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6/8/2012 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) -- The 99th Air Base Wing headquarters building here is adding solar panels in an effort to make the building more energy efficient. Nellis Air Force Base is in the process of starting and completing eight separate projects to make Nellis AFB, Creech AFB and the Nevada Test and Training Range more energy efficient. "A while back, a major command-wide energy audit came to Nellis," said Lynn Haarklau, the 99th Civil Engineer Squadron chief of asset options. "They decided that one option to increase energy efficiency use on base was to install...

Well I have given better interviews. I have sourced this back to the original thread

A Revski classic with a little Christian humor!

An angry Steve Newton, Founder of the Silver Star Families of America, called on Chris Hayes to resign or be terminated for his recent comments on MSNBC on the fallen of the United States Military.

In Memory of a Fallen Comrade I write this in memory of MSG William B. Hunt, U.S. Army Special Forces, MIA, November 4, 1966. It is an account of the sacrifice he made to his country, to his comrades, and to the Vietnamese people. In November 1966, SSG Hunt and I served together at Special Forces ODA Camps under Detachment B-32, 5th Special Forces Group, Tay Ninh Province, in the Republic of Vietnam. Hunt was with ODA-322 at Camp Suoi DA, and I was assigned to ODA-323 at Camp Trai Bi. Our camps were about 30 kilometers apart and we...

As age continues to overtake my eyes and body, my mind and memories too begin to dim.

<p>This is a video posted by VetsClub on YouTube. The title of the music is "If I Young."</p>

Here is a soldier in Iraq , stationed in a big sand box. He asked his wife to send him dirt ( U.S. soil), fertilizer, and some grass seed so that he can have the sweet aroma, and feel the grass grow beneath his feet. When the men of the squadron have a mission that they are going on, they take turns walking through the grass and the American soil — to bring them good luck. Of all the things he could have asked his wife to send to him from home………..he asked for American soil.

Give a shoutout/p.m. to Hotmetal(a FReeper in Afganistan). He needs us right now. Its lonely and desolate over there. Please p.m. or leave a note here. Sorry, brotherman, but I had to let everyone know. We got your back. I posted this for you and all your buds. Hey dude, we love you! At least me and Carrie do! Come home safe, brotherman! My offer stands forever! Prayers up, Soldier! God Speed. I would appreciate a 'howdy' to Hotmetal from y'all Freepers, and so would he. Thanks

An excellent insight into what is sometimes called the command mindset or command ego. Does this remind you of someone you have worked for? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuVc2SDZd9Q&feature=youtube_gdata_player

SO I ran into a situation where a friend of mine is finishing his term of military service in his home country, and he has his eyes set on moving to the USA and joining the US Army or US Marine Corps. He has applied to the standard visa lottery system, but with no success. He is applying again for next year. In the mean time, I thought I'd ask if there are any informed Army or Marine recruiters on FR who know if military veterans from Partners for Peace countries can get some sort of special visa to directly...

My son heads to Quantico on 27 May for USMC OCS as a senior candidate. I was using google maps and google earth as aerial recon, and for the life of me I cannot definitively locate the Quigley course. I am failing my photo interpretation class ;-). Can you vets who have been there/ done that tell me WHERE the Quigley course is? I believe it may be south of the bridge, in the woods/water west of Timmerman, north of Flemming.

<p>This is the story of two women named “Paula.” Both have “battled” the U.S. Navy. But that is where the similarity between them ends.</p> <p>Paula Fisk, a federal civil service worker assigned to the Miramar Naval Air Station (NAS) in California, prior to her illegal dismissal after 28 years of outstanding service, is a genuine “whistleblower” who was retaliated on and treated abusively by her chain-of-command.</p>

This is a very brief video, and it will inspire you. God bless our brave men and women.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2878460/posts Dude could use some prayers, since he is currently doing the hardest thing you can do - keeping on breathing. Ain't a single vet will let a brother twist in the wind.

