The ALS challenge – a sensation that sent shivers through the Internet by daring candidates to pour a bucket of freezing ice water over their heads to raise awareness and funds to combat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – has been officially barred by the Defense Department for servicemembers in uniform, according to Military Times.
Avoiding endorsements
According to the news source, the DoD Office of General Counsel issued an edict saying that Defense Department employees and current servicemembers could not participate in the challenge while in uniform, and that included civilian uniforms as well. The DoD holds that participating in the challenge while in uniform could be construed as an official DoD endorsement, which could be considered a breech of ethics because the ALS Association is a private nonprofit organization.
Military officials are not the only government workers who have been warned against participating in the ice-bucket challenge. The Associated Press reported that U.S. diplomats will also be barred from the activities. Lawyers at the State Department sent a cable recently saying that U.S. ambassadors and high-profile foreign service officers could not participate in the ALS Association-favored activities for similar reasons – such actions would infringe on federal ethics rules because the organization is a private entity.
"There are firmly established rules preventing the use of public office, such as our ambassadors, for private gain, no matter how worthy a cause," the cable said, according to the AP. "Thus, high-ranking State Department officials are unfortunately unable to participate in the ice-bucket challenge. We since wish the ALS Association continued success in its ice-bucket campaign, and in its fight against Lou Gehrig's disease."
Contributing people
One U.S. ambassador had already participated in the ice-bucket challenge before the cable was sent, according to the AP. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro poured ice water on himself and challenged another ambassador before receiving the cable. Additionally, Military.com has hosted a video of Vice Adm. Ted Carter – the superintendent of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland – and commandant of midshipmen Capt. William Byrne taking the ice-bucket challenge. Although the officials are out of uniform, they are assisted by two other military members in naval attire.
The ice-bucket challenge has attracted a flurry of rock stars, celebrities and high-profile individuals to help raise awareness and funds for ALS. Former Commander in Chief George W. Bush was recently doused with cold water. He challenged Bill Clinton – another former commander in chief. President Barack Obama was challenged previously but chose to donate to the cause and forego the cold water instead.
Earlier this year, TRICARE, a health care program of the U.S. Department of Defense Military Health System, stopped funding certain diagnostic genetic tests, deeming them medically unnecessary, according to the Albuquerque Journal. That forced servicemembers to pay out of pocket for particular tests ordered by civilian doctors. For example, servicemembers receiving BRCA1 and BRCA2 tests for breast cancer and in-utero cystic fibrosis were not covered by the military health organization, according to Military Times.
Fortunately, Military Times reported servicemembers will regain coverage for 35 diagnostic genetic tests starting Sept. 1. Additionally, those servicemembers that had to pay out of pocket for genetic tests since Jan. 1 may be able to receive retroactive reimbursement, according to the TRICARE website. It is all part of a three-year program aimed at offering military members the safest and most effective methods of treatment and preventative care.
Fixing the previous conflict
TRICARE was forced to discontinue funding for diagnostic genetic tests because the procedures are largely not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Military Times reported. By law, TRICARE is barred from providing funding for medications and equipment not approved by the FDA. Previously, the FDA did not attempt to approve the laboratory-developed tests because they were considered inexpensive, easy to administer and procedures did not leave patients at risk. However, advancements in technology have changed the nature of LDTs, and some of the tests compete with similar FDA-approved procedures.
The new program
Currently, particular guidelines for the new program are still in development, according to TRICARE. However, there is a specific method of obtaining approval for TRICARE funds outlined by the organization. LDT-seeking servicemembers must first meet a test's coverage guidelines, receive prior authorization from a registered contractor and receive care from an accredited clinical laboratory. The organization noted that prenatal and preconception cystic fibrosis carrier screenings come with fewer limitations.
The change is meant to provide patients with more reliable test results over time as the FDA seeks to increase oversight of LDTs and establish a set of regulatory guidelines, Military Times reported.
"Ensuring that doctors and patients have access to safe, accurate and reliable diagnostic tests to help guide treatment decisions is a priority," FDA commissioner Margaret Hamburg, M.D., told Military Times. "Inaccurate test results could cause patients to seek unnecessary treatment or delay and sometimes forgo treatment altogether."
