Military-Net.Com featuring military school info

posted by admin on May 27

According to an April 2008 Rand Corp. Report, about 20 percent of military service members who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan are suffering from major depression or post traumatic stress disorder. PTSD can lead to other, more serious, mental illnesses that can have major negative effect on the veterans and their families. PTSD can also lead to homelessness and suicide. As the U.S. military is short on therapists, thousands of private counselors have decided to offer free services to troops returning from the dreadful war places, namely Iraq and Afghanistan. In cooperation of the American Psychiatric foundation, 40,000 more volunteers are expected to join the cause in the next 3 years.

posted by admin on May 26

Before he was out of his teens, Jeremy Mack, 20, witnessed horrors no one should ever see.

An Army medic, Mack, of New Milford, was in Iraq from August 2006 to October 2007. When he returned it wasn’t long before his mother, Terry Mack, noticed a change in him.

He was mistrustful. When he sat down he didn’t like people behind him. In stores he would constantly look over his shoulder. He also did not want to talk about his experiences.

“I can’t tell how horrible it was,” his mother recalled him saying. “Am I supposed to tell people I went around picking up body parts because I’m a medic?”

Jeremy Mack is one of an increasing number of young veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Many have returned with permanent wounds. Others, like Mack, though their bodies may have returned the same, have been forever changed on the inside by what they saw.

 Read the full story here.

posted by admin on May 20

As tens of thousands of veterans of the fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq try to collect on their promised college benefits, they finding that their combat experience complicates the transition from soldier to student.

Some have trouble collecting the government money that is supposed to pay for college, or they discover that the benefits aren’t nearly enough to cover tuition and other bills. While their classmates complain about homework and hangovers, many vets struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder, the effects of traumatic brain injury, lost limbs and a range of chronic medical problems. With 1.5 million service members coming out of military duty in Afghanistan and Iraq since October 2001, universities across the state and the nation have been anticipating a postwar influx and looking for ways to welcome veterans to campus.

posted by admin on May 19

Veterans area a very important part of the society, they fought valiantly to defend the country. Most of them lost friends in the wars that they fought, some of them even lost limbs. Now that they are in the twilight years of their lives isn’t it just right that the government give them the benefits that they have rightfully earned.

Veterans and widows of veterans may qualify for a little-known, little-used benefit through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Wartime veterans and widows may qualify for up to $22,000 a year in tax-free funds to pay for assisted living expenses. It’s been available since 1951 and no one knows about it. Only a little over 200,000 people are using it. According to a report, only 27 percent of veterans and 14 percent of widows receive the benefit. A VA study says that veterans generally “are completely unaware that the program exists.”

However, military service and financial requirements must be met for eligibility. Military requirements call for 90 days of continuous active duty with at least one day served during a declared time of war, including World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and Gulf War. Veterans may have any kind of discharge except dishonorable. They must also be disabled or at least 65 years old.

Benefits are available in the amount of $18,654 for an unmarried veteran, $22,113 for a married veteran and $11,985 for a widow of a veteran. The benefit increases each year.

posted by admin on May 18

Driving by the Leeds Armory weekend before last, residents were bound to see north Alabama’s young Naval Sea Cadets Valor Division in training.

The Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) is a program for young men and women ages 13-17 who are interested in developing their skills in leadership, basic seamanship, courage, self-reliance and military discipline.

The main purpose is to foster good citizenship and an interest and appreciation of our nation’s sea services including the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.

Many residents are unaware that such a program exists in their own backyard.

Last year, the NSCC program prepared the Leeds Armory for training by painting, creating sleeping places and repairing issues within the Armory to make help update the facility. At some point, they hope to use the Armory as a two-week training facility during the summer.

Over 20 young men and women met recently at the armory for a two-day drill session. The two-day drills take place one weekend a month.

The Leeds Armory provides housing during drills, as well as a place where cadets learn and practice the skills needed for their training.

During the weekend’s sessions, cadets participated in drills including a victim recovery exercise, physical training exercises and swim qualifications.

Read the full story here.

posted by admin on May 17

Air traffic control specialist

Coordinates activities of and supervises personnel engaged in operating an air traffic control tower. Directs radio searches for overdue or lost aircraft. Should be responsible, decisive and handle stress well. Must be a U.S. citizen, age 30 or younger.

• Training: Complete program sponsored by Federal Aviation Administration; pass a certification exam.

• Average pay: $74,773.

Elevator installer and repairer

Also called elevator mechanic. Assembles, installs and replaces elevators, escalators, chairlifts, dumbwaiters and moving walkways in office buildings and homes. Must follow safety regulations and building codes. Should have some math skills and be able to read blueprints.

• Training: Four-year apprenticeship offered by the International Union of Elevator Constructors, Local 34.

• Average pay: $50,943.

Power plant operator

Controls and monitors boilers, turbines, generators and auxiliary equipment in power-generating plants. Distributes power demands among generators, combines the current from several generators and monitors instruments to maintain voltage and regulate electricity flow from the plant. May use computers to keep records of switching operations and loads on generators, lines and transformers. Should have strong computer and technical skills.

