News
The Women Excluded From Arlington National Cemetery
Friday, January 15, 2016 | Category: History/Heritage - National
In 2015, the Secretary of the Army rescinded the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) eligibility to be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery after their official veteran status was achieved in 1977, over 30 years after they served stateside and overseas during World War II. They flew 77 different types of aircraft and over 60 million miles. Thirty-eight died during the war. General "Hap" Arnold fought for WASP official military status in 1944, but unexpectedly lost that Congressional battle. His letter to the WASPs and the legislative bill is included in this article. About 200 WASPs went to Korea and Vietnam as Reserves. Since 2002, they have been eligible to be placed in Arlington National Cemetery with standard honors. Legislation to restore inurnment rights has been introduced by Representative Martha McSally, an Air-Force veteran, and Senator Barbara Mikulski put forward a similar bill in the Senate. Today, there are only 115 WASPs living, all over 90 years old.
Air Force Colonel in Colorado Charged With Rape, Assault
Friday, January 15, 2016 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - National
An Air Force colonel at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado was charged with rape, assault and adultery in late 2014 or early 2015. He was the second in command of the 50th Space Wing communication satellites. A hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence for a court-martial is scheduled for March 17, 2015.
Military and Women-Focused Tech Charities Received $160K from CompTIA & Creating IT Futures Foundation Since 2013
Thursday, January 14, 2016 | Category: Education - Illinois
CompTIA's "Creating IT Futures Foundation" have donated more than $400,000 dollars to technology-related charities since 2013. Military and women-focused charities with technology programs have benefited from this philanthropy, receiving 40 percent ($160,000) of the donations.
First Command Reports: Military Families Commit to Grow Financially in 2016
Wednesday, January 13, 2016 | Category: Finances - National
First Command Bank found that middle-class military families are confident their household finances will improve in 2016 and they're making positive New Year's resolutions to achieve their aspirations. They share the top 10 resolutions. This comes when their is continuing defense budget uncertainty and downsizing.
Meet the Veterans invited to the State of the Union
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 | Category: Department of Defense - National
Six women and men currently serving along with military veterans were honored at President Obama’s final State of the Union address s guests of the White House.
Judiciary Committee Approves Bills to Reform the Criminal Justice System
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 | Category: Legal/Justice - National
The House Judiciary Committee approved two bills, the ‘Second Chance Reauthorization Act’ and the ‘Comprehensive Justice and Mental Health Act of 2015' in an effort to reform the criminal justice system. The latter bill authorizes Veterans Treatment Courts monies, which serve arrested veterans who suffer from PTSD, substance addiction, and other mental health conditions.
Project Helps Women Veterans in Rural Areas with Postpartum Depression
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 | Category: Health Care - National
At least 300,000 new U.S. mothers suffer from postpartum depression experiencing low moods, loss of interest in activities, insomnia, appetite changes, difficulty concentrating, and suicidal thoughts. "MomMoodBooster" is an online intervention tool a University of Iowa researcher with the Veterans Administration is developing to help rural female veterans cope with their postpartum depression. Women in rural areas may not seek or have access to mental health care.
Project Diane: Integrating Military Women in Combat Roles
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 | Category: Combat - National
The Women's Foundation of Greater Kansas City, with funding from The Army Research Institute, researched the potential benefits and barriers of gender integration of Special Forces (Green Berets). They found a "great deal of resistance to gender integration in the military" linked to what they referred to as "gender oblivion."
'Comfort Women' Deal Is a Win-Win But Japan and Korea Must Do More
Wednesday, January 6, 2016 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - International
Euphemism, bad history, and decades of missed opportunities have distorted Japan's wartime sexual abuse history. In April 2015, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo, in a joint U.S. Congressional session, acknowledged that "armed conflicts have always made women suffer the most." A former "Comfort Woman" Yong Soo Lee, attended as Rep. Mike Honda's (D-Calif.) guest. But as article author and former Congresswoman Jane Harman has written about, "our own country has a sordid history of sexual assault in its ranks." She notes that all countries have much more to do to "counter false histories." She quotes Representative Ed Royce (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a leader on this issue: "It's much harder to get tomorrow right if we get yesterday wrong."
Decision to Keep WIC on Base is a Win for Many Navy Families
Wednesday, January 6, 2016 | Category: Finances - Washington
In 2015, military leadership not located on Whidbey Island, stopped allowing “non-federal entities” to use buildings on bases rent-free, which would have included the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program office. On Whidbey Island, a Seaplane Base, about 700 Navy families receive assistance each year from WIC. U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. Rick Larsen wrote letters to higher-ups, including Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter, resulting in the Department of the Navy offering the WIC office a five-year lease to stay onsite with few costs.