FORT DRUM, N.Y., Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Fifty service members competed last week in the seventh 10th Mountain Division Combatives Tournament at Magrath Sports Complex. While many Soldiers in the division are currently deployed to Afghanistan in support of overseas contingency operations, Soldiers who are still stationed here consider events like this to be extremely beneficial for training purposes. Soldiers like Pfc. Damien Fraser, 1st Battalion, 87th Infant  more

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash., Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Soldiers of the 14th Engineer Battalion, a component unit of the 555th Engineer Brigade, were recognized for their dangerous work during a year-long deployment to Afghanistan in 2011-2012 in a ceremony at Able Field Jan. 30. During the ceremony, representatives from the Seattle post of the Society of American Military Engineers SAME, a nonprofit organization made up of military and civilian engineers, award  more

FORT DRUM, N.Y., Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: From that first push-up and sit-up in basic training, Soldiers are expected to maintain a level of physical fitness throughout their careers that will help them perform their military duty during combat. Fitness facilities and exercise equipment is made available on all military installations and improves over time. Nestled in the motor pool area of 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, is   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Division are already familiar with the Army's Master Resilience Training program, having completed multiple levels of the training as required by division policy. They have resiliency tools at their disposal. But, what about their spouses? The 2nd Infantry Division Resilience Team and the Area I Army Community Service have partnered to provide spouses with quarterly, voluntary resilience training  more

FORT RILEY, Kan., Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: What may seem like a simple act often goes a long way in supporting Soldiers, and one local volunteer was recently recognized for just that. "By sending these cards ... You give (Soldiers) encouragement," said 91-year old Marie Cundiff, Junction City. "It's not going to make them happy when they're hurt, but it's going to help." Cundiff received the Helping Hand Award Jan. 29 at the post's Volunteer of the Quarter cere  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Whether you are a first time mover or a seasoned military family, moving to a military post can be very disorienting and frustrating. Often a building number is all you have as a guide to your on-post destination. The 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade launched its pilot "Newcomers Spouse Tour" last week. The tour is part of the brigade's Sponsorship and Integration Program, and was suggested by brigade family readiness support  more

TUCSON, Ariz., Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: The U.S. Army Phoenix Recruiting Battalion partnered with the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute held educational interventions at four Tucson high schools in the form of the Student Leadership Summits. The goals of the summits were to promote post secondary education among Hispanic students and demonstrate how the Army can help them prepare mentally and financially to take on the challenges of college. Statistics show 27 pe  more

HONOLULU, Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: It was only a few years ago that Malika Moretti took steps to change her life. In 2012, the former stay-at-home mother finished grad school. She reached her dream of becoming an American citizen in January. Now, she's on her way to reaching another goal: becoming a Navy officer. Born in Poland and raised in Denmark and Germany, Malika moved to the United States in 2001 to follow her heart and husband, Sgt. 1st Class Christian   more

FORT RUCKER, Ala., Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Army Aviation brigade commanders, their command warrant officers and command sergeants major who were not deployed participated in the Aviation Senior Leaders Conference held at Fort Rucker Jan. 28-31. Maj. Gen. Kevin W. Mangum, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker commanding general, hosted the event that included breakout sessions and guest speakers. Aviation leaders tackled key issues impacting the   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: President Abraham Lincoln instituted the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which legally freed African Americans from slavery during the Civil War. But their plight for equality continued to be a highly contentious issue in America for many years to come. In 1963, the civil rights movement peaked with the March on Washington and the dictation of what is arguably the most famous speech in our nation's history, the Rev. Dr. Mart  more

FORWARD OPERATING BASE APACHE, Afghanistan, Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Every year in the United States the month of February is set aside to pay tribute to people and events that have played a key role in the history of African diaspora, or in layman's terms, the communities throughout the world that have been impacted by the historic movement of people from Africa to other nation's shores and our own. One cannot argue the historical significance that African Americ  more

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash., Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Muscles fatigued, abs twitching and fingers slipping, the cadet struggles to lift her worn boots over the pull-up bar for the fifth time. Staring forward, with time quickly slipping away, a new found burst of energy propels her legs up as her heels slap together just over the top of the bar. "Six," the score keeper shouts. Jumping down from the bar to allow a teammate to take over, the cadet bends over i  more

