Monthly Archives: August 2010

Talking With Heroes

Posted on August 10, 2010 by CJ| Leave a comment

25 year Veteran SFC Christina LeMond has been a Drill Sergeant, has been to Iraq and is now with the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion from Ft Dix, NJ. She talks about progress, projects, working the the Gov’t at the Provincial level, budgets, about a Female Engagement Team, Girls Schools, little girls in USA writing to little girls in Afghanistan, the need for Shoes, Care Packages and more! She is interviewed by Bob Calvert, a good friend of the milblogging community.

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Posted in Life in the Military

For Whom The Bell Tolls (Tissue Alert)

Posted on August 9, 2010 by CJ| 4 Comments

We Texans love our military. We have a rich history of answering the call to defend both our state and this nation. This video is an awesome example of just one Texan’s mission to honor every fallen Texan possible. Make sure you have something to wipe away the tears before pushing play.

Honor the Fallen Bell Ringer from You Served Radio & Blog on Vimeo.

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Posted in Patriotism, Video, Wall of Honor

Life In Iraq

Posted on August 9, 2010 by CJ| 1 Comment

I’ve often spoken about the real Iraq. When we hear the word “Fallujah” we automatically think terrorists, insurgents, death, hate, destruction, etc. But, that’s the Iraq I remember. At least not all of it.

Of course, there are people and places that hated me. Within Fallujah, there were many. But, also within Fallujah there were a lot of people that frequently invited my team into their home and fed us and offered tea and coffee. I frequently certain areas of the city to meet with “friends” who helped us quite a bit. There were Iraqis that would visit us at our outposts and security points and bring us freshly baked bread and sodas.

I say this because it’s good to read a recent story in the Army Times about some Iraqis who have come back here to both learn about the real American culture and talk about their homeland.

“Iraq is not a place just for bombing … not a place just for American soldiers to be killed. There are people living there, they have their own life. There are some cities that are safe and some places that have their danger,” [Nawras Mahmood] said.

But many Iraqis are educated, open-minded and eager to learn, Mahmood said.

“They are wearing jeans and T-shirts and having their normal life. We don’t have camels that we ride in the city,” she joked.

“When I started thinking about America, I thought tall buildings, lots of people, traffic. That’s not what it’s like here. People are very relaxed,” said Veyan Agha, a medical student, as she discussed the group’s weekend trip to St. Louis.

I tell my wife all the time that I have a real desire to see Iraq become a safe and prosperous country to which I can one day take my family. It’s a beautiful country full of history and great people. I’m glad to see that there are people willing to come over here and tell their story. I just wish we could do the same and send people over to also talk about our culture. People besides Code Pink!

You can read about some of my experiences on my other blog HERE.

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Posted in Life in the Military

Army Releases Health Promotion, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention Report

Posted on August 9, 2010 by Troy| 1 Comment

The Army released the Health Promotion, Risk Reduction, and Suicide Prevention (HP/RR/SP) Report, the result of a focused 15-month effort to better understand the increasing rate of suicides in the force. This candid report is intended to inform and educate Army leaders on the importance of recognizing and reducing high risk behavior related to suicide and accidental death, and reducing the stigma associated with behavioral health and treatment. This report represents the next phase in the Army’s ongoing campaign to promote resiliency in a force that has been at war for nearly a decade. To learn more, go to:http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13756


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Posted in Uncategorized

Honor Thy Father

Posted on August 7, 2010 by LL| Leave a comment

This is a great article about a man who is using his own time and money to record the stories of combat vets (he is focusing on WWII vets right now because we are losing so many).

David Meyer has been capturing oral histories since 2004 and boasts a collection of more than 200 audio recordings, but his work is far from over.

He specializes in World War II veterans, a feat that grows more challenging by the day as the generation that witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor grows older and less able to share their memories from decades passed.

Meyer said he is reminded of this race against time on his visits to the 95th Infantry Division’s annual reunion.

“When I first went in 2004, there were 500 men,” Meyer said. “Last year, there were 90.”

