US Armed Forces

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#6666CC" TEXT="#080000" background="2bfc01573.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >RadioZX</FONT>     |     <A HREF="default.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="RadioZX">home</A>                  back to  <A HREF="fun.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fun">Fun</A></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="world_news.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="World News">World News</A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT><A HREF="world_chronology.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="World Chronology">World Chronology</A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT><A HREF="editorials.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Editorials">Editorials</A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT><A HREF="chat.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chat">Chat</A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT><A 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Affordable Resorts">Top Affordable Resorts</A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B><IMG SRC="2c0d59290.gif" border=0 width="89" height="41" ALT="RadioZX logo" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>                Hot Headlines...  </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="06823230.png" border=0 width="35" height="35" ALT="newspaper Hot Headlines" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="0696a240.png" border=0 width="106" height="36" ALT="lizard running" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>for people on the Run!</B></FONT></div> <div> to contact U.S. representatives</div> <div> <B>On the Net:</B></div> <div> FDA Alert: <A HREF="http://www.foodsafety.gov/index.html/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.foodsafety.gov/index.html/">FoodSafety.gov</A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls/default.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls/defaul">US Food and Drug Administration - Recalls and Safety Alerts</A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?OrderBy=state&Sort=ASC" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_in">U.S. Senators Contact info</A>     <A HREF="http://www.house.gov/writerep/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.house.gov/writerep/">Congressperson in the U.S. House of Representatives</A>     <A HREF="http://congress.org/stickers/?dir=congressorg&officials=officials&lvl=L" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://congress.org/stickers/?dir=congre">Governors & State Officials</A></div> <div> <B>White House:</B></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.whitehouse.gov/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.whitehouse.gov/">www.whitehouse.gov/</A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.dav.org/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.dav.org/"><IMG SRC="10f2af2c0.png" border=0 width="175" height="44" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <div> Disabled American Veterans</div> <div> a non-profit organization</div> <div> Building Better Lives for America's Disabled Veterans </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                   <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>USO Time for the Troops</B></div> <div> Take time to send a reminder of Home and a message of support to the Brave Men and Women Overseas <A HREF="http://www.timeforthetroops.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.timeforthetroops.com/">www.timeforthetroops.com</A></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                   <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>AMERICAN RED CROSS</B></div> <div> American <A HREF="http://www.redcross.org/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.redcross.org/">RedCross Relief</A> Please Join Us in Supporting the Relief Efforts.</div> <div> Please consider joining us in helping our fellow man at a time of crisis.</div> <div> Please consider contributing whatever time, money, and effort you can to support the relief effort.</div> <div> Please click AMERICAN RED CROSS to join the effort.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                   <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Obama</B></div> <div> <B>Help ReNew America</B></div> <div> President Obama believes that we, as Americans, have a responsibility to help our communities and fellow citizens.</div> <div> In summoning a new spirit of service, he is calling on us to make an enduring commitment to our neighborhoods.</div> <div> Sign up today and let's renew America together.</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.usaservice.org/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.usaservice.org/">usaservice.org</A></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                   <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Bush</B></div> <div> <B>U.S. Gov links</B></div> <div> <B>Safe links to where you can Donate time and or money</B></div> <div> You can support our men and women in uniform and their families through <A HREF="http://www.freedomcorp.gov/content/for_volunteers/action/action_dynamic.asp?ID=266" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.freedomcorp.gov/content/for_v">On the Homefront</A>, <A HREF="http://www.freedomcorp.gov/content/about_usafc/newsroom/announcements_dynamic.asp?ID=825" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.freedomcorp.gov/content/about">America Supports You</A>, or the USO Care Package Program.