Category: Armed Forces

Rachel Poole, Pregnant Wife, Brutally Stabbed At Home As Soldier Husband Watches On Video Chat

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US Army SealRachel Poole, Pregnant Wife, Brutally Stabbed At Home As Soldier Husband Watches On Video Chat

A soldier stationed overseas watched in horror as his pregnant wife was stabbed in her home while the two chatted on video.

Rachel Poole, 31, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition after a man who was allegedly hiding in the home stabbed her multiple times in Texas on Wednesday. Poole was nine months pregnant at the time. Police say Corey Bernard Moss stabbed Poole from behind with a stainless steel knife, according to KFOX.

During the attack, her husband, Justin Pele Poole, an American soldier stationed thousands of miles away in Asia, saw the attack unfold as the two talked over FaceTime, according to ABC15.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/03/rachel-poole-stabbed-video-chat-soldier-husband_n_4208271.html?utm_hp_ref=crime

Millington Naval Base Shooting: Two Soldiers Shot, Gunman In Custody, Officials Say (UPDATE)

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US NavyMillington Naval Base Shooting: Two Soldiers Shot, Gunman In Custody, Officials Say (UPDATE)

A gunman shot several people near a U.S. Navy base in Millington, Tenn., authorities say. Fox13 reports that an employee of the base was relieved of duty today and is suspected of shooting at random people after going to his car. The suspect, an Army National Guardsman, is in custody, the Navy reported in a press release. Two National Guard soldiers were treated for non-life threatening injuries, and NBC News reports that one was shot in the leg and another was shot in the foot. The Navy also reported that there “is not an active shooter situation.” The attack took place near an area called Naval Support Activity Midsouth:

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/24/millington-naval-base-shooting_n_4158166.html?934839&ncid=mobile4

Re-visiting Mefloquine Use at Guantanamo: A Guest Post by Dr. Remington Nevin

On By AdministratorIn Army, Military Policy, PTSD, TBI, Mental IllnessLeave a comment

Box Lariam (mefloquine) antimalarial tabletsRe-visiting Mefloquine Use at Guantanamo: A Guest Post by Dr. Remington Nevin

Did the CIA direct the U.S. military to administer a powerful antimalarial drug to Guantanamo detainees, not for its antimalarial properties, but for its intoxicating and behavioral side effects as an aid to interrogation? This is the seemingly impenetrable question that I have been exploring for the past few years, ever since Seton Hall Law professor Mark Denbeaux and investigative reporters Jason Leopold and Jeffrey Kaye asked me to review medical files from Guantanamo inmates obtained from the Department of Defense (DoD) via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

These FOIA records revealed what on casual inspection seems a benign, even benevolent medical practice: according to standard operating procedures, every detainee arriving at Guantanamo immediately received a curative dose of 1,250mg of the antimalarial drug mefloquine.

Read more: http://transparentpolicy.org/2013/11/re-visiting-mefloquine-use-guantanamo-guest-post-dr-remington-nevin-2/

Robert Rheault dies at 87; Green Beret commander accused of murder

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US Army SealRobert Rheault dies at 87; Green Beret commander accused of murder

The colonel and five of his men were implicated in the death of a suspected South Vietnamese double agent during the Vietnam War. The charges were dropped.

In 1969 Col. Robert Rheault landed a long-coveted assignment in Vietnam: commanding the Green Berets, the daring U.S. Special Forces group championed by President Kennedy and glorified by John Wayne. He had held the job for only three weeks, however, when a scandal broke — one that Time magazine would later call “second only to the My Lai killings.”

Rheault (pronounced Roe) and five of his men were accused of murder and conspiracy in the death of a suspected South Vietnamese double agent. When questioned by his superiors, Rheault said the man was away on a secret mission when in fact his body had already been dumped in the South China Sea.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/obituaries/la-me-robert-rheault-20131103,0,3258465.story#axzz2jhJ0SD2D

Compass: Guard takes sexual assault seriously

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Felony Crime, Military Policy, National Guard, Sexual AssaultLeave a comment

Thomas KatkusBy GEN. THOMAS KATKUS         

As commissioner for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and adjutant general for the Alaska National Guard, I am responsible for ensuring all personnel aggressively root out any harassment, hostile work environments, sexual assault or trading of sexual favors. These actions have no place in America’s work environment. This responsibility to our military family and our state workforce is nonnegotiable.

When Gov. Sean Parnell spoke at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Fairbanks last week, he clearly stated that respect is a traditional value that crosses all cultures. This is also true when it comes to the culture of the military. “Choose Respect” is not a slogan — it is a way of life for our military community, as it should be.

