U.S. Army soldier from Round Rock found dead in Afghanistan. The United States Army is reporting the death of an Army specialist from Round Rock from over the weekend.  Alex Hernandez, 21, was found unresponsive in his room in Kandahar Province of Afghanistan Saturday.  Earlier the same day, Hernandez posted a message on Facebook which said, in part, “To everyone who ever knew me, I hope the best for you. To my family, I love you always and even though I never showed it , ife is worth every precious second. I thought I’d be stronger but I can’t deal anymore,” said Hernandez...
(KVUE)

Local veterans record war stories in studio. Close to two dozen World War II veterans told their old war stories into a studio microphone. They met at the American Sound Studios in Bakersfield where the Bakersfield College drum line honored them with a cadence.  "I carried supplies for the front line," said Elwon Williams, a truck driver in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1943. "That was really interesting for me." He will be joining other veterans for the first Honor Flight from Kern County to the Nation's Capitol in less than two weeks...
(KGET)

Bennigan's Employee Honors Fallen Soldier With Facebook Memorial. Hannah Hobbs, an employee of Bennigan's Borger, TX restaurant, has recently sparked the national restaurant chain to create awareness and help raise funds for the families of U.S. military personnel and wounded warriors. During the month of May, Bennigan's Restaurants will be launching a social media effort on its Facebook page entitled the "Wall of Heroes," to pay tribute to our servicemen and women. Hobbs recently served a guest who ordered a beer for his friend who was a fallen comrade...
(MarketWatch)

Slain journalist Marie Colvin remembered in London. Leading politicians and journalists gathered in London on Wednesday to pay tribute to slain war correspondent Marie Colvin, a woman they remembered as fearless, dedicated and kind.  Colvin, 56, was killed on Feb. 22 when army shelling struck the building that served as a makeshift media center in the Syrian city of Homs. She worked for the Sunday Times of London...
(USA TODAY)

Blogger Shines Light on U.S. Shadow War in East Africa. An innocuous-seeming U.S. Air Force press release. A serendipitous satellite image in Google Earth. Snapshots from a photographer on assignment at a Spanish air base. The crash of an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter-bomber in the United Arab Emirates. These are some of the fragments of information that Italian aviation blogger David Cenciotti has assembled to reveal the best picture yet of the Pentagon’s secretive war in the Arabian Peninsula and East Africa... 
(Wired)

Iraq war veteran uses rap to treat his PTSD. On one of the many days Leo Dunson wanted to die, the Iraq veteran put a gun to his temple and pulled the trigger. The loaded weapon misfired. For the troubled former soldier, it was another inexplicable failure, like his divorce or inability to make friends after returning from the war.  In a Las Vegas recording studio, Dunson rapped about his life: "What's wrong with me? Got PTSD. These pills ain't working, man, I still can't think."
(USA TODAY)

[ Add comment ]   |  [ 0 trackbacks ]   |  permalink  |  Discussion  |  Digg this  |  Add to del.icio.us

---

Via Tech. Sgt. Karen Tomasik, Air Force Public Affairs Agency

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO -- LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) -- Airmen and families have a new resource at their fingertips with the recent release of an updated and revised social media guide by the Air Force Public Affairs Agency in San Antonio, Texas.

The guide features sections geared toward all Total Force members and their families as well as Air Force leaders. It highlights topics including using social media effectively, security awareness, social media platforms, public affairs programs and social media policy among others.

"Our social media team has made great strides in updating this guide," said Larry Clavette, Air Force Public Affairs Agency director. "Airmen and families will see a lot of information they can apply to their social networking practices, whether they've been using social media for years or are just coming onboard with the technology."

While information on social media has been around for several years, the types of platforms people use evolve and new ones start up nearly every day. No matter which social media platform you use, and whether you use social media personally or professionally, many basic principles apply.

Operations security ranks first and foremost in the minds of many military members, but the casual nature of social media can easily lead to inadvertent sharing of sensitive personal information via personal profiles and accounts. Everyone should make sure they share personal information only with people they trust and understand that no matter how secure they set up their own accounts friends can unintentionally share details about their lives with people who may have malicious intentions.

Though the desire to protect personal information is one reason people may not join social media platforms, unfamiliarity with the platforms is another commonly cited reason for staying out of the social media arena.

"By now, many people are already using social media so this guide doesn't focus on how to set up new personal accounts," said Capt. Amber Millerchip, the deputy director of public communications at AFPAA. "Instead, we focused on how to communicate more effectively on some of the most commonly used social media platforms. We hope everyone finds something in the guide they can use in their personal or professional communications on these platforms."