There are some wonderful Americans out there who honor our veterans by their good works and I thank them!!

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Posted in Military History, News

GI Bill Stipend Make-Up Checks Coming in August

Posted on August 7, 2010 by Troy| 1 Comment

Underpayments of living stipends to 153,000 veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill will be corrected in August when the Veterans Affairs Department (VA) issues one-time catch-up checks to anyone who has received the stipend since January 1, 2010. For most veterans, payments will be made through direct deposits to the bank accounts to which they had living stipends sent. Payment calculators are supposed to be updated with the 2010 living stipend rates in time to send out payments for the fall term for student veterans. To read this article in full, please go to:http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/07/military_gibill_livingstipends_072010w/

Please click below to read more on this topic:http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/07/military_gi_bill_living_stipends_071910w/

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Posted in Veteran Benefits

Automated System Glitch Could Affect Some NCOs

Posted on August 6, 2010 by Troy| Leave a comment

The automated system used to manage promotion-point data for active duty advancements to sergeant and staff sergeant had technical problems in June that could affect some point calculations for August promotions. The blackout of the DA Form 3355 (promotion point worksheet) system June 12-28 prevented point updates from reaching the Army’s master personnel database during that period, according to a notice from Human Resources Command. HRC officials said unit S-1 sections and military personnel detachments should review all promotion point updates that were submitted June 12-28 and update the Enlisted Distribution Assignment System (EDAS) with current promotion point data. Soldiers who submitted point updates via the self-service system during the blackout should contact their S-1 or supporting personnel office to ensure their points are updated to EDAS. To read more, please go to:http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/07/army_alert_071910w/

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Posted in News

Translating Military Spouse Skills Into Work Place Skills

Posted on August 5, 2010 by Claire| 1 Comment

Many years ago  I had a job where I had to find translatable skills for clients. The basic premise behind what I did then was to look for what people did well, and then find a way to extract from the events in their lives the skills they used to cope and get through. I  would highlight the skill set and we would practice using the same skills to deal with other things. Often when we think of skills we only think of the solid, concrete aspect of skills. Jokingly, as Napolean Dynamite listed skills girls were interested in he lamented  ”… nunchuku skills, bow hunting skills, computer hacking skills… Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills!”  What Napolean failed to realize is girls want boyfriends who are resourceful and who can protect them. He only listed the tangible skill and not the skill that was translatable.

A lot of how we see our skills is dependent on our understanding of the underlying skills that give us the ability to do things. Another quick example for me, personally, would be using the articles I have written here on You Served on a resume. I could say that I write on a military blog, but it goes much further than that. I research topics that I write about. I find meaningful resources to share with the military community. I have built relationships with other bloggers, and the list goes on and on. The list demonstrates even further that I am able to research a topic and pull out pertinent information, build meaningful and strategic relationships with others in my field, and use creativity in the workplace.

It takes a little digging, but it’s important to understand your portable or translatable skills. I am not talking mere semnatics here, and I am not encouraging you to list skills you don’t really posses. Rather I am hoping you will take a different and new look at what strengths you possess and how those can help you in a job or volunteer position you may want to apply for. For example, I may apply for a job where I don’t have to write, but most employers can use an employee who can build good working relationships with others and research information! That’s translatable! So, let’s look at some of the shared experiences of military spouses and pull out some of those translatable skills:

  • PCSing: Translatable skills: Resiliency, Organizing, managing a project , supervising (moving staff when applicable), handling change, planning and executing a plan under stress and pressure. The ability to connect with others quickly and find resources in a new area. You get the idea… add some of your own ideas of what skills it took to have a successful PCS.
  • Deployment: Translatable skills: Resiliency, stress management, ability to support others, resource brokerage, community event planning (FRGs and other community events), collaboration, interfacing with people of various ranks and backgrounds.
  • Military Life (general): Translatable skills: Resiliency, ability to navigate a bureaucracy, teamwork, leadership, ability to plan for hard situations, adjusts quickly to change, resourceful.

