U.S. Marines from Alpha Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Company Europe (FASTEUR), Naval Station Rota, fall-in behind a member of the Romanian Jarndarmeria in a demonstration of close-quarters room clearing techniques at the Training Center of the Romanian Jandarmeria Special Intervention Brigade in Bucharest, Romania, Feb. 25, 2015. The demonstration was held in conjunction with training at the U.S. Embassy Bucharest that provided FASTEUR Marines a chance to conduct training on reinforcing an American embassy with host nation forces in case of a crisis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Esdras Ruano/Released)WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY - Airmen with the 106th Rescue Wing's Civil Engineering Squadron conduct storm and wildfire debris removal training at FS Gabreski ANG on March 5th, 2015. The week-long training course gave airmen the opportunity to work with New York State Forest Rangers during classroom and hands-on scenarios, including time with safety equipment and chainsaws in the field.
(New York Air National Guard / Staff Sergeant Christopher S Muncy / released) Members of SEAL Team Seven jump from an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter assigned to the "Chargers" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14, during parachute operations, Feb. 26, 2015. (U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Shannon Renfroe/Released)A U.S. Army sniper shoots at targets while another soldier observes by looking through a magnification device during an exercise at Adazi Training Area, Latvia, March 6, 2015. The Americans are associated with Operation Atlantic Resolve and are training with Europeans. The soldiers are assigned to Mortar Platoon, Headquarters Troop, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, and are regularly stationed in Germany.
U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Pablo N. Piedra Emergency Managers from more than twenty Air National Guard units kicked off the first day of Global Dragon on March 9, 2015. Through the first set of scenarios, airman trained in Level A Hazardous Material suits, using their equipment to test for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) contamination. The training emphasized coordination within small teams, with each airman working to support their wingman to accomplish the mission. Exercise Global Dragon is a two-week long course taking place at the Guardian Center in Perry, Georgia. The Guardian Center houses several training facilities that simulate demolished city blocks, flooded towns and CBRN-contaminated areas. (New York Air National Guard / Staff Sergeant Christopher S Muncy / released)U.S. Marines perform maintenance checks on an AH-1Z Viper with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, aboard the USS Anchorage (LPD 23) during Amphibious Squadron/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT) off the coast of San Diego March 2, 2015. The pilots of VMM-161 (Rein) were practicing take-offs and landings at night to maintain proficiency aboard ship. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jamean Berry/Released)The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Neah Bay breaks ice on the St. Clair River as is clears a lane for the motor vessel John J. Carrick, March 9, 2015. The Neah Bay is working under the direction of Operation Coal Shovel, which is the ice breaking operation in the eastern and southern part of the Great Lakes. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman James Becker)Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeffery Purvis directs an Army M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System onto an C-17 Globemaster III March 6, 2015, at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. The training helped Airmen and Soldiers stay proficient in transporting, setting up and firing a HIMARS. The Soldiers were from the 1st Battalion, 14 Field Artillery Regiment, 214th Fires Brigade and Airmen were from the 58th Airlift Squadron and the 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nathan Clark) A RIM-7 NATO Sea Sparrow Missile is fired from the forward launcher aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex during a live-fire exercise in the Pacific Ocean, March 9, 2015.
U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher B. Janik U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Griffin Forrester stands his post in his fighting hole during a beach raid aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 6, 2015. After securing the beach, Marines tactically moved to Camp Horno, where the Marines dug fighting holes and trained in defensive tactics during Amphibious Squadron/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT). (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos/Released)150308-N-EI510-051
EAST CHINA SEA (March 8, 2015) Lt. Cmdr. Mason Berry, air boss aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20), monitors flight operations. Green Bay is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Scott Barnes/Released)
The Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase program aimed to help financially strapped veterans get lower interest rates and avoid eviction from their homes.
Officials are examining facilities across the military medical system, which could mean closing some facilities or downgrading some hospitals to clinics.