From my archive of press clippings:
Stars and Stripes
Still playing the name game with Navy and Marine Corps
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Stars and Stripes online edition, Wednesday, May 5, 2010
WASHINGTON — Rep. Walter Jones never expected changing the Department of Navy’s name would be a decade-long fight.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"But each year since 2001 — the first year he proposed adding the Marine Corps to the official title — the North Carolina Republican has found himself on the House floor making an impassioned plea for the simple three-word change. And each year the measure has failed in the Senate."
&
"The bill deals only with the formal title of the department, and would not change command structure or the missions of the Navy and Marine Corps."
Showing posts with label Leo Shane III. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leo Shane III. Show all posts
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
S&S - Congress wants troops to focus on academics. Study advocates emphasis on officer education.
From today's news:
Stars and Stripes
Congress wants troops to focus on academics
Study advocates emphasis on officer education
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Sunday, May 9, 2010
WASHINGTON — A new congressional study calls for more emphasis on professional military education in officers’ careers, saying such experience helps create the great battlefield strategists of the future.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Members of the House Armed Services Committee who worked on the study, released Thursday, said scholarly work is still not widely regarded as advantageous to the career of a potential flag or general officer. In fact, trading warfighting missions for higher education can often be a detriment to promotions."
"The study advocates senior officers should be afforded more opportunity to pursue higher degrees, both at Defense war colleges and outside institutions.
Today, those programs are mostly reserved for future faculty members, not potential battlefield strategists.
Lawmakers mentioned that one notable exception is U.S. Central Command commander Gen. David Petraeus, who earned his master’s and doctorate degrees while serving. They credited his leadership in Iraq at least in part to lessons he learned earning international relations degrees."
"The study authors said they believe most senior leadership is willing to support scholarly pursuits among select officers, but the demands of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have limited those opportunities."
&
"In recent years, the Army War College has developed an exchange program with the State Department, allowing a small number of soldiers to train with workers with the U.S. Agency for International Development or similar agencies while some members of the diplomatic corps attend military classes alongside officers.
The program has drawn high marks from both sides, but when lawmakers asked if similar programs were at work in the Navy and Air Force, they found officials there had no knowledge of it."
Stars and Stripes
Congress wants troops to focus on academics
Study advocates emphasis on officer education
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Sunday, May 9, 2010
WASHINGTON — A new congressional study calls for more emphasis on professional military education in officers’ careers, saying such experience helps create the great battlefield strategists of the future.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Members of the House Armed Services Committee who worked on the study, released Thursday, said scholarly work is still not widely regarded as advantageous to the career of a potential flag or general officer. In fact, trading warfighting missions for higher education can often be a detriment to promotions."
"The study advocates senior officers should be afforded more opportunity to pursue higher degrees, both at Defense war colleges and outside institutions.
Today, those programs are mostly reserved for future faculty members, not potential battlefield strategists.
Lawmakers mentioned that one notable exception is U.S. Central Command commander Gen. David Petraeus, who earned his master’s and doctorate degrees while serving. They credited his leadership in Iraq at least in part to lessons he learned earning international relations degrees."
"The study authors said they believe most senior leadership is willing to support scholarly pursuits among select officers, but the demands of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have limited those opportunities."
&
"In recent years, the Army War College has developed an exchange program with the State Department, allowing a small number of soldiers to train with workers with the U.S. Agency for International Development or similar agencies while some members of the diplomatic corps attend military classes alongside officers.
The program has drawn high marks from both sides, but when lawmakers asked if similar programs were at work in the Navy and Air Force, they found officials there had no knowledge of it."
Sunday, January 3, 2010
S&S - Lawmakers seek better job security for guardsmen, reservists
Stars and Stripes
Lawmakers seek better job security for guardsmen, reservists
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Saturday, April 25, 2009
WASHINGTON — Lawmakers on Tuesday pushed for stronger legal protection for guardsmen and reservists looking to return to their civilian jobs without penalty after mobilization, saying the government owes them that security.