See how easy that is? I am absolutely convinced that our military spouses are quite amazing people. In a world where so many live untouched by the war (some have even forgotten that we are still at war) our spouses have tread the ground here on the home front and in their hearts, the battlefield as well. They tend to be generous, smart, savvy, and good self-advocates. Show ‘em what you’re made of and don’t sell yourself short if you’ve been out of the workforce for a while and have ‘only been a military spouse’ for the past several years. You have more skills than you even realize!

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Posted in Life in the Military, Spouse and Family

Back to School, Already!

Posted on August 5, 2010 by Claire| 1 Comment

I can not believe how short the summers are getting for kids in school today. Back when I was a kid I know we would have staged a full revolt in the cafeteria on the first day if they even tried to send us back in August! I am not calling for a revolution, but can you all believe that it is time for back to school thoughts? Some kids I know are starting back as soon as two days ago! Yikes. What’s going on?!

Well if you are are facing a new school this year with your child then you know there are even more things to have to consider than just what kind of backpack to buy.

I found the following tips for helping children to adjust to a new school from the RI Dept. of Health. If you have been through this before with your own children, share how you helped them to adjust and get ready for this difficult, but exciting chapter in their life.

For many kids, changing to a new school can be an exciting experience. It can also be scary and intimidating. Parents can do a lot to help ease their child’s transition. Here are some tips to help with your child’s transition:

1) For younger children, make an appointment for you and your child to meet with the teacher before school starts. Your child may be more comfortable if he or she has met the teacher. For middle school or high school kids, set up a meeting for both of you to meet with your child’s guidance counselor. This will give him or her a chance to ask questions about classes and activities. It will also give him or her a sense of what to expect.

2) Call the school and find out if there is an orientation for new students. If not, arrange a tour for your child before classes begin. For example, if a child is worried that they won’t be able to open their locker, have them practice before school starts. Addressing your child’s fears of the unknown should help ease his or her concerns.

3) Talk with other parents in your neighborhood. They can be helpful since they are familiar with the school environment and after-school activities. Befriending other parents also gives a new kid the opportunity to meet a classmate before school starts, and knowing someone beforehand can help ease a child’s anxiety.

4) Get involved in your child’s school. Having a close and well-informed connection between home and school is very important for a child’s adjustment and school success. Volunteer in the classroom or on class trips if possible. Ask teachers if there are any classroom rituals your child should know about or if there are any special supplies that your child should have that would make him or her feel prepared and more included.

5) Practice social skills with your child. Parents can review social skills with their children by coaching them on how to introduce themselves, how to ask questions to get to know others, and to remember to share with classmates and smile.

6) Ask questions. Ask your child for his or her opinions about the new school and continue asking questions about the new routine. Your child should feel that they have a safe place to talk about their feelings and any worries they may have. Give them an opportunity to ask questions and ask for advice, which will help to keep you informed and ensure that their transition is going well.

Since it may take a few weeks or months for kids to feel comfortable in a new school, it is important that parents do not dismiss their child’s concerns. If you notice that your child is complaining excessively about illness on school days, actively avoiding any discussion of school, having trouble sleeping, or wetting the bed, you may wish to schedule an appointment with your child’s teacher and/or school counselor to discuss your child’s adjustment.“

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Posted in Spouse and Family

Exchanges Offer ‘Bag Credit’

Posted on August 5, 2010 by Troy| Leave a comment

Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) operated retail facilities are encouraging shoppers to bring their own reusable bags through its “Use a Bag, Save the Planet” initiative.  Shoppers that use their own bags will get five cents back for every reusable bag used.  The five cent credit applies only to shoppers who bring in and use reusable shopping bags (plastic bags do not apply).  Customers who simply decline a plastic bag, but do not utilize a reusable bag, will not qualify for the five cent credit.  For more information, contact your local BX/PX.  Find your local store on the AAFES website at: http://www.aafes.com.

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Posted in Spouse and Family, Veteran Benefits