Judge allows American to sue Rumsfeld over torture
By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press – 1 day ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld can be sued personally for damages by a former U.S. military contractor who says he was tortured during a nine-month imprisonment in Iraq.
The lawsuit lays out a dramatic tale of the disappearance of the then-civilian contractor, an Army veteran in his 50s whose identity is being withheld from court filings for fear of retaliation.
Attorneys for the man, who speaks five languages and worked as a translator for Marines collecting intelligence in Iraq, say he was preparing to come home to the United States on annual leave when he was abducted by the U.S. military and held without justification while his family knew nothing about his whereabouts or even whether he was still alive.
The government says he was suspected of helping pass classified information to the enemy and helping anti-coalition forces get into Iraq. But he was never charged with a crime, and he says he never broke the law and was risking his life to help his country.
Court papers filed on his behalf say he was repeatedly abused while being held at Camp Cropper, a U.S. military facility near the Baghdad airport dedicated to holding "high-value" detainees, then suddenly released without explanation in August 2006.
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Judge allows American to sue Rumsfeld over torture
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Veterans in college six times more likely to attempt suicide than other students
Many Military Vets in College Plagued By Thoughts of Suicide
They're six times more likely than other students to attempt it, study shows
Posted: August 4, 2011
By Alan Mozes
HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, Aug. 4 (HealthDay News) -- American military veterans attending college are far more likely to entertain thoughts of suicide than fellow students who have never been in the military, a new national survey indicates.
Data from the poll paints a grave picture of these students' mental health: Nearly half of all vets currently in higher education say they have considered suicide at some point in their lives, while one in five say they have actually made plans to go through with it.
Such figures far exceed estimates of suicidal tendencies among college students who have never been in the military, the research team noted.
"The data suggest that the problems experienced by soldiers while on active duty don't end when they separate from the service," said study author David Rudd, of the National Center for Veterans Studies at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. "Rather, a large number of student veterans continue to experience significant problems, including post-traumatic stress symptoms and suicide risk."
"The reported rate of suicide attempts among student veterans was six times that of the general student population," Rudd noted, "and those reporting 'serious' suicidal thoughts -- those thinking about suicide with a plan -- was more than three times that of the general student population."
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Many Military Vets in College Plagued By Thoughts of Suicide
They're six times more likely than other students to attempt it, study shows
Posted: August 4, 2011
By Alan Mozes
HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, Aug. 4 (HealthDay News) -- American military veterans attending college are far more likely to entertain thoughts of suicide than fellow students who have never been in the military, a new national survey indicates.
Data from the poll paints a grave picture of these students' mental health: Nearly half of all vets currently in higher education say they have considered suicide at some point in their lives, while one in five say they have actually made plans to go through with it.
Such figures far exceed estimates of suicidal tendencies among college students who have never been in the military, the research team noted.
"The data suggest that the problems experienced by soldiers while on active duty don't end when they separate from the service," said study author David Rudd, of the National Center for Veterans Studies at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. "Rather, a large number of student veterans continue to experience significant problems, including post-traumatic stress symptoms and suicide risk."
"The reported rate of suicide attempts among student veterans was six times that of the general student population," Rudd noted, "and those reporting 'serious' suicidal thoughts -- those thinking about suicide with a plan -- was more than three times that of the general student population."
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Many Military Vets in College Plagued By Thoughts of Suicide
Cops twice as likely to commit suicide than die in line of duty
Cops have a lot more in common with the troops than any other group. They not only witness traumatic events, they participate in them as well.
Tragic cases like Celina Cass a challenge for investigators
WCAX
Burlington, Vermont - August 3, 2011
"As a trooper, I can remember just about every mile marker where I had a fatal car crash," said Sonny Provetto, a licensed clinical social worker.
Provetto is a former Burlington Police officer and Vermont State Trooper. Now he helps other cops work through job-related trauma. He says the mental images of gruesome crime scenes stay with law enforcement officials long after the incident has passed.
