Posts Tagged ‘Military’

…and it’s investing heavily in their military capabilities, specifically their submarine and missile forces.

Is this a prelude to another cold, or even hot, war?

Red China Power

China expanding submarine, missile forces with advanced systems, Pentagon annual report says.

China is building two new classes of missile submarines in addition to the eight nuclear missile submarines and six attack submarines being deployed as part of an arms buildup that analysts say appears to put Beijing on a war footing.“

In terms of China’s submarines, they’re investing heavily in a robust program for undersea warfare, developing submarines that are both conventional, diesel-electric powered, air- independent propulsion and nuclear-powered attack submarines,” David Helvey, deputy assistant defense secretary for East Asia, told reporters at a briefing on release of the Pentagon’s annual assessment of Chinese military power.

China has yet to conduct an underwater test firing of its submarine-launched missiles but is deploying new missile submarines and planning advanced versions.

“We see China investing considerably in capabilities for operations in this area,” he said.

The Pentagon’s latest annual report to Congress also includes new details of China’s deployment of an aircraft carrier-killing ballistic missile, two new stealth jet fighters, and a new road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile in addition to three other new ICBMs.

via Red China Power | Washington Free Beacon.

…in any way the politicians can get away with.

Are you wondering what this Administration has done to the military? How about what they’ve done to benefits for the military?

Tricare, tuition assistance and many other programs that are used for retention and quality of life get stripped from the military whenever there is a budget crisis.

Instead of cutting the waste out of the budget as they should, they cut the very programs that are meant to retain soldiers in the military.

Our Armed Forces are heading towards a hollow shell that will be rife with morale and discipline issues very soon if not already.

Promises made are seldom kept when it comes to the military, veterans and retirees.

The voters in this country are supposed to look out for the military.

Politicians just see it as low hanging fruit in Washington and will hack away at it until it is no longer a viable force.

American Journal March 11, 2013 Soldiers Slighted
J.D. Pendry

Recently, my wife and I received our letters. They were signed by W. Bryan Gamble, M.D., FACS, Brigadier General, US Army. His signature block identifies him as the Deputy Director of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Health Affairs.

“Beginning October 1, 2013, TRICARE Prime [our healthcare insurance] coverage will not be available where you currently live…”

The letter tells us that we may still be able to enroll in TRICARE Prime at a military treatment facility. I mention that for the benefit of our Congressional representatives from the state of West Virginia who should know that there are no military treatment facilities in our state. I do not recall any of them raising a ruckus.

The General, whose letter was signed with an illegible electronic pen scribble, also instructed us:

“As you prepare for this change, you should look carefully at your health care options, such as using TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra or obtaining insurance through a spouse or an employer.” [because the country you and your family served is finished with you]

All of those options are more expensive than TRICARE Prime. Not to worry about my wife or me. We will survive. We always have. We left the military with about the same as we had when we entered it. Enlisted military families who serve a lifetime in uniform do not have much opportunity to build wealth. Our pensions are never enough to live on, so regardless of the years in uniform work after service remains a necessity. Health care coverage offered through TRICARE Prime is a significant retirement benefit. There will be no increase in pensions to make up for the added costs. Some of us caught in the window where work is ended and age 65 has not yet arrived must just suck it up.

via American Journal March 11, 2013 Soldiers Slighted « JDs Bunker.

…to my email within 4 minutes of my submission.

The question:

What is your position on the Second Amendment? I don’t see it anywhere on your website.

The response:

1IDVET,

Thank you for contacting VFW National Headquarters. Once details emerge, this issue will be a very interesting debate in the Congress as well as between media pundits and others who have never walked in harm’s way.  Please rest assured that your VFW fully supports the Second Amendment.  Thanks for your service and for caring enough to write.

William C. Bloomquist

Assistant Director, Administrative Operations

Phone # 816-968-2730

Fax# 816-968-1149

VFW Response

…and their experiment in ‘diversity’ seems to be hitting a wall.
Women in the infantry is a bad idea.
Here’s what’s happened so far:
Few female Marines step forward for infantry
By Kristina Wong

Female Marine officers are unlikely to join the infantry anytime soon, in part because of a lack of volunteers for the Marine Corps‘ Infantry Officer Course, which was opened to women in September.

Only two of about 80 eligible female Marines have volunteered for the course — a grueling, three-month advanced regimen conducted at Quantico, Va., that was opened to women to research their performance.

Of the two female volunteers, one washed out on the first day, along with 26 of the107 men, and the other dropped out two weeks later for medical reasons, a Marine Corps spokesman said.

The research effort was launched after the Pentagon opened to women more than 14,000 jobs that could place them closer to front lines and combat.

The Marine Corps wants to test at least 90 more women in the course before making any decision about women serving in infantry roles, the spokesman said.

Getting 90 more female volunteers may be difficult. About 125 female officers each year enter the Basic School, a prerequisite and candidate pool for the Infantry Officer Course, the spokesman said.

Since September, women in every new class of the Basic School have been given the opportunity to volunteer for the Infantry Officer Course, and they will continue to be offered the chance, he said.

