US Military to Accept Homosexual Applicants

According to an official release, the Department of Defense explicitly stated that openly homosexual men and women may now join the American military.  Notably, recruiters didn’t ask about sexual preference to begin with; however, the recent court ruling has apparently caused a spate of attempts to re-enlist by those previously discharged under DADT.  These “self-admitting” homosexuals apparently include former Army LT David Choi, among others.  The military is reportedly permitting homosexual applicants, while simultaneously cautioning them they may later be discharged if the ruling is overturned.

“Recruiters are reminded to set the applicants’ expectations by informing them that a reversal in the court’s decision of the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law/policy may occur,” Cynthia Smith said.

Yesterday, the judge denied the government’s request to stay her injunction.

Sky Searchers Seek Secret Space Plane

FoxNews notes that star gazers have been tracking the orbit of the US Air Force’s X-37B (previously noted), and, for the second time, have lost track of it.  Apparently the first disappearance was caused by a change in orbital inclination, which may reveal some of the vehicle’s capabilities.

The most recent disappearance is fueling hypotheses the spacecraft has returned to earth.  If so, it would be inside the 9 months originally speculated for its duration.

AT-6 Tested at Davis Monthan AFB

A highly modified version of the T-6 training aircraft has been flown at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in a flight test project run by the Air National Guard and Reserve:

In appearance, Hawker Beechcraft AT-6Cs resemble the fighters of yesteryear with single engine propellers and shark-face nose art. They are, in actuality, one possible candidate for Air Force light attack aircraft and the latest project for Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center officials based at Tucson International Airport.

The T-6s pictured have wing-mounted tanks and what appears Read more

Chaplain Blesses Local Animals

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) James Brisson of Fort Bragg recently held a “Blessing of the Pets” for his congregation.

According to the Catholic religion, the blessing of animals tradition began with St. Francis’ love for animals and the environment making him a friend and protector to them. Even though world wide this widely-practiced ceremony continues to grow with owners bringing cows, horses, and various other pets, to blessings, Fort Bragg honored dogs and birds with it’s first-ever intimate ceremony.

US military Chaplains supporting the troops…and, their pets.

General: 95% of Marines Oppose DADT Repeal

In a ranging interview just before his retirement, outgoing Marine Commandant General James Conway said as many as 95% of US Marines would be uncomfortable serving with open homosexuals.

By and large, they say that they are concerned that it will cause potential problems with regard to their order and discipline — that it will impact their sense of unit cohesion, Conway said.

An offiical DoD news release says the Department of Defense will follow the injunction against enforcing the policy known as “don’t ask, don’t tell,” while the DoJ Read more

USAFA to Release Portion of Cadet Survey

According to the local Colorado Springs Gazette, the US Air Force Academy plans to release a portion of the results of its annual climate assessment survey.  The press conference date is 29 October, and the release appears to be at least partially linked to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

The Academy’s refusal to release the results has been a point of contention with Michael Weinstein, who seems to believe they will add credibility to his cause.  USAFA Superintendent General Michael Gould has maintained the Academy is under no obligation to release the results of an internal climate study.

Chaplain Speaks Out on God and Suicide

The US Army has faced a growing tragedy in the number of suicides in its ranks.  It has amassed a veritable plethora of programs in an attempt to stem the rising tide that kills Soldiers at an alarming rate.

Chaplain (Col) Chester Egert writes an astute piece at Army.mil, noting there are “common threads” in “acts of self-destruction.”

Chaplain Egert notes that while the Army has a variety of programs to fight suicide — he counts more than 600 — there may be an omission in the emphasis on the internal issue of self-worth and intrinsic human value.  Read more

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