Combat Zone Entitlements

Pentagon officials want troops to know that the change from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation New Dawn will not affect combat and other hazardous duty entitlements they receive.

Servicemembers will still be able to receive hardship duty pay, hostile fire/imminent danger pay and other incidental expenses related to their deployment with the transition to Operation New Dawn.

Imminent danger or hostile fire pay is paid when servicemembers serve in a location designated as a combat zone or direct support area.  While deployed all pay for warrant officers and enlisted members is tax exempt, while officers are exempt from taxes for up to $7,611.30 each month they serve in an eligible area.

The President designates combat zones through an executive order.

For more information on Combat Zone Entitlements visit, click here.

DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable: National Guard Border Protection

Jack Harrison, National Guard Bureau director of cCommunications. Photo courtesy of National Guard.

We have scheduled a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable with Mr. Jack Harrison, National Guard Bureau director of communications, for Friday, Sept. 3 at 10:00 a.m. EDT.

Harrison will discuss the latest developments in the deployment of 1,200 National Guard members to the nation’s southwest border.

National Guard troops are now arriving to begin their mission to support Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement while those agencies hire additional officers.

Before reporting for duty, troops undergo training for their two distinct jobs – Entry Identification Teams (EIT) and Criminal Investigative Analysts. EIT training includes how to handle encounters with anyone who approaches their observation posts. EITs help CBP agents monitor the border from strategic observation points with state-of-the-art surveillance and detection tactics and technology in support of local law enforcement.

Criminal investigative analysts will assist ICE agents in reducing the flow of illegal bulk currency and weapons from the United States to Mexico. National Guard Soldiers are also training in radio operations, environmental awareness and the use of specialized surveillance equipment.

Listen live.

DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable: Medical Training Advisory Group

Col. Schuyler K. Geller, command surgeon and commander, Medical Training Advisory Group at Camp Eggers, NTM-A/CSTC-A

We have scheduled a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable with U.S. Air Force Col. Schuyler K. Geller, command surgeon and commander, Medical Training Advisory Group at Camp Eggers, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan for Thursday, Sept. 2 at 10:30 a.m. EDT.

Col. Geller will discuss the medical mentor manual training for incoming Afghan advisors. He will also talk about how “Advising vs. Doing” is a transition in itself and how the Medical Training Advisory Group is using advising as the path to transition.

Listen live.

DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable: Afghan National Police Training

Col. Chadwick W. Clark, deputy commander, CTAG-P, NTM-A/CSTC-A. Photo courtesy of NTM-A/CSTC-A

We recently held a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable with Col. Chadwick W. Clark, deputy commander, Combined Training Advisory Group – Police (CTAG-P), NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan on Wednesday, Sept. 1.

Col. Clark provided an update on the progress of Afghan National Police (ANP) training and the efforts being made in developing leaders. He also discussed the quality and quantity of the training being offered and the challenges ahead for training the ANP.

Listen to the interview.

Read the transcript.

Joining us on the call were Andrew Lubin, of the Military Observer; Chuck Simmins, of America’s North Shore Journal; Gina DiNicolo, of Military Officer Magazine; Shawn Waterman, of The Washington Times; and Anand Choudhuri, of Registan.

Medical Monday: Helping Fellow Soldiers

By Staff Sgt. Meg Krause

When I returned from Iraq, I thought the scariest moments in my life would be those I survived while deployed. Boy was I wrong. It was when I found myself face-down in a mud pit, in the middle of a pigpen in State College, Penn., running from insurgents that I thought were chasing me. This was the realization for me that I hadn’t survived.

I realized I needed help and when I reached out, it came in abundance. I was surprised to discover how supportive my Army Reserve unit was through this process. In fact, it became a bonding experience between my first sergeant and I, who said he was also seeking help. He told me it was the best decision he could have made.

I discovered there is no shame in admitting I was in trouble and needing help. In fact, I earned more respect from seeking treatment and facing my problems head on than I ever had while failing to be the non-commissioned officer (NCO) I wanted to be. Never once was I disciplined for my actions. Instead, my company asked what they could do to help and commended me for being open and honest about my experiences.

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