When President Trump first suggested the creation of a Space Force during a March 2018 speech, the grand and seemingly sci-fi proposal was met with mockery in some corners.

Some of the more serious criticisms of the idea came from the Air Force Association, which voiced objections based on the “indivisible” nature of air and space and the high cost of creating a separate military branch. The AFA instead suggested merging the current air and space forces of the United States into something called the “United States Aerospace Force.”

Though it now appears the Aerospace Force counterproposal will not come to fruition, after months of deliberation, the Space Force is presently poised to reside under the Air Force, according to Defense News.

Sixth branch of military would fall under Department of the Air Force

A draft of a legislative proposal set to be put forward with the fiscal year 2020 budget states, “There is established a United States Space Force as an armed force within the Department of the Air Force,” reports Defense News.

The relationship will be similar to the way in which the Marine Corps falls under the Department of the Navy.

The new, sixth branch of the military will be overseen by two newly created roles, the undersecretary of the Air Force for the Space Force and a Space Force chief of staff. The latter will sit on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, joining the Military Service Chiefs from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force, and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau.

Though no one has gone on the record to outline the details of the legislative draft, the existence of the draft was at least confirmed by a statement from Lt. Col. Joe Buccino, who said, “In concert with White House guidance, we are moving forward with a legislative proposal for Space Force.” The proposal is reportedly set to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for inclusion in the Department of Defense budget sometime soon.

New proposal seen as big win for Air Force

This decision represents a major victory for the Air Force, which took issue with President Trump’s earlier statement that the two branches would be “separate but equal.”

At the time, the creation of a new bureaucracy was opposed by now-former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and active Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson. Though the latter eventually announced her support for the creation of a Space Force, it seems clear that the Air Force would like to continue to have a say in the area of military space, as the branch currently manages a three-star Space Command headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado.

Of course, just because the Air Force is satisfied with the new proposal does not mean that Congress will be, and political opposition could still keep Space Force from launching.

Representative Adam Smith of Washington, the incoming chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, has previously voiced opposition to the high cost of creating a separate service, reports ABC News. Estimates vary, as the Air Force projected that a new service could cost $13 billion over the first five years, while Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan put the figure at less than $5 billion.

For now, it remains uncertain whether Space Force will ultimately become a separate branch of the United States military or a new branch under the Air Force.

The government shutdown that began on Dec. 22 has continued on into the new year, amid threats that it could last for months. The length of the shutdown has broken the previous record of 21 days, which was set during the government shutdown that extended from Dec. 5, 1995 to Jan. 6, 1996.

Much attention has been paid to the impact that the shutdown has had on government workers, as hundreds of thousand of federal employees have been furloughed or are working without pay. Yet the shutdown is impacting the livelihood of more than just those directly employed by the federal government, as many government contractors are now also feeling the pinch.

A range of responses from contractor community

How deeply a government contractor is impacted by the shutdown depends largely on the nature of their work.

"The government shutdown has certainly created anxiety throughout the contractor community, but the impact is very different for each contractor depending on which government clients the contractor serves," said Mark Colturi, executive vice president of Sevatec, an advanced technology company that has partnered with the government on border security and data protection.

"For some government contractors, including Sevatec, contracts are operating close to normal," Colturi said in an interview with Clearance Jobs. "In other circumstances, government contractors have been issued stop-work orders, which can be very difficult on employees who may have to take vacation time or leave without pay."

Whether a government contractor continues working throughout the shutdown is largely determined by whether or not their contract is deemed critical. Companies that have hundreds of individual government contracts, both of the essential and inessential variety, typically have some of their workforce operating at full capacity, and other employees working at diminished capacity.

Defense industry expressing concerns

Defense firms are among the government contractors most worried about the effect that this indefinite pause in business could have on the continuation of business as usual.

