Transitioning from active duty service to civilian life can be a challenge for a number of different reasons. Problems finding a job, family stress or difficulty adjusting to a new lifestyle can often play a significant role. Additionally, managing the effects of physical and emotional wounds can make it especially hard. Veterans may sometimes feel like nobody can relate to their struggles, but a new smartphone app may change that. Known as POS REP – short for position report – the app lets veterans locate servicemembers in their area that can help them out, according to Stars and Stripes.
Personal beginnings
The app was developed by Jacob Wood, who got the idea after his friend and fellow Marine veteran took his own life after returning home from the combat zone. The two had been close while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, but when they returned home they lost touch. After his friend's death, Wood learned that Marines lived nearby but he was not aware of it, so he could have had someone to reach out to. Now, vets in trouble can send an alert to fellow troops in the area when they need someone to talk to. The app's creators believe it has considerable potential at changing how post-traumatic stress disorder is treated.
"This tool is really going to be a game-changer," Army veteran Anthony Allman, who helped get POS REP off the ground, told the publication "I hope [the app] has an impact [on the issue of suicides], at least by showing veterans they're not alone. There is a community around them."
Apps could be a game changer
POS REP is just one of a growing number of smartphone and tablet apps that could significant help veterans transition to civilian life. Recently, the Department of Veterans Affairs launched an app of its own – PTSD Coach – that helps troops track their symptoms, locate sources of support and offers suggestions for how to mitigate the symptoms. Such services are especially important now as an estimated one in five veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan show signs of PTSD.
There are also apps not aimed at helping treat mental wounds of war. Apps such as College Guide can help veterans put their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to good use by locating the schools that are best suited for them.
The impact of sequestration-required cuts is beginning to be felt in military communities across the country, and now those effects are extending to the National Guard. The Department of Defense has ordered furloughs for one day a week over the next three months. The move could cut their pay by about 20 percent, according to The Associated Press.
Along with less compensation, Guardsmen may also find it difficult to perform their necessary tasks due to the shorter hours. For instance, cutting hours may hurt their ability to respond to natural disasters or other emergencies. This is especially troublesome in some states, like Florida, which will be dealing with hurricane season in the near future.
"Our general sense is that short-term, it's going to be a terrible hardship for those soldiers, airmen and their families. But if it goes on for any length of time, that may have a negative impact on our readiness and our ability to respond," said Hawaii National Guard spokesman Lt. Col. Chuck Anthony.
Guardsmen aren't the only ones feeling the pinch from sequestration. According to MSNBC, the cuts also reduced federal funding for first responders and firefighters.
Much of the southwestern corner of the U.S. has been plagued by wildfires in recent days due to extreme heat and dry conditions. As local firefighters respond to the flames, they are getting some assistance from the sky thanks to the Air Force. In Arizona, four C-130s have helped out by dropping thousands of gallons of fire retardant, according to Military.com.
The planes moved to the Grand Canyon state after helping out first responders in Colorado, and the pilots are pushing their planes as hard as they can go. They can drop about 3,000 gallons of liquid at once and are flying at just about 150 feet above the flames. It's not an easy job, but it's a necessary one.
"They are pushing the aircraft to its maximum performance," Ann Skarban, a spokeswoman for the 302nd Air Lift Wing told the website. "They are flying slow, low and heavy. They are working to draw lines of containment to break up or stop the fire."
The fires in Arizona have already been among the most damaging in recent memory. Last week, one fire in particular in Yarnell Hill claimed the lives of 19 firefighters.
Mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder are among the greatest challenges facing returning troops, and there has been a concerted effort by the Pentagon and the White House to improve treatment. Yet despite the greater focus on addressing PTSD, there has been no increase in the number of troops who seek help. A recent confidential survey of troops in Afghanistan found that approximately half of servicemembers who reported mental health issues said they'd be perceived as weak if they sought treatment, according to USA Today.
Disappointing findings
The results come after officials had taken significant steps to reduce the stigma attached to seeking mental health treatment. The Department of Defense has been particularly active in urging troops to reach out for help while also improving their access to behavioral health specialists. This push has also lead to the creation of the National Intrepid Center of Excellence in Bethesda, Md., which specialized in treating traumatic brain injuries and PTSD. Still, experts say it will take time to change the culture.
"Despite efforts to reduce stigma … there still exists latent tendencies to view seeking behavioral health care as weakness," Army spokesman George Wright told the publication. "Leaders at all levels must continue to resist this culture by associating help-seeking behavior with strength-seeking behavior and by embracing the benefits of increased individual resilience."
Widespread issue
This isn't a problem that affects a small portion of the military community, either. Although there are no official statistics, experts estimate that approximately 20 percent of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars show symptoms of PTSD. And in 2012, the military suicide rate hit its highest mark ever, with more than 349 troops taking their own lives, according to NBC News.
