions truly define the meaning of a hero."
Life in uniform is nothing new in Carter's family. His father served in the Marine Corps and then the Army. Carter's father also served two tours during the Vietnam conflict.
Along with his valorous award, Carter was recently selected as the 3rd Brigade Combat Team's Medic of the Year during a board held in Baghdad.
Walls
Walls Come Tumbling Down
225th Engineer Brigade
Story by Sgt. Rebekah Malone
Date: 06.01.2009
Posted: 06.01.2009 05:12
BAGHDAD – Just as American teenagers hang out with friends on a hot summer night, Iraqi teenagers were doing the same, May 28, except their entertainment was watching Soldiers from the 46th Engineer Combat Battalion, (Heavy), 225th Engineer Brigade tear down barriers blocking a popular street in central Baghdad.
Many cheered, gave a thumbs-up or simply said, "Good!"
The walls surrounding the small Combat Outpost known simply as 102, in the Rusafa district of Baghdad, came crashing down, further evidence of the implementation of the Security Agreement.
The nighttime operation opened up streets and buildings that guarded the walls that housed Soldiers from Troop B, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. The Soldiers lived and worked out of the run-down hotel in order to stay in close contact with the community and help train Iraqi securty force partners.
"It is significant that this route is being opened fully," said Brig. Gen. Owen Monconduit, commander of the 225th Engineer Brigade, as he toured the work site with Col. Tim McQuire, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
No one would agree more than the Iraqi residents.
"The Iraqis seem very excited," Staff Sgt. Marcos Lopez, of El Paso, Texas, said. "The teenagers were all giving thumbs up and saying, 'Good!'"
Each wall, a large wire mesh and cloth crate filled with dirt called Hesco barriers, broken down along Abu Nuwas Street is a visible sign of progress.
"At the direction of the brigade combat teams, the engineers are working to reduce the footprint in Baghdad by assisting with the removal of Hesco barriers as COP 102 is closed," explained the future operations officer for the 225th Eng. Bde., Maj. Shane Rauh, of Baton Rouge, La.
Lopez, the non-commissioned officer in charge of removing Hesco barriers for the 46th Eng. Combat Bn., described the work as important for the neighborhood. He said tearing down the walls would allow for better access to buildings that provide economic stiumulus for the economy.
"This project has a big impact on the community," Lopez said. "They are getting their neighborhood back."
225th Engineer Brigade
Story by Sgt. Rebekah Malone
Date: 06.01.2009
Posted: 06.01.2009 05:12
BAGHDAD – Just as American teenagers hang out with friends on a hot summer night, Iraqi teenagers were doing the same, May 28, except their entertainment was watching Soldiers from the 46th Engineer Combat Battalion, (Heavy), 225th Engineer Brigade tear down barriers blocking a popular street in central Baghdad.
Many cheered, gave a thumbs-up or simply said, "Good!"
The walls surrounding the small Combat Outpost known simply as 102, in the Rusafa district of Baghdad, came crashing down, further evidence of the implementation of the Security Agreement.
The nighttime operation opened up streets and buildings that guarded the walls that housed Soldiers from Troop B, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. The Soldiers lived and worked out of the run-down hotel in order to stay in close contact with the community and help train Iraqi securty force partners.
"It is significant that this route is being opened fully," said Brig. Gen. Owen Monconduit, commander of the 225th Engineer Brigade, as he toured the work site with Col. Tim McQuire, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
No one would agree more than the Iraqi residents.
"The Iraqis seem very excited," Staff Sgt. Marcos Lopez, of El Paso, Texas, said. "The teenagers were all giving thumbs up and saying, 'Good!'"
Each wall, a large wire mesh and cloth crate filled with dirt called Hesco barriers, broken down along Abu Nuwas Street is a visible sign of progress.
"At the direction of the brigade combat teams, the engineers are working to reduce the footprint in Baghdad by assisting with the removal of Hesco barriers as COP 102 is closed," explained the future operations officer for the 225th Eng. Bde., Maj. Shane Rauh, of Baton Rouge, La.
Lopez, the non-commissioned officer in charge of removing Hesco barriers for the 46th Eng. Combat Bn., described the work as important for the neighborhood. He said tearing down the walls would allow for better access to buildings that provide economic stiumulus for the economy.
"This project has a big impact on the community," Lopez said. "They are getting their neighborhood back."
Friday, April 3, 2009
New DoD document on Iraq
DoD Releases Quarterly Report on Iraq
Pursuant to Section 9010 of the Department of Defense Supplemental Appropriations Act for 2008, the Department of Defense released to Congress yesterday the "Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq – March 2009" quarterly report.
The entire report can be viewed at: http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs/pdfs/Measuring_Stability_and_Security_in_Iraq_March_2009.pdf
Pursuant to Section 9010 of the Department of Defense Supplemental Appropriations Act for 2008, the Department of Defense released to Congress yesterday the "Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq – March 2009" quarterly report.
The entire report can be viewed at: http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs/pdfs/Measuring_Stability_and_Security_in_Iraq_March_2009.pdf
Good news for military spouses...
Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts
With Congressional authorization set forth in Public Law 110-417, the
Department of Defense is expanding the Military Spouse Career Advancement
Accounts -- MyCAA -- for military spouses of active duty and activated Guard and Reserve service members worldwide beginning in mid May 2009. MyCAA is currently completing an extensive testing period with the help of volunteer spouses, schools and other payees. Final administrative processes are now being put into place. In mid May, MyCAA will officially open its doors for eligible military spouses worldwide to receive up to $6,000 of financial assistance to help pay for licenses, certifications and education in high growth, high demand portable career fields.
What is a Portable Career?
Portable careers are those that are likely to provide job opportunities in most locations where military service members are stationed. These might include but are not limited to: business/management, construction trades, education, financial services, health services, homeland security, hospitality management, human resources, information technology, real estate, etc. Department of Labor Career One Stop Centers have a full list of targeted industries and occupations.
Where can spouses get basic MyCAA information?
There are several self-help steps that should be completed prior to requesting an appointment with a Military OneSource Career/Education Consultant to receive career and education counseling and MyCAA financial assistance.
Determine your MyCAA eligibility.
If you are a military spouse married to an active duty or activated Guard or
Reserve Service member, AND you are interested in pursuing portable career
education, training, licenses or certifications, you are eligible to receive
financial assistance from MyCAA.
Here's what you have to do to get started.
Visit the MyCAA page from the Military OneSource website
(https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa/default.aspx). Click on ‘school search’
in the left navigation. You can search by school name or State or scroll
through the school which are listed alphabetically. If the school is not
listed, you can submit a request for DoD approval by clicking the “Can’t
Find School” link at the bottom of the pop-up window.
Begin working with your school or other program counselor to list all school
and course of study requirements. Do not sign any financial documents until
after your MyCAA plan is reviewed with a Career/Education Consultant. This
will become the basis for your MyCAA Career Plan to which MyCAA financial
assistance will be applied.
For those who have questions about which schools and other payees are participating in MyCAA, go to the MyCAA website, and click on ‘school search’ in the left menu. You can search by school name or State or scroll through the school which are listed alphabetically. If the school is not listed, you can submit a request for DoD approval by clicking the “Can’t Find School” link at the bottom of the pop-up window.
Once MyCAA is launched, call a Military OneSource Career/Education Consultant (1-800-342-9647) for an appointment.
With Congressional authorization set forth in Public Law 110-417, the
Department of Defense is expanding the Military Spouse Career Advancement
Accounts -- MyCAA -- for military spouses of active duty and activated Guard and Reserve service members worldwide beginning in mid May 2009. MyCAA is currently completing an extensive testing period with the help of volunteer spouses, schools and other payees. Final administrative processes are now being put into place. In mid May, MyCAA will officially open its doors for eligible military spouses worldwide to receive up to $6,000 of financial assistance to help pay for licenses, certifications and education in high growth, high demand portable career fields.
What is a Portable Career?
Portable careers are those that are likely to provide job opportunities in most locations where military service members are stationed. These might include but are not limited to: business/management, construction trades, education, financial services, health services, homeland security, hospitality management, human resources, information technology, real estate, etc. Department of Labor Career One Stop Centers have a full list of targeted industries and occupations.
Where can spouses get basic MyCAA information?
There are several self-help steps that should be completed prior to requesting an appointment with a Military OneSource Career/Education Consultant to receive career and education counseling and MyCAA financial assistance.
Determine your MyCAA eligibility.
If you are a military spouse married to an active duty or activated Guard or
Reserve Service member, AND you are interested in pursuing portable career
education, training, licenses or certifications, you are eligible to receive
financial assistance from MyCAA.
Here's what you have to do to get started.
Visit the MyCAA page from the Military OneSource website
(https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa/default.aspx). Click on ‘school search’
in the left navigation. You can search by school name or State or scroll
through the school which are listed alphabetically. If the school is not
listed, you can submit a request for DoD approval by clicking the “Can’t
Find School” link at the bottom of the pop-up window.
Begin working with your school or other program counselor to list all school
and course of study requirements. Do not sign any financial documents until
after your MyCAA plan is reviewed with a Career/Education Consultant. This
will become the basis for your MyCAA Career Plan to which MyCAA financial
assistance will be applied.
For those who have questions about which schools and other payees are participating in MyCAA, go to the MyCAA website, and click on ‘school search’ in the left menu. You can search by school name or State or scroll through the school which are listed alphabetically. If the school is not listed, you can submit a request for DoD approval by clicking the “Can’t Find School” link at the bottom of the pop-up window.
Once MyCAA is launched, call a Military OneSource Career/Education Consultant (1-800-342-9647) for an appointment.
Excellent news for Army dads
Paternity leave for married soldiers in effect
By Jim Tice - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Mar 16, 2009 12:11:15 EDT
Active-duty soldiers who are married and who father a child are now entitled up to 10 days paternity leave.
The new entitlement was signed into law in October, but implementing guidance has only recently been issued by the Army.
Under this program, 10 days of nonchargeable administrative leave is authorized for married active component soldiers — including members of the Active Guard and Reserve — whose wife has given birth since Oct. 14, 2008.
The entitlement does not apply to single soldiers who have fathered a child out of wedlock.
Army implementing guidance issued March 10 limits paternity leave to no more than 10 days, and requires that the leave be taken consecutively and within 45 days after the birth of a child, or children, in the case of multiple births.
Deployed soldiers have up to 60 days after returning to home station to use their leave.
Soldiers will lose their leave entitlement if they do not use it within the specified timeframe.
The policy has been grandfathered for soldiers who were charged annual leave in conjunction with the birth of a child on or after Oct. 14, but before the Army instructions were issued March 10.
Soldiers in this category can request 10 days of annual leave be restored to their leave account.
When requesting the leave credit through their unit personnel section, soldiers must provide documentation, such as a DA Form 31 (Request and Authority for Leave) or a Leave and Earning Statement, showing that they were charged annual leave in conjunction with the birth of a child.
The March 10 implementing guidance was issued as ALARACT message 062/2009.
The policy will be included in an upcoming revision of Army Regulation 600-8-10 (Leaves and Passes).
By Jim Tice - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Mar 16, 2009 12:11:15 EDT
Active-duty soldiers who are married and who father a child are now entitled up to 10 days paternity leave.
The new entitlement was signed into law in October, but implementing guidance has only recently been issued by the Army.
Under this program, 10 days of nonchargeable administrative leave is authorized for married active component soldiers — including members of the Active Guard and Reserve — whose wife has given birth since Oct. 14, 2008.
The entitlement does not apply to single soldiers who have fathered a child out of wedlock.
Army implementing guidance issued March 10 limits paternity leave to no more than 10 days, and requires that the leave be taken consecutively and within 45 days after the birth of a child, or children, in the case of multiple births.
Deployed soldiers have up to 60 days after returning to home station to use their leave.
Soldiers will lose their leave entitlement if they do not use it within the specified timeframe.
The policy has been grandfathered for soldiers who were charged annual leave in conjunction with the birth of a child on or after Oct. 14, but before the Army instructions were issued March 10.
Soldiers in this category can request 10 days of annual leave be restored to their leave account.
When requesting the leave credit through their unit personnel section, soldiers must provide documentation, such as a DA Form 31 (Request and Authority for Leave) or a Leave and Earning Statement, showing that they were charged annual leave in conjunction with the birth of a child.
The March 10 implementing guidance was issued as ALARACT message 062/2009.
The policy will be included in an upcoming revision of Army Regulation 600-8-10 (Leaves and Passes).
Saturday, February 21, 2009
New stories...
I am trying to get all of the news from the last week or so consolidated. I have been slacking on getting relevant posts and stories online lately. Not from any lack of what to post, there is a lot of information out there...so much that it becomes overwhelming at times. So, by all means, enjoy...
Military Fields 10000th Mine-resistant Vehicle to Troops in IraqAustralia.TO - Sydney,NSW,AustraliaRon Fizer, commander of the 402nd Field Support Brigade, said. ... Iraq in early December as part of the 82nd Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team. ...
Roundtable With Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in Krakow, Poland Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:12:00 -0600
PHOTOS: Paratroopers team up with IP officers in RusafaNewsBlaze - Folsom,CA,USAJOINT SECURITY STATION MUTHANA, Iraq - Paratroopers assigned to Troop B, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne ...
President Obama orders 12000 Soldiers, Marines to AfghanistanISRIA (subscription) - Washington,DC,USAIn addition, the 82nd Airborne Division’s Combat Aviation Brigade based at Fort Bragg, NC, will deploy to Afghanistan later this spring. ...
Lewis SBCT part of Afghanistan increaseArmyTimes.com - Springfield,VA,USA... 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, of Fort Drum, NY, and the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade from the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, ...
"Strikers Depart", Paratroopers Increase Role in Eastern BaghdadNewsBlaze - Folsom,CA,USAWith the brigade's departure, the Paratroopers of 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Div., assume joint responsibility of Baghdad, east of the Tigris River. ...