Full story and link to Air Force social media guide here.

[ Add comment ]   |  [ 0 trackbacks ]   |  permalink  |  Discussion  |  Digg this  |  Add to del.icio.us

---

Deployed unit returns home from Afghanistan and shares frontline experiences on ArmyStrongStories.com. During a year-long deployment, a group of soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, “Task Force Duke,” dedicated themselves to sharing their experiences bringing security and stability to the Khowst and Paktya provinces in Afghanistan. They did this on Army Strong Stories – the U.S. Army's premier blog and story-sharing program where every soldier is invited to blog about his or her day-to-day life in the Army.  Based out of Fort Knox, Task Force Duke was made up of soldiers from a wide array of branches including public affairs officers, field artillery specialists, infantrymen, medical specialists and many more...
(dvids)

MilBlogger’s Conference – The Impact of Defense Budget Cuts. I attended the MilBlogger’s Conf in Arlington on May 12. It turned out to be a very interesting event. They were focused on military personnel, military spouses, and military issues. The attendees were animated, it was a relaxed atmosphere and it was a family-like environment. Congressman Randy Forbes (R-Va.) was the keynote speaker. He exhorted the audience to understand that they are making a difference. Bloggers that have military experience and connections may not know all the answers, but they are among the few folks asking the right questions...
(Security Debrief)

CamoConnect links military family, friends. The next social networking site isn't coming from some Harvard genius in Silicon Valley; it was started by a 20-year-old college student who missed her boyfriend.  Allee Campbell was sitting in church two months after the deployment of her Marine boyfriend, listening to the priest give a sermon on the greater good and how to help others – and the idea just came to her: A Facebook website where military loved ones can connect online - CamoConnect.com...
(WAFF)

Jerry Davich: War diary to feed the mind, soul and body. The makeshift diary is more than six decades old, yet still in remarkably good shape.  It’s made from a cardboard box and brown paper bag pages, strung together with leftover string and a thread of hope. “Notice: Entries in the log are for my own personal use. If you don’t like them, (expletive) you,” wrote its World War II author, Doyle W. Waggoner, a U.S. Navy ordnance specialist who was originally from Shreveport, La...
(Post-Tribune)

Army Corps of Engineers in Center of Twitter Gossip. The Army Corps of Engineers may not be on the minds of many Americans right now, but they were on the minds of thousands of Twitter users last week. According to OhMyGov Analytics, the agency experienced an increase of Twitter mentions for the period May 5 to May 11, amounting to 1,406 references to the Corps of Engineers — an elevation of 65.4 percent from the previous week. The sudden spotlight on the Corps came amid opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency's plans to approve the corps' plan to rubber stamp the controversial Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, a would-be mechanism which would allow the US to pump synthetic crude oil from Alberta, Canada to mult...
(OhMyGov)

[ 1 comment ]   |  [ 0 trackbacks ]   |  permalink  |  Discussion  |  Digg this  |  Add to del.icio.us

---

What were supposed to be sexy photos for her husband's eyes only also turned up online on Facebook.

According to WRAL.com, "A Fayetteville-area mother paid for a private boudoir photo shoot at her home. It was an anniversary gift for her deployed husband. She purchased a deal from Groupon for $65."

However, when her husband who is deployed went online to learn more about the photographer, he found the very same photos on her Facebook page. 

"The photos were among dozens of pictures of other women in lingerie."

If you're planning to do the same for your military spouse, you may want to read this story first.

Full story here.

[ Add comment ]   |  [ 0 trackbacks ]   |  permalink  |  Discussion  |  Digg this  |  Add to del.icio.us

---

A couple weeks back I wrote about professional golfer Lexi Thompson looking for a date for her prom taking place on May 18th.

Well, she's announced the winner.

Her choice according to ESPN:

United States Marine Corps wounded warrior and Purple Heart recipient Lance Corporal Mark Scott.

Full story here.