</div> <div> Americans are encouraged to participate by sending letters of support and care packages to our troops overseas,</div> <div> making donations of frequent flyer miles or gift certificates,</div> <div> offering assistance to family members who are at home,</div> <div> and volunteering in the place of deployed military personnel.</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.freedomcorp.gov/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.freedomcorp.gov/">www.freedomcorp.gov/</A></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                   <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> </div> <bR> <div> <B>A US military officer stationed in Iraq (alias Chief Wiggles)</B></div> <div> is championing a worldwide effort to provide the women and children of Iraq, and the soldiers who have liberated and protected them, with gifts.</div> <div> Operation Give: C/O Bridgepoint Systems, 542 W. Confluence Ave., Salt Lake City, UT 84123</div> <div> Ship them to Chief Wiggles via Operation Give to distribute appropriately.</div> <div> For more information about the Chief Wiggles campaign, visit his website at: <A HREF="http://chiefwiggles.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://chiefwiggles.com">http://chiefwiggles.com</A></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                   <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <IMG SRC="1aa95f8c0.jpg" border=0 width="95" height="140" ALT="U.S. General William Childs Westmoreland March 26, 1914 – July 18, 2005" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <A HREF="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-2242-Career-Growth-and-Change-Four-Barriers-Vets-Can-Face-Moving-Into-Civilian-Employment?GT1=23000" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN">When Vets Come Marching Home</A></div> <div> Overcoming employment obstacles</div> <div> <A HREF="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-2266-Cover-Letters-Resumes-Transforming-Your-R?sum?-from-Military-to-Civilian?GT1=23000" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN">Turn your resume from military to civilian</A></div> <div> <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                   <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <IMG SRC="2c4785a0.jpg" border=0 width="120" height="90" ALT="U.S. Troops" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">        <IMG SRC="2c5c9b70.jpg" border=0 width="201" height="183" ALT="computer crash" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">        <IMG SRC="2ca77590.jpg" border=0 width="119" height="89" ALT="we the people" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div>  <A HREF="http://www.freedomcorp.gov/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.freedomcorp.gov/"><IMG SRC="2c37eca0.jpg" border=0 width="382" height="202" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                   <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Women in Uniform</B></div> <div> In honor of Memorial Day</div> <div> meet some of the many women who have <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" >dedicated themselves to America's defense</FONT>, from 1778 until today</div> <div> <A HREF="http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/RetirementandWills/EscapeTheRatRace/your-guide-to-memorial-day-msn.aspx?cp-documentid=24373737&GT1=34139" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Ret">click here for full story >>></A></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                   <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Posted 06-10-2010</B></div> <div> <A HREF="http://channels.isp.netscape.com/news/story.jsp?flok=FF-APO-1152&idq=/ff/story/0001%2F20100611%2F9628.htm&sc=1152&floc=NI-ne1" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://channels.isp.netscape.com/news/st">Army- Bodies misidentified, misplaced at Arlington</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~r/usatoday-NewsTopStories/~3/Lsai4HefIwU/2010-06-10-arlington-cemetery_N.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~r/usatoday">Troops' burials mishandled at Arlington Cemetery</A></div> <bR> <div> <B>Posted 05-28-2010</B></div> <div> <B>Let's Make the Vets Wait for Care Until They All Die</B></div> <div> What often happens is the needy VET accidentally fills out the wrong form and 6 months later gets the standard refusal for care.</div> <div> They are told that they have to start again with a different form.</div> <div> Typically, another rejection comes 6 months after that and so on.</div> <div> One example Phenniger shared was of Leroy Comer, a Vietnam veteran who had spent over 21 years processing applications with nothing but denials and appeals......</div> <div> by Laurie Roth  <A HREF="http://www.newswithviews.com/Roth/laurie216.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.newswithviews.com/Roth/laurie">click here >>></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>Posted 05-21-2010</B></div> <div> <A HREF="http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/4193479/veterans-look-to-have-impact-on-capitol-hill/?playlist_id=87185" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/4193479/v">Veterans Look to Have Impact on Capitol Hill</A></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="192d8a670.jpg" border=0 width="138" height="103" ALT="Disabled Veterans speach" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0">May 11, 2010</div> <div> <B>Disabled Veterans Face A Faceless Bureaucracy</B></div> <bR> <div> The number of outstanding claims at the Department of Veterans Affairs for service-related disabilities -- amputations, injured limbs, PTSD, brain trauma -- hovers around 500,000.