Military Fields 10000th Mine-resistant Vehicle to Troops in IraqAustralia.TO - Sydney,NSW,AustraliaRon Fizer, commander of the 402nd Field Support Brigade, said. ... Iraq in early December as part of the 82nd Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team. ...
Roundtable With Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in Krakow, Poland Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:12:00 -0600
PHOTOS: Paratroopers team up with IP officers in RusafaNewsBlaze - Folsom,CA,USAJOINT SECURITY STATION MUTHANA, Iraq - Paratroopers assigned to Troop B, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne ...
President Obama orders 12000 Soldiers, Marines to AfghanistanISRIA (subscription) - Washington,DC,USAIn addition, the 82nd Airborne Division’s Combat Aviation Brigade based at Fort Bragg, NC, will deploy to Afghanistan later this spring. ...
Lewis SBCT part of Afghanistan increaseArmyTimes.com - Springfield,VA,USA... 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, of Fort Drum, NY, and the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade from the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, ...
"Strikers Depart", Paratroopers Increase Role in Eastern BaghdadNewsBlaze - Folsom,CA,USAWith the brigade's departure, the Paratroopers of 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Div., assume joint responsibility of Baghdad, east of the Tigris River. ...
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Smorgasbord
I'll spare you the long transcript of this press conference, but I pulled this from the DoD website from Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell. He discusses the upcoming Iraqi elections and many other matters related to the U.S. military, which is pretty important in the grand scheme of things for Iraq and Afghanistan. Keep in mind it is one side of the story. The historian in me would love to see how these events are reported in the Middle East press, and I'll search for that as well and get back to you. The official DoD side of things will have to do for now:
http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=4345
http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=4345
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
FCS Continued
PDR OK Clears FCS Way, For Now
By Colin Clark Wednesday, January 28th, 2009 1:23 pmPosted in Land
Defense Secretary Robert Gates may have left the fate of the Future Combat System (FCS) hanging during his congressional testimony yesterday, but the acquisition system is grinding ahead and the program won a potentially significant decision last week.
After five days of meetings between military and industry officials, permission was granted to proceed with the next phase of all eight Manned Ground Vehicles in the program. “Based on what was presented at the MGV PDR formal permission will be granted to enter detailed design for all eight MGV variants in early February,” Paul Mehney, head spokesman for FCS, wrote in an email this morning. I spent the last two days travelling with Paul and other Army officials, visiting Tank and Automotive Command and the plant in Lima, Ohio where the FCS chassis will be built.
Lima, Ohio doesn’t figure large in most defense reporting. For much of the last 20 years the plant built and rebuilt Abrams tanks and then started building part of the Strykers.
But the politically uncertain march of FCS’ Manned Ground Vehicles toward production means General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) workers, who run Lima for the government, are investing in new equipment, planning and testing how to build the most technologically advanced ground combat vehicles ever built and readying to hire at least 200 more workers over the next year.
Right now, Lima is building three prototypes Non-Line of Sight FCS models, P-2, P-7 and P-8. They are basically very shiny huge hunks of shaped and welded aluminum at this stage. Workers are finishing internal welds, clambering around inside the shell that will be enclosed in bolt-on armor. They are readying the shells to go to the GDLS Shelby, Mich. plant where they will be filled with engines, huge lengths of custom-designed flat wire clusters (designed by Army scientists to take up less space and still deliver the impressive amounts of power used by the hybrid engine, the computers and other subsystems) and fitted with the unique elastomer (sort of like rubber) treads that are still being perfected.
The plant is readying for the first efforts at production, planning to build 20 FCS chassis in 2009. To improve the quality of the all-important welds that bind together the inside aluminum shell they have built a unique welding machine — the Friction Stir Weld — that basically shoves a hardened screw into the aluminum and spins at high speed and moves along the weld line to soften the aluminum without distorting it too much. According to several Lima welders aluminum tends to mover quite a lot when welded and is very difficult to weld to some other metals, such as titanium. The new process, which was originally developed in Britain, “is almost like reforging the metals,” according to Army Lt. Col. Ted Epple, the commander at Lima. They bond and there are far fewer defects caused by a tired or errant human hand.
The enormous blue horseshoe-shaped machine was largely paid for with a $6.8 million congressional earmark championed by former Rep. Mike Oxley (R-Ohio), who used to represent the Lima area. The money was spread over three years. There is other new technology and equipment being readied in Lima for this effort. I’ll have more on that and some of the new FCS technology over the next few days.
By Colin Clark Wednesday, January 28th, 2009 1:23 pmPosted in Land
Defense Secretary Robert Gates may have left the fate of the Future Combat System (FCS) hanging during his congressional testimony yesterday, but the acquisition system is grinding ahead and the program won a potentially significant decision last week.
After five days of meetings between military and industry officials, permission was granted to proceed with the next phase of all eight Manned Ground Vehicles in the program. “Based on what was presented at the MGV PDR formal permission will be granted to enter detailed design for all eight MGV variants in early February,” Paul Mehney, head spokesman for FCS, wrote in an email this morning. I spent the last two days travelling with Paul and other Army officials, visiting Tank and Automotive Command and the plant in Lima, Ohio where the FCS chassis will be built.
Lima, Ohio doesn’t figure large in most defense reporting. For much of the last 20 years the plant built and rebuilt Abrams tanks and then started building part of the Strykers.
But the politically uncertain march of FCS’ Manned Ground Vehicles toward production means General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) workers, who run Lima for the government, are investing in new equipment, planning and testing how to build the most technologically advanced ground combat vehicles ever built and readying to hire at least 200 more workers over the next year.
Right now, Lima is building three prototypes Non-Line of Sight FCS models, P-2, P-7 and P-8. They are basically very shiny huge hunks of shaped and welded aluminum at this stage. Workers are finishing internal welds, clambering around inside the shell that will be enclosed in bolt-on armor. They are readying the shells to go to the GDLS Shelby, Mich. plant where they will be filled with engines, huge lengths of custom-designed flat wire clusters (designed by Army scientists to take up less space and still deliver the impressive amounts of power used by the hybrid engine, the computers and other subsystems) and fitted with the unique elastomer (sort of like rubber) treads that are still being perfected.
The plant is readying for the first efforts at production, planning to build 20 FCS chassis in 2009. To improve the quality of the all-important welds that bind together the inside aluminum shell they have built a unique welding machine — the Friction Stir Weld — that basically shoves a hardened screw into the aluminum and spins at high speed and moves along the weld line to soften the aluminum without distorting it too much. According to several Lima welders aluminum tends to mover quite a lot when welded and is very difficult to weld to some other metals, such as titanium. The new process, which was originally developed in Britain, “is almost like reforging the metals,” according to Army Lt. Col. Ted Epple, the commander at Lima. They bond and there are far fewer defects caused by a tired or errant human hand.
The enormous blue horseshoe-shaped machine was largely paid for with a $6.8 million congressional earmark championed by former Rep. Mike Oxley (R-Ohio), who used to represent the Lima area. The money was spread over three years. There is other new technology and equipment being readied in Lima for this effort. I’ll have more on that and some of the new FCS technology over the next few days.
FCS
US Army Looking Hard at Modernization Plan
Aviation Week's DTI Bettina H. Chavanne January 22, 2009This article first appeared in Aerospace Daily & Defense Report.
The U.S. Army is engaged in a holistic evaluation of its modernization and procurement plans, including Future Combat Systems (FCS), its vice chief of staff asserts.
Gen. Pete Chiarelli says the so-called midcourse review includes a "soup-to-nuts" look at FCS. The Army needs to "understand where we are and where we need to go," Chiarelli told reporters at a Defense Writers Group breakfast Jan. 21. He would not predict the outcome of the review, which he said should be complete by late February and would incorporate lessons learned from combat in Afghanistan and Iraq.
"We've done a lot to FCS since its inception," the four-star general said. "The Manned Ground Vehicles are not the same today as they were envisioned five or six years ago."
The Army's second-highest officer stressed survivability is an issue reframed by the current conflicts. "We have a 360-degree war," he said. "Survivability is not just an issue for tanks and Bradleys. It's an issue we've had to address with the entire force."
The review encompasses numerous other aspects of Army modernization, including procurement. Chiarelli said he supports an acquisition approach with faster results: "As I look at the amount of time it takes us to move from requirements to a fielded system, does [the 1960s-era procurement system] really work in today's world?"
He cited the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle as an example of a quickly fielded system that did not have to pass through Program of Record hurdles. "But when you talk procurement reform, you're talking about something that's in the DNA of everyone," Chiarelli said. The services, Congress and industry are all part of the problem, he added, "I hope someone tackles that."
Aviation Week's DTI Bettina H. Chavanne January 22, 2009This article first appeared in Aerospace Daily & Defense Report.
The U.S. Army is engaged in a holistic evaluation of its modernization and procurement plans, including Future Combat Systems (FCS), its vice chief of staff asserts.
Gen. Pete Chiarelli says the so-called midcourse review includes a "soup-to-nuts" look at FCS. The Army needs to "understand where we are and where we need to go," Chiarelli told reporters at a Defense Writers Group breakfast Jan. 21. He would not predict the outcome of the review, which he said should be complete by late February and would incorporate lessons learned from combat in Afghanistan and Iraq.
"We've done a lot to FCS since its inception," the four-star general said. "The Manned Ground Vehicles are not the same today as they were envisioned five or six years ago."
The Army's second-highest officer stressed survivability is an issue reframed by the current conflicts. "We have a 360-degree war," he said. "Survivability is not just an issue for tanks and Bradleys. It's an issue we've had to address with the entire force."
The review encompasses numerous other aspects of Army modernization, including procurement. Chiarelli said he supports an acquisition approach with faster results: "As I look at the amount of time it takes us to move from requirements to a fielded system, does [the 1960s-era procurement system] really work in today's world?"
He cited the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle as an example of a quickly fielded system that did not have to pass through Program of Record hurdles. "But when you talk procurement reform, you're talking about something that's in the DNA of everyone," Chiarelli said. The services, Congress and industry are all part of the problem, he added, "I hope someone tackles that."
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Blog-adocious
So, I don't really talk that much. I did talk to the old man today. He has been talking about doing security for the upcoming elections in Baghdad. It is hard for me to imagine what he must be going through. Although I am sure he finds it hard to imagine what I am going through here at Bragg. It's called compartmentalization, and for the most part it's healthy in the emotional sense. I spent some time last night with the wounded warriors group. They managed to raise over 8,000, which is fantastic. What they do is amazing. I feel lucky just to be able to contribute what time I have to the group.
I have been trying to read up on what the latest information is concerning the "war on terror." I noticed that the day of the [Obama] inauguration, as I was surfing on the white house website looking for the status of forces agreement, that the site changed. There was a blank page stating how they (the white house) were currently updating the new white house website. I am interested to see how things play out with the Obama administration, and also interested to see how Shinseki plans to proceed with the Veteran's Adminstration (VA). I think he has quite the task ahead of him. I'd like to see someone with integrity in that position, so I am very pleased to see him there. On the skeptic side, however, I recall a period in the late 90s-early 2K Army, the Army introduced a new sock, and the Army proper issued socks to units to test and get feedback on this new sock. It was called the "Shinseki sock test." There are some things/issues, large and small, that concern me about this institution (U.S. Army) and the taxpayer dollar in the broadest sense. I wonder how it was determined who would fill out forms about the sock test. What would you say about a pair of socks anyway, how much can you really say? They were itchy...I know as the daughter of an infantryman, though, that socks are pretty important. If an infantryman doesn't have his feet, he has nothing. I say he, because women are currently not allowed in the infantry, which I feel is short-sighted (topic for another time). At any rate, regardless of what might seem to be mocking on my part, socks are at the heart of it all really. And feet in general.
So anyhow, my original point was... I forget. To start talking, speaking for myself and for my sweet Penelope. To be informative, to make other spouses feel as though they are not alone. Which, we all are anyway, no denying that.
All the best,
Penelope's mom.
I have been trying to read up on what the latest information is concerning the "war on terror." I noticed that the day of the [Obama] inauguration, as I was surfing on the white house website looking for the status of forces agreement, that the site changed. There was a blank page stating how they (the white house) were currently updating the new white house website. I am interested to see how things play out with the Obama administration, and also interested to see how Shinseki plans to proceed with the Veteran's Adminstration (VA). I think he has quite the task ahead of him. I'd like to see someone with integrity in that position, so I am very pleased to see him there. On the skeptic side, however, I recall a period in the late 90s-early 2K Army, the Army introduced a new sock, and the Army proper issued socks to units to test and get feedback on this new sock. It was called the "Shinseki sock test." There are some things/issues, large and small, that concern me about this institution (U.S. Army) and the taxpayer dollar in the broadest sense. I wonder how it was determined who would fill out forms about the sock test. What would you say about a pair of socks anyway, how much can you really say? They were itchy...I know as the daughter of an infantryman, though, that socks are pretty important. If an infantryman doesn't have his feet, he has nothing. I say he, because women are currently not allowed in the infantry, which I feel is short-sighted (topic for another time). At any rate, regardless of what might seem to be mocking on my part, socks are at the heart of it all really. And feet in general.
So anyhow, my original point was... I forget. To start talking, speaking for myself and for my sweet Penelope. To be informative, to make other spouses feel as though they are not alone. Which, we all are anyway, no denying that.
All the best,
Penelope's mom.
82nd Article
I am still trying to figure out how to post things, and am sure that I am not internet blog savvy enough to post every article I read, so please forgive the links. Until I figure out how to post a better way...
Google News Alert for: "3rd brigade", "82nd airborne"
Fallen soldier left many memoriesThe Huntsville Times - al.com - Huntsville,AL,USAAfter joining the Army, he became a combat engineer for the 3rd Brigade, Special Troops Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC, before being ...
Google News Alert for: "3rd brigade", "82nd airborne"
Fallen soldier left many memoriesThe Huntsville Times - al.com - Huntsville,AL,USAAfter joining the Army, he became a combat engineer for the 3rd Brigade, Special Troops Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC, before being ...