Just two days after President Barack Obama deployed 130 military advisers to northern Iraq to assess an unfolding situation regarding an estimated 40,000 civilian Yazidis who had taken refuge on Mount Sinjar, Obama has said that a rescue mission will probably not be necessary and additional humanitarian airdrops will most likely not be needed, according to a statement from the White House.
A successful effort
According to Obama, U.S. military humanitarian airdrops managed to deliver over 114,000 meals and 35,000 gallons of water to Yazidis atop Mount Sinjar. U.S. forces were joined in the effort by United Kingdom forces and other allies, and airdrops were made on a nightly basis. The Iraqi civilians – who managed to escape dangerous Islamic State of Iraq and Levant forces – may have dehydrated and starved atop Mount Sinjar without the aid.
Not only that, but Obama stated that military strikes managed to break ISIL forces' hold of the area.
"Our military was able to successfully strike ISIL targets around the mountain, which improved conditions for civilians to evacuate the mountain safely," Obama said.
Fewer civilians than expected
Whereas some believed tens of thousands of civilian refugees may have been stranded on Mount Sinjar – NPR reporter Tom Bowman reported there were estimates of around 40,000 Yazidis stuck on the summit – American military advisers found far fewer civilians on the mountain. Military Times reported a U.S. military and civilian team found there were close to 4,000 Iraqi civilians on Mount Sinjar.
Supposedly, there were so few civilians compared to previous estimates because the U.S. military measures earlier this week allowed civilians to escape the mountain after dark, according to Obama. Now, the remaining civilian groups will be aided by friendly ground forces to facilitate safe evacuations.
"The civilians who remain continue to leave, aided by Kurdish forces and Yazidis who are helping to facilitate the safe passage of their families. So the bottom line is, is that the situation on the mountain has greatly improved and Americans should be very proud of our efforts," Obama said.
Looking forward, the president warned that the situation is not over for Iraqi civilians or defensive forces yet. ISIL forces still threaten much of the Iraqi populace and American support is still necessary.
"We will continue air strikes to protect our people and facilities in Iraq. We have increased the delivery of military assistance to Iraqi and Kurdish forces fighting ISIL on the front lines," Obama said.
According to Department of Defense News, President Barack Obama has ordered 130 advisers into Iraq to advise and assess the situation there. The additional troops will observe humanitarian efforts regarding displaced Iraqi Civilians on Mount Sinjar and develop plans to evacuate the people safely.
No combat for newest wave of troops
The additional troops have already touched down in Irbil, Iraq, according to a NPR. The 130 additional advisers will join 90 U.S. military advisers in Baghdad, another 160 in two operation centers, 455 members of U.S. security forces and another 100 military personnel in the Office of Security Cooperation in the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, according to The Associated Press. The 130 troops have been called "assessors" by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, who has stated the personnel will not serve any combat purpose.
"Very specifically, this is not a combat 'boots-on-the- ground' operation," Hagel told a group of marines and soldiers, according to DoD news. "We're not going to have that kind of operation."
According to a statement read by a military official, the servicemembers will "assess the scope of the humanitarian mission and develop additional humanitarian assistance options beyond the current airdrop effort in support of displaced Iraqi civilians trapped on Sinjar Mountain by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant," DoD news reported.
Obama has stated that new ground combat personnel will not be sent into Iraq. The AP reported that Obama will cap the number of troops that can be sent into the region. However, the 130 additional advisors do not count toward that amount because they have been authorized to provide humanitarian assistance.
The situation
According to The Independent, roughly 40,000 Yazidis fled to Mount Sinjar to escape Islamic ISIL forces, and the United Nations has warned that a potential mass atrocity or genocide could happen within days or hours. Humanitarian efforts have managed to airdrop water, food and other resources to the Yazidis, however there is still no long term solution for the civilians who have been surrounded on the mountain.
