News
VA Working on Prosthetics for Pregnant Women
Monday, September 29, 2014 | Category: Prosthetics - National
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), along with the Disabled American Veterans, is developing a prosthetic leg for pregnant women. The full development date has not been determined.
Join the Women’s Mentorship Network
Tuesday, September 16, 2014 | Category: Mentorship - National
The Women's Mentorship Network (WMN) is a volunteer program that is open to men and women, civilian and military, who support the cultivation of military leaders. Mentors for women in the military are not so readily available. WMN intends to link women and men interested in mentoring women service members, understanding a same-gender mentor provides unique perspective and understanding.
Veterans Find Help From Horses
Tuesday, September 2, 2014 | Category: Health Care - National
Robert PIper thinks: "...if members of congress and the senate look into equine-assisted activities for veterans, we would see a lot of positive progress. There are a few bills out there in congress looking to make equine-assisted activities more accessible to veterans. One bill called, "H.R. 1705 Rehabilitative Therapy Parity for Military Beneficiaries" is looking to provide members of the military access to equine therapy. Another bill, "H.R. 4977: COVER Act" is also looking to research the effectiveness of alternative therapies such as equine-assisted activities."
VA Touts Progress on Suicides; Data Tell Another Story
Monday, August 25, 2014 | Category: Suicide - National
In the past, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rejected media and watchdog organization's allegations that America faced a suicide epidemic among former military personnel. With the emergence of data, the numbers seem to reflect a very different story. The VA and Department of Defense published a clinical guide in 2013, stating 18 to 22 die daily. Some say this number is higher. The veterans' suicide crisis line, as of June 2012, was receiving about 17,000 calls per month, an increase of more than 17 percent from 2009 with 4 of 5 veterans seeking help and nearly one-third of them contemplating suicide. Recent VA Office of Inspector General investigations indicated a "nationwide patchwork of mismanagement and treatment breakdowns."
Army Civilian Develops Interview Method to Help Unlock Memories, Reduce Revictimization
Monday, August 4, 2014 | Category: Military Justice - National
Russell Strand, a Fort Leonard Wood researcher, created a revolutionary approach to interviewing sexual assault victims that is obtaining more information about crimes--potentially leading to more offender prosecutions.
New VA Secretary Bob MacDonald Sworn In
Thursday, July 31, 2014 | Category: Department of Veterans Affairs - National
Bob McDonald, former Procter & Gamble CEO, will take over the beleaguered Veterans Affairs Department. The U.S. Senate voted unanimously, 97-0, to confirm McDonald to tackle the myriad problems facing the agency.
AF: 1st Woman 4-Star to Lead Pacific Combat Forces
Wednesday, July 16, 2014 | Category: Department of Defense - National
Air Force Lt. Gen. Lori J. Robinson was nominated to serve as commanding general of Pacific Air Forces, making her the first U.S. woman four-star commander of combat forces.
DoD IG Reviews Federal Program to Combat Human Trafficking
Tuesday, June 24, 2014 | Category: Human Trafficking/Sexual Exploitation - National
The Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoD IG) released its multi-year review report of DoD’s Combating Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) program. The IG found some improvements, but also identified a number of areas that need more work in order to fight the human trafficking global crisis.
International Protocol Launched to Deal with Sexual Violence in Conflict
Wednesday, June 11, 2014 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - International
An international protocol for dealing with rape and sexual violence in conflict was launched in London at the "End Sexual Violence in Conflict" Summit on the issue, providing guidelines on the investigation of sex crimes and the collection of evidence for future prosecutions.
At Global Summit, UN Envoy Angelina Jolie Calls for End to Sexual Violence in Conflict
Tuesday, June 10, 2014 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - National
Activist and United Nations Special Envoy Angelina Jolie called for concerted action to end the use of rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war.