On Twitter, I came across the National Membership Secretary for the Women Marines Association. They had posted an article about celebrating women in the Army (apparently every March the Army celebrates Women's History Month by recognizing and celebrating their female soldiers).
Article Preview:
"Female Soldiers play a vital role in today’s Army. Leadership opportunities for women abound with female soldiers serving in a variety of missions and in many different capacities. They are part of the Army team and Army family and are welcome and sought after for a variety of careers that offer personal and professional growth. Women, both uniformed and civilian, have served with distinction in every war this nation has ever fought and continue to play a vital and crucial role. Their sacrifices, professionalism and bravery set and exceed the standard and underscore their dedication and willingness to share the responsibility of countering the enemy threat."
You can read more about our women warriors here: http://www.army.mil/women/
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Making A Difference
You may be familiar with the NBC Nightly News with (my personal favorite) Brian Williams and their nightly segment, "Making A Difference." If not, it's a segment that closes out the broadcast every night where people who are making a difference in someone(s) life are highlighted. Some of the stories told have pertained to servicemen and those serving the miliary and their families.
One that really stood out to me was the "Defending The Blue Line" story where military children were given the opportunity to play ice hockey through generous monetary and equipment donations. These kids understand that his/her parent is defending the front line and now they can relate by defending the blue line.
Defending The Blue Line video: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#42313529
One that really stood out to me was the "Defending The Blue Line" story where military children were given the opportunity to play ice hockey through generous monetary and equipment donations. These kids understand that his/her parent is defending the front line and now they can relate by defending the blue line.
Defending The Blue Line video: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#42313529
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Joining Forces
This week, the Obamas and the Bidens launched the Joining Forces, an initiative "that mobilizes all sectors of society to give our service members and their families the opportunities and support they have earned."
I think it is a wonderful initiative and I applaud the President, First Lady, Vice President Biden and Dr. Biden for making it happen.
The highly popular, Huffington Post, wrote an article about the initiative that I think does a great job of detailing what the initiatve is about and why it is important.
Here is the article written by Kevin O'Brien from the Huffington Post for their Military Families Week: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kevin-obrien/america-comes-together-to_b_849048.html
I think it is a wonderful initiative and I applaud the President, First Lady, Vice President Biden and Dr. Biden for making it happen.
The highly popular, Huffington Post, wrote an article about the initiative that I think does a great job of detailing what the initiatve is about and why it is important.
Here is the article written by Kevin O'Brien from the Huffington Post for their Military Families Week: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kevin-obrien/america-comes-together-to_b_849048.html
Monday, April 11, 2011
U.S. Army Chief of Staff Retires
General George Casey, the 36th Chief of Staff for the United States Army retired today. His letter to soldiers, families, and interested civilians was posted on the Army's Facebook page and is displayed below. I apologize that it's a bit hard to read, but if you're able to zoom, it's worth it to read it.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Government Shutdown
Unless you've been sleeping under a rock, I'm sure you're aware of the potential government shutdown that is about to occur. There's been much talk about what will be closed, who will or won't have to work, what beneftis will still be available, and so on. As usual, the Democrats and Republicans are telling different sides of the story as we all standby and just pray for a positive outcome. But I'm not here to talk about politics...
As with every company, the organizations that make up our government have good employees and bad employees. There are dedicated people that go to work everyday, do their job, and don't mope around and complain when maybe at times they have every reason to do so. I am certain there are also employees who don't work as hard as they could and manage to fall through the cracks, just squeaking by year to year wasting taxpayers money. But, there is no time, or money (obviously), to figure out who is good and who is bad, so in the end, innocent government employees will have to suffer, including our military men and women.
If you have no connection to the military, you may have never put much thought into how much a soldier gets paid. If you manage your money correctly and don't experience any dire life circumstances, you will do just fine, but trust me, you will never strike it rich in the military.
Military ranks start at E-2 (sometimes E-1) and go up to O-10. "E" stands for "enlisted" and "O" stands for "officer." Enlisted personnel are lower ranked than officers. To put it in regular civilian terms, if you're an E-2, you are similar to an intern for a huge corporation and if you're an O-10, you're probably the CEO or CFO. However, in the military, it does not matter what your rank is, you will have a lot of responsibility at an early age and endure a lot of sacrifice and compromise. So don't mistake the responsibilities of an E-2 for the responsibilities of an intern. They may have similar ranks for explanation purposes, but their responsibilities and importance to their companies are much different.
An E-2 in the military, just starting out, will make just under $20,000 a year in salary. He or she will also collect a housing allowance, which covers the cost of rent for whichever area the servicemember is stationed.