</div> <bR> <div> And more are coming into the system every day. As a result, critics say, there's a widespread perception that the VA stands against veterans rather than for them.</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126676864" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story">click here for full story >>></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>Western troops join Russia's Victory Day parade</B></div> <div> CNN - <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" >Matthew Chance</FONT> - May 9, 2010</div> <bR> <div> By the CNN Wire Staff Moscow, Russia (CNN) -- Troops from the United States, Britain and France marched in the annual Victory Day parade through Red Square for the first time Sunday, a step Russia's president called a nod toward their "common victory" ...</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/05/09/russia.parade/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/05/">click here for full story >>></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126170654&ft=1&f=1001" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story">New Minn. Court Handles Veterans Accused Of Crimes</A></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Navy Exchanges Fire, Captures Pirate Ship</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT></div> <div> The USS Nicholas captured five pirates after exchanging fire with them, sinking their skiff & <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" >confiscating a mother ship</FONT> near East Africa.</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/36132839#36132839?from=en-us_msnhp&GT1=43001" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/"><IMG SRC="15502fd30.jpg" border=0 width="303" height="211" ALT="USS Nicholas click to see video on MSN" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/36132839#36132839?from=en-us_msnhp&GT1=43001" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/">Video- Unclear why pirates fired on US Navy ship</A></div> <div> Culled from MSN 04-01-2010</div> <div> <A HREF="http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~r/usatoday-NewsTopStories/~3/-Ir9nH9_ubw/2010-03-18-pirates-offensive_N.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~r/usatoday">Warships blasting Somali pirates out of water</A></div> <div> <I><B>New Flash</B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > 04-26-2010</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~r/usatoday-NewsTopStories/~3/rLPgYmPBSvk/2010-04-26-hospitals_N.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~r/usatoday">Troops' care facility listed critical</A></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>New Flash</B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > 03-10-2010</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="http://channels.isp.netscape.com/news/story.jsp?flok=FF-APO-1153&idq=/ff/story/0001%2F20100310%2F1703100260.htm&sc=1153&floc=NI-ne1" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://channels.isp.netscape.com/news/st">Female WWII aviators honored with gold medal</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://channels.isp.netscape.com/news/story.jsp?flok=FF-APO-1110&idq=/ff/story/0001%2F20100402%2F1618655719.htm&sc=1110&floc=NI-ne3" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://channels.isp.netscape.com/news/st">Thousands of vets missing out on better benefits</A></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>In Afghanistan American Troops are working with 2 Stages of War</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="1107be7f0.jpg" border=0 width="190" height="127" ALT="America Troops afghanistan 0" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="7" VSPACE="0">Afghanistan has long been a land of invisible but broadly understood boundaries.</div> <div> If you go here, it will be friendly. If you go there, you will be attacked.</div> <div> There are places where almost no outsiders go at all.</div> <div> In Afghanistan, Soldiers Bridge 2 Stages of War.</div> <div> But with the decline of violence in Iraq and arrival of the Obama administration, there have been signs that priorities have shifted in the Pentagon to improve the infantry’s prospects here.</div> <div> Obama need to<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC9933" FACE="Arial" ><I><B> issue MORE new and heavily armored vehicles, known as MRAPs . . .</B></I></FONT></div> <div> which are much more resistant to rocket-propelled grenades and roadside bombs.</div> <div> The vehicles allow the soldiers to plan more dangerous missions with less risk. ( The vehicles SAVE LIVES)</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.nytime.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.nytime.com/">See NY Times for full Story >>></A></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>U.S. Navy KICKS ASS!</B></div> <div> <B>Or</B></div> <div> <B>See Obama's Navy Save an American Ship</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="11086e250.jpg" border=0 width="366" height="293" ALT="Afghanistan map top problem area" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>News Headlines</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="110951fa0.jpg" border=0 width="337" height="250" ALT="U.S. Navy, via Reuters" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>April 12, 2009 Easter Sunday!