For the hundreds of investigators working on the Celina Cass case in West Stewartstown, N.H., putting the little girl's tragic death out of their minds when the investigation is over could prove challenging. Provetto says incidents involving children rank fourth in job-related stress, behind killing in the line of duty, losing a partner or having a near death experience themselves.
"They will always remember exactly what it was like for them," Provetto said.
Stressors like these-- if left untreated-- can take their toll. Provetto says cops are twice as likely to commit suicide as die in the line of duty; 25 percent abuse alcohol to cope with their experiences and 6 to 14 percent suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. But unlike war, police officers don't get to leave the geographical area that sparks the trauma.
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Tragic cases like Celina Cass a challenge for investigators
Vet Center Crucial Void For Veterans In Clarksville
Crucial Void For Veterans In Clarksville
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - There are four Veteran Centers in Tennessee. But not one of them is in Montgomery County, the only county with a military post and the highest number of veterans.
A group of local lawmakers said it doesn't make any sense and that the vital counseling services should be available in Fort Campbell's backyard to help with the often difficult transition from combat to life back in Clarksville.
"It's not easy because you go from being in this foreign country getting blown up having bombs grown at you keep your eyes out you cone back here and you are still doing the same thing it's hard," said Sandra Sawin, a recent vet and mother of two.
Sawin is supporting the push to get a Vet Center built in Clarksville.
"With it being Fort Campbell right here with so many soldiers right here why can't we gave one closer," she said.
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Crucial Void For Veterans In Clarksville
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - There are four Veteran Centers in Tennessee. But not one of them is in Montgomery County, the only county with a military post and the highest number of veterans.
A group of local lawmakers said it doesn't make any sense and that the vital counseling services should be available in Fort Campbell's backyard to help with the often difficult transition from combat to life back in Clarksville.
"It's not easy because you go from being in this foreign country getting blown up having bombs grown at you keep your eyes out you cone back here and you are still doing the same thing it's hard," said Sandra Sawin, a recent vet and mother of two.
Sawin is supporting the push to get a Vet Center built in Clarksville.
"With it being Fort Campbell right here with so many soldiers right here why can't we gave one closer," she said.
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Crucial Void For Veterans In Clarksville
Sen. Murray wants other states to also track veterans' suicides
What has been reported on this blog is the fact that if they are not in the DOD system or the VA system, no one is tracking them. When we read numbers like 18 a day commit suicide, there are many, many more no one is tracking. It will be a lot higher once every state is actually tracking all of them.
Sen. Murray wants other states to also track veterans' suicides
Washington Sen. Patty Murray on Wednesday encouraged state governments to start tallying veteran suicides, as her state already does.
ADAM ASHTON; STAFF WRITER
Published: 08/04/11
Washington Sen. Patty Murray on Wednesday encouraged state governments to start tallying veteran suicides, as her state already does.
Her goal is to quantify an under-reported number that could help health agencies improve their outreach to service members who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has an incomplete picture of suicide among former service members because it doesn’t count the deaths of veterans not enrolled in VA care.
“One of the most significant obstacles to understanding veteran suicide is the lack of information available regarding these individuals,” Murray wrote with two of her Democratic colleagues in a letter to the National Governors Association.
“In many cases the Department of Veterans Affairs does not even know that a veteran has died if that individual was not enrolled in VA health care,” wrote Murray.
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Sen. Murray wants other states to also track veterans suicides
Army releases name of soldier found dead at Ariz's Fort Huachuca
Army releases name of soldier found dead at Ariz's Fort Huachuca hours after his weapon arrest
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First Posted: August 03, 2011
FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. — Army officials have released the name of a soldier found dead in his residence at Fort Huachuca in southern Arizona.
Authorities say 38-year-old Sgt. 1st Class Jose J. Algarin-Colon died Monday afternoon of an apparent gunshot wound.
