Report Finds Marine Corps Has Failed To Cut Down On Sexual Assaults
June 26, 2012
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The Marine Corps has admitted its failure to cut down sexual assaults within its ranks.
Just last year, there were 88 reported sexual assaults at Camp Pendleton and 24 at Twentynine Palms’ Air Ground Combat Center, according to a Marine Corps report cited by the Los Angeles Times.
read more here
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Two tour Mom of two killed in car accident going to work
Iraq War vet killed in car wreck
Hinds Sheriff's employee served 2 tours, had 2 children
Jun. 26, 2012
Written by
Therese Apel
Shametra "Meme" Stamps survived two tours in Iraq, including one as a driver.
On Friday morning, the veteran driver with the 365th Combat Support Sustainment Battalion out of Jackson, also a recent Hinds County Sheriff's Department employee, was killed in a car crash on her way to work.
"She put down many a mile up and down those roads in Iraq," said Sgt. Maj. Dwayne Howard, for whom Stamps was a driver both overseas and at home.
Stamps was a pro, he said. Even under fire, she kept her head.
Stamps, 30, who her friends say was a "girly girl," always maintained a positive attitude in spite of the rigors of the job.
read more here
Hinds Sheriff's employee served 2 tours, had 2 children
Jun. 26, 2012
Written by
Therese Apel
Col. Samuel T. Nichols, Jr, shakes Shametra Stamps' hand at Camp Shelby recently. The mother of two who served two tours in Iraq died in a car wreck Friday in Hinds County. / File photo/Hattiesburg American
Shametra "Meme" Stamps survived two tours in Iraq, including one as a driver.
On Friday morning, the veteran driver with the 365th Combat Support Sustainment Battalion out of Jackson, also a recent Hinds County Sheriff's Department employee, was killed in a car crash on her way to work.
"She put down many a mile up and down those roads in Iraq," said Sgt. Maj. Dwayne Howard, for whom Stamps was a driver both overseas and at home.
Stamps was a pro, he said. Even under fire, she kept her head.
Stamps, 30, who her friends say was a "girly girl," always maintained a positive attitude in spite of the rigors of the job.
read more here
Vet Jobless Rate Leads to Fed, State Initiatives
If your Governor did not spend the stimulus money that was for your state, as too many did not including Florida, tell them to explain why they sit on all that money and veterans go without jobs!
Vet Jobless Rate Leads to Fed, State Initiatives
Detroit Free Press
by Katherine Young
In the early 1970s, Anthony Tarkowski learned the hard way that some employers did not want to hire soldiers returning from the Vietnam War.
The young veteran had just come back from Germany, where he had served after injuring his back during training. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't seem to get a job.
Then one day, a human resources manager gave him some advice: Don't put a check mark next to the veteran's box on job applications. Just skip it.
At his next job interview, Tarkowski followed this advice and scored well on a test for a data-processing position. He got the job.
"Veterans are highly trainable people," said Tarkowski, who is now CEO of Sygnetics, a staffing firm in Rochester Hills. "They will come to work. They are dedicated."
More than four decades later, veterans are still struggling to get hired. Their high jobless rate, particularly for the youngest ones, is a major problem, sparking a number of initiatives on the state and national levels. It's the reason Detroit's Cobo Center will play host to a massive job fair this week that's expected to draw 10,000 veterans.
read more here
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Naked For A Good Cause Army Wives Battling Bare
Army Wives Get Naked For A Good Cause
‘Battling Bare’ PTSD Awareness Campaign [video]
Posted: June 26, 2012
A group of military wives are baring their bodies (discreetly) to help support their patriotic spouses through the “Battling Bare” campaign. The women grew tired of “staying silent” about the issue of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and created a media campaign to educate Americans about the affects PTSD has on the entire family, The Blaze reports. The military wives PTSD awareness campaign is a private organization in the process of securing non-profit status. The primary goal of the project is to empower “silent supporters” to “battle back” and provide resources to help returning veterans heal.
