Feeding cows may not be a typical duty of a National Guard member, but it was all in a day's work for the Oklahoma National Guard after heavy rains stranded a rancher's animals in Muskogee County.

According to The Associated Press, rancher Robert Vinson moved his cattle to higher ground when a weekend forecast predicted rain, leaving enough food to feed the animals for a few days. But when the rain was so extreme that the roads remained flooded days later, Vinson had no way to feed his cows. 

That's where the National Guard came in.

Vinson first contacted the fire department, and the request was sent higher and higher up the chain until it reached the Oklahoma National Guard's Joint Operations Center, the National Guard reported. The mission was approved, and on May 27 a helicopter of guardsmen was sent to Muskogee County where it transported enough hay and dry feed to last the cows a week. 

"This [mission] is different than what we normally do, but I really enjoy helping people here at home," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael McGill, the commander of the mission's aircraft. 

Giselle Wilz was recently promoted from colonel to the first-ever female brigadier general in the Army National Guard in a ceremony in Bismarck, North Dakota. She attributes the majority of her success to the love and support of her family.

A family of dedicated servicemembers 
Wilz became a captain of the National Guard in 1993. She followed in her father's footsteps, who was a colonel in the Guard for 38 years. He retired after being diagnosed with cancer. In 2008, he promoted Wilz to colonel and passed away soon after. He always told her that she would be the Guard's first female general.

"He just somehow knew. I think early on, I wasn't sure. I just loved the Guard and loved serving and wearing the uniform," she told the Grand Forks Herald. "It wasn't until probably the last 10 or 12 years that I really aspired to be a general."

Although she is thrilled to be promoted, she regrets that her father was not there to see the ceremony. Her new role marks the start of her 32nd year in the Guard, having enlisted in the 191st Military Police Company as a student in high school. Three years after her enlistment, she became a second lieutenant and has since held various roles within the Guard.

Wilz and her father are not the only family members who have dedicated their lives to military service. Her younger brother, Greg Wilz, is also a retired colonel who served for 29 years as a battalion commander and director of operations. The Grand Forks Herald noted that he was also appointed as North Dakota's director of the Homeland Security Division in 2006. Wilz's older brother, Gary Wilz, also retired as a Guard major.

"I can tell you the family is extremely proud of her accomplishments," Greg told the news source. "Her getting promoted is kind of a pinnacle to all she's done in her military career."

32 years of commitment and service
Wilz was a member of the 132nd Quartermaster Company during the Gulf War from 1990 to 1991 as one of the two water operations officers. She decided to volunteer for the tour at only 23 years old after graduating from Officer Candidate School. Maj. Gen. Alexander P. Macdonald, the adjutant general of North Dakota at the time, had encouraged her to participate in the tour. 

Greg mentioned that MacDonald recently reached out to the Wilz family out of respect and gratitude for everything they have done for the country.  

According to NewsOK, after her promotion, Wilz will embark on a one-year tour to Bosnia where she will focus on defense reform in collaboration with local officials. She will also be responsible for commanding the NATO forces operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Wilz explained that she is excited to serve as an example for all of the women servicemembers in the National Guard. 

Thirty-four members of the Army Military Police and Air Force Security Forces are ready to serve their community as police officers after a graduation ceremony on May 1. The program they completed is the first in the U.S. specially geared towards Citizen-Soldiers.  

Getting started
According to an article from the U.S. National Guard, the Massachusetts academy is the result of collaboration between the Worcester Police Department and the Massachusetts National Guard, spearheaded by Worcester Police Sgt. Richard Cipro, who is also a major in the Massachusetts Army National Guard. The Police Department said that Cipro was responsible for bringing the pilot program to Worcester. 

"When we started, I was already a police sergeant and a law enforcement certified trainer in the state," Cipro said, according to an article on the Guard's website. "We analyzed and tried to figure out how to put together an academy designed for Guardsmen."