FORT BLISS, Texas, Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: During the initial stages of Army Contracting Command's Joint Contracting Readiness Exercise 2013 here, senior military leaders ' uniformed and civilians ' conducted professional workshops to offer their advice and counsel to officers, noncommissioned officers and civilians participating in this year's event. "The Army 1102 civilians (contracting officers) are absolutely essential to our ability to train and develop thei  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: "No glove, no love." "Respect yourself, protect yourself." These common slogans are used when referring to condom use. Condoms are commonly used to prevent pregnancy. However, proper use of condoms can protect against human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, and sexually transmitted infections, or STIs. According to the August 2010 issue of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center's Medical Surveillance Monthly Report, STI's  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Many Soldiers accept jobs in the military that have nothing to do with their former civilian careers. However, Sgt. Kenneth Gaunt, a native of Colorado Springs, Colo., knew exactly what he had to offer when he enlisted. "Before joining the Army, I was a certified welder in the civilian sector," said Gaunt, a wheel vehicle mechanic who fills in as an allied trade specialist and machinist for Bravo Field Maintenance Company, 7  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Federal, state, and local interagency mission partners were thanked for their interagency teamwork during the 57th Presidential Inauguration by the commanding general of U.S. Northern Command (Northcom), Gen. Charles H. Jacoby, Jr. Jacoby attended a working luncheon at Fort McNair during his visit to the Nation's Capital this week, and encouraged attendees to continue their close working relationship with the Joint Force Headqu  more

FORT CARSON, Colo., Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Sgt. Jon Silvey urged his teammate forward Jan. 31 at the recreational lot near Gate 20. "Right," he called, gesturing with his hand and walking to the right up the dirt road between the motor homes and recreational vehicles. "Left," he said, moving toward the left. With each command, his teammate, Turbo, obeyed, zigzagging his way up the road. As the black Labrador retriever sniffed the ground, he halted, iden  more

FORT RILEY, Kan., Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: When Albert Curley was a noncommissioned officer in the Army, he taught his Soldiers to take advantage of opportunities to better themselves. "Nothing is given to you," said Curley, a retired first sergeant. "You've got to earn it." Curley remembers the days of segregation when the Officers' Club was all white simply because there were no African American officers. "The biggest change now is you have qualified black  more

FORT HOOD, Texas, Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: The only current Airborne unit on this sprawling Central Texas Army installation added a twist to their monthly static-line jump when six Soldiers also participated in a Military Free Fall here, Feb. 5. Eighty-eight Soldiers from Company C, 2nd Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment (Airborne) (Long-Range Surveillance), participated in the static-line jump, a monthly exercise that helps the unit's Soldiers maintain their profici  more

FORT HOOD, Texas, Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Marily Considine was named Fort Hood's candidate for Military Spouse of the Year, Jan. 22, a competition through Military Spouse Magazine, and she moved on to the all-Army competition against the winning candidates from Army installations worldwide, which took place on Feb. 5. Marily will find out if she won the all-Army voting on Feb. 21, and if she wins there, she will go on to represent the Army against all other branc  more

FORT LEE, Va., Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Honoring a proud 112-year history of helping others, Kenner Army Health Clinic celebrated the anniversary of the Army Nurse Corps Friday. The tribute included a luncheon, remarks by Lt. Col. Richard Prior, deputy commander for nursing at the clinic, and a photo presentation that told the history of the Army Nurse Corps and reflected its tradition of professional and dedicated service. This annual celebration increases awa  more

FORT MCCOY, Wis., Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: The Fort McCoy Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Woodshop provides experienced and beginner woodworkers with a variety of equipment and classes. The Woodshop, building 1133, has 13 pieces of woodworking machinery in addition to a variety of hand and power tools that can be used to complete almost any woodworking project, said Nick Sanjari, Woodshop manager. "Equipment like the planer, lathe, drum sander a  more