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Army Hoarding
Army's Unneeded Parts Worth Billions
Stars and Stripes Matt Millham January 16, 2009
The Army's inventory of spare parts for aircraft, vehicles and tanks swelled from $2.7 billion worth in fiscal 2004 to $4.1 billion in fiscal 2007, mostly because the way the service projected its need for such items was flawed, according to a Government Accountability Office report released Monday.
The GAO, after scrutinizing four years' worth of Army supply inventory data, found that the Army had on average $3.6 billion in spare parts that exceeded the service's current requirements in each fiscal year from 2004 to 2007.
The Army contested the report's characterization of the parts as being in excess of its needs, saying the GAO generally classifies "current requirements" as what is required in the current year, and that the GAO figures include parts the Army intends to use.
"However, the Army plans for inventory to be either on hand or on order for the current plus the next two years thereby ensuring an adequate supply to meet the Combatant Commander's needs," an Army spokesman wrote in an e-mail.
Based on Army forecasts, the service had enough of some parts to satisfy several years, or even decades, of anticipated needs, but was short by an average of $3.5 billion on other needed parts from 2004 to 2007.
Several examples of such excesses and deficits are cited in the study.
One cites how, after anticipating an increase in the use of Black Hawk helicopters, the Army purchased 95 parts of a calibration tool used to maintain the aircraft. The anticipated uptick never came, and in fiscal 2007, the Army had 130 more of the parts than it needed, valued at $7.4 million.
At the same time, there was an unanticipated increase in operational demand for the Kiowa Warrior helicopter, "which increased the need for repairs and replacements through procurement," according to the GAO. The increase left the Army short 128 parts, valued at $1.2 million, needed to maintain the Kiowa, the report stated.
"The Army has acknowledged that challenges exist in its forecasting procedures and has begun to take steps to address shortcomings," according to the report.
In October 2008, the Army cut its forecast period in half to better account for changes in demand, and issued guidance directing managers to update their forecast models so that they match up with the actual number of parts being used.
"These two changes constitute steps toward improving the accuracy of demand forecasts, but GAO was unable to assess their effectiveness because this guidance was issued as GAO was completing its audit work," according to the report.
In December, the GAO issued a similar report criticizing Navy supply procedures, though it blamed management mistakes for the service's spending $7.5 billion a year on unneeded equipment and parts from 2004 through 2007.
Copyright 2009 Stars and Stripes. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of Military.com.Related Articles
Stars and Stripes Matt Millham January 16, 2009
The Army's inventory of spare parts for aircraft, vehicles and tanks swelled from $2.7 billion worth in fiscal 2004 to $4.1 billion in fiscal 2007, mostly because the way the service projected its need for such items was flawed, according to a Government Accountability Office report released Monday.
The GAO, after scrutinizing four years' worth of Army supply inventory data, found that the Army had on average $3.6 billion in spare parts that exceeded the service's current requirements in each fiscal year from 2004 to 2007.
The Army contested the report's characterization of the parts as being in excess of its needs, saying the GAO generally classifies "current requirements" as what is required in the current year, and that the GAO figures include parts the Army intends to use.
"However, the Army plans for inventory to be either on hand or on order for the current plus the next two years thereby ensuring an adequate supply to meet the Combatant Commander's needs," an Army spokesman wrote in an e-mail.
Based on Army forecasts, the service had enough of some parts to satisfy several years, or even decades, of anticipated needs, but was short by an average of $3.5 billion on other needed parts from 2004 to 2007.
Several examples of such excesses and deficits are cited in the study.
One cites how, after anticipating an increase in the use of Black Hawk helicopters, the Army purchased 95 parts of a calibration tool used to maintain the aircraft. The anticipated uptick never came, and in fiscal 2007, the Army had 130 more of the parts than it needed, valued at $7.4 million.
At the same time, there was an unanticipated increase in operational demand for the Kiowa Warrior helicopter, "which increased the need for repairs and replacements through procurement," according to the GAO. The increase left the Army short 128 parts, valued at $1.2 million, needed to maintain the Kiowa, the report stated.
"The Army has acknowledged that challenges exist in its forecasting procedures and has begun to take steps to address shortcomings," according to the report.
In October 2008, the Army cut its forecast period in half to better account for changes in demand, and issued guidance directing managers to update their forecast models so that they match up with the actual number of parts being used.
"These two changes constitute steps toward improving the accuracy of demand forecasts, but GAO was unable to assess their effectiveness because this guidance was issued as GAO was completing its audit work," according to the report.
In December, the GAO issued a similar report criticizing Navy supply procedures, though it blamed management mistakes for the service's spending $7.5 billion a year on unneeded equipment and parts from 2004 through 2007.
Copyright 2009 Stars and Stripes. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of Military.com.Related Articles
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The Good News...
Army Wife Credits Military Life Experience
By Sgt. Micah E. Clare. U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs Office
Rosella Glenn helps a Tajik woman harvest cotton in a field outside of Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, Oct. 25. Glenn said Tajik women in the central Asian nation often must work hard to make enough money to support their families, sometimes without the aid of a husband. Glenn credits the experience she has gained during 16 years married to Col. Mike Glenn, deputy chief of U.S. Army Europe's global rebasing and restructuring division, for much of her success as an expert in international affairs. Rosella Glenn doesn't live like most Army wives.She wakes up in the morning and checks to see if the lights turn on. If the heat has gone out again she decides whether to drain the radiators. She tries the water to see if it's working and clean enough to take a shower. Sometimes she takes a walk and chats with farmers and villagers at the local bazaar in Tajik, Uzbek and Russian.This is Glenn's life in the Central Asian republic of Tajikistan. Just north of Afghanistan, the country is the poorest of the former Soviet republics. Her job there is to teach people about America and conduct research about the hardships the nation's women face.It's a far cry from her own humble roots in northern Italy to her mission today as a U.S. State Department expert in international affairs, from small-town girl with a limited grasp of English to Fulbright scholar. And Glenn gives much of the credit for her success to the opportunities and experiences provided by 16 years as an Army spouse."There are always challenges," she said. "But within the military community there is always help. Even moving around; it allows you to think outside the box, to adapt to different cultures and environments. You just have to learn to organize your life in a way that gives you support."When Glenn left Borgosesia, Italy, at age 22 to live with her new husband, then an Army captain stationed at Hohenfels, Germany's Combat Maneuver Training Center as an observer/controller, she immediately faced obstacles because of her limited English."I spoke what broken English I learned in high school with my husband, but it was overwhelming speaking with a lot of people at once," she said.In a new environment with many challenges ahead, Glenn said she realized her situation actually offered unique opportunities."The military always has something for you to do, even if it's just volunteering," she said.So that's what she did. One day before leaving for a field exercise, her husband took her to Army Community Service to see what they could offer."The best way for someone to get around handicaps like a language barrier, or simply not having friends or knowing the area, is to dive right in and volunteer," said Col. Mike Glenn, now serving as deputy chief of U.S. Army Europe's global rebasing and restructuring division here.While she may have been new to life as a U.S. Army spouse, Rosella discovered she had skills ACS could use."Back in Italy, I had some background in fine arts," she said. "ACS started me off designing flyers, which led to learning computer skills, which then opened up doors to marketing and advertising."Eventually volunteering led to a paid job as a marketing specialist. At the same time she began studying German affairs and started the process of becoming a U.S. citizen.When the Glenns were later reassigned to Garmisch, Germany, Rosella said she was compelled to return to volunteering, and a new window of opportunity opened. "While I volunteered at the visual information branch I saw published material that dealt with former Soviet republics. I then saw and met people from those countries coming to Garmisch to attend conferences and courses," she said. "I was so curious, because I've always enjoyed reading about world affairs and watching news."That curiosity drove her to continue her formal education in foreign affairs, even as she added raising two boys, Bryan and Martin, to her challenging regimen.During the family's next tour in Virginia she enrolled at George Mason University, earned her bachelor's degree in global affairs with a focus on Russia and Central Asia, and began work on a master's. Unfortunately, delays in her citizenship application process pushed back her goal of working for the U.S. government. Yet she said even that delay led to opportunity."I had to go back to volunteering in the Washington D.C. area," she said. "I took any opportunity that came along, and I was given an intern position at the Helsinki Commission."She said her work with the congressional commission, which is responsible for monitoring and encouraging international human rights compliance, taught her about many issues involving the Central Asian Turkmen, Uzbek, and Kazakh peoples.Faced with even greater challenges when her husband deployed to Afghanistan, leaving her to take charge of the household, she said she still managed to continue her studies and seek out opportunities. She said that while studying the Uzbek language she became involved with the Fulbright program, a renowned academic fellowship whose membership has included heads of state, congressmen, and Olympic athletes.The State Department calls its Fulbright Student Award the largest international exchange program offering opportunities for students to undertake international graduate study. Rosella said the program seemed ideal for her."I thought it would be very exciting," she said. "It would finally be something that would match what I'd learned with a practice."The program required her to choose a country in which to pursue that practice. She said she chose Tajikistan because she felt women there were most affected by changes after the fall of the Soviets.While her formal education prepared her for the job, she said the Army taught her how to do something equally vital to her new mission."Move to a new place and adapt," she said. "My 16 years as an Army spouse prepared me so much for what I'm doing now. Because of it, as they say in Italy, I'm not lost in a glass of water."Rosella said working, studying, and raising a family has not always been easy, but that she feels strongly about giving back to America because it has given her so much."I'm not sure what's ahead, but I can feel that it's going to be good," she said."I'm very proud of my wife," said Mike Glenn. "I'm most proud of the example she has set for our children. They see in her the ability to jump right in and do something without reservations. She has shown that life is full of experiences ready for the taking."
Rosella Glenn (right) helps a Tajik woman harvest cotton in a field outside of Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, Oct. 25. Glenn said Tajik women in the central Asian nation often must work hard to make enough money to support their families, sometimes without the aid of a husband. Glenn credits the experience she has gained during 16 years married to Col. Mike Glenn, deputy chief of U.S. Army Europe's global rebasing and restructuring division, for much of her success as an expert in international affairs.
By Sgt. Micah E. Clare. U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs Office
Rosella Glenn helps a Tajik woman harvest cotton in a field outside of Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, Oct. 25. Glenn said Tajik women in the central Asian nation often must work hard to make enough money to support their families, sometimes without the aid of a husband. Glenn credits the experience she has gained during 16 years married to Col. Mike Glenn, deputy chief of U.S. Army Europe's global rebasing and restructuring division, for much of her success as an expert in international affairs. Rosella Glenn doesn't live like most Army wives.She wakes up in the morning and checks to see if the lights turn on. If the heat has gone out again she decides whether to drain the radiators. She tries the water to see if it's working and clean enough to take a shower. Sometimes she takes a walk and chats with farmers and villagers at the local bazaar in Tajik, Uzbek and Russian.This is Glenn's life in the Central Asian republic of Tajikistan. Just north of Afghanistan, the country is the poorest of the former Soviet republics. Her job there is to teach people about America and conduct research about the hardships the nation's women face.It's a far cry from her own humble roots in northern Italy to her mission today as a U.S. State Department expert in international affairs, from small-town girl with a limited grasp of English to Fulbright scholar. And Glenn gives much of the credit for her success to the opportunities and experiences provided by 16 years as an Army spouse."There are always challenges," she said. "But within the military community there is always help. Even moving around; it allows you to think outside the box, to adapt to different cultures and environments. You just have to learn to organize your life in a way that gives you support."When Glenn left Borgosesia, Italy, at age 22 to live with her new husband, then an Army captain stationed at Hohenfels, Germany's Combat Maneuver Training Center as an observer/controller, she immediately faced obstacles because of her limited English."I spoke what broken English I learned in high school with my husband, but it was overwhelming speaking with a lot of people at once," she said.In a new environment with many challenges ahead, Glenn said she realized her situation actually offered unique opportunities."The military always has something for you to do, even if it's just volunteering," she said.So that's what she did. One day before leaving for a field exercise, her husband took her to Army Community Service to see what they could offer."The best way for someone to get around handicaps like a language barrier, or simply not having friends or knowing the area, is to dive right in and volunteer," said Col. Mike Glenn, now serving as deputy chief of U.S. Army Europe's global rebasing and restructuring division here.While she may have been new to life as a U.S. Army spouse, Rosella discovered she had skills ACS could use."Back in Italy, I had some background in fine arts," she said. "ACS started me off designing flyers, which led to learning computer skills, which then opened up doors to marketing and advertising."Eventually volunteering led to a paid job as a marketing specialist. At the same time she began studying German affairs and started the process of becoming a U.S. citizen.When the Glenns were later reassigned to Garmisch, Germany, Rosella said she was compelled to return to volunteering, and a new window of opportunity opened. "While I volunteered at the visual information branch I saw published material that dealt with former Soviet republics. I then saw and met people from those countries coming to Garmisch to attend conferences and courses," she said. "I was so curious, because I've always enjoyed reading about world affairs and watching news."That curiosity drove her to continue her formal education in foreign affairs, even as she added raising two boys, Bryan and Martin, to her challenging regimen.During the family's next tour in Virginia she enrolled at George Mason University, earned her bachelor's degree in global affairs with a focus on Russia and Central Asia, and began work on a master's. Unfortunately, delays in her citizenship application process pushed back her goal of working for the U.S. government. Yet she said even that delay led to opportunity."I had to go back to volunteering in the Washington D.C. area," she said. "I took any opportunity that came along, and I was given an intern position at the Helsinki Commission."She said her work with the congressional commission, which is responsible for monitoring and encouraging international human rights compliance, taught her about many issues involving the Central Asian Turkmen, Uzbek, and Kazakh peoples.Faced with even greater challenges when her husband deployed to Afghanistan, leaving her to take charge of the household, she said she still managed to continue her studies and seek out opportunities. She said that while studying the Uzbek language she became involved with the Fulbright program, a renowned academic fellowship whose membership has included heads of state, congressmen, and Olympic athletes.The State Department calls its Fulbright Student Award the largest international exchange program offering opportunities for students to undertake international graduate study. Rosella said the program seemed ideal for her."I thought it would be very exciting," she said. "It would finally be something that would match what I'd learned with a practice."The program required her to choose a country in which to pursue that practice. She said she chose Tajikistan because she felt women there were most affected by changes after the fall of the Soviets.While her formal education prepared her for the job, she said the Army taught her how to do something equally vital to her new mission."Move to a new place and adapt," she said. "My 16 years as an Army spouse prepared me so much for what I'm doing now. Because of it, as they say in Italy, I'm not lost in a glass of water."Rosella said working, studying, and raising a family has not always been easy, but that she feels strongly about giving back to America because it has given her so much."I'm not sure what's ahead, but I can feel that it's going to be good," she said."I'm very proud of my wife," said Mike Glenn. "I'm most proud of the example she has set for our children. They see in her the ability to jump right in and do something without reservations. She has shown that life is full of experiences ready for the taking."