While the Defense Department has been funded for fiscal year 2019, allowing work on the military's weapons programs to continue uninterrupted, many defense companies hold contracts with agencies that have not received funding, according to Defense News. Among the agencies going without funding during the shutdown are NASA and the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection.

One notable example of shutdown consequences is the suspension of weapons sales and transfers to U.S. allies due to the closure of the State and Commerce Departments.

Now defense industry figures and lobbying groups such as the Aerospace Industries Association are advocating for an end to the government shutdown, and warning that its extension could have a negative impact on the balance of federal employees and contractors.

"There might be near-term collateral damage if people leave government service, but a 1-3 year factor to consider is how this shutdown and the potential for future ones accelerates reliance on federal service contractors," Byron Callan, an analyst for Capital Alpha Partners, said to Defense News.

Senators propose authorizing back pay for contractors

The Washington Post recently reported that a group of 34 Democratic United States senators released a letter urging federal agencies to work with contractors to provide back pay for low- and middle-income workers impacted by the government shutdown.

The senators argued that agencies have the authority to negotiate back pay for contracted employees, and therefore should act to ensure that the most vulnerable contracted workers are still paid during the shutdown.

Whether agencies will act to ensure that government contractors aren't going without paychecks, or if and when an agreement between Congress and the White House will eventually be reached, remain looming questions as the government shutdown lingers on.

The deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history, Camp Fire caused at least 86 civilian fatalities, injured 12 civilians and 5 firefighters and wiped out thousands of homes and other structures.

Yet while many tragic stories came out of the recent California wildfires, the natural disaster also served to highlight the truly inspiring level of commitment and heroism that our nation's first responders are capable of achieving.

At the height of deployment, there were over 5,500 firefighters, along with 700 soldiers activated by the National Guard and 100 military police officers, many of whom went above and beyond the call of duty.

Many first responders help others despite own losses

Many of the first responders who worked to contain the blazes and assist those endangered or displaced by the disaster served in spite of the fact that they themselves had lost their homes in the fire.

According to CNN, four days after Camp Fire began, there were more than 50 firefighters working to contain the fire that had already destroyed their own homes. Similarly, more than 30 sheriff's deputies reported for duty even though they too had lost their homes, according to the Butte County Sheriff's Office.

Several tales of selflessness have emerged, including one of a first responder who engaged in a firefight that was just blocks away from his own home, unsure whether his house was itself burning, or whether his fiancée had gotten out.

Police Sergeant Jarrod Hughes at least had time to get his son and animals out of his home and to safety when the fire got closer, but immediately afterwards he got his uniform and patrol car and headed back to help.

"It's my community. It's where I grew up. It's something I absolutely had to do," Hughes explained to CNN affiliate KTXL. "There was no question about it. It was get my family to safety so I can get in and get back up there and help everybody else."

Leland Ratcliff, captain of the US Forest Service's Feather River Hotshot crew, had a similar rationale for choosing to evacuate neighbors when he still had keepsakes and other valuable items he could have been rescuing from his own home.

"We just do what we do because we like it. We like helping people," Ratcliff said when asked about the bravery of first responders. "The adrenaline rush and helping people. We like making a difference."

First responders still serving during the holidays

As one would expect, the first responders called to action during the California wildfires didn't take any time off for the holidays.

On the contrary, many were still serving on Thanksgiving, and in some cases, literally serving meals to those living in tents after Camp Fire destroyed their homes.

"To me this is almost like… I'd rather be here," firefighter Jim Irving told CBS. "You know it's helping other people and that's part of what Thanksgiving's about."

Irving had already spent weeks on the fire when he decided to provide meals to strangers instead of having dinner with his family.

On a holiday devoted to the concept of gratitude, the sacrifices of first responders like Irving did not go unappreciated by those who benefited.

"I thank every one of them as soon as I meet them," said wildfire victim Ron White, who lost his home and his father's home in Camp Fire. "I think that these are absolutely wonderful people. They deserve every consideration that they can get."