“Battling Bare” campaign photos of Army wives showing a bit of skin generated a lot of attention and helped relay the import message which is at the heart of the project. The pledge written on the bare skin of the participating military wife reads: Broken by battle, wounded by war, I support our troops forever – to them this I swore I will quiet your screams, help heal your shattered soul until once again every soldier is whole. Battle Bare.
read more here
‘Battling Bare’ PTSD Awareness Campaign [video]
Posted: June 26, 2012
A group of military wives are baring their bodies (discreetly) to help support their patriotic spouses through the “Battling Bare” campaign. The women grew tired of “staying silent” about the issue of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and created a media campaign to educate Americans about the affects PTSD has on the entire family, The Blaze reports. The military wives PTSD awareness campaign is a private organization in the process of securing non-profit status. The primary goal of the project is to empower “silent supporters” to “battle back” and provide resources to help returning veterans heal.
“Battling Bare” campaign photos of Army wives showing a bit of skin generated a lot of attention and helped relay the import message which is at the heart of the project. The pledge written on the bare skin of the participating military wife reads: Broken by battle, wounded by war, I support our troops forever – to them this I swore I will quiet your screams, help heal your shattered soul until once again every soldier is whole. Battle Bare.
read more here
Vietnam vet in custody after shooting 2 family members?
The last to die in Vietnam was 1975. How is a 52 year old a Vietnam Veteran?
Is this yet another "headline" grabber for the news station or is it just bad reporting?
Is this yet another "headline" grabber for the news station or is it just bad reporting?
Police: Vietnam vet in custody after shooting 2 family members
Deputies say grandfather shot man, woman
KOCO Oklahoma City
COYLE, Okla. - A Coyle grandfather is facing charges Monday after police say he opened fire on his own family. Two people are now in the hospital recovering from gunshot wounds.
Family members of the 52-year-old grandfather say the Vietnam veteran suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. Sky 5 flew over the scene just after the shooting Monday afternoon in the 10000 block of East 32nd Street about 4:21 p.m. as police moved in to arrest the man.
read more here
Bill proposed to change PTSD military programs
Bill proposed to change PTSD military programs
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., on Monday submitted legislation that would reshape behavioral health programs in the Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs based in part on her review of controversial post-traumatic stress diagnoses at Madigan Army Medical Center.
ADAM ASHTON; STAFF WRITER
Published: 06/26/12
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., on Monday submitted legislation that would reshape behavioral health programs in the Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs based in part on her review of controversial post-traumatic stress diagnoses at Madigan Army Medical Center.
For much of this year, Murray has pushed the Defense Department to “standardize” its post-traumatic stress programs across the service. She has been troubled by service members receiving different diagnoses from different doctors, as well as by reports of veterans experiencing long wait times for mental health services at the VA.
“The Department of Defense and the VA are losing the battle against the mental and behavioral wounds of these wars,” Murray said in introducing her bill. “To see that, you don’t need to look any further than the tragic fact that already this year over 150 active-duty service members have taken their own lives.”
Murray’s bill has a long road before it can become a law. The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, which Murray leads as chairwoman, will hold a hearing Wednesday on the legislation.
Her bill aims to:
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., on Monday submitted legislation that would reshape behavioral health programs in the Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs based in part on her review of controversial post-traumatic stress diagnoses at Madigan Army Medical Center.
ADAM ASHTON; STAFF WRITER
Published: 06/26/12
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., on Monday submitted legislation that would reshape behavioral health programs in the Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs based in part on her review of controversial post-traumatic stress diagnoses at Madigan Army Medical Center.
For much of this year, Murray has pushed the Defense Department to “standardize” its post-traumatic stress programs across the service. She has been troubled by service members receiving different diagnoses from different doctors, as well as by reports of veterans experiencing long wait times for mental health services at the VA.
“The Department of Defense and the VA are losing the battle against the mental and behavioral wounds of these wars,” Murray said in introducing her bill. “To see that, you don’t need to look any further than the tragic fact that already this year over 150 active-duty service members have taken their own lives.”