Additionally, U.S. airstrikes will be used to deter ISIL forces from advancing on Mount Sinjar and Irbil. However, some suggest that armed forces will be needed to escort Yazidi civilians off of the mountain. According to NPR, the possibility of airlifting the civilians off of the mountain is slim because of the number of people will require too large an effort.
From his gift for stand-up comedy to his role as a nanny in "Mrs. Doubtfire," Robin Williams won the hearts and laughs of millions. But there's another side of the legendary actor and comic that some overlook. He was also showed incredible support to American soldiers.
Over a decade of performing for troops
According to Fox News, Williams participated in United Service Organization tours for over a decade, traveling to war zones in 13 countries and performing stand-up for nearly 90,000 troops. His respect for servicemembers of the U.S. ran deep, and he even spoke about his experience performing for soldiers in an interview with ABC News back in 2012.
"I'm so honored to meet them and know what they've gone through and say, 'Hey dude,' this is just something that really humbles me," Williams said, according to the news source.
Servicemembers remember Robin Williams
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel issued a statement Aug. 11, reading, "The entire Department of Defense community mourns the loss of Robin Williams. Robin was a gifted actor and comedian, but he was also a true friend and supporter of our troops. From entertaining thousands of service men and women in war zones, to his philanthropy that helped veterans struggling with hidden wounds of war, he was a loyal and compassionate advocate for all who serve this nation in uniform. He will be dearly missed by the men and women of DoD – so many of whom were personally touched by his humor and generosity."
Even off the stage during his USO tours, Williams showed his dedication to soldiers by visiting those who couldn't see his routine, according to ABC News' global correspondent Martha Raddatz.
"He would be tireless at these performances," Raddatz said in an ABC News report. "He would perform in the big shows where everyone could go see him, but when others were performing, he'd sneak away and go to the guard posts and the dining facilities to visit those soldiers and marines who weren't able to come to the big show."
The loss of Williams reverberated through every sector of the armed forces, even warranting a statement from President Barack Obama .
"Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything in between," Obama said "But he was one of a kind. He arrived in our lives as an alien – but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit. He made us laugh. He made us cry. He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most – from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalized on our own streets. The Obama family offers our condolences to Robin's family, his friends, and everyone who found their voice and their verse thanks to Robin Williams."
President Barack Obama recently told reporters that U.S. combat troops would not be entering Iraq again, according to The Associated Press. However, some officials say that servicemembers are needed in the area to provide countermeasures against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria forces.
More than a campaign promise
One of the reasons Obama has refused to place more troops on the ground in Iraq follows a campaign pledge he made to retract forces in the area, but there are also logistical issues with keeping armed forces in the country. According to Obama, the Iraqi government called for the departure of American forces because officials could not agree to grant U.S. forces legal immunity. This would have left troops subject to an Iraqi judicial process during their time in the country.
Instead of carrying out defensive measures using troops, Obama has focused on a series of targeted airstrikes on ISIS forces to protect American personnel in Iraq and Iraqi civilians on Mount Sinjar. Obama noted that IS advances on Irbil – a region in Iraq with a consulate holding American troops and diplomats – have been quicker than expected, but airstrikes have already destroyed ISIS arms and equipment.
Why others call for troops
While U.S. forces try to keep ISIS militants out of Irbil to protect American personnel, there is a second mission to protect 40,000 Iraqi Yazidis on Mount Sinjar from militant advances. Civilians trapped on the mountain have already received air drops of food and water, but some military officials suggest that ground forces are needed to protect the citizens, according to Military Times.
While airdropped resources help Yazidi civilians survive on Mount Sinjar, there are concerns about getting the civilians off the mountain, which has been surrounded by ISIS forces.
"You're talking about a 10,000- to 15,000-soldier effort to include maintenance, and medevac and security," retired Army Col. Peter Mansoor, told Military Times."But that is the price you're going to pay if you want to roll back [Islamic State]. You can't just snap your fingers and make it go away,"
Monsoor suggested that security forces would be needed to lead Yazidis through ISIS territory to safety. Without boots on the ground, the only other option may include massive helicopter airlifts of Iraqi civilians from Mount Sinjar if further airstrikes do not effectively hold militants back.
