Many post-9/11 servicemembers are opting out of joining long-standing veteran's organizations. Instead, they are choosing to sign up for new groups devoted to fitness, community service and addressing the often difficult transition back to civilian life.
According to The Washington Times, younger vets feel that the aging organizations have failed to adapt to modern times – for example, many of them still communicate with written letters and have a minimal Web presence. These groups are also open exclusively to veterans and remain private, whereas many young servicemembers are looking to join institutions in their life after service that work closely with other local groups and have a strong presence in the community.
In response to this sentiment, organizations such as The Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars have increased their visibility on college campuses and participation in local events. The Washington Post reported that both groups have been extremely influential in advocating for veterans' rights and benefits. Their efforts to modernize and attract younger members are positive signs for their survival, which they acknowledge depends on their ability to evolve.
The Washington Post noted that tradition is a big pull for young vets who do choose to join these organizations. Many feel compelled to attend meetings because of parents or grandparents who were members, or simply to sit among multiple generations of servicemembers.
Leave No Veteran Behind is a nonprofit that aims to help former servicemembers pay for education loans not covered by government programs such as the G.I. Bill.
According to the Christian Science Monitor, the organization was started by two veterans based out of Chicago. They describe their debt-relief system as a "retroactive scholarship." Applicants must prove that they not only performed nobly during their time as a servicemember, but that they currently sustain economic adversity on top of student loan debt. If their application is approved, the veterans are expected to perform 100 hours of volunteer work in exchange for the financial aid.
The source noted that many veterans face issues that contribute to outstanding debts, such as physical and mental disorders, unemployment and false information about what services and benefits they are entitled to. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, veteran unemployment rates hover around 6.6 percent, which is higher than the national average. The Christian Science Monitor noted that the average veteran ends up struggling with $56,000 worth of student loans in life after service.
Currently, the charity receives funding from corporate sponsors, private donations and small grants. They have already been able to give $150,000 worth of aid to veterans and aim to pay the debts of 60 to 90 former soldiers each year.
A Boy Scout troop in Yuma, Arizona, was rescued by Marines after getting stranded while canoeing up the Colorado River on Sunday, Oct. 19, according to Military Times.
The 28 children and four chaperones traveling in 16 canoes had been lost for hours, attempting to navigate the difficult terrain. A call was placed to the Yuma police in the mid-afternoon, expressing concern about the group's location after they did not make it to their check-in point in a timely fashion, reported Fox News.
Police were not able to find the missing group before nightfall. Knowing that the impending darkness would make their task nearly impossible, officers placed a call for backup to the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. These servicemembers are one of the only resources in the area equipped with night-vision gear.
According to Military Times, it was only minutes before the Marines assembled in helicopters to search for the Boy Scouts. After flying over the target area using night-vision goggles, the rescue team was able to easily spot the missing party. They had swerved away from the course and were stranded in a small clearing. After establishing that nobody in the group was injured, officials identified an escape route and helped guide the Scouts out of their remote location, back to the main river.
As a Coast Guard base in Newport, Oregon, is preparing to close on Nov. 30, local residents are fighting to keep it open.
KOIN 6 reported that a district meeting was held in the area on Oct. 20 to discuss the potential risks involved with shutting down the facility. Representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard attended, as well as large numbers of concerned citizens hoping to have their voices heard.
The source noted that the central concern is Newport's distance from other Coast Guard locations. If the base in question shuts down, Guard servicemembers would need to come from institutions in either North Bend or Astoria, Oregon – both of which require at least a one-hour helicopter ride. While officials tried to reassure the locals that this arrangement was a suitable option, expressions of concern and worry were overwhelming.
One of the main groups raising questions about safety was the Newport Fishermen's Wives. According to KOIN 6, the organization brought a petition to the meeting that contained over 18,000 signatures in support of keeping the base open.
KGW Portland reported that the planned shutdown is due to budget constraints. As of now, it will still take place despite local concern.
A new motorcycle training course is currently under development for members of the Marine Corps. According to Military Times, the new training will focus primarily on inexperienced drivers.
The new course is being developed by the Marine Corps' Safety Division and leaders from Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, and various other organizations.
The training will be called "REST," which stands for Riders Essential Skills Training. Safety is the essential concern of course organizers – this new initiative hopes to reduce the amount of Marine injuries and deaths caused by motorcycle use, noted the source. Monthly Marine Corps safety reports often cite motorcycle accidents as a large cause of serious wounds and even deaths.
Military Times reported that some of the key areas the lessons will touch upon include braking, cornering, tire contact and traction, personal protective equipment and hazard avoidance.
"The course is intended to function as an independent source for Marines to gain the skills required to function as safe, competent riders," stated a Marine Corps press release.
Current Marine Corps motorcycle rules require riders to take courses throughout their time using the bikes. According to Military Times, the branch is still unsure how they will incorporate REST into these pre existing lessons.
According to Military Times, a significant portion of businesses that work with the federal government are looking to match veterans with open positions.