Rosella Glenn (right) helps a Tajik woman harvest cotton in a field outside of Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, Oct. 25. Glenn said Tajik women in the central Asian nation often must work hard to make enough money to support their families, sometimes without the aid of a husband. Glenn credits the experience she has gained during 16 years married to Col. Mike Glenn, deputy chief of U.S. Army Europe's global rebasing and restructuring division, for much of her success as an expert in international affairs.
Memorial
Paratroopers honor fallen comradeBy Staff Sgt. Alex Licea, 3rd BCT PAO, 82nd Abn. Div., MND-B Jan 19, 2009 - 5:59:23 PM
Blackanthem Military News
Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Ward, a close friend of Staff Sgt. Justin Bauer, renders a salute in tribute to his fallen comrade during a memorial ceremony Jan. 16 at Forward Operating Base Loyalty. Ward said Bauer was the best Soldier he had ever seen. Bauer served as a squad leader for Company D, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad. He was killed when an improvised-explosive device struck his vehicle during a combat patrol Jan. 10 in Baghdad. Bauer, a native of Loveland, Colo., is survived by his wife, Kari, mother, Connie Haddock, and father, Gregory Bauer. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alex Licea, 3rd BCT PAO, 82nd Abn. Div., MND-B)FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq - A Multi-National Division - Baghdad Paratrooper, who was killed in eastern Baghdad, was honored for his ultimate sacrifice during a memorial ceremony at Forward Operating Base Jan. 16. Staff Sgt. Justin Bauer, a 24-year-old infantryman from Loveland, Colo., was assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. He was killed in action when an improvised-explosive device struck his vehicle during a combat patrol Jan. 10 in the New Baghdad district of eastern Baghdad. He was serving on his second deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom."I don't know where America finds men like Staff Sgt. Bauer," said Capt. Darren Glenn, Bauer's commander company. "But I do know that America is the land of the free because of the brave. I am indebted to Justin for his service to his country. He will be truly missed."His fellow Paratroopers also remembered him as being a true leader and friend."I will never forget Staff Sgt. Bauer, his leadership and what he meant to us," said Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Ward, Bauer's platoon sergeant and personal friend. "I will never forget the true friend I loved and admired." Bauer enlisted in the Army in October 2004 as an infantryman. He completed his one-unit station training and Airborne school at Fort Benning, Ga. Along with his two deployments to Iraq, Bauer supported Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in New Orleans, La., in September 2005. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal with bronze service star, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Parachute Badge. He is survived by his wife, Kari, his mother, Connie Haddock, and his father, Gregory Bauer.
Blackanthem Military News
Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Ward, a close friend of Staff Sgt. Justin Bauer, renders a salute in tribute to his fallen comrade during a memorial ceremony Jan. 16 at Forward Operating Base Loyalty. Ward said Bauer was the best Soldier he had ever seen. Bauer served as a squad leader for Company D, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad. He was killed when an improvised-explosive device struck his vehicle during a combat patrol Jan. 10 in Baghdad. Bauer, a native of Loveland, Colo., is survived by his wife, Kari, mother, Connie Haddock, and father, Gregory Bauer. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alex Licea, 3rd BCT PAO, 82nd Abn. Div., MND-B)FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq - A Multi-National Division - Baghdad Paratrooper, who was killed in eastern Baghdad, was honored for his ultimate sacrifice during a memorial ceremony at Forward Operating Base Jan. 16. Staff Sgt. Justin Bauer, a 24-year-old infantryman from Loveland, Colo., was assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. He was killed in action when an improvised-explosive device struck his vehicle during a combat patrol Jan. 10 in the New Baghdad district of eastern Baghdad. He was serving on his second deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom."I don't know where America finds men like Staff Sgt. Bauer," said Capt. Darren Glenn, Bauer's commander company. "But I do know that America is the land of the free because of the brave. I am indebted to Justin for his service to his country. He will be truly missed."His fellow Paratroopers also remembered him as being a true leader and friend."I will never forget Staff Sgt. Bauer, his leadership and what he meant to us," said Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Ward, Bauer's platoon sergeant and personal friend. "I will never forget the true friend I loved and admired." Bauer enlisted in the Army in October 2004 as an infantryman. He completed his one-unit station training and Airborne school at Fort Benning, Ga. Along with his two deployments to Iraq, Bauer supported Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in New Orleans, La., in September 2005. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal with bronze service star, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Parachute Badge. He is survived by his wife, Kari, his mother, Connie Haddock, and his father, Gregory Bauer.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
82nd Casualty
While on a route clearance mission, PFC Ricky L. Turner's vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device. He was pronounced dead at (3:30PM - Iraq time) (7:30AM - US time) on January 16th, 2009 . PFC Ricky L. Turner, 20 years old, of Athens, Alabama was a 21B (Combat Engineer) from A Company. PFC Turner is survived by his wife and stepdaughter, Nyoka Turner and Arissa Stone of Athens, Alabama. His also survived by his mother Regina Turner of Decatur, Alabama and his father James Turner. More details will follow in reference to PFC Turner's memorial service here at Fort Bragg, the expected day will be February 4th at the Division Memorial Chapel.
Army Spouse DVD...
Accessions Command introduces new Army spouse DVD
Jan 09
By Patrick Buffett (U.S. Army Garrison Fort Monroe, Installation Management Command-Northeast)
Photo credit Patricia Radcliffe Diana Wells from the Army Training Support Center at Fort Eustis, Va., presents Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, USAAC Commanding General, one of the first copies of the New Spouse Orientation DVD during a December gathering at USAAC headquarters on Fort Monroe.
FORT MONROE, Va. - If the transition to Army life is challenging for a new recruit, imagine what it's like for the young military spouse who dives into that world without the benefit of initial entry training or easy access to a cadre of subject matter experts.Frequently, the fledgling family member's first experience with the military is arrival at the initial duty station and the start of a crash course in Army acronyms, pay procedures, housing regulations, support agencies and so forth."Now imagine what it's like for them when their Soldiers deploy just months after initial entry training, which is typical these days," noted Jean Mills, Soldier and Family Program Manager for U.S. Army Accessions Command at Fort Monroe. "It means our new spouses are facing more challenges than ever before, and we need to do everything we can to arm them with information that makes that transition easier."Enter the New Spouse Orientation DVD that is scheduled for release this month. It includes an overview of administrative, family and community support programs provided by the Army and listings of available resources that are accessible via the internet. Copies will be distributed by Army recruiting offices and ROTC battalions across the nation."The DVD complements a booklet titled 'Welcome to the Army Family' that our recruiters have been handing out for the past year," said Mills. "The DVD is 35 minutes in length, and it incorporates state-of-the-art features that will appeal to today's Internet generation. For instance, the information is divided into subject matter areas - like Army Community Services, education and Child, Youth and School Services - so the spouse or family member can pick and choose the topics that are of interest to them."Other subjects addressed in the video include TRICARE, housing, legal services, Army Emergency Relief, the Exceptional Family Member Program and more. While the information won't make the viewer a subject matter expert in any particular area of Army life, the USAAC team is hoping it will increase the "comfort factor" to a point where the family member never feels abandoned or isolated from the military community. "As a result of the DVD," Mills noted, "new spouses will feel empowered to walk into any agency and know what is offered and the services to which they are entitled.""That's really the heart of the matter ... doing everything we can to show the support network that's available to these young spouses, even if they're still at home awaiting the move to their first duty station," said Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, USAAC's Commanding General. "It's important to the Soldier as well. You can't stay focused on training if you're constantly worried about family problems at home. The awareness of being able to reach out to support agencies like Army Community Services or important online tools like Military OneSource will mitigate a lot of stress."Helping spouses realize their importance to the Army team is another huge plus for the DVD, the lieutenant general added. Service leaders have gone to great lengths to acknowledge the contributions of families during the ongoing fight against global terrorism. That effort is evidenced by the Army Family Covenant in 2007 and the Army Community Covenant in 2008. Both measures guarantee the nation's commitment to "providing the best quality of life in the world to the best Soldiers and Families in the world." "This DVD will help us show the support network available in Army life in ways a new Army spouse will understand," Freakley said. "Why is this important? ... Because the spouse is a huge factor in the decision-making process on whether to join the Army. Spouse support also is very important to retention. We like to say we enlist Soldiers, but we re-enlist families."Mills offered a final note of thanks to the Army Training Support Center at Fort Eustis for their production work on the New Spouse Orientation DVD.
Jan 09
By Patrick Buffett (U.S. Army Garrison Fort Monroe, Installation Management Command-Northeast)
Photo credit Patricia Radcliffe Diana Wells from the Army Training Support Center at Fort Eustis, Va., presents Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, USAAC Commanding General, one of the first copies of the New Spouse Orientation DVD during a December gathering at USAAC headquarters on Fort Monroe.
FORT MONROE, Va. - If the transition to Army life is challenging for a new recruit, imagine what it's like for the young military spouse who dives into that world without the benefit of initial entry training or easy access to a cadre of subject matter experts.Frequently, the fledgling family member's first experience with the military is arrival at the initial duty station and the start of a crash course in Army acronyms, pay procedures, housing regulations, support agencies and so forth."Now imagine what it's like for them when their Soldiers deploy just months after initial entry training, which is typical these days," noted Jean Mills, Soldier and Family Program Manager for U.S. Army Accessions Command at Fort Monroe. "It means our new spouses are facing more challenges than ever before, and we need to do everything we can to arm them with information that makes that transition easier."Enter the New Spouse Orientation DVD that is scheduled for release this month. It includes an overview of administrative, family and community support programs provided by the Army and listings of available resources that are accessible via the internet. Copies will be distributed by Army recruiting offices and ROTC battalions across the nation."The DVD complements a booklet titled 'Welcome to the Army Family' that our recruiters have been handing out for the past year," said Mills. "The DVD is 35 minutes in length, and it incorporates state-of-the-art features that will appeal to today's Internet generation. For instance, the information is divided into subject matter areas - like Army Community Services, education and Child, Youth and School Services - so the spouse or family member can pick and choose the topics that are of interest to them."Other subjects addressed in the video include TRICARE, housing, legal services, Army Emergency Relief, the Exceptional Family Member Program and more. While the information won't make the viewer a subject matter expert in any particular area of Army life, the USAAC team is hoping it will increase the "comfort factor" to a point where the family member never feels abandoned or isolated from the military community. "As a result of the DVD," Mills noted, "new spouses will feel empowered to walk into any agency and know what is offered and the services to which they are entitled.""That's really the heart of the matter ... doing everything we can to show the support network that's available to these young spouses, even if they're still at home awaiting the move to their first duty station," said Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, USAAC's Commanding General. "It's important to the Soldier as well. You can't stay focused on training if you're constantly worried about family problems at home. The awareness of being able to reach out to support agencies like Army Community Services or important online tools like Military OneSource will mitigate a lot of stress."Helping spouses realize their importance to the Army team is another huge plus for the DVD, the lieutenant general added. Service leaders have gone to great lengths to acknowledge the contributions of families during the ongoing fight against global terrorism. That effort is evidenced by the Army Family Covenant in 2007 and the Army Community Covenant in 2008. Both measures guarantee the nation's commitment to "providing the best quality of life in the world to the best Soldiers and Families in the world." "This DVD will help us show the support network available in Army life in ways a new Army spouse will understand," Freakley said. "Why is this important? ... Because the spouse is a huge factor in the decision-making process on whether to join the Army. Spouse support also is very important to retention. We like to say we enlist Soldiers, but we re-enlist families."Mills offered a final note of thanks to the Army Training Support Center at Fort Eustis for their production work on the New Spouse Orientation DVD.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Fun With Spouses
Military Spouse Employment Barriers
Terry Stevens November 03, 2008
A Military member's active duty status has always played havoc with their working Spouses career opportunities and development -- and may continue to do so.
The number of military spouses, working outside the home, has grown to about 70 percent and has, in many cases, become an absolute necessity to maintain a desired standard of living.
The military moves active duty members with little regard to their family situation -- except in special cases like Join Spouse, Children Have a Potential (CHAP), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other types of hardship. The move order is simply to get the most eligible or best qualified military member into a current or projected vacancy -- regardless of where that vacancy may be.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates recently acknowledged that frequent deployments in support of ongoing combat operations and permanent change of station moves has brought about the highest level of stress on military families since World War II.
It is not only the combat stress factor that impacts military families it is also the loss of income and the interruption of the spouse's career development that comes with many PCS moves.
Many military spouses are professionals in their own right; Doctors, Nurses, Dentists, Lawyers, Business Leaders, Certified Public Accountants, Teachers and Counselors just to name a few.
Their careers are immediately placed on hold when the PCS notification comes. Many civilian jobs require advance departure notices and when those are given the employer starts an immediate search for a replacement. So, while the military move may not be for months, the spouse may lose their job much earlier.
According to testimony given to the House Committee on Veteran's Affairs, June 19, 2008, if a new military assignment is to a state where income tax is higher, the spouse could lose as much as 10% of their income. In addition, a RAND Corporation study found the average spouse income shrinks by more than $5,500 annually when compared to a civilian counterpart because of moving.
