A new initiative to help veterans find employment was announced recently by the Obama administration. The plan will involve an existing job training program called the Solar Instructor Training Network, which educates people on how to install energy-efficient solar panels, according to WhiteHouse.gov.
The program
This training program will be introduced to 30 active soldiers this fall. It will then be expanded to train veterans. WhiteHouse.gov reported that the goal of the program is to prepare servicemembers for careers in the growing solar industry, helping reduce veteran unemployment rates while helping the environment.
The program will teach participants how to size solar panels, install them, link electricity to the grid and even understand local building codes. WhiteHouse.gov noted that major solar industry organizations, such as SunPower, SolarCity and Vivint Solar, have already pledged to offer interview opportunities to servicemembers who successfully complete the course.
Veteran unemployment
This initiative comes at a necessary time – post 9/11 veteran unemployment percentages currently exceed the national average. Roughly 7 percent of these former servicemembers are without work, versus 6.1 percent of people nationally, according to Army Times. While numbers have been declining recently, veterans still often face trouble finding a job in their life after service.
A recent survey released by Blue Star Families in partnership with Syracuse University's Institute for Veterans and Military Families shows the current challenges faced by today's servicemembers and their relatives. About 6,200 people took part in the survey, including active servicemembers, armed forces family members and veterans.
Blue Star, a nonprofit, aims to shed light on the difficulties faced by military families in order to better understand how to empower and help them.
The White House praised the work done by the group, which was formed in 2009. According to WhiteHouse.gov, the organization has been influential in helping military families all across the country build connections with one another. The group also puts on fundraisers to provide a variety of services to military families – from children's books to discounted theater tickets.
This year marks the fifth Blue Star survey, and it increased the focus on financial issues, mental health and the difficulties of transitioning back to civilian life. Topping the list of concerns were military lifestyle uncertainty, military spouse employment, impact of deployment on military children, changes to retirement benefits and military pay and benefits, according to the survey results.
The survey revealed some uplifting facts as well. For example, 80 percent of military couples report being very happy with their spouses, and 60 percent indicated that the military lifestyle has taught their children adaptability skills.
Sept. 18 marks the 67th birthday of the United States Air Force.
The armed forces branch was created in 1947 when President Harry S. Truman passed The National Security Act. According to Military.com, the Air Force has become about more than just flight – servicemembers also work in technical and support roles on the ground.
A celebration was held on Friday, Sept. 12, in Arlington, Virginia, reported CNBC. It featured performances by the U.S. Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants and the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team.
On the anniversary, current Air Force Secretary Deborah James reflected on past achievements and looked ahead to future obstacles. According to a piece she penned for The Denver Post, a strategic blueprint for the next 30 years was recently laid out, and a large focus will be placed on staying updated with cutting-edge technology.
James wrote in an op-ed for Air Force Times, "In the next three decades, we'll face declining defense budgets, changes in technology, nations and groups acquiring weapons, changing communications, and geopolitical instability. Our Airmen must prepare for a range of missions, and adapt ahead of the rapid pace of change."
Sept. 16 marks the one-year anniversary of the mass shooting at the Washington Navy Yard. The attack was performed by Aaron Alexis, a Navy contractor and former sailor who was speculated to be mentally ill, reported The Washington Post.
The random shooting was eventually stopped by Carl Hiott, a U.S. Park Police Officer, and Dorian DeSantis, a member of the D.C. tactical police team, according to The Washington Post.
Twelve people were killed during the rampage. Their names were read by Vice Adm. William Hilarides during a ceremony at the site of the attack and they were symbolically awarded the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal for Valor, according to Military Times.
Additionally, eight servicemembers were honored for their actions during the shooting. They were awarded the highest non-combat honor, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, for acting quickly, evacuating colleagues and offering emergency medical care to those wounded during the attack.