Read more here.

Fort Carson Green Beret colonel makes rare speech

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George ThiebeFort Carson Green Beret colonel makes rare speech

The reason the Green Berets will seemingly stand still as the rest of the  Army endures the convulsions of the post-war Pentagon is that units such as 10th  Group have thrived on uncertainty and constant change.

“What will be required of our Green Berets in days ahead has not changed,”  Col George Thiebes said.

One fact Thiebes revealed: 10th Group troops have been busy. In the past  year, 1,000 of the soldiers have worked in 42 countries – primarily in Europe,  Africa and the Middle East. That’s no surprise.

Soldiers from 10th Group were some of the first Americans in the 2003 attack  on Iraq. The Fort Carson troops advised the Kurds in northern Iraq that played a  key role in the defeat of Saddam Hussein.

Read more here.

Wisconsin National Guard launches dedicated counsel program for sexual assault victims

On By AdministratorIn Army, Military Policy, Sexual Assault, USAFLeave a comment

National GuardWisconsin National Guard launches dedicated counsel program for sexual assault victims

MADISON, Wis. – Military sexual assault prevention and response programs have  gained attention over the past year as a Department of Defense report shows an  increase in reported sexual assaults. Maj. Gen. Donald Dunbar, Wisconsin  adjutant general, has made it clear the issue is a top priority in the Wisconsin  National Guard as well.

“There is no place for sexual assault in the  Wisconsin National Guard,” Dunbar said. “We will not look the other  way.”

Over the past few months, Dunbar and other senior Wisconsin  National Guard leaders have visited every Wisconsin National Guard unit and  facility to convey that simple, unmistakable message.

Currently, the  Wisconsin National Guard’s sexual assault prevention and response program  provides sexual assault and domestic violence victims with emergency response  assistance, counseling and therapy referrals, personal and systemic advocacy,  and access to applicable benefits. But as of Oct. 1, Wisconsin National Guard  members coping with the unthinkable crime of being sexually assaulted by a  fellow service member have a new advocate.

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/116009/wisconsin-national-guard-launches-dedicated-counsel-program-sexual-assault-victims#.UnT-tiLD_mI

Fort Hood, area leaders come together to tackle issue of domestic violence

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DV AwarenessFort Hood, area leaders come together to tackle issue of domestic violence

Domestic violence is a significant, serious issue for Fort Hood Soldiers and Families. The impact of violence on children and Families causes damage that spans lifetimes and even generations. As a result, the issue has the direct attention of Bell County and Maj. Gen. Anthony Ierardi, commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division and senior  commander at Fort Hood.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month at Fort Hood. The focus given by military leaders on this critical matter both heightens community awareness and highlights the support available to those affected by violence in the home.

Read more: http://www.forthoodsentinel.com/story.php?id=12314

Attention all Airmen: AF holds sexual assault offenders accountable, convictions now online

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USAF SealROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. — You’ve heard a lot lately about the topic of sexual assault. You will continue to hear a lot about it in the weeks and months ahead. It’s important that each Air Force member understands the importance of the Air Force addressing and solving this real issue.

Each allegation of a criminal offense must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. In court, the court members and military judge must exercise their independent judgment in determining the facts of a particular case and, if the accused is guilty, determine an appropriate punishment. When a person is found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, it’s often possible to identify recurring themes and risks. In that way, we can all work together to protect ourselves, protect each other and combat the problem head on.

To this end, the Air Force now publishes sexual assault convictions online. Anyone can go to the website and review more than 100 sexual assault convictions from across the Air Force. After a few minutes of reviewing the facts of the cases that resulted in a conviction, you will soon see many cases are very similar – they involve: the use of alcohol; the absence of personal respect for the victim; and the absence of the victim’s consent.

 

Former Marine Sentenced to Federal Prison

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USMCFormer Marine Sentenced to Federal Prison

A former Marine staff sergeant who accepted $150,000 from military contractors while deployed in Iraq was sentenced Friday to more than five years in federal prison.

Gilbert Mendez, 37, from Camp Lejeune, N.C., pleaded guilty last December to conspiracy to defraud the United States.

In handing down the 63-month sentence, U.S. District Judge Janis Sammartino told Mendez that he “breached his honor and his integrity” and that his conduct impacted not only the Marine Corps but every U.S. taxpayer.

Read more: http://oceanside-camppendleton.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/former-marine-sentenced-to-federal-prison_935ce177