Military Connection Archives

Military Connection: Trust Your Charity? By Debbie Gregory

August 22, 2014/in Archived Blogs

In October, 2013, Joseph Earl Steward was arrested in Ohio for illegally soliciting funds for a popular Veterans charity. On August 8, 2014, the 45 year old was sentenced to three years in prison.

Prior to his arrest, Steward went door to door, claiming to work for the Wounded Warrior Project. He solicited several thousands dollars in donations from good people who believed that their money was going to help wounded Veterans. Steward went as far as to offer fake tax receipts to individuals who gave him money. Most of the donations were in increments of $10-$25, but some were as high as $500.

Last year, Steward was formally charged with illegally soliciting for a charity, identity theft, impersonating an officer, theft, and tampering with records.

Steward pleaded guilty to the soliciting, impersonating and tampering charges. The other charges against him were dropped. Along with his sentence, Steward was ordered to pay $1,577 in restitution to the charity.

After his arrest, representatives from the Wounded Warrior Project said they had no record of Steward working for their organization, and that they never received any donations from him. Donors should keep in mind that the charity does not solicit door-to-door

Good people who want to help Veterans– or any charity– should be careful who they give their donations to. In recent years, there have been an increasing number of impostors looking to make a profit on the backs of those who serve, past and present.

Most reputable charities have established websites equipped with a secure donations page. Even when donating online, you should give your money to non-profits that have a proven track-record. Many of these reputable organizations are on our Charity Connection page.

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve, Veterans and their Families. We are the go to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go to site.

Military Connection: Trust Your Charity? By Debbie Gregory

Military Connection: Update on Sgt. Bergdahl: By Debbie Gregory

August 21, 2014/in Archived Blogs

Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl disappeared from his post in Afghanistan’s Paktika province on June 30, 2009. Bergdahl was stationed there with the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, based out of Fort Richardson, Alaska. The sergeant was captured by the Taliban and held for nearly five years. Sgt. Bergdahl’s captivity finally ended on May 31, 2014, when he was traded for five Taliban detainees from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.

According to Army officials, Sgt. Bergdahl is back on duty, currently assigned to administrative duties at Fort Sam Houston in Texas, and lives without restrictions at the non-commissioned officers’ quarters there.

Since his release, several soldiers, including some who served with Sgt. Bergdahl, have accused him of voluntarily leaving his post. These soldiers, as well as other service members, have noted that several soldiers were killed, and others wounded, in the search operations for the missing Bergdahl.

The Army has been conducting an investigation into Bergdahl’s disappearance from his post back in 2009, and a completed Article 15-6 investigation was expected mid-August. The investigating officer, Army Maj. Gen. Kenneth R. Dahl, now believes that his report will likely be filed in September. Once General Dahl’s report is submitted, it will be subject to a legal review that could further delay a decision on Bergdahl’s fate.

Eugene Fidell, Bergdahl’s attorney, says thatSgt. Bergdahl has been cooperative in the interviews, and has answered all of Dahl’s questions. Fidell also claims that Sgt. Bergdahl was never read his rights until August 6, 2014. The lawyers said that the amount of time the reading of his rights was withheld could be a factor, should the Army attempt to pursue criminal charges against Bergdahl.

Fidell said that if Sgt. Bergdahl is cleared of charges, he plans to leave the Army and attend college. If Bergdahl is cleared, he will be eligible for Veteran education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which requires that Veterans discharge from the armed forces under honorable conditions.

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve, Veterans and their Families. We are the go to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go to site.

Military Connection: Update on Sgt. Bergdahl: By Debbie Gregory

Military Connection: Veteran Survey Findings: By Debbie Gregory

August 20, 2014/in Archived Blogs

In July, the Veterans advocacy group Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) released the findings of its 2014 Member Survey.

The IAVA is the first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to combat Veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. IAVA membership is dependent on participation in either Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom, but civilians and other Veterans may join in a supporter status.