Murray’s bill has a long road before it can become a law. The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, which Murray leads as chairwoman, will hold a hearing Wednesday on the legislation.
Her bill aims to:
• Compel the Defense Department to standardize its various behavioral health and suicide-prevention programs.
• Provide more behavioral health services for families through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Create opportunities for veterans and active-duty service members to counsel each other as peers.
• Require the VA to create “credible” staffing plans and performance goals.
read more here
New University of South Florida therapy may ease PTSD
New University of South Florida therapy may ease PTSD
By HOWARD ALTMAN
Tampa Tribune
Published: June 25, 2012
TAMPA — For University of South Florida researchers studying the effectiveness of a new therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, these are promising times.
They've just published the results of an initial study that indicates the treatment, accelerated resolution therapy, seems to work. The Department of Defense and the university have just given approval to test active-duty service members, a major restaurateur has kicked off a fundraising campaign and a Navy reserve station in Las Vegas now will serve as a satellite study center.
It all comes at a time when Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta says research into suicide prevention is one of the Department of Defense's main weapons in the fight against suicide, which kills more troops than the Taliban.
"With all of these things coming together, it looks like we are that much closer to getting a more efficient evidence-based treatment into place that will actually eliminate the traumatic response to memories and bring relief to the troops and their families," said one of the researchers, Carrie Elk, a psychologist and military liaison for the USF College of Nursing, which conducted the initial therapy studies.
read more here
By HOWARD ALTMAN
Tampa Tribune
Published: June 25, 2012
TAMPA — For University of South Florida researchers studying the effectiveness of a new therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, these are promising times.
They've just published the results of an initial study that indicates the treatment, accelerated resolution therapy, seems to work. The Department of Defense and the university have just given approval to test active-duty service members, a major restaurateur has kicked off a fundraising campaign and a Navy reserve station in Las Vegas now will serve as a satellite study center.
It all comes at a time when Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta says research into suicide prevention is one of the Department of Defense's main weapons in the fight against suicide, which kills more troops than the Taliban.
"With all of these things coming together, it looks like we are that much closer to getting a more efficient evidence-based treatment into place that will actually eliminate the traumatic response to memories and bring relief to the troops and their families," said one of the researchers, Carrie Elk, a psychologist and military liaison for the USF College of Nursing, which conducted the initial therapy studies.
read more here
Ft. Lewis Soldier Says Poor PTSD Treatment Forced Him AWOL
Brook Thomas Lindsey: Ft. Lewis Soldier Says Poor PTSD Treatment Forced Him AWOL
By Keegan Hamilton
Mon., Jun. 25 2012
Categories: Military
An Iraq War veteran stationed at Ft. Lewis says struggles with PTSD and a lack of responsiveness to his condition by Army doctors forced him to go AWOL.
The soldier, 26-year-old Sgt. Brook Thomas Lindsey, met with members of the media on Friday at Coffee Strong, a non-profit organization, headquartered across the street from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, that advocates for military mental health treatment reform. Lindsey recounted why he decided to leave the base without permission on March 26.
"I'd go over to Madigan (Army Medical Center), right across the street and I'd tell them, 'I'm having suicidal thoughts,"' Lindsey says. "They would just tell me to breathe. They'd talk me down. The next day I'm still feeling the same way, but they'd return me to duty, tell my leaders everything was fine."
Wearing a baseball cap and a grey shirt with the sleeves rolled up to reveal several skeletal, military-themed tattoos on his forearms, Lindsey says he enlisted at age 19 because he felt it was his patriotic duty. He says he was deployed in Iraq for 22 months, and that he was an exemplary soldier prior to his return to the military base just south of Tacoma. Greg Wilson, a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War, says he served in Iraq with Lindsey in 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, and was always impressed with his fellow soldier's resolve.
read more here
By Keegan Hamilton
Mon., Jun. 25 2012
Categories: Military
An Iraq War veteran stationed at Ft. Lewis says struggles with PTSD and a lack of responsiveness to his condition by Army doctors forced him to go AWOL.