LAPTOPS FOR WOUNDED WARRIORS, founded by GATHERING OF EAGLES, has delivered another free laptop to a deserving serviceman today, April 28, 2012. It is with great pleasure I wish to announce the donation of a laptop to a wounded warrior today, SSgt Charlie Pannell, in Anderson, South Carolina. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3826515071826.161724.1546263781&type=3 Charlie was injured in September 2008 by an Iraqi terrorist's grenade in operations while clearing houses in a combat action. He told me that most of the men hit that day had died of their wounds, while his injuries have led to the amputation of his left leg and continuing infections...

This is a YouTube video I came across. During the 1970s, the Sultanate of Oman was threatened by Communist guerillas of the PFLOAG (Popular Front for the Liberation of the Occupied Arabian Gulf), and the UK sent SAS soldiers to help the government. On July 19, 1972, a SAS squad was stationed outside the town of Mirbat, in Dhofar province. They came under attack by several hundred Adoo (Communists), and they had to hold the line until support could arrive. Here is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxmtbMFGSXo&feature=autoplay&list=PL5FFDDFA750F39D0A&lf=results_main&playnext=4

Another group of unclaimed veterans’ remains will be placed in a columbaria at the Southern Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery during a 1 p.m. ceremony Friday. It will the third placing of unclaimed remains, some whom were homeless or indigent veterans, headed by the Missing In America Project. Bob Day, the Arizona M.I.A.P. state coordinator said, “Similar to no man left behind in battle, we believe no veteran should be forgotten and that each deserves to be laid to rest with honor to acknowledge his or her contributions to our freedom.” The Friday event will begin in Tucson where the cremains...

Knew him in passing. Know his kids and grandkids. He was a neighbor and a patriarch in the area (Becker). He was a good man. RIP Bill. Good job, soldier. God Bless you and your family. You will be missed. Carry on.

The following is an update to the previous blog post on the new VRAP GI Bill “retraining” benefit: The new program, now known as Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP), will offer up to 12 months of Montgomery GI Bill benefits for older unemployed veterans. The program is part of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act which also includes tax breaks for companies that hire veterans. That means that pre-9/11 veterans who often feel left out, may soon qualify for as much as $17,600 ($1473 a month) for education and training. Here’s what you should know about the new VRAP:

"As promised… I just walked into a local pub (PUB 25, Newtown, CT) and asked to speak with the Owner/Manager. I asked if I could leave a cold one on the bar for Michael all day . I showed him the “Reserved” sign I made and explained I wanted to leave him sufficient funds to buy a random person a Guinness every hour today, and that when the surprised patron asks him “Who is this from?” he should reply: “It’s from LT Michael P. Murphy.” and point to the reserved sign. The Owner/Manager was so in tune with this small...

Soldiers asked to disarm during Leon Panetta speech

The biggest knife for slicing Tricare costs off future defense budgets is not new and higher enrollment fees or deductibles proposed for retirees and their families who use one of the military’s health insurance options of Tricare Prime, Standard, Extra or, for the elderly, Tricare for Life. Those phased increases, as detailed here last week, would save a total of $23 billion over 10 years, mostly by sticking retirees with higher costs. But even more dollars — $28 billion over 10 years — would be saved in Tricare pharmacy costs alone under a separate proposed plan to revise co-payments for...

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey told service members Tuesday that the Defense Department is continuing to review the military’s health care structure after proposing changes in its fiscal 2013 budget that would increase TRICARE fees.

Pfc. Douglas J. Jeffries Jr. – 20 Springville, CA – 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division One of two soldiers killed when enemy forces attacked their unit with a roadside bomb in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on September 8, 2011 I spoke with Doug's grandfather Steve Jeffries today at a local gas station and he asked me why a singer that died from a drug overdose rated flags lowered to half-staff statewide when all his grandson got was flags lowered to half-staff in Tulare county by order of the Board of Supervisors. Good question but I...

Jets from the 20th Fighter Wing provided a key role in taking a down corrupt regime during Operation Unified Protector. Their actions in OUP led to the capture of Moammar Gadhafi, the Libyan dictator for 42 years, by the Libyan revolutionaries on Oct. 20, 2011. The 20th FW first sent support at the beginning of April to support NATO forces in protecting the Libyan civilians from the dictatorship. "Around the middle of March, when things were starting to heat up in Libya, we were starting to pay attention," said Col. Charlie Moore, 20th FW commander. "It became apparent that we...