Effective airstrikes
However, retired Air Force Col. Mark Gunzinger, told Military Times that airstrikes may be very effective in Iraq because the U.S. has enough drones to keep a near constant presence overhead, and ISIS militants may not have anti-aircraft equipment capable of defending against coordinated airstrikes.
Some specifics regarding airstrikes have still not yet been explained by authorities. While some suggest airstrikes may only be used for defensive purposes around Irbil and Mount Sinjar, there is the possibility that a bigger effort may be coordinated.
"There is still some question about whether this is going to be a major air campaign to defeat [ISIS] or whether it is going to be more along the lines of strikes and raids to deny them access and prevent them from making further advances. I'm not sure," Gunzinger told Military Times.
Just months ago, Capt. Justin Fitch was marching for miles at a time with an 80-pound rucksack on his back. Now, he has trouble even walking, but he's still working to complete one final mission – help cut down what has become a surge of veteran suicides.
Fighting cancer for a cause
According to the U.S. Army, Fitch was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in May 2012. Since then, the servicemember has raised thousands of dollars to benefit the Active Heroes "Carry the Fallen" campaign. Active Heroes started the campaign to raise awareness and money for veterans and their families affected by post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide.
The organization reported that 22 veterans commit suicide every day, and the goal is to drop that number to zero.
Fitch himself raised just under $60,000 to benefit the effort in a single ruck march on the weekend of Sept. 11. Military Times reported Fitch's group – Team Minuteman – raised $112,000 for Active Heroes through the "Carry the Fallen" campaign. That money will go toward helping veterans repair their homes and establish a veteran retreat in in Shepherdsville, Kentucky.
Transitioning roles
Now, Fitch is working to transition to a leadership role in raising Active Heroes funds due to the weakness caused by his illness. Since his diagnosis, Fitch has had 41 chemotherapy treatments, has gone through several surgeries and has lost 55 pounds and much of his digestive system in medical procedures, Military Times reported. As the captain's health fades, doctors state that he may only have months to live.
Far from able to throw on the 80-pound rucksack and march for miles at a time anymore, Fitch will still be attending the "Carry the Fallen" marches. He'll be riding along in the command-and-control vehicle, encouraging his fellow teammates. The next marches start on Sept. 6 and Nov. 8, according to the organization's website. The group plans to raise $250,000 by the end of the year.
With generous servicemembers like Fitch, that goal may be possible. The servicemember donated $10,000 of his personal funds just recently. To Fitch, the efforts have a much deeper meaning.
"This is my final mission as a soldier, and even when I actually do get medically retired from the Army, I am going to push this mission until I can no longer physically do anything," Fitch told Military Times. "It's an impossible task it seems like some days, but even if its one life that we save, all the effort's worth it."
Recently, the Pentagon announced that a plethora of military equipment would be sent to Ukrainian forces to help control continued aggression from pro-Russian forces. Now, a newly announced plan – if approved by Congress – would send additional aid to the war torn nation along with U.S. servicemembers who would help train Ukrainian forces, according to USA Today.
The Defense Department announced Aug. 1 that it would send an $8 million aid package to Ukraine, which includes military equipment such as armored personnel carriers, cargo and patrol vehicles, binoculars, night vision goggles and small patrol boats. This followed a similar $7 million aid package in April. Both care packages are smaller than the newly proposed plan, however.
More aid, equipment and now trainers
According to The Hill, the U.S. military may send forces stationed in Europe or from the California National Guard to help equip and train Ukraine forces. The military would send members of the California National Guard because soldiers from the state have worked with Ukraine forces before. The servicemembers would help four companies of soldiers and one tactical headquarters of the Ukrainian national guard. Not only that, the measure aims to send $19 million in aid to the country.
"Our intent is to use $19 million in Global Security [Contingency] Fund authority," Rear Adm. John Kirby said, according to The Hill. "That's what the authority's for."
The news agency reported the fund was shared by Defense and State departments for counter terrorism initiatives and security training procedures.
