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.

Wisconsin National Guard launches dedicated counsel program for sexual assault victims

On November 2, 2013November 2, 2013 By AdministratorIn Army, Military Policy, Sexual Assault, USAFLeave a comment

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.

ACLU Challenges Ongoing Exclusion of Women from Combat Positions

On November 2, 2013November 2, 2013 By AdministratorIn Military PolicyLeave a comment

ACLU Challenges Ongoing Exclusion of Women from Combat Positions

Careers of Plaintiffs Continue to Be Hindered Despite Announced Repeal of 1994 Combat Exclusion Directive

SAN FRANCISCO–(ENEWSPF)–October 31, 2013. Four service women and the Service Women’s Action Network filed an amended complaint today in their lawsuit against the Department of Defense for its ongoing blanket exclusion of women from thousands of ground combat positions. The plaintiffs originally filed a lawsuit challenging the DoD’s ban on women in combat positions last year with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Northern California, and the law firm Munger, Tolles &; Olson LLP.

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

On November 1, 2013November 15, 2016 By AdministratorIn Military Policy, USAFLeave a comment

ROBINS 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.

DoD personnel chief: New job-specific physical standards being drafted

On October 31, 2013October 31, 2013 By AdministratorIn Military PolicyLeave a comment

DoD personnel chief: New job-specific physical standards being drafted

Opening up the combat arms career fields for women will result in a new array of job-specific physical standards that will apply to both men and women, the Pentagon’s top personnel and readiness official said Tuesday.

“You, as the man or woman, need to carry your load. So when we develop the standard, the standard is not just going to be for the females. The standard is going to be the standard,” said Jessica Wright, acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness.

Wright is overseeing the process of opening up all military jobs to women by 2016, including more than 200,000 billets that make up the core of the ground-level combat forces in the Army and Marine Corps. The four services are developing a new set of job-specific physical standards.

Air Force lawyers draw fire over sexual assault policy

On October 31, 2013November 2, 2013 By AdministratorIn Military Policy, Sexual Assault, USAFLeave a comment

Air Force lawyers draw fire over sexual assault policy

Top Air Force lawyers are under fire after urging subordinates to rally against a Senate proposal that would overhaul the military’s sexual assault policies.

A letter obtained by POLITICO shows Lt. Gen. Richard Harding, the Air Force judge advocate general, and Col. Jeffrey Rockwell, urging their fellow military lawyers to take sides against a Senate amendment expected to come up for a floor vote before Thanksgiving that removes the command chain from major criminal prosecutions.

Lawmaker sustains 6-month hold on 3-star’s nomination

On October 30, 2013October 30, 2013 By AdministratorIn Military Policy, Sexual Assault, USAFLeave a comment

Lawmaker sustains 6-month hold on 3-star’s nomination

For six months, a prominent Democratic lawmaker has blocked Lt. Gen. Susan Helms’ nomination to be vice commander of Space Command, making it unlikely that she will ever be confirmed.

Helms continues to serve as commander of 14th Air Force. Lt. Gen. John Hyten has already been confirmed to replace her, but the Air Force is waiting for Helms to be confirmed before moving forward, Air Force spokesman Capt. Adam Gregory said. Helms’ nomination will expire in January 2015.

Both Helms and Hyten declined to comment for this story, Gregory said.

Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri first objected to Helms nomination in April and then reaffirmed her stance in June, citing Helms’ decision to overturn the sex assault conviction of a captain at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., in February 2012.

Marine Corps Veteran Justin Eldridge Died by Suicide in Connecticut Home; Battled PTSD & TBI After Deployment to Afghanistan (October 29, 2013)

On October 29, 2013October 30, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, In Their Name, Military Policy, PTSD, TBI, Mental Illness, Suicide, USMC, VeteransLeave a comment

Marine Corps veteran Justin Eldridge was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in his Waterford, Connecticut home on October 29, 2013. Justin served in the Marine Corps for 8 1/2 years. After a deployment to Afghanistan he battled with both Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. As a result he was medically retired from the Marine Corps in 2008. Justin was married with four children at the time of his death. Justin’s wife Joanna has continued the fight for our soldiers and veterans. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) honored Justin Eldridge on the Senate Floor and co-sponsored a veteran suicide prevention bill in his name. Joanna attended the 2015 State of the Union and a bipartisan suicide prevention bill was signed into law in March 2015.

His final message, posted on his Facebook Page at about 9 p.m., “theres only so much bashing someone can take before they react………” –Waterford Patch (October 29, 2013)

Senator Richard Blumenthal Honors US Marine Justin Eldridge:

In a Senator Floor speech today, Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal honors the heroism of United States Marine Justin Eldridge of Waterford, tragic victim of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder who took his own life two days ago. (October 30, 2013)

Update on Exemption for PTSD (MST) Counseling on Security Clearance

On October 28, 2013October 28, 2013 By AdministratorIn Military Policy, PTSD, TBI, Mental Illness, Sexual Assault1 Comment

Active Duty: Please be warned that the counseling for Military Sexual Trauma was only exempt from the security clearance questionnaire as interim guidance. This means that the ruling was only temporary. We need you to contact Representative Chellie Pingree and Senator Jon Tester and let them know that the National Intelligence Agency needs to make this policy permanent. There is no reason that it should not be included as an exemption with the counseling for combat PTSD, spousal counseling, and grief counseling.

September 17, 2013: Letter to DNI Clapper (10/24/13 03:29 PM PST)

21 members of Tucson Air Guard unit indicted on fraud charges

On October 27, 2013October 28, 2013 By AdministratorIn Military Policy, USAFLeave a comment

21 members of Tucson Air Guard unit indicted on fraud charges

A colonel and 20 other members of an Arizona Air National Guard unit based in Tucson have been indicted on charges they defrauded the government of $1.4 million intended for deployed military members.

Attorney General Tom Horne announced that the Guard members — current or former members of the 214th Reconnaissance Group — will face charges stemming from an 18-month investigation that concluded eight officers and 13 enlisted personnel falsified records. The 214th operates Predator drones in Iraq and Afghanistan from Tucson.

The only defendant identified so far is the former commander of the 214th, who is alleged to have overseen the fraud, Horne said.

MILITARY JUSTICE FOR ALL

Category: Military Policy

Fort Carson Green Beret colonel makes rare speech

Wisconsin National Guard launches dedicated counsel program for sexual assault victims

ACLU Challenges Ongoing Exclusion of Women from Combat Positions

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

DoD personnel chief: New job-specific physical standards being drafted

Air Force lawyers draw fire over sexual assault policy

Lawmaker sustains 6-month hold on 3-star’s nomination

Marine Corps Veteran Justin Eldridge Died by Suicide in Connecticut Home; Battled PTSD & TBI After Deployment to Afghanistan (October 29, 2013)

Update on Exemption for PTSD (MST) Counseling on Security Clearance

21 members of Tucson Air Guard unit indicted on fraud charges

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