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Should gay domestic partners be authorized the same benefits as milit…
A recent article by Associated Press reporter Kimberly Hefling raises an interesting point: If gays are allowed to serve openly in the US Military, should their domestic parters be autorized to receive the same benefits as military spouses?
Living On or Off Base -- Which is Better?
Many military members have the choice to live on-base or off-base. So, which is better? There is no clear answer. It depends on your branch of service, the base you're assigned to, the policies of your base/command, whether you are married or single, and whether you are a junior member or have a few years of service under your belt.
During...
Verifying Active Duty Service
For a small fee, this site performs searches to determine whether an individual is on active military duty. This includes active duty members, and members of the Guard and Reserve who are on active duty orders.
New MREs Approved
Driven by Warfighter preferences, DoD Combat Feeding Directorate keeps improving and adding items to Meals, Ready-to-Eat. The nation's Warfighters can look forward to numerous new food items and improvements in the next version of MREs, which were recently approved and will go into production in 2008.
Military Christmas Poem
A real tear-jerker about Santa and a military veteran.
War of Logistics
America has an easily overlooked advantage, which is its genius in logistics.
Annual Defense Reports
Annual reports to Congress for the years 1995 through 2000.
2003 - A Banner Year for Recruiting and Retention
Despite predictions to the contrary, Americans are continuing to volunteer for the military, and those already in service are re- enlisting at a vigorous rate. Early in the global war on terrorism, critics predicted the U.S. would have to return to the draft to man the forces. But in this 30th year of the all-volunteer force, the military continues to meet recruiting and retention goals.
Alphabet
The phonetic alphabet used by the United States Military.
2006 Gallup Poll
The 2006 Gallup poll results on public confidence are in and the military is again at the top of the list.
Acronyms
Search for the definition of military and other acronyms from the Acronym Finder -- a database with over 115,000 acronyms.
Aircraft Flyovers
Request an aircraft flyover from the Department of Defense at your next public event.
Alcohol Abuse in the Military
Twenty-one percent of service members admit to drinking heavily.
Memorial Day
Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. While those who died are also remembered on Veterans Day, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime.
Anthologies - Serving with Honor
Collection of stories written by current and former men & women of the military about serving our country.
All Volunteer Force - Proven
The all-volunteer force took nearly a generation to come to fruition, but has since proved its worth in combat. Thirty years after then-Defense Secretary Melvin R. Laird established the all- volunteer force, some politicians are again calling for resumption of a military draft. Defense leaders are crying foul; they don't want it, and they don't need it.
Armsnet
A daily news page for military and law enforcement. Includes tactical and combat gear for sale to individuals and agencies.
Air Force Locator
Information from the Air Force about locating active duty and retired Air Force personnel.
Air Force Academy Graduate Locator
Dedicated to keeping graduates of the Air Force Academy in touch in each other.
1-800-USA-SEARCH
Assists in locating people in the U.S. for a modest fee.
Acronyms and Abbreviations
Acronyms like "DOD" driving you crazy? Look up their real meaning in this online database of DOD acronyms and abbreviations.
Your Vote Counts
Time is running out to make your vote count to help decide who leads our country into the future. The 2004 November general election is just around the corner, and U.S. service members deployed overseas are encouraged to exercise their right to vote through absentee balloting, which is part of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
Wearing Military Uniforms
On October 31st of each year, small children (and some not-so-small "children") dress up in costumes and go door-to-door begging strangers for candy. Some of these folks, both small and tall will be wearing replicas of United States Military Uniforms. Is that legal?
Army Security Locator
Online database designed to search for Army Security Agency veterans.
Background Briefings
Transcripts of Defense Department background briefings.
Band of Brothers
Outstanding review of the hit HBO mini-series "Band of Brothers," by About.com's Adelle Vancil Tilton.
Base Closure Listing
Bases which were closed by the 1988 through 1995 Base Closure Commissions.
Becoming a Citizen in the U.S. Military
The Department of Defense and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) examined ways to streamline the processing of certain naturalization (citizenship) applications for military servicemembers. Several changes have been implemented which should substantially reduce the time for processing applications.
Black Military History
Historical account of African American participation in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Boot Camp Challenge
Boot Camp Challenge is a continuing interactive story, which features our hero (Private G. I. Joe), who is trying his best (with your help) to make it through a fictional U.S. Military boot camp (military basic training). So, join along and see if you can give Private Joe a little help dealing with other recruits, KP duty, and the care and feeding of Drill Sergeants.
