Fallen But Not Forgotten – Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey C. Baker, 29, of Hesperia, Calif., Spc. Mitchell K. Daehling, 24, of Dalton, Mass., and Spc. William J. Gilbert, 24, of Hacienda Heights, Calif.

English: 5th armored brigade crest (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

DOD Identifies Army Casualties

 

The Department of Defense announced today the death three soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died May 14, in Sanjaray, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.

Killed were:

Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey C. Baker, 29, of Hesperia, Calif., assigned to 766th Ordnance Company, 63rd Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Spc. Mitchell K. Daehling, 24, of Dalton, Mass., and

Spc. William J. Gilbert, 24, of Hacienda Heights, Calif., both assigned to 3rd Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.

For more information pertaining to Sgt 1st Class Baker media may contact the Fort Stewart public affairs office at 912-210-9375.

For more information pertaining to Spc. Daehling and Spc. Gilbert media may contact the Fort Bliss public affairs office at 915-472-0287.

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• Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey C. Baker, 29, Spc. Mitchell K. Daehling, 24,Spc. William J. Gilbert, 24 (goodsoldiersorg.wordpress.com)
• RIP SFC Jeffrey C Baker, SPC Mitchell K Daehling, SPC William J Gilbert (waronterrornews.typepad.com)
• AMERICAN HEROES: Three Soldiers Die from IED in Sanjaray, Afghanistan | cnbnews.net (gloucestercitynews.net)
• Fort Stewart soldier killed in Afghanistan (savannahnow.com)
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Fallen But Not Forgotten – Sgt. 1st Class Trenton L. Rhea, 33, of Oakley, Kan., died May 15, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, after drowning while attempting to cross a body of water during combat operations.

English: 733rd Military Police Battalion DUI (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

 

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. 1st Class Trenton L. Rhea, 33, of Oakley, Kan., died May 15, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, after drowning while attempting to cross a body of water during combat operations.  He was assigned to the 603rd Military Police Company, 530th Military Police Battalion, 300th Military Police Brigade, 200th Military Police Command, Belton, Mo.

For more information please contact the 200th Military Police Command public affairs office at 301-693-3108 or 612-805-3544.

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Fallen But Not Forgotten – Marine Missing from Vietnam War to be Buried with Crew

English: Seal of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command Esperanto: Sigelo de la usona Komuna POW/MIA (Milit-Kaptitoj/Mankantoj Dum Agado) Kontista Komando. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced today that the remains of a serviceman, missing from the Vietnam War, was recently accounted for and will be buried along with the 12 other servicemen who were lost in the same crash.

Marine Corps Pfc. Daniel A. Benedett of Seattle, Wash., will be buried May 15, at Arlington National Cemetery, along with Air Force 2nd Lt. Richard Vandegeer of Cleveland, Ohio; Navy Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Bernard Gause Jr., of Birmingham, Ala.; Hospitalman Ronald J. Manning of Steubenville, Ohio; Marine Corps servicemen Lance Cpl. Gregory S. Copenhaver of Lewistown, Pa.; Lance Cpl. Andres Garcia of Carlsbad, N.M.; Pfc. Lynn Blessing of Lancaster, Pa.; Pfc. Walter Boyd of Portsmouth, Va.; Pfc. James J. Jacques of La Junta, Colo.; Pfc. James R. Maxwell of Memphis, Tenn.; Pfc. Richard W. Rivernburgh of Schenectady, N.Y.; Pfc. Antonio R. Sandoval of San Antonio, Texas; and Pfc. Kelton R. Turner of St. Louis, Mo.

On May 12, 1975, Khmer Rouge gunboats captured the S.S. Mayaguez in the Gulf of Thailand, approximately 60 nautical miles off the coast of Cambodia. After the vessel was taken to Koh Tang Island, U.S. aircraft began surveillance flights around the island.  When efforts to secure the release of the ship and its crew failed, U.S. military forces began a rescue mission.

Three days after the Mayaguez seizure, the Air Force dispatched six helicopters to the island.  One of the helicopters came under heavy enemy fire and crashed into the surf with 26 men on board.  Thirteen of the men were rescued at sea, leaving Benedett and 12 other service members unaccounted-for from the crash.

Between 1991 and 2008, investigators conducted more than 10 investigations and excavations, led by Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC).  On three occasions, Cambodian authorities turned over remains believed to be those of American servicemen.  In 1995, U.S. and Cambodian specialists conducted an underwater recovery of the helicopter crash site where they located remains, personal effects and aircraft debris associated with the loss.  Between 2000 and 2004, all of the missing service members from this helicopter, except Benedett, were accounted-for.

On Jan. 30, 2013, Benedett was accounted-for.  Scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) used circumstantial evidence and DNA process of elimination to account for his remains.

Today, more than 1,600 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.  The U.S. government continues to work closely with the governments of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia to recover Americans lost during the Vietnam War.

For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO website at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call 703-699-1169 .

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A Wounded Warrior Story

Monthly Focus

Photo courtesy of Felix Chen

Blinded Veteran Sets Sights on Encouraging Others In February 2011, Brad Snyder’s life changed forever. As part of an elite military bomb squad serving in Afghanistan, the lieutenant stepped on a roadside bomb. The last thing Brad saw was that he still had his arms and legs after the explosion. But just six days later, he was told he’d never see again. “The worst part was losing the ability to serve,” Brad said. “I have training to build bombs, dive into the ocean to diffuse bombs and jump out of planes. I can’t do those things anymore.” But Brad and his family decided that his blindness would not define him or hold him back. In fact, on the one-year anniversary of the explosion, Brad won a gold medal at the London Paralympics in swimming freestyle events. It was one of two gold medals he won in swimming at the event. In June, Brad will get a new companion. He’ll be partnered with a guide dog that matches his personality, lifestyle and height. Brad and his dog will spend a month learning to work together. Getting the dog will change how he lives and allow him to do things on his own even more. “With a dog, I can get a cab to the train station, take the train to the city, spend a day in New York, take a flight to Los Angeles — all on my own,” Brad said. While Brad’s accomplishments are impressive, his injuries are not unique among veterans. 15 percent of all service members injured in combat have eye injuries. The Department of Defense reports that from 2000 to 2010, there were 186,555 eye injuries treated worldwide in military medical facilities. More than 7,000 veterans become blind or visually impaired each year. There are more than 158,000 legally blinded veterans in the United States and 700,000 veterans with low vision. Legal blindness means the better eye, using the best possible methods of correction, has visual acuity of 20/200 or worse. It can also mean that the visual field is restricted to 20 degrees or less. For example, a legally blind person might need to stand 20 feet from an object to see it with the same degree of clarity as a normally sighted person could from 200 feet. Low vision, also known as vision impairment, means that even with eyeglasses, contact lenses, medicine or surgery, you don’t see well. Vision impairment can range from mild to severe. The leading causes of vision impairment and blindness in the United States are age-related eye diseases: macular degeneration, cataract and glaucoma. Other eye disorders, eye injuries and birth defects can also cause vision loss. Brad has not let his blindness stop him from achieving his goals. Not only does he have a job at a consulting firm near Washington, D.C., but he also continues to work closely with organizations like the COMMIT foundation, which helps veterans get back into the civilian workplace. And he is the spokesperson for Service for Sight: Joining Forces, a Delta Gamma Fraternity program providing volunteers and fundraising for veterans with vision impairments. Brad said, “When faced with adversity, we have two options: you can decide to be a victim, or you can decide not to let adversity become a barrier. I hope that my actions continue to pave the way for others to overcome their own bouts with adversity.” In recognition of Healthy Vision month, make taking care of your eyes a priority. More than one million people in this country are legally blind, and approximately 12 million have some degree of uncorrected visual impairment. Learn more about keeping your eyes healthy. To get information about organizations that support veterans with vision loss or to learn more about volunteering in your area, visit the Blinded Veterans Association, Service for Sight: Joining Forces, or The United States Association of Blind Athletes Military Sport Program. Sources: Delta Gamma Foundation; Visionaware.org, May 2011; National Eye Institute

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Fallen But Not Forgotten – The Department of Defense announced today the death of five soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom

English: 5th armored brigade crest (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

DOD Identifies Army Casualties

             They died May 4, in Maiwand, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when their vehicle was attacked by an enemy improvised explosive device.  The soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 36^thInfantry, 1^stBrigade Combat Team, 1^stArmored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.