Massive data breaches dominated the headlines in 2018. In fact, if it seemed like there were even more stories about data breaches this past year than in 2017, that's because there were.

Although none were as newsworthy as the Equifax data breach of September 2017, occurrences were still on the rise this past year, with cyberattacks increasing by 32 percent in the first three months of 2018 and by 47 percent during the April to June period. And in December alone, high profile breaches of Dunkin', Marriott and Quora were announced within the span of a few days.

Billions of people have been affected by these hacks, and it's more likely than not that you're one of them, according to USA Today.

And it's not just corporations that are putting customers' personal information and other data at risk, but also government contractors that are sometimes entrusted with even more sensitive information about federal employees.

In light of these data breaches, the U.S. government's lead contracting agency recently announced changes to the requirements for how and when contractors are to disclose data breaches.

GSA announces new requirement for contractors

In November, the General Services Administration proposed a rule which would mandate that the GSA and the agency that's being served by the government contract have access to breached contractor systems. This would also require contractors to preserve images of the affected systems for the purpose of government review.

An independent agency of the United States government, the GSA supplies products for government offices, transportation and office space for federal employees and government-wide cost-effectiveness policies and other management tasks for federal agencies. Founded in 1949, the agency employs 12,000 federal employees, and is now the United States government's leading contracting agency.

The GSA's proposed rule regarding breached contractor systems is not scheduled to be published until February, and will come with a comment period that closes in April.

New rule a direct response to past contractor data breaches

This new requirement is likely inspired by the overall rise in cyberattacks, as well as recent incidents in which contractors were the victims of hacks.

For example, according to Nextgov, there were two separate contractor breaches in 2014 that exposed the background check information of approximately 73,000 government employees collectively.

The following year, there was the much larger Office of Personnel Management breach, which exposed background checks on more than 20 million current and former federal employees, as well as their families.

A February 2018 report from cybersecurity firm BitSight concluded that 5.6 percent of aerospace and defense contractors and 8 percent of health-sector government contractors had disclosed a data breach since January 2016.

The report also found that contractor cybersecurity was generally much lower than that of federal agencies. 

Under the GSA's proposed amendments to the General Services Administration Acquisition Regulation, any data breach that compromises the "confidentiality, integrity, or availability" of data or information systems owned or managed on behalf of government agencies would need to be disclosed by government contractors. The mandate will also outline the ways in which the U.S. government will use and protect any proprietary information which a contractor shares in the process of a breach investigation.

"By incorporating cyber incident reporting requirements into the GSAR, the GSAR will provide centralized guidance to ensure consistent application of cybersecurity principles across the organization. Integrating these requirements into the GSAR will also allow industry to provide public comments through the rulemaking process," said the GSA. 

On Thursday, December 13, 2018, the United States National Guard will celebrate its 382nd birthday, making it 140 years older than the nation it protects.

Today, the reserve military force represents a joint effort on the part of two branches, the United States Army and Air Force. The Army National Guard and Air National Guard are garrisoned in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and the territories of Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

There's been quite a bit of history since the first militia organized in 1636, and this anniversary presents the perfect opportunity to reflect on the nearly four centuries during which the Guard has been "Always Ready, Always There!"

The history of the U.S. National Guard

Militia forces were first mustered in what is now the United States as early as 1565, when Spanish settlers in St. Augustine were tasked with guarding supplies during the onset of a hurricane, while regular troops were up north attacking a French settlement on the St. Johns River. In the early 1600s, militias were mustered in the New World's first permanent English settlements of Jamestown Colony and Plymouth Colony, which originally consisted of all able-bodied adult men.

However, according to the Department of Defense, the official birthdate of the National Guard took place on December 13, 1636, when the Massachusetts colonial legislature officially directed the colony's existing militia companies to be organized into three regiments. Today, the four descendants of that initial trio of regiments — the 101st Engineer Battalion, the 101st Field Artillery Regiment, the 181st Infantry Regiment, and the 182nd Infantry Regiment, all of the Massachusetts Army National Guard — hold the distinction of being the oldest units in the United States military.

