Is the V.A. on your side or the enemy when it comes to care?

Watchdog says IG dropped ball on VA probe, tried to 'discredit' whistleblowers

Article Title: Watchdog says IG dropped ball on VA probe, tried to 'discredit' whistleblowers

Snippet of Article: "...As with other VA hospitals, whistleblowers had claimed supervisors told employees to violate scheduling rules while hiding delays in seeing patients. But Lerner said the IG tried to “discredit the whistleblowers by focusing on the word ‘secret,’ rather than reviewing the access to care issues identified by the whistleblowers … OIG also denied OSC's request to review a copy of the complete investigation reports, undermining our ability to properly assess the VA's resolution of these issues.” ..."

Article Source: www.foxnews.com

Decision looms for Army sergeant who protected Afghan boy

Decision looms for Army sergeant who protected Afghan boy

Article Title: Decision looms for Army sergeant who protected Afghan boy

Snippet of Article: "...Sgt. First Class Charles Martland, a Green Beret with an 11-year Special Forces career, was stationed in Afghanistan in 2011 when the boy's mother came to him and said she'd been beaten and her son raped by a local police commander. Martland and another soldier summoned the police official and, when the man laughed at them, threw him off the base. Martland and Daniel Quinn were both disciplined for their actions ..."

Article Source: www.foxnews.com

Adventure Trips Push Disabled Vets Physically & Mentally

Adventure Trips Push Disabled Vets Physically & Mentally

Article Title: Adventure Trips Push Disabled Vets Physically & Mentally

Snippet of Article: "...Some vets think they can’t do things like that again, but they can. That hike specifically, through Yosemite National Park, was completed by several disabled vets through an adventure organization called Paradox Sports, which offers backpacking, mountaineering, ice climbing and other pretty extreme trips to any disabled person up for the challenge. For vets, it helps them regain their sense of self and brotherhood ..."

Article Source: www.dodlive.mil

Decorated Marine attacked by group of teens outside D.C. McDonald's

Article Title: Decorated Marine attacked by group of teens outside D.C. McDonald's

Snippet of Article: "...Marquez said he believes the attack was racially motivated. He remembers being accosted at the McDonald's in Washington's Chinatown neighborhood by five people between 16 and 21 years old. Most were men or boys. One may have been female. “The kids were asking me if I think that black lives mattered,” Marquez said ..."

Article Source: www.wkyc.com

Military Veterans Rage At U.S. "Surrender" To Iran

Military Veterans Rage At U.S. "Surrender" To Iran

Article Title: Military Veterans Rage At U.S. "Surrender" To Iran

Snippet of Article: "...for some military veterans, the sight of U.S. sailors with their hands behind their heads, saying sorry for intruding on Iranian water, along with Iranian officials on an American navy craft, was just too much. Many vets took to Twitter railing against what they said was Washington’s submission to Tehran ..."

Article Source: www.vocativ.com

Guardian of Valor: Outing those who falsely claim Military service and/or claim unauthorized medals or tabs

Guardian of Valor: Outing those who falsely claim Military service and/or claim unauthorized medals or tabs

Article Title: Guardian of Valor: Outing those who falsely claim Military service and/or claim unauthorized medals or tabs

Snippet of Article: "...Our Mission at Guardian Of Valor LLC, is to out those who falsely claim Military service and/or claim unauthorized medals or tabs. It may be your First Amendment right to lie about service to this country, and medals earned, but it is our First Amendment right to show the world your lies. Our admins are a group of Active and Veteran service members that want to protect the Uniforms of the services and the Valor, Integrity and Honor that comes with that. We value our service, our veterans, and the fallen, and will do whatever is needed to protect them. The public should be aware of any and all persons that would lie about service or unearned medals or tabs. ..."

Article Source: guardianofvalor.com

Marine Veteran Can Wear Medals He Didn’t Earn. A Court Calls It Free Speech.

Ex-Marine Can Wear Medals He Didn’t Earn. A Court Calls It Free Speech.

Article Title: Ex-Marine Can Wear Medals He Didn’t Earn. A Court Calls It Free Speech.

Snippet of Article: "...United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco ruled that Mr. Swisher, who was honorably discharged from the Marines in 1957, had the right to wear the medals, including the Purple Heart and the Silver Star, even though he had not been awarded them ..."