Killed were:

1^stLt. Brandon J. Landrum, 26, of Lawton, Okla.,

Staff Sgt. Francis G. Phillips IV, 28, of Meridian, N.Y.,

Spc. Kevin Cardoza, 19, of Mercedes, Texas,

Spc. Thomas P. Murach, 22, of Meridian, Idaho, and

Spc. Brandon J. Prescott, 24, of Bend, Ore.

For more information please contact the Fort Bliss public affairs office at 915-472-0287.

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Fallen But Not Forgotten – Capt. Mark T. Voss, 27, of Colorado Springs, Colo., Capt. Victoria A. Pinckney, 27, of Palmdale, Calif., and Tech Sgt. Herman Mackey III, 30, of Bakersfield, Calif.

DOD Identifies Air Force Casualties

 

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three airmen who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died May 3, near Chon-Aryk, Kyrgyzstan, in the crash of a

English: Boeing KC-135 assigned to Fairchild AFB, Washington (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

aircraft.  The airmen were assigned to the 93rd Air Refueling Squadron, Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash.  The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Killed were:

Capt. Mark T. Voss, 27, of Colorado Springs, Colo.,  Capt. Victoria A. Pinckney, 27, of Palmdale, Calif., and Tech Sgt. Herman Mackey III, 30, of Bakersfield, Calif.

For more information, media may contact the 92nd Air Refueling Wing public affairs office at 509-247-5705.

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Fallen But Not Forgotten – Spc. Trinidad Santiago Jr., 25, of San Diego, Calif., and Pfc. Charles P. McClure, 21, of Stratford, Okla.

English: 42d Field Artillery coat of arms from http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/FA/42FieldArtilleryRegiment.htm (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

DOD Identifies Army Casualties

 

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died May 2, in Camp Buehring, Kuwait, of injuries sustained in a vehicle accident.  They were assigned to 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

Killed were:

Spc. Trinidad Santiago Jr., 25, of San Diego, Calif., and Pfc. Charles P. McClure, 21, of Stratford, Okla.

For more information media may contact the Fort Carson public affairs office at 719-526-4143/7525 or 719-526-5500 after normal business hours.

Fallen But Not Forgotten – Staff Sgt. Michael H. Simpson, 30, of San Antonio, Texas, died May 1 in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit on April 27, with an improvised explosive device in Arian, Afghanistan

English: JBLM – Emblem (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

 

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Michael H. Simpson, 30, of San Antonio, Texas, died May 1 in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit on April 27, with an improvised explosive device in Arian, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

For more information the media may contact the U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) public affairs office at 910-689-6187.

DOD Announces Recruiting and Retention Numbers for Fiscal 2013, Through March 2013

            Active Component.

Recruiting.  All four active services met or exceeded their numerical accession goals for fiscal 2013, through March.

•  Army – 33,857 accessions, with a goal of 33,520; 101 percent

•  Navy – 17,350 accessions, with a goal of 17,350; 100 percent

•  Marine Corps – 13,010 accessions, with a goal of 12,978; 100 percent

•  Air Force – 13,989 accessions, with a goal of 13,989; 100 percent

Retention.  The Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps exhibited strong retention numbers for the sixth month of fiscal 2013.  The Navy exhibited strong retention numbers in the mid-career and career categories. However, the Navy’s achievement of 90 percent in the initial category is a result of reduced accessions from four to six years ago.

Reserve Component.

Insignia of US Army National Guard (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Recruiting.  Five of the six reserve components met or exceeded their fiscal-year-to-date 2013 numerical accession goals.  The Army Reserve finished January 1,501 accessions short of its goal.  

•  Army National Guard – 26,100 accessions, with a goal of 25,005; 104 percent

•  Army Reserve – 12,976 accessions, with a goal of 14,477; 90 percent

•  Navy Reserve – 2,700 accessions, with a goal of 2,700; 100 percent

•  Marine Corps Reserve – 4,518 accessions, with a goal of 4,472; 101 percent

•  Air National Guard – 4,875 accessions, with a goal of 4,875; 100 percent

•  Air Force Reserve – 3,685 accessions, with a goal of 3,685; 100 percent

Attrition – All Reserve Components have met their attrition goals.  Current trends are expected to continue.  (This indicator lags by one month due to data availability.)

Detailed information on specific recruiting data can be obtained by contacting the individual military recruiting commands at 502-626-0164 for Army, 210-565-4678 for Air Force, 703-784-9454 for Marine Corps, and 901-874-9048 for Navy.  The reserve components can be reached at the following numbers:  National Guard Bureau 703-607-2586; Army Reserve 910-570-8330; Air Force Reserve 703-697-1761; Navy Reserve 757-322-5652; and Marine Corps Reserve 504-678-6535.

National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated as of April 30, 2013

English: From wikipedia; originally uploaded to wikipedia by (67 KB) user:MinnesotaNationalGuard 18:57, 11 December 2007 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

            The Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Navy Reserve and Marine Corps Reserve announced this week a decrease in activated National Guard members and reservists while the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve announced an increase of activated National Guard members and reservists.  The net collective result is 356 fewer National Guard members and reservists activated in comparison to last week.

            At any given time, services may activate some units and individuals while deactivating others, making it possible for these figures to either increase or decrease.  The total number currently on active duty from the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is 39,177; Navy Reserve, 4,298; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 8,507; Marine Corps Reserve, 2,461; and the Coast Guard Reserve, 543.  This brings the total National Guard and Reserve personnel who have been activated to 54,986, including both units and individual augmentees.

A cumulative roster of all National Guard and Reserve personnel who are currently activated may be found online at http://www.defense.gov/news/MobilizationWeeklyReport043013.pdf

Fallen But Not Forgotten – Soldiers Missing From Vietnam War Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that a Navy pilot, missing from the Vietnam War, has been accounted for and will be buried with full military honors along with his crew.

Navy Lt. Dennis W. Peterson of Huntington Park, Calif., was the pilot of a SH-3A helicopter that crashed in Ha Nam Province, North Vietnam.  Peterson was accounted for on March 30, 2012.  Also, aboard the aircraft was Ensign Donald P. Frye of Los Angeles, Calif.; Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Technicians William B. Jackson of Stockdale, Texas; and Donald P. McGrane of Waverly, Iowa.  The crew will be buried, as a group, on May 2 at Arlington National Cemetery.

On July 19, 1967, the four servicemen took off from the USS Hornet aboard an SH-3A Sea King helicopter, on a search and rescue mission looking for a downed pilot in Ha Nam Province, North Vietnam.  During the mission, an enemy concealed 37mm gun position targeted the helicopter as it flew in.  The helicopter was hit by the anti-aircraft gunfire, causing the aircraft to lose control, catch fire and crash, killing all four servicemen.

In October 1982, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (S.R.V.) repatriated five boxes of remains to U.S. officials.  In 2009, the remains within the boxes were identified as Frye, Jackson, and McGrane.

In 1993, a joint U.S./S.R.V. team, investigated a loss in Ha Nam Province.  The team interviewed local villagers who identified possible burial sites linked to the loss.  One local claimed to have buried two of the crewmen near the wreckage, but indicated that both graves had subsequently been exhumed.

Between 1994 and 2000, three joint U.S./S.R.V. teams excavated the previous site and recovered human remains and aircraft wreckage that correlated to the crew’s SH-3A helicopter.  In 2000, U.S. personnel excavated the crash site recovering additional remains.  Analysis from the Joint POW/MIA Command Central Identification Laboratory subsequently designated these additional remains as the co-mingled remains of all four crewmen, including Peterson.

DoD scientists used forensic tools and circumstantial evidence in the identification of the remains.

For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO website at www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call 703-699-1420.