It may seem strange to some that the National Guard is older than the U.S. Army, but that position is based on the Militia Act of May 8, 1792, which permitted already extant militia units to retain their "customary privileges."

In 1903, passage of the Dick Act required states to divide their militias into two sections, recommending the titles "Reserve Militia" and "National Guard." The passage of the National Guard Mobilization Act in 1933 fully codified the division between traditional state militias and the National Guard, mandating that all federally funded soldiers take a dual enlistment in both the state National Guard and the newly created National Guard of the United States.

The history of the Air National Guard

Following World War II, the Truman administration pushed for a major restructuring of the nation's military and intelligence agencies, which led to the passage of the National Defense Act of 1947. Among other things, this legislation created the Air Force as a separate branch of the Armed Forces, which consequently formed the Air National Guard of the United States as a unique entity separate from the Army National Guard.

And yet, the oldest unit in the Air National Guard actually predates the institution itself by over 30 years.

On November 22, 1915, the 102nd Rescue Squadron of the New York Air National Guard was organized in accordance with existing law and authorized in the New York National Guard as the Aero Company, Signal Corps. However, the oldest Air National Guard unit that has remained in continuous existence since it was first federally recognized is the 109th Airlift Squadron of the Minnesota Air National Guard, which originated as the 109th Observation Squadron on January 17, 1921.

All of the state, territory and District of Columbia militias that collectively form today's Army National Guard and Air National Guard trace their heritage back to those first three regiments organized at the direction of the Massachusetts colonial legislature on December 13, 1636. While the Guard may not literally have been "Always There" throughout time immemorial, at 382 years of age, they come pretty close.

This fall saw the release of a new $0.50 Forever stamp that pays tribute to our nation's first responders.

According to the United States Postal Service, the new Honoring First Responders stamp is meant to recognize "the men and women who respond to critical situations with skill, dedication and uncommon bravery."

The stamp's design represents a collaboration between art director and designer Antonio Alcala, designer Ricky Altizer and artist Brian Stauffer. The latter has achieved worldwide recognition for his iconic magazine covers and other contributions to major magazine publications such as Time, The New York Times and The New Yorker.

The digital illustration Stauffer, Alcala and Altizer created for the stamp depicts three first responders forming a patriotic red-white-and-blue visual as they rush into a cloud of smoke that represents unknown danger. All three are shown in profile, facing right, looking towards the crisis to which they are hurrying to respond.

The first figure on the left is a red fireman carrying an ax, who is following behind a grayish-white EMT carrying an emergency bag, who is herself trailing a blue law-enforcement officer leading the way with a flashlight.

Special ceremony held for stamp's release

In September, a special first-day-of issue ceremony for the Honoring First Responders Forever stamp was held at the Aerial Fire Depot and Smokejumper Center in Missoula, Montana. The venue was chosen because of its status as the nation's largest training center for firefighters who combat wildfires by parachuting into remote areas of national forests.

"Our nation's first responders rush into life-threatening situations for the benefit of others," said Guy Cottrell, the Postal Inspection Service's Chief Postal Inspector and the dedicating official at the ceremony. "The Postal Service is pleased to honor their skill, dedication and unfailing bravery with this stamp."

The U.S. Postal Service says the intention of the stamp is to honor all types and varieties of first responders, ranging from those who serve small townships or are part of the federal government to those who volunteer and those who serve as a full-time job. The agency is also encouraging enthusiasts to use the hashtags #HonoringFirstResponders and #FirstRespondersStamps when discussing the stamp on social media.

If you would like a block of Honoring First Responders Forever stamps to use when sending out your holiday cards this season, you can purchase the stamps through the Postal Store at usps.com/shop, by phone at 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724) or in-person at Post Office locations nationwide.

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, has a rich history as a proving ground for various major developments.

