Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    10 things to know about DoD in September

    JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, VA, UNITED STATES

    09.04.2014

    Story by Damien Salas 

    Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall

    1. September marks Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month for the Department of Defense. This year’s theme is Enhancing Resiliency, Strengthening our Professionals. “Preventing military suicide is one of DoD’s highest priorities, and something I’m personally committed to as secretary of defense,” said Secretary Chuck Hagel Sept. 2. “As we observe Suicide Prevention Month, we must rededicate ourselves to actively working not only every month, but every day to fulfill our collective responsibility to watch out for each other and take care of each other.” The Military Crisis Line is available 24 hours via phone, online chat, or text message. Call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1; visit www.militarycrisisline.net; or text 838255.

    2. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will join President Barack Obama at the NATO summit Sept. 4 – 5 in Wales to discuss the crisis in Eastern Europe. Around 10,000 Russian troops line the border of Ukraine, according to Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby at a White House press conference Sept. 2. “These are battalion tactical groups that are highly capable, very ready, very close to the border, closer than we saw in the spring, and could move literally on a moment’s notice,” said Kirby. Talks of a rapid reaction force in response to Russia’s aggression amongst NATO officials suggests more American intervention in the area, but an Army unit deployed to the area recently existed prior to the conflict, according to Kirby.

    3. Pentagon officials confirmed Sept. 2 that U.S. military forces conducted a drone strike operation in Somalia Sept. 1, against the extremist al-Shabab network. Leader Ahmed Abdi Godane was targeted as he left a meeting of the group’s top leaders. Working from actionable intelligence, U.S. special operations forces using manned and unmanned aircraft destroyed an encampment and a vehicle using several Hellfire missiles and laser-guided munitions, according to a Pentagon press briefing. There is no confirmation of the death of the group’s leader at time of press. The group first gained notoriety a year ago this month when it carried out an attack on the upscale Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, killing at least 67 people.

    4. The White House announced Aug. 26 that retired Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins and Spc. Donald P. Sloat will receive the Medal of Honor for actions in Vietnam. It was also announced 1st Lt. Alonzo H. Cushing will posthumously receive the Medal of Honor for actions in the Civil War during the Battle of Gettysburg. President Barack Obama will award the medal to Adkins during a White House ceremony, Sept. 15. At the same ceremony, Dr. William Sloat of Enid, Okla., will accept the medal on behalf of his brother Donald, who died in battle. Details on Cushing’s award will be announced separately, according to the White House statement.

    5. The DoD announced Sept. 2 the military athletes who will represent the United States at the first-ever Invictus Games, which will be held Sept. 10-14 in the United Kingdom. The games are an international sporting event for wounded, ill and injured servicemembers and veterans and will take place at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the Lee Valley Athletics Centre. The United States is one of 14 teams participating, and includes 98 military athletes: 22 from the Army, 20 from the Marine Corps, 22 from the Navy, 22 from the Air Force and 12 from U.S. Special Operations Command. Of the servicemembers, 53 are active duty and 45 are veterans.

    6. The DoD consumer protection campaign is a yearlong effort to educate servicemembers and their families to be financially savvy and become aware of potential scams. “By ensuring Servicemembers and their families are financially sound at home lets them keep their mind on their jobs,” said Cmdr. Peter Hoegel, deputy director, DoD office of family policy, and children and youth in a statement Sept. 2. “Being able to know that your savings plan is sound, meeting all your debt obligations, knowing that you have taken on responsible debt through reputable lenders, all those things contribute to peace of mind and the ability to accomplish the mission.”

    7. The DoD is taking part in an independent, web-based survey of servicemembers’ recent experiences with military workplace relations, professionalism and personal safety called the 2014 Military Workplace Study. This study is a confidential evaluation of workplace relations in the armed forces. The results of the survey will be presented to President Barack Obama later this year. RAND Corporation’s full analysis of the survey findings will be publicly available in the spring of 2015. To take the survey visit: http://www.rand.org/surveys/wgrs.html.

    8. Recipients of the 2014 Marine Corps League Enlisted Awards were announced Aug. 25. All winners will be recognized Sept. 24 at a ceremony at this year’s Modern Day Marine Military exposition at Marine Corps Base Quantico. A full list of winners can be found at http://goo.gl/e19UjW.

    9. Gold Star Mother’s Day falls on Sept. 28 this year. It is a day for people to recognize and honor those who have lost a son or daughter while serving the U.S. armed forces. It began with 25 mothers living in the National Capital Region and expanded to include affiliated groups throughout the nation. On June 23, 1936, a joint congressional resolution designated the last Sunday in September, as Gold Star Mother’s Day and has been observed each year by a presidential proclamation.

    10. The DoD will celebrate National Hispanic Heritage month in September. The observance, which begins Sept. 15 and runs to Oct. 15, recognizes the significant contributions made by the nation’s Hispanic-Americans in the armed forces.

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 09.04.2014
    Date Posted: 09.04.2014 09:01
    Story ID: 141105
    Location: JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, VA, US

    Web Views: 73
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN