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January 01, 2004

U.S. Military Blog Archives
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Army to Restructure -- Will Grow by 30,000 Troops

The Army will grow to 510,000 soldiers over the next four years as a temporary measure, a senior Army official said on 29 January. Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld has authorized the Army to exceed end strength limits by 30,000. The increase is allowed under emergency authorities Congress granted the Defense Department.

The focus gives the Army the opportunity to rebalance and reset the forces using the lessons learned from the most recent combat. The Army is putting in place more than 100,000 structural changes.

12:15 PM  #

Junior Solders Get Chance at More Promotion Points

Junior Soldiers in a handful of job specialties have another option to gain promotion points. As of Jan. 11 (2004), skill-based licenses and certifications from civilian sources are worth 10 points. There are 10 career fields that are currently participating in the initiative: Adjutant General, Air Defense Artillery, Aviation, Engineer, Ordnance, Quartermaster, Signal, Transportation, Army Medical Department and Public Affairs.

For a complete overview of the Army Enlisted Promotion System, see Army Enlisted Promotions Made Simple.

12:14 PM  #

Blue Angels Need Enlisted Members

EL CENTRO, Calif -- The Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (Blue Angels) announced there is a shortage of qualified applications for the 2005 season. The application deadline is April 1, 2004, and selection results will be available no later than June 1, 2004.

According to the Navy News Service, there are open billets for aviation machinist’s mate (AD) E-5 through E-7 levels, aviation electrician’s mate (AE) E-4 through E-6 levels, aviation structural mechanic (AM) E-4 through E-6, aviation structural mechanic (equipment) (AME) E-5 level, aviation electronics technician (AT) E-4 through E-6 levels, aviation maintenance administrationman (AZ) E-5 through E-7 levels, storekeeper (SK) E-5 through E-6 levels, and yeoman (YN) E-5 level. YN billets are Type 1 shore duty, and only YNs completing a sea duty tour may apply. A normal tour of duty is three years and is considered Type 2 sea duty for rotational purposes. Outstanding E-4 performers will be considered. For more information, visit the Blue Angels Web Site.

12:14 PM  #

Exchange Task Force Launches Web Site

WASHINGTON -- The group charged with putting together a detailed plan to integrate the three military exchange services into one organization has launched a Web site, according to the American Forces News Service. The Unified Exchange Task Force, formed in May, is using the new site to inform exchange beneficiaries on what is happening to their important benefit.

Currently, three exchanges operate: the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, the Navy Exchange and the Marine Corps Exchange. If Congress would approve any exchange merger, it would still be "some years" down the road before the actual move.
11:41 AM  #

Marine Corps Commissioning Programs

There are several ways to gain a commission in the United States Marine Corps, whether one is currently enlisted, or whether one is currently a civilian college student/graduate. For those Marine Officers not attending the U.S. Naval Academy, the road to a commission as a lieutenant in the Corps begins with one of several programs at Officer Candidates School: The Officer Candidates Class, the Platoon Leaders Course, or the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps.

11:18 AM  #

Guard/Reserve Mobilized

This week the Navy and Air Force each report an increase in the number of reservists on active duty in support of the partial mobilization. The Army and Marine Corps each report a decrease. The net collective result is 240 fewer reservists than last week.

At any given time, services may mobilize some units and individuals while demobilizing others, making it possible for these figures to either increase or decrease. Total number currently on active duty in support of the partial mobilization for the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is 164,416; Naval Reserve 2,000; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 19,757; Marine Corps Reserve, 6,764; and the Coast Guard Reserve, 1,057. This brings the total National Guard and Reserve on active duty to 193,804 including both units and individual augmentees. A cumulative roster of all National Guard and Reserve who are currently on active duty can be found at http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jan2004/d20040128.pdf

09:41 AM  #

Scams That Target Military Members

Scams. It seems to be a consistent problem that affects military members more than others, but experts say there is much that service members can do to prevent becoming victims. In a report titled "In Harm’s Way," the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) has analyzed the problem and has come up with some solutions.

09:40 AM  #

Time is Running Out for Military Children Scholarships

Time is running out to mail in applications for the Scholarships for Military Children Program, which awards $1,500 scholarships to children of military personnel.

The program, sponsored by the Defense Commissary Agency and Fisher House Foundation, was created to recognize the contributions of military families to the readiness of the fighting force, and to celebrate the role of the commissary in the military family community, according to their Web site at www.commissary.com. The goal of the program is to award a scholarship at every commissary location where qualified applications are received.
09:39 AM  #

Blue Angels Accepting Officer Applications

The Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (Blue Angels) is currently accepting officer applications for two demonstration pilots (both Navy and Marine), an events coordinator, a Marine C-130 Pilot, a flight surgeon, a supply officer and an administrative/executive officer.

Demonstration pilot applicants must be carrier qualified tactical jet pilots with 1,250 hours of flight time by Sept. 30 of year applying. Applicants are preferred to be rotating from sea duty or have been on shore duty for less than 12 months. Marine C-130 pilot applicants must have 1,200 hours of flight time and hold an aircraft commander rating in the C-130. Events coordinator applicants must be designated as a naval flight officer (NFO) or weapons systems officer (WSO). For complete information, visit the Blue Angels Web Site.

09:21 AM  #

Air Force Dental Technicians to Train as Hygienists

The Air Force has teamed up with Trident Technical College in Charleston to send dental technicians to an Air Force-sponsored dental hygiene training scholarship program. Graduates of the program earn an associate degree at the end of the 14-month course. Air Force officials plan to send four to five dental technicians a year through TTC, along with five or six others through a similar program at St. Petersburg College in Florida.

08:53 AM  #

TACP Airmen in Afghanistan

"The strong will stand, the weak will fall by the wayside." For Air Force tactical air control party airmen, these words are more than just a motto; they also serve as a battle cry. Wherever American military forces are found, TACP airmen are sure to be nearby. Nicknamed the "Air Force infantry" because they spend most of their career assigned to Army units, tactical controllers can most often be found embedded with special operations forces.

12:30 PM  #

New Web Site Helps Disabled Vets Apply for Special Compensation

A new Web site designed to assist disabled military retirees in applying for Combat-Related Special Compensation went online the week of Jan. 12.

The U.S. Army CSRC Web site, located at www.crsc.army.mil, provides information a disabled military retiree needs to apply for this special compensation, according to the Army News Service. The site provides program guidelines used to determine eligibility for combat-related disability benefits and application procedures for the program.

11:56 AM  #

Military Commissions

The President has authorized the formation of military commissions to try detainees from Afghanistan and Iraq, currently being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The trials will be conducted much in the same manner as a court-martial, under the procedures of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

11:24 AM  #

Mass Exodus not Expected from National Guard

WASHINGTON – Though the Army National Guard and Army Reserve specifically and the reserve components in general have been meeting their recruiting and retention goals, DoD officials still are concerned and are looking for ways to address retention.

But, according to the American Forces News Service, DoD officials do not expect an exodus of Guard soldiers after they return from duty in Afghanistan and Iraq, contrary to news reports earlier.

10:46 AM  #

Guard/Reserve Mobilized

This week the Army and Navy each report an increase in the number of reservists on active duty in support of the partial mobilization. The Air Force and Marine Corps each report a decrease. The net collective result is 1,066 fewer reservists than last week.

At any given time, services may mobilize some units and individuals while demobilizing others, making it possible for these figures to either increase or decrease. Total number currently on active duty in support of the partial mobilization for the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is 165,086; Naval Reserve 1,918; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 19,383; Marine Corps Reserve, 6,790; and the Coast Guard Reserve, 1,057. This brings the total National Guard and Reserve on active duty to 194,234 including both units and individual augmentees. A cumulative roster of all National Guard and Reserve who are currently on active duty can be found at http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jan2004/d20040121.pdf.

10:38 AM  #

Diary of a Sea-Going Sailor, Part 7

Ever wonder what it's like being assigned to a Navy Ship? My good friend, STG1 Patrick Long was recently assigned to duty aboard the USS Porter, which is a United States Navy Destroyer.

Patrick's been kind enough to provide us with a blow-by-blow series on reporting aboard. You'll want to read all seven parts of this multi-part series! In Part 1, Patrick describes the events of reporting to his new ship. Part 2 speaks of what happens after you first board. In Part 3, Patrick describes "Indoc," required for all sailors reporting aboard. Part 4 covers schedules and ship's routine. In Part 5, we thought Patrick was finished, but he recently surprised us by adding a chapter about the ship's organization/chain of command, in Part 6. (Official US Navy Photo)

12:09 PM  #

Air Force Transient Alert

Unlike the old saying which goes, “jack of all trades, master of none,” the transient alert team are "airmen of all aircraft, masters of most." The team is primarily responsible for meeting the fuel, cargo and maintenance needs of military and commercial passenger and cargo aircraft as well as distinguished visitor aircraft not assigned to the base.