The shooting took place in the former headquarters of Naval Sea Systems Command, building 197. The building hasn't been used in a year due to the damage it sustained. Since 197's offices were moved to different offices in the area, many of the Naval employees hadn't seen one another since the attacks. Military Times described the ceremony as a bittersweet reunion.
Today President Obama is set to announce his plan for helping the Ebola crisis in West Africa. He will deliver the speech from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
According to The New York Times, the U.S. originally planned to send a mobile 25-bed hospital to Liberia, one of the countries struggling to combat the rapidly spreading disease. Due to the increasing severity of the situation, however, it appears much greater action will be taken.
The U.S. Agency for International Development reported that $100 million has already been devoted to fighting the disease, according to CNN. Obama will also ask Congress for an extra $88 million. These funds will be used to construct facilities to treat as many as 1,700 Ebola patients. The New York Times reported that the U.S. will also send 400,000 household medical kits to Liberia. These will contain items for disease prevention such as medicine, masks and gloves.
CNN noted that the U.S. also hopes to be instrumental in launching public health campaigns in areas where lack of information has caused the highly contagious disease to disperse quickly.
Obama will also announce his plans to send U.S. military and medical personnel to the affected region.
The New York Times reported that 3,000 troops will be sent to Liberia. The military will help with the construction of the new health centers, as well as with the training of medical workers. In order to handle the magnitude of the crisis, there are plans to train 500 workers per week.
According to CNN, Ebola has been responsible for an estimated 2,500 deaths already. While it is currently not seen as a threat to the health of Americans, Washington has declared the outbreak an issue of national security.
The previously all-male Ranger school training course is now open to women, reported Business Insider.
The course, which often leads to positions in Special Forces, Army Rangers and special operations units, is physically grueling and boasts an exclusive 50 percent graduation rate. According to Business Insider, 60 percent of dropouts occur within the first four days, although the complete course lasts 62 days.
Military Times reported that the program is looking for female volunteers both as course participants and advisors. In a statement issued by the Army, women who want to take part in the course will need to complete a challenging fitness prerequisite – if they can run 5 miles, do six chin-ups, 49 push-ups and 59 sit-ups in no longer than 40 minutes, they are welcome to apply.
The female course advisors are not official course instructors, and ultimately have no authority in student evaluations, noted Military Times. However, they too must complete physical, mental and leadership exams in order to be considered for the program.
The integrated Ranger program is expected to launch in the spring of 2015. Business Insider reported that its successful implementation depends on female servicemember interest and eligibility.
After spending time in the rural village of Hutal, Afghanistan, Staff Sgt. Jesse Knott was used to animals roaming the perimeter of his post. One cat, however, caught his attention.
Knott told USA Today that the tabby cat, which Knott has since named Koshka, didn't have the same fear of the soldiers as the other strays. Knott noticed that the cat was showing up abused – one time he appeared with a bleeding paw – so he decided to take action. With the assistance of his commander, he adopted Koshka, and the cat became a beloved pet for the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment.
After a suicide bomber claimed the lives of two of Knott's friends and colleagues, the cat became more than just a pet for him – he became a comforting source of love and support. According to Huffington Post, Knott's depression after the incident became so severe that he contemplated suicide. While Knott considered taking his own life, Koshka stepped in.
"I was in my office and he just started purring and head-bonking me, and patting my face with his paw. He climbed up on my shoulders and my head – I just could not get a moment to myself," Knott told USA Today.
It was at this point that Knott decided he wanted to get Koshka completely out of harm's way, reported The Huffington Post.
Knott took action, investing $3,000 to send Koshka to his parents in Oregon via a stop in Kabul. According to USA Today, Koshka has adapted remarkably well to life as an American house cat. Although Knott's parents still keep Koshka, Knott makes regular visits to his furry friend. He recently adopted more cats and a few dogs in his life after service to help him deal with his often crippling post-traumatic stress disorder, reported the source.
