Remember those who have sacrificed in response to the call of their Nation.
President Obama has not yet issued his 2010 Memorial Day proclamation. See the 2009 Memorial Day proclamation. [Update: Link to President Obama’s 2010 Memorial Day proclamation.]
According to the Air Force Times, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen told the graduating cadets at the US Air Force Academy they need to “support a changing military.” The article notes Mullen did not directly address any particular issue, but his statement occurred “as Congress nears a vote on repealing [DADT].”
The quote by Mullen could make for a fascinating discussion on morality, ethics, leadership, and military service: Read more
In the initial stages of both the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the US used (and often still uses today) large quantities of cash for a variety of purposes, from paying for reconstruction to compensating local nationals.
A Marine F-5 fighter pilot now stands accused of stealing $440,000 of reconstruction funds while he was a project purchasing officer with a civil affairs group in Iraq. For a point of reference, a Major in the US military makes approximately $70,000 per year in base pay before taxes.
Regardless of the outcome of this particular case, it stands as a stark Read more
Update: Bachmann’s amendment has reportedly been refused due to not being “relevant to the bill.”
US House Rep Michele Bachmann (R-MN) has introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would “protect the religious freedom” of Chaplains in the US military, allowing them to pray in accordance with the dictates of their faith. From the rules committee (pdf), the amendment Read more
A recent US Air Force news article on the USAF Academy graduation contained a photo encapsulating a veritable cornucopia of USAFA and military traditions. Here’s the photo:
Traditions displayed in the photo: Read more
Bruce Fleming, a 23-year professor of English at the US Naval Academy, publishes a fairly scathing critique of the military academy construct at the New York Times (oddly timed as the Academies host their graduations this week). He blasts the cost, the apparent lack of unique ability, preferential treatment of football players, the apparent trend of “unofficial affirmative action,” and the “backdoor” for less-qualified students in the preparatory school.
Fleming has long been a commentator on, and largely a critic of, the institution that employs him (and he has received some grief for it). He questioned Read more
It depends. Using the Air Force as an example, in official correspondence — that is, email intended to conduct official military business — it is not technically permissible for members to have quotes of any kind in their signature blocks. This is “technically” true because this rule, while in place, is rarely enforced.
Coral Ridge Ministries, a media outreach group founded by the late D. James Kennedy, sent a letter to Congress asking them not to change the current policy on homosexuals in the military, popularly called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
The conservative Christian group based in Fort Lauderdale says efforts this week to repeal the 1993 law limiting gay and lesbian service represent “a direct assault on the military’s good order, discipline, unit cohesion, recruitment, retention and morale.” Read more