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Trying to Stem the Tide of EOD Technician Suicides

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By Debbie Gregory.

They’re trained to disarm improvised explosive devices. Neutralize chemical threats. Even render safe nuclear weapons. Explosive Ordnance (EOD) Technicians perform some of the most harrowing, dangerous work in order to keep others from harm’s way, and they do so in every environment.

But the highly skilled EOD technicians have another threat looming; an alarmingly increase in the number of EOD suicides.

The non-profit EOD Warrior Foundation, which supports current and former military EOD techs and their families, offers a peer-to-peer 24 hour hotline to assist the EOD community.

Suicide is a major concern throughout the military and it is a special concern for the EOD Warrior Foundation, according to Nicole Motsek, the foundation’s director.

“We are a small community; we have only 7,000 people on active duty. During some months, it has been every week that we have lost someone. There are so many people out there with the invisible wounds of war and they are a part of our EOD community. We cannot wait and hope they get help, we have to do something now to help them,” said Motsek, who is married to an Army EOD technician who has had multiple combat deployments.

The foundation plans a round-table summit in November to discuss suicide among EOD techs. The foundation is also holding a retreat this fall for “White Star widows,” the widows of EOD techs who have killed themselves.

Since 9/11, 131 EOD technicians have died in combat and another 250 have sustained major physical injuries including lost eyesight, lost limbs, paralysis and major burns.

The EOD Warrior Foundation does not have an exact number of EOD techs who have taken their own lives, partly because in their line of work, it is often difficult to tell if someone died accidentally or intentionally.

Military Connection salutes and proudly serves veterans and service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve,  and their families.

Four Star General Accused of Sexual Assault

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By Debbie Gregory.

A retired four-star general, who at one point was head of Air Mobility Command, is being investigated for the alleged sexual assault of a female colonel who was under his command.

Retired Gen. Arthur Lichte is the subject of the investigation. Three incidents of alleged sexual assault occurred between April 2007 and April 2009.

Lichte, from New York City, entered the Air Force in 1971 as a distinguished graduate of Manhattan College’s ROTC program. He held command positions at squadron, group and wing levels.

In addition to his command experience, Lichte held headquarters-level assignments at Strategic Air Command, Air Mobility Command, the Air Force and U.S. Transportation Command. He retired on Jan. 1, 2010.

“The Air Force takes all allegations of sexual assault or harassment very seriously,” said Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek. “We are committed to upholding the high standards and values of our service and ensuring an environment of dignity and respect, where sexual assault or harassment is not tolerated, and where there is clear accountability placed on all airmen at every level.”

According to military justice experts, there’s very little guidance on how to prosecute such high-ranking officers, and there are significant barriers to doing so.

Generals are rarely brought to trial within the military justice system, much less convicted, and punishment is often just a demotion in rank. Many members of Congress would prefer that independent military prosecutors handle the cases rather than commanders.

Linda Card, a spokeswoman for the Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations, confirmed the investigation of the allegations against Lichte, but would not comment further or provide additional details about the case.

Victims of sexual assault in the military have two options to report it. They can file a “restricted” report, in which the victim does not identify the attacker and seeks counseling but does not require a criminal investigation. In an “unrestricted” report, as is the case with Lichte’s accuser, the matter is referred to the accuser’s unit commander and triggers a criminal investigation.

The Defense Department’s most recent annual report on sexual assault in the military counted more than 4,500 unrestricted reports and nearly 1,500 restricted reports in 2015. The survey results also indicate that over 16,000 service members intervened in situations they believed to be at risk for sexual assault.

Military Connection salutes and proudly serves veterans and service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve,  and their families.

Screening and Treating Veterans for Hepatitis C

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By Debbie Gregory.

Veterans and organizations representing them have expressed considerable interest in the possible link between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and immunization with air-gun injectors or other military-related blood exposures, which were common during the Vietnam War, since transfusions were used in great numbers.

The virus also can be sexually transmitted or through intravenous drug use, which was also common in Vietnam.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has treated 65,000 veterans for the virus, but about 87,000 remain untreated and an additional 20,000 are undiagnosed.

VA officials are seeking $1.5 billion in the 2017 fiscal year to treat more veterans.

