War On Terror News

DOD Helps Military Families Avoid Money Scams

By Terri Moon Cronk
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, July 1, 2013 – While dodging financial scams seem to have become a part of life, Defense Department officials have measures to protect the military community from such circumstances, a senior Pentagon official said in a recent interview.

Scamming incidents in the military parallel those in the civilian community, Barbara Thompson, director of the Defense Department’s office of family policy, children and youth, told American Forces Press Service.

But scammers might target military families because of service members’ dependable incomes and frequent moves, opening them up to potential scams that can affect their financial readiness when renting or buying a home and securing car loans, she added.

“It’s really important that

Former POWs Recall Chaplain at Medal of Honor Events

By Terri Moon Cronk
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 28, 2013 – An Army chaplain who posthumously received the nation’s highest military honor earlier this year was inspirational, courageous in battle, and someone who talked the talk and walked the walk, a group of former Korean War prisoners of war said in a recent interview with Army Television.

Army Chaplain (Capt.) Emil Kapaun, a Roman Catholic priest and a Korean War POW, was awarded the Medal of Honor in an April 12 White House ceremony and was inducted into the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon the next day, 62 years after his death.  Several of the chaplain’s fellow POWs attended the Medal of Honor events.

“In prison camp, he was an inspiration to everyone,” recalled Robert Wood, a former Army infantry first lieutenant. “He never failed to inspire me with his courage and his own devotion -- bathing the sick and wounded and scavenging for us. He was a good thief. He would steal rations for us from the Chinese.”

Local Afghan engineers, unmanned aerial vehicles

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Afghanistan Engineer District - South

Story by Jasmine Chopra-Delgadillo

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed extensive refurbishments and upgrades of the Afghanistan National Border Police Company Unit facility in Musa Abadin, Herat province, June 20, well ahead of schedule. Due to the extreme remoteness of the site, the project was completed without USACE personnel visiting the site and instead, USACE relied on contracted, local Afghan
engineering professionals (not affiliated with the construction firm) to submit photos, video, and other important status updates about the project. Unmanned aerial vehicle flyovers to obtain images of progress were also used.  Jasmine Chopra-Delgadillo

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed extensive refurbishments and upgrades of the Afghanistan National Border Police Company Unit facility in Musa Abadin, Herat province, June 20, well ahead of schedule.

The facilities, renovated and improved by an Afghan-owned and operated construction firm with oversight by the Afghanistan Engineer District-South, will serve as a base of operations for 100
personnel.

Tail wagging for Marechaussee Medal

226th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade

Story by Staff Sgt. Sandra Lucas

After receiving the Marechaussee Medal in bronze, Staff Sgt. Eric Johnson, Regional Program Manager and SSD Handler, 179th Military Police Company, (Operation Enduring Freedom), Regional Command North and Capital Afghanistan, poses with working dog “Racker” here at Camp Phoenix in Patriot Square. Staff Sgt. Sandra Lucas

KABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan - “His name is Racker, like cracker” says Staff Sgt. Eric Johnson, Regional Program Manager and SSD Handler, 179th Military Police Company, (Operation Enduring Freedom), Regional Command North and Capital Afghanistan.

It is difficult to overlook Johnson who estimates his height at 6 feet 9 inches. Yet, when the tail wagging five month old Racker is at Johnson’s side it is the Labrador retriever who garners the attention. However, on this day Racker gives the spotlight to his trainer.

Friday in Patriot Square, Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan, Johnson received the Military Police Regimental Association Award of The Order of the Marechaussee in Bronze for his ideals, values, outstanding work and dedication to the mission.

Col. Sylvester Cannon, Commanding Officer of the 226th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade presented the award. “Johnson is recognized for a career that extends beyond a decade of service. He weighs the importance and long-term impact of every decision he makes” said Cannon.

For the past 13 years Johnson has dedicated his life in support of the Military Police Corps. Johnson is described as a soldier who possesses the warrior spirit to fight and win when called upon by our nation.

Johnson looks at his job and soldiers as he does his wife and children. “Trying to stay one step ahead of the game and prepare them for the possible threats that life continues to bring. I do the best that I can and make no promises so that at the end of the day when I go home, I can rest with my best friend and wife of 19 years knowing that those who look up to me have a fighting chance” said Johnson.

The distinguished Order of the Marechaussee traces its beginnings to the formation of a provost unit, the Marechaussee Corps, in the Continental Army. The corps, authorized by Congress on 27 May 1778 borrows its name from the French term for provost troops.

In 1821 the War Department outlined the duties of military police and recommended that commanders select personnel of superior intelligence and physical ability to perform these duties. Significantly, throughout the Army's history these qualities have always been identified as prerequisites for the soldiers selected to perform military police duties.

“I know how special and important it is for me to have been selected to receive the Marechaussee. In
my opinion, it is the highest award that an MP can ever receive and I will wear it with pride” said Johnson.

The order reads:

The “Order of the Marchaussee” acknowledges the outstanding dedication and devotion to the
Military Police Corps Regiment. Your degree of professionalism, high standards of integrity and morality, and your promotion of esprit de corps are unparalleled. These qualities mirror those required of the sixty three men, who donned the blue uniform with yellow piping, in 1778 and mounted their horses to become members of the Marechaussee Corps of the Continental Army.

You have met the challenge, as the soldiers of the Marechaussee Corps did, of being just and impartial in the performance of your duties, compassionate without being foolish, or allowing pity to cloud your judgment, and displaying your devotion to order and justice. By becoming a member of the “Order of the Marechaussee” you enter a unique organization of heroes who have emulated their
predecessors, and by virtue of those acts have received the laurels of your fellow service members.

ISAF Remembers Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl

KABUL, Afghanistan (June 30, 2013) - Today marks four years that U.S. Army Sergeant Bowe W. Bergdahl has been held captive.  Sgt. Bergdahl, from Hailey, Idaho, was discovered missing during a unit roll-call in Afghanistan on June 30, 2009.

"Four years later, we are still waiting for Sgt. Bergdahl's safe return, and it is my sincere hope that the wait will soon come to an end.  To Sgt. Bergdahl's family, I want to say that we know you have not given up hope, and neither have we," said Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Commander of ISAF.

"I understand the people of Hailey, Idaho continue to remember Sgt. Bergdahl this year by planting a tree and hosting a 500-bike motorcycle ride. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and would like nothing more than to see him returned to his loved ones,” Dunford said.

Sgt. Bergdahl was declared Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN) on July 1, 2009, and his status was changed to "Missing-Captured" on July 3, 2009. Sgt. Bergdahl is listed as a member of the 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, from Fort Richardson, Alaska.