Wildfires have been plaguing the Black Forest area of Colorado for more than a week, and first responders have been working around the clock to combat the blaze. In recognition of the firefighters' hours out in the field battling flames, a number of restaurants and super markets in the Colorado Springs area have teamed up to provide them with thousands of meals, according to The Gazette.

So far, businesses such as McCabe's Tavern, Bite Me Gourmet Sausages, Safeway and King Soopers have provided an estimated 4,000 meals to more than 1,200 firefighters, National Guardsmen and law enforcement personnel. Given the skill of those involved, the food is certainly not typical buffet fare. First responders applauded the impressive spread that was laid out before them for breakfast earlier this week.

"We had quite the assortment, from scrambled eggs, to Potatoes O'Brien, breakfast burritos and tons of coffee," Linda Holder, who has helped lead the project, told the newspaper. "I think they cooked 155 pounds of bacon. I've never seen so much bacon in my life."

By Tuesday, the fire was 65 percent contained, but it left a considerable trail of destruction. According to NBC News, the flames killed two people and destroyed more than 470 homes.

There's no denying that wounded warriors face a long list of challenges during recovery. Whether they're experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder or adapting to a new life with a disability, the transition is never easy, and veterans often have to find unique ways to meet these challenges. A growing number of wounded troops have turned to yoga and have found that it not only aids in their physical recovery, but also on the mental side of things, the Los Angeles Times reports.

This trend has been reflected in the fact that hospitals operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs have increasingly offered the practice as a supplement to traditional therapy. There's good reason why, as early studies suggest that the meditative aspect of yoga can help ease symptoms of PTSD. It's also an effective way to strengthen muscles and increase flexibility, all of which can help servicemembers who have suffered traumatic physical injuries.

"Yoga is something that our warriors will actively engage in: It's a challenge and it has readily evident results," Navy Capt. Robert Koffman told the newspaper particularly when patients adopt it as part of their lifestyle.

Alternative therapies could become increasingly important in the coming years. An estimated 20 percent of veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan experience symptoms of PTSD, according to the American Psychological Association.

Servicemembers are some of the most physically fit people in the world, so as the military looks for ways to combat unemployment, it should come as no surprise that many vets are looking to put their experience staying in shape to good use. The American Council on Exercise recently took steps to make this process a bit easier by announcing an initiative that will provide $1 million in scholarships to help veterans earn the certification they need to become personal trainers, according to Military Times. 

Vets are a good fit
The effort by ACE will provide scholarships for as many as 1,000 servicemember​s, who need to take a 10-week course to be certified. Earning recognition from ACE is seen as the gold standard in the personal trainer field, and there are often many positions available. ACE officials say that, aside from being in top physical condition, troops are a good fit for personal trainers largely because they are used to a similar lifestyle.

"Dedication and perseverance is also important, because working with people can be a little challenging," ACE chief Scott Goudeseune told Military Times. "People who have been to Afghanistan and Iraq have spent a large amount of time working with people to rebuild their lives, so in many ways these people are already qualified to help others rebuild their lives [through fitness]."

The latest effort
This new push by ACE to bring down unemployment among veterans is just one of many efforts dedicated to the same cause. There has been considerable success as of late, with the post-9/11 unemployment rate dipping to 7.3 percent in May – even below that of the national average. However, there is still much work to be done, especially as hundreds of thousands of troops are expected to separate form service in the coming years. 

One of the most visible efforts is being championed by the White House. The Joining Forces initiative, which was created by first lady Michelle Obama more than two years ago, has seen some impressive success in its short existence. In that time, it has helped 290,000 servicemembers and military spouses find private sector jobs. 

Many options available
Of course, troops separating from service have options outside of the Joining Forces initiative and the ACE. For instance, AFBA's Career Center, which helps connect servicemembers with private companies looking to hire new workers. 

The western U.S. is no stranger to wildfires, but this year is shaping up to be one of the worst in recent memory. Colorado is already experiencing intense blazes raging outside of Colorado Springs, and as first responders rush to get the fires under control, the military is lending a hand. In addition to offering support on the ground, helicopters and C-130s from the Reserve 302nd Airlift Wing have been brought in to fight the fires from the air, according to Military Times. 

Historic flames
By Friday morning, the fires raging through Black Forest have been about 5 percent contained, and while that's progress compared to the earlier estimates, the area damaged by the flames is significant. Officials say that at least two people have died as a result and an estimated 379 homes have been destroyed. Additionally, 38,000 people have been evacuated from their homes and the fire has covered approximately 15,700 acres, The Denver Post reports.