But the financial challenge is not near as great as the VA’s challenge in convincing veterans to be screened or treated for the virus. Some veterans distrust the VA, some are concerned with the stigma of hepatitis C and drug use, and some fear traditional drug treatment with severe side effects.

Some veterans who test positive for hepatitis C suffer from mental illness or substance abuse, and these issues can affect their reliability to show up for treatment.

According to Dr. David Ross, director of the VA’s hepatitis C program, “Historically, treatment rate has been low for two reasons. One, standard treatments have been awful. The drugs are horrible and don’t work that well. Secondly, a lot of patients have conditions such as depression or substance abuse problems that get in the way of treatment.”

The VA has screened 73 percent of Vietnam War-era veterans enrolled in the VA system. There are about 700,000 veterans born between 1945 and 1965 who still must be screened.

The VA has started to reach out to veterans with hepatitis C to inform them that they have the resources to test and treat them, Ross said.

“Facilities have for months now been taking lists and just calling people and saying, ‘Would you like to come in?’ ” he said. “We’re trying to let people know we’re very committed to doing this, and we have the resources to do it.”

Military Connection salutes and proudly serves veterans and service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve,  and their families.

Life Saving Genetics Test Available at VA

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By Debbie Gregory.

The number of veterans who commit suicide is a staggering statistic. Many of these veterans are unknowingly prescribed the wrong medications, which can contribute to worsening depression associated with PTSD, suicidal ideation and other mental health issues.

When physicians can avoid the “trial and error” process of prescribing medication, they can choose appropriate medications to achieve the desired results more rapidly. And when this can be accomplished through a simple cheek swab to collect a DNA sample, the benefit is a technological breakthrough.

Pharmacogenomics (PGx), the study of how an individual’s genetic makeup affects their response to drugs, can help get veterans on the correct medications and start saving lives immediately. And now, through a partnership of Advanced Genomic Solutions (AGS), Genelex, the makers of YouScript,  PGxtesting is available to veterans and their doctors at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) throughout the country.

PGx testing is gaining praise within the medical community, and AGS is a champion for providing veterans with ready access to this revolutionary technology. While VA physicians have the ability to prescribe the test to veterans, few are aware of test availability or fully understand the benefits it offers.

Nationally, the VA is currently contracted with Genelex to conduct comprehensive PGx testing. To help Veterans in Phoenix and other VA facilities within the Southwest district, AGS has entered into an agreement with Genelex to help increase the number of local veterans and physicians using PGx testing.

Lance Bennett, West Point graduate, former U.S. Military Intelligence Officer and managing partner at AGS said, “In the U.S alone, AGS completed more than 5,000 patient tests in 2015, but not one of those tests were for a veteran through the VA. Partnering with Genelex to promote the PGx test will have a hugely positive impact on the lives of veterans in this area, as well as the physicians that work so hard to provide them excellent care.”

 

Military Connection salutes and proudly serves veterans and service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve,  and their families.

 

Blended Retirement System, 101

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By Debbie Gregory.

As of January, 2018, the military retirement system as we know it will cease to exist. Instead, service members who joined after 2006 but before January 1, 2018 will have to choose whether to stay with the existing system or opt into the new Blended Retirement System (BRS.)

Those who enter military service on or after January 1, 2018, have no choice; the BRS will be their retirement plan. Another group with no choice is members with 12 or more years of service by Dec. 31, 2017. They will be grandfathered under current High-3 retirement.

More than 740,000 currently serving active-duty members and 176,000 drilling Reserve and National Guard personnel are expected to opt in to the new system.

The new system has three elements: a 401(k)-style component with Defense Department matching funds for entry-level and other service members, a mid-career continuity bonus, and a retirement annuity similar to the one now in place for service members that complete twenty or more years of eligible service.

The new plan combines an immediate but also smaller annuity after 20 or more years of service with a Thrift Savings Plan enhanced by government matching of member contributions of up to 4 percent of basic pay, plus an automatic 1 percent government contribution for all BRS participants, whether they contribute or not to a TSP.

This 401(k)-like nest egg toward retirement is a portable benefit on leaving military service. Veterans can roll the account into an employer 401(k) or continue to make contributions regardless of how many years they served in the military. Because this feature will benefit the great majority of members who leave service short of retirement eligibility at 20 years, the blended plan is expected to be a popular option, particularly with younger servicemembers on their first or second enlistment and officers completing initial service obligation.