Article Source: www.nytimes.com

Marine aircraft collide in Hawaii; search on for survivors

Military aircraft collide in Hawaii; search on for survivors

Article Title: Military aircraft collide in Hawaii; search on for survivors

Snippet of Article: "...Crews searched for 12 Marines missing at sea Friday after two CH-53 helicopters apparently collided during an overnight training flight off the coast of the Hawaiian island of Oahu, authorities said. ..."

Article Source: www.cnn.com

Wednesday: 10 U.S. sailors detained by Iran freed

10 U.S. sailors detained by Iran freed

Article Title: 10 U.S. sailors detained by Iran freed

Snippet of Article: "...'I think there potentially is a new age coming about with Iran,' Hertling said. 'This is going to improve military-military relationships.' ..."

Article Source: www.cnn.com

Tuesday: Iran has detained two U.S. Navy ships and crew

Article Title: Iran has detained two U.S. Navy ships but will release 10 crew members “promptly.”

Snippet of Article: "...Islamic Revolutionary Guards had confiscated GPS equipment ... the end of December Iran conducted rocket tests in the Strait of Hormuz, about 1,500 yards away from a U.S. aircraft carrier...There are currently four Americans known to be held in Iran ..."

Article Source: newrepublic.com

World War II veterans remember: Don Bowling fought with the 2nd Infantry Division in Europe

World War II veterans remember: Don Bowling fought with the 2nd Infantry Division in Europe

Article Title: World War II veterans remember: Don Bowling fought with the 2nd Infantry Division in Europe

Snippet of Article: "... As he set foot on the beach, Bowling saw dead American troops scattered everywhere. 'I was scared to death. Everybody was, I think. You worried about it, but there was not much you could do.'..."

Article Source: www.tulsaworld.com

Majority of Americans oppose more gun-control but...

Obama to announce executive action on guns: What you can expect

Article Title: Obama to announce executive action on guns: What you can expect

Snippet of Article: "...the majority of Americans oppose more gun-control. Now he is doing what he always does when he doesn't get his way, which is defy the will of the people and issue an executive order," NRA spokesperson Jennifer Baker said ..."

Article Source: www.al.com

Housed in a Quonset hut: The Military museum of North Florida

Article Title: Housed in a Quonset hut: The Military museum of North Florida

Snippet of Article: "...Military Museum of North Florida is located at the corner of State Road 16 and Bunker Avenue in East Green Cove Springs, just a short distance from the Shands Bridge. The museum’s collections are housed in a 4,000-square-foot, climate-controlled, WWII-era Quonset hut, ..."

Article Source: staugustine.com

Deadly attack on U.S. forces shows the Afghan war is far from over

Deadly attack on U.S. forces shows the Afghan war is far from over

Article Title: Deadly attack on U.S. forces shows the Afghan war is far from over

Snippet of Article: "...A Taliban attack killed six U.S. service members near Kabul on Monday, U.S. officials said, in the latest sign of deepening violence across Afghanistan and the risks facing President Obama’s plan to leave the most intense fighting to local forces ..."

Article Source: www.washingtonpost.com

VA Pays Paltry $215k In Beating Death Of Elderly Veteran

VA Pays Paltry $215k In Beating Death Of Elderly Veteran

Article Title: VA Pays Paltry $215k In Beating Death Of Elderly Veteran

Snippet of Article: "...In the recent elderly veteran beating death of Charles Johnson, VA paid a paltry $215k to evade higher payout in a possible lawsuit ..."

Article Source: www.disabledveterans.org

Scientists shocked by PTSD discovery

Scientists shocked by PTSD discovery

Article Title: Scientists shocked by PTSD discovery

Snippet of Article: "...new study indicates that PTSD can suddenly spike five years after a person leaves the battlefield, even when PTSD levels had declined to normal, according to a Reuters report ..."

Article Source: www.babwnews.com

Remembering a “date which will live in infamy”

Remembering a “date which will live in infamy

Article Title: Remembering a “date which will live in infamy”

Snippet of Article: "... On December 7, 1941, Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor. The attack crippled the US Pacific fleet and killed approximately 2,400 service members, including 1,177 aboard the USS Arizona..."