For the 2014 IAVA Member Survey, an online questionnaire was completed by 2,089 Veteran members. Their feedback will be used to provide an insight into what the post-military experience has been like so far for our latest generation of combat Veterans.

Some of the notable results include that 53% of participants said that that they had experienced mental injury. There were 44% diagnosed with PTSD, and 18% diagnosed with TBI. Almost two thirds of the participants admitted to having a mental injury and claimed to be receiving treatment. More than two thirds of the participants who had a close friend or family member suggest they seek help for their mental injury did so. This emphasizes how important it is for family members to vocalize their concern.

Regarding their education benefits, 62% of participants claimed to have used the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Of those, 78% of the Veterans rated the benefit as GOOD or EXCELLENT.

Regarding mental health treatment, 72% of survey participants who use the VA healthcare system for their mental health claims said they were satisfied with their provider, and 91% of participants claim to be satisfied with their non-VA provider for mental health treatments.

Almost half of the participants claim to have known at least one Iraq or Afghanistan Veteran who has attempted suicide.

One in ten participants claimed to be unemployed, and 61% of the employed Veterans claimed to be satisfied with their jobs.

Of the Veterans who filed disability claims with the VA, 70% answered that they waited over 120 days for the VA to notify them of their claim.

There are dozens of pages of data regarding Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans revealed from this survey. It is highly recommended that Veterans read the entire survey to see that they are not alone in their struggles. It is also important for employers, community leaders and advocates to understand the results in order to gain an insight as to where and how they can best help Veterans.

Click here for the 2014 IAVA Member Survey. For more information on IAVA, click here.

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve, Veterans and their Families. We are the go to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go to site.

Military Connection: Veteran Survey Findings: By Debbie Gregory

Military Connection: Iraq Vets on Air Strikes: By Debbie Gregory

August 20, 2014/in Archived Blogs

President Obama has authorized the use of air strikes to assist the Republic of Iraq against the insurgent group that the U.S. government has been calling the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

ISIL, also referred to in the media as Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and as The Islamic State, has been determined in its mission to establish a Sunni Islamic state in the lands of Shiite controlled Syria and Iraq. ISIL began land grabbing in Syria in 2013 and in Iraq in 2014. On January 3, 2014, ISIL declared Fallujah an Islamic state, after it had successfully captured the city from the Iraqi Security Forces. All through this year, ISIL’s power, influence and territory has expanded through Iraq. ISIL now controls nearly one third of Syria, and almost half of Iraq.

U.S. air strikes were authorized by the president on August 7^th. The attacks, carried out by jets and drones, have attacked ISIL forces, targeting their armored units and vehicles. Along with the attacks from the sky, the U.S. has also been dropping supplies to an estimated 150,000 Iraqi civilians. These civilians have been targeted for elimination by ISIL and trapped in the Sinjar Mountains, where they were under constant attack from ISIL and without food and water.

Many in the American military and Veteran communities support the air strikes, including several members of Congress. Of course, the most outspoken supporters are the Veterans who served in Iraq.

Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) supports the targeted air strikes and the humanitarian air drops, but hopes that the president will consult Congress for a long term solution. Duckworth is a Veteran of the Illinois National Guard, and was one of the first women to fly combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Duckworth lost both of her legs in 2004 when her Blackhawk helicopter was shot down in Iraq.

“Even though these air strikes were necessary, these actions alone will not end the crisis in Iraq,” Duckworth said. “The long-term solution must be a political solution, not a military one. I encourage President Obama to return to Congress and begin the discussion of the steps we need to take to stabilize Iraq.”

As the Iraqi people still dwell among constant warfare, the members of the U.S. military and the Veterans who have previously fought and bled in Iraq watch and wait to see how effective the air strikes will be, and what the future holds for the American military and Iraq.

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve, Veterans and their Families. We are the go to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go to site.

Military Connection: Iraq Vets on Air Strikes: By Debbie Gregory

Military Connection: Navy Suicides Up: By Debbie Gregory

August 19, 2014/in Healthcare, Military, Military Spouse, Military Veteran

Recently, the Pentagon released updated figures on the suicides within all service branches.