The soldier, 26-year-old Sgt. Brook Thomas Lindsey, met with members of the media on Friday at Coffee Strong, a non-profit organization, headquartered across the street from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, that advocates for military mental health treatment reform. Lindsey recounted why he decided to leave the base without permission on March 26.
"I'd go over to Madigan (Army Medical Center), right across the street and I'd tell them, 'I'm having suicidal thoughts,"' Lindsey says. "They would just tell me to breathe. They'd talk me down. The next day I'm still feeling the same way, but they'd return me to duty, tell my leaders everything was fine."
Wearing a baseball cap and a grey shirt with the sleeves rolled up to reveal several skeletal, military-themed tattoos on his forearms, Lindsey says he enlisted at age 19 because he felt it was his patriotic duty. He says he was deployed in Iraq for 22 months, and that he was an exemplary soldier prior to his return to the military base just south of Tacoma. Greg Wilson, a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War, says he served in Iraq with Lindsey in 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, and was always impressed with his fellow soldier's resolve.
read more here
Double-Whammy: PTSD and Substance Abuse
MILITARY MENTAL HEALTH
Double-Whammy: PTSD and Substance Abuse
By MARK THOMPSON
June 25, 2012
Battleland contributor Bingham Jamison, a Marine who saw action in Iraq and came home the worse for wear, is the subject of a new video by Veterans Healing Initiative.
That’s a nonprofit group dedicated to getting veterans treatment for substance abuse and PTSD. “VHI offers support to veterans from all conflicts, of all ages, men and women, regardless of military status or medical insurance coverage,” says Bingham, a member of VHI’s military advisory board.
Read more
Double-Whammy: PTSD and Substance Abuse
By MARK THOMPSON
June 25, 2012
Battleland contributor Bingham Jamison, a Marine who saw action in Iraq and came home the worse for wear, is the subject of a new video by Veterans Healing Initiative.
That’s a nonprofit group dedicated to getting veterans treatment for substance abuse and PTSD. “VHI offers support to veterans from all conflicts, of all ages, men and women, regardless of military status or medical insurance coverage,” says Bingham, a member of VHI’s military advisory board.
Read more
IamVeteran wants you to get what you earned
Earlier this month I went to a job fair for veterans and met a lady, Annie Artis, doing all she can to help veterans. She runs IamVeteran
Yesterday while talking to Annie she told me about a video she created to help veterans fill out a form for non-service connected pensions. These forms can get people confused, so she walks you through how to do it.
Application to apply for VA Pension for Non-Service Connected Disability.
Annie mentioned to me a lot of female veterans need help but do not want to talk to a male, especially when they are healing from being raped.
2040 W Central Blvd
Orlando, FL 32805
Phone: 407-843-3722
IamVeteran was created to assist Veterans with transitioning from military life to civilian. Given the large number of veterans and soldiers exiting the military, the high rate of veteran unemployment and the lack of resources, IamVeteran was designed to be a one stop resource for veterans and their spouses.
IamVeteran will assist you with relocation, finding your local Veteran’s Representative, identify your local community service in all 50 states.
As a one stop resource IamVeteran will identify job fairs, virtual job fairs and provide job leads to top companies across the United States that desire to hire Veterans.
Yesterday while talking to Annie she told me about a video she created to help veterans fill out a form for non-service connected pensions. These forms can get people confused, so she walks you through how to do it.
Application to apply for VA Pension for Non-Service Connected Disability.
Annie mentioned to me a lot of female veterans need help but do not want to talk to a male, especially when they are healing from being raped.
The Orlando DAV Chapter 16 has female service officers they can talk to, highly trained and work for free as volunteers of the Disabled American Veterans.
Central FL Chapter 16 Service Officer Hours are currently two days a week. Our certified Service Officer Staff will now have hours of operation on Tuesday and Thursday every week. Opening from 9am to 1pm. This is a free service, all Service Officer
2040 W Central Blvd
Orlando, FL 32805
Phone: 407-843-3722
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)