The use of drones has been one of the most controversial facets of President Barack Obama's foreign policy, but the unmanned aircrafts are playing a vital role in the fight against forest fires. Predator drones are being used in California in an effort to spot new flames popping up around Yosemite National Park, The Associated Press reported.

Firefighters and National Guardsmen have been working around-the-clock to contain the Rim Fire, and officials say they are confident they are close to containing the flames. Still, it grew by several hundred acres between Thursday and Friday. By having the drones at their disposal, crews can pinpoint what areas to target and stave off the fire before it advances.

"The drone is providing data directly back to the incident commander, allowing him to make quick decisions about which resources to deploy and where," California fire spokesman Daniel Berlant told the AP. 

In just under a week, the fire has grown considerably. Last weekend it encompassed about 144,000 acres, but by mid-week it had swelled to 192,500, according to NBC News. 

With revelations that the Syrian government may have used chemical weapons on rebels in the country's ongoing civil war, there has been a heated debate in the U.S. as to what the appropriate response from the international community should be. President Barack Obama has long said that chemical weapons would be the so-called "red line," to signal the country's involvement, but now that the line has been crossed, the picture has become less clear.

Variety of options on the table
Obama has not made a decision yet, but analysts say it's very unlikely that there would be American troops sent into Syria to intervene, Military Times reported. There are currently about 200 soldiers stationed in Jordan and 400 soldiers in Turkey to make sure the violence does not spread over the borders. Instead, the most likely option seems to be a remote air strike on the Syrian government as a punishment for using chemical weapons rather than as an effort to change the tide of the bloody conflict. Many experts anticipate the firing of Tomahawk missiles at strategic Syrian targets. However, that's only one part of the response because the U.S. may also partner with Jordan in a humanitarian effort.

"In many ways, the Jordanians have been inundated with refugees coming from Syria," Maj. Gen. Dana Pittard told reporters. "The Jordanians have set up a number of refugee camps, and some of those camps are overflowing. That can cause some instability, so we're there to help and coordinate as much as we possibly can."

International community debates
As the discussion wears on in the U.S., other countries are also mulling a potential response to Syria's actions, and the debate has been particularly heated in the U.K. The British Joint Intelligence Organisation has concluded that it is highly likely the Syrian government is behind last week's chemical attack, and the use of force against Syria would be justifiable on humanitarian grounds, CNN reported.

France is also among the countries to publicly denounce the attacks. Earlier this week, the French military announced that it was ready to send troops into Syria should the country's president Francois Hollande order them to do so, according to The Associated Press. However, he has not made any announcements yet.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill has not only helped servicemembers pursue their education goals, but it has also helped millions of military family members enter the classroom. The ability to transfer the benefits to loved ones is one of the entitlement's most significant advantages, but due to budget cuts there has been a growing concern that troops may no longer be able to transfer the GI Bill. However, in a discussion at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel affirmed his commitment to ensuring vets can share their benefits with their spouse or children, Military Times reported.

A personal issue
In addition to feeling a professional obligation to protect the GI Bill as the Secretary of Defense, Hagel is especially committed to preserving all of its benefits because he was one of the senators who helped write it when it went through Congress in 2007 and 2008. Not only that, but Hagel used the Vietnam-era GI Bill after he separated from service. So even as the Pentagon looks to cut costs at nearly every corner in the light of sequestration, the GI Bill is one area that may not see quite the same changes as others.

"[The GI BIll is something] we want to protect in every way we can, because we think it is the right thing to do for our people," he told the gathered crowd. ""We've committed to do that for our people. We think it enhances our people, it enhances our country. It is a smart investment in our country. It is a smart investment in you, in your families."

Recent changes take effect
Although the transfer rights are still in place, they have seen some changes in recent weeks. On Aug. 1, in order for servicemembers to share their benefits with their spouses or children they had to begin adhering to changeds. Now, if they want to transfer their benefits to a family member, troops have to incur an additional four years of service. Previously, a 20-year veteran would only have to serve between one and three years extra. Army officials recommend signing up to transfer benefits even if they aren't planning on doing so.