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Army releases name of soldier found dead at Ariz's Fort Huachuca
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First Posted: August 03, 2011
FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. — Army officials have released the name of a soldier found dead in his residence at Fort Huachuca in southern Arizona.
Authorities say 38-year-old Sgt. 1st Class Jose J. Algarin-Colon died Monday afternoon of an apparent gunshot wound.
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Army releases name of soldier found dead at Ariz's Fort Huachuca
National Guards promised $34M in Bonuses Under Question
Guard: $34M in Bonuses Under Question
August 03, 2011
Associated Press|by Tim Fought
PORTLAND, Ore. - The National Guard will allow an Oregon recruit the $20,000 bonus it promised her in 2007, even though it believes the money was among $34 million worth of incentives improperly granted in recent years.
A month ago, the Guard had asked Pfc. Chelsea Wells to return the first half of the bonus, which she got in 2008, and refused to pay the second half - even though it didn't suggest she had done anything wrong. But facing congressional pressure to honor Wells' contract, the Guard confirmed Tuesday that it changed its position in the case, which has opened a window into recruitment practices that involve a variety of incentives.
Since Wells' case came to light in mid-July, the Guard has revealed that a new verification system has found that more than 4,000 bonuses nationwide were "improperly offered to the applicant" in 2007-2009. Those incentives had been offered by recruiters and enlistment officers.
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$34M in Bonuses Under Question
August 03, 2011
Associated Press|by Tim Fought
PORTLAND, Ore. - The National Guard will allow an Oregon recruit the $20,000 bonus it promised her in 2007, even though it believes the money was among $34 million worth of incentives improperly granted in recent years.
A month ago, the Guard had asked Pfc. Chelsea Wells to return the first half of the bonus, which she got in 2008, and refused to pay the second half - even though it didn't suggest she had done anything wrong. But facing congressional pressure to honor Wells' contract, the Guard confirmed Tuesday that it changed its position in the case, which has opened a window into recruitment practices that involve a variety of incentives.
Since Wells' case came to light in mid-July, the Guard has revealed that a new verification system has found that more than 4,000 bonuses nationwide were "improperly offered to the applicant" in 2007-2009. Those incentives had been offered by recruiters and enlistment officers.
read more here
$34M in Bonuses Under Question
Troops abusing alcohol has roughly doubled in the last five years
The "cure" of choice when soldiers do not feel safe seeking help for PTSD is alcohol. They want to numb what they do not want to feel anymore. It should come as no shock the number of troops abusing alcohol has doubled.
Army Hiring More Counselors for Alcohol Abuse
August 04, 2011
Associated Press|by Pauline Jelinek
WASHINGTON -- The Army is increasing its staff of substance abuse counselors by about 30 percent to help the rising number of troops with alcohol problems.
Officials said Wednesday that they posted 130 new job openings this week in hopes of increasing staff to counsel Soldiers at bases around the world from the current level of around 400.
"One of the largest challenges in maintaining health is addressing issues of substance abuse by our Soldiers," Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli said. Getting more qualified counselors to areas where there are staff shortfalls "is an issue that needs to be rectified as soon as possible."
The number of troops abusing alcohol has roughly doubled in the last five years as Soldiers go through the stressful cycle of training, serving in the wars, readjusting to home life and then doing it all over again months later, Dr. Les McFarling, head of the army's substance program, said in an interview.
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Army Hiring More Counselors for Alcohol Abuse
Drug court disbanded for lack of funding
Drug court disbanded for lack of funding
2011-08-04 / Community
State-mandated program focuses on treatment over jail
By Darleen Principe
darleen@theacorn.com
Certain nonviolent drug offenders in Ventura County will still have the opportunity to seek treatment in lieu of incarceration despite the recent disbanding of the county’s collaborative drug court program.
