Archive | Emerging Media

Episode #127: Weekly News Roundup for March 16, 2012

Filed under DoD News, Emerging Media by Ian Graham on March 16, 2012 at 1:15 pm {no comments}

In “This Week in the DoD” for March 16:

The Military Health System may be undergoing some significant changes, including the creation of a new agency to absorb the TRICARE Management Activity, under the DoD budget request for fiscal 2013.

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta hosted a townhall meeting at Camp Leatherneck, in Afghanistan. There, he lauded the cooperation among coalition forces and the successes NATO troops have had in the area despite recent violent incidents in the country.

The soldier suspected of leaving his post and killing 17 Afghan civilians, including women and children, as been moved from Afghanistan to a military detention facility outside of Afghanistan, Defense Department Spokesman Capt. John Kirby confirmed in an interview.

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho shared a message with soldiers about brain injuries and the Army’s efforts to treat and care for brain injury patients.

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 #119: Weekly News Roundup for January 20, 2012

Filed under DoD News, Emerging Media by Ian Graham on January 20, 2012 at 4:09 pm {one comment}

In “This Week in the DoD” for Jan. 20:

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta laid out four proposals to end sexual assault between service members at a Pentagon press conference. He said sexual assault has no place in the Department of Defense.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno visited troops in Hawaii. While there, he also met with regional Army leadership and the press to discuss future military operations in the Pacific.

The Army is removing two brigade combat teams from Europe. The move comes as the Defense Department is working to cut hundreds of billions of dollars from its projected budgets. The Army will maintain its presence in Europe via rotational units.

On Wednesday, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Joining Forces initiative collaborated to hold a job fair and career expo at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The expo brought hundreds of potential employers and job-seeking veterans together for career counseling, recruiting and job interviews.

As the 2012 national elections approach, service members should make sure they’re compliant with current absentee voting laws. The 2010 National Defense Authorization Act included changes to absentee voting; more information is available here.

Listen to the podcast here.