FORT RILEY, Kan., Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: "Ecstatic, elated, happy, pleased, proud, all those words come to mind," is how Ronald Walker, superintendent, Geary County Schools Unified School District 475, described his feelings about the groundbreaking for the new Fort Riley Middle School. "It's just a sheer point of relief," he said. Walker, who had been advocating for a sorely-needed upgraded facility for seven years, saw his dream come to fruition as official  more

VILSECK, Germany, Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Fox Sports Girl, Liddy, dons a gasmask along with her Bravo Troop, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, teammates during the Commander's Challenge, here, Feb. 7. Fox Sports Girls and Major League Baseball stars like Hall of Famer Wade Boggs, Angels fielder Tim Salmon and Phillies catcher Brian Schneider, joined members of the 2CR for the Commander's Challenge for Fox Sports' "Spring Training to the Troops." Decked out in hats and glo  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: The Directorate Plans Training Mobilization Security (DPTMS) Operations, Family Morale Welfare and Recreation and Grafenwoehr Public Affairs in cooperation with Installation Management Command Europe, IMCOM Houston and U.S. Army Europe coordinated the visit. The leadership with USAREUR and IMCOM-E concurred that the Bavaria Military Community and U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr was the ideal location to host the visit based on t  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: With a primary mission of moving troops, equipment and life-saving supplies on the battlefield, the Chinook helicopter remains the heavy lift workhorse for Army aviation. The Cargo Helicopters Project Office is constantly striving to improve, upgrade and provide modifications to the Chinook in order to reduce the burden on the Soldier. One of those needed upgrades is the Cargo On/Off Loading System, or COOLS. "COOLS is a sys  more

FORT BRAGG, N.C., Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: On Friday, February 1, 2013, history came alive for the more than 500 people in attendance at the Fort Bragg Officer's Club. The event, part of the African American Heritage Observance, was hosted by the 8th Military Information Support Group (Airborne) Equal Opportunity office, and the start of African American History Month at Fort Bragg, N.C. Featured guest speaker, Mr. Donald Elder, captivated the audience with his st  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Technology is a wonderful thing, global-positioning systems easily pin point our location and direct us on the quickest route and even help us get back on track when we get lost. Society as a whole has become almost completely dependent on such luxuries, but what would you do if it suddenly stops working? Soldiers realize that electronics are not always reliable, because batteries can die; signals can fad, inclement weather or   more

FORT SILL, Okla., Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Paula Creamer, Ladies Professional Golf Association player, sported her typical hot pink to Fort Sill Jan. 31 to find out what she can do for those wearing Army green. "There's so many wonderful organizations that give back to the military. I'm one person, it's a little bit different than the mass organizations, but if I can help in any way, if I can help one family I feel like I'm doing a good deed," said Creamer. The  more

FORT HOOD, Texas, Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: The Center for Army Profession and Ethic hosted a weeklong course for Soldiers here, Feb. 4-8. The Master Army Profession and Ethic Trainer is a five-day course specially designed for Army professionals and leaders to go through. At the end of the course, those Army leaders are better able to support and aid their commanders and units in managing a professional development program at their unit levels or Army school. "  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: When it came to energy consumption as a naval installation tenant, the Corpus Christi Army Depot had no way of monitoring their machinery's usage rates. That data had to come from the Navy through their main feeder, and even then these usage rates were assumed. "There was no way of real-time keeping track of how any of our major pieces of equipment were operating," said Sean Dust, Mechanical Engineer of S4, Infrastructure Opera  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: A test program with the Government Purchase Card Program by the Mission and Installation Contracting Command-Fort Hood is yielding success through cost savings for military customers in a fiscally challenging environment while also identifying efficiencies in the program. Beginning in June 2012, the MICC-Fort Hood, in conjunction with FedBid, entered into a test program with the installation'  more

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea, Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Military officials honored the heroic deeds of the Soldiers who fixed bayonets and charged up hill through enemy machine gun fire here, 62 years ago. Together with South Korean and U.S. military officials, Eighth Army Deputy Commander for Support Maj. Gen. Chris Gentry attended the 62nd anniversary ceremony for the Battle of Hill 180, Feb. 7 at the site where the storied Korean War bayonet charge took place.   more

FORT DRUM, N.Y., Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Friday night can be a special night where some Families dine in their favorite restaurant to spend some quality time together. It's no secret that there are plenty of places to eat in the communities surrounding Fort Drum; however, it's not necessary to travel too far. Soldiers assigned to 10th Sustainment Brigade hosted a Family Night at the Muleskinner Consolidated Dining Facility during the dinner service Jan. 25 in ord  more

LOWELL, Mass., Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Scientists and engineers from Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center will join faculty and student researchers from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in a new research and development initiative that was announced Feb. 7 at the UMass Lowell campus. Known as "HEROES" -- Harnessing Emerging Research Opportunities to Empower Soldiers -- the effort will feature collaborative research projects aimed at S  more

FORT DRUM, N.Y., Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Noncommissioned officers across the Army are expected to uphold the motto, "Lead from the Front." A select few stationed at Fort Drum are sustaining that motto in the North Country and have been busy re-establishing an organization that has been inactive for more than five years. The 10th Mountain Division (LI) Sgt. Audie Murphy Club has already begun gaining attention from members who were inducted at other installations.  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: She's new to Fort Sill and to being the director of Army Community Service, but she's no stranger to taking care of Soldiers and their families. Jean Mills was the deputy director of Family Programs at IMCOM Headquarters, before taking the reins of ACS, and she brings knowledge and years of experience to the job. "I've worked in ACS as the Employment Readiness Program manager and then was the Family Readiness Program manager  more

FORT BLISS, Texas, Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Approximately 125 Army Reserve engineers with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 411th Engineer Brigade, 412th Theater Engineer Command, returned home Thursday, Feb. 7, after nine months in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Maj. Gen. William M. Buckler, Jr., commanding general of 412th Theater Engineer Command, Command Sgt. Maj. Steven Hatchell, interim command sergeant major of 412th TEC, and Col  more

FORT DRUM, N.Y., Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Fort Drum's two anti-terrorism officers spend much of their time examining the installation through the enemy's eyes, ensuring that the world's worst-case scenarios never make it onto the installation. The dedication of John Simard and Bill Ladd to secure the post paid off last month when the program they run at Fort Drum was named the Army's top anti-terrorism effort. Winning the 2012 Best Army Anti-terrorism Program (  more

BELLOWS AIRFIELD, Hawaii, Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: The commanding general of the Philippine Army learned the capabilities and reach of the Asia Pacific Counter IED Fusion Center following a brief and demonstration from the center's director and staff February 7. Following his visit, Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes said he would like to have a similar training center dedicated to defeating explosive devices back in his home country. "The management and organization is th  more

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo., Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Many family members of recently-deployed service members find themselves in a different roll, with new responsibilities, upon their service member's return from combat. If Post traumatic Stress Disorder is involved, family members may now occupy a different and greater care-giver role, and in many circumstances may even be thriving in that role. The effect of PTSD on primary care-giving family members can seem mi  more

FORT MEADE, Md., Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: A large wrench clanked on the concrete floor of a large motor pool floor as a mechanic momentarily released his grip as he slowly slid under a Humvee to replace a half shaft during battle assembly weekend Feb. 3. Army Reserve wheeled mechanics assigned to the 200th Military Police Command spent the weekend in below-freezing temperatures to ensure vehicles of various sizes and classes were ready at a moment's notice. Pfc  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: The missions of signal units and signal staff positions vary just about as much as the individual snowflakes that are currently falling upon South Korea. So what is the biggest difference between being a Signal Company Commander and a Battalion S6? A commander has the additional authority to administer military justice and is overall responsible for the unit's property. What's in common? They both have the responsibility for ensur  more

FORT BENNING, Ga., Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: A group of 10 NCOs will have an honor bestowed upon them Wednesday when they are inducted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club. The club is for NCOs whose leadership achievements and performance merit special recognition. The club is named for Sgt. Audie Murphy, the most decorated U.S. combat Soldier of World War II. Murphy was awarded 33 medals and decorations for his service during World War II, including the Meda  more