PTSD can affect more than just the troops themselves, as their families can also feel the impact of the condition. According to ABC News, many spouses of servicemembers who have returned home with PTSD often struggle to convince their loved ones to seek help.
"It was probably the hardest thing he has ever had to do in his entire life, but it was the best thing he could have ever done; for him, for me and for his family," Amanda Cherry-Haus, a military spouse, told the news source.
Most people are familiar with Drew Carey thanks to his self-titled sitcom, his stint as the host of "Whose Line Is It Anyway" and most notably his gig with "The Price Is Right." However, they're likely less familiar with his military past. The former stand-up comedian served in the Marine Corps for six years, so it should come as no surprise to learn that he identifies with military families, and the July 4 episode of "The Price Is Right" will feature the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families, Stars and Stripes reports.
A long standing relationship
The venerable game show – a TV staple for more than 40 years – has hosted military centric episodes before. In 2002, for instance, each branch of the Armed Forces got its own episode. Additionally, for each of the past five years there have been servicemembers in the audience for Veterans Day. However, honoring the troops on Independence Day is a first. Among those who were lucky enough to be a contestant was Air Force Maj. Douglas Johnson, who said the experience is not one he will soon forget.
"It was a lot of fun. The studio itself – the TV always make it look bigger than it is. It was really exciting to be there. To see the show taped, it was almost surreal," Johnson told Stars and Stripes.
Communities pay tribute
Of course, Carey and the rest of "The Price Is Right" crew aren't the only ones paying tribute to the military on July 4. Communities across the country are doing the same, and one in particular stepped up to save a popular event after budget cuts threatened to shut it down, according to CBS affiliate WBTW.
Salute from the Shore has been an annual tradition in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where civilians would line the coast and honor the the troops as Air Force planes fly overhead. Although sequestration grounded the F-16s from Shaw Air Force Base, volunteers helped fill the void. Organizers found volunteers who owned vintage military planes were more than willing to step up to the plate and complete the flyovers. So while it may have a different look, the Fourth of July tradition will continue in the Palmetto State.
Extreme heat has plagued the southwest for the last several days, which has led to a slew of intense wildfires, and in Arizona the fight against these intense blazes just took a turn for the worse. On Sunday night the Yarnell Hill Fire claimed the lives of 19 firefighters – most of whom were members of an elite force trained to repel the most serious wildfires, The Arizona Republic reports.
Fast-moving fire
The blaze was caused by a lightning strike, but it was exacerbated considerably due to high temperatures and dry winds. By Sunday afternoon, it had already burned an estimated 1,000 acres and forced the evacuation of hundreds of homes. Given the seriousness of the situation, the elite firefighting team, known as the Granite Mountain Hotshots, were deployed. According to the Chicago Tribune, the deceased firefighters were overtaken by flames and heat while they were in the process of deploying shelters designed to provide protection as the fire moved past them.
Local community hit hard
With the deaths of 19, the blaze marks the largest loss of life for firefighters since the Sept. 11 attacks. According to figures from the National Fire Protection Association, the last wildfire to kill this many responders was in 1933 when a blaze in Los Angeles claimed the lives of 29 firefighters. Before that, a wildfire in Idaho killed 86 firefighters. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer said in a statement it may be a long time until the scope of the tragedy is fully realized.
"This is as dark a day as I can remember," she said. "It may be days or longer before an investigation reveals how this tragedy occurred, but the essence we already know in our hearts: Fighting fires is dangerous work."
Arizona is not alone
The Grand Canyon state is just one of many states throughout the southwestern U.S. battling significant wildfires this summer. To the north in Colorado, firefighters have been responding to significant flames for most of the last two weeks {fix}, according to The New York Times. The most serious ones have been located in Black Forest, where the fires claimed the lives of two people while destroying hundreds of homes. It is the most damaging wildfire in the history of the state.
The Freedom Bike Ride has become one of the most unique ways for civilians, servicemembers and veterans to honor fallen troops, and the third annual event recently kicked off at one of the most solemn areas in the U.S. About 25 cyclists began their five-day journey June 25 at Arlington National Cemetery. The ride is expected to be completed in Lewisburg, Pa., where the participants will arrive just in time for the town's Fourth of July celebration.
A new tradition
This is just the third year the Freedom Bike Ride has been held, but it is already recognized as a considerable success. Some of the participants are wounded warriors who must use hand cycles to complete the journey, while others took a more traditional route. Regardless of their mode of transportation, all riders have one thing in mind – honoring servicemembers both past and present. This is reflected in some of the landmarks they've visited in previous rides including last year, when they started their trip at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
"This year, we picked a starting location that I consider to be the most hallowed ground in the United States," Sgt. Maj. Kevin Bittenbender said in a press release. "And that's Arlington National Cemetery."