Article Source: whnt.com

AT&T joins with USO of NC to fill jobs with military veterans

AT&T joins with USO of NC to fill jobs with military veterans

Article Title: AT&T joins with USO of NC to fill jobs with military veterans

Snippet of Article: "...wants to fill over a hundred jobs across the state and they want to do it with military veterans. AT&T is partnering with the USO of North Carolina to fill 150 retail and technician jobs, this week they’re visiting the USO in Jacksonville ..."

Article Source: wnct.com

Capt. Flo Groberg receives Medal of Honor: 'On his very worst day... he showed guts'

Article Title: Capt. Flo Groberg receives Medal of Honor: 'On his very worst day... he showed guts'

Snippet of Article: "... Obama said. 'On his very worst day, he managed to summon his very best," he said. "That's the nature of courage — not being unafraid, but confronting fear and danger, and performing in a selfless fashion. He showed his guts, he showed his training, how he would put it all on the line for his teammates. That's an American we can all be grateful for.'..."

Article Source: www.armytimes.com

How do i get credit for military service for my federal retirement?

Service Credit

Article Title: Service Credit

Here is an informative article from OPM if you are a federal employee seeking to increase your time toward federal retirement by adding your military service. The article details the eligibility requirements, what service is applicable, FERS and CSRS answers, deposit/redeposit for service, procedures for paying a deposit or redeposit, procedures for paying, and Military under USERRA.

Article Source: www.opm.gov

New law gives federal workers who are veterans medical leave

Article Title: New law gives federal workers who are veterans medical leave

Snippet of Article: "...The new law provides the employees with 104 hours of what Lynch calls "Wounded Warrior leave" during their first year in the federal workforce so that they can seek medical treatment for service-connected disabilities without being forced to take unpaid leave or forego their appointments ..."

Article Source: www.militarytimes.com

Service dog gets new mission after Army vet's death

Article Title: Service dog gets new mission after Army vet's death

Snippet of Article: "...PTSD service dog Honor lies by the casket of Wade Baker at the Wells Funeral Home in Waynesville, N.C. When he saw his master lying in the flag-draped casket, the Labrador pushed through the clutch of weeping family members, reared up, placed his paws on the edge and tried to climb in. Unable to comfort Baker, he curled up underneath ..."

Article Source: www.airforcetimes.com

Huntsville Veterans Affairs clinic accepting patients

Huntsville Veterans Affairs clinic accepting patients

Article Title: Huntsville Veterans Affairs clinic accepting patients

Snippet of Article: "... they're moving medical equipment from the Huntsville Clinic on Governor’s Drive over the weekend, and on Tuesday, November 10, they'll begin accepting all patients from Madison and Morgan counties. Lockett said, veterans will still have to travel to the Birmingham V.A. hospital for diagnostic, specialty and invasive procedures, but the new facility offers more medical services...Madison and Decatur patients should call (256) 535-3100 or 1(800)-872-0328 to make an appointment and (205) 939-4580 or 1(888)-250-3510 for automated refills..."

Article Source: www.waff.com

Be careful of pension advances for military

Article Title: Pension advances for military, federal retirees get renewed scrutiny

Snippet of Article: "... On the phone, a representative told Moore that he would receive $5,000 for selling part of his pension. In exchange, Moore would have to pay the company $510 a month for five years. If it were a typical loan, that would amount to $25,600 in interest — a rate of 512 percent. ..."

Article Source: www.stripes.com

'A final tribute': Teens serve as pallbearers for homeless military veterans

'A final tribute': Teens serve as pallbearers for homeless military veterans

Article Title: 'A final tribute': Teens serve as pallbearers for homeless military veterans

Snippet of Article: "...'This was an opportunity to give something to somebody who finished their life on the fringe of society," said Tom Lennon, 17, a senior at the University of Detroit Jesuit School. "These veterans were men I have never met, but they helped make the country I live in safer and stronger. No matter who they were or what they did on earth, every person deserves a proper burial.' ..."

Article Source: www.today.com

36 Perfectly Timed Military Photos

Article Title: 36 Perfectly Timed Military Photos

Here is a cool site with 36 photos that were taken at exactly the right time

Article Source: www.geeksvip.com

Spencer Stone, French Train Attack Hero, Stabbed in Sacramento

Spencer Stone, French Train Attack Hero, Stabbed in Sacramento

Article Title: Spencer Stone, French Train Attack Hero, Stabbed in Sacramento

Snippet of Article: "...Police said Stone was stabbed multiple times in the torso after a fight near some popular bars in downtown Sacramento, according to NBC affiliate KCRA ..."