Where jobs are listed
Because these jobs are associated with the federal government, they must be listed with the Labor Department's One-Stop Career Center, a job-finding site where veteran employment is the top priority. The site offers a variety of resources to soldiers in their life after service, including transition resources and advice on how to get more education. The Career Center also lets you match the skills you learned in the military with civilian careers.
Benefits of working with a federal contractor
As a veteran, you can benefit greatly from working with a federally contracted institution. Because these companies do business with the government, they are required to adhere to rules and policies that give preference to veterans. The source noted that not only do these organizations have to employ veterans, but they typically need to have as many vets as they do civilians. They also must pay veterans the same amount as other employees, regardless of their military pensions. These employers must also accommodate veteran disabilities within reason, noted the source.
While the troops deployed to West Africa are there to strengthen the fight against Ebola and not for combat purposes, their families are still eligible to receive financial benefits while they are away.
According to Military Times, the nonprofit organization Operation Homefront will be extending its services to these families on the basis that, while their servicemember loved ones are not engaged in a war, they are in a uniquely difficult situation and may be gone for some time. The institution typically only works with cases where the solider is in a direct combat area, noted a press release.
Operation Homefront provides military families with grants to pay for essential items they may not be able to afford while one of their providers is deployed. The organization specializes in providing money for food, health care costs, baby items, home repairs and bills. They pay directly to the service providers 72 hours after the application for assistance has been accepted.
"Our service members have shown enormous courage and flexibility to face any threat, and we are going to be equally flexible to ensure that while they are deployed for this humanitarian mission, we are back home taking care of their families." stated Tim Farrell, chief operating officer of Operation Homefront, in the release.
The Army is testing super-repellent uniforms developed by internal researchers in collaboration with UltraTech International to see if they can stand up to harsh conditions. According to Military Times, they have created a material they describe as "omniphobic," meaning that it will resist stains, stickiness and even odor. The product has been named Ultra-Ever Shield.
Soldiers tested army combat uniforms made from the innovative fabric in Fort Riley, Kansas. Troops were clothed in the ACUs through gun skills training, weapon cleaning, an obstacle course, vehicle maintenance and a 4-mile march. At the end of the rigorous tests and 10 washes, the uniforms remained in excellent shape.
Liquid beaded nicely on the new fabric instead of being absorbed due to a carbon-flourine coating that reduces surface tension. This is important for keeping servicemembers dry and resisting toxic chemicals that could be dangerous if soaked up.
According to Military Times, these uniforms provide environmental benefits as well. Current ACUs contain chemicals deemed unsafe by the Environmental Protection Agency. The new material has no additional cost and is in accordance with the EPA's eco-friendly standards.
The new suits will reduce odor as well, noted the source. They contain an antimicrobial element that would keep them fairly fresh between washings – making them an excellent option for troops who are located in rural areas.
Researchers are unsure when Ultra-Ever Shield will be fully incorporated into Army ACUs, as further research needs to be completed. Tests will be conducted to see how the fabric performs when faced with other elements, such as fire and insects, noted Military Times.
Other uses for the material are expected to include civilian clothing, rain gear, diapers and even money, noted UltraTech.
Travis Mills, a veteran who lost his limbs serving in Afghanistan, received a new handicap-accessible home, reported Military Times.
The house, which takes into account Mills' needs for his prosthetic limbs, comes courtesy of Building for America's Bravest. The organization, which is a subsidiary of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, raises money to provide injured servicemembers with custom "smart houses" in their life after service, or homes with automated features that can be controlled via iPad. The Stephen Siller Foundation was created in memory of a firefighter who died saving civilians on Sept. 11, 2001. Ten years later, BFAB was created to give a comfortable residence to Army Specialist Brendan Marrocco, the first quadruple amputee to survive.
Mills sustained his injuries in 2012, when during his third tour of duty in Afghanistan he survived an IED attack, noted Military Times.
According to the source, Mills' home comes equipped with features like extra-wide hallways, elevators and special cabinets with motion sensors. The home is located in the town of Manchester, Maine. The source reported that the Mills family recently began their own nonprofit organization, the Travis Mills Organization. The foundation is currently working toward building a National Veterans Family Center in Maine.
After the Department of Veterans Affairs' recent scandal involving long wait times and poor patient care, the government organization is under pressure to make staff adjustments.
According to CNN, the decision-making process of which major officials will be fired has already begun. In addition to the deputy chief procurement director, program directors in Alabama, Georgia and Pittsburgh face being cut. A new law that was signed by President Obama this summer gives firing power to the VA secretary, Robert McDonald.
Since these speculated firing announcements were made, two of these professionals have already retired, according to Military Times. While some point the finger at McDonald, he pointed out that he cannot force employees to remain in their positions simply so they can receive disciplinary action.
Moving forward toward a better VA, McDonald has already begun recruiting qualified staff members through a tour to medical schools and local hospitals across the nation. The organization is looking to take thousands of new employees on board to make up for the long wait times and lack of attention that led to the death and illness of many veterans seeking care in their life after service. Military Times reported that the organization has already decided upon a higher pay scale for both doctors and nurses in order to attract reliable and well-qualified candidates.