Military personnel costs for retirees versus active-duty service members are among the “most politically sensitive” competing interests within the fiscal 2013 Defense Department budget process, according to a new analysis from the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. Andrew Krepinevich, CSBA’s president, called personnel costs in the future years’ defense plan “the 600-pound gorilla,” and CSBA senior fellow Todd Harrison urged leaders to address the uncomfortable topic now. http://www.govexec.com/defense/2012/02/budget-debate-pits-military-retiree-interests-against-those-active-duty-analysts-warn/41141/

Hi my name is Collin Bell. I am currently a Sophomore at Andover High School and I recently made a video about climate change for my World Geography class. Tell me what you think: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WG7fpta8zI

WINDOW ROCK — Another Navajo Code Talker has died. Sgt. Jimmie Begay, of Sawmill, died Wednesday afternoon, the Navajo Nation says. He was 86. --------------------- Services are pending.

TAKES 10 SECONDS ... DO IT AND PASS IT ON Own a Gun? Please Keep This Moving Guess they were not happy with the poll results the first time so USA today is running another one... Vote now Attorney General, Eric Holder, has already said this is one of his major issues. He does not believe the 2nd Amendment gives individuals the right to bear arms. This takes literally 2 clicks to complete. Please vote on this gun issue question with USA Today. It will only take a few seconds of your time. Then pass the link on to all...

For freedom’s way the patriots bled, The crosses mark our honored dead. More clearly than mere words e’er may That field lays out their final say: No greater love, they gave it all, In answer to man’s highest call. But don’t forget that most returned. To them we owe esteem they earned. And last of all, remember this: Our LORD betrayed by one mere kiss. For from within true danger lies, Though carefully as friend disguised. So fight my friend, from where you stand, For freedom rides on every man. E pluribus unum

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Large crowds are gathering in downtown St. Louis to honor Iraq War veterans Saturday during the nation's first big welcome home parade since the last troops left the country in December. Veterans dressed in camouflage lined up alongside military vehicles at the start of the parade, while organizers handed out small American flags to people along the route, many holding signs reading "Welcome Home" and "Thanks to our service men and women."

There is nothing quite like the smell of burning human feces in the morning. If this first sentence offends you, I make no apologies. It may offend you because you have never been in combat, or if you were in a combat zone you were far enough in the rear to enjoy modern conveniences. It reminds me of a Harley-Davidson T-shirt which many riders have worn so proudly, including yours truly. Of course, the shirt is emblazoned with an artist's cool rendition of a raucous H-D, but the words thereon say it all. "If I have to explain, you wouldn't...

From the 1906 Book "The Latest Views of Washington", L.H. Nelson Company, Portland, Maine. Except where noted, all materials are from the collection of Michael Robert Patterson. Updated 22 January 2006

This was the Year of the Middle Class -- as in, its falling incomes, loss of job security and anger. The global economic forces fueling the decline, such as foreign competition and computers, have been well reported. But what about cultural factors? Is the middle class going down partly because it stopped acting middle class? For those who remember the American middle's golden era of 40 years ago -- or see it reconstructed on TV dramas -- the cultural losses are pretty shocking. The middle managers in "Mad Men" returned to orderly homes with tidy children, even as their personal...

This animation of a mother American Bald eagle feeding her young eaglets in a high nest that is firmly perched in a tree top, inspiring event! The song of this video is the first and last verse of, Amazing Grace! The singer is female and unknown!

Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffery T. Stitzel, regimental sergeant major for the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), was the Army’s first NCO of the year in 2002 while serving as a sergeant first class. Since that inaugural competition – now known as The Best Warrior Competition and held at Fort Lee, Va. – Stitzel has seen the status of the noncommissioned officer evolve into having a more crucial role in the Army. "We’re asking noncommissioned officers to do things now at the staff level that we entrusted career course-graduate captains to do," Stitzel said. Adding, "You’ve got noncommissioned...

