UPDATE: Verdict: Lejeune Marine did not haze junior colleague
September 30, 2011 12:12 PM
HOPE HODGE - DAILY NEWS STAFF
Updated at 5:37 p.m.
A military jury decided Friday that a Camp Lejeune lance corporal who fought “like a drunken monkey” in the mixed martial arts ring was not guilty of assaulting a Marine in his unit who failed to complete a series of push-ups.
Lance Cpl. Chad Fyffe, 23, was acquitted on charges of assault, false official statement and drunk and disorderly conduct in a summer 2010 incident at his French Creek barracks. Fyffe, then a member of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines scout sniper platoon, called the four newest members of the unit into his room to inspect their rucksacks for the next day’s exercise. Upon finding that some of the sacks were missing pieces of gear, Fyffe and his roommates told the Marines to begin “25-and-5” sets, a push-up exercise used in the platoon for training and correction. When one Marine, Pfc. Charles Holloway, could not keep up, Holloway claimed Fyffe began punching him and kicking him in the ribs, then ordered him into a bathroom across the hall and pummeled him for 10-15 minutes before finally releasing him.
read more here
also on hazing
Marine suicide tied to hazing
Marine suicide leads to charges
Friday, September 30, 2011
‘High-risk activities’ help soldiers remain grounded
‘High-risk activities’ help soldiers remain grounded
Posted On: Thursday, Sep. 29 2011 11:31 PM
'By Colleen Flaherty
Killeen Daily Herald
DALLAS — First Lt. Emily Miller had one thought as she stood at the edge of the seven-story platform.
"Why am I doing this?" she recalled, following her first bungee jump experience Thursday at Zero Gravity adventure park in Dallas.
Miller and about 30 other 66th Military Intelligence Company soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, visited the park as part of their reintegration training. The regiment returned from its fourth and final deployment to Iraq in August.
"There's nothing between you and the ground, just open space," said Miller, 24. But the fear was worth "the adrenaline rush. I always told myself I'd go bungee jumping."
Sgt. 1st Class Stanley Holcombe of Fort Hood's Warrior Adventure Quest program accompanied the Ghostrider crew. He said encouraging returning soldiers to thrill-seek in a controlled environment is central to Warrior Adventure Quest, which "mitigates high-risk behavior through high-risk activities."
"The purpose is two-fold," Holcombe said. "They're having fun, but at the same time, they're exhibiting positive adaptive behavior, versus maladapted behavior, like driving too fast or drinking."
read more here
Posted On: Thursday, Sep. 29 2011 11:31 PM
'By Colleen Flaherty
Killeen Daily Herald
DALLAS — First Lt. Emily Miller had one thought as she stood at the edge of the seven-story platform.
"Why am I doing this?" she recalled, following her first bungee jump experience Thursday at Zero Gravity adventure park in Dallas.
Miller and about 30 other 66th Military Intelligence Company soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, visited the park as part of their reintegration training. The regiment returned from its fourth and final deployment to Iraq in August.
"There's nothing between you and the ground, just open space," said Miller, 24. But the fear was worth "the adrenaline rush. I always told myself I'd go bungee jumping."
Sgt. 1st Class Stanley Holcombe of Fort Hood's Warrior Adventure Quest program accompanied the Ghostrider crew. He said encouraging returning soldiers to thrill-seek in a controlled environment is central to Warrior Adventure Quest, which "mitigates high-risk behavior through high-risk activities."
"The purpose is two-fold," Holcombe said. "They're having fun, but at the same time, they're exhibiting positive adaptive behavior, versus maladapted behavior, like driving too fast or drinking."
read more here
GAO: 4 percent of VA copayments inaccurate
If there is anyone out there not understanding veterans are not covered for everything for free, this should clear that up.
One more thing to understand is that if they have a claim not approved, they have to pay out of pocket or their insurance unless they can prove they are unable to pay.
Considering members of congress get to keep their full coverage after they leave office, this shows how little the congress does in fact value the troops and veterans. The troops are just not worth as much as they are to themselves. Most people don't know members of congress walk out with great benefits that last the rest of their lives no matter if they go to work for private companies or not. Ask Bachmann if she plans on ending her benefits when she leaves office the way she wants military retirees to give their benefits up.
GAO: 4 percent of VA copayments inaccurate
By Patricia Kime - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Sep 30, 2011 12:26:41 EDT
In 2009, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee’s health panel called Department of Veterans Affairs officials on the carpet for what advocates and lawmakers said were “inappropriate billing practices” resulting in veterans being overcharged for medical service copayments.
But a newly released review of VA’s 56 million copayment bills in 2010 by the Government Accountability Office shows VA has an accuracy rate of 96 percent. Still, that means about 2.3 million copayment amounts were inaccurate last year, the GAO report said.
VA collects payment from veterans or their insurance companies for treatment and prescriptions for conditions not related to military service.At the 2009 hearing, representatives of the Paralyzed Veterans Association, Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion reported incidents of veterans paying erroneous bills and never being reimbursed. Some veterans also were billed multiple times for a single service or received incorrect bills months after services were rendered.
read more here
One more thing to understand is that if they have a claim not approved, they have to pay out of pocket or their insurance unless they can prove they are unable to pay.