Burial at Sea
Burial at Sea is a means of final disposition of remains that is performed on United States Navy vessels. The committal ceremony is performed while the ship is deployed. Therefore, family members are not allowed to be present. The CO of the ship assigned to perform the ceremony will notify the family of the date, time, and, longitude and...
Casualty (Death) Entitlements - Retired
This page is designed to provide general information on most federal benefits and privileges you may be entitled to as survivors of a deceased military retiree.
Center for Defense Information
Non Profit organization, dedicated to tracking and commenting on defense issues.
Ceremony Locations
Great patriotic locations which can be used for retirement, reenlistment, promotion, and other military ceremonies.
Chaplains
A brief overview of military chaplains.
Chemical Warfare Agent Fact Sheets
Description symptoms and treatment for the primary chemical weapons threats of today.
Citizenship
Procedures to obtain U.S. Citizenship for active duty members and military family members.
Coast Guard Locator
Procedures for locating active duty personnel in the United States Coast Guard.
Commissaries
Information, locations, and operating hours for military commissaries all over the World.
Daily Summaries
Updated daily. Summery of what is currently happening in the Defense Department.
Dear Any Servicemember
The Anthrax threat has resulted in the termination of the "Any Servicemember" mail program and the Operation Dear Abby program. However, there are other ways you can show support to our Military members.
Decklog
Online Database designed to assist in locating present and former Members of the U.S. Navy.
Dedication to the First Sergeant
Dedicated to that enlisted person who carries the beeper 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
DOD Occupational Database
The ODB provides data on Service occupations, DoD Occupation Codes, and occupation descriptions, requirements, histories, and relationships to civilian occupations to support DoD, Service, and other federal agency manpower and personnel programs.
Dormitories
The 20/20 plan, now known as the One Plus One Plan was approved in 1997. The current plan calls for all of the services to offer a single room (no roommate) to all single enlisted personnel by the year 2005. The plan will then move to the next phase, which will include giving all single enlisted personnel a two-room "suite."
Dot.Mil
Military analyst William M. Arkin's biweekly Washington Post column which focuses on the national security dimensions of the Web.
Rank and Insignia Charts
Chart which shows all the service's military rank & insignia side-by-side for easy comparison.
Draft History
Background of the Selective Service (Draft) System for the United States.
Draft Registration
Almost all male U.S. citizens, and male aliens living in the U.S., who are 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service. Now, you can register online.
Dress & Appearance
What military uniform should be worn on which occasion? Helpful chart which shows which uniforms are appropriate for specific duties.
Drill (Marching)
Basic drill (marching) individual movements, such as attention, parade rest, left (right) face, and more.
Drivers License Requirements
Will your spouse or children be required to get a new drivers license when you PCS? Check out this handy chart.
Drug Test Positive Rates
The Defense Department is continuing its anti-drug efforts with a new policy that involves more frequent random testing of active duty military, reservists and civilian employees. Included in this article are the urinalysis drug test positive rates for all of the services for FY 2001.
Drug Tests
Think you can beat a military drug test (urinalysis)? Think again. Here's how the test works, and why it's so hard to beat.
Email Service
SoldierNet.com provides personal email services on over 70 military domains. They provide secure encrypted connections for airmen, sailors, soldiers and their family members to access their email with privacy while at home, deployed, on the road or traveling.
Email Service
Email Command provides secure and private email services for veterans, retired military personnel and military families. Custom email domains such as ArmyMom.com and NavySailor.net are available to users.
Emergency Location of Active Duty
Contract the Red Cross for emergency notification of serious illness, or death within the family.
Enlistment/Reenlistment Contract
Ever wonder exactly what is on that military enlistment/reenlistment contract?
Beret History
Military forces have worn distinctive uniform items for centuries to create a psychological advantage and boost their esprit de corps, but the United States Military use of berets is a relatively recent phenomenon.
Ethics and Conflicts of Interest
Ethics are standards by which one should act based on values. Values are core beliefs such as duty, honor, and integrity that motivate attitudes and actions. DoDD 5500.7, Standards of Conduct, provides guidance to Air Force personnel on standards of conduct, ethics, and conflicts of interest. Violations of the punitive provisions by military personnel can result in prosecution under the UCMJ.
Federal Employee Health Benefits
Questions and answers about medical benefits for federal employees.
Fraternization
When does romance or friendship turn into a crime? Each of the five services have similar, yet different policies about fraternization. Here are the fraternization policies of all the military services, in detail.
Funerals
The Department of Defense (DOD)'s home page for the military (veteran) funeral program. Contains information on eligibility, procedures, and contact information.
Geneva Conventions
When one speaks of the Geneva Conventions, they are usually referring to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, which was ratified in the aftermath of World War II. Here are the articles of the Geneva Conventions relative to the treatment of Prisoners of War (POWs).