The Department of Defense is not unsympathetic to the working spouse's situation and tries to improve their circumstance. There are also avenues for working spouses to get help from their own military service. All branches have types of "Family Support Centers," both at the losing and gaining bases. Support centers provide counseling, resume service and job placement assistance.
"The Military Spouse Career Advancement Initiative (Pilot Program) provides assistance to military spouses seeking to gain the skills and credentials necessary to begin or advance their career."
Career Advancement Accounts pay the costs of training and education that enable spouses to earn a degree or credential in in-demand, portable fields in most communities.
Military Home Front is the official Department of Defense website for reliable Quality of Life information designed to help troops and their families, leaders and service providers.
The National Military Family Association is another great site to assist with spouse employment.
There are also other sites designed to help transition military working spouses, such as:Military OneSource andArmy OneSource
President George W. Bush signed an Executive Order on September 30, 2008, to make Federal Employment easier to obtain for Military Spouses. The order authorizes noncompetitive hiring of spouses and should make the hiring process easier and faster.
There are numerous directives that provide priority placement for military spouses, including the following:
Section 10, United States Code 1784, "Employment Opportunities for Military Spouses," January 1997
Public Law 99-145, Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1986, Section 806, "Employment Opportunities for Military Spouses," November 8, 1985, as amended
Public Law 99-661, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1987, November 14, 1986
Public Law 100-180, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989, December 4, 1987
Executive Order 12721, "Eligibility of Overseas Employees for Noncompetitive Appointments," July 30, 1990
Another source for employment preferences is: Priority Placement Program (PPP) Guidance and Information. This site also includes some customer-friendly fact sheets.
Currently, the Military Spouse Preference Program does not apply to:
Positions in the excepted service
Positions filled from Office of Personnel Management (OPM) certificates or under agency Delegated Examining Unit or Direct Hire Authority procedures and Non-appropriated fund (NAF) positions
Positions in foreign areas, whether in the competitive or excepted service
Positions filled under component career program procedures
Positions filled at the full performance level that are covered by a mandatory mobility agreement
Despite the efforts of the military departments and DoD, many professionals will lose vesting time for retirement, career progression opportunities, or become unemployed due to accompanying an active duty member on PCS.
Many military spouses are forced to accept employment outside their area of professional expertise. While this may be better than nothing, it degrades the spouse's professional qualifications, resume and competitiveness when they return to an area where their specialty is in demand.
Civilian Personnel Offices could pave the way for employees in transit from one DoD installation to another by providing advanced applications, qualifications and recommendations to fill any related vacancy -- or projected vacancy, for which the spouse is qualified, at the new location.
Home basing (of military personnel) would provide a better solution to the problem, but would also create larger problems for the military in their equitable distribution of human resources. Unfortunately, there has never been a good answer to the working military spouse riddle. Their best hope is to take advantage of existing employment preference opportunities and push for their expansion.
Copyright 2009 Terry Stevens. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of Military.com.Related Articles
Terry Stevens November 03, 2008
A Military member's active duty status has always played havoc with their working Spouses career opportunities and development -- and may continue to do so.
The number of military spouses, working outside the home, has grown to about 70 percent and has, in many cases, become an absolute necessity to maintain a desired standard of living.
The military moves active duty members with little regard to their family situation -- except in special cases like Join Spouse, Children Have a Potential (CHAP), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other types of hardship. The move order is simply to get the most eligible or best qualified military member into a current or projected vacancy -- regardless of where that vacancy may be.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates recently acknowledged that frequent deployments in support of ongoing combat operations and permanent change of station moves has brought about the highest level of stress on military families since World War II.
It is not only the combat stress factor that impacts military families it is also the loss of income and the interruption of the spouse's career development that comes with many PCS moves.
Many military spouses are professionals in their own right; Doctors, Nurses, Dentists, Lawyers, Business Leaders, Certified Public Accountants, Teachers and Counselors just to name a few.
Their careers are immediately placed on hold when the PCS notification comes. Many civilian jobs require advance departure notices and when those are given the employer starts an immediate search for a replacement. So, while the military move may not be for months, the spouse may lose their job much earlier.
According to testimony given to the House Committee on Veteran's Affairs, June 19, 2008, if a new military assignment is to a state where income tax is higher, the spouse could lose as much as 10% of their income. In addition, a RAND Corporation study found the average spouse income shrinks by more than $5,500 annually when compared to a civilian counterpart because of moving.
The Department of Defense is not unsympathetic to the working spouse's situation and tries to improve their circumstance. There are also avenues for working spouses to get help from their own military service. All branches have types of "Family Support Centers," both at the losing and gaining bases. Support centers provide counseling, resume service and job placement assistance.
"The Military Spouse Career Advancement Initiative (Pilot Program) provides assistance to military spouses seeking to gain the skills and credentials necessary to begin or advance their career."
Career Advancement Accounts pay the costs of training and education that enable spouses to earn a degree or credential in in-demand, portable fields in most communities.
Military Home Front is the official Department of Defense website for reliable Quality of Life information designed to help troops and their families, leaders and service providers.
The National Military Family Association is another great site to assist with spouse employment.
There are also other sites designed to help transition military working spouses, such as:Military OneSource andArmy OneSource
President George W. Bush signed an Executive Order on September 30, 2008, to make Federal Employment easier to obtain for Military Spouses. The order authorizes noncompetitive hiring of spouses and should make the hiring process easier and faster.
There are numerous directives that provide priority placement for military spouses, including the following:
Section 10, United States Code 1784, "Employment Opportunities for Military Spouses," January 1997
Public Law 99-145, Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1986, Section 806, "Employment Opportunities for Military Spouses," November 8, 1985, as amended
Public Law 99-661, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1987, November 14, 1986
Public Law 100-180, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989, December 4, 1987
Executive Order 12721, "Eligibility of Overseas Employees for Noncompetitive Appointments," July 30, 1990
Another source for employment preferences is: Priority Placement Program (PPP) Guidance and Information. This site also includes some customer-friendly fact sheets.
Currently, the Military Spouse Preference Program does not apply to:
Positions in the excepted service
Positions filled from Office of Personnel Management (OPM) certificates or under agency Delegated Examining Unit or Direct Hire Authority procedures and Non-appropriated fund (NAF) positions
Positions in foreign areas, whether in the competitive or excepted service
Positions filled under component career program procedures
Positions filled at the full performance level that are covered by a mandatory mobility agreement
Despite the efforts of the military departments and DoD, many professionals will lose vesting time for retirement, career progression opportunities, or become unemployed due to accompanying an active duty member on PCS.
Many military spouses are forced to accept employment outside their area of professional expertise. While this may be better than nothing, it degrades the spouse's professional qualifications, resume and competitiveness when they return to an area where their specialty is in demand.
Civilian Personnel Offices could pave the way for employees in transit from one DoD installation to another by providing advanced applications, qualifications and recommendations to fill any related vacancy -- or projected vacancy, for which the spouse is qualified, at the new location.
Home basing (of military personnel) would provide a better solution to the problem, but would also create larger problems for the military in their equitable distribution of human resources. Unfortunately, there has never been a good answer to the working military spouse riddle. Their best hope is to take advantage of existing employment preference opportunities and push for their expansion.
Copyright 2009 Terry Stevens. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of Military.com.Related Articles
Army Times PTSD Article
VA diagnosing higher rates of PTSD
By William H. McMichael - Staff writerPosted : Friday Jan 16, 2009 16:18:25 EST
More than 44 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans who have sought treatment at a Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility have been diagnosed with one or more possible mental disorders, according to the agency’s most recent summary of veteran health care.
All told, a total of 178,483 veterans who came to VA for help were diagnosed with possible mental disorders from fiscal 2002 through September 2008, according to the January report of the VHA Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards.
Of that total, 92,998 service members, or 23 percent, were diagnosed with possible post-traumatic stress disorder, while 63,009, or 16 percent, were found to have possible depressive disorders.
The VA figures overlap to an unknown extent because officials say a veteran may have been diagnosed with more than one disorder.
In addition, the total of those who have come to VA for health care is a limited sample of the 1.7 million service members who have served in the two wars — as of Sept. 30, 2008, 400,304 war veterans had sought such treatment over the past seven years, or about 24 percent of the totals number of troops who have served in the conflicts.
Because the service members seeking treatment were not randomly selected and are less than one-quarter of the total population of veterans of the wars, VA cautions that they are not a true representative sample.
VA also says that up to one-third of its diagnoses might not have been confirmed because they were provisional pending further evaluation, and that revising records is a resource-intensive effort rarely done in the public or private sector.
At the same time, the number of VA’s possible diagnoses of PTSD has risen “quite steadily” over the past seven years. And, said Antonette Zeiss, VA’s deputy director for mental health services, “there’s a steeper rate of increase between each of the quarterly reports as time goes on.”
In addition, the 23 percent of veterans seen by VA who were initially diagnosed with PTSD, Zeiss agreed, is generally in line with outside estimates.
In an April study by the Rand Corp., nearly 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans surveyed reported symptoms of PTSD or major depression. Many of those who have served in the wars, Rand noted, have been exposed to prolonged periods of combat-related stress or traumatic events.
Rand also found that many service members say they don’t seek treatment for psychological illnesses because they fear the repercussions will harm their careers. “We know there are guys who desperately need help who aren’t coming to us,” said Phil Budahn, a VA spokesman.
And even among those who do seek help for PTSD or major depression, Rand found, only about half receive treatment that researchers consider “minimally adequate” for their illnesses.
Rand concluded that a “major national effort is needed to expand and improve the capacity of the mental health system to provide effective care to service members and veterans.”
Anumber of causes could be behind the increase in VA diagnoses, Zeiss said: multiple and prolonged deployments to the wars; better screening by VA; efforts by VA and the military to destigmatize PTSD; and veterans possibly choosing VA care over other options.
Other possible mental health diagnoses of returning vets, according to the VA report, were neurotic disorders (50,569 veterans), affective psychoses (35,937), non-dependent abuse of drugs (27,246) and alcohol dependence syndrome (16,217).
VA notes that while the diagnoses are of war veterans, it cannot be certain that all of the conditions are war-related.
But, said Zeiss, “most of these conditions would not have been present prior to being in the military. In VA, we assume that these are veterans coming to us who have had significant stresses as a result of their involvement with the military and in war. And we want to treat them and respect that there’s a possibility that these are due to their experience in the military.”
Despite that and the other caveats, Zeiss said the diagnoses statistics “tell us what level of demand for services there is likely to be.”
Since the number of VA’s PTSD diagnoses is on the rise — and, she noted, represent only about half of all mental health disorder diagnoses — “we also need to sustain an overall mental health system that can treat the whole range of mental problems.”
The figures, she said, also support a VA decision made three years ago to start training mental health providers to be able to provide the strongest evidence-based treatments for PTSD, such as cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure therapy, and application of medications for PTSD symptoms.
Overall, possible mental health disorders ranked slightly behind disorders of the joints and back; VA said that about 49 percent of those veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were diagnosed with possible musculoskeletal problems.
A category called “symptoms, signs and ill-defined conditions” — a collection of mostly normal symptoms that don’t have an immediate, obvious cause during a clinic visit — was third on the list, with 42 percent of veterans seeking VA health care receiving this possible diagnosis.
These were followed by diagnoses of possible diseases of the nervous system and sense organs (36.6 percent), digestive problems (32.4 percent), and diseases of the endocrine, nutritional and metabolic systems (23.2 percent).
As with the mental health diagnoses, veterans could have been diagnosed with more than one condition, VA noted.
The vast majority of the 400,304 war veterans who came to VA were seen as outpatients.
Of the roughly 1.7 million service members who have served in the two wars, 945,423 veterans have become eligible for VA health care — 483,136 active-duty troops, and 462,287 reservists. Some 209,099 and 191,205, respectively, have actually sought care at VA.
The latest VA figures represent 42 percent of the care-eligible population. Most — 88 percent — were male; 50 percent were ages 20-29; 92 percent were enlisted; 52 percent were active-duty; and the vast majority, 64 percent, were Army soldiers.
Just 13 percent of veterans who sought VA treatment were Marines, and just 12 percent were sailors and airmen, respectively.
By William H. McMichael - Staff writerPosted : Friday Jan 16, 2009 16:18:25 EST
More than 44 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans who have sought treatment at a Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility have been diagnosed with one or more possible mental disorders, according to the agency’s most recent summary of veteran health care.
All told, a total of 178,483 veterans who came to VA for help were diagnosed with possible mental disorders from fiscal 2002 through September 2008, according to the January report of the VHA Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards.
Of that total, 92,998 service members, or 23 percent, were diagnosed with possible post-traumatic stress disorder, while 63,009, or 16 percent, were found to have possible depressive disorders.
The VA figures overlap to an unknown extent because officials say a veteran may have been diagnosed with more than one disorder.
In addition, the total of those who have come to VA for health care is a limited sample of the 1.7 million service members who have served in the two wars — as of Sept. 30, 2008, 400,304 war veterans had sought such treatment over the past seven years, or about 24 percent of the totals number of troops who have served in the conflicts.
Because the service members seeking treatment were not randomly selected and are less than one-quarter of the total population of veterans of the wars, VA cautions that they are not a true representative sample.
VA also says that up to one-third of its diagnoses might not have been confirmed because they were provisional pending further evaluation, and that revising records is a resource-intensive effort rarely done in the public or private sector.
At the same time, the number of VA’s possible diagnoses of PTSD has risen “quite steadily” over the past seven years. And, said Antonette Zeiss, VA’s deputy director for mental health services, “there’s a steeper rate of increase between each of the quarterly reports as time goes on.”
In addition, the 23 percent of veterans seen by VA who were initially diagnosed with PTSD, Zeiss agreed, is generally in line with outside estimates.
In an April study by the Rand Corp., nearly 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans surveyed reported symptoms of PTSD or major depression. Many of those who have served in the wars, Rand noted, have been exposed to prolonged periods of combat-related stress or traumatic events.