Considering members of congress get to keep their full coverage after they leave office, this shows how little the congress does in fact value the troops and veterans. The troops are just not worth as much as they are to themselves. Most people don't know members of congress walk out with great benefits that last the rest of their lives no matter if they go to work for private companies or not. Ask Bachmann if she plans on ending her benefits when she leaves office the way she wants military retirees to give their benefits up.
Vietnam Vet Walks Hundreds Of Miles For Awareness
Vietnam Vet Walks Hundreds Of Miles For Awareness
Vet Is Hopes To Raise Money For Resource Center
KRDO.com Staff
POSTED: 12:12 pm MDT September 29, 2011
UPDATED: 12:36 pm MDT September 29, 2011
FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Ben Cordova is walking from Wyoming to New Mexico to raise awareness for veterans.
The Vietnam vet said his mission is to raise funds for a veteran’s resource center, which will provide free services to veterans and their families.
Cordova said there are not enough programs established to provide assistance to veterans, and he wants to change that.
“I don’t want the younger generations to go through some of the stuff we’ve gone through.
read more here
Vet Is Hopes To Raise Money For Resource Center
KRDO.com Staff
POSTED: 12:12 pm MDT September 29, 2011
UPDATED: 12:36 pm MDT September 29, 2011
FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Ben Cordova is walking from Wyoming to New Mexico to raise awareness for veterans.
The Vietnam vet said his mission is to raise funds for a veteran’s resource center, which will provide free services to veterans and their families.
Cordova said there are not enough programs established to provide assistance to veterans, and he wants to change that.
“I don’t want the younger generations to go through some of the stuff we’ve gone through.
read more here
Camp Lejeune holds career fair and education expo
Camp Lejeune holds career fair and education expo
By: Ashley White
CAMP LEJEUNE – More than 100 companies are coming together to help employ our nation's heroes. The Job Fair and Education Expo on board Camp Lejeune is providing the resources to help get the military men and women, who are ready to leave the service, a new job or on the path for education.
read more here and see video
By: Ashley White
CAMP LEJEUNE – More than 100 companies are coming together to help employ our nation's heroes. The Job Fair and Education Expo on board Camp Lejeune is providing the resources to help get the military men and women, who are ready to leave the service, a new job or on the path for education.
read more here and see video
Fort Hood soldier dies of non-combat incident
The Department of Defense today announced the death of a Texas soldier who was supporting Operation New Dawn in Iraq.
According to The Department of Defense, Staff Sgt. Estevan Altamirano, 30, of Edcouch, died Sept. 18 in Tikrit of “injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident.”
Sgt. Altamirano was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood.
Man accused of killing soldier with truck recovering from stab wounds
Man accused of killing soldier with truck recovering from stab wounds
Posted On: Tuesday, Sep. 27 2011 12:47 PM
From staff and wire reports
A South Carolina man accused of hitting and killing a Texas soldier with his pickup truck and then driving away is recovering from stab wounds after returning to the scene of the biker rally where it happened.
Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton said the victim was Sgt. 1st Class Maurice Collier of Fort Hood.
Collier was assigned to the 8th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, according to information from Fort Hood.
read more here
Posted On: Tuesday, Sep. 27 2011 12:47 PM
From staff and wire reports
A South Carolina man accused of hitting and killing a Texas soldier with his pickup truck and then driving away is recovering from stab wounds after returning to the scene of the biker rally where it happened.
Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton said the victim was Sgt. 1st Class Maurice Collier of Fort Hood.
Collier was assigned to the 8th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, according to information from Fort Hood.
read more here
Navy Vet with PTSD is focus of Criminal Minds episode
One of my favorite shows is Criminal Minds. I don't have much time to watch TV but this is one of the shows I make sure I get off the computer for.
'Criminal Minds' 'Dorado Falls' Preview: He's Fighting his own Mind
September 29, 2011 11:30 AM EDT
Criminal Minds season 7 continues with episode 3, "Dorado Falls." After the last case, which had to be one of the creepiest on the show, the BAU will be dealing with one where things are different from a usual case.
CM season 7 episode 3 "Dorado Falls" promo
"The BAU team investigates a mass murder at an Internet security company in Charlottesville, Va., but clues reveal it is not a typical serial killer at work. Also, Prentiss must complete recertification training under Morgan's watchful eye."
They're not forgetting that Prentiss has recently returned to the BAU after faking her death so fast. She may be back to solving cases, but there are a few more things she needs to take care of. In "Proof," the team was back together at the end of the episode, cooking dinner together like a family. Though Morgan had been understandably upset in the premiere, "It Takes A Village," he was the one to reassure Prentiss about Reid in the last episode. It only makes sense that he's the one helping her with her training.
read more here
Lewis Black, Vic Henley Stand Up For The Troops
Lewis Black, Vic Henley Stand Up For The Troops
Greenwich, CT - Caroline's on Broadway in New York, normally dark on Mondays, was packed for a stellar evening of Stand Up comedy from Lewis Black and Vic Henley on September 12. Pete Dominick emceed the first comedy benefit for Greenwich-based Stand For The Troops, the non-partisan advocate for American's frontline troops.
