Army Sgts. John Russell and Brian Williams are used to tending to the wounded. The two soldiers spent time serving in Afghanistan and had to help their fellow servicemembers survive gunshots and injuries sustained from roadside bombs. Though it's been years since they were in the battlefield, they recently put their training to work in Washington, D.C., by leaping into action to treat a man injured when he was hit by a Metrobus, The Washington Post reported.
Russell and Williams were jogging when they heard the thud of the collision and wasted to time in helping out. Using t-shirts from bystanders, they stemmed the blood coming from the victim's broken leg and also tended to his head wound. They also worked to keep the man talking and conscious until the paramedics were able to arrive on scene. It wasn't difficult for the men to snap back into combat mode.
"At that point, it became only about getting the guy treated," Russell told the newspaper. "It was a stroke of luck."
The incident is still under review, but local first responders and D.C. Fire Chief Kenneth Ellerbe praised the actions of the two men, according to The Associated Press.
Google Glass is one of the more cutting edge technological developments unveiled in the last several months, and now a Connecticut-based company is looking to integrate the optical head-mounted display into the first responder community. The corporation, Mutualink, Inc., believes the devices could be used by everyone from law enforcement officers to firefighters as they look to keep the public safe.
Although the plans are still in the earliest stages, Mutualink expects the glasses to tap into the congressionally mandated first responder network that is still in the process of being developed. Should it be successful, the program would provide first responders with the chance to quickly review health records, review building blueprints or watching security cameras. Mutualink will present their plans at the upcoming APCO 2013 conference.
"The capabilities that are made possible by combining Google Glass and Mutualink can save lives in many crisis response situations," said Joe Mazzarella, Senior Vice President of Mutualink. "Though Google Glass is still in beta, we are quite enthusiastic to be at the cutting edge of technology, and taking a leading role with Google Glass and its novel implications from a societal benefit perspective."
While the use of Google Glass could improve how first responders do their jobs, the development has not been without its critics, especially surrounding security and privacy issues. However, developers say their use will be no different than many surveillance methods already in place.
There has been a wide variety of programs aimed at helping veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan find civilian jobs, but two servicemembers have taken things into their own hands. Thomas Wilder and Neil McCanon, both Iraq veterans, are nearing the launch of their own craft brewery, aptly called Young Veterans Brewing Co., The Associated Press reported.
Wilder and McCanon returned from Iraq in 2005 and found transitioning back to the civilian world was difficult. They went down a number of different paths, including heading back to school and finding employment in various forms, but nothing felt right. Eventually, after trying out a home brewing kit and earning positive reviews from friends, it became clear that starting the brewery was the best option. Although the businesses venture is partly about earning money, Wilder says there's more to it than that.
"For me, it's sort of my way of showing that after service there's more to do," Wilder told the AP. "For a lot of soldiers who come home, there's a lot of trouble. I've been through that, and I know what that's like."
The two high school friends aren't the only entrepreneurs in the military community, and the National Defense University Foundation is looking to give them the chance to have their business ideas heard. The first annual Veterans Venture Forum is slated for Oct. 29.
Mental health and traumatic brain injuries are two of the biggest issues facing the military health care community, and experts from the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs recently came together to discuss the progress made on both fronts. The discussion, held at the Military Health System Research Symposium earlier this months, focused squarely on the National Research Action Plan, which was launched last year to improve access to mental health services for servicemembers and their families.
At the heart of the plan is a push to form a working relationship between the DOD and VA with the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education to consolidate information. Part of this process includes the upcoming report from the Centers for Disease Control that should further the understanding of TBI. Thanks to the initiative, medical professionals will likely be able to provide uniform treatment.
"The National Research Action Plan demonstrates a dedication across multiple agencies to close critical research and care gaps, both in the military and civilian sector," said Health Affairs Director of Medical Research Dr. Terry Rauch.
Developing new and innovative ways to address TBI has become especially important in recent years. An estimated 250,000 servicemembers sustained this injury between 2000 and 2012.
The Boston Red Sox may have been on the West Coast Monday night, but Fenway Park was certainly not unoccupied. A group of injured troops, known as the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team, squared off against the Boston Marathon First Responders in an event that not only showcased what veterans are capable of but also served as a fundraiser for those affected by the April bombings at the Boston Marathon, MLB.com reports.
The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team is more than feel-good story. Comprised of servicemembers who have been injured during combat, the team shows off impressive skill, even though all of its players are missing a variety of limbs. For instance, Matthew Kinsey is missing a foot and Joshua Wege runs on two prosthetic legs. For Kyle Earl, who lost his hand in an improvised explosive device explosion in 2006, watching the rest of his team play is an honor.
"I'm in awe every day watching these guys play," Earl told the website. "Josh over at first base, he's missing both his legs, but he can do splits. He can jump 6 to 8 inches."
Perhaps not surprisingly, the wounded warrior squad went on to win 28-11. The event was just one of many the team has participated in over the years, and its next stop is in Washington to play against a team of correction officers.
Last week the Pentagon announced it would provide same-sex couples up to 10 days leave so they could travel to get married if they reside in a state where gay marriage is not yet legal. The decision was met with applause by many gay rights advocates, but now some conservative groups are coming out against the move, Stars and Stripes reports.
Some of the most significant criticisms have come from the Family Research Council, which says the additional days of leave discriminate against heterosexual couples who do not get the same benefits. However, Department of Defense officials dismiss those claims, saying that the 10 days leave will bring same-sex couples to equal footing with their heterosexual counterparts.
"[The uncharged leave] will provide accelerated access to the full range of benefits offered to married military couples throughout the department and help level the playing field between opposite-sex and same-sex couples seeking to be married," Pentagon spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Nate Christensen told the news source.
The renewed debate comes after the DOD announced it would also open up all benefits available to heterosexual couples to same-sex married couples. This includes housing, health care and separation pay.
Whether it's the storied rivalry between Army and Navy or the legendary service of Pat Tillman, football and the military have a long history. But now, as one former Marine seeks to pursue his gridiron dreams, he is being hindered by complicated NCAA regulations. Steven Rhodes, who has waited five years to play football, will likely have to sit out another year as per regulations from college football's governing body, according to the Murfreesboro Daily News Journal.
A big surprise
Rhodes appeared well on his way to playing for Middle Tennessee State University this fall. However, the 6-foot-3, 240-pound Marine will have to wait because in 2012 he played in a recreational football league. The decision does not sit well with Rhodes, especially because the league amounted to nothing more than intramural and the players never received any money.
"I was super excited when he got the chance to play football (at MTSU), but then I was shocked to find out there was a problem with him playing," Adrienne, his wife and fellow servicemember, told the newspaper. "Those games were something they did in their spare time on the same base. They were games against different shops – you know, like the air traffic controllers against the mechanics. It was so disorganized. I couldn't believe that was an issue."
Appeal pending
The school is appealing the ruling, according to The Associated Press. Perhaps most interesting in the debate is that had this happened decades ago, Rhodes would have likely been protected. Previously, the NCAA had a stipulation that exempted military servicemembers from limited eligibility due to their participation in organized sports on bases. In the years since, the rule has been revised and the language exempting troops may have been lost in the fray.
"All this is strictly because of how the bylaw is worded," Daryl Simpson, MTSU's assistant athletic director, told the AP. "In my opinion, there is no intent of anyone to not allow protection to our U.S. servicemembers."
This isn't the first time there has been some controversy over troops playing football. In 2008, Caleb Campbell was drafted by the Detroit Lions out of Army. Despite an NFL future, Campbell had to serve his two years in the Army after graduating. Eventually, he made his debut in 2010 with the Lions before also playing for the Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts.
There's a substantial lack of qualified individuals in the science, technology, engineering and math fields, and the Army is looking to change that. The branch's Corps of Engineers recently began an initiative to encourage veterans, as well as children of active duty military personnel, to pursue degrees and jobs in all four industries, Military Times reports.
Veterans and military children do not have to earn master's degrees to fill jobs in the STEM fields. Experts say there are currently more job openings than there are trained professionals to fill them, and that number is expected to increase in the coming years. As the push continues to bring down unemployment among post-9/11 veterans, STEM jobs may be the path toward success.
"There are many opportunities in the STEM arena … not only for college graduates – we need a million more by 2020 – but in other STEM-related fields, where an associate's degree, or even a focus on it at some level of technical proficiency [would suffice,]" Lt. Gen. Thomas Bostick, the commander of the Corps of Engineers, told the news source.
The push comes after months of continued improvement in the unemployment rate among young veterans. According to recent data from the Department of Labor, in July the rate was at 7.7 percent – up a bit from June – but still down from this time last year.
Country music superstar Tim McGraw has long been an avid supporter of first responders, and now the "Something Like That" singer is teaming up with Duracell to honor the heroic efforts of police and firefighters. The initiative, dubbed Quantum Heroes, will donate one million batteries to first responders across North America while paying tribute to their impressive work through a series of videos.
The series premiered earlier this week with a video spot honoring the work of New York's firefighters after Hurricane Sandy devastated much of the city last year. There will be more videos in the coming weeks, all appearing on Duracell's YouTube, Twitter and Facebook pages. McGraw said that teaming up with Duracell was a no-brainer.
"As a touring musician, I've had the opportunity to meet a lot of first responders across our country, the brave guys and girls who show incredible bravery in the face of natural disasters and other emergency situations," said McGraw. "I'm joining with Duracell Quantum to recognize the amazing work of these unassuming heroes. I was able to spend some time with the first responders from the Quantum Heroes video series, and I walked away truly inspired."
McGraw also has a long history of supporting military families. Last year, he gave away 25 mortgage-free homes to wounded or needy servicemembers, The Associated Press reported.
When the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act earlier this year, it marked a big step forward for same-sex couples in the military. Previously, even if they were legally married, the law prevented the Pentagon from providing them with the same benefits as heterosexual couples. However, the Department of Defense recently announced it will extend benefits to gay and lesbian couples while also giving them leave to travel to states where gay marriage is legal, Military.com reports.
This new policy, known as "marriage leave," is effective immediately but can only be used once during a servicemembers career. Additionally, it won't count toward the 30 days each year already afforded to them. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said that the move was necessary because there are still 37 states that do not perform same-sex marriage, and it's important for the Pentagon to recognize every member of the Armed Forces equally.
"This will provide accelerated access to the full range of benefits offered to military married couples throughout the department, and help level the playing field between opposite sex and same-sex couples seeking to be married," he wrote in a memo to service secretaries.
Among the benefits that will open up to same-sex couples are housing allowances and health care coverage. According to the Los Angeles Times, it gives them the chance to qualify for extra compensation if their spouse is deployed.