So far in 2014, the Navy has seen the biggest increase in suicides among its active duty personnel. Unfortunately, as of the end of July, the Navy experienced 38 suicides, a number that is almost a 50% increase for the branch for the same time last year. In fact, the Navy recorded a total of 43 suicides for all of last year.

The increase in Navy suicides comes as a major blow to the Department of Defense, as there has been a deliberate push to eliminate suicides in all branches of the military. The Navy leadership has made suicide prevention a top priority over the last several years. After last year”s decline, and the significant decline overall, officials were hopeful that their efforts were working.

But Navy brass is not ready to call the increased rate a complete reversal of their suicide prevention labors. Officials said that most of this year’s suicides have been prompted by events that aren’t exclusive to the Navy or its sailors. Instead, the Navy claims that events that commonly precede most civilian suicides prompted the bulk of their 2014 suicides, including family, legal and financial difficulties, removal from a leadership position, and missed promotions at work.

The Navy has been active in implementing suicide prevention programs, both in their individual commands and on their installations, and has taken several measures to reduce sailors” stress, especially among those who deploy.

The Navy recently hired several resiliency counselors who are civilian mental health workers, deploying with crews aboard aircraft carriers and large-deck amphibious ships.

Starting this year, the Navy is requiring its deploying sailors to complete a four-hour training course. The course gives sailors the tools needed for managing stress, and teaches sailors and officers in leadership roles to recognize signs of a potential suicide.

All of the men and women serving in the military need to know when and how they can get help if they are having suicidal thoughts. Service members are urged to tell their command, their direct superior, or even a buddy if they feel that they themselves have suicidal thoughts, or witness a comrade who might be.

Service members should call the Military Crisis Line or call 1(800) 273-8255 (then press 1).

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve, Veterans and their Families. We are the go to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go to site.

Military Connection: Navy Suicides Up: By Debbie Gregory

Military Connections: Unmentioned Risks of Service: By Debbie Gregory

August 19, 2014/in Archived Blogs

Men and women who choose to join the military and serve their country are aware that there will be many sacrifices involved. They know that they will spend time away from their families. They understand that there is the likelihood of being deployed and the possibility of seeing combat. Service members are usually aware that there is a chance of getting wounded, injured or killed. What many service members don’t realize is there are significant risks to their health outside of the ones that are normally though of.

A recent study found that men who enlist in the military are three times more likely to develop erectile dysfunction (ED) than civilians of the same age group. While the topic of ED is rarely talked about, it needs to be discussed.

On July 17, 2014, the study, “Sexual Functioning in Military Personnel: Preliminary Estimates and Predictors”was published online by the Journal of Sexual Medicine. Researchers polled 367 male service members, aged 21-40.

Between October and November, 2013, participants completed an online survey about ED. The study examined the frequency of sexual function problems in male service members so that they could evaluate the effects of ED, including the quality of life for those who have it.

The study found that ED was quite common, showing up in more than 30% of the service members polled. Service members aged 36-40 had the highest rates, more than double the rate of ED for civilians over the age of 40.

The high rate of ED among service members could be related to the increased number of deployments over the past twelve years, as well as the number of traumatic events that service members can be subjected to. Generally, sexual functioning issues are associated with getting older, but serious injuries and traumatic events can increase the likelihood of developing ED.

The most troubling part of the study was that most service members were not seeking treatment. Only one out of twelve service members who admitted having various degrees of ED in the survey admitted to seeking medical treatment. Most of the participants cited concerns about what others would think as reasons for not getting checked out.

While some may consider it emasculating to seek help for problems with sexual function and performance, the study found a direct correlation between ED and one’s overall quality of life and happiness. It is highly recommended that any service member suffering from ED seek medical assistance so that they can restore balance to their life.

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve, Veterans and their Families. We are the go to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go to site.