Article Source: www.nbcnews.com

U.S. Soldiers Told to Ignore Afghan Allies’ Abuse of Boys

U.S. Soldiers Told to Ignore Afghan Allies’ Abuse of Boys

Article Title: U.S. Soldiers Told to Ignore Afghan Allies’ Abuse of Boys

Snippet of Article: "...bully the population. The practice is called bacha bazi, literally “boy play,” and American soldiers and Marines have been instructed not to intervene — in some cases, not even when their Afghan allies have abused boys on military bases, according to interviews and court records ..."

Article Source: www.nytimes.com

In Unit Stalked by Suicide, Veterans Try to Save One Another

Article Title: In Unit Stalked by Suicide, Veterans Try to Save One Another

Snippet of Article: "...served in one of the hardest hit military units in Afghanistan, the Second Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment. In 2008, the 2/7 deployed to a wild swath of Helmand Province. Well beyond reliable supply lines, the battalion regularly ran low on water and ammunition while coming under fire almost daily. During eight months of combat, the unit killed hundreds of enemy fighters and suffered more casualties than any other Marine battalion that year ..."

Article Source: www.nytimes.com

Special Military Social Security Rate

Article Title: Special Military Social Security Rate

Snippet of Article: "...The information that follows applies only to active duty military service earnings from 1940 through 2001. This program adds to your overall income factor and may have little affect on your actually monthly Social Security benefit, as the increased earnings does not equate to an equal increase in monthly benefits. Here's how the special extra earnings are credited ..."

Article Source: www.military.com

Ronda Rousey Accepts Invitation to Marine Corps Ball: 'I Would Go for Sure'

Ronda Rousey Accepts Invitation to Marine Corps Ball: 'I Would Go for Sure'

Article Title: Ronda Rousey Accepts Invitation to Marine Corps Ball: 'I Would Go for Sure'

Snippet of Article: "...North Carolina Marine Jarrod Haschert took a one-in-a-million chance last week and asked MMA fighter Ronda Rousey to his Marine Corps Ball in December ..."

Article Source: www.people.com

U.S. Pays for Scientology ‘Experiment’ on Sick Veterans (Kansas Gulf War Illness case definition)

Article Title: U.S. Pays for Scientology ‘Experiment’ on Sick Veterans

Snippet of Article: "...Inside a tiny sauna located underneath a brick business park in Annapolis, Maryland, a large man has been sitting and sweating for almost four hours. Participant No. 29 is a veteran of the first Gulf War and a subject in a government-funded study aimed at treating the nebulous cluster of symptoms known as Gulf War Syndrome..."

Article Source: www.thedailybeast.com

More Reading: Prevalence and Patterns of Gulf War Illness in Kansas Veterans: Association of Symptoms with Characteristics of Person, Place, and Time of Military Service

Unarmed US Soldiers Take Down AK-Wielding Gunman On High-Speed Train To Paris

Unarmed US Soldiers Take Down AK-Wielding Gunman On High-Speed Train To Paris

Article Title: Unarmed US Soldiers Take Down AK-Wielding Gunman On High-Speed Train To Paris

Snippet of Article: "...reportedly took down a man with an AK-47 who opened fire on a high-speed train heading from Amsterdam to Paris Friday..."

Article Source: dailycaller.com

first women to graduate from Ranger School

Female Ranger students refused to give up

Article Title: Female Ranger students refused to give up

Snippet of Article: "...wasn’t out to make a statement. What motivated her was winning the respect of her Ranger teammates by meeting the same challenges they did. ..."

Article Source: www.usatoday.com

Trump: Unarmed Military Personnel 'Just Sitting There as Targets'

Trump: Unarmed Military Personnel 'Just Sitting There as Targets'

Article Title: Trump: Unarmed Military Personnel 'Just Sitting There as Targets'

Snippet of Article: "..."Islamic terrorism." "If we're going to fight elements that are causing tremendous problems, at least we have to start being not so politically correct," Trump said. "It's going to get worse in our country. We better start fighting tougher than we are fighting right now..."

Article Source: www.newsmax.com