The 34 members of the graduating class went through 16 weeks of instruction that included physical training, first responder training, classroom study, and applied patrol procedures and scenario-based exercises, according to the Worcester Police Department. Coursework was conducted by Worcester police officers from various departments, as well as guest instructors from outside agencies that included both law enforcement officials and civilians. 

Looking forward
While still a new concept, the U.S. National Guard reported that the academy has already caught the attention of other states, as well as the U.S. Army. The success of the academy could very well lead to replication of the program in the near future. 

"I couldn't be more proud of the soldiers and airmen who accomplished this," Cipro said, according to the National Guard website. "I do get a little emotional when I talk about it because we took it from the beginning four years ago and this is the culmination of it. I'm excited for them and to carry this into the future."

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were over 6.5 million military veterans living in Tennessee in 2014. The state's government has been working to make life easier for both active duty and retired military servicemembers as this number grows each year. 

New program comes to aid of young servicemembers
The most recent effort by the state government is a bill introduced by the House of Representatives. Referred to as House Bill 8, the legislation will make sure that high school students who train their junior and senior years in the National Guard or who go on to advanced training after their senior year will be eligible to partake in the Tennessee Promise Program.

The program will begin in the fall of 2015, along with the start of the school year. High school graduates will be able to attend a community college at no charge. Other scholarships from the federal Pell program and HOPE, the career development program, do not often cover all of their members' tuition. The state's new program works to cover the rest of their college fees to relieve students of the burden completely. 

Students receive educational mentor 
Many students training for service while in school require assistance keeping their grades up, as the time commitment to their other responsibilities can take a toll on their studies. 

In addition to providing financial support, the new program will serve as an opportunity to learn from a mentor. Volunteers will give the students guidance on an educational and motivational level. Clarksville Online noted that students will also have to complete eight hours of community service each term they are enrolled in the program while maintaining a 2.0 GPA. 

Officials announced on Friday, Nov. 14, that servicemembers in the National Guard and Army Reserve will be sent to West Africa to support U.S. efforts to eradicate Ebola. They will be replacing the soldiers who are currently overseas, having been deployed over the past two months, reported Military Times. They will primarily be sent to Senegal and Liberia. 

Currently, there are 2,200 American troops helping contain and combat the epidemic. NBC News noted that within the next month, this number will grow to around 3,000. Some servicemembers have already begun returning, however. Though none of them have shown symptoms of the deadly disease, they are all being quarantined for 21 days upon their return home in accordance to the Military's Ebola policy. 

Troops are working to construct medical treatment facilities and training health workers. According to Stars and Stripes, the National Guard and Army Reserve members will receive thorough training before they leave, including specific instruction on contagious diseases and Ebola prevention. 

Military Times reported that once deployed, Guard and Reserve troops could remain overseas for up to a year. 

Officials fielded questions from families of those set to be sent to the infected region at a base in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, on Thursday, Nov. 13. According to Military Times, they were told that their loved ones will be following a "battle rhythm" in terms of their daily routine. They will not be allowed to leave the base without permission, to prevent any contact with people carrying the disease. Their deployment will not include hazardous duty pay, combat-zone exclusions, hostile fire pay or regular basic pay. 

Authorities assured families that the safety precautions in place will prevent any American troops from contracting the largely fatal infection. 

A government program to transfer unneeded military hardware to police stations has recently come under fire since violent protests broke out in Ferguson, Missouri, according to CNN. Police using high-powered rifles, stun grenades and armored vehicles have entered the media spotlight after hours of coverage on riots in Ferguson, and many people are asking how police forces got their hands on such powerful equipment.

The law enforcement support program
Two years after a heavily armed duo of gunmen committed a bank robbery in North Hollywood in 1997, the Defense Department Defense Logistics Agency started a program to give law enforcement officials military hardware that was not being used by the military, CNN reported. However, since the program's establishment, some citizens are asking whether weaponry designed for military purpose and servicemembers belongs in the hands of police forces. Government officials contend that the actions in Ferguson do not speak for the entire program in general, though.