Military Connections: Unmentioned Risks of Service: By Debbie Gregory

Military Connection: Army to Cut 550 Majors: By Debbie Gregory

August 18, 2014/in Archived Blogs

The latest move in the campaign to downsize the U.S. Army was revealed on August 1, 2014 when the Army announced that it will be letting go 550 majors (O-4).

The Army currently has close to 514,000 members in its ranks, but must get that number down to 510,000 by October’s end of the fiscal year as mandated by the Department of Defense. Additionally, that number must decrease to 490,000 by October 2015, and again decrease down to 450,000 by 2019.

The Army recently involuntarily separated almost 1,200 captains (O-3). Now the Army will be cutting 550 majors. The process began with an Army separation board reviewing approximately 8,500 majors whose service began between 1999 and 2003. Some of these men and women may have close to 15 years of service, depending on all criteria involved with credit for years of service, and might be able to retire. But most of the 550 won”t have enough time in the job for a military retirement.

The 550 majors will have nine months to leave the Army. Although not confirmed by Army officials, it is believed that a few of the selected officers are deployed in Afghanistan. A large portion of the officers will be eligible to join the National Guard or the Army Reserve, branches that are in need of competent officers.

The Army has tried to avoid cutting existing personnel by reducing its push for enlistments and creating incentives for voluntary separations.

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve, Veterans and their Families. We are the go to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go to site.

Military Connection: Army to Cut 550 Majors: By Debbie Gregory

Military Connection: Why Hire Veterans? By Debbie Gregory

August 18, 2014/in Archived Blogs

Veteran employees are among the most skilled, trainable and dedicated group of individuals in the workforce. Hiring Veterans can greatly contribute to turning our economy around. Therefore, it is vital that employers understand their Veteran employees and the potential Veteran employees have to elevate the success of the company they work for. When civilian hiring managers are given the tools to understand the Veteran workforce, they will be more likely to recruit these workers and leaders into their ranks.

Military Connection has compiled the following list of general facts about Veterans that can assist hiring managers and Veteran employers:

Many Veterans weren’t properly prepared for the transition– Millions of Veterans have left the military during the past decade. Often times, while still in uniform, Veterans were promised employment solely based on their service. It is only in the last couple of years that service branches have taught their separating members how to market themselves to civilian hiring managers. Most Veterans weren’t taught how to translate their vast military skills to a civilian employer.

Company values are important– Most employees, especially Veteran employees, want to work for a company with values and visions of a cause that is greater than profits. Veterans seek out companies that believe in teamwork, strong leadership and supporting the community. Veterans have been seasoned to support and promote the values of their organization. The “hoo-rah” attitude that Veterans used to fight wars could be utilized in supporting your company’s goals.

Veterans don’t want a handout– Veterans don’t want to be hired solely based on their Veteran status. Through extensive military training and benefits, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Veterans have training, knowledge and experience to offer your company. The biggest obstacle that Veteran employment seekers have to overcome is hiring managers who do not recognize military service as employment experience.

Veterans are problem solvers– While serving, Veterans wore many hats and took on varied duties. Veterans received extensive experience in executing orders, improvising when necessary, and crisis management. Veterans also possess the leadership skill set in order to carry out necessary responsibilities and accomplish the company’s missions, such as inter-squad coordination, motivating subordinates, and team building.

Veterans continue to serve– Many Veteran employees may still be serving in the National Guard or Reserves. As a rule, the Veteran workforce is a patriotic and community conscious group. Many Veterans belong to service organizations and clubs, and want to make their communities better places for their families.

When a hiring manager is able to recognize the experience, skills and personality that a Veteran employee can bring to their company, then perhaps the Veteran unemployment rate will go down, and company success can sky-rocket.

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve, Veterans and their Families. We are the go to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go to site.

Military Connection: Why Hire Veterans? By Debbie Gregory

Military Connection: Army Uses Virtual Therapist: By Debbie Gregory

August 17, 2014/in Archived Blogs

For all of the glass-half-full people out there, there is a positive side to all of the unfortunate physical and mental wounds endured by our men and women in uniform over the last twelve years at war. Out of necessity, advances in medical and behavioral healthcare have progressed by leaps and bounds since 2001.

