The House VA Committee pushes for more research into PTSD and TBI. And, North Korea warns US and South Korea to call off military exercises and back off any new sanctions made against them.

Rep.: VA Must Speed up PTSD Research

The chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee on Wednesday asked Pentagon and Veterans Administration officials why they have been slow to try out alternative treatments for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. Although he used humor at times, Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif., pushed for answers after a roundtable discussion that included testimony from a wide range of experts and researchers into PTSD and TBI.

NKorea Warns US Exercises Threaten Region

HANOI, Vietnam — North Korea warned the United States and South Korea on Thursday to call off military exercises scheduled for this weekend and to back off any new sanctions against the communist country or risk placing the entire region in danger.

CG’s Gulfport Station Chief Relieved

GULFPORT, Miss. – U.S. Coast Guard officials told the Sun Herald the man who had been in charge of Coast Guard Station Gulfport has been temporarily removed and is under investigation.

U.S. steps up Kandahar operation in Afghanistan

ARGHANDAB VALLEY, Afghanistan — The operation began before dawn. Two hundred Army soldiers moved into a village in the Taliban’s southern stronghold of Kandahar province over a few hours’ time, their military vehicles rumbling past lush orchards seeded with mines.

Afghan Deadline Is Cutting Two Ways

When President Obama announced a new strategy for Afghanistan in December, he argued that by setting a deadline of next summer to begin drawing down troops he would create a sense of urgency for the Afghan government to take the lead in the fight, while acknowledging the limits of America’s patience with the longest war in its history.

U.S. Military on Track for Iraq Drawdown, Odierno Says

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2010 – The military is on track to meet its drawdown goals in Iraq, and there will be plenty of troops left until the end of 2011 to help Iraq become fully independent, the commanding general of U.S. Forces in Iraq said today.

Special Operations Medicine Today

Every American warfighter now goes into combat with a personal first aid kit and Combat Lifesaver training to provide both personal and buddy medical care immediately. Only moments away is a Combat Medic, trained beyond the capabilities of previous battlefield medics, whose job is to stabilize the patient pending medical evacuation, often in a matter of minutes, to a field surgical care facility and, usually within 24 hours, back to Europe or the United States for top-level hospitalization.

Vet Firms Eyed for VA Tech Upgrades

The Department of Veterans Affairs is planning to pour millions of dollars into information technology contracts for veteran-owned small businesses, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki said in a July 20 speech in Las Vegas.

Double Amputee Takes Charge of Army Wounded Warrior Program

The U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program gained a new director July 13 – one who has a lot in common with those he’ll be leading.

Six Afghan police officers beheaded during raid, officials say

Taliban militants beheaded six Afghan police officers during a raid in northern Baghlan province, officials said Wednesday.

DoD officials explain new spouse tuition rules

The My Career Advancement Accounts tuition program for military spouses will reopen to new enrollees Oct. 25, with some major restrictions on eligibility and funding, defense officials announced Tuesday.

Afghan Soldier Shot Trainers in Argument

KABUL, Afghanistan — An Afghan soldier opened fire on U.S. civilian trainers at an army base in northern Afghanistan, killing two Americans before being shot dead, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday.