Blog Post

IAVA Daily News Brief 06.11.12
Posted by on June 11 2012

Here are some of today's top stories and happenings that IAVA is tracking. Prefer to receive real-time updates about major stories and legislation that IAVA is tracking? Follow us on Twitter @IAVAPressRoom and click here to get the News Brief delivered to your inbox every morning.

MUST READS

1) Suicides Outpacing War Deaths for Troops

On Friday, the military said there have been 154 suicides among active-duty troops this year, representing an 18 percent increase from 2011. Suicides have increased even as the military has withdrawn from Iraq and stepped up efforts to provide counseling for finances, mental health, drugs and alcohol.

2) A Weekend at Grief Camp: ‘It’s never going to be the same’

Each year, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) brings children of fallen service members to attend their annual Good Grief Camp. The children are provided with a military mentor where they can share their feelings and grief. Watch their inspiring story from Memorial Day 2012.

3) Housing Project for hard-core homeless pays off 

Project 50, an ambitious program in Los Angeles that helps provide permanent housing to homeless including veterans and their families, released its findings Friday showing that the program “more than paid for itself.” From 2008 to 2010, the program cost the county $3.045 million but generated $3.284 million in estimated savings, the report said.

AFGHANISTAN

• After last week’s NATO airstrike that Afghan officials say killed 18 civilians, NATO is now designating such airstrikes as a “weapon of last resort to rescue troops.”
• Sgt. First Class Walter Taylor, charged with negligent homicide and dereliction of duty, will face a hearing June 19 before a U.S. military judge in Germany to determine whether the case involving the deaths of Dr. Aqilah Hikmat, her son and niece, will go to a full court-martial.
• An earthquake in Afghanistan, measuring 5.4, has trapped 70 people in the Dara Azara village.

IRAQ

• Nouri al-Maliki, Iraq’s prime minister, has fought off an attempt to push him out of office, aided by divisions among his opponents and Iranian intervention on his behalf.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

• The first group of 44 female Marines have begun reporting for combat positions newly opened to them, part of the nearly 14,000 military jobs being opened to women on an experimental basis. The change is in response to a congressional mandate and recognition of the deep contributions of women at war over the past decade.
• Bipartisan Policy Center’s released data displays how sequestration is likely to affect the defense budget beginning Jan. 2. The chart shows how the cost of benefits for veterans is projected to exceed the amount spent on salaries and benefits for active duty troops.
• Bonnie Caroll, Founder and President of Tragedy Assistance Program Survivors, details how surviving families members manage their finances after a military loss.
• Wired.com’s blog “Danger Room” has been increasing its followers, especially amongst service members.

THE NEW GREATEST GENERATION

• Veterans at the University of Montana have been told their summer class tuition wouldn’t be covered by the Yellow Ribbon Program because the school exceeded its budget.
• Transformational Occupational Relationship Quotient, a new software program, will be in 34 career centers in Massachusetts to help veterans match their military experience with open jobs.

INSIDE WASHINGTON

• The Defense Department is mulling over closing and relocating Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Congress and the Pentagon are debating over how much a replacement should cost. Landstuhl -- which treats over 500,000 patients a year -- is the only top-level military trauma center outside the United States.
• A bipartisan group of nine lawmakers are looking to Lt. Col. Daniel Davis in their determined efforts to bring a swift end to the war in Afghanistan. In February, Davis scrutinized the war in Afghanistan after he wrote: “Truth, Lies & Afghanistan: How military leaders have let us down.”

A wide-range of views, positions, and publications are represented in these articles. These views, positions and publications are not endorsed by nor do they necessarily represent the views of IAVA.

  Share:
 del.icio.us  digg  reddit  facebook  newsvine myspace twitter