One of the latest advancements is a virtual therapist. This resource could make it much easier for service members to talk about subjects such as PTSD. Most people, service members included, don’t feel comfortable talking to other people about their major issues, and often don’t tell them the entire story.

The Institute for Creative Technologies at the University of Southern California (USC) conducted a study recently, and found that according to the study participants, virtual interviews were reported to be less intimidating. Participants reported that when it came to talking about their problems, they were more willing to open up to a virtual therapist than a human one.

In Afghanistan, the Army has implemented a virtual therapist named Ellie to help their soldiers. Ellie is the smooth-voiced, calm-toned, active listening, and non-judgmental face of a computer program that runs off of a Microsoft Kinect motion sensor. Using Kinect to gauge a patient’s mannerisms and expressions, Ellie responds and listens in-turn, and even urges patients to keep talking with a well-timed “uh-huh,” and a nod of her head. She also changes her facial expression and leans forward to display these active listening mannerisms to her patients.

To see Ellie in action, please view a Youtube video that has been posted by USC’s Institute for Creative Technologies.

Ellie is not intended to permanently replace human therapists. The virtual therapist is, instead, designed to be used as a screening tool for service members who could potentially face mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress and depression, after the get home from war.

Ellie’s program, called SimSensei, could be used as a screening tool for the military and hospitals. Currently, it’s being tested by members of the National Guard in Afghanistan. But eventually, it could be used by civilians suffering from everything from depression to cancer.

Researchers claim that the advantages of utilizing virtual therapists is that a computer doesn’t get tired, has no personal history or biases to interpret people through, and can more efficiently gather and analyze massive amounts of patient data for trained professionals, who can then take over the treatment.

The U.S. Army and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is sold on the idea of utilizing virtual therapists, and have funded the research. Plans are in the works to implement virtual therapist booths in VA hospitals. The actual hardware needed to run SimSensei, is not expensive. SimSenei runs off of the Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect game console that sells for as little as $99 (monitor not included).

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve, Veterans and their Families. We are the go to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go to site.

Military Connection: Army Uses Virtual Therapist: By Debbie Gregory

Military Connection: Success in Hiring Vet Program: By Debbie Gregory

August 16, 2014/in Archived Blogs

On July 25, 2014, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and its Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced that the program to assist Veterans and transitioning service members find civilian employment as commercial drivers has been expanded to include all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The DOT’s program began in 2011, as part of Michelle Obama’s and Dr. Jill Biden’s Joining Forces Initiative. The waiver program authorized state licensing agencies to waive the skills test portion of the commercial driver’s license application process for active duty military and recently separated Veterans who possessed at least two years of military experience operating a truck or bus in that class. By waiving the skills portion of the application, the DOT reduced the cost of obtaining a civilian license for those Veterans, and expedited the process for them.

Over the past three years, the DOT’s campaign has expanded throughout the country. On June 27^th, Alaska became the final component for the program’s version of “Manifest Destiny.”

Along with celebrating the successful expansion of the program, the announcement also included two additional components within the program. First, the eligibility period for qualified Veterans to obtain an FMCSA Military Skills Test Waiver has been extended from 90 days to one year from their separation date. Second, starting with Virginia residents, returning military service personnel who possess a state-issued Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) certificate, due to an impairment of one or more limbs, will automatically be recognized as equivalent to an FMCSA-issued SPE certificate and allowed to obtain an interstate Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). FMCSA encourages other state licensing agencies to establish comparable equivalency SPE programs.

Over 6,000 current and former military personnel from all branches of service have taken advantage of the Military Skills Test Waiver Program. From 2010 to 2020, the need for heavy-vehicle drivers is expected to grow by more than 17%, making it one of the most rapidly growing employment industries in the country.

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve, Veterans and their Families. We are the go to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go to site.