11:57 AM  #

USMC Satellite Communications Operators

Marines taking part in Operation Iraqi Freedom sent emails home to friends and family in the United States. However, the fact that they had internet access in the middle of the desert is often overlooked. Even more so is the fact that one job in the Marine Corps allows that sort of communication. And, Marines make it happen.

11:21 AM  #

Combat Zone Shopping

Today, there are at least 30 post exchanges/base exchanges in Iraq and 52 throughout Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. In addition to these stores, AAFES supports troops in isolated and hostile areas, with some 80 unit-run Imprest Fund stores and mobile operations called PX Rodeos.

10:56 AM  #

1,600 Soldiers will Stay Longer in Iraq/Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Defense has approved the extension of selected Army units past their 12-month “boots on the ground” time in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

According to the American Forces News Service, the extensions are for 12 units, affecting approximately 1,600 Soldiers of about 130,000 currently deployed. The time extended will vary by unit, between five and 60 days.

10:30 AM  #

2004 Military Pay Charts

Complete set of military pay charts for 2004. Includes base pay, housing allowance, food allowance, Reserve/National Guard drill pay, dislocation allowance, and more.

10:38 AM  #

More Veterans Being Hired for Federal Jobs

WASHINGTON – Hiring of military veterans across the federal civilian work force increased in fiscal 2002, the government's director of personnel recently reported. In fact, hiring of veterans in the federal work force was up more than 19 percent over the previous fiscal year, Kay Coles James, director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, noted in her agency's most recent annual report to Congress, dated Sept. 30.

According a story on the American Forces News Service, 47,510 veterans were hired government-wide in fiscal 2002, compared to 39,874 hired the year before, representing a 19.2 percent increase.

09:21 AM  #

Guard/Reserve Mobilized

This week the Navy and Marine Corps each report an increase in the number of reservists on active duty in support of the partial mobilization. The Air Force reports a decrease. The Army reports no change. The net collective result is 1,341 more reservists than last week. At any given time, services may mobilize some units and individuals while demobilizing others, making it possible for these figures to either increase or decrease. Total number currently on active duty in support of the partial mobilization for the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is 164,847; Naval Reserve 1,823; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 19,661; Marine Corps Reserve, 7,914; and the Coast Guard Reserve, 1,055. This brings the total National Guard and Reserve on active duty to 195,300 including both units and individual augmentees.

A cumulative roster of all National Guard and Reserve who are currently on active duty can be found at http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jan2004/d20040114.pdf

11:36 AM  #

More Airmen May Move Out of the Dorms

A change in how the Air Force figures unaccompanied housing requirements will call for fewer dormitory rooms -- meaning more airmen could move off base and receive a monetary housing allowance, in the future.

02:18 PM  #

Air Force Looking for Volunteers to Re-Train

The Air Force needs 1,100 noncommissioned officers in surplus career fields to voluntarily retrain into shortage career fields to balance the enlisted force in 2004. The voluntary phase of the fiscal 2004 NCO Retraining Program began Jan. 5 and ends Feb. 23. The program helps balance the enlisted force by moving staff, technical and master sergeants from specialties with surpluses to specialties with shortages.

According to the Air Force News Service, if needed, personnel officials will resort to an involuntary retraining phase March 8 through April 26. A Web page shows members how vulnerable they are and where they stand on a list of their peers by Air Force Specialty Code and grade. The Web page is available at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/enlskills/retraining/retraining/htm. Users must log onto their virtual MPF account to view the data.
02:06 PM  #

R&R Leave Program Expands

Soldiers coming home on rest and recuperation leave will now have their travel expenses covered to the airport closest to their R&R destination. The policy change came with the Dec. 19 approval to fund the onward travel program by Charles Abell, principal deputy, under secretary of defense for Personnel & Readiness.

01:54 PM  #

DOD Begins Gathering Data for 2005 BRAC

WASHINGTON– Base commanders in the United States and its territories and possessions have been asked to gather data on their installations in preparation for the 2005 round of base realignments and closures. The fiscal 2002 National Defense Authorization Act authorized DoD to pursue one BRAC round in 2005. The department will use BRAC to eliminate unnecessary infrastructure and to increase military capability and effectiveness, officials said.

According to an article from the American Forces News Service, officials emphasized that does not mean DoD is considering that installation for closure or realignment, because all installations are being asked to provide data, at this point in the process.