Military plays increasing role
The C-130s were requested by the U.S. Forest Service on Tuesday, and by Wednesday they were up fighting the blaze. Each plane is equipped with the capability of discharging about 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant at once. Not only that, but it can be refilled and back in the air in just 12 minutes, proving that the planes are a vital tool in the fight against the wildfires. In addition to the C-130s, members of the National Guard are helping contain the blaze on the ground. El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa is certainly thankful.

"Mother Nature has really challenged us the last couple days," Maketa told NBC's "Today" show. "Today is supposed to be another windy day, and having all those bodies will certainly be an asset, because it's really two fronts fighting the fire.

More than Colorado
Although Colorado has seen the most substantial fires so far, California has also been greatly affected this year. Earlier this month, flames hit communities located near Los Angeles and burned an estimated 41 square miles, causing the evacuation of around 1,000 homes, according to The Associated Press. Fires throughout New Mexico have also caused a significant amount of damage including to areas near the capital city of Santa Fe. 

June 14 is recognized as Flag Day, but it also marks the anniversary of the Army's creation, and this year marks the branch's 238th birthday. The milestone is being observed in a variety of different ways across the country, but one of the biggest celebrations is at Mount Vernon, according to the Army's official website.

The birthday celebrations began several days ago when Secretary of the Army John McHugh visited the former residence of George Washington to lay a wreath at the first president's crypt. He was one of hundreds on hand for the occasion, and aside from recognizing Washington's important role in the founding of the U.S., they also paid tribute to the integral role he played in the formation of the Army.

"Not only was George Washington first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was the first military official to recognize Soldiers who served and sacrificed for what we now call the Purple Heart," Ann Bookout, the regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, said at the ceremony. 

There was also a ceremony held at the Pentagon on Thursday where McHugh, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Ray Odierno, and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel all spoke. 

Congress and the White House are often at odds with one another, and it is no different when it comes to the proposed military budget. This was certainly the case recently when the House Armed Services Committee released its proposed 2014 budget. Although White House officials agreed on some of the bill's components, there are a number of areas they took issue with, including concerns surrounding veterans benefits and healthcare costs, Military.com reports.

TRICARE causes friction
The Pentagon has to cut hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade, and an increase to TRICARE fees is one of the ways officials have proposed reducing spending. The new bill from the HSAC ran counter to urges from the DOD and the White House to implement a slight increase in the enrollment fees for TRICARE Prime, as well as implementing similar fees for TRICARE Standard/Extra and TRICARE for Life. In its response to the HSAC's bill, the White House said that while it recognizes veterans have earned these helpful health benefits, it's also important to take advantage of the substantial savings that exist. 

"The projected fiscal year 2014 TRICARE savings of $902 million and $9.3 billion through FY 2018 are essential for DOD to successfully address rising personnel costs," White House officals wrote. "DOD needs these savings to balance and maintain investments for key defense priorities, especially amidst significant fiscal challenges posed by statutory spending caps."

Lower pay raises an issue
Increased TRICARE fees weren't the issue where government officials disagree. The Pentagon also floated the idea of lowering the annual pay raise active duty troops receive to 1 percent instead of the 1.8 percent that would put them in line with civilian pay. The White House says the original plan both recognizes the work of servicemembers while dealing with the reality of sequestration and budgetary concerns. 

What lies ahead
It remains to be seen whether the HSAC's bill moves forward through Congress, but experts speculate that it would likely be vetoed should it reach the president's desk. Still, something needs to be done about healthcare costs. According to The Associated Press, military healthcare costs could hit $65 billion by 2017 and then reach $95 billion by 2030. In 2001, those figures stood at just $19 billion. 

Transitioning from the military to civilian life can certainly be a challenge. Many servicemembers struggle with adjusting to the different lifestyle, but a new program from the Department of Defense aims to make it easier for troops to find employment opportunities, return to school or start a business, according to Military.com.

Known as Transition GPS, the program features several different components. For instance, the 5-Day Core Curriculum gives servicemembers the chance to sit in on classes focused on financial planning, what benefits are available to them and how to transition their skills to the civilian workforce. Additionally, the Pre-Separation Assessment and Individual Counseling component gives troops the chance to talk about their career goals and what they expect out of their transition.

The effort on behalf of the DOD may help make life after the military a bit easier for servicemembers. According to a 2011 study from Pew Research Center, approximately 44 percent of post-9/11 veterans had some difficulty re-entering civilian life.

Researchers also determined that there were a number of factors that made transition harder. Those who experience emotional or physical trauma during their service often encountered the greatest obstacles. Additionally, knowing someone who was killed or injured also had an impact.