Six U.S. Army helicopters were forced to land unexpectedly when their flight from Lithuania to a temporary Polish base near the German border encountered bad weather. According to Bloomberg, the thick fog caused the aircrafts to land in a field in the remote village of Gruta – much to the surprise of the small, rural community.
Because the town is only 100 miles outside of Kaliningrad, Russia, residents were initially alarmed that the helicopters were related to the turmoil in Ukraine. Once the community of 1,600 people realized the commotion was being caused by Americans, however, they flocked to the field to meet the servicemembers and take pictures with them, reported CNN. They even handed out pamphlets written in English with information about their town. The village's website has been updated to include photographs from the exciting encounter.
Gruta resident Waldemar Krukowski told Bloomberg, "Those Americans were really heaven sent. Now, when I think about it we could have served them some food, but we were in shock and the boys had to go."
Military Times noted that the dangerous weather forced six other American helicopters to land in the town of Nowa Wies, roughly 290 miles away.
On Wednesday, Sept. 10, President Obama addressed the nation. His speech was mainly on the plans to handle the Islamic militant group calling themselves the Islamic State. The terrorist organization is currently located in Iraq and Syria, a country involved in a brutal civil war. It is responsible for the beheadings of two American journalists earlier this month.
A different direction
CNN noted that Obama's plans represent a shift from his usual strategies. He wants to help Syrian rebel soldiers fighting the militant group, something he was originally opposed to. The president also plans to authorize massive airstrikes over areas inhabited by the religious extremists, a more aggressive strategy than his previous plans. According to CNN, both his Democratic peers as well as members of the GOP applauded this forceful step.
Not a war
While Obama is taking military action, he made it very clear that the U.S. is not entering a war and that American troops would not be sent to fight. According to The Washington Post, the president wanted to make sure civilians understood that this situation would not be like the war in Iraq, but rather a mission to stomp out terrorists. CNN noted that America will be sending 475 military advisors to Iraq. These servicemembers will be helping arm and instruct local fighters.
The takeaway
Ultimately, the president wanted his goal to be heard.
"Our objective is clear: We will degrade, and ultimately destroy, ISIL through a comprehensive and sustained counterterrorism strategy," he stated.
Currently, Obama believes he has enough power, based on policies enacted when the U.S. was fighting Al Qaeda, to authorize putting his plan into action, noted CNN. According to The Washington Post, the president hopes to gain extra support and resources from Congress to implement his plans as successfully as possible.
President Obama is set to announce his strategy for dealing with the Islamic militant issue in Syria on Wednesday, Sept. 10. According to CNN, Obama's plan will include economic, diplomatic and military action.
In a recent interview on NBC's "Meet the Press," the president touched upon some of the topics he will cover in his national address. He mentioned the implementation of a three-step plan that would include increasing airstrikes and further investigating members of the radical group who have started referring to themselves as the Islamic State. He described the new strategy as including more offensive tactics – something many have been hoping for since the extremist organization beheaded two American journalists earlier this month.
The New York Times noted that these gruesome murders, which were documented on video and distributed internationally via the Internet, have been instrumental in Obama's decisions. They have also swayed public opinion toward taking military action. The president considered using missiles in Syria last year when Bashar al-Assad began using chemical weapons, but he decided to cancel the plan when he received a lack of support from Congress. The determination and growing power of Islamic militants, however, has radically altered the political climate, according to the Times.
CNN noted that even though military action is a facet of the strategy, as of now President Obama will not be putting U.S. troops on the ground. Instead, he plans to provide support for Syrian and Iraqi troops. He told "Meet the Press" that while the religious extremist group is not currently an imminent threat to the U.S., it could evolve to be a problem if not handled properly and quickly.
"What I want people to understand is that over the course of months, we are going to be able to not just blunt the momentum of (ISIS), we are going to systematically degrade their capabilities, we're going to shrink the territory that they control and ultimately, we're going to defeat them," Obama said.