News
Elaine Harmon, Female WWII Pilot, Finally Laid to Rest at Arlington Cemetery
Wednesday, September 7, 2016 | Category: History/Heritage - National
On Wednesday, September 7, 2016, World War II Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) Elaine Harmon, 95 years old when she died, was inurned at Arlington National Cemetery only because her family fought the former Army Secretary John McHugh's decision that WASPs should have never been granted eligibility to be buried at the cemetery. His ruling came about when Army officials became worried about increasingly limited cemetery space. To overcome the Army's decision and while Harmon's ashes remained in a bedroom closet, a congressional act was passed and in May 2016, President Obama signed into law legislation permitting WASPs to be inurned at the Arlington Cemetery. Leading up to this legislation, Harmon's family initiated a petition on Change.org which received more than 175,000 signatures. WASPs flew military aircraft during World War II to free up men for combat missions. WASPs were not granted military status when they flew dangerous missions, but in 1977 they received retroactive veteran status.
Here Are the Entrepreneurs You’re Likely to Find in Tampa Metro Area
Thursday, September 1, 2016 | Category: Business - Florida
The first U.S. Census Bureau's inaugural "Survey of Entrepreneurs" Businesses provided "a snapshot of the nation's employer businesses by gender, race and veterans status." One finding indicated that metropolitan Tampa businesses "are more likely to be owned by women and veterans than companies in the rest of the United States."
Military Should Address Gender Stereotypes When Integrating Combat Roles, Study Finds
Wednesday, August 31, 2016 | Category: Department of Defense - National
Authors of the Army Research Institute-funded study published online in the "Sex Roles" journal on August 9, 2016, "argue that the military should consider implementing training that directly addresses the pervasive stereotypes and cultural understandings of gender. The challenging work begins during policy implementation, which includes breaking down assumptions that are part of leadership within the organization and working on shifting the mindset of the military," said Alesha Doan, associate professor in the School of Public Affairs and Administration and Department of Political Science. Female study participants shared common experiences that when they accessed Middle East women, these indigenous people often saw them as Americans and soldiers first instead of a woman first in contrast to their male peers who rely on stereotypes or assumptions about gender. Researchers Alesha Doan and Shannon Portillo's noted that "these attitudes could cause military leaders to rely on assumptions and hypothetical scenarios to guide certain decisions on gendered policies and practices rather than evidence-based reasoning."
The "State of Women Veterans" Campaign Focuses on Issues Impacting Women Veterans
Wednesday, August 31, 2016 | Category: Advocacy/Outreach - National
An opportunity for your voice to be heard! In a recent VAntage Blog article, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Center for Women Veterans Director, Kayla Williams, shared: "...VA is launching a “State of Women Veterans” social media campaign. For the next 10 weeks, we will provide weekly segments to explore issues impacting women Veterans and what we are doing to support women Veterans as they face these issues. This campaign aims to start new conversations—online and within communities—about the current state of Women Veterans with regard to education, housing, employment, health and more; raise awareness about VA care and benefits; and encourage partnerships. In collaboration with Women Veterans Interactive (WVI)–and with your help–we can raise public awareness of women Veterans’ military and societal contributions and inform women Veterans about accessing the VA benefits they have earned and deserve." Read this article to find out how you can participate in this national discussion.
Past Deadline, Feds See No End in Sight for Veteran Homeless Crisis
Friday, August 26, 2016 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - National
The goal was to end veteran homelessness by 2015. It's estimated that it has decreased by 47% since 2010. Millions of federal dollars are earmarked towards veteran homelessness, but assumptions within the models used to calculate need are not proving to be accurate. The rate of veteran homelessness is greater than expected.
19 Ways Army Women Helped Make the 19th Amendment Possible
Friday, August 26, 2016 | Category: History/Heritage - National
Elizabeth M. Collins, Defense Media Activity, commemorates "Women's Equality Day" and the passing of the 19th Amendment on August 26, 1920. This article highlights 19 examples of women's service from the birth of the United States until the 19th Amendment passed. It is believed that it finally passed Congressional muster due to women's service during World War I and every other major war. Although women may have not always served in an officially recognized capacity or in uniform, they served faithfully in the United States Army since 1775.
The 19th amendment states that the right of citizens to vote "shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex."
Veteran Suicides--A Hidden Epidemic
Thursday, August 25, 2016 | Category: Suicide - National
Since 2001, veteran suicide has increased by one-third. Most victims are men 50 years of age or older. A Department of Veteran Affairs report stated that in 2014, 7,300 veterans killed themselves, an average of 20 per day and more than the total number of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan to date. Both presidential nominees will speak at the 2016 America Legion conference and have in the past offered their proposals on how to better offer care to veterans. Meanwhile, at least 140 veterans will have killed themselves by the end of the American Legion conference. This article includes personal testimony and suggests that VA intervention does make a difference. The author states: "Perhaps the greatest challenge of all, however, will be to transform the culture of the military so that veterans are not ashamed to ask for the help they so clearly need."
Fort Benning, Georgia, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Microsoft Is Training Service Members For Civilian Careers In The IT Industry
Sunday, August 21, 2016 | Category: Employment - National
Nearly 12% of all unfulfilled jobs in the U.S. are in the IT field. In October 2016, the Microsoft Software & Systems Academy will be offered in two new locations including Fort Benning, Georgia, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
In addition to these two new sites, the Academy is active in three other stateside locations and another six locations are projected to open as noted on this article's map.
Veterans and Military Personnel Issues Set to Become a Major Focus in the Presidential Campaign
Friday, August 19, 2016 | Category: Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) - National
On September 7, 2016, Wednesday, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is hosting a town hall forum on "national security, military affairs and veterans issues" with both Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican Party candidate Donald Trump. The town hall forum will be in New York City and broadcasted on NBC networks just four days before the 15th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Format and moderator details will be announced later.
Advocate for Military Sexual Assaults Back Clinton
Thursday, August 18, 2016 | Category: Military Justice - National
Nancy Parrish, Founder and CEO of "Protect Our Defenders," meets with the "Stars and Stripes." She shares insight on her personal and professional background and how it influenced her decision to champion "Protect Our Defenders" mission to end the epidemic of sexual assault and rape in the United States military. She received Atlanta's Georgia Institute of Technology "Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage" this year, which recognizes individuals "who act to improve the human condition, often in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges." Ms. Parrish donated the $100,000 prize to "Protect Our Defenders."