Many servicemembers make use of the GI Bill to help them achieve their educational goals after leaving the military. In fact, nearly 500,000 people took advantage of this popular benefit in 2012, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Now, a new proposal is making its way through Congress that would help troops out even more, but it is meeting some pushback from schools. The two bills would require public universities to offer servicemembers and veterans in-state tuition, but critics claim that could cause a significant blow to the schools' revenue, according to Military Times.

Tuition changes have support
There are two bills that are causing issues. The first, the GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act, would require schools to reduce tuition rates for military students, while the other, the Veterans Education Equity Act, focuses on schools offering non-resident students resident tuition rates. So far, only the GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act has been approved by a congressional committee. Even still, any efforts to make it easier, and more affordable, for veterans and servicemembers to return to school have been applauded by advocacy groups, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars. They point to the fact that having to pay out-of-state rates often takes a significant toll on veterans' finances.

"This oversight forces veterans to either drop out or find other ways to pay for college through financial aid programs, full-time employment or amassing student loan debt even when they make a good faith effort to legally reside in a state and attend a public school," Ryan Gallucci of the VFW told the news source.

Not everyone's on board
Although the schools do not question the fact that troops deserve their well-earned education benefits, some of their criticisms stem from the fact that there isn't enough time to implement significant changes in their state laws. The biggest issues stem from the fact that the GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act requires states to change their laws by 2014. In testimony before the Senate, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities said that's simply not enough time.

A far reaching impact
Changes to the GI Bill could have an impact on a large number of troops in the near future. The U.S. is still on course to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014, and the Army is looking to trim thousands of soldiers over the next several years.

There's no denying that servicemembers are among the most physically fit people in the world, but do their skills translate to the football field? One Navy officer is about to find out. Eric Kettani is trying to find his way on to the roster of the Washington Redskins, and the team's coaches feel good about his chances, according to The Associated Press.

An unusual path
Although the service academies have storied gridiron traditions, especially with Navy being a postseason staple in recent years, it's not all that often that you see servicemembers in the NFL. However, Kettani has been close for the last several years. He began his career with the New England Patriots but was on the team's reserve list because he was serving three years of active duty. Last season, he was on the Patriots' practice squad, but after being released he found his way to Washington. Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan is certainly impressed with his work ethic both on and off the field. 

"It's quite unusual to do what he's done," he told the AP. "To have that type of drive [to do] what he does for the service [and] what he does on the football field keeps him pretty busy. He's got a chance to compete for a position."

Kettani, who played running back at Navy, is confident he can make the final cut as well. He says he understands the game better now than he did when he was in school, and anticipates being added to the final 53-man roster when the season begins in September.

Select company
While he has yet to make the final roster,Kettani is already breathing rarified air. Not many graduates from the service academies have achieved NFL stardom in recent years. Perhaps the most famous Naval Academy graduate to make it big in professional football, Super Bowl MVP Roger Staubach, retired from the Dallas Cowboys more than 30 years ago. The last Naval Academy graduate to play in the NFL was also a running back. Kyle Eckel, who graduated in 2005, enjoyed a brief but successful career with the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints, where he won a Super Bowl in 2009. He last played in 2010 with the Denver Broncos. 

As the economy continues to improve and a number of programs begin to take hold, the unemployment rate among post-9/11 veterans has been steadily dropping in recent months, and that trend continued in May. Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that the unemployment rate among veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan fell to 7.3 percent last month, which may be an indication  that the concerted effort to help vets find employment opportunities is paying off.

Significant progress
To truly appreciate how much the unemployment figures for young veterans have improved recently, the public need only look back one year. In May 2012, the unemployment rate for Iraq and Afghanistan vets sat at 12.3 percent. Ever since, that number has been steadily dropping, and although some critics suggest the sample size is too small to draw any substantial conclusions, the continued improvement suggests it's a long-standing trend. In fact, for veterans of all ages, the unemployment rate in May stood at about 6.6 percent – lower than the national average of 7.6 percent. Advocates are encouraged by the success, but say there's still more work to be done.

"This is an extremely positive step," Tom Tarantino, chief policy officer for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, told NBC News. "It's the result of a lot of hard work by a lot of people both in and out of the government. But this isn't the time to take our eye off the ball."

A collective effort
Bringing down the unemployment rate among the youngest veterans has been the result of collaboration between both private businesses and the government. At the center of the effort is the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, which made its way through Congress in 2011. The legislation included language geared toward making it easier for vets to find employment opportunities after separating from service. It aimed to expand education and training, improve transition assistance and help troops transfer the skills they learned in the service to the civilian world.

However, efforts to reduce unemployment weren't just limited to Congress. Servicemembers could also head to AFBA'S Career Center, which not only helps connect veterans with companies that are hiring but also offers assistance with networking and other important aspects of the job search.