posted by admin on Oct 31
Dave Matthews Band displayed its musical stints in the Army football event in West Point, New York. The band appeared in two shows, and both are free shows. The U.S. Military Academy actually won over the Navy, Air Force and other several colleges to get a visit from the band. Consequently, Dave Matthews played for the cadets last November 14 and 15. The cadets actually won the competition by submitting invitations by SMS messages and online posts. AT&T was one of the sponsors of the said event.
In addition, the cadets has shown their entertainment skills like dancing and singing. As an event highlight, the cadets made a video for the band saying - “West Point NEEDS someone to ROCK our stonewalled campus.”
posted by admin on Oct 31
When it’s about ship-boarding, the Coast Guard is the authority to train and teach first hand tactics and techniques. The said branch of the U.S. Military is known to be the expert or the experienced in such a field. According to Coast Guard officers, boarding a ship is a dangerous operation. Hence, things can quickly go wrong. Ship-boarding teams have to be prepared any time for terrorists and armed pirates. That is why the Navy seek for training help to learn what have to be done in specific situations during boarding a ship.
Eventually, four veteran Coast Guardsmen established a training school for boarding teams in an island in the Persian Gulf. They already have provided servicemen and other soldiers an opportunity to improve their skills, and learn the recent trend in carrying out missions. They also give refresher courses for members of the Coast Guard cutter teams that are deployed to the gulf. Accordingly, countries like Bahrain and United Arab of Emirates have sent their own teams to be taught by the experts.
The school, which is actually a makeshift classroom, is located along the pier. It is made of stacks of empty cargo crates that are transformed into an inside of a ship. During the mock operation, teams should be able to clear rooms of any forms of threats, learn when to execute deadly force, and how to avoid getting hurt or killed.
posted by admin on Oct 31
The Air Force rugby team has beaten the Army rugby team with a 22-5 victory in the 2007 championship match last October 27 in Marine Corps Base Camp Lejuene, North Carolina. All branches of the military service have participated (Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps). However, the Air Force marked its fourth rugby winning streak.
The Air Force rugby team coach said that they have practiced and prepared for the challenge since March this year. More new and young Airmen have tried out, while old players provided guidance as well as leadership. The preparation paid off as the Air Force rip a lead of 17-0 in the first half. After 25 minutes of undaunted fight, the Army managed to score 5 against their opponent’s 17. The Army has intensely kept up its offensive until the second half. But then, the Air Force regained strength and stopped the Army from dominating until the end.
posted by admin on Oct 31
A research study of Harvard Medical School shows that 1.8 million U.S. Military Veterans are uninsured or do not have health care coverage. The figure defines an increase of 290,000 since 2000. Researchers also said that most of veterans are coming from the middle class. Hence, they cannot qualify for any VA care because of their incomes. Some of them can’t even afford copayments. Also, some places lack VA centers.
One of every eight veterans who are under 65 years old is not insured. This opposes the idea that all veterans are qualified for free health care. The said research is based on the analysis of government surveys in 1988-2005. The study has also noted that VA in January 2003 put a stop on the enrollment of most veterans. The action was to decrease the backlog of patients waiting for health care. In turn, this has caused problems to millions of veterans. Thus, the recommendation of the researchers is to come up with a universal health coverage in the United States.
posted by admin on Oct 31
In New Brunswick, New Jersey, a new treatment facility is scheduled to support female veterans who are victims of sexual assaults. Veterans Administration officials disclosed that sexual assault and harassment cases of female soldiers have increased overtime. The new center will offer treatment to military women who suffer “military sexual trauma.”
The said treatment center is expected to open this coming December. It will be the first of its kind – a residential Veteran Administration center which concentrates on such sexual cases. The establishment of the facility is based on the findings that 20% of female soldiers leaving the military experienced sexual trauma during their service, especially those who served overseas.
posted by admin on Oct 30
Just today, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met at the Pentagon to talk about proposals regarding the coordination and control of private contractors entering the Iraqi territories. The press secretary of Pentagon said that it was the first meeting of the two since the DoD fact-finding trip to Iraq.
The highlight of the meeting was that Rice and Gates, along with the working group recommendation, have settled that the Multinational Force Iraq should be involved in all contractor operations. The working group was actually co-chaired by Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England. They eventually helped in seeking better options to coordinate and supervise the Defense and State Department contract employees in the war zones. Also, anything agreed upon should include general standards or common rules which are essential for the use of the force, as well as for the coordination of every contractor movement.
posted by admin on Oct 30
Ivan’s in Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands became the recent destination of injured war veterans. The group of retirees has stopped over on the said island for a two-night R and R. The trip was actually a 12-mile and round-trip kayak adventure.
Some of the veterans said that it was like being in a deserted nice island, but then you knew that you are going to be rescued. This was actually a personal comment of Peter Rooney, whose both legs were amputated because of a roadside bomb explosion near Ramadi, Iraq.
One of the highlights of Ivan’s is a Local Flavor Stress Free Bar that always works on an honor system – take a drink, write it down and pay it before leaving. The place is decorated entirely with shells and shell art from previous visitors, which completely radiates comfort and pleasure.
Most of the veterans lost their legs. Being in such places and experiencing such adventures has given them greater motivation and gladness to stand fast further in life.
posted by admin on Oct 30
On October 28, 2007, seven sheiks were kidnapped in northern Baghdad. After two days, they were rescued by soldiers of the 9th Iraqi Army Division. The rescue operation was also supported by U.S. Military advisors and soldiers from 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment and 82nd Airborne Division. The four abductors were also captured during the mission. Unfortunately, three extremists died while the body of the eighth sheik was discovered.
The victims were then taken to the nearest Iraqi army facility, where they got medical attention. Most of them suffered injuries they obtained from being beaten with a tire iron. The sheiks revealed that their abductors were members of the Shiite extremists’ group.
Military officials said that the execution and success of the mission has shown how Iraqi security forces have improved. They also acknowledged the speedy response and action such forces.
posted by admin on Oct 30
Improvised Explosive Device (IED) has been one of the primary concerns of the military. U.S. Defense Department has challenged the experts in the industry, the military, the national laboratories and even the acedemia to destroy the terrorists’ latest deadly weapons. The Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization has organized a conference, which was designed to come up with better solutions in confronting IED problems.
The goals of the conference were directed to three areas: attack the network; defeat the device; and, train the force. Apparently, there were about 750 participants who are willing to pitch in their expertise on the matter.
Defense Department officials said that IEDs have already killed almost half of all casualties in Iraq, and nearly 30% of the casualties in Afghanistan.
Most of the conference sessions advocate information that helps in coming up with the most plausible solutions,. The assembly also intends to decrease redundancy of effort, as well as to hone or cross out actions that have been already taken.
posted by admin on Oct 30
In 1980, Maj. Marcia A. Potter has enlisted in the Air Force right after graduation. She served for four years and then decided to leave the military to pursue her education. Consequently, she earned a master’s degree in nursing and eventually became a family nurse practitioner.
She was already a mother of three when she decided to go back in the service. It was the terrorist attack in September 11, 2001 that ignited Potter’s decision. After consulting with her family, she rejoined the Air Force in 2003. She even received a commission for her medical and professional expertise.
Now at age 46, it was patriotism and a sense of duty that made Potter return. In fact, she is a part of a military outreach program called “Why We Serve.” She was selected from those who have already served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Along with other 10 servicemembers, Potter tells military stories to the American people at local events, veterans organizations, community assemblies and other gatherings.
According to Potter, the Why We Serve program is an excellent military program that lets service men and women tell their experiences directly to the public.