Here are some of today's top stories and happenings at IAVA. Prefer to receive real-time updates about major stories and legislation that IAVA is tracking? Follow us on Twitter @IAVAPressRoom [1] or subscribe to receive the brief in your inbox each morning at www.iava.org/dailynewsbrief [2].
MUST READS
1) Senior officers discuss personal struggles with depression and suicide [3]
Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Samuel Rhodes is among a small group of senior non-commissioned officers and officers opening up about their journeys back from the brink of suicide. The open support from the military's uppermost ranks for openly discussing a topic long considered taboo is a revolution triggered largely by both greater awareness and pressure to curb record-high suicide rates.
2) More troops returning from urban warfare to battle homelessness [4]
U.S. troops continue to face a grim economic reality as they return from combat, with the unemployment rate still hovering 11.6 percent. These realities are forcing troops of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars faster than veterans of other conflicts.
3) Report outlines restructuring of U.S. military [5]
The much-anticipated “Quadrennial Defense Review” is expected to be unveiled Monday. The report is part of the effort to shit from the post-Cold War doctrine and calls for a restructuring of forces, more investment in unmanned drones, and greater emphasis on combating cyberattacks.
AFGHANISTAN
An interpreter in Afghanistan shot dead two U.S. soldiers [6], a U.S. military official said on Saturday, adding that the attacker appeared to be a disgruntled employee rather than a militant.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai renewed his calls for Taliban fighters to desert the insurgency and outlined some steps [7] to encourage the fighters to lay down their weapons.
60 Minutes spent over two months with a Green Beret unit as they trained [8] a group of Afghan soldiers and then went into battle with them against the Taliban.
IRAQ
Iraq is investing more money in funding for mental health programs [9] as Iraqis struggle with war-related illnesses, such as symptoms of Post–Traumatic Stress Disorder.
A suicide bomber detonated an explosives belt [10] Saturday at a restaurant popular with Iraqi security forces, killing at least two.
A CNN reporter detailed her experience of accompanying Vice President Biden [11] during his recent trip to Iraq.
MILITARY AFFAIRS
A woodworker from Utah has completed and delivered [12] more than 1,000 portraits of servicemembers killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. Each portrait takes the artist up to 16 hours and he hopes to complete one for all troops killed in the wars.
A reduction of the school year in Hawaii by 10 percent has raised concerns [13] with the U.S. military, which has struggled to encourage troops with families to accept assignments because of the state’s struggling public education system.
The military is investing significant financing [14] into making laser warfare — ultra-precise weapons based beams of light — into a reality.
INSIDE WASHINGTON
The Defense Department and Obama Administration is anticipating a “several-year process [15]” to lift “don’t ask don’t tell.”
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) this weekend fired back at reports that the U.S. military stopped flying [16] critically ill Haitian earthquake victims to his state, stating that flights continued despite the confusion.
CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE
THE SENATE
The Senate convenes at 2:00 p.m.
SENATE FLOOR ACTIVITY of INTEREST
Morning Business until 3:00pm with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST
No issues today
FUTURE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST
February 10, 2010 Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on VA’s FY 2011 Budget 9:30 a.m.; 418 Russell
February 16 - 17, 2010 SVAC will conduct field hearings in Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska, on benefits and health care issues, to be conducted by Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK)
THE HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES
The House is not in session.
HOUSE FLOOR ACTIVITY of INTEREST
No issues today
FUTURE HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST
February 3, 2010 HVAC Subcommittee on Health hearing entitled, Review of VA Contract Health Care: Project HERO.
February 3, 2010 HVAC Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs hearing entitled, „Implementation and Status Update on the Veterans‚ Benefits Improvement Act, P.L. 110-389.‰ 2:00 p.m.; 334 Cannon
February 4, 2010 Full House Veterans' Affairs Committee Hearing: VA‚s Budget Request for FY 2011 and FY 2012 10:00 a.m.; 334 Cannon HOB
February 10, 2009 House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health Hearing: The Veterans Health Administration’s Fiscal Year 2011 Budget 2:00 p.m.; 334 Cannon HOB
February 11, 2010 House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies hearing: VA’s budget requests for Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012. Time and Location: TBD.
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.
Links:
[1] http://www.twitter.com/iavapressroom
[2] http://www.iava.org/dailynewsbrief
[3] http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/1455590.html
[4] http://www.statesman.com/news/texas-politics/more-troops-returning-from-urban-warfare-to-battle-204271.html
[5] http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5ff81a32-0e94-11df-bd79-00144feabdc0.html
[6] http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60T1AJ20100130
[7] http://www.startribune.com/world/83193837.html?page=1&c=y
[8] http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/28/60minutes/main6151526.shtml?tag=currentVideoInfo;segmentUtilities
[9] http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/31/world/middleeast/31iraqcare.html?sudsredirect=true
[10] http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_16025/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=OFyrhGS5
[11] http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/01/29/Thai.baghdad.back/index.html
[12] http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2010/01/ap_fallen_soldiers_portraits_012910/
[13] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/31/AR2010013101089.html
[14] http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/01/12/army-building-ultra-high-power-laser-guns/
[15] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/30/AR2010013000404.html
[16] http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/78937-crist-disputes-claims-that-military-halted-flights-for-haitian-earthquake-victims