From my friend in the Military: F-35B...WOW! THIS IS THE MARINE CORPS VERSION OF THE F-35, AND THEY CAN'T WAIT TO GET DELIVERY. THE 'A' MODEL GOES TO THE AIR FORCE, AND THE 'C' MODEL IS THE NAVY VERSION. I'VE GOT A HUNCH THEY WILL BE FLYING THESE BIRDS INTO THE LATE 2030's. NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT FOLLOW-ON AIRCRAFT. Short video of an amazing plane from Lockheed Martin. http://www.aircraftowner.com/videos/view/f-35b---taking-stovl-to-a-new-level_1126

ANAHEIM – He was beaten. Marched before a firing squad. Starved at Buchenwald. Only a small twist of fate saved him – four days before the Nazis planned to execute him. They have survived Buchenwald. But the world isn't ready to hear it. After the war, they are told to not speak about it. The official U.S. stance was that no American POWs went to Buchenwald. "We were still negotiating certain things with the Germans," says Dorsey, of Temecula. "The government didn't want to upset people by saying U.S. servicemen were held in concentration camps."

In a ceremony honoring American unknown Soldiers Oct. 26, Bruno Bourg-Broc made the following observation: “At the end of World War II, the French poet Paul Edwards said — regarding the millions of deported people who perished in Nazi concentration camps – that if the echo of their voice is extinguished, we will perish. “Similarly,” Bourg-Broc said, “we can say if the echo of the voices of these Soldiers who gave their lives is never heard again we too will perish.” Bourg-Broc is the deputy to the French national Chamber of Deputies and mayor to the city of Chalons, France....

First lady Michelle Obama announced commitments from companies Thursday to hire 100,000 veterans and military spouses by 2014, a dramatic step in her Joining Forces initiative. She said the show of support demonstrates to military families that “America has your back.” The first Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden launched Joining Forces, a national initiative that mobilizes all sectors of society to give service members and their families the opportunities and support they have earned. In her keynote address to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Business Steps Up: Hiring our Heroes event, Michelle Obama announced that the International Franchise...

This appeared in Sarah Palin's "America by Heart." I think it is especially appropriate today. It is the veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. .It is the veteran, not he politician, who has given...

A special Veterans Day tribute featuring Due Souths' song "The Good Guys" (written by a FReeper!!!) with a special message from Debbie Lee, whose son, Marc Alan Lee was the first Navy Seal killed in Iraq. Help make this video go viral, and in turn help Debbies'charity "Americas' Mighty Warriors" raise funds. You can hear more of Due South at "goodguysusa.com'

I am looking to buy a home in the State of Illinois and wanted to know if anyone has had any experience with the on-line VA Loan programs that are available? Any in particular? Pros and cons of going this route?

A new group called Occupy Marines is calling on non-active duty Marines to support the "Occupy" protest movement. The group was formed online to support the Occupy Wall Street protests after videos circulated online of a Marine confronting New York City police, questioning their tactics used against Occupy Wall Street demonstrators.... (VIDEO AT LINK) In a video that has received nearly 2.5 million views, Marine Sgt. Shamar Thomas of Roosevelt, N.Y. an Iraq War veteran, spoke out to police in New York's Times Square, charging that they were over-reacting to Occupy marchers - and shaming their uniform....

Traditionally, fighting slows in the middle of Afghan winters as opposing sides dig in to establish gains already made or make plans to retake losses. This winter, coalition troops are working to solidify positions in former Taliban strongholds in southern Afghanistan, holding ground and working with locals. Meanwhile the Taliban continues its campaign of sporadic attacks, and steps up efforts to create a sort of shadow government in parts of eastern Afghanistan. Though conflicts were light last month, 32 coalition troops still lost their lives

A brand-new music video from the group "Due South" pays tribute to our Military, both past and present, as well as first responders.

A brand-new music video from the group "Due South" pays tribute to our Military, both past and present, as well as first responders.

snip... By far the most contentious proposal circulating in Washington is from a Pentagon advisory panel, the Defense Business Board. It would make the military pension system, a defined benefit plan, more like a 401(k) plan under which the Pentagon would make contributions to a service member’s individual account; contributions by the troops themselves would be optional. Mr. Panetta has said that if adopted, the plan would not apply to current military personnel.