"It's a really great program," said Kim Seldon, an Army veteran, military spouse and USO volunteer at a recent briefing. "It's worth thousands of dollars. I just hope all of the service members and their families can take advantage of the program." 

Finding a job is one of the most important parts of transitioning from active duty to civilian life, but doing so can sometimes be difficult, especially for wounded or disabled veterans. In an effort to make the process a bit easier, the Department of Labor is considering implementing some new rules. The new regulations would require government contractors to set a goal of having at least 7 percent of their workforce comprised of disabled workers and 8 percent made up of veterans, Stars and Stripes reported.

The new rules might have a significant impact on veterans' employment because government contractors employ about 20 percent of the nation's workforce – approximately 16 million people. However, the move has not been without its critics. Specifically, some say it conflicts with already existing regulations that bar interviewers from asking about an applicant's disability. Still, Labor Secretary Thomas Perez believes it could be good for both employers and wounded vets.

"To create opportunity, we need to strengthen our civil rights laws and make sure they have the intended effect," he told the news source recently.

Unemployment for disabled workers stands at about 14.7 percent, but recent efforts from the federal government have helped bring down the rate among veterans. In July, the rate for post-9/11 vets was about 7.7 percent.

This year has been particularly bad for forest fires, and nowhere is that more evident than in northern California, where flames have been decimating iconic Yosemite National Park. As first responders work to save this natural landmark from the blaze, they are getting some help from the local National Guard, according to the Army's official website. 

The Guard has been providing assistance both in the form of helicopter crews and airtankers to provide support from the sky. Specifically, seven Black Hawk helicopters have been used to douse the flames as is a CH-47 Chinook helicopter. Additionally, one Black Hawk is on call to be used to evacuate in the case of a medical emergency. Since they were activated Aug. 17, the helicopters have dropped more than 111,500 gallons of water. 

"We train for this fight every year," Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin, adjutant general of the California National Guard, told the website. "Our ongoing coordination with CAL FIRE and CAL OES [California Office of Emergency Services] ensures that the right people, with the right training, are in the right place when the lives and property of our fellow Californians are on the line."

Despite the efforts, the Yosemite fire has continued to grow in recent days. According to CNN, the fire is at just 20 percent containment. 

Army Staff Sgt. Ty Carter was officially presented with the Medal of Honor on Monday for his heroics during the 2009 Battle of Kamdesh in Afghanistan, and while his actions earned him praise from the military community, he hopes he can help shine the spotlight on post-traumatic stress disorder. In the nearly four years since the battle, which killed eight American troops, he has been a vocal spokesman for removing the stigma associated with seeking treatment, something that's likely to continue now that he has received the Army's highest honor, Stars and Stripes reports.

Feelings of guilt
Carter was recognized largely because he braved heavy enemy fire over and over again to help provide much needed supplies and ammunition to his fellow soldiers. He also risked his life to attempt to save the life of Spc. Stephan Mace, who was seriously wounded. Although he took Mace out of harms way, he eventually died on the operating table, and his death was something Carter had trouble coping with. In the years since then, he has had to overcome PTSD, and during the ceremony honoring Carter, President Barack Obama made sure to praise his efforts to bring the condition to the forefront.

"Look at this soldier," Obama told the crowd. "Look at this warrior. He's as tough as they come, and if he can find the courage and the strength to not only seek help but also to speak out about it, to take care of himself and to stay strong, then so can you."

Speaking out at the right time
By helping spur the conversation about PTSD, Carter has made a push at the right time. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 30 percent of vets from Iraq and Afghanistan have PTSD symptoms, and as operations wind down in Afghanistan – with withdrawal still slated for 2014 – many of these veterans will be entering the civilian population. 

The Department of Defense has made an effort to broaden the scope of its PTSD programs, most notably in the recently opened National Intrepid Center of Excellence at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. There, servicemember​s can take part in an intensive four-week program meant to treat both PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. 

Few people understand the financial hardships members of the military community better than those who have navigated the challenges themselves. In an effort to equip them with the tools necessary to help others overcome these common obstacles, the FINRA Investor Education Foundation recently awarded 50 spouses with fellowships to become accredited financial counselors, Military Times reported.

