Army Times’ print edition this week: Smallest Army since WWII … women in infantry … Memorial Day tribute
May 21st, 2012 | Outside the wire | Posted by Kathleen Curthoys
Army faces ‘disastrous’ plan to slash the force
The Army faces a disaster that could decimate the service as you know it.
If the service-cutting plan from Congress called sequestration becomes reality, it would eliminate an additional 100,000 soldiers, above the 80,000 already planned, and virtually halt all modernization. It would slash the Army to pre-World War II numbers.
The defense secretary has described the plan “catastrophic” and “shooting ourselves in the head.”
The service would have to force out tens of thousands of combat veterans in order to cut 180,000 soldiers in five years.
The Army’s chief of staff calls that “disastrous.”
See the details in this week’s issue of Army Times, on newsstands now.
Chief expects plan for women in combat arms by fall
The Army is looking at opening infantry and armor specialties and even Ranger school to female soldiers, says the service’s top officer.
A study is underway to look at various issues involved in letting women service in infantry and armor jobs. If that happens, Ranger school would be part of that move so the women can be competitive, said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno. About 90 percent of the Army’s senior infantry officers have earned the Ranger tab.
Once the results of the study are assembled, Army leaders will decide on the course forward. Female grunts may be in the near future.
Read more in Army Times this week.
Memorial Day tribute
On one single day last summer, 31 American service members died, the darkest day for U.S. forces in Afghanistan in a decade.
That day embodied the sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of U.S. troops since 9/11 and the 6,400 and more who made the ultimate sacrifice.
As Army Times has done every Memorial Day for 10 years, this issue offers a final salute to the 425 Americans who gave their all in combat for their country over the past 12 months.
Online: The Hall of Valor
See stories of bravery and heroism on the Military Times Hall of Valor website, a compilation of citations and awards given to service members across the U.S. armed forces for many different operations.
To access the searchable database, go to http://www.militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/.
This week in Army Times: Backlash on grooming rules … another 100K soldiers may go … Certifications boost careers
May 14th, 2012 | Outside the wire | Posted by Kathleen Curthoys
What soldiers hate about the new grooming rules
Soldiers are telling Army Times what they don’t like about the pending changes to at least 17 grooming regulations.
In a flood of messages from the ranks, they protest changes in shaving requirements, tattoo rules and more. Some soldiers say it’s good the Army is getting tougher about the way they look, but most spoke up about imposing tougher rules on a force that has seen a decade of war deployments.
See what soldiers are saying, and what the Army plans to do, in this week’s Army Times.
Another 100,000 soldiers may be cut
The Army may face a “devastating” cut of up to 100,000 soldiers, in addition to troop cuts already planned, if Congress doesn’t change the current law that will bring huge defense spending reductions in coming months, officials say.
Gen. Lloyd Austin, Army vice chief of staff, and the other service vice chiefs told a Senate panel that readiness and modernization efforts will be in danger under the sequester law.
Get the details in Army Times.
Soldiers: Get certified, get promoted faster
Soldiers have a growing range of opportunities to get certifications in their job fields, which can mean they get promoted faster and have a better shot at civilian jobs after the Army.
Incentives are on the increase for soldiers to earn civilian certifications related to their military occupational specialties. The Army is trying to make it easier to earn these credentials through its education system.
Find out more about what you can get and how it works. See this week’s Army Times, on newsstands now.
Online: The details on getting certified
The Army has released many charts to show soldiers what certifications are available in their specific military occupational specialties.
See the charts online at www.armytimes.com/links/credentialing.
This week’s Army Times print edition: Drill sgt. commandant reinstated … in the ‘Stan forever … more time in for NCOs
May 8th, 2012 | Outside the wire | Posted by Kathleen Curthoys
Command sergeant 
major reinstated — but not for long
The first female commandant of the Army Drill Sergeants School at Fort Jackson, S.C., is being reinstated after the Army suspended her from the job five months ago. But she’ll be back in the job for only a few days before her replacement takes over.
Command Sgt. Maj. Teresa King has vowed to fight the November suspension’s effect on her 31-year Army career. She was given no reason for her suspension, her attorney says. She contends that racism, sexism and her lack of a combat deployment are to blame.