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Fallen But Not Forgotten – The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of four airmen who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Emblem of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing – Emblem (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

DOD Identifies Air Force Casualties

 

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of four airmen who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died April 27, near Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, in the crash of an MC-12 aircraft.  The cause of the crash is under investigation, however initial reporting indicates there was no enemy activity in the area at the time of the crash.

Killed were:

Capt. Brandon L. Cyr, 28, of Woodbridge, Va.  He was assigned to the 906th Air Refueling Squadron, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.  For more information, media may contact the 375th Air Mobility Wing public affairs office at 618-256-4241 or 618-977-2266.

Capt. Reid K. Nishizuka, 30, of Kailua, Hawaii.  He was assigned to the 427th Reconnaissance Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, Calif.  For more information, media may contact the 9th Reconnaissance Wing public affairs office at 530-634-8887 or 530-634-5700.

Staff Sgt. Richard A. Dickson, 24, of Rancho Cordova, Calif.  He was assigned to the 306th Intelligence Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, Calif.  For more information, media may contact the 9th Reconnaissance Wing public affairs office at 530-634-8887 or 530-634-5700.

Staff Sgt. Daniel N. Fannin, 30, of Morehead, Ky.  He was assigned to the 552nd Operations Support Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.  For more information, media may contact the 72nd Air Base Wing public affairs office at 405-414-3674 or 405-739-2171.

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Fallen But Not Forgotten – Capt. Aaron R. Blanchard, 32, of Selah, Wash., and 1st Lt. Robert J. Hess, 26, of Fairfax, Va.

The 10th Mountain Division of the US Army uses bayonets in saltire to represent the Roman numeral X (10) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

DOD Identifies Army Casualties

 

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died April 23, in Pul-E-Alam, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from enemy indirect fire.  The soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Aviation Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Killed were:

Capt. Aaron R. Blanchard, 32, of Selah, Wash., and 1st Lt. Robert J. Hess, 26, of Fairfax, Va.

For more information please contact the Fort Drum public affairs office at 315-772-8286 or 315-523-4546.

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National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated as of April 23, 2013

Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond, co-chair of the Senate National Guard Caucus, addresses the 131st National Guard Association of the United States General Conference (Photo credit: The National Guard)

The Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve announced this week a decrease in activated National Guard members and reservists while the Army National Guard and Army Reserve announced an increase of activated National Guard members and reservists.  The net collective result is 68 additional National Guard members and reservists activated in comparison to last week.

At any given time, services may activate some units and individuals while deactivating others, making it possible for these figures to either increase or decrease.  The total number currently on active duty from the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is 39,757; Navy Reserve, 4,311; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 8,269; Marine Corps Reserve, 2,464; and the Coast Guard Reserve, 541.  This brings the total National Guard and Reserve personnel who have been activated to 55,342, including both units and individual augmentees.

A cumulative roster of all National Guard and Reserve personnel who are currently activated may be found online at http://www.defense.gov/news/MobilizationWeeklyReport042313.pdf

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Fallen But Not Forgotten – Pfc. Barrett L. Austin, 20, of Easley, S.C., died April 21 in Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries sustained when his vehicle was attacked by an enemy improvised explosive device in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, April 17.

39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team shoulder sleeve insignia. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

 

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Pfc. Barrett L. Austin, 20, of Easley, S.C., died April 21 in Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries sustained when his vehicle was attacked by an enemy improvised explosive device in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, April 17.  He was assigned to the 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

For more information media may contact the Fort Stewart public affairs office at 912-435-9874 during duty hours.  After duty hours call 912-767-8666 and ask for the on-call public affairs officer.

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Army Releases March 2013 Suicide Information

 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Army released suicide data today for the month of March 2013.  During March, among active-duty soldiers, there were 10 potential suicides:  three have been confirmed as suicides and seven remain under investigation.  For February 2013, the Army reported 11 potential suicides among active-duty soldiers; four have been confirmed as suicides and seven are under investigation.  For 2013, there have been 41 potential active-duty suicides:  15 have been confirmed as suicides and 26 remain under investigation.  Updated active-duty suicide numbers for 2012:  184 (158 have been confirmed as suicides and 26 remain under investigation).

