5/16/2012

Army continues to review recruiting, training of soldiers

The Army is looking for ways to reduce costs and create a more streamlined force over the next several years, and a new initiative puts the focus squarely on recruiting, training and developing individual soldiers. read more »

5/15/2012

Medical center for 9/11 first responders opens in Brooklyn

When the Zadroga Act was signed into law in January 2011, it provided hope to the thousands of first responders who became ill after spending time in the rubble of the World Trade Center after 9/11. read more »

5/14/2012

North Carolina senator proposes changes to VA healthcare system

In an effort to streamline the Veterans Affairs (VA) Department's healthcare system, a North Carolina senator recently introduced legislation aimed at consolidating the vital service. read more »

5/11/2012

Committee votes against new rounds of base closures

In 2005, there was an extensive base realignment and closure (BRAC) that helped consolidate many of the military's installations across the country, but it looks like there won't be another round any time soon. read more »

5/10/2012

Olympian leaves bobsled track for special operations

For years, John Napier has made bobsledding a huge part of his life. The 25-year-old competed in the 2010 Winter Olympics, where he was the number two driver for the U.S. team. read more »

5/9/2012

Republican plan saves Pentagon budget, cuts social programs

Facing drastic budget cuts to the Pentagon, Republicans in the House of Representatives voted on Monday to make significant cuts to social programs in order to prevent the Defense Department from slashing costs. read more »

5/8/2012

9/11 first responders allowed to view masterminds' arraignment

Five men believed to be planners of the September 11 attacks were arraigned on Saturday, and thanks to a recent announcement from the Department of Defense (DoD), first responders were able to watch the proceedings. read more »

5/8/2012

Military officials head to Ivy League classrooms to teach

Some students in diplomacy or military affairs classes are getting instruction from the people who know it best. read more »

5/4/2012

Conventional, Special Operations forces to be more closely aligned under new training

With troops slated to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014 and the Army shrinking by 80,000 over the next five years, military officials say they plan on reshaping training going forward. read more »

5/3/2012

Elite New Jersey first responder team undergoes important training

New Jersey's Metro Strike Team is one of the most well-trained groups of first responders in the country, and last week it embarked on one of the more comprehensive training drills it has. read more »

5/2/2012

Obama speaks during surprise visit to Afghanistan

During a surprise visit to Afghanistan Tuesday night, President Barack Obama spoke to the American people and reaffirmed his commitment to finishing the job while staying on pace for a 2014 withdrawal. read more »

4/30/2012

Warrior Games kick off in Colorado

The United States Olympic team will not be heading to London for a few more months, but in Colorado Springs, Colorado, there will soon be plenty of international competition. read more »

4/27/2012

Panel approves pay raise, says no to fee hike

Active duty soldiers and retirees recently got a bit of good news. read more »

4/26/2012

Marine discharged for critical Facebook post

A Marine who made a critical Facebook post about President Barack Obama is going to be discharged. read more »

4/26/2012

NASA-led project could aid first responders during earthquakes

Knowing what to expect before arriving on the scene is a big part of the job for first responders. Now, thanks to some help from NASA, they should be able to have a clearer view in the event of earthquakes. read more »

4/25/2012

Redeployment of U.S. troops in Japan postponed

As the United States prepared to change its role in the South Pacific, there was a plan in place to move troops stationed in Japan to several other locations. read more »

4/23/2012

Army Surgeon General suggests overhaul of PTSD diagnosis

Amid concerns about how post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being diagnosed, the Army Surgeon General's Office recently issued guidelines that may help the process run more smoothly. read more »

4/19/2012

Marine Corps to open infantry training to women

The Marine Corps is getting ready to make a groundbreaking move for women in the military. read more »

4/18/2012

DoD plan would expand sabbatical program

A new proposal from the Department of Defense (DoD) would allow a greater number of servicemembers to take advantage of a useful sabbatical program. read more »

4/18/2012

U.S, NATO discuss Afghanistan withdrawal plans

President Barack Obama is still confident American troops will leave Afghanistan by 2014, and officials from the U.S. and NATO met on Wednesday to shore up the plans for how they expect to do so. read more »

4/17/2012

Tennessee bill aimed at assisting first responders

First responders have a lot to contend with when they arrive on the scene of an accident or another emergency, and sometimes being aware of the medical history of the victim is not the first thing on their minds. read more »

4/16/2012

Military targets Arctic region as ice recedes

The Arctic circle may not seem like a hotbed of military activity, but that has changed as of late. read more »

4/13/2012

Sergeant from 101st Airborne earns Distinguished Service Cross

An Army sergeant from the 101st Airborne Division was recently awarded the second-highest military honor, becoming the first soldier from the division to earn the distinction since Vietnam. read more »

4/12/2012

Pentagon to use financial incentives, new research lab to go green

There has been a large push for the Armed Forces to become more energy efficient, and on Wednesday the Pentagon announced specifics for its ambitious plan. read more »