Rand also found that many service members say they don’t seek treatment for psychological illnesses because they fear the repercussions will harm their careers. “We know there are guys who desperately need help who aren’t coming to us,” said Phil Budahn, a VA spokesman.
And even among those who do seek help for PTSD or major depression, Rand found, only about half receive treatment that researchers consider “minimally adequate” for their illnesses.
Rand concluded that a “major national effort is needed to expand and improve the capacity of the mental health system to provide effective care to service members and veterans.”
Anumber of causes could be behind the increase in VA diagnoses, Zeiss said: multiple and prolonged deployments to the wars; better screening by VA; efforts by VA and the military to destigmatize PTSD; and veterans possibly choosing VA care over other options.
Other possible mental health diagnoses of returning vets, according to the VA report, were neurotic disorders (50,569 veterans), affective psychoses (35,937), non-dependent abuse of drugs (27,246) and alcohol dependence syndrome (16,217).
VA notes that while the diagnoses are of war veterans, it cannot be certain that all of the conditions are war-related.
But, said Zeiss, “most of these conditions would not have been present prior to being in the military. In VA, we assume that these are veterans coming to us who have had significant stresses as a result of their involvement with the military and in war. And we want to treat them and respect that there’s a possibility that these are due to their experience in the military.”
Despite that and the other caveats, Zeiss said the diagnoses statistics “tell us what level of demand for services there is likely to be.”
Since the number of VA’s PTSD diagnoses is on the rise — and, she noted, represent only about half of all mental health disorder diagnoses — “we also need to sustain an overall mental health system that can treat the whole range of mental problems.”
The figures, she said, also support a VA decision made three years ago to start training mental health providers to be able to provide the strongest evidence-based treatments for PTSD, such as cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure therapy, and application of medications for PTSD symptoms.
Overall, possible mental health disorders ranked slightly behind disorders of the joints and back; VA said that about 49 percent of those veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were diagnosed with possible musculoskeletal problems.
A category called “symptoms, signs and ill-defined conditions” — a collection of mostly normal symptoms that don’t have an immediate, obvious cause during a clinic visit — was third on the list, with 42 percent of veterans seeking VA health care receiving this possible diagnosis.
These were followed by diagnoses of possible diseases of the nervous system and sense organs (36.6 percent), digestive problems (32.4 percent), and diseases of the endocrine, nutritional and metabolic systems (23.2 percent).
As with the mental health diagnoses, veterans could have been diagnosed with more than one condition, VA noted.
The vast majority of the 400,304 war veterans who came to VA were seen as outpatients.
Of the roughly 1.7 million service members who have served in the two wars, 945,423 veterans have become eligible for VA health care — 483,136 active-duty troops, and 462,287 reservists. Some 209,099 and 191,205, respectively, have actually sought care at VA.
The latest VA figures represent 42 percent of the care-eligible population. Most — 88 percent — were male; 50 percent were ages 20-29; 92 percent were enlisted; 52 percent were active-duty; and the vast majority, 64 percent, were Army soldiers.
Just 13 percent of veterans who sought VA treatment were Marines, and just 12 percent were sailors and airmen, respectively.
No End in Sight...
Obama to Face Major Troop Decisions
January 17, 2009Associated Press
-->
WASHINGTON - Lingering decisions on how quickly the Pentagon can get U.S. forces out of Iraq and into Afghanistan are being pushed off until after the Obama administration takes over next week as military commanders continue to wrangle over where the troops are needed most.
By the end of this month, Defense Secretary Robert Gates is expected to approve sending more Marines to southern Afghanistan, effectively lowering their numbers in Iraq's western Anbar province, and he may also endorse deploying an Army brigade equipped with armored Stryker vehicles. Senior military officials say there is general agreement to cut back on the 22,000 Marines in Iraq, but Army officials have concerns about how to free up the Stryker unit.
As the Pentagon looks to double the existing force in Afghanistan, the overall cast of the military's growing force in Afghanistan is becoming clearer: Commanders want to beef up the expeditionary units and trainers in the south and east with enough new troops to stem the violence without becoming an occupying force that would alienate the Afghan population.
Their challenge, however, is to get troops out into the hundreds of tiny villages in the volatile southern region, where the Taliban insurgency has been centered. To do that, Gen. David McKiernan, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, has asked for more mobile forces and believes the strykers will allow Soldiers to move more easily along the rugged trails to the widely dispersed tribal enclaves.
Stryker brigades come outfitted with several hundred eight-wheeled, 19-ton Stryker vehicles, which offer greater protection than a Humvee and are more maneuverable than the heavily armored mine-resistant vehicles that are being used across Iraq.
With generals heading the Iraq war reluctant to give up troops, and those in Afghanistan demanding more help, Pentagon officials have been struggling to stretch an already-strained force to meet both needs. But as President-elect Barack Obama prepares to take office, there is already increasing pressure to more rapidly reduce forces in Iraq, to meet Obama's stated intention to make Afghanistan a higher priority.
A key unanswered question - which will ultimately determine the size and makeup of the force - is what the Obama administration's goal in Afghanistan will be.
Will he continue President George W. Bush's emphasis on spreading freedom and democracy? That would create the need for an extensive, lengthy and diverse effort to stabilize and modernize the weak Afghan government, build infrastructure and require a commitment for decades or more.
Or will he say the mission is simply to do enough military damage there to ensure that Taliban, al-Qaida and other terror groups in Afghanistan and along the Pakistan border are dismantled or defeated enough to prevent another attack on America?
In an interview during his final days in office, Stephen Hadley, Bush's national security adviser, told The Associated Press that he believes the fight for democracy must go on, and that more special operations forces are needed in Afghanistan.
"I think it's important for this new administration not to lose the emphasis on the importance of freedom and democracy as an element of succeeding in Iraq and Afghanistan, and succeeding in the war on terror," Hadley said.
Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters that Obama and his national security team are still discussing their Afghanistan strategy and how it will take shape.
Fundamentally, Morrell said, it will be a counterinsurgency fight and the next president, advised by Gates and his military leaders, "will ultimately come to some understanding about where this president wants to lead the mission in Afghanistan."
A second challenge, is how to meet the need for various support forces in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Under a U.S.-Iraq security agreement, American combat forces must be out of Iraqi cities by June, and out of the country by 2011. But support forces - ranging from intelligence and surveillance experts to engineers and logistics personnel - are specialists the Iraqis don't have and will continue to need.
At the same time, those are the same forces McKiernan needs in Afghanistan to build the infrastructure for his growing force and to enhance surveillance, particularly along the Pakistan border.
Pentagon officials have said they plan to send up to 30,000 additional troops to the Afghan war, including four combat brigades and thousands of support forces. Of those, Gates said three brigades and some of the support troops will go in by summer. A brigade is roughly 3,500 troops.
Even as decisions on major units have been delayed, Gates this week approved the deployment of about 2,000 new support troops to Afghanistan, including about 660 Navy sailors from a construction and engineering unit based in Gulfport, Miss. The others include military police, medical personnel and other logistics specialists, senior military officials said.
The sailors - known as Seabees - can deploy quickly for emergencies or disasters to build roads, bridges and other facilities. A few hundred Seabees serving in Kuwait have already been transferred to Afghanistan, according to the Navy.
There are currently 33,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, including 15,000 with the NATO-led coalition and 18,000 fighting insurgents and training the Afghan army and police. There are 142,000 U.S. troops in Iraq - still more than the total there before the force build-up which began in early 2007, and is credited in part for the decline in violence.
Future troops levels also depend on the outcome of several military reviews of the Afghanistan strategy that are under way or recently completed, including a key administration study that Bush officials expect to deliver to the Obama White House.
By the end of the month, Gates is expected to approve the deployment of the Camp Lejeune, N.C.-based 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade to Afghanistan. But senior officials say they are still working out the numbers. A MEB can vary in size and makeup, and can swell to as many as 20,000 Marines, although a total that high is unlikely.
© Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
January 17, 2009Associated Press
-->
WASHINGTON - Lingering decisions on how quickly the Pentagon can get U.S. forces out of Iraq and into Afghanistan are being pushed off until after the Obama administration takes over next week as military commanders continue to wrangle over where the troops are needed most.
By the end of this month, Defense Secretary Robert Gates is expected to approve sending more Marines to southern Afghanistan, effectively lowering their numbers in Iraq's western Anbar province, and he may also endorse deploying an Army brigade equipped with armored Stryker vehicles. Senior military officials say there is general agreement to cut back on the 22,000 Marines in Iraq, but Army officials have concerns about how to free up the Stryker unit.
As the Pentagon looks to double the existing force in Afghanistan, the overall cast of the military's growing force in Afghanistan is becoming clearer: Commanders want to beef up the expeditionary units and trainers in the south and east with enough new troops to stem the violence without becoming an occupying force that would alienate the Afghan population.
Their challenge, however, is to get troops out into the hundreds of tiny villages in the volatile southern region, where the Taliban insurgency has been centered. To do that, Gen. David McKiernan, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, has asked for more mobile forces and believes the strykers will allow Soldiers to move more easily along the rugged trails to the widely dispersed tribal enclaves.
Stryker brigades come outfitted with several hundred eight-wheeled, 19-ton Stryker vehicles, which offer greater protection than a Humvee and are more maneuverable than the heavily armored mine-resistant vehicles that are being used across Iraq.
With generals heading the Iraq war reluctant to give up troops, and those in Afghanistan demanding more help, Pentagon officials have been struggling to stretch an already-strained force to meet both needs. But as President-elect Barack Obama prepares to take office, there is already increasing pressure to more rapidly reduce forces in Iraq, to meet Obama's stated intention to make Afghanistan a higher priority.
A key unanswered question - which will ultimately determine the size and makeup of the force - is what the Obama administration's goal in Afghanistan will be.
Will he continue President George W. Bush's emphasis on spreading freedom and democracy? That would create the need for an extensive, lengthy and diverse effort to stabilize and modernize the weak Afghan government, build infrastructure and require a commitment for decades or more.
Or will he say the mission is simply to do enough military damage there to ensure that Taliban, al-Qaida and other terror groups in Afghanistan and along the Pakistan border are dismantled or defeated enough to prevent another attack on America?
In an interview during his final days in office, Stephen Hadley, Bush's national security adviser, told The Associated Press that he believes the fight for democracy must go on, and that more special operations forces are needed in Afghanistan.
"I think it's important for this new administration not to lose the emphasis on the importance of freedom and democracy as an element of succeeding in Iraq and Afghanistan, and succeeding in the war on terror," Hadley said.
Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters that Obama and his national security team are still discussing their Afghanistan strategy and how it will take shape.
Fundamentally, Morrell said, it will be a counterinsurgency fight and the next president, advised by Gates and his military leaders, "will ultimately come to some understanding about where this president wants to lead the mission in Afghanistan."
A second challenge, is how to meet the need for various support forces in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Under a U.S.-Iraq security agreement, American combat forces must be out of Iraqi cities by June, and out of the country by 2011. But support forces - ranging from intelligence and surveillance experts to engineers and logistics personnel - are specialists the Iraqis don't have and will continue to need.
At the same time, those are the same forces McKiernan needs in Afghanistan to build the infrastructure for his growing force and to enhance surveillance, particularly along the Pakistan border.
Pentagon officials have said they plan to send up to 30,000 additional troops to the Afghan war, including four combat brigades and thousands of support forces. Of those, Gates said three brigades and some of the support troops will go in by summer. A brigade is roughly 3,500 troops.
Even as decisions on major units have been delayed, Gates this week approved the deployment of about 2,000 new support troops to Afghanistan, including about 660 Navy sailors from a construction and engineering unit based in Gulfport, Miss. The others include military police, medical personnel and other logistics specialists, senior military officials said.
The sailors - known as Seabees - can deploy quickly for emergencies or disasters to build roads, bridges and other facilities. A few hundred Seabees serving in Kuwait have already been transferred to Afghanistan, according to the Navy.
There are currently 33,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, including 15,000 with the NATO-led coalition and 18,000 fighting insurgents and training the Afghan army and police. There are 142,000 U.S. troops in Iraq - still more than the total there before the force build-up which began in early 2007, and is credited in part for the decline in violence.
Future troops levels also depend on the outcome of several military reviews of the Afghanistan strategy that are under way or recently completed, including a key administration study that Bush officials expect to deliver to the Obama White House.
By the end of the month, Gates is expected to approve the deployment of the Camp Lejeune, N.C.-based 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade to Afghanistan. But senior officials say they are still working out the numbers. A MEB can vary in size and makeup, and can swell to as many as 20,000 Marines, although a total that high is unlikely.
© Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Another ripple in the MRAP adventure
Race for Lighter MRAP Heating Up
Aviation Week's DTI Bettina H. Chavanne January 10, 2009This article first appeared in AviationWeek.com.
Competitors for the U.S. military's Multipurpose All-Terrain Vehicle (MATV) have a Jan. 12 deadline to submit proposals, ushering in a new generation of vehicles sporting all the survivability of an Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle without MRAP-like bulk.
Navistar Defense remained mum about its proposal. President and CEO Archie Massicotte told Aviation Week only that the company is "locked and loaded" on the two prototype vehicles due Feb. 23. The company hopes its experience in the MRAP market will give it an edge in the MATV competition. Since May 2007, Navistar has been awarded $3 billion in Defense Department contracts for its MaxxPro MRAP variants.
"You don't just take a commercial truck, paint it green and say it's military," Massicotte said. "Every truck has its own recipe."
Indeed, with MRAP production winding down, companies are looking at creative ways of supporting subsequent generations of manned ground vehicles. Tony Russell, vice president of vehicle armor at BAE, which has supplied more than 5,000 MRAPs to the Army and Marine Corps since the Iraq war made them critical equipment, sees one of the challenges of the future being the sustainment of the relatively expensive MRAP fleet (Aerospace DAILY, Jan. 7).