[ Add comment ]   |  [ 0 trackbacks ]   |  permalink  |  Discussion  |  Digg this  |  Add to del.icio.us

---

Hollywood Stars and 42 Film Screenings Mark Sixth Annual GI Film Festival, May 14 - 20, 2012, in Washington, DC. The award-winning GI Film Festival (GIFF), the nation's only military-themed film festival, is pleased to announce the full schedule of events for the 2012 event, which will feature premiere military film screenings, celebrity appearances, red carpet parties and more. The festival will take place Monday, May 14 through Sunday, May 20, 2012 in Washington, DC. For ticketing information and the program schedule, visit www.gifilmfestival.com . The 6th annual GIFF film line-up offers 42 film screenings representing every branch of the military and spanning five wars. Over the course of the six-day event, the festival will offer 23 narrative films and 19 documentaries covering every genre conceivable - from action and adventure to drama and romance. And with at least a dozen World Premiere screenings, GIFF offers plenty of opportunities to discover emerging directors, writers, producers and actors. GIFF is proud to welcome many promising and established military veteran filmmakers as well...
(MarketWatch Press Release)

G.I. Film Festival recalls history's great war movies. Do you love the smell of napalm in the morning? This week brings a special way to honor the military as we march toward Memorial Day.  The G.I. Film Festival kicks off Monday and runs through Sunday, with movies being shown at various locations around the District.  The films focus on the sacrifices of the military, including "Doughboy" (2012), which features real-life vets sharing thoughts on patriotism, freedom, and the attitudes of today's youth...
(WTOP)

Homefront Heroes Takes Compelling Wounded Warrior Stories to GI Film Festival. For those not directly connected with an active-duty military person or a veteran, you often only hear their stories vaguely, or in passing. Now, two very different people have created Homefront Heroes to deliver veterans' stories to you in a very compelling, human way.  Mike Allen, a Microsoft executive in their public sector division, and Brad Keller, a producer and film distributor, live 2,000 miles apart. Despite the differences in their jobs and location, however, they have teamed up to commit their free time to telling the stories of the wounded warrior community...
(HuffingtonPost)

'Army Wives' actors coming to GI Film Festival. The GI Film Festival is taking place this week with former presidential candidate Ross Perot kicking things off Monday and cast members of the show "Army Wives" coming to town this weekend. Actress Sally Pressman, who plays army wife Roxie LeBlanc, and actor Brian McNamara, who plays Major Gen. Michael Holden, will be on hand at an event Saturday at 7 p.m. at the U.S. Navy Memorial to accept the "GI Family Award" on behalf of the entire cast of the Lifetime show...
(Washington Examiner)

D.C.'s Unique GI Film Festival Brings Our Warriors Close to Us. The GI Film Festival (GIFF), the nation’s only military film festival, begins Tuesday, May 15, and runs through Sunday, May 20. The festival of "Reel Stories, Real Heroes" commemorates, depicts and celebrates those of our citizenry who go to war in defense of our nation and of us. One big attraction will the May 17 advance screening of the action movie, "Battleship."
(Georgetowner)

[ Add comment ]   |  [ 0 trackbacks ]   |  permalink  |  Discussion  |  Digg this  |  Add to del.icio.us

---

The winners of the 2012 Milbloggies were announced on Friday, May 11.

Congratulations!

Best U.S. Army Blog – The Rhino Den
Best U.S. Military Spouse Blog – **Wife [Widow] of a Wounded Marine**
Best U.S. Military Parent Blog – Semper Fi Parents
Best U.S. Military Supporter Blog – Character Does Matter
Best U.S. Marine Corps Blog – One Marine’s View
Best U.S. Navy Blog – USNI Blog
Best U.S. Coast Guard Blog – ryan erickson
Best U.S. Air Force Blog – Aim High Erin
Best U.S. Military Veteran Blog – You Served
Best U.S. Reporter Blog – The Unknown Soldiers

More to follow on the website badges for finalists and winners.

Award trophies for winners not in attendance at the 2012 Milblog Conference will be shipped.

[ Add comment ]   |  [ 0 trackbacks ]   |  permalink  |  Discussion  |  Digg this  |  Add to del.icio.us

---

The 6th annual GI Film Festival begins in the district on May 14. Beginning May 14th, the 6th annual GI Film Festival will begin its seven-day run in our nation’s capital, screening movies that focus on America’s military and their families. The Festival is the only one of its kind to specifically honor the members of the armed forces, viewing war films, documentaries and shorts throughout the week. This year’s festival is marked by a special advanced.screening of Battleship on May 17th...
(Examiner)

ninemsn blog: Embedded in Afghanistan. Nine News producer Wes Hardman is currently embedded with the Australian troops in Afghanistan and is writing a blog for ninemsn. Here is his latest entry: We’ve almost reached the end of the world. And — great travellers that we are — there are Australians here. More than a hundred but less than two hundred. The exact number is a secret,,.
(Ninemsn)

