Flag Day: Four Personal Perspectives
WASHINGTON, June 13, 2008 – Tomorrow the United States observes National Flag Day, an annual tribute to the American flag, the ideals it stands for and the sacrifices made to preserve them.
June 13, 2008
May 5, 2008
President's Proclamation Honors Troops' Spouses
WASHINGTON, May 5, 2008 – Military spouses embody the courage, nobility of duty, and love of country that inspire every American. On Military Spouse Day, we pay tribute to the husbands and wives who support their spouses in America's Armed Forces during times of war and peace.
The legacy of military spouses began when colonial Americans were fighting for independence. Martha Washington boosted the morale of her husband's troops by visiting battlefields and tending to the wounded. Since then, members of our Armed Forces have served our Nation accompanied by the steadfast love and support of their spouses and families.
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April 3, 2008
Department to Phase Out Full Social Security Numbers on IDs
WASHINGTON, April 3, 2008 – As a means of combating identity theft, the Defense Department will issue identification cards without full Social Security numbers printed onto them, a senior official said here today.
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March 16, 2008
America Supports You: Award Honors Military Moms
WASHINGTON, March 16, 2008 – A new award administered by troop support groups and sponsored by a major corporation aims to recognize the sacrifices made by military moms.
The Operation Homefront Military Motherhood Award will provide the winner with $5,000 and a free trip to the awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.
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March 10, 2008
DoD News Briefing with Maj. Gen. Kelly from Iraq
BRYAN WHITMAN (deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Public Affairs): Yeah, let's go for it. It is 9:00. Let me thank you all for returning this week and see if we got General Kelly, if he can hear me okay. General Kelly, it's Bryan Whitman at the Pentagon. How are you?
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February 26, 2008
DoD: Hot line calls rise 40 percent every year
Rows of hot line operators with muted voices mask the desperation of incoming calls on a recent afternoon: a soldier back from Iraq with a drinking problem and a broken marriage; an Army recruiter in the throes of depression; a Marine in Iraq eager to reach his wife after the birth of his son.
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January 15, 2008
Marine Deployment to Afghanistan ‘One-Time Deal,’ Official Says
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2008 – The deployment of 3,200 U.S. Marines to Afghanistan this spring represents a one-time troop movement that partially fulfills a long-time request by NATO commanders for additional forces, a senior Pentagon spokesman said here today.
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December 18, 2007
Red Cross to Deliver Holiday Cards to Wounded
This holiday season, the American Red Cross will make sure holiday greetings generically addressed to wounded servicemembers at military medical facilities around the country will find a home.
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September 14, 2007
Why We Serve: U.S. Helping Iraqis to Achieve Freedom, Marine Says
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2007 – When people ask him why the U.S. military should be helping Iraq establish a free and stable society, Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jeremy M. de Vries cites how France helped the American colonies gain their independence from Great Britain during the Revolutionary War.
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New Center Makes Good on Military’s Commitment to Wounded Warriors
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2007 – The new Military Advanced Training Center at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here represents “an evolution in how we embrace, treat and honor,” wounded warriors, the Army vice chief of staff said at yesterday’s opening ceremony.
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September 13, 2007
New Amputee Care Center Opens at Walter Reed
WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2007 – Army National Guard Spc. Marco Robledo wants to go home to Arkansas in November standing on his own two feet. A roadside bomb claimed the combat engineer’s left leg and arm in Iraq in May. Since then, he has been recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here.
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America Supports You: Troops Invited to Submit Original Songs
WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2007 – The Dallas Songwriters Association is inviting aspiring songwriters who happen to wear a military uniform to enter their original tunes in its 2007/2008 “Songs from the Soul of Service” contest.
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September 12, 2007
Bush Nominates Mattis to Lead U.S. Joint Forces Command
WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2007 – President Bush has nominated Marine Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis to receive his fourth star and to lead U.S. Joint Forces Command, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced yesterday.
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August 6, 2007
Senate Confirms Mullen, Cartwright for Top Military Positions
WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2007 – The Senate confirmed Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen and Marine Corps Gen. James E. “Hoss” Cartwright as chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, respectively, Aug. 3.
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May 14, 2007
Defense Department Blocks Internet Sites to Protect Grid
WASHINGTON, May 14, 2007 – The Defense Department is blocking access to many popular Internet sites from department-owned computers due to bandwidth issues, U.S. Strategic Command officials said today.
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April 18, 2007
DoD Announces Program to Recognize Frequent Deployment
The Department of Defense announced today a program to recognize service members who deploy or mobilize beyond the established rotation policy goals. The goals for the Active and Guard/Reserve units are one year deployed to two years at home station (1:2) and one year mobilized to five years demobilized (1:5) respectively.
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April 5, 2007
Department Of Defense Announces Partnership With The Florida Agency For Health Care Administration
The Department of Defense, together with Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration, has partnered to pursue an interoperable network for sharing electronic medical information. This marks the first time that DoD has formed a network with and a non-federal entity to share electronic medical records.
March 27, 2007
Marine Reservists Involuntarily Recalled
WASHINGTON - The Marine Corps is recalling 1,800 reservists to active duty, citing a shortage of volunteers to fill some jobs in Iraq.
