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Navy to Target Female Recruits

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:38:10 +0000

The Navy plans to target more female recruits in 2010. Currently, 15.4 percent of the Navy enlisted force are females, and the Navy wants to increase that number to at least 20 percent. While the overall active duty enlisted recruiting goal for 2010 remains the same (35,000), the Navy hopes to recruit at least 7,996 female recruits (up from 7,474 in fiscal year 2009).

According to officials, the Navy wants women in "nontraditional" ratings, such as engineering and combat systems, instead of the clerical or health care fields women have to volunteer for in the past.

Navy to Target Female Recruits originally appeared on About.com US Military on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 12:38:10.

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Short-Term Soldiers May be Separated

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:40:48 +0000

The Army has announced a new program which affects active duty enlisted Soldiers with more than 3 years but less than 71 months of service, according to an article in the Stars & Stripes.

Under the new program, Soldiers who have fewer than 180 days left on their enlistment will be given a choice when their units deploy: They will be offered incentives to complete the deployment or be involuntarily separated up to 90 days prior to the end of their enlistment. According to the article, other than their regular pay and allowances, soldiers who are subject to the involuntary discharge will not lose any rights or benefits they would have received if allowed to complete their tours of duty, the message states. Furthermore, unearned portions of enlistment or re-enlistment bonuses will not be recouped. This program is being implemented because the Army has decided to end its active duty STOP-LOSS program, effective January 1.

Short-Term Soldiers May be Separated originally appeared on About.com US Military on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 12:40:48.

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More Air Force Down-Sizing

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:40:11 +0000

Just when you thought the "down-sizing was over, the Air Force has announced that it needs to cut around 3,700 enlisted airmen and officers in 2010 and 2011.

The cuts are necessary due to better-than-expected re-enlistment and retention rates, according to officials. Targeted for the down-sizing will be enlisted folks with more than 20 years of service, and those with less than 14 years of service. Among officers, the Air Force will implement programs for the early retirement of selected Lieutenant Colonels (O-5) and Colonels (O-6).

More Air Force Down-Sizing originally appeared on About.com US Military on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 12:40:11.

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Air Force Changes Senior NCO Academy Policy

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:38:39 +0000

Beginning Jan. 1, all master sergeants must complete the 6� week resident Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy before they are promoted to senior master sergeant (E-8), according to an Air Force Times article.

Before this policy change, completion of the Senior NCO Academy, at Air University at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Ala., was required only before promotion to chief master sergeant (E-9).

Air Force Changes Senior NCO Academy Policy originally appeared on About.com US Military on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 12:38:39.

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October Recruiting Statistics

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:45:48 +0000

The Department of Defense has released its recruiting statistics for the month of October 2009. All of the military branches are off to a strong start in this brand new fiscal year (a "fiscal year" runs from October 1 to September 30).

October Recruiting Statistics originally appeared on About.com US Military on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 14:45:48.

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Marine Special Operations to Incorporate Women

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:45:07 +0000

Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command is making women an integral part of spec ops teams in Afghanistan, where they'll be used to develop a rapport with Afghan women and, it is hoped, build broader support for the frail Afghan government, according to an article in the Marine Corps Times.

MarSOC's first female engagement team -- comprising a captain, two corporals and a Navy corpsman -- will spend about nine months with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, which is scheduled to take command of a task force later this year that will oversee U.S. spec ops forces in northern and western Afghanistan. By attaching female troops to spec ops teams, officials hope to better navigate local Afghan customs that often prohibit interaction between women and men who are not members of their families.

Marine Special Operations to Incorporate Women originally appeared on About.com US Military on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 14:45:07.

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Air Force Re-Enlistment Bonuses

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:02:24 +0000

The Air Force has released its re-enlistment bonus rates for FY 2010 and it's good news. The Air Force has increased bonus amounts in 35 AFSCs (jobs), and added 10 AFSCs to the list. However, bonuses went down in 32 jobs, and 2 AFSCs fell off the list.

Air Force Re-Enlistment Bonuses originally appeared on About.com US Military on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 15:02:24.

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Heath Care Reform Bill May Hurt Military Retirees

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:01:40 +0000

Two top Republicans warn that the national health care reform plan approved by the House of Representatives could end up hurting military retirees and veterans, according to an article in the Army Times.

Reps. Howard "Buck" McKeon of California, ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, and Steve Buyer of Indiana, ranking Republican on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, said they fear the Affordable Health Care for America Act that passed the House by a 220-215 vote on Saturday would restrict options and possibly reduce coverage for veterans, retirees and their families.

Heath Care Reform Bill May Hurt Military Retirees originally appeared on About.com US Military on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 15:01:40.

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Robots on the Battlefield

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:01:03 +0000

The Army plans within 18 months to field robots that will do some tasks without direct human control, such as finding explosives and transporting equipment, according to an Army Times article.

The robots will turn corners, clear dangerous areas, capture images with a "persistent stare" and beam them back, and follow convoys without being tele-operated as they are now. Robots that can clear caves and roads or deal with explosive ordnance will be able to operate alongside infantry units, move their mechanical arms and beam back images from forward locations without needing specific human direction.

Robots on the Battlefield originally appeared on About.com US Military on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 15:01:03.

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Some Army Lts will be Allowed to Transfer to National Guard

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:00:33 +0000

The Army has announced a plan that will allow about 150 basic-branch lieutenants to leave active duty early so they can join a National Guard troop unit in fiscal 2010. The releases are scheduled to occur between May 1 and September 30, 2010.

While specific details have not yet been announced, the plan will restrict early releases to to lieutenants of the Army Competitive Category with between 24 to 36 months of commissioned service. According to officials, warrant officers, JAG officers, Chaplains, medical officers, and aviators will not be eligible for the program.

Some Army Lts will be Allowed to Transfer to National Guard originally appeared on About.com US Military on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 15:00:33.

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