GI Stories
Site for veterans of all the military services to post photos and military-related stories.
Grooming Standards
In the military, there is little room for "personal expression," when it comes to appearance. Like it or not, the American public often judges the discipline and effectiveness of a military service based, in part, on the manner in which the uniform is worn, and the personal appearance of that service's uniformed personnel.
Hackworth
The Wit and Wisdom of America's Number One Military Columnist.
History
Numerous stories and articles about the history of the U.S. Military - constantly updated.
History
All about military history with Stephen C. Ural, About.com's Guide to Military History.
Hullnumber.com
Select your Navy ship, then look for old shipmates, or register your own information so shipmates can find you.
IG Reports
FY2000 Inspector General Reports.
Inspectors General
A brief overview of how the Inspector General system works in the military and how you can use it to help resolve problems.
Interview with Stepen Coonts
Opinions from the bestselling military-thriller author of Flight of the Intruder, The Seige, and now -- his new novel, CUBA.
Itaewon - On the Town
Sharply critical 1996 article about the U.S. Military stationed in South Korea. Exagerated, but lots of truth here.
Job Statistics
Military personnel by broad occupational category and branch of military service as of October 2001.
Law of Armed Conflict
The LOAC arises from a desire among civilized nations to prevent unnecessary suffering and destruction while not impeding the effective waging of war. A part of public international law, LOAC regulates the conduct of armed hostilities. It also aims to protect civilians, prisoners of war, the wounded, sick, and shipwrecked.
Leave (Vacation), Liberty, and Passes
One of the entitlements most new military personnel want to learn about is LEAVE. Leave is paid vacation from duty for recreation and relief from the pressures of job-related duties. You may also take leave for personal reasons and emergency situations. A "pass" (called "liberty" in the Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps) is time-off, not chargeable as leave.
May is National Military Appreciation Month
Both chambers of the U.S. Congress have adopted a resolution calling for Americans to recognize and honor U.S. service members during May's National Military Appreciation Month.
Medical Standards
Medical standards for continued service in the United States Military.
Military Acenstors
Even if you have never heard of military veterans in your family tree, try a bit of research and you might be surprised. Great article from Kimberly Powell, the About Guide for Genealogy.
Military Connections
Online community dedicated for military folks to communicate and reconnect with military buddies.
Military Funeral Honors
As with the military itself, our armed forces' final farewell to comrades is steeped in tradition and ceremony.
Military History Research
Detailed research of military history, unit reports, ship logs, records, etc., for a modest fee.
Military Locator Procedures
Exact procedures for locating military personnel through official channels.
Military Marriage & Honeymoons
Recent news articles have reported a dramatic upsurge in the number of military weddings. With continuing deployments and the future uncertain, it's no wonder so many couples are tying the knot. Join About's Honeymoon & Romatic Getaways Guide and I as we answer questions concerning military weddings and honeymoons.
Military Matters
Archived online editions of Military Matters, the twice-weekly About.com U.S. Military Newsletter.
Military One Source
The Defense Department has established a "one stop" place to go whenever service members or family members need assistance with any kind of problem. It's called "Military One Source," and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The services include everything from common, everyday difficulties that might face a family to life's most complicated situations.
Military Rank History & Trivia
History and interesting trivia about U.S. Military rank and insignia.
Military Resources in Corpus Christi, TX
Military Information with a focus on Corpus Christi, Texas.
Military Service Credit for Federal Civilian Retirement
In general, military service can be credited to Federal Government Employee Retirement, if the employee makes a contribution to the retirement fund of seven percent of the base pay they received while in the military.
Military Statistics
Statistical information about number of personnel assigned, minorities in uniform, rank breakdown, women in uniform, reserves, defense budget, weapons, and more.
Military vs. Civilian
about the widening gap between military professionals and civilian members of our society.
Military Writing Help
Can't think of anything better to write than "Capt Joe Did a Good Job?" Check out these helpful hints for commendation letters, decorations, and Efficiency Reports.
Missing Friends
Find missing military and non-military friends.
MREs
New this year to the MRE menu board are pot roast with vegetables, barbecue pork ribs and vegetable manicotti. New side dishes are hearty New England clam chowder and a carbohydrate-fortified applesauce.
New "Smart" ID Cards
Over the next several years, DoD officials expect "smart cards" to replace the identification cards of all active duty military, Selected Reserve personnel, DoD civilian employees and eligible contractors.
New Pay and Finance System
A new Web-based system will integrate all of the services' military personnel and pay systems. The Defense Integrated Military Human Resources System will provide 'one-stop shopping' for service members when it is fully implemented. The Army will be the first user, with an initial operations capability set for November 2005.