Find out more about the case of the “no slack” command sergeant major in this week’s Army Times.
Twelve more years in Afghanistan
The U.S. may keep a force in Afghanistan through 2024, as President Obama has announced, but the Pentagon isn’t saying how many troops will stay.
U.S. forces likely will remain for two security missions beyond 2014: counter-terrorism and training, Obama said, adding that the U.S. won’t have permanent bases in Afghanistan.
One senator says the force may number 10,000 troops.
See more about plans for the U.S. military in Afghanistan, and the troop drawdown, in Army Times, on newsstands now.
Senior NCOs to serve longer when they move up
The Army has released details of a new policy that increases the service obligation for senior NCOs who are promoted.
Those who move up to sergeant first class, master sergeant and sergeant major in the Regular Army and the Army Reserve now must serve three more years instead of two.
For details on the rules and guidelines for the new policy, see Army Times.
This week in Army Times’ print edition: Women in combat jobs … Army to spy on your keystrokes… The next pay raise
April 30th, 2012 | Outside the wire | Posted by Kathleen Curthoys
The Army will start placing women in as many as 14,000 combat-related jobs starting this month, placing women in 37 battalions across nine brigade combat teams.
The service is opening up six military occupational specialties to women for the first time.
This is a change in policy for the Defense Department, say officials who acknowledge the role women have played in the most recent wars. More than 135,000 female soldiers have deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, earning more than 400 valor awards, said an Army personnel official. More than 77 have been killed in action, he said.
To find out more about the units, jobs and ranks of women in combat-related roles, see this week’s Army Times.
Pay raise gets first OK
Budget cuts are coming, but soldiers can look for a pay raise in the next defense budget.
A House panel has approved a 1.7 percent military pay raise during work in late April on the 2013 budget. The panel also worked on blocking cuts in troop levels and military benefits.
See the chart showing what soldiers would make with the proposed pay raise, plus more on what is ahead for soldiers’ pay and benefits, in this week’s Army Times, on newsstands now.
Keystroke crackdown: Army wants to monitor what soldiers do at their computers
The Army is looking for ways to watch what every soldier is doing on his or her Army computer, to keep an eye on keystrokes, downloads and Web searches.
The idea is to find “insider threats” before they can do damage – like the alleged Wikileaks data dump of classified documents. A soldier stands accused of leaking them.
The Army will soon be shopping for software than can detect and record what you do on your computer. It might be a tough job. The Army has more than 900,000 people on its computers.
For details on what you need to know, see Army Times.
Online: Check out the fitness blog
The weather’s getting warmer, and people are more ready than ever to get outside and get fit. The blog PT 365, the Army Times’ official fitness blog, can help you get moving. See the latest on fitness events, products and workout tips from military athletes on the blog at http://militarytimes.com/blogs/pt365/.
This week in Army Times’ print edition: He was raped in hazing … Facebook casualty notice … re-learn how to run
April 23rd, 2012 | Outside the wire | Posted by Kathleen Curthoys
Raped by his fellow soldiers: Initiation went too far, soldiers say
An Army specialist says three of his fellow soldiers came into his room, held him down and sexually assaulted him.
Spc. Jarett Wright was not the only soldier in “Crazy Troop,” 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, to endure this kind of assault.
Two others described identical attacks in interviews with Army Times. An ongoing investigation into the alleged hazing incidents also includes a video of an officer from the same squadron who was duct-taped to a pole and similarly assaulted.
Wright told his story to Army Times and he wanted his name to be used. He says justice hasn’t been done and he wants to try to prevent such incidents from happening to other soldiers.
Read the story, and what Army leadership has to say about hazing, in this week’s Army Times.
Casual notification: Spouse finds out about soldier’s death via Facebook
The Army has a process for officially notifying a soldier’s loved ones, in person, of the soldier’s death, and it is not to be circumvented.
But it was when the wife of a staff sergeant killed in Afghanistan said she learned of his violent death after a soldier from his unit posted on her Facebook page that there was an emergency, and later they spoke by phone.
The Army’s casualty notification process came up against the realities of social media, and the Army is responding with guidance for leaders, soldiers and family members.
Find out more in this week’s Army Times, on newsstands now.
What soldiers need to know about minimalist running shoes
Lightweight “minimalist” running shoes are what’s hot for military runners looking to get a step ahead in their workouts.
But if they throw the shoes on and just start running, they risk injury and the agony of da-feet.
Runners using minimalist shoes need to re-learn how to run, experts say.
Go to Army Times for tips on running in the trendy shoes, and to see the Army’s guidelines.
Online: Who’s moving up
See the names of noncommissioned officers who will sew on new stripes in May, according to the Army’s announcement of promotion plans for the coming month. Also see cutoff scores and other career-related news online at www.armytimes.com.
This week in Army Times’ print edition: Screwed by rules of engagement … Rough jumpers … List of new commanders
April 16th, 2012 | Outside the wire | Posted by Kathleen Curthoys
How rules of engagement destroy careers and cost lives
An Army captain gave a master sergeant the go-ahead to kill an insurgent in Afghanistan who was plotting an attack on a medical convoy on its way to treat local women and children.
But shortly after the NCO killed the insurgent, both he and the captain were charged with murder and violating rules of engagement.
The rules of engagement, or ROE, govern when it’s OK to shoot and when it’s not. After-action reviews of commanders’ decisions have led to courts-martial, career-killing bad evals and endless second guessing.
Hesitating to act can also get troops in trouble. The careers of two Army officers were all but ended for repeatedly denying air and artillery support to a Marine company pinned down by insurgents.
See more about the dilemma for soldiers in the war zone, and what they should know, in this week’s Army Times.
The rough jumpers get ‘er done
The rough-terrain jumpers of the 57th Sapper Company make up a unit like no other. As part of a global response force, the paratroopers can get a foothold on any terrain anywhere in the world with just hours’ notice. They can do long-range recon, employ demolitions, sniff out IEDs, build fortifications, clear airfields, fight as infantry and reinforce Special Forces.
They can pack rubber boats, concrete saws and Jaws of Life for rescues.
Find out what makes these engineers a team that no conventional unit can match — and what they can do for others. Read about them in this week’s Army Times, on newsstands now.
Command selections announced: Who’s taking over brigades, battalions
The Army has announced names of nearly 1,300 field-grade officers and senior noncommissioned officers of the active component who were picked for brigade and battalion command, command sergeant major and key billet positions.
They were chosen by selection boards that met in recent months to select commanders, command sergeants major and key billet officers from the Army Competitive Category, Army Medical Department and Army Acquisition Corps.
Now the names are out. See Army Times this week for who’s slated to take command.
Online: More officers, senior NCOs selected for command
In addition to the names of new unit commanders, see these selection lists online at www.armytimes.com:
– Colonel Army Medical Department
– Lieutenant Colonel Army Medical Department
– Colonel Army Acquisition Corps
– Lieutenant Colonel Army Acquisition Corps
– Brigade and Battalion Command Sergeant Major Special Operations Forces
This week in Army Times print edition: Genital injury compensation… Grooming rules… and $150K re-up bonuses
April 9th, 2012 | Outside the wire | Posted by Kathleen Curthoys
$50,000 for your junk — and what your other parts are worth
The Army has updated a program to compensate soldiers for their injuries, adding genital injuries to the list of “anatomical losses” that qualify both male and female soldiers for payment.
Also, payments are no longer restricted to injuries from service in Iraq or Afghanistan. The Traumatic Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance program can now compensate for injuries “any time, anywhere,” an Army official says.
Genital losses qualify soldiers for $50,000 in compensation. Losing all four limbs will qualify soldiers for the maximum payout of $100,000.
To see more, including what your other body parts are worth, go to the story in Army Times this week.
New rules on appearance for every soldier, on duty and off
Tough new rules for how soldiers dress and groom themselves are on the way, covering everything from civilian attire to haircuts and tattoos.
Most of the rules are restrictive, but one of them gives soldiers an option they’ve never had before: umbrellas.
Senior leaders are putting the finishing touches on the 17 new rules that include shorter sideburns, limits on tattoos and piercings, and a ban on smoking or using cell phones while walking.
Soldiers may face punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice if they break the rules.
Find out all the details in this week’s Army Times, on newsstands now.
NCOs with critical skills can get up to $150K to re-enlist
Noncommissioned officers in several priority specialties are eligible for a new round of big-bucks incentives to stay in uniform.
As of this month, lump-sum payments up to $150,000 will go to sergeants first class and above in targeted specialties. The bonuses generally are tax-free if paid in a combat zone.
For all the details and the rules, see Army Times.
29 soldiers attend dinner for Iraq war veterans at White House
February 29th, 2012 | Outside the wire | Posted by Kathleen Curthoys
Only 29 soldiers, and a few dozen troops from the other services, were invited to join their commander in chief at the White House for a dinner tonight to honor all the million-plus troops who served in Iraq.
The chosen few packed into a reception room across town from the White House for a pre-dinner reception this evening, many of them with spouses and guests. The troops in gleaming dress uniforms and wives in formal gowns made the crowd at the Academy Awards just a few nights ago seem drab by comparison. (Best dressed: the Labrador retriever guide dog in a black vest and Marine Corps insignia, escorting his Marine.)
Soldiers told Army Times they are honored to be among President Obama’s dinner guests, representing their Army brethren. When asked if they would want to share the honor with any of their fellow soldiers, they didn’t hesitate to answer.
Sgt. Joshua Labbe, who received a Silver Star for his actions in a seven-hour firefight in Iraq, said he would share the honor with Staff Sgt. John Reiners, who was killed in action in Afghanistan about two years ago. He was one of Labbe’s first squad leaders.
“He was a great buddy,” Labbe said, glancing down at the bracelet he wore inscribed with Reiners’ name.
Staff Sgt. Shawon Tucker, who had two tours in Iraq as a dietician’s assistant, said she would share the honor with her mentor, Sgt. 1st Class Jermaine Jones. And she did. He came to the dinner with her.
How did Tucker feel about meeting the president tonight?
“Ecstatic,” she said.
ANA Special Forces team ‘incredible’
October 27th, 2010 | Outside the wire | Posted by Kathleen Curthoys
By SEAN D. NAYLOR — The Special Forces captain who worked with the first Afghan National Army Special Forces team had nothing but praise for his ANA counterparts during a talk at the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual symposium.
Capt. Mike Penn, who between February and August led a 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) operational detachment–alpha, or A-team, in Kandahar province’s Khakrez district, said for the first three months his 20-person element had no Afghan partners as they tried to build bonds with the elders of the rural district. That all changed roughly halfway through his deployment.
“Three months in, we got something incredible, we got an Afghan National Army Special Forces detachment, built along the same lines as us,” he said. That team – number 1111 – was the first Afghan special forces team to emerge from a training program devised by U.S. Special Forces at Camp Morehead in Wardak province.
Penn said the Afghan special forces proved their worth in the “village stability” program that his team was engaged in. Village stability operations involves embedding a special operations team in a rural Afghan community that has no other form of protection from the insurgents. In some cases, it also involves the creation of a locally recruited police force.
“There’s been a lot of talk lately about how village stability is a game changer in Afghanistan, but inside of village stability, the Afghan special forces are truly a game changer – extremely well trained competent leaders,” Penn said.
When that first Afghan A-team arrived in Khakrez, they gave Penn’s team their opinion about the way ahead in the district. “They told us how we should approach our problem and what we should be doing,” Penn said. “It blew us away, because they actually laid out the same approach that we’d already been doing.”
It didn’t take long for Penn to realize the value of his new Afghan partners. “We built a lot of rapport [with the locals], we worked really well with the Afghans and we’d gotten very close to them, [but] there was one thing we were missing – we would never be Afghans,” he said. “When these [ANA SF] guys hit the ground with the same approach, they had an immediate impact, immediate rapport, immediate acceptance and trust among the locals.”
“The thing that they provided the most was a positive male role model,” Penn said. After 30 years of war, the locals were unused to the image projected by the Afghan special operators. “Nobody in that area had ever seen a true leader, they’d never seen what right looks like, they’d never seen somebody competent and strong in a position of power, and controlling their own destiny.
“When we walked through the villages with these Afghan National Army Special Forces guys, you could see the kids’ eyes light up, the elders’ eyes light up, like, ‘Oh my God, here’s a guy that looks like me, talks like me, has been through what I’ve been through – he’s my countryman – and he’s completely in control of his own destiny.’ ”