Proposition 36 Court, an underone roof justice program made up of representatives from Ventura County’s probation agency, behavioral health department, district attorney’s office and public defender’s office, held its last session on July 22.
According to Robert Sherman, assistant executive officer for the Ventura County Superior Court, funding cuts have forced agencies to withdraw from the program, which means it is “no longer viable” as a functioning collaborative court.
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Drug court disbanded for lack of funding
Mental health court expands during first eight months
Mental health court expands during first eight months
Posted: Wednesday, Aug 3rd, 2011
BY: April Bamburg
When an individual with a mental illness is arrested, the experience they have with law enforcement may be different than that of someone who doesn't suffer from a mental illness. For the past eight months, a program in Lincoln County has aimed to assist individuals with mental illnesses who have found themselves in trouble with the law. That program is the Lincoln County Mental Health Court.
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Mental health court expands during first eight months
Fort Hood female soldier saves baby from burning house
More Than 100 Firefighters Battle Major Fire, Soldier Rescues Baby From Home
Killeen firefighters battled a fire that consumed two houses on the north side of the city.
Reporter: Josh Wucher and Megan Snipes
KILLEEN (August 3, 2011)—Firefighters battled a major structure fire in Killeen near Fort Hood that consumed two houses.
The fire started as a house fire around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday on the 700 block of Northside Dr., but spread to Fort Hood.
A home was fully engulfed, and the fire spread to another home.
Three garages, three sheds, two cars, two boats, and a trailer were also destroyed by the fire.
Firefighters from Killeen, Harker Heights and Fort Hood were at the scene.
Fire departments from Southwest Bell County, Central Bell County, Temple and Copperas Cove also helped.
Before some firefighters arrived on the scene, a Fort Hood soldier sprung into action.
Army Pvt. Denae Jensen kicked down the door of a home and saved two puppies. She then ran into another burning home and saved a baby that was in the crib. The mother of the child was gathering their belongings at the time of the rescue.
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Soldier Rescues Baby From Home
Killeen firefighters battled a fire that consumed two houses on the north side of the city.
Reporter: Josh Wucher and Megan Snipes
KILLEEN (August 3, 2011)—Firefighters battled a major structure fire in Killeen near Fort Hood that consumed two houses.
The fire started as a house fire around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday on the 700 block of Northside Dr., but spread to Fort Hood.
A home was fully engulfed, and the fire spread to another home.
Three garages, three sheds, two cars, two boats, and a trailer were also destroyed by the fire.
Firefighters from Killeen, Harker Heights and Fort Hood were at the scene.
Fire departments from Southwest Bell County, Central Bell County, Temple and Copperas Cove also helped.
Before some firefighters arrived on the scene, a Fort Hood soldier sprung into action.
Army Pvt. Denae Jensen kicked down the door of a home and saved two puppies. She then ran into another burning home and saved a baby that was in the crib. The mother of the child was gathering their belongings at the time of the rescue.
read more here
Soldier Rescues Baby From Home
Non-combat Deaths of Three Camp Lejeune Marines Being Investigated
3 MARSOC Marines, dog die in Afghan blaze
By Andrew deGrandpre - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Aug 3, 2011 18:09:32 EDT
Three Marine Corps special operators died Sunday along with a military dog after their living quarters caught fire in western Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Patrick R. Dolphin, 29, Sgt. Dennis E. Kancler, 26, and Sgt. Christopher M. Wrinkle, 29, were killed in Herat province, according to a Defense Department news release issued late Wednesday. All three were assigned to Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command’s 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
MARSOC officials said only that the men died in a “non-combat” incident, and that the matter is being investigated by U.S. military personnel in Afghanistan.
But other sources with knowledge of the mishap told Marine Corps Times that the men died in a house fire.
A fourth MARSOC Marine and an Army special operator sustained unspecified injures as a result of the incident, said Maj. Jeffrey Landis, a MARSOC spokesman. It’s unclear whether they were evacuated from Afghanistan, he said.