The base was built on and partially named after land that was once used by local inventors Wilbur and Orville Wright to test and perfect the world's first successful airplane. During World War II, German aircrafts were sent back to the laboratories for analysis. Beginning in the late 1940s, Wright-Patt's Air Technical Intelligence Center began its infamous investigation into reports of UFO sightings. In the late fifties, the base was the site of medical examinations to determine the final selection of the Mercury astronauts who eventually landed on the moon. Thousands of aeronautical inventions have been birthed at the base, including advanced gas turbine engines, aircraft electronic controls, stealth technology and precision-guided bombs.

And this year, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base designed and tested one of its latest innovations: better-fitting Air Force maternity uniforms.

Time for change

Earlier this fall, the base published calls for volunteers who were willing to wear the new maternity service dress shirt. At the time, officials told Military.com that they were looking for around 30 to 50 pregnant airmen to participate in the wear test.

"The greater the number of participants the more accurate the results, due to the ability to fit many different body types and stages of pregnancy," said base spokesman Daryl Mayer.

The updated maternity uniform was designed with an eye towards improving the comfort, fit and functionality of Air Force uniforms. As such, the new shirt now features darts on the front and back for a more fitted appearance, and is also made of a stretchier material that boasts better stain resistance and more opacity.

Whether the shirt hits its target of providing enhanced comfort will be determined by the volunteers, who were asked to fill out questionnaires at the end of the experience.

"The feedback from the fit/wear participants will be utilized to make any final adjustments to the fit or design of the improved maternity shirt," said Mayer. "This participant feedback ensures that we have a final product that meets the user's needs."

A wave of potential updates

This new maternity shirt is just the latest installment in a number of uniform changes that the Air Force has recently implemented to meet the needs of pregnant troops and new mothers alike. Last November, pregnant airmen at Wright-Patt were testing a maternity airman battle uniform. The camouflage maternity uniform, which featured pants with a full-stretch panel and an adjusted chest fit for the blouse, was so comfortable, according to Air Force Capt. Mollie Eshel, that her co-workers didn't even notice she was pregnant until her 34th week.

Talk about a successful camo outfit!

Many storied or technologically-advanced developments have come out of Wright-Patt over the years, but updated uniforms for expectant mothers actually serve a rather valuable and unheralded purpose.

"Women suffer in silence on many of the uniforms that don't fit. And they've never fit," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein. "The amount of money that women are spending altering essentially a men's uniform to fit a female frame is unsatisfactory. So we're going to get at this."

Working with only a $1.7 million budget and 18 staff members, the relatively small uniform office headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is tasked with the order to "get at this." When you consider that the team is responsible for outfitting hundreds of thousands of Air Force personnel serving all over the globe – and above it – it's hard not to respect their service.

A monumental weekend for military anniversaries is fast approaching. Not only is Armistice Day celebrating its centennial on Sunday, November 11, but Saturday, November 10, marks the 243rd birthday of the United States Marine Corps.

While the former event will be observed by many of the nations that were involved in World War I, the latter will be a distinctly American affair, as it has been ever since the first formal ball was held in 1925.

History of the Marine Corps birthday

The birth of the Marines actually predates the birth of the United States.

On November 11, 1775 – eight months before the Declaration of Independence – the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Marines. The legislature's resolution decreed, in part, "That two Battalions of marines be raised, consisting of one Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, two Majors, and other officers as usual in other regiments; and that they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions." The Congressional Act also stipulated that these "American Marines" be comprised of, "good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea when required; [and] that they be enlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war between Great Britain and the colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress."

Samuel Nicholas, the first Commandant of the Marines, held a recruiting drive at Tun Tavern, a Philadelphia brewery now regarded as the birthplace of the Corps.

After the American Revolutionary War ended in 1783, the Continental Navy was disestablished, and consequently, so were the Continental Marines. The military branch was reestablished 15 years later, on July 11, 1798, when President John Adams signed the "act for establishing and organizing a Marine Corps."