</B></div> <div> <B>U.S. Captain Held by Pirates Is Rescued</B></div> <div> U.S. Navy, via Reuters</div> <div> Richard Phillips, right, the captain of the U.S.-flagged cargo ship Maersk Alabama . . .</div> <div> after his rescue on Sunday with Cmdr. Frank Castellano, the commanding officer of the Navy destroyer Bainbridge.</div> <div> The U.S. Navy Killed Three Pirates, and the other Pirate jumped into the sea and gave up.</div> <div> One pirate named Ali, in Galkaiyo, Somalia, said the American Navy rescue won’t discourage other Somali pirate groups at all.</div> <div> “As long as there is no just government in Somalia, we will still be the coast guard,” he said, adding: <B>“If we get an American, we will take revenge.”</B></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                   <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Feb. 20, 2009</B></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/us/15immig.html?th&emc=th" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/us/15i"><B>U.S. Military Will Offer Path to Citizenship</B></A></div> <div> Culled from the NY TIMES By JULIA PRESTON</div> <div> The new effort, the first since the Vietnam War, will target immigrants on temporary visas, giving them a chance to become citizens in as little as six months.</div> <div> Where is the <I><B>Federal Civil Service</B></I>, when you need them?</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                   <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Posted 05-29-2010</B></div> <div> Various military support centers are focused on targeted initiatives for job placement, including these examples:</div> <div> <B>· U.S. Army Reserve Employer Partnership Initiative:</B></div> <div> Established to enhance job opportunities for Army Reserve soldiers and veterans, this partnership also supports employers that hire reservists.</div> <div> · <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.taonline.com/TapOffice/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.taonline.com/TapOffice/">Military Transition Assistance Programs:</A></FONT></div> <div> Base-specific programs that connect military personnel and their spouses with employer resources to assist in their transition to the civilian sector.</div> <div> · <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.moaa.org/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.moaa.org/">Military Officers Association of America:</A></FONT></div> <div> Offers support for transitioning members and spouses spanning all branches of the armed services.</div> <div> · <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.m4l.usmc.mil/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.m4l.usmc.mil/">Marine for Life</A></FONT>:</div> <div> A website for transitioning Marines who wish to relocate to a specific geographical region and use employer resources in their job search.</div> <div> · <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.myarmyonesource.com/skins/aos2/display.aspx?moduleid=426d245d-843e-4e0d-a49a-a662716441b7&mode=user" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.myarmyonesource.com/skins/aos">Army Spousal Employment Partnership:</A></FONT></div> <div> A partnership aimed at increasing employment opportunities for Army spouses during their spouse's active duty and transition to civilian life.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Barrier No. 2: Economic downturn</B></div> <div> While unemployment fell to 9.7 percent in February, many veterans remain unemployed. As many as 11 percent of veterans from conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan were unemployed in 2009, the Labor Department reports. Making matters more difficult, a lack of jobs after transition has forced many service members to re-enlist.</div> <div> <B>Solution: Veteran Employment Initiative</B></div> <div> As part of President Barack Obama's <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.fedshirevets.gov/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.fedshirevets.gov/">Veteran Employment Initiative</A></FONT>, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management is creating a strategic blueprint to increase and support the hiring of veterans throughout the public sector and federal work force. The OPM expects to aggressively dismantle barriers for veterans seeking federal employment and provide ongoing career support to veterans in the federal work force as they adjust to civilian work life.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Barrier No. 3: No jobs in the private sector</B></div> <div> In today's labor market, the private sector is struggling with high unemployment, as more and more companies are shedding jobs instead of hiring.</div> <div> <B>Solution: Employment in the public sector</B></div> <div> According to the <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://ourpublicservice.org/OPS/publications/viewcontentdetails.php?id=137" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://ourpublicservice.org/OPS/publicat">Partnership for Public Service</A></FONT>, opportunity abounds in the public sector, which is looking to hire veterans to fill many jobs ? totaling almost 300,000 new employees in the near future ? to offset an impending talent shortage when baby boomers retire.</div> <div> The government hopes to engage veterans to take over most of these positions, since former service members have the ideal skill sets to replace federal workers.</div> <div> Just a few categories of the expected job openings include:</div> <div> · <B>Medical / public Health:</B> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="/jobs/keyword/doctor/ " TARGET="_top" TITLE="/jobs/keyword/doctor/ ">Doctors</A></FONT>, <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="/jobs/keyword/nurse/ " TARGET="_top" TITLE="/jobs/keyword/nurse/ ">nurses</A></FONT>, <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="/jobs/keyword/nursing+assistant/ " TARGET="_top" TITLE="/jobs/keyword/nursing+assistant/ ">nursing assistants</A></FONT>, <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="/jobs/keyword/pharmacist/ " TARGET="_top" TITLE="/jobs/keyword/pharmacist/ ">pharmacists</A></FONT> and other wellness professionals.</div> <div> · <B>Security / protection:</B> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="/jobs/keyword/police+officer/ " TARGET="_top" TITLE="/jobs/keyword/police+officer/ ">Police officers</A></FONT>, <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="/jobs/keyword/transportation+officer/ " TARGET="_top" TITLE="/jobs/keyword/transportation+officer/ ">transportation officers</A></FONT>, border patrol agents and <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="/jobs/keyword/customs/ " TARGET="_top" TITLE="/jobs/keyword/customs/ ">customs</A></FONT> officers.</div> <div> · <B>Compliance / enforcement: </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="/jobs/keyword/attorney/ " TARGET="_top" TITLE="/jobs/keyword/attorney/ ">Attorneys</A></FONT>, <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="/jobs/keyword/paralegal/ " TARGET="_top" TITLE="/jobs/keyword/paralegal/ ">paralegals</A></FONT> and <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="/jobs/keyword/administrative/ " TARGET="_top" TITLE="/jobs/keyword/administrative/ ">administrative</A></FONT> and <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="/jobs/keyword/program+management/ " TARGET="_top" TITLE="/jobs/keyword/program+management/ ">program management</A></FONT> professionals.</div> <div> · <B>Financial:</B> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="/jobs/keyword/accountant/ " TARGET="_top" TITLE="/jobs/keyword/accountant/ ">Accountants</A></FONT>, <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="/jobs/keyword/tax+examiner/ " TARGET="_top" TITLE="/jobs/keyword/tax+examiner/ ">tax examiners</A></FONT>, <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="/jobs/keyword/auditor/ " TARGET="_top" TITLE="/jobs/keyword/auditor/ ">auditors</A></FONT>, <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="/jobs/keyword/budget/ " TARGET="_top" TITLE="/jobs/keyword/budget/ ">budget</A></FONT> and <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="/jobs/keyword/financial+analyst/ " TARGET="_top" TITLE="/jobs/keyword/financial+analyst/ ">financial analysts</A></FONT>.</div> <div> · <B>Various agencies:</B> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="/jobs/keyword/engineer/ " TARGET="_top" TITLE="/jobs/keyword/engineer/ ">Engineers</A></FONT>, <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="/jobs/keyword/information+technology/ " TARGET="_top" TITLE="/jobs/keyword/information+technology/ ">information technology</A></FONT> and <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="/jobs/keyword/biological+science/ " TARGET="_top" TITLE="/jobs/keyword/biological+science/ ">biological science experts</A></FONT>, as well as <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="/jobs/keyword/human+resources/ " TARGET="_top" TITLE="/jobs/keyword/human+resources/ ">human resource</A></FONT> professionals across various federal agencies.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Jobs/Company/kelly+government+solutions/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Jobs/Compan">Kelly Government Solutions</A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > provides experienced staff to the federal government and its key suppliers, including prime and small business contractors. Through services such as government contract staffing, work force management, project management and contract compliance services, KGS supplies talent to both the public and private sectors. For more information, please visit </FONT><A HREF="http://www.kellygovernmentsolutions.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.kellygovernmentsolutions.com/"><I>www.kellygovernmentsolutions.com</I></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >.</FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                   <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                <IMG SRC="10eec8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Sun., Feb. 22, 2009</B></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.ap.org/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ap.org/"><IMG SRC="11128c140.png" border=0 width="140" height="20" ALT="AP news link click here Logo" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <div> <B>Probe finds Army charity is hoarding millions</B></div> <div> Military's biggest charity is stockpiling cash, rather than using it for aid</div> <div> <IMG SRC="1113a7ec0.jpg" border=0 width="423" height="236" ALT="Army charity AP Photo" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Victor Calzada / AP</div> <div> Pvt. Josh Bebbino looks at a pamphlet on upcoming financial classes presented to him and other soldiers who are recent post arrivals at Fort Bliss, Texas.