Snippet(s):
"That law prohibits employers of guardsmen and reservists from firing them, cutting their pay or changing their benefits when they are called to active-duty service. But veterans groups complain that too often businesses ignore those rules with little or no consequence."
"Davis’ said his bill and companion legislation introduced by Sen. Bob Casey Jr., D-Pa., would add "more teeth" to the existing USERRA rules. The measure would for the first time allow punitive damages in such disputes, instead of limiting reservists to only actual lost wages."
&
"The legislation would also allow USERRA cases against private employers to be heard in state courts, instead of just federal courts. Bocceri said that could dramatically cut down on the typical three-year wait that reservists face in employment disputes.
State governments would also be held to the same standards as private companies under the measure, and wage discrimination related to a reservist’s deployment would be specifically outlawed."
Lawmakers seek better job security for guardsmen, reservists
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Saturday, April 25, 2009
WASHINGTON — Lawmakers on Tuesday pushed for stronger legal protection for guardsmen and reservists looking to return to their civilian jobs without penalty after mobilization, saying the government owes them that security.
Snippet(s):
"That law prohibits employers of guardsmen and reservists from firing them, cutting their pay or changing their benefits when they are called to active-duty service. But veterans groups complain that too often businesses ignore those rules with little or no consequence."
"Davis’ said his bill and companion legislation introduced by Sen. Bob Casey Jr., D-Pa., would add "more teeth" to the existing USERRA rules. The measure would for the first time allow punitive damages in such disputes, instead of limiting reservists to only actual lost wages."
&
"The legislation would also allow USERRA cases against private employers to be heard in state courts, instead of just federal courts. Bocceri said that could dramatically cut down on the typical three-year wait that reservists face in employment disputes.
State governments would also be held to the same standards as private companies under the measure, and wage discrimination related to a reservist’s deployment would be specifically outlawed."
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
S&S - New citizens honored to take oath at White House
Stars and Stripes
New citizens honored to take oath at White House
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Sunday, May 3, 2009
Robin Hoecker / S&S
Representing all branches of the military, 24 servicemembers from 18 countries take the oath of citizenship during a naturalization ceremony at the White House on Friday.
Robin Hoecker / S&S
President Obama delivers the keynote address.
Robin Hoecker / S&S
"You’ve not merely chosen to live in this country. You’ve chosen to serve this country," he said.
Robin Hoecker / S&S
President Obama congratulates the new citizens after the ceremony.
Robin Hoecker / S&S
President Obama presents Peter Lemon with the Outstanding American by Choice award, which recognizes the outstanding achievements of naturalized U.S. citizens. Lemon, formerly a Canadian citizen, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1971 for his heroic actions in Vietnam.
WASHINGTON — Petty Officer 3rd Class Jeonathan Zapata was excited to finally become an American citizen. But he was even more thrilled when the first person to congratulate him was the commander in chief.
Read the whole article here.
New citizens honored to take oath at White House
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Sunday, May 3, 2009
Robin Hoecker / S&S
Representing all branches of the military, 24 servicemembers from 18 countries take the oath of citizenship during a naturalization ceremony at the White House on Friday.
Robin Hoecker / S&S
President Obama delivers the keynote address.
Robin Hoecker / S&S
"You’ve not merely chosen to live in this country. You’ve chosen to serve this country," he said.
Robin Hoecker / S&S
President Obama congratulates the new citizens after the ceremony.
Robin Hoecker / S&S
President Obama presents Peter Lemon with the Outstanding American by Choice award, which recognizes the outstanding achievements of naturalized U.S. citizens. Lemon, formerly a Canadian citizen, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1971 for his heroic actions in Vietnam.
WASHINGTON — Petty Officer 3rd Class Jeonathan Zapata was excited to finally become an American citizen. But he was even more thrilled when the first person to congratulate him was the commander in chief.
Read the whole article here.
Monday, May 4, 2009
S&S - AAFES pulling aspirin from combat zones
Stars and Stripes
AAFES pulling aspirin from combat zones
By Mark Abramson and Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, May 1, 2009
Chris Six / S&S
The Army and Air Force Exchange Service is pulling all products containing aspirin from the shelves at its contingency locations.
