Soldiers stationed in Senegal, Liberia, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan will be receiving traditional Thanksgiving dinners this year, reported Military Times. Because some of these missions were not planned to keep troops overseas through the holidays or are fairly new, it was unclear for a while whether turkey dinners would make it to the hardworking servicemembers. The source noted that holiday meals are usually ordered in the spring, but officials were able to secure extra food.
Iraq will be receiving significantly less food this year, since the military presence in the nation has been greatly reduced. Military Times reported that in 2009, nearly 500,000 pounds of turkey were shipped to troops stationed in this country, while this year 78,000 pounds is enough to feed the remaining soldiers. The Thanksgiving package for Iraq, in addition to Kuwait and Jordan, will also include pies, beef, shrimp, eggnog and ham.
This taste of home will be especially welcome by troops working to eradicate Ebola in West Africa. Military Times reported that dining facilities have yet to be constructed for these servicemembers, and they have been mostly eating rations occasionally paired with fresh produce. Liberia alone will receive 2,000 pounds of turkey, 300 pounds of cranberry sauce and 500 pies, some flavors including sweet potato, cherry, pumpkin, pecan and apple.
Soldiers who have recently returned from these infected regions, while they will be in the U.S. for the holiday, will not be able to spend it with loved ones. Military policy currently requires servicemembers to undergo a 21-day quarantine when they come back from West Africa. According to CBS, officials are trying to do everything they can for these soldiers who will spend Thanksgiving in isolation. Turkey dinners will be served, and troops will be assigned "personal shoppers" to bring them food or items they missed when they were overseas.
"We want it to be as positive of an experience as it can be," Col. John Allen told WTKR-TV.
All over the nation, memorials were held on the morning of Thursday, Sept. 11, remembering the thousands of victims who were killed in the terrorist attacks 13 years ago, including a number of first responders who died trying to save the lives of civilians.
In San Diego, 900 people climbed the stairs of the Hilton San Diego Bay Front Hotel, holding photos of victims. The hotel was chosen because it has 110 floors – the same number of floors as the World Trade Center, noted ABC 10 News. To honor first responders, many participants wore SWAT and firefighter apparel. Similar tributes were organized in Ohio, Florida and Texas and all over the country.
Back in New York, blue rays of light emerged from the former location of the Twin Towers on Wednesday night. In the morning, Lower Manhattan observed a moment of silence for the fallen at 8:46 and 9:03, the times when the planes hit the towers, according to The New York Times. Family members of victims read the names of their loved ones out loud in a memorial ceremony.
In Washington D.C., the Pentagon, another building that was attacked, unveiled an American flag on its side as the sun rose. This was followed by a remembrance ceremony hosted by President Obama for families who lost loved ones in the attacks, according to NBC Washington. The president gave a speech commending the strength of these families and the nation as a whole.
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.
The U.S. military is eagerly attempting to push into the final frontier. After awarding aerospace firm Northrop Grumman with a $3.9 million contract from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the company has released its first conceptual renderings of its proposed XS-1 space plane project.
The XS-1 space plane
Pictures from Purch show a windowless aircraft roughly the size of an F-15 fighter jet traveling through the upper atmosphere. DARPA is searching for a space plane that would make spaceflight more inexpensive and conventional, Fox News reported. Northrop Grumman is designing an unmanned space plane equipped with reusable boosters for maximum cost effectiveness and military benefits. Officials working with Northrop Grumman stated that the company is qualified to meet U.S. government demands, and it is prepared to collaborate with other organizations to achieve spaceflight goals.
"Our team is uniquely qualified to meet DARPA's XS-1 operational system goals, having built and transitioned many developmental systems to operational use, including our current work on the world's only commercial spaceline, Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo," Doug Young, vice president for missile defense and advanced missions at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, said in a statement. "We plan to bundle proven technologies into our concept that we developed during related projects for DARPA, NASA and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory."
A modern space race
Northrop Grumman is not the only company commissioned to design the military space plane. According to Fox News, Boeing and Masten Space Systems also won contracts to create design plans over a yearlong time period in July. However, there are other companies entering the mix, too, as the competing companies vie for government approval. Masten has already reached out to XCOR Aerospace for assistance, and Boeing has teamed up with Jeff Bezos' firm Blue Origin to help envision its design.