D.C. film festival portrays soldiers in a better light. Like a lot of Americans, Brandon L. Millett and his wife, Army Reserve Maj. Laura Law-Millett, are movie fans. But some years ago, they decided that something wasn’t quite right with Hollywood’s accounts of the military. “We just had seen some films coming out that weren’t necessarily portraying GIs in the most favorable light,” Millett recalls. “We wanted to do something to address the situation. And we said, ‘We love movies, why not host a film festival?’ So that’s what we did.”
(Washington Post)

GI Film Festival includes Canadian soldier Marc Diab documentary. Young Marc Diab and his family would halt, standing still on the roadside, whenever Israeli tanks lurched through the streets of their Lebanese village in the 1990s. In the security zone along the Israel-Lebanon border, the military vehicles were a steel-plated reminder of the region’s political instability, an uncertain state in which some Ain-Ebel villagers saw no future. But in those tanks, filled with gun-toting troops, little Marc saw his: life as a soldier.  “He used to say, even back in Lebanon when we used to have the Israeli army go through our streets all the time, ‘I want to be a soldier, I want to be a soldier,’” recalls eldest sister Jessica Diab, 30, of the time her brother was about 8...
(The Star)

Body of Army Medic Who Died Skyping Wife Arrives in New York. The body of a U.S. Army medic who died suddenly in Afghanistan during a Skype chat with his wife arrived Saturday in New York, in advance of his planned funeral.  More than 100 mourners and admirers assembled at a Rochester airport to pay tribute to Capt. Bruce Kevin Clark. Many carried American flags. The group included veterans of four other U.S. wars, and members of Clark's family...
(NBC New York)

Army sued on gay hate scandal. VICTIMS of a Facebook hate page that exposed and threatened gay members of the Australian military have launched legal action over the army's handling of the scandal. At the same time, Defence Minister Stephen Smith has confirmed that ''a small number of allegations of assault against gay or lesbian personnel'' are included in a report on complaints of abuse in the Australian Defence Force...
(Brisbane Times)

[ Add comment ]   |  [ 0 trackbacks ]   |  permalink  |  Discussion  |  Digg this  |  Add to del.icio.us

---

The 2012 Milblog Conference (Twitter hashtag: #milblogcon) starts with a cocktail hour at 6pm at the Westin Arlington Gateway.

Here's a look at the full agenda.

2012 Milblog Conference Agenda

Friday, May 11, 8 PM-12 AM
Westin Arlington Gateway, Arlington, VA
Reception
801 North Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22203

Friday’s agenda

6:00-7:00pm: Check-in / Cocktail Hour
7:00-9:00pm: Dinner and Milbloggies Ceremony — Featuring Special Guest Speaker: former Tuskegee Airman, Col. (Ret.) Charles McGee

Saturday, May 12, 7:45 AM-5:00 PM

Westin Arlington Gateway, Arlington, VA
Breakfast and Conference
801 North Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22203

Saturday’s Timeline:

Breakfast Served in the Atrium      7:45 – 8:45 AM

Opening Remarks – T. McCreary     8:45 – 9:00 AM

Bloggers Roundtable with Congressman J. Randy Forbes of the House Armed Services Committee    9:00 – 9:45 AM

Panel 1: Military and the Media       9:45 – 11:00 AM

Break  11:00 – 11:15 AM

Panel 2: Benefits: Promises Delivered, Delayed or Dismissed?    11:00 – 12:15 PM

Lunch Sponsored by Wal-Mart        12:30 – 1:15 PM

Guest Speaker! Scott Waugh Producer/Director of Act of Valor – on Blu-ray and DVD June 5 – will be the guest speaker for this year’s program. Mr. Waugh will do a Q&A with the bloggers about the making of this innovative movie with real Navy SEALs and answer questions from the audience.   1:15 – 2:00 PM

Panel 3: Rise of Social Media in the Service Branches      2:00 – 3:15 PM

Break  3:15 – 3:30 PM

Panel 4: The Pen and the Sword: MilBloggers Who Had An Impact         3:30 – 4:45 PM

Closing Remarks       4:45 – 5:00 PM

Visit the Milblog Conference website for more information.