The first MATV unit is slated to be fielded in fall 2009. Although the government expects to order only about 2,080 vehicles, it has specified a minimum of three test articles and maximum program of 10,000 vehicles in its solicitation notice.
Aviation Week's DTI Bettina H. Chavanne January 10, 2009This article first appeared in AviationWeek.com.
Competitors for the U.S. military's Multipurpose All-Terrain Vehicle (MATV) have a Jan. 12 deadline to submit proposals, ushering in a new generation of vehicles sporting all the survivability of an Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle without MRAP-like bulk.
Navistar Defense remained mum about its proposal. President and CEO Archie Massicotte told Aviation Week only that the company is "locked and loaded" on the two prototype vehicles due Feb. 23. The company hopes its experience in the MRAP market will give it an edge in the MATV competition. Since May 2007, Navistar has been awarded $3 billion in Defense Department contracts for its MaxxPro MRAP variants.
"You don't just take a commercial truck, paint it green and say it's military," Massicotte said. "Every truck has its own recipe."
Indeed, with MRAP production winding down, companies are looking at creative ways of supporting subsequent generations of manned ground vehicles. Tony Russell, vice president of vehicle armor at BAE, which has supplied more than 5,000 MRAPs to the Army and Marine Corps since the Iraq war made them critical equipment, sees one of the challenges of the future being the sustainment of the relatively expensive MRAP fleet (Aerospace DAILY, Jan. 7).
The first MATV unit is slated to be fielded in fall 2009. Although the government expects to order only about 2,080 vehicles, it has specified a minimum of three test articles and maximum program of 10,000 vehicles in its solicitation notice.
Monday, January 12, 2009
January Family News
This comes from the January newsletter and can be found at myarmylifetoo.com:
Welcome to the Family News—the monthly newsletter from Army Community Service (ACS) and MyArmyLifeToo.com, the Army's most comprehensive portal for family members.
IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE:
Expansion of the Defense and Veterans Affairs Disability Evaluation System Pilot
Travel Reimbursement Increases for Eligible Veterans
New Treatments for Warriors’ Psychological Care
New SFAC Helping Families of Wounded Warriors
High-Adrenaline Program Reduces Risk Behavior
UMUC Scholarship Fund Will Help Soldiers and Spouses
TroopTube Boosts Morale among Deployed Soldiers
TRICARE Increases Reimbursement Rates for Some Mental Health Benefits
TRICARE Reserve Select Premiums Decrease Significantly
AAFES Participates in Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Overseas Program
Wounded Warrior Resource Center
Long-term Risks Associated with TBI
Expanded Benefits of Traumatic Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (TSGLI)
Operation Comfort Warriors: Meet the Challenge
2009 Pensions, Disability Compensation Rates
Missing VA Paperwork Protections
VA Plans Revised Process for Appointment Scheduling
Go Direct Deposit with the VA
Grace after Fire—A Resource for Women by Women
National Guard Child Care Subsidy Program
New OPM Hiring Rules for Military Spouses
Spouse Education Assistance Applications
NMFA Joann Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarships
Scholarships for Survivors and Dependents
Say Thanks to the Troops with Xerox
AAFES and the Music Industry Partner Up for Servicemembers and Families
God Bless America Quilt Exhibit on Tour
DOL Updates Family and Medical Leave Regulations
Report Your Consumer Complaints to FTC and DoD Officials
Expansion of the Defense and Veterans Affairs Disability Evaluation System PilotThe Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) have announced an expansion of the Disability Evaluation System (DES) to 19 installations. The pilot is a test of a new process designed to eliminate confusing elements of the current disability processes of the departments. For a list of locations and to view the full news release, visit http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=12339.
Travel Reimbursement Increases for Eligible VeteransEffective November 17, 2008, eligible veterans will see an increase in their mileage reimbursement, from 28.5 cents per mile to 41.5 cents per mile from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). For more information, visit http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1617.
New Treatments for Warriors’ Psychological CareThe Department of Defense (DoD) is investigating new treatments as part of a focused, sustained campaign to assist wounded warriors suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Military health care is also exploring the use of new therapies for PTSD and TBI. Some $300 million has been invested for research and to help therapists better understand the effects traumatic injury has on the brain. To learn more, go to http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51818.
New SFAC Helping Families of Wounded WarriorsSoldier Family Assistance Centers (SFAC), located at 34 Army installations, are a one-stop shop where wounded warriors and their Families can find assistance and information to help with difficult times. This specialized care system combines all of the components—from Veterans Affairs to specialized medical information—to help Families get the help they need in one location. For more information and to find a location near you, visit https://www.myarmylifetoo.com/sfac.
High-Adrenaline Program Reduces Risk BehaviorThe Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command (FMWRC) has launched a new program, Warrior Adventure Quest (WAQ), that combines existing high adventure outdoor recreation activities with Battlemind training to help soldiers adjust to a calmer paced lifestyle. The program is used to alleviate high rates of risky and destructive behaviors attributed to some redeploying Soldiers. To learn more about WAQ, visit http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51348.
UMUC Scholarship Fund Will Help Soldiers and SpousesThe University of Maryland University College (UMUC) announced a new scholarship fund to assist active-duty, enlisted Servicemembers and their Families. The $200,000 fund will cover the cost of textbooks for enlisted, active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as tuition assistance to spouses. All awards will be need-based, renewable, and contingent upon the student’s academic standing. For more information, visit http://www.ed.umuc.edu/news/news081104.html.
TroopTube Boosts Morale among Deployed ServicemembersServicemembers overseas can now receive near-real-time video “shout-outs” from their stateside loved ones. TroopTube, modeled after the popular video-viewing site, YouTube, is a website managed by the Department of Defense’s Military OneSource information network. The website allows Family events and milestones to be viewed by the deployed Servicemembers, letting them feel closer to home. TroopTube can be accessed at http://www.MilitaryOneSource.com.
TRICARE Increases Reimbursement Rates for Some Mental Health BenefitsTRICARE has increased mental health reimbursement by five percent for 24 mental health services. The psychiatric procedures affected by this change range from Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes 90804-90829. Other TRICARE payment rates for providers will continue to stay the same until February 2009. All rates for procedures can be found by location at http://www.tricare.mil/cmac.
TRICARE Reserve Select Premiums Decrease SignificantlyTRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) is a premium-based health plan for National Guard and Reserve personnel who are not eligible for or enrolled in Federal Employee Health Benefit plans. Effective January 1, 2009, TRICARE will reduce the monthly premium rates for TRS. Monthly premiums for individuals will drop 44% from $81 to $47.51, and premiums for Families will drop 29% from $253 to $180.17. To read more, visit http://www.tricare.mil/pressroom/news_print.aspx?fid=480.
AAFES Participates in Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Overseas ProgramThe United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved overseas Army & Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES) bakeries to produce three different breads in support of the WIC Overseas Program. AAFES bakeries in Germany, Korea and Japan are producing whole wheat and whole grain breads for military Families participating in the program. For more information, contact your local WIC Overseas office at http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/home/overview/SpecialPrograms/WICOverseas/Offices.
Wounded Warrior Resource CenterThe Department of Defense announced establishment of the Wounded Warrior Resource Center through Military OneSource. Assistance provided by the resource center will not replace the specialized wounded warrior programs established by each of the military services, but offer an alternative resource for assistance. Specially trained consultants will ensure consistent, quality customer services. The resource center consultant will maintain communication with the caller until the issue or concern is resolved. Servicemembers and their Families can call 1-800-342-9647 or email their questions or concerns to wwrc@militaryonesource.com.
Long-term Risks Associated with TBIThe Institute of Medicine has released a report which concludes that approximately 22 percent of wounded troops from Iraq and Afghanistan have a brain injury. The report recommends that every soldier exposed to a blast, even a low-intensity one, be screened for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)—and that all Servicemembers receive pre- and post-deployment brain-function tests. The report also urges the Defense and Veterans Affairs Departments to maintain a registry of TBI patients. For more information, see http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28050479/.
Expanded Benefits of Traumatic Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (TSGLI)TSGLI benefits have been expanded to include more injuries. Benefits now covered under the insurance program include 15-day hospital visits, treatment of malignant bone tumors, uniplegia (total paralysis of a limb), facial reconstruction, second- and third-degree burns, and new types of amputations and loss of sight for 120 days or more. The changes are retroactive to October 7, 2001. To learn more about the changes made to TSGLI, go to www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/TSGLI/ExpandedBenefits.htm.
Operation Comfort Warriors: Meet the ChallengeThe American Legion is requesting monetary donations to help them purchase nonessential items such as clothing, books, and other items that will help keep wounded Servicemembers comfortable during the recovery process. To make donations online, go to http://www.legion.org/ocw or mail checks to Operation Comfort Warriors, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206.
2009 Pensions, Disability Compensation RatesIf you are a military veteran with a service-related disability, you may qualify for over $3,100 in tax-free monthly benefits. To learn more, see http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/index.htm.
Missing VA Paperwork ProtectionsThe Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has set forth special procedures for processing claims from veterans, Family members and survivors. The special procedures cover documents submitted during the 18-month period between April 14, 2007 and October 14, 2008. Veterans and other applicants have until November 17, 2009 to file previously submitted documents under these special procedures. For more information, call 1-800-827-1000 or visit http://www.va.gov.
VA Plans Revised Process for Appointment Scheduling. A new report has found that Servicemembers missed approximately 4.9 million appointments with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in FY 2008. These appointments were not refilled with other patients. The VA could save $76 million a year if its scheduling system were more efficient. In a written response to the report, VA health officials vowed to develop a revised scheduling system that will include a waiting list for patients ready to fill openings left by others who have cancelled appointments. To learn more, visit www.va.gov/oig/52/reports/2009/VAOIG-08-00879-36.pdf.
Go Direct Deposit with the VA. The Go Direct program was introduced by the Department of Treasury and Federal Reserve Banks, as an alternative way for VA compensation and pension, Social Security and Social Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries to enroll in direct deposit. The Go Direct program is currently unavailable for the GI Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation or those receiving Compensation/Pension benefits through guardian or conservatorship. For more information and to enroll in the direct deposit program, visit http://www.godirect.gov/signup/welcome.cfm.
Grace after Fire—A Resource for Women by WomenGrace after Fire is a resource solely for women veterans to support their need to connect with each other and yet remain anonymous. Women can reach out to those who have similar experiences with concerns of re-entry into the civilian world, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other topics relating to women in service. Grace after Fire will be available in January 2009. For more information, call 1-877-490-5757 (toll free), or visit their website at http://www.graceafterfire.org.
National Guard Child Care Subsidy ProgramThe National Guard is working to assist spouses and Family members with the cost of child care during deployment. Guard and Reserve members who are in Title 10 status are eligible to receive a subsidy to use off-post child care. The subsidy program is coordinated through the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA). The amount of the subsidy is based on total Family income, the number of children and type of child care needed. The minimum monthly pay out is $100 per child per month. A call center has also been set up to help Guardmembers with the process of receiving the subsidy. For more information on the program, visit the National Guard Family Program’s website at http://www.guardfamily.org or call 1-888-642-2799.
New OPM Hiring Rules for Military SpousesThe Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has drafted new rules to implement an executive order that applies to military spouses whose Servicemembers are incapacitated or killed, as well as those relocating on PCS orders. These changes allow managers in all federal agencies to hire qualified military spouses without utilizing the normal competitive hiring process. The change is retroactive for spouses who have relocated within one year before the regulation becomes effective. Spouses must qualify for the federal positions for which they apply. To read the rules for hiring military spouses under this executive order, go to http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-28747.pdf.
Spouse Education Assistance ApplicationsThe Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program (SSEAP) is a need-based assistance program designed to provide spouses of active duty and retired Soldiers with financial aid in pursuing educational goals. To apply for SSEAP, visit https://www.aerhq.org/AER_Spouse_Stateside/SpouseSSApplicationCheck.asp.
NMFA Joann Holbrook Patton Military Spouse ScholarshipSpouses of Soldiers, including active duty, National Guard and Reserve, retiree and survivors, are eligible for the 2009 National Military Family Association (NMFA) Joann Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship. Scholarships of up to $1,000 are awarded to military spouses to obtain professional certification or to attend post-secondary or graduate school. These scholarships may be used to assist with tuition, fees, and school room and board, and funds are paid directly to the accredited educational institution. Applications are due by 1 February 2009. For more information or to apply, visit http://www.nmfa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Spouse_Scholarship
Scholarships for Survivors and Dependents. Folds of Honor, an education based foundation, offers scholarships to spouses and dependents of Servicemembers who have been killed or disabled as a result of their military service. For more information, or to apply for a scholarship, visit http://www.foldsofhonor.org.
Say Thanks to the Troops with XeroxXerox is hosting a “Thank You” to the troops. Visit http://www.LetsSayThanks.com to pick out a thank you card, and Xerox will print the card and send it to a Soldier serving in Iraq. Participants will not be able to choose the recipient, but all cards will go to a member of the Armed Forces.
AAFES and the Music Industry Partner Up for Servicemembers and FamiliesSince good music is an integral part to boost morale among Servicemembers, Grammy Award winners and nominees have teamed with the Army Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) to deliver “For the Troops II,” an assemblage of songs from artists such as Maroon 5, Keith Urban, Daughtry and Five For Fighting. The songs are available for free download at http://www.aafes.com.
God Bless America Quilt Exhibit on TourThe God Bless America Quilt Exhibit is on tour and travels to duty stations all around the U.S. and Iraq. The 125 quilt exhibit is a way to encourage and boost morale among Servicemembers. At the end of the three-year tour, some of the quilts will be donated to be displayed at military hospitals, schools and the U.S. Capitol. To learn more, visit http://www.heavenlypatchwork.com.
DOL Updates Family and Medical Leave Regulation. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a final rule to update its regulations under the 15 year old Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) that will help workers and their employers better understand their rights and responsibilities, and speed the implementation of a new law that expands FMLA coverage for military Family members. Final rule actions implementing the expansion of FMLA for military Families included Military Caregiver Leave and Leave for Qualifying Exigencies for National Guard and Reserves. For more detailed information, visit http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/esa/esa20081703.htm.