Committed careerists, however, are likely to stick with High-3 retirement, which will pay 20 percent more in lifetime annuities if full careers are a realistic goal.

The blended plan has two other features High-3 doesn’t.

By current law, BRS participants are to receive a one-time “continuation payment” at the 12-year mark that, at a minimum, must equal 2½ months of basic pay for active-duty members who agree to serve four more years or one-half month of active pay for reserve component personnel who make the same deal.

The other key feature of the BRS allows those who reach retirement to receive in a lump sum 25 percent or 50 percent of their pre-old-age retirement annuities. In other words, here would be cash to help buy a home, start a business or pay off debts in return for reducing military annuities by one-quarter or one-half until age 67.

Military Connection salutes and proudly serves veterans and service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve,  and their families.

Air Force Star Power

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By Debbie Gregory.

Besides fame, another thing all of these celebrities have in common is that they served in the U.S. Air Force. Some of them used their military education benefits to further their careers. Others used their experiences in uniform as the springboard for a life in the spotlight.

It was rumored that Johnny Cash bought his first guitar at a base exchange while stationed with the 12th Radio Squadron Mobile at Landsberg, Germany. Cash translated Soviet Army Morse Code messages, and is cited as the first operator to learn of Joseph Stalin’s death.

The late Bob Ross was an American painter, art instructor, and television host. He was widely known as the creator and host of The Joy of Painting. The Air Force is credited with giving Ross his positive outlook on life. Ross served as a first sergeant while stationed at Eielson AFB in Alaska, where he first saw the snow and mountains that later became recurring themes in his artwork. He developed his quick-painting technique to create art for sale during brief daily work breaks. He is quoted as saying that since he had to be “mean” and “tough”, he would never scream again after leaving the military.

Morgan Freeman turned down a partial drama scholarship to enlist in the Air Force, where he served as a radar technician. While Freeman originally wanted to be a fighter pilot, he found the stage calling his name, and after four years, left the Air Force.

After dropping out of high school in 1954, George Carlin joined the Air Force. He was trained as a radar technician, and was stationed in Barksdale AFB in Bossier City, Louisiana. He once said, “Obviously I’m against militaries, because of what militaries do. In many ways though, the Air Force was unmilitary-like. They dropped bombs on people, but…they had a golf course.” Carlin used the GI Bill to cover the costs of broadcasting school.

Carlos Ray Norris, better known as Chuck Norris, was an Air Force security forces member. Known for his martial arts skills, Norris, first learned his moves while stationed in Korea. His love of karate is also where he got his nickname Chuck. After four years Norris left the service to start a new career – opening his first karate school.

David Adkins, better known by his stage name Sinbad, served as a boom operator aboard KC-135 Stratotankers. While assigned to the 384th Air Refueling Wing at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas, he would often travel downtown to perform stand-up comedy. He competed as a comedian in the Air Force’s Talent Contest in 1981. Sinbad was almost dismissed with a dishonorable discharge for various misbehaviors.

Military Connection salutes and proudly serves veterans and service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve,  and their families.

Statistics of Iraq War

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By Debbie Gregory.

There are many ways to calculate the cost of war. Paying for a war doesn’t end when the fighting does. The initial fight in Iraq was meant to cost no more than $60 billion, a small fraction of the cost to date. The financial cost of the war in Iraq, through Fiscal Year 2013, stood at $1.7 trillion.

Paying for this war will continue through the next generation, but there are other numbers, besides the monetary cost, that are staggering, especially the human toll.

Direct war deaths, which don’t include the hundreds of thousands more that died due to war-related hardships, stands at approximately 189,000.

There were 4,488 U.S. service personnel who were killed directly.

If you take PTSD out of the equation, 32,223 troops have been injured. The number of those with PTSD is anywhere from 11%-20% of those who served. Over 250,000 troops have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury through 2013.

For those who aren’t in uniform, 134,000 civilians and 150 journalists have lost their lives. Close to 3 million remain either internally displaced or have fled the country.

Equipment and infrastructure both come with hefty price tags: $20 billion was paid to KBR for equipment and services, and $60 billion was paid for reconstruction. All in all, the price tag for subcontractors is expected to be $75 billion.