Department of Defense officials ordered that aspirin in combat zones be controlled and now prohibit over-the-counter access through AAFES and Morale, Welfare and Recreation activities, an AAFES press release stated.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"In an order written in March by then-Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Ward Casscells, service officials were told to make sure all U.S. troops and civilians headed into combat zones stop taking aspirin at least 10 days before they deploy, unless directed by a health care provider.
The goal of the policy is to minimize blood loss in combat injuries, he wrote, and cut down on the number of "preventable deaths" associated with those wounds.
The concern over aspirin stems from how it affects blood’s ability to clot."
AAFES pulling aspirin from combat zones
By Mark Abramson and Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, May 1, 2009
Chris Six / S&S
The Army and Air Force Exchange Service is pulling all products containing aspirin from the shelves at its contingency locations.
Department of Defense officials ordered that aspirin in combat zones be controlled and now prohibit over-the-counter access through AAFES and Morale, Welfare and Recreation activities, an AAFES press release stated.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"In an order written in March by then-Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Ward Casscells, service officials were told to make sure all U.S. troops and civilians headed into combat zones stop taking aspirin at least 10 days before they deploy, unless directed by a health care provider.
The goal of the policy is to minimize blood loss in combat injuries, he wrote, and cut down on the number of "preventable deaths" associated with those wounds.
The concern over aspirin stems from how it affects blood’s ability to clot."
Sunday, May 3, 2009
S&S - Bill would grant early retirement after tours
From my archive of press clippings:
Stars and Stripes
Bill would grant early retirement after tours
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, March 27, 2009
WASHINGTON — Reservists and Guardsmen who have served multiple overseas tours could get early retirement under a measure introduced by a pair of lawmakers Wednesday.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The bill, sponsored by South Carolina Republican Joe Wilson and Oklahoma Democrat Dan Boren, would allow those troops to collect retirement benefits three months before their 60th birthday for every 90 days they spent activated in support of a contingency operation.
For reservists who served 20 years and spent two 12-month tours in Iraq, that would mean receiving their retirement payouts at 58, instead of waiting the extra two years."
&
"Congress two years ago approved counting reservists’ time in Iraq and Afghanistan toward an early retirement, but the policy only applied to service after January 2008. Lawmakers dropped a clause to make the benefits retroactive during budget negotiations.
The new measure would make it retroactive to September 2001. Congressional officials projected the backdating could cost $1.8 billion over 10 years, although Boren called that figure misleading."
Stars and Stripes
Bill would grant early retirement after tours
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, March 27, 2009
WASHINGTON — Reservists and Guardsmen who have served multiple overseas tours could get early retirement under a measure introduced by a pair of lawmakers Wednesday.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The bill, sponsored by South Carolina Republican Joe Wilson and Oklahoma Democrat Dan Boren, would allow those troops to collect retirement benefits three months before their 60th birthday for every 90 days they spent activated in support of a contingency operation.
For reservists who served 20 years and spent two 12-month tours in Iraq, that would mean receiving their retirement payouts at 58, instead of waiting the extra two years."
&
"Congress two years ago approved counting reservists’ time in Iraq and Afghanistan toward an early retirement, but the policy only applied to service after January 2008. Lawmakers dropped a clause to make the benefits retroactive during budget negotiations.
The new measure would make it retroactive to September 2001. Congressional officials projected the backdating could cost $1.8 billion over 10 years, although Boren called that figure misleading."
Friday, February 27, 2009
S&S - Base commanders issue new restrictions on travel to Mexico
From my archive of press clippings:
Stars and Stripes
Base commanders issue new restrictions on travel to Mexico
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Saturday, January 24, 2009
James B. Hoke/Courtesy of the U.S. Marine Corps
A Marine at the Entertainment Ticket Office looks over brochures that give tips on how to stay safe while visiting border towns in Mexico like Tijuana.
