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Episode #124: Weekly News Roundup for February 24, 2012

Filed under DoD News by Ian Graham on February 24, 2012 at 5:22 pm {no comments}

In “This Week in the DoD” for Feb. 24:

The Military Saves campaign is working to get service members and military families on their best financial footing. Barbara Thompson, director for the Office of Family Policy for Children and Youth, explained some of the financial planning and readiness tools available through Military Saves.

Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter visited NATO and Afghan leaders in Kabul to discuss the ongoing mission in Afghanistan, and to apologize for the accidental inappropriate disposal of copies of the Quran by service members. International Security Assistance Forces commander Marine Gen. John Allen has also released a statement.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey visited troops at Naval Air Station Pensacola for a town hall meeting. He spoke with the Florida-based service members about the Defense Department’s budget as well as its future implications for the military.

And with the tax deadline getting closer each day, the Pentagon Channel brings us some tax tips for service members.

Listen to the podcast here.

Episode #123: Weekly News Roundup for February 17, 2012

Filed under DoD News, Emerging Media by Ian Graham on February 17, 2012 at 6:11 pm {no comments}

In “This Week in the DoD” for Feb. 17:

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey have been on Capitol Hill this week, explaining the Defense Department’s new strategy and budget request to the House and Senate Armed Service Committees.

In an effort to help service members and military families keep their finances straight, the Defense Department is promoting the Military Saves Campaign. Military Saves is a program that provides financial advice to military members and their families to help reduce debt and increase savings.

First Lady Michelle Obama spoke at the Pentagon Wednesday to announce a new report on military spouse employment and state licensing regulations. More than 100,000 military spouses are unemployed right now because they’re unable to transfer professional licenses across state lines when they have to move.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping visited the Pentagon Tuesday. Xi and the Secretary of Defense discussed the importance of a strong military-to-military relationship between the U.S. and China.

During Congressional hearings Thursday, Panetta told the House Armed Services Committee that there are clear “red lines,” including building a nuclear weapon and closing the Strait of Hormuz, that would prompt military action against Iran.

The Army, Air Force and Navy are all realigning their forces in Europe. The Army is disbanding some brigades and consolidating offices, the Air Force is disbanding two squadrons and the Navy is deploying four more guided-missile destroyers to Spain.

Listen to the podcast here.

Episode #122: Weekly News Roundup for February 10, 2012

Filed under DoD News, Emerging Media by Ian Graham on February 10, 2012 at 4:39 pm {2 comments}

In “This Week in the DoD” for Feb. 10:

The Secretary of Defense visited troops in Germany to discuss the realignment of American forces in Europe. He also met with NATO and other European leaders in Brussels and Munich.

The Department of Defense is launching a wide-reaching initiative to encourage better nutrition and combat obesity among servicemembers and military families. The Military Health system hopes that through updated nutritional standards, the services will better maintain fitness and readiness.

Army Lt. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, commander of International Security Assistance Force Joint Command in Afghanistan, briefed the Pentagon press corps on the status of the ISAF mission there. He said there will be a hard fight, but troops in Afghanistan have the momentum and strategy to win.

Pentagon Press Secretary George Little hosted the DoD’s first Twitter Townhall, taking questions from users using the #AskDoD hashtag. Topics ranged from benefits for gay and lesbian service members to the official DoD stance on Iran.

Henry Ossian Flipper overcame incredible odds. He was the first black man to be commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army, and the first to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Listen to the podcast here.

Episode #121: Weekly News Roundup for February 3, 2012

Filed under African American History Month, DoD News, Emerging Media by Ian Graham on February 3, 2012 at 3:33 pm {no comments}

In “This Week in the DoD” for Feb. 3:

February is African-American History Month. DoDLive will be featuring stories throughout the month about many notable black Americans who helped shape the U.S. military. This week we profile Lt. Harriet Ida Pickens and Ensign Frances Elizabeth Wills, the first black women to become U.S. Naval officers.

Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy is retiring. In a recent interview with the Pentagon Channel, she recounted some highlights from her three years in the position.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey spoke about the future of the military reserve corps at the Reserve Officers Association’s National Security Symposium in Washington, D.C. He said now is a time to determine how best to meet military requirements within budget constraints.

Millions of people around the world will tune in this Sunday to watch the New York Giants and New England Patriots face off in Super Bowl XLVI, including thousands of troops serving abroad. Members of the Giants and Patriots extended their thanks and appreciation to service members, as did Gen. Dempsey.

Listen to the podcast here.

Episode #120: Weekly News Roundup for January 27, 2012

Filed under DoD News by Ian Graham on January 27, 2012 at 6:22 pm {no comments}

In “This Week in the DoD” for Jan. 27:

President Barack Obama delivered the State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday. He highlighted plans to invest in alternative energy, including a U.S. Navy biofuel plan. He also appealed to Congress and the American people to follow the military’s example and work together to “accomplish the mission.”

Meanwhile, halfway around the globe, a special operations team working closely with the FBI successfully rescued two hostages from Somalian criminals. The two had been abducted while working with a Danish non-profit group to defuse mines and other ordnance. None of the rescuers or hostages were injured during the operation.

Thursday, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey briefed the Pentagon press corps on their budget proposal for fiscal 2013. The budget reflects changed strategy as well as implements hundreds of billions of dollars in savings required by Congress.

Earlier this week, Panetta visited sailors deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, which is underway in the Atlantic Ocean. There he discussed how the Navy will work to face future threats.

Listen to the podcast here.