[ Add comment ]   |  [ 0 trackbacks ]   |  permalink  |  Discussion  |  Digg this  |  Add to del.icio.us

---

Facebook offers suicide-prevention lifeline for military families. Facebook is connecting with military-support and service organizations to offer customized suicide-prevention services for veterans, active service members and their families.  For many members of military families, social media serve as a lifeline, connecting them to various supportive communities to help them cope with their specific strains and stresses. So, in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the nonprofit organization Blue Star Families, Facebook has unveiled a literal lifeline within the site, with informational and response tools customized for service members and their families...
(Los Angeles Times)

Who is the military’s best dad? An Army dad, Navy dad and Air Force dad are vying for the 2012 Military Fatherhood Award, with voting open through noon on May 25.  The National Fatherhood Initiative, which winnowed 450 candidates down to three, is asking the public to make the final decision by voting on its Facebook page. Videos made by the three families using brand-new HD cameras donated to each of the finalists are featured on the site...
(NavyTimes)

Should Journalists Be Protected? Thursday was World Press Freedom Day. On Friday, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CJP) published an article listing the arrests, injuries, and assaults of at least eighteen journalists covering recent clashes near the Egyptian Ministry of Defense. Some reporters were beaten, others shot at, a few captured or detained by the military...
(The Huffington Post)

Local man writes about experience in Army. Originally from St. Johnsville, Ken Conklin grew up in the Mohawk Valley.  As he got older, he worked as a paperboy delivering newspapers for The Evening Times. Eventually, Conklin stopped delivering papers, graduated from high school and joined the U.S. Army.  During Conklin’s time in the Army he served four overseas tours, two in Iraq, one in Afghanistan and one in Korea. In June 2011, ten years after serving in the Army, Conklin decided to attend college...
(HerkimerTelegram)

Todd, Crystal Nicely in Homefront Heroes film. Osage Beach, Mo. — Homefront Heroes, dedicated to sharing the stories of courage and inspiration of returning Wounded Warriors including a Lake of the Ozarks couple, announces that one of its short films will be featured at this year’s GI Film Festival.  The Homefront Heroes film, “He’s My Best Friend: The Crystal Nicely Story,” will be featured on Sunday, May 20, in the short film section of the festival...
(LakeNewsOnline)

[ Add comment ]   |  [ 0 trackbacks ]   |  permalink  |  Discussion  |  Digg this  |  Add to del.icio.us

---

This is a reminder that this Friday, May 11, kicks off the 2012 Milblog Conference.

Congratulations again to this year’s finalists in the Milbloggies.  Full list of finalists can be seen here.

Winners will be announced this week at the Milblog conference.  The results are not even shared with me until the presentation.

If you are a finalist, you are not required to attend to receive an award if you do win.

But I do need a little information in the event you are the winner in your category and because I don’t have everyone’s contact information, I am posting this request again.

1.  Will you be attending?
2.  If not, is someone attending who can accept on your behalf?
3.  What is your preferred name or alias?
4.  Military.com can arrange to have the award shipped.  If that's your preference, please contact me.

If you have already provided this information, please ignore this post.

I can be contacted at milblogging@gmail.com

[ Add comment ]   |  [ 0 trackbacks ]   |  permalink  |  Discussion  |  Digg this  |  Add to del.icio.us

---

MILITARY: Outspoken ex-Marine looks ahead. Meet Gary Stein, outspoken anti-Obama social-media poster and former U.S. Marine Corps sergeant, now a blogger, fledgling radio host and real estate agent. And don't rule out candidate for office sometime soon. Stein may have lost his battle to stay in the Marine Corps ---- he was booted for repeatedly bashing President Barack Obama on Facebook ---- but says he can still win the war. Stein woke up Friday morning a civilian, after being dismissed from the service and busted to lance corporal for violating a Pentagon regulation governing service members' political speech. "It's a little surreal," Stein said minutes after departing Camp Pendleton after his last day in uniform Thursday. "I didn't want it to end this way. It's a little sad."
(North County Times)

Tragic News Demands Marine Corps Social Media Leadership, Not Retreat. Moments after I posted my sympathies about the loss of two Marines in Afghanistan on their unit's Facebook page, it was gone. Deleted. Arbitrarily removed as a violation by their public affairs office. The Department of Defense had published a release about them, but the unit rarely mentioned combat casualties on their page. One of the public affairs Marines with Regional Command Southwest scolded me in a private message and said he took it down. What were the reasons? Did it violate any of the official terms of use of military social media sites?
(Marine Corps Gazette Blog)