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March 26, 2007
Marines to Alert 1,800 Individual Ready Reservists for Reactivation
WASHINGTON, March 26, 2007 – Over the next week, 1,800 Individual Ready Reserve Marines will receive notice from the Marine Corps that they are needed in Iraq, an official announced today.
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March 23, 2007
DoD Investigates Hacking of Troops’ Personal Computers
WASHINGTON, March 23, 2007 – Defense Department officials have launched an investigation into recent computer hackings of servicemembers’ home computers that compromised personal information and led to the redirection of funds from their military pay accounts.
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February 20, 2007
PBS Documentary ‘The Marines’ Captures Corps’ Values
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 2007 – “The Marines,” a PBS documentary highlighting the history and heart of the smallest branch of the U.S. armed services, airs tomorrow on PBS stations nationwide at 9 p.m. Eastern Time.
Filmmakers given access to Marine Corps training facilities in Parris Island, S.C.; Quantico, Va.; and Twentynine Palms, Calif., aimed to capture how a warrior culture and ethos is instilled at the Marine Corps the moment a recruit arrives at boot camp.
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January 21, 2007
12 U.S. Soldiers Die in Helicopter Crash
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21, 2007 – Twelve U.S. soldiers were killed when the Blackhawk helicopter in which they were riding crashed northeast of Baghdad Saturday afternoon, Multinational Force Iraq officials reported today.
Initial reports erroneously claimed that 13 individuals were killed, officials said.
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January 12, 2007
Medal of Honor Recipient Honored at Pentagon
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2007 – The second servicemember to receive the Medal of Honor for actions in the Iraq war was inducted into the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes today.
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November 13, 2006
Rumsfeld Welcomes New Marine Corps Commandant
WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2006 – The Defense Department’s top civilian welcomed the Marine Corps’ new commandant today during a change-of-command ceremony at the Marine Barracks here.
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November 6, 2006
President, Senate Recognize National Veterans Awareness Week
WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, 2006 – President Bush officially declared this week National Veterans Awareness Week and urged all Americans to honor veterans who “stepped forward when America needed them most.”
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August 28, 2006
Summer Reading Program wraps up with 'Pirate' party
MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII (Aug. 28, 2006) -- This year’s Summer Reading Program, coordinated by Marine Corps Community Services here, and the Base Library, officially came to end Aug. 12 during an official Wrap Up Party held in the Reading Room of the library. The festivities began at 1 p.m. and ended at 2 p.m.
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August 21, 2006
Bush: U.S. Will Assist U.N. Stabilization Plan In Lebanon
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21, 2006 – The United States will provide funding and other assistance to support a U.N. plan to end warfare between Lebanon-based Hezbollah guerrillas and Israel, President Bush said here today.
Recently passed U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 has authorized a 15,000-strong international force to deploy as a buffer between Israel and Hezbollah. A brokered cease-fire has reduced fighting between the two antagonists after they fought a month-long trans-border battle using rockets, mortars and ground troops.
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August 18, 2006
DoD tightens parameters on Web logs
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – (Aug. 18, 2006) -- Before “blogging” was a household word, Marines and sailors used word-of-mouth, underground newsletters or television interviews to discuss concerns and state their sentiments for their beloved Corps. Today, some service members are using Web blogs on the World Wide Web to converse on several topics, including personal views on the war and opinions about their chain of command. Devil dogs and seamen must know the guidelines just released by the Department of Defense before typing their next blog entry.
August 16, 2006
Navy Christens New Amphibious Assault Ship Makin Island
The U.S. Navy will christen Makin Island, the newest and last ship in the Wasp-class of amphibious assault ships, on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2006, during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in Pascagoula, Miss.
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August 8, 2006
Missing WWII Marine is Identified
The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that a U.S. Marine missing in action from World War II has been identified and is being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
July 13, 2006
Navy Christens Amphibious Transport Dock Ship Green Bay
The Navy will christen the newest San Antonio Class Amphibious Transport Docking ship Green Bay at 10 a.m. CDT on Saturday, July 15, 2006, during a ceremony at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems – Avondale Operations, Avondale, La.
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July 11, 2006
Pace Talks About Immigrants in the Military
MIAMI - The nation's top general testified emotionally Monday about the importance of immigrants in the military, recalling his father's struggles as an Italian immigrant and his own service in Vietnam.
Marine Gen. Peter Pace paused several times as he spoke at a Senate committee hearing on immigration and appeared choked up as he discussed his parents' hardships and his siblings' success now.
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July 7, 2006
DoD Makes Changes to Qualifications for TRICARE Reserve Select
The Department of Defense announced today the eligibility determination period for the new TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) program, and as a result, every member of the selected reserve will now have the option to purchase their health coverage from TRICARE.
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June 27, 2006
Guam educators planning for influx of Marine families, DODEA planning to hire staff, expand infrastructure
U.S. NAVAL HOSPITAL, GUAM — Like most other military and Guam governmental agencies, Guam’s military school system awaits details to begin planning the major construction and staffing increases needed as 8,000 Marines come to the island.
