WASHINGTON, May 1, 2014 - First Lady Michelle Obama announced today a new philanthropic initiative which pledges over $100 million to help military families over the next five years. Obama unveiled the program as she and Dr. Jill Biden, the wife of Vice President Joe Biden, marked the third anniversary of Joining Forces, an initiative they started three years ago that … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2014
No Need for Commission to Study Army Restructuring, Leaders Say
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, May 1, 2014, 2014) - The fiscal year 2015 Army budget submitted to Congress "is lean, stark but critical to meeting the needs of our nation and our Soldiers," said Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh. The budget reflects an adjustment of the force mix in favor of the reserve component, McHugh told members of the Senate Appropriations Committee … [Read more...]
Air Force Secretary Reports on Total Force Balance
May 1, 2014, WASHINGTON (AFNS) - Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James outlined April 30 the service’s progress in leveraging the talent and capabilities of the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve within the total force concept. James, along with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, testified at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. A tiger … [Read more...]
Navy Announces Changes to Equal Opportunity Program
May 1, 2014, NORFOLK, Va (NNS) - It ranges across a broad spectrum, from initiation rituals such as tacking on crows or field insignias, to off-color jokes about sexism and racism, all the way to outright abuse or assault. The offenders wear all types of collar devices; senior enlisted marching junior service members down a pier, forcing them to carry bags of human waste, or … [Read more...]
Army Wants Soldiers to Know Ins, Outs of Using, Transferring Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
WASHINGTON (May 1, 2014, , 2014) - While the Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer of Education Benefits program has been available since 2009, many Soldiers have not taken advantage of this program. Because the law requires Soldiers to serve an additional four years after deciding to transfer these benefits to a family member, Soldiers who wait until the end of their contractual … [Read more...]