To put it in perspective, an E-2, also known as a "Private" in the Army, will most likely be fresh out of high school, have completed training in special operations for combat situations, and go to Afghanistan, Iraq, or any place where there is conflict. He is 18 or 19 years old. A kid. The year before he would have been playing soccer, hanging out at the mall after school, living a carefree life. Then he signed up for the military. He makes less than $50,000 a year when all is said and done. He shows up to work, no matter what the hour is, no matter how tired he is, no matter how sick he is. He goes to war when he is asked. He leaves his family, his friends, his life behind. And when the government says they will take his pay away, he still puts on his combat boots and goes off to work, because he is a soldier and that's what soldiers do.
I'd like to think that during this government shutdown drama, there are many who are thinking about our troops. Thinking that it's not fair to punish our already under-respected heroes with no pay when they're already receiving less pay than their work deserves.
I have faith that in the end, our government will make the right decision and I have hope that the innocent government employees will not have to go without pay for long.
God bless.
As with every company, the organizations that make up our government have good employees and bad employees. There are dedicated people that go to work everyday, do their job, and don't mope around and complain when maybe at times they have every reason to do so. I am certain there are also employees who don't work as hard as they could and manage to fall through the cracks, just squeaking by year to year wasting taxpayers money. But, there is no time, or money (obviously), to figure out who is good and who is bad, so in the end, innocent government employees will have to suffer, including our military men and women.
If you have no connection to the military, you may have never put much thought into how much a soldier gets paid. If you manage your money correctly and don't experience any dire life circumstances, you will do just fine, but trust me, you will never strike it rich in the military.
Military ranks start at E-2 (sometimes E-1) and go up to O-10. "E" stands for "enlisted" and "O" stands for "officer." Enlisted personnel are lower ranked than officers. To put it in regular civilian terms, if you're an E-2, you are similar to an intern for a huge corporation and if you're an O-10, you're probably the CEO or CFO. However, in the military, it does not matter what your rank is, you will have a lot of responsibility at an early age and endure a lot of sacrifice and compromise. So don't mistake the responsibilities of an E-2 for the responsibilities of an intern. They may have similar ranks for explanation purposes, but their responsibilities and importance to their companies are much different.
An E-2 in the military, just starting out, will make just under $20,000 a year in salary. He or she will also collect a housing allowance, which covers the cost of rent for whichever area the servicemember is stationed.
To put it in perspective, an E-2, also known as a "Private" in the Army, will most likely be fresh out of high school, have completed training in special operations for combat situations, and go to Afghanistan, Iraq, or any place where there is conflict. He is 18 or 19 years old. A kid. The year before he would have been playing soccer, hanging out at the mall after school, living a carefree life. Then he signed up for the military. He makes less than $50,000 a year when all is said and done. He shows up to work, no matter what the hour is, no matter how tired he is, no matter how sick he is. He goes to war when he is asked. He leaves his family, his friends, his life behind. And when the government says they will take his pay away, he still puts on his combat boots and goes off to work, because he is a soldier and that's what soldiers do.
I'd like to think that during this government shutdown drama, there are many who are thinking about our troops. Thinking that it's not fair to punish our already under-respected heroes with no pay when they're already receiving less pay than their work deserves.
I have faith that in the end, our government will make the right decision and I have hope that the innocent government employees will not have to go without pay for long.
God bless.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Military Heroes
I was curious to see what all has been written in regards to highlighting our military heroes and came across this website: http://ourmilitaryheroes.defense.gov/ The site includes photos of military service members and a quick bio about them (very baseball card style - in a nice way).
I came across a post, "To Honor A Military Hero" on the Amazing Salvation blog. I loved the story and I think you will too...
Mike Monsoor was awarded "The Congressional Medal of Honor" last week,
for giving his life in Iraq, as he jumped on, and covered with his body, a live hand grenade, that was accidentally dropped by a Navy Seal, saving the lives of a large group of Navy Seals that was passing by.
During Mike Monsoor's Funeral, at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, in San Diego, California, The six pallbearers removed the rosewood casket from the hearse, and lined up on each side of Mike Monsoor's casket, were his family members, friends, fellow sailors, and well-wishers. The column of people continued from the hearse, all the way to the grave site. What the group did not know at the time was, every Navy Seal (45 to be exact) that Mike Monsoor saved that day was scattered through out the column....
As the pallbearers carried the rosewood casket down the column of people to the grave side, the column would collapse. Which formed a group of people that followed behind. Every time the rosewood casket passed a Navy Seal, he would remove his Gold Trident Pin from his uniform, and slap it down hard, causing the Gold Trident Pin to embed itself into the top of the wooden casket! Then the Navy Seal would step back from the column, and salute.
What is a Navy Seal Trident Pin?
After one completes the basic Navy Seals program which lasts for three weeks, and is followed by Seal qualification training, which is 15 more weeks of training, necessary to continue improving basic skills and to learn new tactics and techniques, required for an assignment to a Navy Seal Platoon. After successful completion, the Seal is awarded the Navy Seal Trident Pin. With this pin they are officially Navy Seal's.
It was said, that you could hear each of the 45 Slaps from Across the Cemetery... By the time the Rosewood Casket reached the grave site, it looked as thought it had a gold inlay from the 45 Trident Pins That Lined the top!
I came across a post, "To Honor A Military Hero" on the Amazing Salvation blog. I loved the story and I think you will too...
Mike Monsoor was awarded "The Congressional Medal of Honor" last week,
for giving his life in Iraq, as he jumped on, and covered with his body, a live hand grenade, that was accidentally dropped by a Navy Seal, saving the lives of a large group of Navy Seals that was passing by.
During Mike Monsoor's Funeral, at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, in San Diego, California, The six pallbearers removed the rosewood casket from the hearse, and lined up on each side of Mike Monsoor's casket, were his family members, friends, fellow sailors, and well-wishers. The column of people continued from the hearse, all the way to the grave site. What the group did not know at the time was, every Navy Seal (45 to be exact) that Mike Monsoor saved that day was scattered through out the column....
As the pallbearers carried the rosewood casket down the column of people to the grave side, the column would collapse. Which formed a group of people that followed behind. Every time the rosewood casket passed a Navy Seal, he would remove his Gold Trident Pin from his uniform, and slap it down hard, causing the Gold Trident Pin to embed itself into the top of the wooden casket! Then the Navy Seal would step back from the column, and salute.
What is a Navy Seal Trident Pin?
After one completes the basic Navy Seals program which lasts for three weeks, and is followed by Seal qualification training, which is 15 more weeks of training, necessary to continue improving basic skills and to learn new tactics and techniques, required for an assignment to a Navy Seal Platoon. After successful completion, the Seal is awarded the Navy Seal Trident Pin. With this pin they are officially Navy Seal's.
It was said, that you could hear each of the 45 Slaps from Across the Cemetery... By the time the Rosewood Casket reached the grave site, it looked as thought it had a gold inlay from the 45 Trident Pins That Lined the top!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
New England - Helping The Troops
When I think of military areas, New England definitely does not come to mind first, or second, or third... I think of Texas, southern California, Virginia, Colorado and north Florida. I'm certain these areas are filled with various organizations that support the military and their families.
My husband and I are currently stationed in Massachusetts and while it isn't a prevalent military area, I have come across some great organizations that support the military.
Homes For Our Troops - Based out of Taunton, the volunteers involved with this organization raise money and build homes for veterans who are severely injured and "provide maximum freedom of movement and the ability to live more independently." They've already successfully built home in 26 states and are currently working on homes in 15 states. It's a wonderful, selfless idea and I applaud these volunteers for stepping up. Their website is here: http://www.homesforourtroops.org/site/PageServer
New England Center fo Homeless Veterans - Based in Boston, this private organization reaches out to veterans who are suffering from addiction, trauma, unemployment, or mental illness. Sadly many veterans don't receive the help they need after they serve (or while they're serving). The organization was actually started by a group of Vietnam Veterans (Awesome!). Their website is here: http://www.nechv.org/
Helping Our Troops - Based out of Stoneham, the mission is simple: the send out as many care packages as possible to soldiers overseas. The H.O.T. was also started by two war veterans. Volunteers drive around the community picking up packages while others gather, sort and pack boxes to be shipped out. Their website is here: http://helpingourtroopsma.org/Home_Page.php
Organizations like these give a little light of hope and positivity in a society filled with negative news and constant political banter. God bless these organizations and the service they give.
My husband and I are currently stationed in Massachusetts and while it isn't a prevalent military area, I have come across some great organizations that support the military.
Homes For Our Troops - Based out of Taunton, the volunteers involved with this organization raise money and build homes for veterans who are severely injured and "provide maximum freedom of movement and the ability to live more independently." They've already successfully built home in 26 states and are currently working on homes in 15 states. It's a wonderful, selfless idea and I applaud these volunteers for stepping up. Their website is here: http://www.homesforourtroops.org/site/PageServer
New England Center fo Homeless Veterans - Based in Boston, this private organization reaches out to veterans who are suffering from addiction, trauma, unemployment, or mental illness. Sadly many veterans don't receive the help they need after they serve (or while they're serving). The organization was actually started by a group of Vietnam Veterans (Awesome!). Their website is here: http://www.nechv.org/
Helping Our Troops - Based out of Stoneham, the mission is simple: the send out as many care packages as possible to soldiers overseas. The H.O.T. was also started by two war veterans. Volunteers drive around the community picking up packages while others gather, sort and pack boxes to be shipped out. Their website is here: http://helpingourtroopsma.org/Home_Page.php
Organizations like these give a little light of hope and positivity in a society filled with negative news and constant political banter. God bless these organizations and the service they give.
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