Report Your Consumer Complaints to FTC and DoD OfficialsThe Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Defense (DoD) officials want to hear from you! Military Sentinel allows service members, military civilian employees and their Families to report consumer protection complaints directly to the FTC and DoD officials via a secure online form. The FTC uses consumer complaints as a tool to determine companies or individuals to target for law enforcement actions. To file a complaint, go to: http://www.consumer.gov/military/.
The Family Programs Six-Month Calendar of Events
26-30 Jan 09
Army Family Action Plan Conference, Alexandria, VA
27 Jan 09
AFAP GOSC, Alexandria, VA
TBD Mar 09
Army Family Readiness Advisory Council (AFRAC), Alexandria, VA
8 May 09
Military Spouse Appreciation Day
Welcome to the Family News—the monthly newsletter from Army Community Service (ACS) and MyArmyLifeToo.com, the Army's most comprehensive portal for family members.
IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE:
Expansion of the Defense and Veterans Affairs Disability Evaluation System Pilot
Travel Reimbursement Increases for Eligible Veterans
New Treatments for Warriors’ Psychological Care
New SFAC Helping Families of Wounded Warriors
High-Adrenaline Program Reduces Risk Behavior
UMUC Scholarship Fund Will Help Soldiers and Spouses
TroopTube Boosts Morale among Deployed Soldiers
TRICARE Increases Reimbursement Rates for Some Mental Health Benefits
TRICARE Reserve Select Premiums Decrease Significantly
AAFES Participates in Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Overseas Program
Wounded Warrior Resource Center
Long-term Risks Associated with TBI
Expanded Benefits of Traumatic Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (TSGLI)
Operation Comfort Warriors: Meet the Challenge
2009 Pensions, Disability Compensation Rates
Missing VA Paperwork Protections
VA Plans Revised Process for Appointment Scheduling
Go Direct Deposit with the VA
Grace after Fire—A Resource for Women by Women
National Guard Child Care Subsidy Program
New OPM Hiring Rules for Military Spouses
Spouse Education Assistance Applications
NMFA Joann Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarships
Scholarships for Survivors and Dependents
Say Thanks to the Troops with Xerox
AAFES and the Music Industry Partner Up for Servicemembers and Families
God Bless America Quilt Exhibit on Tour
DOL Updates Family and Medical Leave Regulations
Report Your Consumer Complaints to FTC and DoD Officials
Expansion of the Defense and Veterans Affairs Disability Evaluation System PilotThe Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) have announced an expansion of the Disability Evaluation System (DES) to 19 installations. The pilot is a test of a new process designed to eliminate confusing elements of the current disability processes of the departments. For a list of locations and to view the full news release, visit http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=12339.
Travel Reimbursement Increases for Eligible VeteransEffective November 17, 2008, eligible veterans will see an increase in their mileage reimbursement, from 28.5 cents per mile to 41.5 cents per mile from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). For more information, visit http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1617.
New Treatments for Warriors’ Psychological CareThe Department of Defense (DoD) is investigating new treatments as part of a focused, sustained campaign to assist wounded warriors suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Military health care is also exploring the use of new therapies for PTSD and TBI. Some $300 million has been invested for research and to help therapists better understand the effects traumatic injury has on the brain. To learn more, go to http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51818.
New SFAC Helping Families of Wounded WarriorsSoldier Family Assistance Centers (SFAC), located at 34 Army installations, are a one-stop shop where wounded warriors and their Families can find assistance and information to help with difficult times. This specialized care system combines all of the components—from Veterans Affairs to specialized medical information—to help Families get the help they need in one location. For more information and to find a location near you, visit https://www.myarmylifetoo.com/sfac.
High-Adrenaline Program Reduces Risk BehaviorThe Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command (FMWRC) has launched a new program, Warrior Adventure Quest (WAQ), that combines existing high adventure outdoor recreation activities with Battlemind training to help soldiers adjust to a calmer paced lifestyle. The program is used to alleviate high rates of risky and destructive behaviors attributed to some redeploying Soldiers. To learn more about WAQ, visit http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51348.
UMUC Scholarship Fund Will Help Soldiers and SpousesThe University of Maryland University College (UMUC) announced a new scholarship fund to assist active-duty, enlisted Servicemembers and their Families. The $200,000 fund will cover the cost of textbooks for enlisted, active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as tuition assistance to spouses. All awards will be need-based, renewable, and contingent upon the student’s academic standing. For more information, visit http://www.ed.umuc.edu/news/news081104.html.
TroopTube Boosts Morale among Deployed ServicemembersServicemembers overseas can now receive near-real-time video “shout-outs” from their stateside loved ones. TroopTube, modeled after the popular video-viewing site, YouTube, is a website managed by the Department of Defense’s Military OneSource information network. The website allows Family events and milestones to be viewed by the deployed Servicemembers, letting them feel closer to home. TroopTube can be accessed at http://www.MilitaryOneSource.com.
TRICARE Increases Reimbursement Rates for Some Mental Health BenefitsTRICARE has increased mental health reimbursement by five percent for 24 mental health services. The psychiatric procedures affected by this change range from Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes 90804-90829. Other TRICARE payment rates for providers will continue to stay the same until February 2009. All rates for procedures can be found by location at http://www.tricare.mil/cmac.
TRICARE Reserve Select Premiums Decrease SignificantlyTRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) is a premium-based health plan for National Guard and Reserve personnel who are not eligible for or enrolled in Federal Employee Health Benefit plans. Effective January 1, 2009, TRICARE will reduce the monthly premium rates for TRS. Monthly premiums for individuals will drop 44% from $81 to $47.51, and premiums for Families will drop 29% from $253 to $180.17. To read more, visit http://www.tricare.mil/pressroom/news_print.aspx?fid=480.
AAFES Participates in Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Overseas ProgramThe United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved overseas Army & Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES) bakeries to produce three different breads in support of the WIC Overseas Program. AAFES bakeries in Germany, Korea and Japan are producing whole wheat and whole grain breads for military Families participating in the program. For more information, contact your local WIC Overseas office at http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/home/overview/SpecialPrograms/WICOverseas/Offices.
Wounded Warrior Resource CenterThe Department of Defense announced establishment of the Wounded Warrior Resource Center through Military OneSource. Assistance provided by the resource center will not replace the specialized wounded warrior programs established by each of the military services, but offer an alternative resource for assistance. Specially trained consultants will ensure consistent, quality customer services. The resource center consultant will maintain communication with the caller until the issue or concern is resolved. Servicemembers and their Families can call 1-800-342-9647 or email their questions or concerns to wwrc@militaryonesource.com.
Long-term Risks Associated with TBIThe Institute of Medicine has released a report which concludes that approximately 22 percent of wounded troops from Iraq and Afghanistan have a brain injury. The report recommends that every soldier exposed to a blast, even a low-intensity one, be screened for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)—and that all Servicemembers receive pre- and post-deployment brain-function tests. The report also urges the Defense and Veterans Affairs Departments to maintain a registry of TBI patients. For more information, see http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28050479/.
Expanded Benefits of Traumatic Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (TSGLI)TSGLI benefits have been expanded to include more injuries. Benefits now covered under the insurance program include 15-day hospital visits, treatment of malignant bone tumors, uniplegia (total paralysis of a limb), facial reconstruction, second- and third-degree burns, and new types of amputations and loss of sight for 120 days or more. The changes are retroactive to October 7, 2001. To learn more about the changes made to TSGLI, go to www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/TSGLI/ExpandedBenefits.htm.
Operation Comfort Warriors: Meet the ChallengeThe American Legion is requesting monetary donations to help them purchase nonessential items such as clothing, books, and other items that will help keep wounded Servicemembers comfortable during the recovery process. To make donations online, go to http://www.legion.org/ocw or mail checks to Operation Comfort Warriors, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206.
2009 Pensions, Disability Compensation RatesIf you are a military veteran with a service-related disability, you may qualify for over $3,100 in tax-free monthly benefits. To learn more, see http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/index.htm.
Missing VA Paperwork ProtectionsThe Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has set forth special procedures for processing claims from veterans, Family members and survivors. The special procedures cover documents submitted during the 18-month period between April 14, 2007 and October 14, 2008. Veterans and other applicants have until November 17, 2009 to file previously submitted documents under these special procedures. For more information, call 1-800-827-1000 or visit http://www.va.gov.
VA Plans Revised Process for Appointment Scheduling. A new report has found that Servicemembers missed approximately 4.9 million appointments with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in FY 2008. These appointments were not refilled with other patients. The VA could save $76 million a year if its scheduling system were more efficient. In a written response to the report, VA health officials vowed to develop a revised scheduling system that will include a waiting list for patients ready to fill openings left by others who have cancelled appointments. To learn more, visit www.va.gov/oig/52/reports/2009/VAOIG-08-00879-36.pdf.
Go Direct Deposit with the VA. The Go Direct program was introduced by the Department of Treasury and Federal Reserve Banks, as an alternative way for VA compensation and pension, Social Security and Social Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries to enroll in direct deposit. The Go Direct program is currently unavailable for the GI Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation or those receiving Compensation/Pension benefits through guardian or conservatorship. For more information and to enroll in the direct deposit program, visit http://www.godirect.gov/signup/welcome.cfm.
Grace after Fire—A Resource for Women by WomenGrace after Fire is a resource solely for women veterans to support their need to connect with each other and yet remain anonymous. Women can reach out to those who have similar experiences with concerns of re-entry into the civilian world, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other topics relating to women in service. Grace after Fire will be available in January 2009. For more information, call 1-877-490-5757 (toll free), or visit their website at http://www.graceafterfire.org.
National Guard Child Care Subsidy ProgramThe National Guard is working to assist spouses and Family members with the cost of child care during deployment. Guard and Reserve members who are in Title 10 status are eligible to receive a subsidy to use off-post child care. The subsidy program is coordinated through the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA). The amount of the subsidy is based on total Family income, the number of children and type of child care needed. The minimum monthly pay out is $100 per child per month. A call center has also been set up to help Guardmembers with the process of receiving the subsidy. For more information on the program, visit the National Guard Family Program’s website at http://www.guardfamily.org or call 1-888-642-2799.
New OPM Hiring Rules for Military SpousesThe Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has drafted new rules to implement an executive order that applies to military spouses whose Servicemembers are incapacitated or killed, as well as those relocating on PCS orders. These changes allow managers in all federal agencies to hire qualified military spouses without utilizing the normal competitive hiring process. The change is retroactive for spouses who have relocated within one year before the regulation becomes effective. Spouses must qualify for the federal positions for which they apply. To read the rules for hiring military spouses under this executive order, go to http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-28747.pdf.
Spouse Education Assistance ApplicationsThe Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program (SSEAP) is a need-based assistance program designed to provide spouses of active duty and retired Soldiers with financial aid in pursuing educational goals. To apply for SSEAP, visit https://www.aerhq.org/AER_Spouse_Stateside/SpouseSSApplicationCheck.asp.
NMFA Joann Holbrook Patton Military Spouse ScholarshipSpouses of Soldiers, including active duty, National Guard and Reserve, retiree and survivors, are eligible for the 2009 National Military Family Association (NMFA) Joann Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship. Scholarships of up to $1,000 are awarded to military spouses to obtain professional certification or to attend post-secondary or graduate school. These scholarships may be used to assist with tuition, fees, and school room and board, and funds are paid directly to the accredited educational institution. Applications are due by 1 February 2009. For more information or to apply, visit http://www.nmfa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Spouse_Scholarship
Scholarships for Survivors and Dependents. Folds of Honor, an education based foundation, offers scholarships to spouses and dependents of Servicemembers who have been killed or disabled as a result of their military service. For more information, or to apply for a scholarship, visit http://www.foldsofhonor.org.
Say Thanks to the Troops with XeroxXerox is hosting a “Thank You” to the troops. Visit http://www.LetsSayThanks.com to pick out a thank you card, and Xerox will print the card and send it to a Soldier serving in Iraq. Participants will not be able to choose the recipient, but all cards will go to a member of the Armed Forces.
AAFES and the Music Industry Partner Up for Servicemembers and FamiliesSince good music is an integral part to boost morale among Servicemembers, Grammy Award winners and nominees have teamed with the Army Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) to deliver “For the Troops II,” an assemblage of songs from artists such as Maroon 5, Keith Urban, Daughtry and Five For Fighting. The songs are available for free download at http://www.aafes.com.
God Bless America Quilt Exhibit on TourThe God Bless America Quilt Exhibit is on tour and travels to duty stations all around the U.S. and Iraq. The 125 quilt exhibit is a way to encourage and boost morale among Servicemembers. At the end of the three-year tour, some of the quilts will be donated to be displayed at military hospitals, schools and the U.S. Capitol. To learn more, visit http://www.heavenlypatchwork.com.
DOL Updates Family and Medical Leave Regulation. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a final rule to update its regulations under the 15 year old Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) that will help workers and their employers better understand their rights and responsibilities, and speed the implementation of a new law that expands FMLA coverage for military Family members. Final rule actions implementing the expansion of FMLA for military Families included Military Caregiver Leave and Leave for Qualifying Exigencies for National Guard and Reserves. For more detailed information, visit http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/esa/esa20081703.htm.
Report Your Consumer Complaints to FTC and DoD OfficialsThe Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Defense (DoD) officials want to hear from you! Military Sentinel allows service members, military civilian employees and their Families to report consumer protection complaints directly to the FTC and DoD officials via a secure online form. The FTC uses consumer complaints as a tool to determine companies or individuals to target for law enforcement actions. To file a complaint, go to: http://www.consumer.gov/military/.
The Family Programs Six-Month Calendar of Events
26-30 Jan 09
Army Family Action Plan Conference, Alexandria, VA
27 Jan 09
AFAP GOSC, Alexandria, VA
TBD Mar 09
Army Family Readiness Advisory Council (AFRAC), Alexandria, VA
8 May 09
Military Spouse Appreciation Day
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)