</div> <bR> <div> FORT BLISS, Texas - As soldiers stream home from Iraq and Afghanistan, the biggest charity inside the U.S. military has been stockpiling tens of millions of dollars meant to help put returning fighters back on their feet, an Associated Press investigation shows.</div> <bR> <div> Between 2003 and 2007 — as many military families dealt with long war deployments and increased numbers of home foreclosures — Army Emergency Relief grew into a $345 million behemoth. During those years, the charity packed away $117 million into its own reserves while spending just $64 million on direct aid, according to an AP analysis of its tax records.</div> <bR> <div> Tax-exempt and legally separate from the military, AER projects a facade of independence but really operates under close Army control. The massive nonprofit — funded predominantly by troops — allows superiors to squeeze soldiers for contributions; forces struggling soldiers to repay loans — sometimes delaying transfers and promotions; and too often violates its own rules by rewarding donors, such as giving free passes from physical training, the AP found.</div> <bR> <div> Founded in 1942, AER eases cash emergencies of active-duty soldiers and retirees and provides college scholarships for their families. Its emergency aid covers mortgage payments and food, car repairs, medical bills, travel to family funerals, and the like.</div> <bR> <div> Army charity lent out emergency aid</div> <div> Instead of giving money away, though, the Army charity lent out 91 percent of its emergency aid during the period 2003-2007. For accounting purposes, the loans, dispensed interest-free, are counted as expenses only when they are not paid back.</div> <bR> <div> During that same five-year period, the smaller Navy and Air Force charities both put far more of their own resources into aid than reserves.</div> <div> The Air Force charity kept $24 million in reserves while dispensing $56 million in total aid, which includes grants, scholarships and loans not repaid. The Navy charity put $32 million into reserves and gave out $49 million in total aid.</div> <bR> <div> AER executives defend their operation, insisting they need to keep sizable reserves to be ready for future catastrophes.</div> <bR> <div> "Look at the stock market," said retired Col. Dennis Spiegel, AER's deputy director for administration. Without the large reserve, he added, "We'd be in very serious trouble."</div> <bR> <div> But smaller civilian charities for service members and veterans say they are swamped by the desperate needs of recent years, with requests far outstripping ability to respond.</div> <bR> <div> While independent on paper, Army Emergency Relief is housed, staffed and controlled by the U.S. Army.</div> <bR> <div> That's not illegal per se. Eric Smith, a spokesman for the Internal Revenue Service, said the agency can't offer an opinion on a particular charity's activities.</div> <div> But Marcus Owens, former head of IRS charity oversight, said charities like AER can legally partner closely with a government agency.</div> <div> However, he said, problems sometimes arise when their missions diverge. "There's a bit of a tension when a government organization is operating closely with a charity," he said.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Some reserves are prudent</B></div> <div> Most charity watchdogs view 1-to-3 years of reserves as prudent, with more than that considered hoarding. Yet the American Institute of Philanthropy says AER holds enough reserves to last about 12 years at its current level of aid.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="1114c62a0.jpg" border=0 width="198" height="298" ALT="Army charity photo 2" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Victor Calzada / AP </div> <div> A pamphlet presented to soldiers during a briefing for soldiers arriving on post at Fort Bliss, Texas</div> <bR> <div> Daniel Borochoff, president of the American Institute of Philanthropy, said that AER collects money "very efficiently. What the shame is, is they're not doing more with it."</div> <bR> <div> National administrators say they've tried to loosen the purse strings. The most recent yearly figures do show a tilt by AER toward increased giving.</div> <bR> <div> Still, Borochoff's organization, which grades charities, gives the Army charity an "F" because of the hoarding.</div> <bR> <div> The AP findings include:</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Superior officers come calling when AER loans aren't repaid on time. Soldiers can be fined or demoted for missing loan payments. They must clear their loans before transferring or leaving the service. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Promotions can be delayed or canceled if loans are not repaid. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Despite strict rules against coercion, the Army uses pushy tactics to extract supposedly voluntary contributions, with superiors using language like: "How much can we count on from you?" </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The Army sometimes offers rewards for contributions, though incentives are banned by program rules. It sometimes excuses contributors from physical training — another clear violation. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">AER screens every request for aid, peering into the personal finances of its troops, essentially making the Army a soldier's boss and loan officer.