Troops honored many different ways
Lengthy journeys have become a popular way to pay tribute to the men and women of the military, and cycling seems like a smart choice given it's one that appeals to injured troops. So it should come as no surprise that the The Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride has been a big hit. This program focuses on the rehabilitation of wounded servicemembers by outfitting them with adaptive bikes and taking them on two days of rides. For Therese Mangham, who was injured in Iraq in 2008, it was a big help.
"It was very difficult," Mangham, told CBS affiliate KDKA. "I wasn't getting a lot of support through the VA, and the Wounded Warrior Project, they came in and filled in the gaps where the VA wasn't."
Any events that help recognize the sacrifice of wounded warriors are certainly a worthwhile cause. According to statistics from the Department of Defense, more than 50,000 troops have been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Although much attention is paid to the world class golfers participating in this week's AT&T National Golf Tournament, the day before the pros teed off, the focus was on another group in attendance. Tournament host Tiger Woods paid tribute to the military's wounded warriors on Wednesday, something he has made a point of doing every year since launching the event more than five years ago, Stars and Stripes reports.
Family ties to the military
Honoring America's servicemembers is an issue close to the heart of the world's No. 1-ranked golfer. Woods' father, who passed away in 2006, served in the Army's Special Forces and fought in the Vietnam War. So it should come as no surprise that Woods makes recognizing the sacrifice made by troops a priority. In opening remarks on Wednesday, he touched on how important it is for him to thank those who serve in the military.
"For me to have a golf tournament in the D.C. area, it's only right to be able to honor the great men and women who serve our great country and do what they do," he told the gathered crowd, according to the news source. "It's a thankless act, and they put their lives on the line every time they go down range … We really do owe our freedom to all their hard work and sacrifices … in leaving their families for months at a time. They come back with debilitating injuries and sometimes they don't come back at all."
Vets hit the course
The pre-tournament ceremonies offered some of the veterans in attendance more than just the chance to watch. In fact, some got the chance to play nine holes alongside some of the biggest names in the sport, according to NBC Washington. Among those who got the chance to hit the links was U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Tim Lang. The 28-year-old servicemember has had to have nearly 50 surgeries due to injuries he suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near him.
Despite losing his right leg from the knee down, Lang has turned into an avid golfer. In fact, the Salute Military Golf Association reached out to him and he has since used the sport to overcome the mental and physical wounds of war, according NBC.
As the Armed Forces winds down operations in Afghanistan, there are significant changes on the horizon. Specifically, the Army is expected to cut its size by tens of thousands of soldiers over the next several years, and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno announced on Tuesday that the branch will cut at least 12 brigades over the next five years, according to The New York Times.
Odierno said the Army will reduce the number of brigade combat teams from 45 to 33, while noting that one more may be added to the list. The cuts are the result of a $500 billion reduction in funding implemented in 2011 and come a time when the Department of Defense may need to make greater changes due to sequestration. Lawmakers are concerned the future may hold more substantial, and damaging, elimination.
"As damaging as they are, these cuts don't begin to reflect the crippling damage sequestration will do to our armed forces and national security," Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said in a statement. "This is only the tip of the iceberg. Much deeper cuts are still to come."
According to Military.com, at least 10 bases in the U.S. will lose a brigade including Fort Bliss, Fort Bragg and Fort Hood.
Beginning with the repeal of don't ask don't tell in 2011, gay and lesbian servicemembers have marked significant milestones in the last several years, and on Wednesday they celebrated another victory. The Supreme Court voted 5-4 to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional, and the decision could open up new benefits to same-sex couples serving in the Armed Forces, according to Military Times.
Decision met with applause
The long awaited announcement of the decision was met with support from a wide range of people. DOMA, the 1996 law signed by President Bill Clinton, defined marriage as between a man and a woman, and although several states in the U.S. have made same-sex marriage legal, DOMA still barred them from receiving federal marriage benefits. This was especially problematic for couples in the military, who were unable to take advantage of healthcare, housing and survivor benefits. This loophole had been criticized by many lawmakers, including New York Senator Kristen Gillibrand.
"Same-sex partners of military service members should not be denied essential benefits because of who they are," Gillibrand said during the introduction of the Military Spouses Equal Treatment Act. "We must ensure that all of our military families who have sacrificed so much have access to the services and treatment they need and deserve."
Support from the top
Lawmakers aren't the only ones spurring change in Washington, D.C., top military brass are helping lead the charge as well, including Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. Most recently, Hagel and Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to President Obama recognized gay pride month at the Pentagon, USA Today reports. This isn't the first time Hagel has confirmed his support for the gay community. Earlier this year, he pledged to work quickly on making sure same-sex couples had the same benefits as other members of the military community. Advocates are hopeful that he will implement these changes as soon as possible.
"Secretary Hagel has already demonstrated his commitment to LGBT military families, just as he promised he would during his confirmation. Today the court cleared the way for him to take the next step," Allyson Robinson, an army veteran and executive director of OutServe-SLDN, an organization dedicated to helping those affected by don't ask don't tell, told Politico.