Newest Articles...
November 7, 2009 By CJ
Posted in Life in the Military
MTV will honor young veterans and active duty servicemen and women this Veteran’s Day with the premiere of “Return to Duty” — Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 9 pm ET/PT on MTV, and at 11 pm ET/PT on MTV2 – along with a suite of special programming and links to Veterans resources across all of its platforms. Viewers of “The Real World: Brooklyn” vividly remember the emotional moment when cast member and Army vet Ryan Conklin was unexpectedly recalled for a second tour of duty in Iraq. And now, Ryan himself takes us through the year since that day. In “Return to Duty”, we go to Ryan’s hometown of Gettysburg as he prepares to go back to Iraq, and as he once again has to say good-bye to his family. Once in Iraq and back on parole through the streets of Baghdad, Ryan shows us a view of the war that’s different than anything we’ve seen before.
Recently, MTV research revealed that 74 percent of young people ages 18-29 personally know someone who has fought in Iraq or Afghanistan. With this in mind, MTV, MTV2 and mtvU are featuring a number of public service announcements, short-form features and resources as part of an ongoing commitment to support our newest generation of veterans. This content will focus on the difficult transition these men and women face as they come home to civilian life and how their civilian counterparts can help make this adjustment easier.
Veteran’s Day Programming Includes:
Return To Duty (9 pm ET/PT on MTV; 11 pm ET/PT on MTV2) – Return to Duty is Ryan’s gritty and very personal document of his return as a patrol gunner to the sweltering streets of Baghdad. Equipped with his own video camera, and the addition of a camera crew embedded with his unit, it’s a soldier’s view of America’s changing military presence in the long war in Iraq. His very close-knit family back home must cope with the fear and absence of their son fighting overseas once again; while his new found relationship with Real World: Brooklyn roommate Baya is put to a critical test.
Today’s Student Vets: From War to College (Airing on MTV, MTV2, and mtvU) – Rich, a young veteran, attends a University in Manhattan after his military tour abroad and talks candidly about the difficulties he’s faced since returning to campus – from emotional to academic. This short-form feature will follow Rich and two other young veterans as they make the challenging transition back into college life, delving into the emotional struggles they face, and how civilian students can play a role in helping them adjust back into civilian life. This feature, sponsored by the McCormick Foundation, will be released as part of mtvU and The Jed Foundation’s Peabody Award-winning “Half of Us” campaign, which works to fight the stigma around mental health and encourage help-seeking among college students across the country. Veterans and students can access the campaign’s Veterans resource center at www.halfofus.com/veterans.
Public Service Announcements (Airing on MTV, MTV2 and mtvU)– In partnership with the Bob Woodruff Foundation, mtvU’s Half of Us campaign is releasing three new PSAs addressing the emotional struggles college veterans face when returning to campus and how civilian students can play a role in easing that transition. To view the public service announcements, please head to http://www.halfofus.com/video/.
Brave.MTV.com – All of MTV’s Veterans-related programming will drive viewers to this comprehensive action center, where Vets can access resources, civilians can get involved and support America’s young veterans, and anyone can check out MTV’s acclaimed veterans programming, including “Kanye West: Homecoming” and “A Night for Vets: An MTV Concert for the BRAVE.” The site connects Veterans to online support systems from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) the country’s first and largest nonpartisan, non-profit for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The website also offers a broad range of resources, including information on how to use the new GI Bill, and for those enrolled in college a pathway to join the Student Veterans of America. Civilians are offered opportunities to sign MTV’s B.R.A.V.E. petition — to ensure our returning veterans get the support they need – and to get involved in Vets-related service projects and more.
Here is a preview clip from “Return to Duty”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu-fvgMnpGA
No Comments »
If you're a You Served reader and you're looking to learn more about the VA Home Loan Program,
then you're one click away from the folks that make all this possible - VAMC.
Read more about VA Loans and VA Benefits programs on our main site. Thanks for reading!
November 6, 2009 By CJ
Posted in Uncategorized
The Way We Get By, the awesome documentary that we publicized on our radio show a few months ago, will have its national premiere on PBS Veterans Day November 11th at 9pm.
On call 24 hours a day for the past five years, a group of senior citizens has made history by greeting nearly 900,000 American troops at a tiny airport in Bangor, Maine. The Way We Get By is an intimate look at three of these greeters as they confront the universal losses that come with aging and rediscover their reason for living. Bill Knight, Jerry Mundy and Joan Gaudet find the strength to overcome their personal battles and transform their lives through service. This inspirational and surprising story shatters the stereotypes of today’s senior citizens as the greeters redefine the meaning of community.
You can view the trailer here: http://www.pbs.org/pov/waywegetby/
This film already has support from a number of organizations, including Serve.gov, the USO and Operation Homefront. The film demonstrates how important it is to support our troops, and puts a very human face on those who are deployed and returning. I hope that you will tune-in to the PBS broadcast or watch the film online. You won’t be sorry!!
No Comments »
By Claire
Posted in Military News, Spouse and Family
Soldier’s Angels was on top of things. This was posted to Facebook yesterday — please do what you can.
###
Soldiers’ Angels is assessing the needs and–with our founder currently residing in Texas–standing by to offer physical and emotional support to our heroes and their families at Fort Hood.
RIGHT NOW: Collecting encouraging notes and NEW stuffed animals for the families and children of the injured or killed. Please send cards/letters and stuffed animals (and anything NEW that may brighten the life of a child) to:
Soldiers’ Angels
4408 PanAm Expressway
San Antonio, TX 78218
No Comments »
By Troy
Posted in MilBlogger Interviews, Video
This is a great interview with someone who is a leading force in the financial blog world and has been a guest speaker at Blog World Expo for three years now. Even after being there three years, this was his first introduction to milblogging and his first time attending the milblog panels. Zac and I talked a lot about how bloggers and milbloggers could help educate each other.
No Comments »
By Claire
Posted in Spouse and Family
The post office has posted the APO mailing schedule. If you want to get those packages out on time, follow the guide below. We know there’s never a guarantee, but normally if you follow the calendar your package will arrive in time for the Holidays.
Click to view larger image
No Comments »
November 5, 2009 By Troy
Posted in MilBlogger Interviews
8:20:07 PM: Talking with SFC Greg Stube, http://bit.ly/1Nd8JS
8:22:06 PM: New blog entry: 110509 You Served Show http://bit.ly/1Y6GmC
8:24:04 PM: SFC Stube was hit with an IED, and lost his intestine’s part of his leg and was severly wounded and shot up
8:24:35 PM: The medevac could not get him out for a couple of hours after he was wouded
8:29:43 PM: SFC Stube has had 17 surgeries over 3 years
8:38:37 PM: SFC Stube still hunts and fishes ever after wounded
8:41:45 PM: “Serve something greater than yourself” SFC Stube
8:49:15 PM: Now talking to Tom Neely from Bridge of Sighs, http://www.bosband.com
8:51:24 PM: Steven Crowder is a stand up comedian and is touring with BOS before the show
8:52:01 PM: Tom said he was prepared to drink with the Marines and soldiers this time
9:08:36 PM: Now listening to Bridge of Sighs song, Freedom Stain
9:22:56 PM: Troy and Marcus are chatting
9:31:43 PM: We are talking about the shootings at Ft. Hood
9:45:22 PM: Talking to @TammyMunson who is the current On Loan blogger at YouServed.com
9:45:49 PM: @TammyMunson is a army spouse blogger who’s husband is deployed in Afghanistan
9:59:33 PM: Listening to Mark Wills as the outro musi
No Comments »
By Troy
Posted in Charities/Contests, You Served Radio
We here at You Served Blog and Radio are always auctioning items off on the You Served eBay store to help raise money for military charities. The great and popular band Smile Empty Soul who we had as a guest on the radio show a few weeks ago has donated many items to the show to help raise money from signed CDs to T-shirts to posters. The one big thing they donated, which is by far the biggest thing we have ever had on our eBay store is a Schecter Black Omen guitar signed by all the members of the band. This guitar lists for $399.00 retail, when it is not signed by such an awesome band. This one has a starting bid of $99.00 and we hope will go up from there.
The proceeds from this guitar are going 100% to the Valour-IT program which is run by Soldiers’ Angels.