Army says there was no bullet wound in captain who died in Afghanistan chatting on Skype with his wife... despite her insistence he was shot. Foul play is not suspected in the death of an Army captain who died in Afghanistan as he chatted with his wife on Skype, the military reiterated on Monday.  Army investigators found no bullet wound in Bruce Kevin Clark's body and they believe he died of natural causes.  Despite this, his wife, Susan Orllana-Clark, insists her husband was shot. He lurched forward when he died and that she saw a bullet hole in the closet door behind him, she says...
(Daily Mail)

Army officer fakes FB identity, cheats. The ministry of defence has passed instructions to all defence personnel, especially its officers, to refrain from social networking sites. The apprehension: A non-Army person faking an identity might get his/her hands on vital information.  Here is a case that’s the other way around. According to sources, an Army officer from EME, while presenting a falsified profile on Facebook, claimed to be a bachelor. That’s how he started an “online affair”. The girl was reportedly an air-hostess...
(DECCAN Chronicle)

TV Show Casting Host For Combat Warrior Show. High Noon Entertainment (http://www.highnoonentertainment.com) is currently casting for an "Ultimate Warrior Host" for a modern day, combat warrior competition show. In this show, modern day badasses compete in the tactics and weapons of different warrior cultures throughout history. We are searching for a high-adrenaline host who is an expert in combat and warrior tactics. If you would like more information, please reach out to Email: msebastian@highnoontv.com

Guardsman, wife win $1M on ‘Amazing Race’. A Madison couple who appeared on the CBS reality-TV show “The Amazing Race” outlasted 10 other couples to claim top honors and a $1 million grand prize.  On their way to victory, Dave and Rachel Brown raced across five continents, nine countries and 22 cities. They won in December, but their win was only revealed during Sunday’s season finale...
(ArmyTimes.com)

[ Add comment ]   |  [ 0 trackbacks ]   |  permalink  |  Discussion  |  Digg this  |  Add to del.icio.us

---

Winners in the 2012 Milbloggies will be announced this week at the MILblog Conference.

If you are a finalist, you are not required to attend the conference to receive an award if you win.

Please send me an email to milblogging@gmail.com with your contact information and Military.com will arrange to have the award shipped.

However, if you would like someone who is attending the conference to accept the award on your behalf, please email me the person's name.

[ Add comment ]   |  [ 0 trackbacks ]   |  permalink  |  Discussion  |  Digg this  |  Add to del.icio.us

---

Israeli military to keep tabs on Facebook, Twitter. Israel is the latest country to turn your Facebook posts and Twitter feed into a matter of state security by launching a new military-run internet information monitoring system.  Israel’s chief military censor Col. Sima Vaknin-Gil said the system will keep tabs on social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, Haaretz reports. The system will also monitor blogs and traditional news sites.  Relying on pre-determined key words, Gil told the Digit 2012 conference the system will zoom in on information once difficult to obtain...
(RT)

AP Apologizes For Firing Reporter Over WWII Scoop. In World War II's final moments in Europe, Associated Press correspondent Edward Kennedy gave his news agency perhaps the biggest scoop in its history. He reported, a full day ahead of the competition, that the Germans had surrendered unconditionally at a former schoolhouse in Reims, France.  For this, he was publicly rebuked by the AP, and then quietly fired...
(NPR)

Sketching veterans recovering from war, so their stories aren't lost.  For nearly 100 years, since World War I, the U.S. military has used combat artists to create a visual record of America's wars. Among those artists in Iraq and Afghanistan was a Marine named Michael Fay.  CBS News correspondent Chip Reid reports now that he is out of the service, he is documenting America's war veterans as they fight a new battle...
(CBS News)

JBLM soldier accused of soliciting nude images from teen girls online. A Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier is under investigation for using Facebook to allegedly solicit photos and videos of 10 Pierce County teenage girls in various stages of undress, then threatening to blackmail the girls if they didn't send more images.  The 24-year-old soldier, who has not been identified by law-enforcement officials, allegedly began his activities some 10 months ago while stationed at Lewis-McChord and continued them in Afghanistan, where he is currently deployed...
(The Seattle Times)

Tweeting from the trenches of the First World War. A MUSEUM’S tweets from the trenches are giving a unique insight into the life of a First World War soldier.  Entries from a diary written by Wearside-trained serviceman William Grudgings are being posted on social networking website Twitter to give a first-hand account of the conflict.  William was working as a teacher in Loughborough when in April 1916 he enlisted as a private with the Leicestershire Regiment...
(Sunderland Echo)