4/6/2012

First responders crucial in Texas tornado recovery

A series of powerful tornadoes tore through metropolitan Texas earlier this week, and although the damage was extensive, it could have been much worse if not for the work of first responders. read more »

4/6/2012

Missouri members of Congress come out against base closures

Base closures have been one of the most controversial proposals to cut costs in the Pentagon budget, and one group of lawmakers is coming out against the plan. read more »

4/4/2012

First American troops arrive in Australia

With American troops gone from Iraq and on their way out of Afghanistan, the Armed Forces have placed a new focus on the Asia-Pacific region. read more »

4/2/2012

Smartphone app aims to help first responders

There have been several recent technological advancements meant to help first responders, and a South Dakota-based company believes it has the next one. read more »

4/2/2012

Focus on Europe base closures first, Congress says

As part of the ongoing plan to cut costs, the Department of Defense (DoD) had suggested two new rounds of base realignment and closures (BRAC) over the next several years. read more »

3/30/2012

Rhode Island National Guardsman branded a hero

As more details emerge about the death of a Rhode Island National Guardsmen in Afghanistan last week, it's becoming clearer that he sacrificed himself to save the life of an Afghan girl. read more »

3/29/2012

Army research could aid first responders

A weather sensor system being developed at the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) could be used to protect civilians, first responders and servicemembers. read more »

3/29/2012

Troop reduction should be done carefully, senators say

Among the most controversial portions of the proposed military budget cuts is a plan to reduce troop levels. read more »

3/27/2012

9/11 first responder advocates see victory in new report

Though it's been more than 10 years since the September 11 attacks, first responders who worked in the rubble for weeks afterward are still fighting for healthcare coverage. read more »

3/27/2012

Modernization will be delayed, but not canceled, under budget cuts

In the debate over defense budget cuts, one of the biggest concerns is whether any modernization programs the military has will be canceled. read more »

3/21/2012

Dodge creates Durango SUV for first responders

Days after Ford revealed a new car specifically for first responders, Dodge has done the same. read more »

3/21/2012

DoD can cut spending by eliminating duplicate programs, senators say

The Department of Defense (DoD) has been tasked with making significant cuts to its budget, and some have been concerned about what that means for military benefits as well as force structure and weapons programs. read more »

3/20/2012

Army gets new physical fitness test

The physical fitness test is an important part of Army training, and officials are ready to implement a few changes. read more »

3/16/2012

First responder network faces uphill battle

Congress took steps toward creating a communications network solely for first responders earlier this year, but some experts say it could be quite some time until the dream is realized. read more »

3/16/2012

Louisiana National Guard finds unique way to help environment

National Guardsmen are used to helping the country in a variety of different ways, but a group of servicemembers in Louisiana recently found a unique way to do so. read more »

3/15/2012

FEMA, CNCS form partnership to help first responders

A new partnership between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) hopes to assist first responders during a natural disaster. read more »

3/15/2012

War-weary public favors faster withdrawal from Afghanistan

Amid growing tensions between U.S. soldiers and Afghan civilians, President Obama is feeling increased pressure to speed up the withdrawal from Afghanistan. read more »

3/13/2012

Law firm's decision irks some first responders

A law firm that took in hundreds of millions of dollars when it helped 9/11 first responders win a class action suit with New York City will not help them earn claims under the recently-passed Zadroga Act. read more »

3/13/2012

Navy Secretary stands behind alternative energy plan

The Navy has made its desire to create an energy-efficient and eco-friendly fleet of ships clear, but the plan has not been without is detractors. read more »

3/8/2012

DoD highlights benefits of base closures

Potential base closures have been at the center of the talks surrounding budget cuts in the U.S. military, and on Wednesday some of the Defense Department's (DoD) top officials traveled to Capitol Hill to argue their case for why the move is a good idea. read more »

3/7/2012

President Obama holds firm on Afghanistan withdrawal

Echoing the sentiment expressed last week by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, President Barack Obama told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday that the timetable has not changed on withdrawal from Afghanistan. read more »

3/5/2012

National Guard plays key role in tornado relief

Tornadoes tore through the Midwest and parts of the South on Friday, killing at least 39 people and destroying countless homes. read more »

3/2/2012

Afghan attacks will not disrupt strategy, Panetta says

Although six American troops have been killed by their Afghan colleagues over the last several weeks, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says that the strategy in the country going forward will not change. read more »

2/28/2012

New Jersey fire chief develops first responder app

Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, fire chief John Reilly knows all too well the challenges he and other firefighters face. read more »

2/28/2012

Governors, Air National Guard protest proposed cuts

Every branch of the military is likely to experience cuts in the coming years, but some feel that the Air Force is being unfairly targeted. read more »

2/27/2012

Military leaders discuss Army's future at conference

The Armed Forces is likely to undergo many changes over the next decade, and the topic was front and center this weekend. read more »