</div> <div> "If I ask a private for something ... chances are everyone's going to do it. Why? Because I'm a lieutenant," says Iraq war veteran Tom Tarantino, otherwise an AER backer. "It can almost be construed as mandatory."</div> <bR> <div> Neither the Army nor Sgt. Major of the Army Kenneth Preston, an AER board member, responded to repeated requests for comment on the military's relationship with AER.</div> <div> AER pays just 21 staffers, all working at its headquarters at Army Human Resources Command in Alexandria, Va. AER's other 300 or so employees at 90 Army sites worldwide are civilians paid by the Army. Also, the Army gives AER office space for free.</div> <bR> <div> AER's treasurer, Ret. Col. Andrew Cohen, acknowledged in an interview that "the Army runs the program in the field." Army officers dominate its corporate board too</div> <bR> <div> Officers must recommend soldiers for aid</div> <div> Charities linked to other services operate along more traditional nonprofit lines. The Air Force Aid Society sprinkles its board with members from outside the military to foster broad views. The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society pays 225 employees and, instead of relying on Navy personnel for other chores, deploys a corps of about 3,400 volunteers, including some from outside the military.</div> <bR> <div> Army regulations say AER "is, in effect, the U.S. Army's own emergency financial assistance organization." Under Army regulations, officers must recommend whether their soldiers deserve aid. Company commanders and first sergeants can approve up to $1,000 in loans on their own say-so. Officers also are charged with making sure their troops repay AER loans.</div> <bR> <div> "If you have an outstanding bill, you're warned about paying that off just to finish your tour of duty ... because it will be brought to your leadership and it will be dealt with," says Jon Nakaishi, of Tracy, Calif., an Army National Guard veteran of the Iraq war who took out a $900 AER loan to help feed his wife and children between paychecks</div> <bR> <div> In his case, he was sent home with an injury and never fully repaid his loan.</div> <div> The Army also exercises its leverage in raising contributions from soldiers. It reaches out only to troops and veterans in annual campaigns organized by Army personnel.</div> <div> For those on active duty, AER organizes appeals along the chain of command. Low-ranking personnel are typically solicited by a superior who knows them personally.</div> <div> Spiegel, the AER administrator, said he's unaware of specific violations but added: "I spent 29 years in the Army, I know how ... first sergeants operate. Some of them do strong-arm."</div> <bR> <div> Many violations uncovered</div> <div> Army regulations ban base passes, training holidays, relief from guard duty, award plaques and "all other incentives or rewards" for contributions to AER. But the AP uncovered evidence of many violations.</div> <div> Before leaving active duty in 2006, Philip Aubart, who then went to Reserve Officer Training Corps at Dartmouth College, admits he gave to AER partly to be excused from push-ups, sit-ups and running the next day. For those who didn't contribute the minimum monthly allotment, the calisthenics became, in effect, a punishment.</div> <bR> <div> "That enticed lots and lots of guys to give," he noted. He says he gave in two annual campaigns and was allowed to skip physical training the following days.</div> <div> Others spoke of prizes like pizza parties and honorary flags given to top cooperating units.</div> <bR> <div> Make no mistake: AER, a normally uncontroversial fixture of Army life, has helped millions of soldiers and families. Last year alone, AER handed out about $5.5 million in emergency grants, $65 million in loans, and $12 million in scholarships. Despite the extra demands for soldiers busy fighting two wars, AER's management says it hasn't felt a need to boost giving in recent years.</div> <bR> <div> But the AP encountered considerable criticism about AER's hoarding of its treasure chest.</div> <div> Jack Tilley, a retired sergeant major of the Army on AER's board from 2000 to 2004, said he was surprised by AP's findings, especially during wartime.</div> <div> "I think they could give more. In fact, that's why that's there," said Tilley, who co-founded another charity that helps families of Mideast war veterans, the American Freedom Foundation.</div> <bR> <div> Accumulates stocks and bonds with its wealth</div> <div> What does AER do with its retained wealth? Mostly, it accumulates stocks and bonds.</div> <div> AER ended 2007 with a $296 million portfolio; last year's tanking market cut that to $214 million, by the estimate of its treasurer.</div> <bR> <div> Sylvia Kidd, an AER board member in the 1990s, says she feels that the charity does much good work but guards its relief funds too jealously.</div> <div> "You hear things, and you think, "`They got all this money, and they should certainly be able to take care of this,'" she said.</div> <bR> <div> She now works for a smaller independent charity, the Association of the United States Army, providing emergency aid to some military families that AER won't help.</div> <bR> <div> Though AER keeps a $25 million line of bank credit to respond to a world economic crisis, its board has decided to lop off a third of its scholarship money this year. "We're not happy about it," Spiegel says.</div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>