WASHINGTON — Weekend trips across the Mexican border might be a thing of the past for servicemembers stationed in the southwest.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Over the last month, military bases along the United States’ southern border have issued new rules regarding travel into Mexico, requiring their personnel to get advance written permission to make the trip.
Defense Department officials said there is no force-wide ban on vacations into Mexico by military personnel, but they noted commanders at those southwest bases have issued new restrictions on their own because of increased violence and drug activity in border towns.
Those include a number of units that have recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. Marines and sailors stationed in California — at posts such as Camp Pendleton, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and Twentynine Palms — and those at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona were informed of the changes over the last few weeks."
"Since 2000 all Marines E-3 and below have been required to get permission to travel into Mexico. Now, Evans said, all personnel must get a liberty chit signed by an O-5 or higher before crossing the border.
Commanders at Fort Huachuca in Arizona issued similar restrictions in December."
&
"Commanders at Fort Bliss in Texas have designated eight Mexican border towns as off-limits to their troops, except in cases where leadership allows visits for personal or family emergencies.
Last fall, the State Department issued new travel warnings regarding escalating battles between police and drug cartels in Mexican border towns."
Stars and Stripes
Base commanders issue new restrictions on travel to Mexico
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Saturday, January 24, 2009
James B. Hoke/Courtesy of the U.S. Marine Corps
A Marine at the Entertainment Ticket Office looks over brochures that give tips on how to stay safe while visiting border towns in Mexico like Tijuana.
WASHINGTON — Weekend trips across the Mexican border might be a thing of the past for servicemembers stationed in the southwest.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Over the last month, military bases along the United States’ southern border have issued new rules regarding travel into Mexico, requiring their personnel to get advance written permission to make the trip.
Defense Department officials said there is no force-wide ban on vacations into Mexico by military personnel, but they noted commanders at those southwest bases have issued new restrictions on their own because of increased violence and drug activity in border towns.
Those include a number of units that have recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. Marines and sailors stationed in California — at posts such as Camp Pendleton, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and Twentynine Palms — and those at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona were informed of the changes over the last few weeks."
"Since 2000 all Marines E-3 and below have been required to get permission to travel into Mexico. Now, Evans said, all personnel must get a liberty chit signed by an O-5 or higher before crossing the border.
Commanders at Fort Huachuca in Arizona issued similar restrictions in December."
&
"Commanders at Fort Bliss in Texas have designated eight Mexican border towns as off-limits to their troops, except in cases where leadership allows visits for personal or family emergencies.
Last fall, the State Department issued new travel warnings regarding escalating battles between police and drug cartels in Mexican border towns."
Sunday, February 22, 2009
S&S - Calif. lawmakers want Medal of Honor for Peralta
From my archive of press clippings:
Stars and Stripes
Calif. lawmakers want Medal of Honor for Peralta
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Online edition, Friday, January 23, 2009
WASHINGTON — A group of California lawmakers has asked the White House to reconsider posthumously awarding Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta the Medal of Honor, calling it an appropriate honor for his actions.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"In a letter sent to the White House on Friday, the seven members of Congress request that President Obama upgrade the Navy Cross already given to Peralta’s family, or give a better explanation why the fallen Marine’s actions do not meet the criteria for the military’s highest honor."
Stars and Stripes
Calif. lawmakers want Medal of Honor for Peralta
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Online edition, Friday, January 23, 2009
WASHINGTON — A group of California lawmakers has asked the White House to reconsider posthumously awarding Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta the Medal of Honor, calling it an appropriate honor for his actions.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"In a letter sent to the White House on Friday, the seven members of Congress request that President Obama upgrade the Navy Cross already given to Peralta’s family, or give a better explanation why the fallen Marine’s actions do not meet the criteria for the military’s highest honor."
Monday, January 19, 2009
S&S - Inauguration practice makes perfect
Inauguration Day news:
Stars and Stripes
Inauguration practice makes perfect
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Monday, January 12, 2009
Leo Shane III / S&S
Army Staff Sgt. Derrick Brooks of Fayetteville, N.C., has the honor of filling in for President-Elect Barack Obama during a rehearsal for the upcoming inaugural ceremony Sunday, January 11, 2009 at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. At right, representing Michelle Obama, is Navy Yeoman 1st Class LaSean McCray of Miami, Fla.