During March 2013, among reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were 12 potential suicides (eight Army National Guard and four Army Reserve):  none have been confirmed as suicides and 12 remain under investigation.  For February 2013, among that same group, the Army reported 14 potential suicides (eight Army National Guard and six Army Reserve); six have been confirmed as suicides and eight cases remain under investigation.  For 2013, there have been 40 potential not on active duty suicides (22 Army National Guard and 18 Army Reserve): 19 have been confirmed as suicides and 21 remain under investigation.  Updated not on active duty suicide numbers for 2012: 140 (93 Army National Guard and 47 Army Reserve); 138 have been confirmed as suicides and two remain under investigation.

Soldiers and families in need of crisis assistance can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.  Trained consultants are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and can be contacted by dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or by visiting their website at http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org .

Army leaders can access current health promotion guidance in newly revised Army Regulation 600-63 (Health Promotion) at: http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r600_63.pdf and Army Pamphlet 600-24 (Health Promotion, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention) at http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/p600_24.pdf.

The Army’s comprehensive list of Suicide Prevention Program information is located at http://www.preventsuicide.army.mil .

Suicide prevention training resources for Army families can be accessed at http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/suicide/training_sub.asp?sub_cat=20 (requires Army Knowledge Online access to download materials).

Information about Military OneSource is located at http://www.militaryonesource.comor by dialing the toll-free number 1-800-342-9647 for those residing in the continental United States.  Overseas personnel should refer to the Military OneSource website for dialing instructions for their specific location.

Information about the Army’s Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program is located at http://www.army.mil/csf/ .

 

The Defense Center for Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) Outreach Center can be contacted at 1-866-966-1020, via electronic mail at Resources@DCoEOutreach.organd at http://www.dcoe.health.mil.

 

The website for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is http://www.afsp.org/and the Suicide Prevention Resource Council site is found at http://www.sprc.org/index.asp.

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National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated as of April 9, 2013

Dennis McCarthy, assistant secretary of defense for Reserve affairs, addresses the 131st National Guard Association of the United States General Conference (Photo credit: The National Guard)

The Army Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve announced this week a decrease in activated reservists while the Army National Guard and Navy Reserve announced an increase of activated National Guard members and reservists.  The net collective result is 191 additional National Guard members and reservists activated in comparison to last week.

At any given time, services may activate some units and individuals while deactivating others, making it possible for these figures to either increase or decrease.  The total number currently on active duty from the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is 39,102; Navy Reserve, 4,420; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 8,408; Marine Corps Reserve, 2,477; and the Coast Guard Reserve, 539.  This brings the total National Guard and Reserve personnel who have been activated to 54,946, including both units and individual augmentees.

A cumulative roster of all National Guard and Reserve personnel who are currently activated may be found online at http://www.defense.gov/news/MobilizationWeeklyReport040913.pdf

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DOD Identifies Units for Upcoming Afghanistan Rotation

82nd Airborne Division 6-Story Barracks (Photo credit: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District)

The Department of Defense today identified four major units to deploy as part   of the upcoming rotation of forces operating in Afghanistan.  The   scheduled rotation involves one cavalry regiment with roughly 3,000   personnel; one armored brigade combat team (ABCT) with roughly 3,200   personnel; one infantry brigade combat team (IBCT) with roughly 2,200   personnel; and a division headquarters with roughly 450 personnel to rotate   in summer 2013. The deploying units include: Brigade Combat   Teams: 2nd   Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany. 2nd   Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. 3rd   Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Knox, Ky. Division Headquarters: 4th   Infantry Division Headquarters, Fort Carson, Colo. DoD will continue to announce major deployments as they are approved.    For information on the respective deployments, contact the following: for the   2nd Cavalry Regiment, contact the 2nd Cavalry Regiment Chief of Public   Affairs at 011-49-9662-83-5080 or the U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs Office   at 011-49 -611-705-2050; for the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry   Division, contact the 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs Office at   254-287-9400; for the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division,   contact the 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs Office at 785-240-1796; and   for the 4th Infantry Division Headquarters, contact the 4th Infantry Division   Public Affairs Office at 719-503-0071.

 

 

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

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