Before turning the microphone over to the three famed comics who performed pro bono, SFTT co-founder and chair Eilhys England Hackworth announced the Foundation's new PTSD initiative and introduced SFTT PTSD Campaign Chair MAJGEN John Batiste, US Army RET; campaign Co-Chair noted psychologist Dr. Henry Grayson, Ph.D with practices in Westport, CT and New York; and SFTT CDS Warrior Salute's GEN Robert Mixon, US Army Ret.
SFTT is collaborating with CDS Warrior Salute on a Rochester-based Pilot Treatment Program, and developing a local referral resource. Because PTSD affects 1 in every 5 soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan while eighteen (18) vets a day commit suicide, and Traumatic Brain Injury is the legacy injury of returning vets, this initiative complements SFTT's B.E.S.T. BASIC FIVE Campaign to give our fighting men and women the best chance to make in home alive and in one piece by getting them the best personal combat gear: body armor, helmets, rifles, sidearms, and boots.
read more here
l-r MAJGEN John Batiste, US Army RET -Stand for the Troops (SFTT) PTSD Campaign Chair; Lewis Black; GEN Robert Mixon, US Army RET - CDS Warrior Salute; Greenwich resident Eilhys England Hackworth, Stand for the Troops (SFTT) Chair (Photography: Denise Truscello)
Greenwich, CT - Caroline's on Broadway in New York, normally dark on Mondays, was packed for a stellar evening of Stand Up comedy from Lewis Black and Vic Henley on September 12. Pete Dominick emceed the first comedy benefit for Greenwich-based Stand For The Troops, the non-partisan advocate for American's frontline troops.
Before turning the microphone over to the three famed comics who performed pro bono, SFTT co-founder and chair Eilhys England Hackworth announced the Foundation's new PTSD initiative and introduced SFTT PTSD Campaign Chair MAJGEN John Batiste, US Army RET; campaign Co-Chair noted psychologist Dr. Henry Grayson, Ph.D with practices in Westport, CT and New York; and SFTT CDS Warrior Salute's GEN Robert Mixon, US Army Ret.
SFTT is collaborating with CDS Warrior Salute on a Rochester-based Pilot Treatment Program, and developing a local referral resource. Because PTSD affects 1 in every 5 soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan while eighteen (18) vets a day commit suicide, and Traumatic Brain Injury is the legacy injury of returning vets, this initiative complements SFTT's B.E.S.T. BASIC FIVE Campaign to give our fighting men and women the best chance to make in home alive and in one piece by getting them the best personal combat gear: body armor, helmets, rifles, sidearms, and boots.
read more here
Vietnam Veteran's son Mark Wills new song Crazy Being Home
Country singer sheds light on PTSD
by Davia L. Mosley
dmosley@mdjonline.com
September 30, 2011
Platinum-selling country singer Mark Wills will perform Saturday at 8 p.m. at the North Georgia State Fair. The Georgia native is known for his songs such as “Don’t Laugh At Me,” “Nineteen Something” and “Jacob’s Ladder.”
However, his single “Crazy Being Home” has a special purpose: It brings awareness to post-traumatic stress disorder. Wills said his father suffered from PTSD, and the singer wants to bring more attention to the cause.
“I am the son of a retired Vietnam veteran,” he said. “When my dad returned, he was inexplicably a ‘changed’ man. The problem was we didn’t know what it was or what to do for him.”
Wills said the inspiration for the song also came from a soldier (and personal friend) who is active duty with the special forces. Wills said, “His story and reaction inspired me in such a way that we hope it serves as a message to speak to all of our veterans to say, ‘You are not alone.’”
The country star has been a spokesperson for USA Cares since 2009. The nonprofit organization helps post-9/11 military families by providing financial and advocacy support.
read more here
by Davia L. Mosley
dmosley@mdjonline.com
September 30, 2011
Platinum-selling country singer Mark Wills will perform Saturday at 8 p.m. at the North Georgia State Fair. The Georgia native is known for his songs such as “Don’t Laugh At Me,” “Nineteen Something” and “Jacob’s Ladder.”
However, his single “Crazy Being Home” has a special purpose: It brings awareness to post-traumatic stress disorder. Wills said his father suffered from PTSD, and the singer wants to bring more attention to the cause.
“I am the son of a retired Vietnam veteran,” he said. “When my dad returned, he was inexplicably a ‘changed’ man. The problem was we didn’t know what it was or what to do for him.”
Wills said the inspiration for the song also came from a soldier (and personal friend) who is active duty with the special forces. Wills said, “His story and reaction inspired me in such a way that we hope it serves as a message to speak to all of our veterans to say, ‘You are not alone.’”
The country star has been a spokesperson for USA Cares since 2009. The nonprofit organization helps post-9/11 military families by providing financial and advocacy support.
read more here
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