For over 100 years, July 11th was considered the official Marine Corps birthday, and it passed with little fanfare. That all changed in 1921, when Major Edwin North McClellan, who was then in charge of the USMC's History Division, sent a memorandum to Commandant John A. Lejeune urging him to declare the Marines' original birthday of November 10th a Marine Corps holiday to be celebrated by the Corps.

On November 1, 1921, Lejeune so decreed in Marine Corps Order 47, which read in part, "In memory of [the many who have served as Marines] it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the birthday of our corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history."

What's in store for Marine Corps birthday 2018

The first Marine Corps birthday ball was held in 1925, though it wasn't until 1952 that Commandant Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. formalized and standardized the celebratory traditions still observed today.

The most iconic aspect of the ball is the birthday cake-cutting ceremony, which is performed with a sword. The first three slices of cake are given to the guests of honor, the oldest Marine present and the youngest Marine in attendance.

A more recent tradition has been the annual release of a filmed Marine Corps birthday message, and this year's edition is a particularly stirring example. The seven-minute video is narrated by Gen. Robert Neller, Commandant of the Marine Corps, who describes the unique journey that every Marine takes before, during and after their service.

Also featured in the film is retired Sergeant Major John Canley, who was awarded the Medal of Honor last month for acts of heroism he committed 50 years ago. Canley, who used his brother's paperwork to enlist in the Marines while only 15 years old and remained in the service for 28 years, was recognized for the actions he took while serving as a Company Gunnery Sergeant during the Battle of Hue in 1968, which included carrying wounded soldiers to safety and taking charge after his commanding officer was severely injured.

Canley was singled out for praise in Commandant Neller's official birthday message, which also noted that this year marks the centennial anniversary of both the Battle of Belleau Wood and the Corps' first female enlistees. The 2018 Commandant's Marine Corps Birthday Ball will be held on Saturday, November 10, at the Washington Hilton in D.C., and will pay tribute to these major milestones.

 

The Southeastern United States has recently been battered by two hurricanes in as many months, beginning with the damage done to the Carolinas in September by Hurricane Florence, and escalating with the devastation wrought in Florida and Georgia in early October by Hurricane Michael.

And while many sad stories have come out of these two storms, the aftermath has also had the effect of highlighting the exceptional work done by the thousands of first responders who’ve volunteered or been pressed into service during this tumultuous period.

Region weathers some of the worst storms in recent memory

Though classified as a Category 4 major hurricane during peak intensity in early September, Florence had dissipated to a Category 1 when it made landfall on Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, on September 14. Despite the downgrade in severity, Florence still possessed strength sufficient to uproot trees and cause mass power outages throughout the Carolinas over the next several days. The storm also spawned widespread freshwater flooding, producing as much as 35 inches of rainfall in some areas. In all, a total of 53 deaths have been attributed to the storm.

Less than one month after Hurricane Florence had finished its slow yet destructive crawl across the Southeastern U.S., the region was suddenly hit by the historic Hurricane Michael. When the Category 4 hurricane made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida, on October 10, it became the strongest storm on record in the Florida Panhandle. With maximum sustained winds of 155 mph – just 2 mph short of a Category 5 designation – Hurricane Michael also gained the dubious distinction of being the most intense landfalling U.S. hurricane in nearly 50 years. The impact was felt not just in Florida, but in Georgia, Virginia and parts of the Carolinas where wounds from Florence were still fresh.

The number of fatalities caused by Hurricane Michael stood at 36 some 10 days after landfall, though many more individuals remained missing and unaccounted for.

Area witnesses some of the best the country has to offer

While it is heartbreaking to reflect upon the loss of life caused by these two storms, the pair of tragedies has also produced many inspirational stories of first responders from both near and far descending upon the affected areas.

Just as the last of Hurricane Michael was finally dissipating on October 16, Forbes contributor Don Yaeger recalled sharing a flight with several dozen first responders on their way to his home state of Florida. When Yaeger asked a Sheriff’s Officer from Iowa if he was going there to help any family or friends living in the panhandle, the man answered, “I don’t know anyone there, I just know this is where I’m supposed to be.”

Fox 29 News Philadelphia reported on a Pennsylvania task force that spent 19 days assisting those in need in the wake of Hurricane Florence. Then, just days after the elite group of urban rescuers and paramedics had returned home to the Keystone State, the arrival of Hurricane Michael had them once again traveling over 1,000 miles south for another two-week deployment.

While the many first responders who came from miles away to lend a hand made truly admirable sacrifices, perhaps even more extraordinary were those who helped out despite being themselves victims.

CNN reports that in Panama City, Florida, one of the towns hit hardest by Michael, many local first responders were dealing with their own property damage and displaced families while still honoring their commitment to the wider community.

“While we’re here at work we’ve kind of got to put those emotions and things that are going on in our personal lives aside, because we have to worry about what’s going on here,” said Panama City Battalion Chief David Collier, whose own home was damaged in the storm. “We have to worry about our own personnel and the citizens we’re trying to protect.”

The full, lasting impact of Hurricanes Florence and Michael is still unknown, and will almost certainly bring more bad news further down the road. But we can all be grateful for the first responders who were on-hand to keep the immediate impact from being any worse.

 

To pay tribute to America’s first responders, the annual postseason college football game played at Dallas’ Cotton Bowl Stadium has been renamed the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl. The bowl game formerly known as the Heart of Dallas Bowl will be broadcast by ESPN under its new name at 12:30 p.m. C.T., on December 26, 2018.

Police officers, firefighters, EMS workers, search and rescue, dispatchers, federal agents and specialized military personnel will be among the first responders honored at the event, according to the Journal of Emergency Medical Services. Additionally, game tickets for first responders will be underwritten by corporate sponsors.

“This is an exciting change, and we are humbled by the fact that an actual bowl game has been named exclusively for the first responders of this country,” said Dallas Fire-Rescue Fire Chief David Coatney.

Sentiments echoed by the city law enforcement officials

“We are truly honored to have a bowl game here in Dallas named after the hard working men and women serving and protecting communities across this country,” said Dallas Police Chief U. Renee Hall. “It always feels great to be recognized, and I know our officers and firefighters are touched by this overwhelming show of support.”

The TicketCity Bowl was played at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas as a physical replacement for the Cotton Bowl, which left its namesake arena for nearby Arlington’s AT&T Stadium in 2010. The game was renamed the Heart of Dallas Bowl presented by PlainsCapital Bank for the 2013 and 2014 contests, and has been known as the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl for the last four years.

The new title is the result of an agreement between ESPN Events and SERVPRO, a fire and water restoration company headquartered in Gallatin, Tennessee.

“We are proud to present the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl dedicated to honoring some of the hardest working men and women in our country” said SERVPRO CEO Sue Steen. “We recognize the dedication and selfless acts of our First Responders and are honored to help highlight and celebrate the commitment of these everyday heroes.”

“We are truly grateful for all first responders’ sacrifice and service,” added Brant Ringler, Executive Director of the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl. “It is a tremendous privilege to honor these brave men and women who protect our communities 24/7/365.”

The 2018 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl will be the ninth edition of this bowl game, and yet another entry in the rich, 89-year history of college football at Cotton Bowl Stadium, which also famously hosts the annual State Fair Classic and Red River Showdown. The venue was also the longtime home of the Southern Methodist University Mustangs, and became known as “The House That Doak Built” in the 1940s, in reference to the large crowds drawn by SMU running back Doak Walker.

The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl will join the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl on December 22 and the Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman on December 31 as the three college bowl games that pay tribute to our nation’s bravest men and women. Fans interested in attending the Armed Forces Bowl in person can purchase tickets now.