Hackers should be rewarded for showing defence breaches, says military chief.  Major General Jonathan Shaw said offering incentives to demonstrate vulnerabilities was the kind of “wacky idea we need to bring in” to improve cyber defences. He highlighted a similar scheme run by Facebook which has seen nine people in the UK paid £6,786 between them.  The officer said the Ministry of Defence also need to involve “kids on the street” to help stay ahead of the latest tricks and tactics in cyberspace...
(Telegraph)

'FARC Say French Journalist is Prisoner of War'. A woman claiming to be a guerrilla with the 15th Front of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) telephoned a journalist on Tuesday to say that the group was holding Romeo Langlois. The French journalist went missing on Saturday when an army unit he was embedded with came under fire from the rebels. The statement said: The 15th Front informs the public that the French journalist, uniformed as a soldier and captured in combat, is in our hands and is a prisoner of war. He is lightly wounded on one arm, he has been given medical attention and is out of danger. Signed, Estado Mayor of the 15th Front, Southern Bloc of the FARC-EP. Mountains of Caqueta, April 30 2012...
(In Sight)

[ Add comment ]   |  [ 0 trackbacks ]   |  permalink  |  Discussion  |  Digg this  |  Add to del.icio.us

---

Fox News earlier today reported the shocking, tragic news that the wife of Capt. Bruce Kevin Clark (who died in Afghanistan this week), watched her husband die as they video chatted over Skype.

Via Fox News:

The wife of an Army nurse who died Monday in Afghanistan reportedly said the incident occurred while she was talking to her husband through video chat.

El Paso Times reports that Army officials have not released the cause of death for Capt. Bruce Kevin Clark, 43, of Spencerport, N.Y.

A statement from the family said they are waiting for results of a military investigation.

"Bruce's wife tragically witnessed her husband's death during one of their regular Skype video chats," the statement said. "At the time of the incident, the family was hoping for a rescue and miracle, but later learned that it was not to be.”

Full story here.

[ Add comment ]   |  [ 0 trackbacks ]   |  permalink  |  Discussion  |  Digg this  |  Add to del.icio.us

---

Top Army general: I’m a victim of online impostors. Gen. Ray Odierno, the Army chief of staff, took to Facebook today to warn folks that he’s being impersonated online, most likely for profit. Army Times has reported on this many times. One of the most common iterations of this scam is when a scammer poses as a soldier, using pictures and details lifted from social media, to trick lonely-hearted women out of their money. Scammers have impersonated average Joes and top officials in the past, and it’s no surprise the Army’s most senior official is on the list...
(Military Times blog)

Facebook users heap baggage on Spirit Airlines after dying vet refused refund. A Facebook campaign calling for a boycott of Spirit Airlines has taken off with jet-like propulsion since the carrier's denial of a refund to a dying former Marine made headlines. The “Boycott Spirit Airlines” Facebook page has seen its number of "likes" soar in recent days, rising tenfold to nearly 7,000. The social network support has come as Jerry Meekins, a 76-year-old Vietnam veteran with terminal esophageal cancer, raised a fuss when the Fort Lauderdale-based airline nixed his request for a $197 refund...
(FOX News)

China Convicts Spy Blogger, Lets Others Keep Leaking. Three years ago a physically disabled Chinese man unwittingly broke the law when he shot video of a military airbase in eastern China and uploaded the footage to his website. Huang Moumou’s subsequent arrest and conviction for leaking state secrets is a surprising wrinkle in the tale of China’s “accidental spies.” Civilians with cameras are Beijing’s preferred method of revealing military developments to the world. But only, it seems, when the civilians stick to the government’s script...
(Wired)

Turkey: Twitter Cuts Two Ways. Social media has been a boon for democratization forces around the world, most notably in the Middle East and North Africa. But a recent tragedy in Turkey helps highlights the fact that social media also has a potentially dark side for democratization efforts.  On the night of December 29, 2011, the Turkish military launched an airstrike along the Turkish-Iraqi border against what it believed to be militants belonging to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK. In reality, military officers were targeting local villagers engaged in smuggling cigarettes. The case of mistaken identity left 35 individuals dead, many of them teenagers...
(EurasiaNet)

Journalists missing, killed in Latin America. It's been another week of chilling reminders of the high risks for journalists in parts of Latin America, with two killings turning the news lens on reporters. Now, a possible kidnapping in Colombia has put the danger further into focus. Romeo Langlois, a freelancer for French TV news channel France 24, went missing Saturday after a shootout between the Colombian security forces he was accompanying and guerrillas belonging to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)...
(Tucson Sentinel)

[ Add comment ]   |  [ 0 trackbacks ]   |  permalink  |  Discussion  |  Digg this  |  Add to del.icio.us

---

I'm somewhat late in posting this story, but it's definitely still worth mentioning in case you missed it.