• Training: Prior experience or on-the-job training.

• Average pay: $61,118. Read the rest of this entry »

posted by admin on May 16

STARKVILLE, Miss. — By the time he completed his four-year stint in the military three summers ago, Frank Wills had gotten used to taking orders, carrying a rifle and taking pictures of dead bodies as a combat photographer.

He knew how to be a Marine. He hadn’t a clue how a Marine becomes a college student.

Neither did anyone else on campus. Advisers at one school Wills attended gave him incorrect information. Officials at a second offered no help. Often, he says, he felt like “the new kid who didn’t fit in.”

The Serviceman’s Readjustment Act of 1944, better known as the GI Bill, helped turn a college education into a right of middle-class America. It covered the cost for millions of World War II veterans as compensation for having disrupted their lives to serve.

Today, with tuition climbing, and a college degree increasingly the ticket to economic security, the promise of money for education is no less important to service members. The Department of Defense says 95 percent of Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force and U.S. Coast Guard sign up for the GI Bill when they enlist.

For many, like Wills, 28, it is the reason they join. Yet his experience, and those of other recent veterans, suggests that often the road from combat to college can be riddled with potholes.

Read the full article here.

posted by admin on May 15

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFPN) — North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command unveiled their new integrated command center in a ceremony May 13 attended by dignitaries from both Canada and the U.S.The command center opening coincided with NORAD’s 50-year anniversary of the partnership between Canada and the U.S. in defending North America from air and space threats.

“This is really the culmination of a lot of great effort,” said NORAD and USNORTHCOM commander Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr., “by people who have taken this idea of unity of effort, of integration of capabilities, and brought them together in this room as a symbol of a true integrated approach to both warning and defense of our homelands.”

NORAD and USNORTHCOM have shared a commander and a headquarters building since 2002, when USNORTHCOM was established. Sharing a command center with integrated land, air, space, missile warning, maritime and cyber domains brings the commands’ missions together in a way “that creates great synergy,” General Renuart said.

“Our command center will be a huge improvement in our ability to integrate situational awareness, to begin to respond to a major event in either of our countries, and then to take the national capabilities that respond to disasters, both man-made and natural, and bring relief to our citizens in our communities,” the general said. “So this is really a weapons system for the future.”

Canadians greatly value their defense partnership with the U.S., said Canadian Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay. “In fact, we’re constantly revisiting and constantly upgrading our participation, our ability, to continue this strong relationship that we have enjoyed now for 50 years. The opening of NORAD and NORTHCOM’s new command and control center, especially now in the context of this ongoing 50-year anniversary celebration, is truly something that we value.

Read the full story here.

posted by admin on May 14

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - Chad Hall spends many of his days looking into the skies that will shape his future, one way or another.The Air Force Academy senior is attempting to land a job with the Atlanta Falcons as a punt returner — a position of need for the rebuilding franchise.

The standout running back/wide receiver from the Air Force Academy is also trying to capitalize on the military’s rules allowing academy graduates to defer or reduce their military commitments in order to play in the NFL.

“Being with the hometown team is big, but just getting an opportunity to make a team is big,” said Hall, of Norcross. “I’m glad I’m getting the opportunity. I’m competing very well. I just have to see what happens.”

Caleb Campbell, who played safety and linebacker at Army and was drafted in the sixth round by Detroit last month, has drawn widespread attention because the Army established a policy that would allow him to play in the NFL immediately. He would uphold his military commitment by working as a recruiter.

Read the full story here.

posted by admin on May 13

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - The 4th Infantry Division’s Special Troops Battalion underwent numerous changes over the course of a month as some units left its formations and their replacements arrived.

Among those changes included the changes of command of Company A, Company B, and the Headquarters Support Company May 15 in addition to three company transfers of authorities.

“We’re flexible,” said Lt. Col. Dale Buckner, a native of Rochester, N.Y., who serves as the commander of the DSTB, 4th Inf. Div., Multi-National Division - Baghdad, on how his professional staff handled the changes.

“I don’t get hung up on ‘this is the way it used to be done,’ or ‘this is the way the book says it should be done’ or ‘I don’t have any template to stick with,’” said Buckner. “Every day, I look at what the command group requires of us. If the chief of staff calls and says that I need to go train Iraqis on how you put together and execute new radios, we’ll figure out a way. It’s all about flexibility.”

Buckner said the primary function of the DSTB is to support the division main from behind the scenes to provide whatever it takes to make the division main functional in supporting the command group.

The DSTB provides full-spectrum support for the division main. This includes, among a myriad of other tasks: providing all the battle squad support and personal security detachments for the command group; providing communication support directly to the command group; providing logistical support; providing all the administrative support; and for other tasks such as handling Soldiers promotion boards, etc.

“The primary mission of the DSTB is all the behind-the-scenes goings on so the Soldiers can focus on the battlefield,” said Buckner.

Having 14 units to keep track of, and having 2,200 Soldiers in 19 different forward operation bases in Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar, is a daunting task - and one of the main challenges the DSTB has to face.

Buckner said none of the 14 units are the same or mutually supporting.

Read the full story here.