See more photos here.
WASHINGTON — Army Staff Sgt. Derrick Brooks was sworn in Sunday as the 44th president of the United States.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"OK, maybe he was only a stand-in for President-elect Barack Obama. And maybe Sunday’s event was only the military’s practice run for next week’s actual inauguration. And so what if his entire acceptance speech was “My fellow Americans, God bless America.”"
"On Sunday, members of the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee ran through every song, step and salute expected from the military during next week’s presidential ceremony."
Higgs said the 17 military stand-ins for the day — nearly every high-level dignitary was covered, including two daughters of troops who played Obama’s young girls — were all selected from the committee staff based on their height, weight, and how busy they were in the days leading up.
Army Sgt. Bruce Cobbeldick, who got to play President George W. Bush, called the job an honor and noted that his co-workers are already worried the role will go to his head."
Stars and Stripes
Inauguration practice makes perfect
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Monday, January 12, 2009
Leo Shane III / S&S
Army Staff Sgt. Derrick Brooks of Fayetteville, N.C., has the honor of filling in for President-Elect Barack Obama during a rehearsal for the upcoming inaugural ceremony Sunday, January 11, 2009 at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. At right, representing Michelle Obama, is Navy Yeoman 1st Class LaSean McCray of Miami, Fla.
See more photos here.
WASHINGTON — Army Staff Sgt. Derrick Brooks was sworn in Sunday as the 44th president of the United States.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"OK, maybe he was only a stand-in for President-elect Barack Obama. And maybe Sunday’s event was only the military’s practice run for next week’s actual inauguration. And so what if his entire acceptance speech was “My fellow Americans, God bless America.”"
"On Sunday, members of the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee ran through every song, step and salute expected from the military during next week’s presidential ceremony."
&
"Hundreds of band members, honor guard members and logistics experts from each of the services marched around the Capitol, down Pennsylvania Avenue and up to the White House. Crowds gathered along the route, cheering on the fake president and his fake family and clapping along with “Hail to the Chief.”Higgs said the 17 military stand-ins for the day — nearly every high-level dignitary was covered, including two daughters of troops who played Obama’s young girls — were all selected from the committee staff based on their height, weight, and how busy they were in the days leading up.
Army Sgt. Bruce Cobbeldick, who got to play President George W. Bush, called the job an honor and noted that his co-workers are already worried the role will go to his head."
Friday, January 16, 2009
S&S - Contractors will lose immunity in deal
From my archive of press clippings:
Stars and Stripes
Contractors will lose immunity in deal
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Saturday, November 22, 2008
WASHINGTON — All military contractors in Iraq will likely lose their immunity from Iraqi law starting in January, according to officials from the State and Defense Departments.
Read the whole article here.
Stars and Stripes
Contractors will lose immunity in deal
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Saturday, November 22, 2008
WASHINGTON — All military contractors in Iraq will likely lose their immunity from Iraqi law starting in January, according to officials from the State and Defense Departments.
Read the whole article here.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
S&S - Stop-lossed troops could get extra monthly money
From my archive of press clippings:
Stars and Stripes
Stop-lossed troops could get extra monthly money
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Saturday, September 27, 2008
WASHINGTON — Stop-lossed troops could begin receiving an extra $500 in their paychecks starting next month if Congress can put the finishing touches on its budget plans this weekend. But plans to make the payouts retroactive to 2001 are on hold despite previous support from lawmakers.
Read the whole article here.
Stars and Stripes
Stop-lossed troops could get extra monthly money
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Saturday, September 27, 2008
WASHINGTON — Stop-lossed troops could begin receiving an extra $500 in their paychecks starting next month if Congress can put the finishing touches on its budget plans this weekend. But plans to make the payouts retroactive to 2001 are on hold despite previous support from lawmakers.
Read the whole article here.
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