The initiative, known as the Military Spouse Fellowship program, has awarded fellowships to more than 1,250 people around the world in its seven years. Through the classes, program participants can go on to work at family readiness and support centers, credit counseling and tax centers and  financial aid offices. 

"We already have a number of spouses from previous classes doing this work,"George Smaragdis, a spokesman for the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, told the news source. 

In addition to helping military families with issues such as financial planning and other hardships, the program also is vital because it can assist military spouses as they try to find jobs, something which can be very difficult for someone who has to move fairly regularly. According to a recent study from Blue Star Families, unemployment among military spouses is between three and four times higher than the civilian population. 

Even lifelong football fans may never get the chance to meet with some of their favorite players, but a group of servicemember​s were recently given the opportunity to visit Washington Redskins training camp. The group of about 50 troops from Fort Lee not only toured The Bon Secours Training Facility, but they also met face-to-face with the likes of star quarterback Robert Griffin III and London Fletcher, the Army's official website reports.

The meet-and-greet not only had an impact on visitors, but several Redskins players know the challenges facing the military community. Both of Griffin's parents were Army sergeants when he was born and he spent much of his young life moving around, spending time in Japan, Washington, Louisiana and finally Texas. Wide receiver Josh Morgan also has close ties to the military – his mother and uncles served in the Navy and Army.

"People who don't have the connection don't know what they [military members] really go through; the effect that it has on them," he told reporters "Just like a lot of people who don't have connections with those who play sports; they don't really know how hard it is to do what we do. It's that respect level; you don't know it unless you go through it."

The NFL and Armed Forces have long had close ties. In fact, a number of players spent time in the military including former Denver Broncos running back Mike Anderson and Pro Bowl linebacker Kevin Greene, who spent 16 years in the reserves. 

The Oct. 3, 2009 Battle of Kamdesh at Combat Outpost Keating was one of the fiercest of the War in Afghanistan. Around 300 Taliban fighters assaulted American troops, which resulted in the deaths of eight servicemembers and left 22 wounded. The heroics of those stationed at COP Keating have resulted in two servicemember​s being decorated with the Medal of Honor. One of the two men, Spc. Ty Carter, recently began receiving treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, according to Soldiers Live.

Carter was among the group of soldiers who suffered the most significant casualties during the battle. He was trapped in a Humvee with several other soldiers, three of whom were killed. It was there that Carter earned his Medal of Honor, braving enemy fire to rescue wounded soldiers. Upon returning stateside, Carter couldn't sleep and began having nightmares, and that's when now-retired 1st Sgt. Jonathan Hill urged him to seek help.

"I stood in front of my platoon and I said, 'If you're not getting the help that you need, that you know you need, you're wrong," Hill told the news source. "I want everyone to take a moment of their time and go at least talk to one behavioral health specialist or the chaplain or somebody to make sure that you're ready to continue the fight.'"

Hill's actions fall in line with a growing effort to reduce the stigma often attached to PTSD. In fact, there are an estimated 100 programs operated by the Department of Defense with that in mind. 

Between frequent moves and the stress of having a loved one in harms way, military spouses face many challenges the civilian population does not encounter. This includes difficulty finding steady employment, largely due to the fact that employers are less likely to hire someone they know has to move within one or two years time. However, a recently launched handbag company, R. Riverter, has helped many military spouses find jobs when other places may have said no, Dayton Daily News reports.

R. Riverter was founded in 2011 by two military wives who understood the challenges facing those who have loved ones in the Armed Forces. In just two years, the brand has grown considerably and it offers military spouses the chance to work from home – wherever in the country that may be. Carly Davisson is among the 15 military spouses employed by the company and has flourished in her seven months on the job.

"It's been an amazing experience," Davisson told the newspaper. "It does not feel like work. It's like a hobby."

Unemployment among military spouses is considerably higher than that of the civilian population. This is due in large part to the fact that many of them have jobs which require licenses, but not all states allow spouses to transfer them from place to place.