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…the government wienies have decided to place the burden of the coming fiscal cliff on the backs of military retirees.

This will effect all military retirees, and those that intend to retire. This will in all likelihood hurt recruiting and retention efforts across the board as well.

Write the morons that represent you and let them know in no uncertain terms, that putting the fiscal cliff on our backs is not how it’s supposed to work. Tell those morons to do their damn jobs and stop screwing us over.

Avoiding the ‘Fiscal Cliff’ May be as Painful as Going Over It
Terry Howell

This week Tom Philpott reported that the Congressional Budget Office has put a red “laser dot” on future pay raises, TRICARE, and future retirement benefits.

In their report, the CBO says annual military pay raises have exceeded civilian wage growth over the last 10 years. In fact the CBO estimates that military pay increased by 52 percent from 2002 to 2010 while civilian wages rose only 24 percent.

The CBO says that any impact reducing pay increases might have on recruiting and retention can be mitigated by offering larger enlistment and reenlistment bonuses.   The CBO pay cap option would mean military pay would lose nine percent to private sector wage growth over the five-year period.The CBO also suggests an option to raise TRICARE enrollment fees, deductibles or copayments, actions also proposed by the administration last April.  For working-age retirees, those under 65, fee hikes should be phased over five years and use a “tiered approach” so that senior-grade retirees would pay higher fees than lower-ranking retirees.

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…and I’m not happy about it. It’s been in the works since 2007 and is going into effect in 2013. I may be OK, I live close to a Marine Corps Logistics Base that is slated to close through BRAC, which if I read that right, means I’m still OK. I work at an AF base, but it’s 60 miles from my house, so I guess that wouldn’t count. At any rate, this shit sucks.

171K May Soon Lose TRICARE Prime

Defense officials are expected to announce that military retirees and their dependents that live more than 40 miles from a military treatment facility or BRAC (base closure) site will lose access to TRICARE Prime as early as next April. This move could force as many as 171,000 retirees to shift to TRICARE Standard, which would mean an increase in out-of-pocket costs–especially those with special needs dependents or other chronic health issues. The first round of Prime service changes is “tentatively” planned to go into effect in the West region on April 1. The North and South regions will see the plan implemented by October 1, 2013.

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…designed by Maya Lin, was dedicated on the National Mall in Washington.

“If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.

Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.

And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.

Major Michael Davis O’Donnell
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam
Listed as KIA February 7, 1978

The Memorial

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial stands as a symbol of America’s honor and recognition of the men and women who served and sacrificed their lives in the Vietnam War. Inscribed on the black granite walls are the names of more than 58,000 men and women who gave their lives or remain missing. Yet the Memorial itself is dedicated to honor the “courage, sacrifice and devotion to duty and country” of all who answered the call to serve during the longest war in U.S. history.

The Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Fund, Inc. is the 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization authorized by Congress in 1980 to fund and build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Incorporated on April 27, 1979 by a group of veterans led by Jan C. Scruggs, who was wounded and decorated for service in Vietnam, the organization sought a tangible symbol of recognition from the American people for those who served in the war.

By separating the issue of individuals serving in the military during the Vietnam era and U.S. policy carried out there, VVMF hoped to begin a process of national reconciliation. Two members of the U.S. Senate, Charles Mathias (R-Md.) and John Warner (R-Va.), took the lead in Congress to enact legislation providing three acres in the northwest corner of the National Mall as a site for the Memorial.  It was dedicated on Nov. 13, 1982.

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Thank you to all who have served and are serving today. It is my honor to be among you.

Remember to thank a Veteran today, and every day. They deserve your respect, regardless of what you think about the current wars. They didn’t start them, they were sent there to finish them.

 

 

 

…and thanks for a great 237 years. Semper Fi.

Marine Corps Birthday

On November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia passed a resolution stating that “two Battalions of Marines be raised” for service as landing forces with the fleet. This resolution established the Continental Marines and marked the birth date of the United States Marine Corps. Serving on land and at sea, these first Marines distinguished themselves in a number of important operations, including their first amphibious raid into the Bahamas in March 1776, under the command of Captain (later Major) Samuel Nicholas.

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…for those of you so inclined to take advantage of such niceties, here’s this year’s list from Military.com:

2012 Veterans Day Discounts and Freebies

Each year businesses honor Veterans and Servicemembers by offering Veterans Day discounts on goods, services, and dining.

Keep in mind that most businesses require some proof of military service, this includes a VA Universal Access Card, Military I.D., DD-214 (Discharge Papers), Veterans Service Organization Card (VSO’s include groups like the VFW, DAV, AmVets, MOAA, FRA, and the American Legion), or in some cases a picture of the veteran in uniform.

Note: Not all franchise locations participate in their national chain’s Veterans Day programs, be sure  to contact your nearest establishment to be sure they are participating.

The following is a short list of 2012 Veteran and military discounts, Buy One Get One (BOGO) offerings, and  this year’s offerings even include some honest-to-goodness free meals:

[Visit the Military.com Veteran's Day Discount page for a complete up-to-date list of Veteran's Day discounts and freebies.]

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