The Department of Defense has released its recruiting statistics for the month of October 2009. All of the military branches are off to a strong start in this brand new fiscal year (a "fiscal year" runs from October 1 to September 30).

Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command is making women an integral part of spec ops teams in Afghanistan, where they'll be used to develop a rapport with Afghan women and, it is hoped, build broader support for the frail Afghan government, according to an article in the Marine Corps Times.

MarSOC's first female engagement team -- comprising a captain, two corporals and a Navy corpsman -- will spend about nine months with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, which is scheduled to take command of a task force later this year that will oversee U.S. spec ops forces in northern and western Afghanistan. By attaching female troops to spec ops teams, officials hope to better navigate local Afghan customs that often prohibit interaction between women and men who are not members of their families.

The Air Force has released its re-enlistment bonus rates for FY 2010 and it's good news. The Air Force has increased bonus amounts in 35 AFSCs (jobs), and added 10 AFSCs to the list. However, bonuses went down in 32 jobs, and 2 AFSCs fell off the list.

Two top Republicans warn that the national health care reform plan approved by the House of Representatives could end up hurting military retirees and veterans, according to an article in the Army Times.

Reps. Howard "Buck" McKeon of California, ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, and Steve Buyer of Indiana, ranking Republican on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, said they fear the Affordable Health Care for America Act that passed the House by a 220-215 vote on Saturday would restrict options and possibly reduce coverage for veterans, retirees and their families.