Please check out http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320445244585 to see the item and make a bid.
No Comments »
By CJ
Posted in Veteran Benefits
On Tuesday, November 10, at 8:30AM EST, the Call of Duty Endowment (CODE), a non-profit public benefit corporation whose mission is to help soldiers transition to civilian careers, will host a launch breakfast and press conference at the Newseum in Washington, DC. A major grant announcement and new partnership will also be unveiled.
Recent trends show that America’s veterans are facing a new adversary – unemployment. According to figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 500,000 unemployed veterans between the ages of 18 and 64 in the United States.
WHO:Bobby Kotick, Activision Blizzard CEO
CODE Advisory Council Members: MG Matthew P. Caulfield (USMC-Ret.), COL Roger Dimsdale (USA-Ret.), RADM Ronne Froman (USN-Ret.), CPT Gordon H. Mansfield (USA-Ret.), BG James A. “Spider” Marks (USA-Ret.), GEN Montgomery C. Meigs (USA-Ret.), SFC Steve Robinson (USA-Ret.), BG Harry A. Sieben, Jr. (USANG-Ret.), MG Craig Whelden (USA-Ret.), MCPO Maurice Wilson (USN-Ret.)
WHAT:Breakfast & Press Conference (Program to begin at 9:00 AM)
WHEN: Tuesday, November 10th at 8:30 AM EST
WHERE:The Newseum
555 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20001
**Breakfast will be provided
No Comments »
By Troy
Posted in MilBlogger Interviews, Video
The video below is an interview that was conducted on the 2009 Blog World Expo show floor with the guys from the famous Chad Vadar Internet video series (http://www.blamesociety.net/chadvader/index.php). It may be somewhat hard to hear Troy at first, but the audio gets better. As you will hear, Chad’s voice is very clear. These guys are hilarious so be sure to check out their website and watch some of their videos.
No Comments »
November 4, 2009 By Claire
Posted in Spouse and Family
The following annoucnement is from the Army’s Stand-To blog:
Military Family Appreciation Month: “Honoring the sacrifices of the military family”
What is it?
Military Family Appreciation Month is a time to honor the sacrifices of our military families. Army families of Active, Guard, Reserve, veterans, and retirees are giving back in a time of need and sustain and support the Soldiers who defend our Nation. Army Families are Army Strong.
What has the Army done?
Throughout the month of November, Army families serving around the world are being honored through a variety of observances and are being recognized for the commitment and contributions they make every day. Efforts to recognize the sacrifices of the Army family by Active, Guard, and Reserve leaders are being joined and supported by DoD organizations to include the Army Air Force Exchange Service, Defense Commissary Agency, and others. In coordination with the Office of the Chief of Public Affairs, U.S. Army Entertainment, and the Army Multimedia Visual Information Directorate, a music video is being produced featuring the song “Life of a Soldier,” written and performed by Spc. Daniel Jens (America’s Got Talent) and Sgt 1st Class Sean Bennett (Nashville Star). The song is dedicated to Army families world-wide.
What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?
Through Army Family Covenant commitments, the Army will continue to build trust and confidence that the Army cares for Soldiers and families. At all levels, we will continue to recognize the continued support and sacrifices Army families make every day, knowing that the strength of our Soldiers comes from the strength of their families, and sustaining Soldiers is critical to sustaining an all-volunteer force. Through the commitments represented by the Army Family Covenant, the Army will continue to standardize and fund existing family programs and services, increase accessibility and quality of health care, improve Soldier and family housing, increase excellence in schools, youth services and child care, expand education and employment opportunities for family members, and continue to provide families a strong, supportive environment where they can thrive.
Why is it important to the Army?
Army families are important as the strength of our Soldiers comes from the strength of their families. They are a vital connection between Soldiers and the Army’s ability to remain strong. All Army families, Active, Guard, Reserve, veterans and retirees are giving back in this time of need. With thousands of Soldiers deployed, recognizing the daily sacrifices made by Army families has never been more important.
Resources:
My Army One Source
Army Entertainment
Defense Commissary Agency
Army Air Force Exchange Service
Army National Guard
Army Reserve
No Comments »