01:43 PM  #

Military Resumes Anthrax Vaccinations

WASHINGTON-- A federal judge ruled Jan. 7 that the Defense Department could again legally administer anthrax immunizations to troops. That same day, DoD personnel chief Dr. David S.C. Chu noted in a departmentwide memorandum that military commanders "should immediately resume the anthrax vaccination program."

According to the American Forces News Service, the department's anthrax vaccine immunization program had been in hiatus since Dec. 23, after an injunction granted the previous day by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia caused DoD to suspend the program.

01:33 PM  #

Disabled Veterans Get Priority for Medical Treatment

The Veterans Affairs Department wants to send veterans with service-connected medical problems to the front of the line when it comes to receiving medical treatment at VA facilities. VA Secretary Anthony J. Principi issued a new directive to all VA medical facilities requiring that "priority access" be given to qualifying veterans seeking appointments for treatment.

01:29 PM  #

New Law Enhances Soldiers & Sailors Civil Relief Act

President Bush has signed the “Servicemembers Civil Relief Act,” new legislation to help ease the economic and legal burdens on military personnel called to active duty status in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Authored by Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Chris Smith, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act updates and strengthens the previous Soldiers & Sailors Civil Relief Act of 1940 (SSCRA).

01:22 PM  #

Guard/Reserve Mobilized

This week the Army reports an increase in the number of reservists on active duty in support of the partial mobilization. The Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps all report a decrease. The net collective result is 10,213 more reservists than last week.

At any given time, services may mobilize some units and individuals while demobilizing others, making it possible for these figures to either increase or decrease. Total number currently on active duty in support of the partial mobilization for the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is 164,847; Naval Reserve 1,491; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 19,942; Marine Corps Reserve, 6,515; and the Coast Guard Reserve, 1,164. This brings the total National Guard and Reserve on active duty to 193,959 including both units and individual augmentees. A cumulative roster of all National Guard and Reserve who are currently on active duty can be found at http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jan2004/d20040107.pdf

08:45 AM  #

FY 2004 Basic Allowance for Sustenance

Basic Allowance for Sustenance (BAS) is a monthly monetary food allowance for military members when it is impractical to consume "free" government meals in the dining facility (chow hall). This year (FY 2004), BAS has been increased 4.8 percent.

12:23 PM  #

Still Hovering After all These Years

With the pull of a lever, 23,000 pounds of thrust slows the forty-seven foot long aircraft to a complete halt over the Lake Michigan shoreline, floating a stones throw away from a crowd boasting more than two million people. For the Marine Corps’ AV-8B Harrier, it’s all in a days work.

With the original design dating back to the late 1950’s, the AV-8A Harrier was finally put into production in 1966 for the British Royal Airforce, then entered into the service with the Marine Corps in the early seventies.

10:42 AM  #

The Osprey

The V-22 Osprey program has suffered serious setbacks throughout its development, but program leaders are confident these problems have been resolved and they are ready to move forward. This tilt-rotor aircraft takes off like a helicopter, then the two rotors mounted to its wings tilt forward to allow it to fly as a plane, converting the craft from helicopter hover mode to airplane mode in 12 seconds.

10:18 AM  #

The Future of Flight

Pilots maneuver aircraft by thought. Helmet-mounted heads-up displays project a virtual reality “soundscape” of the battlefield. Unmanned aircraft launch strike missions on enemy forces while small hand-held robots flit around war zones like gnats, projecting enemy movement back to command centers.

Air Force scientists and others say the dreams of the future are only a few microchips away from reality.

08:48 AM  #

Civil Affairs Soldiers

Army Civil Affairs Soldiers (MOS 38A) are the interface between civil and military operations. Civil affairs teams help with rebuilding by assisting the different levels of governments to rebuilding themselves.

07:59 AM  #

Army Expected to Expand Stop-Loss

WASHINGTON -- Army officials are expected to expand the stop-loss/stop-movement program soon to include more soldiers deployed in support of the war on terror. An Army announcement, expected within the next week or two, will broaden the number of soldiers whose separations, retirements and reassignments are temporarily placed "on hold."

The current stop-loss restrictions took effect Nov. 13 and cover active-duty soldiers while they are deployed outside the continental United States in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The Army's Reserve Component Unit Stop Loss policy took effect in November 2002. It applies to Reserve and National Guard soldiers deployed in support of the war on terror, from the time their unit is alerted until 90 days after demobilization.

07:40 AM  #


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