"My hunch is that many of these [law enforcement] agencies out there would tell you that some of this equipment saves lives and protects citizens," Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby told reporters. "And so while we're all focused on what's going on in Ferguson … let's be careful not to throw the baby out with the bath water here."

Moreover, the government official stated that police stations must go through a particular registration process before obtaining any hardware made for military benefits.

"We don't push equipment on anybody … It is made available to law enforcement agencies if they want it and if they qualify for it," Kirby said. "There's a lot of due diligence here. This isn't some program run amok."

Supplying police with regulated equipment
Program 1033 – the official designation of the military hardware repurposing effort – is a congressionally mandated and funded initiative, according to Stars and Stripes. CNN reported that $450 million of military hardware had been given to law enforcement agencies in 2013 alone. Ferguson specifically has received two Humvees, one generator and one cargo trailer since 2007. However, the St. Louis County Police Department has received six pistols, 12 rifles, 15 weapon sites, an explosives disposal robot, three helicopters, seven Humvees and two night-vision devices, according to Kirby.

Some worry about how police forces use military equipment when they receive it. The military and Congress do not designate how the hardware must be used, according to Kirby.

"It's still up to local law enforcement to determine how and when and where and under what circumstances they use excess military equipment," Kirby told reporters.

Since the controversy in Ferguson has increased focus on police militarization, President Barack Obama has called for a review of the program, saying that looking at how funds are spent by police stations and how equipment is used may help to reinforce boundaries between the police and military, according to a press release.

"There is a big difference between our military and our local law enforcement and we don't want those lines blurred, that would be contrary to our traditions and I think that there will be some bipartisan interest in reexamining some of those programs," Obama said.

Riots and nightly clashes between police and protesters have erupted in Ferguson, Missouri, forcing Gov. Jay Nixon to sign an executive order requesting additional assistance from Missouri National Guard servicemembers, according to a statement released by the governor's office. Protesters have shot at police officers, thrown Molotov cocktails, looted local businesses and coordinated efforts to block roads and overrun a police command center.

Growing tensions in Ferguson
USA Today reported that the city of Ferguson has been thrown into chaos since Aug. 9 after the fatal shooting of teenager Michael Brown by police. Since then, standoffs between police and protesters have occurred on a nightly basis despite installed midnight curfews and the Brown family's request for calm, CNN reported. Spurred by the increasing violence, Gov. Nixon has called in the National Guard for assistance.

"Given these deliberate, coordinated and intensifying violent attacks on lives and property in Ferguson, I am directing the highly capable men and women of the Missouri National Guard to assist Col. Ron Replogle and the Unified Command in restoring peace and order to this community," a statement released by the governor's office said.

According to USA Today, protesting on Aug. 17 resulted in one person being shot and wounded and hundreds of people marching on a police command center. Local McDonald's employees were forced to lock themselves in a storage closet to evade protesters overrunning the restaurant. 

"Police were shot at, makeshift barricades were set up to block police, bottles and rocks were thrown at police," Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri Highway Patrol told USA Today.

Adding to the controversy, some protesters have denied any police provocation and have stated that citizens have peacefully marched in protest, making forceful police responses unwarranted, according to CNN. Hundreds of protesters – including children – marched on a police command center recently, resulting in officers firing tear gas into the crowd. However, reports of protesters firing guns at police or throwing Molotov cocktails have been denied by some protesters.

The shooting of Michael Brown
A recent autopsy of Brown revealed that the teenager was shot at least six times – twice in the head – from a distance, according to CNN. While police officers allege that Brown reached into the shooting officer's patrol car and tussled for the patrolman's gun, the autopsy suggested that Brown had not been in a struggle prior to the shooting.

Experts will inspect the autopsy results further in the coming days as U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has approved another autopsy to be completed by a federal medical examiner.

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."

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.

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.