Ultimately, DARPA aims to construct a reusable aircraft capable of flying 10 times within 10 days. The weight of the craft is intended to be between 3,000 and 5,000 pounds during orbit, and the total cost of each flight should be under $5 million, officials told Fox News. All things considered, each company is in the very early stages of aircraft design. However, DARPA predicts test flights may occur as early as next year. After picking a single company's design, officials state that initial flight missions of the XS-1 may begin in 2018.
Another American civilian has been killed in Syria – this time, he was fighting for ISIL. The New York Times reported that American Douglas McAuthur McCain was killed by members of the Free Syrian Army, which is a U.S.-supported Syrian coalition fighting against President Bushar Al-Assad. Perhaps more concerning than McCain's involvement with the extremist ISIL militants is something Free Syrian Army forces found on his person – a U.S. passport that may have allowed McCain to travel home to America unhindered.
Westerners join ISIL
According to BBC News, a reasonable amount of westerners have left their home countries to join ISIL militants in regions of Iraq and Syria. The fear is that these individuals may head home after meeting with ISIL, creating a security concern and paving the way for future terrorist activities on the home front. The Daily Beast stated that U.S. intelligence claimed that more than 100 Americans have traveled to Syria to fight alongside Sunni terrorist forces. Even more concerning, the news source alleged that between six and 12 Americans who traveled to Syria to fight Assad have already returned home, according to U.S. senior intelligence officials. Now, officials are left worrying whether returners may have come home to commit terrorist activities.
The culture of ISIL
Others claim that those involved in past terrorism plots are different from the militants fighting for ISIL. Whereas Al-Qaeda encouraged its members to sneak into foreign nations to commit crimes against unknowing civilian populations, some say ISIL is more concerned with bringing fighters to their home front in order to expand their caliphate.
"[McCain's] death is further evidence that Americans are going there to fight for [ISIL] rather than to train as terrorists to attack at home," said Richard Barrett, a former British intelligence officer, according to the Times. "Nor does it appear that [ISIL] regards Americans as assets that are too valuable to risk on the front line rather than to keep in reserve for terrorist attacks or propaganda purposes."
While ISIL continues to push the reaches of their captured territory, officials are uncertain whether the group will focus on different strategies when faced with increasing American airstrikes.
Earlier this month, ISIL forces murdered American journalist James Foley, warning American officials that more U.S. hostages may suffer a similar fate if American airstrikes persisted, according to CNN.
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."
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."
Living in a public private venture housing – the military housing you see around bases – can be very beneficial for servicemembers, but now, it's more beneficial for the environment as well. PPV home tenants normally have their rent and utility payments covered by a Base Allowance for Housing, which is taken out of servicemember paychecks. However, new standards for the Navy, Army and Air Force have set a limit on utility usage to reduce energy costs, according to Forbes.
Program details
According to a military Resident Energy Conservation Program release, every month, servicemembers will receive a BAH based on the type of home they live in. Similar homes are put into groups and the average usage for each home type is calculated on a monthly basis to find an operating average. Because the operating average is determined on a monthly basis, fluctuations based on seasonal weather is taken into account. A 10 percent buffer above and below the operating average allows servicemembers a low and high usage limit and a normal usage window. Servicemembers that fall below the normal usage limit can collect rebates and credits based on the difference. On the other hand, servicemembers that go above the normal usage limit will have to pay extra costs.
This gives military personnel an incentive to cut their energy costs and maintain living standards less harmful to the environment. An added benefit, according to Forbes, this may also increase the demand for more energy-efficient homes outside of military neighborhoods as servicemembers transition to civilian life.
Soldiers and the military save money
Following a Navy Resident Energy Conservation Program that showed a 20 percent reduction in utility usage among residents that had to pay their own utility bills, the military adopted the RECP for naval homes in 2013, according to military data. Following the adoption in the Navy's southeast region, residents saved as much as $20 on each utility bill and decreased monthly CO2 emissions by 62 metric tons over a period of a few months. Additionally, Balfour Beatty Communities reported that among 3,900 participating homes, residents reduced energy consumption by 90,000 kilowatt-hours within months.
It's all part of a military measure to reduce costs after facing budget cuts, Forbes reported. Greater energy efficiency is one way the military intends to reduce spending without sacrificing operational effectiveness.
