Mental Health Advocates Praise White House Decision On Suicide Condolences

The White House has decided to reverse its policy of not sending condolence letters to families of service members who commit suicide while deployed. In a statement, President Obama said he made the decision after an exhaustive study of former policy.

Germany files murder charges against Albanian in shooting of U.S. airmen

 KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Federal prosecutors in Germany have filed murder charges against the man accused of killing two U.S. airmen in March at Frankfurt international airport.

Rodriguez: No unnecessary risk in Obama drawdown plan

WASHINGTON – The Afghanistan War’s daily operational commander said Wednesday that U.S. troops and their mission were put under no “unnecessary risk” by President Barack Obama’s drawdown plan, which will begin with two Army units this summer and the first unit of combat Marines this fall.

Court ruling blocks enforcement of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’

WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday that openly gay troops cannot be kicked out of the military while officials work to repeal the 18-year-old “don’t ask, don’t tell” law.

Could The Government Debt Ceiling Affect Military Families?

It is a question that has been lingering around for weeks, since even before the government shutdown worries:  If the federal government reaches the debt ceiling, will it impact military families?  As usual, you can find individual “experts” who will argue any side of the situation, and I am not a specialist in the most detailed workings of the government budget.  However, I can read and research.

US Pullout From Afghanistan Starting Slowly

WASHINGTON — The pullout of major U.S. combat units from Afghanistan may not start until the peak fighting season ends in late fall, U.S. military officials said Wednesday, although 800 National Guard Soldiers will go home this month.

Ten Steps to Getting Hired by Uncle Sam

Job seekers interested in working for the federal government can be turned off by the federal application process, but if you persist, you’ll discover some similarities to looking for a job in the private sector.

Sources: 10,000 U.S. troops on offer for Iraq

BAGHDAD — The White House is offering to keep up to 10,000 troops in Iraq next year, U.S. officials say, despite opposition from many Iraqis and key Democratic Party allies who demand that President Obama bring home the American military as promised.

Army approves death penalty option in trial for accused Fort Hood shooter

A U.S. Army general Wednesday approved a possible death penalty in the future military trial of Maj. Nidal Hasan, the American Muslim accused of killing 13 people at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009.

New Policy for Condolences on Military Suicides

WASHINGTON — The White House says that families of servicemembers who commit suicide are now getting condolence letters from the president just as families of troops who die in other ways do.

A Teacher Leaves The Classroom For Afghanistan

A very small number of Americans are now serving in the military — less than 1 percent. Some are looking for direction; others are inspired by a sense of patriotism or by a family member who served in an earlier war. In the series Who Serves, NPR looks at those who have made a decision few others today have — to fight in America’s wars.

Scientists say Pentagon misleads on warzone dust studies

After reviewing Pentagon-sponsored studies, three scientists stated the Pentagon has skewed the results of the respiratory probes and is falsely claiming research shows that dust in Iraq and Afghansitan pose no health risks to deployed troops, according to USA Today.

Time running out on GI Bill fixes

WASHINGTON — Time is running out to fix problems with new GI Bill payments for next semester.