News and Official Announcements
Official announcements and news releases for the military services and DOD.
Online Chat with Dale Dye
Log of our online chat with Vietnam War hero and best-selling military author, Dale Dye.
Overseas Mailing Deadlines for Holidays
The dates for mailing items to and from overseas locations in time for the holidays are fast approaching, and Military Postal Service Agency officials have suggestions for ensuring packages and letters arrive on time.
Poetry
Collection of poems for, about, and by the United States military.
Polls
Results of weekly military opinion polls published over the past several months.
Security Clearance Approval/Disapproval Guidelines
Under Executive Order (issued by the President of the United States), the military services must use certain factors when determining whether or not to approve a security clearance.
Security Clearance Decisions
Decisions for military contractor personnel for the past several years. These cases give a very good indication of what may or may not result in the denial of a secuirty clearance.
Security Clearance Questionaire
Standard Form (SF) 86 - Security Clearance Questionaire. This is the form one must complete in order to qualify for a security clearance.
Send a MARS Gram
Send a Free MARS telegram to a service member deployed to a remote location or on a ship.
Separation & Reenlistment Codes
Reenlistment Eligibility Codes & Separation Codes determine whether or not one may reenlist or enlist at a later time in another military service.
Service Number to Social Security Numbers
Dates the individual services switched over from using military service numbers to using social security numbers for identification purposes.
Silver Dollar Salute
About the custom of brand new officers presenting a silver dollar to the first enlisted person to salute them.
Smoking Rates
Tobacco use in DoD has dropped significantly in the last two decades, generally mirroring civilian rates.
Statistics
Active duty statistical information, including Active Duty Military Strength by Service, Active Duty Military Personnel by Service by Region/Country, and Active Duty Military Personnel by Service by Rank/Grade.
Spending
Breakdown of FY99 State Department and DOD Spending.
Support Your Military Members
The anthrax threat has eliminated programs where people can send mail to 'any servicemember.' Don't fear, however. There are plenty of other ways you can show your support for members of the United States Military.
The Fact Book
Contains 1998 information on DOD federal employee salaries, demographics, work years, and performance. Acrobat Reader is needed to view these files.
The Seeker.com
Site to help you locate missing military people.
Time
Military time is based on a 24 hours clock which begins each day at midnight (which is 0000 hrs). Here's a handy chart of military time.
Vet Friends
Free membership allows you to search for veterans, post personal ads and reunion information.
Veteran Locator
American Division Veteran Association Locator. Listing of current and former military personnel.
Veteran's Day
Veterans' statistics, Medal of Honor, history of the holiday, and more.
Veterans Alumni Association
Helping veterans find veterans since 1981.
Veterans Day
Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country. While those who died are also remembered on Veterans Day, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime.
Voting Online
The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) has begun conducting a large Internet registration and voting demonstration for the 2004 election. Thousands of absentee uniformed services personnel and their dependents, will have the opportunity to register to vote and cast their ballots from any Windows-based computer with Internet access, anywhere in the world.
Voting
General information about voting for military personnel.
Web Search
Listing of links to directories and search engines specializing in military data from your About.com Guide to Web Search.
Who Wants to be a General?
Military information quizes to test your knowledge of military trivia.
Why Soldiers Fight
A study released in July (2003) adds new perspective to the age-old question of why soldiers fight. Dr. Leonard Wong, associate research professor at the U.S. Army War College’s Strategic Studies Institute said the paper 'Why They Fight: Combat Motivation in the Iraq' validated the popular belief that unit cohesion is a key issue in motivating soldiers to fight.
Military Records
You can order a copy of your military records, or -- if you are a "Next of Kin," you can order military records for a deceased veteran. Additionally, you can request "public" portions of records for other veterans.
World War II
Dedicated to assisting those who are trying to locate veterans from WW II.
Youth Attitude Study
Yearly studies by the Department of Defense about American youth's attitude toward military service.
Memorial Day -- What are Your Plans?
Memoial Day is a day set aside to remember and honor our war-dead. What do you plan to do on Memorial Day?
Holloween
Should you be allowed to wear a military uniform on holloween? Readers respond.
Readers Respond to U.S. MILITARY BERET HISTORY
Reader shares his experience with the U. S. Military Beret
Veterns Day
User answers: What do you plan to do to celebrate veterens
day?
Veterans Day
Many Americans mistakenly believe that Veterans Day is the day America sets aside to honor American military personnel who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained from combat. That's not quite true. Memorial Day is the day set aside to honor America's war dead.