Pushing forward
The plan comes after the European Union and the U.S. announced a new round of sanctions against Russia due to the internationally unrecognized annexation of Crimea and continued support of pro-Russian separatists in the region. According to USA Today, Kirby reported there were 10,000 Russian troops 35 miles outside of the Ukrainian border. Additionally, Russia has supplied separatists with lethal weapons – such as rocket launchers – and military vehicles. A Pentagon report also revealed Russian forces had launched artillery against Ukrainian soldiers.
Despite Russia backing separatist forces with, the U.S. and European Union have maintained that they would not send lethal weaponry into the country.
"The focus of our assistance remains on non-lethal. We continue to review requests for military assistance from the government of Ukraine through an interagency process," Kirby said, according to The Hill.
As of yet, the Pentagon does not plan to send any lethal weapons. However, the Ukraine government has requested anti-tank weaponry, small arms, F-16 fighter jets, anti-aircraft weaponry and other lethal equipment. U.S. officials maintain that there will be no U.S. military intervention in the region and the situation will solved by Ukraine forces. To avoid increasing tensions in the area, or making the territory less secure, military officials are poring through options to provide the most effective support to Ukraine. The increased support to Ukraine is a bipartisan measure coming from both Democrats and Republicans in Congress, according to The Hill.
Lawmakers recently introduced a bill that would require military health care to provide female servicemembers with FDA-approved contraceptives without co-pays, according to The Washington Times.
The bill was introduced by New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen and has collected 15 co-sponsors already. It comes after birth control was thrust into media spotlight by the U.S. Supreme Court's decision regarding Hobby Lobby, which allowed owners of tightly held for-profit companies to deny covering Plan-B contraceptives and IUDs on religious grounds.
"Female service members deserve access to the same basic health care as the women they protect, and it's unacceptable that they don't," Shaheen said in a press release. "Giving women in the military access to basic preventative health care, including contraception and family planning services, will strengthen our military as a whole and make sure no woman in uniform ever has to worry about how she's going to pay for her contraception."
The bill would require TRICARE – a health care service used by over 10 million servicemembers, veterans and families – to cover the cost of FDA-approved birth control. The organization could not collect co-payments or require cost-sharing either.
Currently, women who are on the active duty list do not have to pay for contraception or prescription drugs and do not have to spend money on co-pays, according to Politico. However, women who are off the active duty list and women who are dependents have to pay for co-pays.
Additionally, the bill crafted by Shaheen would require the military to provide counseling and family planning to female servicemembers. According to Army Times, the rate of unplanned pregnancy in servicemembers can be 50 percent higher compared to civilian women.
Shaheen's bill has received endorsements from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the National Women's Law Center and NARAL Pro-Choice America, The Washington Times reported.
Buying discounted tobacco products will be a thing of the past for military servicemembers, according to The Associated Press. Recently, the Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee slashed the 25 percent discount on tobacco products allowed to soldiers in a defense spending bill that will begin Oct. 1.
Promoting soldiers' health
While financial reasons have been have been cited among the reasons for the change, lawmakers and others mention the inherent health problems associated with tobacco products most frequently.
"I don't know if there's anybody in America who still thinks that tobacco is good for you," Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said, according to Stars and Stripes. "The dollars are one thing. But the health of your people — I don't know if you put a price tag on that."
According to the American Lung Association, soldiers that smoke frequently suffer a wide range of health concerns. On its webpage, the group reported that soldiers that smokers are more likely to suffer injuries, perform worse on military fitness evaluations and are more stressed than soldiers who do not smoke, according to reports. Additionally, smoking is one of the main predictors of military training failure.
Reducing smoking in servicemembers
Another noteworthy issue, studies show that members of the military tend to smoke at higher rates than civilians. According to the American Lung Association, 30 percent of all members in the armed forces smoked as of 2008. On top of that, 9.5 percent of military personnel smoked heavily.
The News Tribune reported that military leaders intend to dramatically decrease tobacco use in soldiers by 2020. The AP also reported that some lawmakers are attempting to restrict the use and sale of tobacco. However, Rep. Duncan Hunter had managed to convince members of the House Armed Services Committee in May that the right to smoke should be preserved for soldiers, calling the habit one of the few pleasures for a servicemember.