FORT SILL, Okla., Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Secretary of the Army John McHugh was briefed on how the Fires Center of Excellence uses different training environments to be more cost effective after a visit here, Feb. 6-7. "The depth of training capability they have, really from initial entry [training] right into pre-command, is impressive," said McHugh. "And the way in which they take care of our Soldiers is equally impressive." This was McHugh's first visit to   more

VICENZA, Italy, Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Being stationed in Italy is not only a chance to experience the local cuisine, but also a chance to bring those flavors and memories with you to your next duty station. Vicenza Military Community foodies and novice cooks looking to expand their cooking repertoire discovered the art of cooking Italian terra and mare (meat and seafood) secondo piatto (main course dishes) during an ODR cooking class at the l'Istituto San Gaetano   more

YONGSAN, South Korea, Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Smart phone owners with access to government computers in South Korea have rapidly become the No. 1 group of cyber security violators in the country. Over a recent seven-day period, the Korea Theater Network Operations Center detected 129 cyber violations caused by smart phones alone. Most of the perpetrators did not realize they had done anything wrong. "The main problem is that people are using their government c  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: A peculiar philosophy exists among some students at Brainerd High School. Somehow, mediocre classroom performance equates to social intelligence. In this misguided state, popularity and acceptance are the curriculum too many are interested in studying. Brainerd, on the outskirts of Chattanooga, Tenn., is a school lauded for its community partnerships and focus on student achievement. But, like most schools, it grapples with   more

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash., Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Soldiers, family, and friends gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of Sgt. David J. Chambers, an infantryman in 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, during a memorial ceremony at Evergreen Chapel, Feb. 6. Chambers, 25, of Hampton, Va., died Jan. 16, during combat operations in Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds received from an enemy improvised explosive device while on dismoun  more

SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Sgt. Justin Olsen, with the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program, helped push former WCAP bobsled driver Steven Holcomb to a track record and bronze medal at the 2013 Bobsled and Skeleton World Championships, Feb. 3, in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Olsen, 25, is a native of Lubbock, Texas, who played quarterback at Sandra Day O'Connor High School in Helotes before joining the military. He teamed with Steve Langton of Melrose, Mas  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: In a sea of Bentleys, BMWs, Chryslers, Cadillacs and other showroom autos, one car in particular stood out, garnering a lot of attention: a 1918 Dodge Brothers Model 30 touring car. The proud owner of that car was Sgt. 1st Class Mark F. Ounan, instructor at the Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., who took leave to attend the 2013 Washington Auto Show, Feb. 5, in the nation's capital. Ab  more

FORT SILL, Okla., Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Soldiers from A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery conducted an enter-and-clear a room live-fire exercise at the Urban Assault Course here Jan. 16. At the live-fire shoot house, teams of three to four Soldiers trained on tactics and procedures for entering a building and clearing rooms while using live ammunition in small quarters. "The real importance of this live-fire shoot house training was to promote conf  more

FORT RILEY, Kan., Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: Denra Riley has come a long way since her husband joined the Army 12 years ago. "We were young. I didn't know anything about the Army," Riley said. The military spouse, originally from Mount Clemens, Mich., described sitting in the food court in Germany, their first duty station, and having her husband draw ranks and quiz her on them. Today, Riley is a master trainer and helps new spouses learn the ropes by teaching Ar  more

PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif., Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: While the biggest draw Feb. 6 at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am were the dozen celebrities participating in the 3M Celebrity Challenge, event organizers increased their effort this year to recognize the large number of service members in attendance during the tournament's Military Appreciation Day. Tournament director and Monterey Peninsula Foundation Chief Executive Officer Steve John kicked off the 3M  more

BAGRAM, Afghanistan, Feb. 8 -- The U.S. Army issued the following news: The 555th Engineer Brigade completed its transfer of authority ceremony with the 411th Eng. Bde. here at Bagram Air Field, Feb. 3, officially assuming command of the Theater Joint Engineer Brigade in Afghanistan. With the arrival of the 555th En. Bde. Headquarters and Headquarters Company, totaling over 120 soldiers, U.S. engineer forces across the country have transitioned from Joint Task Force Empire to become Joint   more