Late last month, I received an email from the folks at ArmyStrongStories.com letting me know the website celebrated Diversity Month in April.

Army.mil also posted a story last week about the activities. 

Here’s an excerpt:

Throughout the month of April, Army Strong Stories, the U.S. Army's premier Soldier blog and storytelling community, has been taking part in Celebrate Diversity Month. Celebrate Diversity Month is a time to recognize, celebrate and appreciate all the differences that make up our nation. Soldiers embody the nation's diversity through a wide range of cultures, backgrounds and life experiences. The Army proudly embraces these differences and simultaneously celebrates the similarities that unite us as Soldiers and Americans.

On ArmyStrongStories.com, a community of Soldiers and supporters share and discuss their differences, similarities and how the Army has shaped the way they view diversity. Maj. Roman Ortega, Jr. writes about the pride he feels to represent the United States and his Mexican culture in his blog post, "Representation of the United States." In her blog post, "The World through the Eyes of an Army BRAT," Crystal Guerrero shares how growing up in a military family made her accepting and loving of all cultures.

You can find Army Strong Stories related to diversity at: armystrongstories.com/tag/diversity/

[ Add comment ]   |  [ 0 trackbacks ]   |  permalink  |  Discussion  |  Digg this  |  Add to del.icio.us

---

People across the nation and the world are rallying support for the family of Spc. Benjamin Neal who was killed in Afghanistan after his unit was attacked with an improvised explosive device.

The effort, which started on Facebook, is called "Lighting The Way To Bring Ben Home".

Leaving the porch light on until Ben is brought home. Just a silent way to show we're thinking of him, his family and his wife. Day and Night. Not to be turned off until he is able to come home to his family. Anyone that wants to participate is welcome.  Ben was a Orfordville native and a soldier in Afghanistan that was taken from us Wednesday.

The picture above is a map of locations of many of the supporters who have their lights on for Ben.  According to the Facebook page, over 5,000 people so far are participating.

I learned about the Porch Light Support after reading an article on The Janesville Gazette earlier today.

Gina Duwe writes, "Neal's wife and parents have returned from receiving Neal's remains on the East Coast, but it could be several days before his body is flown home, Eggleston said.  Local American Legion members stand ready to do whatever the family requests. The legion, the Orfordville Fire Department and villages of Orfordville and Footville have offered their support and services, Eggleston said.  "The major player in this is the family and the United States Army," he said. "We're just there for support to do whatever we can, whatever we're asked to do in addition to the military."

You can read more of the news story here.

To learn more about the Facebook effort go here.

To add yourself to the map go here.

[ Add comment ]   |  [ 0 trackbacks ]   |  permalink  |  Discussion  |  Digg this  |  Add to del.icio.us

---

Today is the final day to register for the 2012 Milblog Conference and get early bird pricing.

The early bird registration discount ends at midnight tonight April 30th with ticket prices only $89.

After today prices go up to $110.

Tickets will get you the all Inclusive Conference Pass which includes the Friday night Dinner Reception & Milbloggie Awards, as well as the Saturday Breakfast, Lunch (sponsored by Wal-Mart) and the Conference.

Go to the Official Milblog Conference website for more information.

To register for the conference, go here.

[ 1 comment ]   |  [ 0 trackbacks ]   |  permalink  |  Discussion  |  Digg this  |  Add to del.icio.us

---

A Facebook support page has been created for Justin Lansford, a 22-year old 82nd Airborne Infantryman who lost part of his left leg on April 23, 2012, after his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED).

SnellvillePatch reports:

A Facebook page has been created to support Justin Lansford, as he fights to recovery from injuries sustained during a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on April 23.

The page is entitled "Get well Justin Lansford," and after being created Thursday, more than 600 people have liked the page.

On the page are updates and well-wishes for Lansford, who graduated from Brookwood High in 2007, and whose parents still live in the Snellville area.

At the time of this post, the Facebook page has over 1,400 Likes.

You can connect with the "Get Well" page at https://www.facebook.com/GetWellJustinLansford

[ Add comment ]   |  [ 0 trackbacks ]   |  permalink  |  Discussion  |  Digg this  |  Add to del.icio.us

---

<< <Back | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | Next> >>