Following the order of Texas Gov. Rick Perry, about 1,000 Texas National Guard soldiers will be dispatched to the Texas-Mexico border. However, these servicemembers will only serve in a listening and observation capacity, according to Military Times. Instead of making regular patrols or apprehending illegal immigrants themselves, the troops intend to watch for individuals who plan to cross the border and alert the Department of Public Safety.
Guarding the border in a different capacity
Although the soldiers will be armed with guns, the weapons are intended to be used only if self defense is necessary. This has been common procedure in similar operations, according to Air Force Maj. Gen. John Nichols.
"They're allowed to defend themselves," he said, according to Military Times. "They will be armed, but it's for personal safety, to defend themselves. We've done Operation Jump Start, Operation River Watch, which were federally funded operations, where in those cases we helped U.S. Customs and Border Protection. We were armed then. The same rules applied."
Instead of walking the border and patrolling, National Guard servicemembers will be stationed at a series of observation posts. Equipped with helicopters with infrared sensors, guardsmen will watch over the border and call DPS if any immigrants are spotted. From that point, it's up to the DPS to interview the people and follow the necessary procedures.
A massive undertaking and an uncertain timeline
Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol and DPS patrol an area that stretches for 320 miles at the edge of the Rio Grande bordering Mexico, according to KVUE – an Austin, Texas, news service. Covering all of that area presents many logistical and resource issues for border patrol forces, according to security officials.
The mission for the National Guard is expected to start within the next two and a half weeks, and around 1,000 troops are expected to be stationed at the border within 45 days. Before going, the troops will be expected to train to a certain extent, learning the to use basic phrases to reduce the language barrier between them and immigrating foreigners.
National Guard servicemembers a normally dispatched for 2 to 3 weeks at a time. However, some say this mission could last over a year, which means soldiers will have to be rotated.
A year-long mission with rotating soldiers means more manpower and money will be necessary for successful completion. The service could cost the state up to $144 million dollars or more, according to KVUE.
The ReWalk exoskeleton device has become a stunning marvel for paralyzed individuals, and after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the use of the system in the community and at home in late June, it has changed the lives of some wounded soldiers.
Improving the lives of servicemembers
A feature by the Military Times Group tells the story of 30-year-old, Marine Capt. Derek Herrera, who was paralyzed by a sniper's bullet in Afghanistan June 2012. The 6-foot 2-inch Naval Academy graduate goes about his day by wheelchair for a majority of the time, but three times a week, Herrera, an active duty servicemember in a special operations unit, straps himself into the ReWalk exoskeleton device and strolls the floors of a physical therapy room at 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion.
The best part about the experience, Herrera said, is the ability to talk to people at eye level once again.
"Being able to look at a person at eye level is awesome. It's not something you'd probably think about unless you spent most of your time sitting," Herrera told Military Times.
But that's not the only benefit paralyzed servicemembers and other people get from using the technology.
Improving health one step at a time
Paralyzed individuals face many additional health complications due to prolonged time sitting. Muscle mass decreases, bone density is negatively affected, stamina plummets and overall health can be reduced because of difficulty exercising and being active. According to an NBC news health report, however, the ReWalk can help paralyzed individuals regain their strength and improve their health.
Additionally, many say that the psychological affects of walking can be hugely beneficial for paralyzed people. Standing and walking again can be a huge boost for people coping with a spinal injury. Herrera told Military Times that, although his wheelchair is quicker and more agile, he would choose ReWalk's braces and standing supports over sitting.
The future for the ReWalk
Now that the device is cleared for use in the U.S., many are taking advantage of the system, but the $69,500 exoskeleton is not cheap for individuals. Few health insurers offer to cover ReWalk, and Defense Health Agency officials have not considered whether Tricare will cover the expense either, according to Military Times. That may change according to an article in The Boston Globe.
An official from Argo Medical Technologies Inc. – the facility that developed the ReWalk – told The Boston Globe that the ReWalk may save users up to $30,000 by preventing other health issues linked to prolonged sitting in wheelchairs. Those savings could be alluring to insurers, but the process to cover ReWalk will be slow, according to Tony Dodek, the associate chief medical officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.
Dodek told The Boston Globe a fair amount of scientific evidence must be explored by a central Blue Cross Blue Shield committee, which could take up to six months. After that, the 37 Blue Cross Blue Shield member companies will decide individually whether to reimburse ReWalk buyers.