June 26, 2006
Pentagon Display Honors Military Chaplains
WASHINGTON, June 26, 2006 – A new display commemorating the service of military chaplains was dedicated June 23 in a ceremony at the Pentagon.
David S.C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, speaks during an exhibit dedication ceremony to military chaplains at the Pentagon, June 23. The display is the first in the Pentagon to specifically honor chaplains. It consists of four backlit panels that highlight the accomplishments and service of military chaplains. It is located on the fifth floor of the building's A ring
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June 21, 2006
Marines, Sailor Face Charges in Iraqi Civilian's Death
WASHINGTON, June 21, 2006 – Seven Marines and a sailor were charged today with kidnapping, murder and conspiracy in connection with the death of an Iraqi civilian in Hamdania, Iraq, in late April.
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June 20, 2006
DoD Establishes Mental Health Task Force
The Department of Defense announced today the formation of a congressionally-directed task force to examine matters related to mental health and the Armed Forces.
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June 14, 2006
DoD News Briefing with Brig. Gen. Ham from the Pentagon -- excerpt: regarding Ramadi
GEN. HAM: Good afternoon. ..
...And with that, I'd be glad to take your questions. Please, sir.
Q General, President Bush said today that Iraqi and U.S. forces are working to restore security in Ramadi. Could you tell us specifically what's being done in Ramadi? Also, the U.S. military death toll is nearing 2,500, and could you give us your thoughts on the mounting toll?
June 8, 2006
Coalition Forces Kill Top Terrorist in Iraq
BAGHDAD, June 8, 2006 – Jordanian terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi died in an air strike north of Baghdad yesterday evening, U.S. officials have confirmed.
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June 6, 2006
Commentary: Soldiers, Marines Drive on Through Adversity
HIT, Iraq, June 6, 2006 – The soldiers and Marines here put up with more adversity in their deployment than most Americans will see in a lifetime. And they do it with a great attitude.
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June 4, 2006
Marine Adviser Building Iraqi 'Super Company' in Hit Region
HIT, Iraq, June 4, 2006 – Bringing the Iraqi army to the lead in the country's beleaguered Anbar province is a tough assignment. But Marines assigned to the military transition team at Firm Base 4 here have taken it on.
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May 31, 2006
Ogden Cooks Serve Hot Meals in Iraq
Culinary specialists assigned to the amphibious transport dock USS Ogden (LPD 5) are cooking four daily meals aboard Iraq 's Al Basrah (ABOT) and Khawr Al Amaya (KAAOT) Oil Terminals for the Sailors assigned to Mobile Security Detachment (MSD) 71.
May 30, 2006
President Signs New Tax Legislation for Military Personnel
On May 29, President Bush signed the Heroes Earned Retirement Opportunities (HERO) Act, which amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow service members to still exclude their military compensation from federal income tax, but also contribute to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) while serving in a combat zone tax exclusion area.
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April 3, 2006
Eight Marines, One Sailor Killed in Iraq Incidences
WASHINGTON, April 3, 2006 – Eight Marines and a sailor died in two separate incidents in Iraq yesterday. Three servicemembers also are missing after a vehicle accident in floodwaters, military officials reported today.
A U.S. Marine Corps 7-ton truck rolled over in a flash flood near Asad, resulting in five Marines dead, one injured, and two Marines and one sailor missing. The vehicle was on a combat logistics convoy in Anbar province with eight Marines and one Navy corpsman on board.
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January 27, 2006
Iraqi Army Division Takes Security Lead in Two Provinces
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2006 – The 8th Iraqi Army Division now has responsibility for military operations across two large provinces, a senior U.S. military officer told reporters in Baghdad yesterday.
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International Coalition Strong Heading into Fifth Year
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., Jan. 27, 2006 – Just one day after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, nations around the world mobilized and formed a military coalition. Their goal: to combat global terrorism.
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January 26, 2006
Marine Corps Special Ops Will Add to Military Capability, Commander Says
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2006 – The Marine Corps Special Operations Command, the newest addition to the special operations community, will be a complementary force that will ease the strain on other services' elite units and will contribute to the nation's readiness in the global war on terror, the new unit's commander said here today.
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January 24, 2006
Military Culture Must Change for 'Long War'
As the United States confronts terrorism, military personnel have to make a cultural shift as they fight what officials now call "the Long War," senior DoD officials said.
Army Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, the assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in an interview that the generation of servicemembers entering the military today must focus on how the United States will deal with extremist networks that threaten America and its allies.
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January 23, 2006
U.S., Coalition Efforts Helping Improve Afghanistan
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2006 – Humanitarian efforts continue in Afghanistan as coalition forces helped remove snow from impassable roads and built "hygiene facilities" at a small school. In addition, international diplomats visited a provincial reconstruction team Jan. 21.
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America Supports You: Virginia Group Supports Wounded Troops, Families
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2006 – Wounded servicemembers have an extra helping hand thanks to Operation First Response, a group specializing in providing them supplies and funds during their recuperation.
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Bush: Progress Continues in Terror War, But Threat Remains
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2006 – President Bush said today he will listen to military ground commanders, not polls or focus groups, when making decisions about force levels in Iraq.
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