Returned Combat Veteran: ‘Anxiety Trumps Logic’

Like many U.S. veterans, commentator Benjamin Tupper has read Tim O’Brien’s famous book about the Vietnam War, The Things They Carried. Tupper’s war was in Afghanistan, but he says O’Brien’s observations hold true, decades later.

Labor Department Grants to Provide Veterans Job Training

WASHINGTON, June 1, 2011 – As part of an interagency effort to support America’s veterans, the Labor Department today announced $37 million in grants to provide job training for about 21,000 veterans, many of them homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Is Libyan Op Illegal Now?

Just weeks after President Obama released his long-form birth certificate — effectively silencing the so-called “birthers” who doubted his legitimacy as president — he may have opened up a new front for critics who might question his authority as commander-in-chief.

Gates: Obama Aimed for Unity on National Security

SINGAPORE — The first major reshaping of President Obama’s national security team, including new chiefs at the Pentagon, CIA and Joint Chiefs of Staff, took a full year of planning, with a focus on finding people who could work well together during wartime, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday.

‘If there’s a health risk, we will clean that up,’ 8th Army says

CAMP CARROLL, South Korea — The U.S. and South Korea began ground and water testing at Camp Carroll on Thursday, an early step in determining whether Agent Orange was buried at the Daegu-area base in the late 1970s as claimed by a handful of veterans once stationed there.

U.S. Lags on ‘Key Milestones’ in Transition Plan for Iraq, Report Says

The U.S. is failing to meet “key milestones” in advance of the planned Oct. 1 handover of responsibilities in Iraq from the U.S. military to the State Department, according to a report being issued today by the State Department’s Inspector General.

Wounded Ranger to Be Awarded Medal of Honor

WASHINGTON — An Army Ranger who lost his right hand and suffered shrapnel wounds after throwing an armed grenade away from his fellow Soldiers will be the second living Medal of Honor recipient from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

NATO Extends Libya Mission Another 90 Days

BRUSSELS — NATO and its partners in the military campaign to protect Libyan civilians have decided to extend their mission another 90 days, the alliance’s top official said Wednesday.

Marines wrestle with exasperation in battle for hearts and minds

PATROL BASE MIRAGE, Afghanistan — First Lt. Tor Peery stood in front of a black and white map tacked to a piece of plywood in his command center, raised a massive arm and pointed to a pizza-slice-shaped bit of acreage south of the blue thumbtack representing his current position.

Obama taps Dempsey, Winnefeld as chairman, vice chairman

WASHINGTON, May 30, 2011 — President Barack Obama announced his choices as chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during a Rose Garden ceremony today.