U.S. forces used 38,095 barrels of oil each day, at a cost of $127.68/barrel.

Before the war, Iraq owed $4 billion to the U.S, but now the U.S. owes Iraq $7 billion.

Servicemembers will often say that they answered a call to serve and wouldn’t trade their time in the military for anything. But it is important to remember that the consequences of war, at home and abroad, do not end simply with a cease-fire.

Military Connection salutes and proudly serves veterans and service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve,  and their families.

Senate Overrides Presidential Veto on Anti-Terrorism Bill

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By Debbie Gregory.

In the first successful override of a presidential veto since Obama took office, the House and Senate voted to reject President Obama’s veto of legislation allowing lawsuits against foreign sponsors of terrorism. This was Obama’s 12th veto of his presidency.

S.2040/H.R.3815, known as the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, or JASTA, was vetoed because it was thought that the bill would infringe on the president’s ability to conduct foreign policy. The legislation creates an exception for sovereign immunity granted in U.S. courts to foreign governments that are not designated state sponsors of terrorism.

Survivors and families member of the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks have longed pushed for the ability to sue Saudi Arabia for damages. They believe the country played a role in the attacks. Fifteen of the 19 Sept. 11 hijackers were Saudi nationals, though Saudi Arabia has formally denied any association.

The House voted 348-77, well above the two-thirds majority needed. The final vote tally in the Senate was 97-1. Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., cast the lone dissenting vote. Even Obama’s Democratic allies on Capitol Hill voted to override his veto.

Obama stated that although he thinks overriding his veto was a mistake, he understood why Congress voted the way it did.

Congress spent nearly seven years evaluating every aspect of JASTA to carefully refine its text and policies. The resulting legislation ensures that the rights of American citizens are prioritized above Saudi interests, allowing victims to hold foreign governments accountable in U.S. courts for furthering terrorism against Americans.

The measure essentially creates an exception to sovereign immunity, the doctrine that holds one country can’t be sued in another country’s courts. It allows plaintiffs to sue other nations in U.S. federal courts for monetary damages in cases of injury, death or property damage caused by acts of international terrorism in the United States.

The president warned the law could be “devastating” to the U.S. military, diplomatic and intelligence communities.

“The United States relies on principles of immunity to prevent foreign litigants and foreign courts from second-guessing our counter-terrorism operations and other actions that we take every day,” he wrote.

Although the 9/11 commission did not find any proof of Saudi government involvement, the families still want to examine any possible links not yet uncovered. The legislation provides the green light for them to move forward.

Military Connection salutes and proudly serves veterans and service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve,  and their families.

Inside the Navy’s Corpsman Cheating Scandal

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By Debbie Gregory.

For the second time in three years, the Navy has broken a major school exam cheating ring at the San Diego Surface Warfare Medical Institute, resulting in 31 students being booted from the program.

An additional 13 students have been recommended for separation from the Navy.

An internal command investigation was launched last February after a student whistleblower came forward with cell phone photos showing what appeared to be a test, answer key and handwritten cheat sheet of technical assistance visit.

The investigation revealed four separate schemes by student corpsmen to violate the school’s honor code with various cheating techniques

In the wake of the findings, the school officer-in-charge and senior enlisted leader were removed from their posts. Navy Medicine Education and Training Command found they had failed to keep testing materials safe and had not worked to counteract or mitigate an environment that fostered pervasive cheating.

“We take seriously our commitment to provide the best care possible to those entrusted to us, and hold all our staff, including our corpsmen, to the highest standards,” said Vice Adm. Forrest Faison, Navy Surgeon General and Chief of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. “Falling short of those standards will swiftly result in the highest attention of senior leadership and quick, decisive, definitive action to ensure fidelity and confidence in the Navy Medicine team and the care we provide. We will not entrust the lives of others to those who cheat,” he added.

Larry Coffey, a spokesman for Navy Medicine Education and Training Command said, “All of our instructors and leaders have been formally briefed on the new standards for safeguarding testing material. We have an amazing bright engaged staff of instructors and leaders and they have taken on these new standards and are resetting expectations.”

Military Connection salutes and proudly serves veterans and service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve,  and their families.


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