A military dog also died in the incident, Landis said. He declined to comment on whether a fire caused the deaths.
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3 MARSOC Marines, dog die in Afghan blaze
Details released about area Marine's death
BY KATIE SULLIVAN (STAFF WRITER)Published: August 4, 2011
The death of an area Marine and former Elmhurst Township resident is still under investigation after he died while serving in Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Patrick R. Dolphin, 29, died July 31 while supporting combat operations in Herat province of Afghanistan, according to a press release from the Department of Defense.
Further details surrounding the incident are still unclear, said Major Jeff Landis, a spokesman for the United States Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command.
Dolphin leaves behind a wife of more than two years, Lindsey, along with his parents Tom Dolphin and Jean Uffalussy, and a younger brother Tom Dolphin Jr., who all traveled to Dover, Del. to retrieve Sgt. Dolphin's remains Tuesday.
Read more:
Details released about area Marine death
Deaths of Three Camp Lejeune Marines Being Investigated
By WCTI Staff
ONSLOW COUNTY -- The Department of Defense announced Wednesday the deaths of three Marines who were based at Camp Lejeune.
Staff Sgt. Patrick R. Dolphin, 29, of Moscow, Pa., Sgt. Dennis E. Kancler, 26, of Brecksville, Ohio, and Sgt. Christopher M. Wrinkle, 29, of Dallastown, Pa., died July 31 as a result of a non-combat related incident in Herat province, Afghanistan.
read more here
Deaths of Three Camp Lejeune Marines Being Investigated
Married Marines serve together in Afghanistan
Married Marines serve together in Afghanistan
Helicopter technicians say they don’t see each other much despite shared deploymen
BY GEOFF PURSINGER
The Times, Aug 4, 2011
Tigard native Branden McClintock doesn’t get to see his wife Krystal much these days.
As a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps serving in Afghanistan, that’s not too surprising.
What is surprising is that his wife is right there beside him.
McClintock is married to fellow avionics technician Sgt. Krystal Palace-McClintock from Kansas City, Mo. The couple met while serving in the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 and are currently serving their second tour together as helicopter technicians.
The McClintocks are one of three married couples currently deployed with the Camp Pendleton, Calif.,-based helicopter squadron in Helmand Province in Afghanistan.
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Married Marines serve together in Afghanistan
Helicopter technicians say they don’t see each other much despite shared deploymen
BY GEOFF PURSINGER
The Times, Aug 4, 2011
Tigard native Branden McClintock doesn’t get to see his wife Krystal much these days.
As a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps serving in Afghanistan, that’s not too surprising.
What is surprising is that his wife is right there beside him.
McClintock is married to fellow avionics technician Sgt. Krystal Palace-McClintock from Kansas City, Mo. The couple met while serving in the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 and are currently serving their second tour together as helicopter technicians.
The McClintocks are one of three married couples currently deployed with the Camp Pendleton, Calif.,-based helicopter squadron in Helmand Province in Afghanistan.
read more here
Married Marines serve together in Afghanistan
Marine Injured in Oceanside Motorcycle Crash
Marine Injured in Oceanside Motorcycle Crash
He attempted to split lanes in stopped traffic at a high rate of speed, the Highway Patrol reports.
By Tom Roebuck
August 3, 2011
A 22-year-old Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton was hospitalized with a compound fracture to his right leg Wednesday morning after the motorcycle he was driving hit a stopped car in Oceanside, according to the Highway Patrol.
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Marine Injured in Oceanside Motorcycle Crash
He attempted to split lanes in stopped traffic at a high rate of speed, the Highway Patrol reports.
By Tom Roebuck
August 3, 2011
A 22-year-old Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton was hospitalized with a compound fracture to his right leg Wednesday morning after the motorcycle he was driving hit a stopped car in Oceanside, according to the Highway Patrol.
read more here
Marine Injured in Oceanside Motorcycle Crash
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