Army investigating Alaska officer for allegedly condoning affairs

The Army is investigating a battalion commander in Alaska for condoning sexual affairs, creating what subordinates called a “toxic environment.” The service already was looking into the officer for promoting a World War II-style pinup calendar featuring his wife and scantily clad female soldiers.

Improved grenade design on the way

Troops can soon look forward to small improvements, even a possible complete redesign, of the fragmentation hand grenade.

Hagel pays tribute to fallen commander in speech

On Feb. 2, 1968, a 21-year-old American private witnessed his first combat death up close — the sudden, shocking killing of another young soldier by a Vietnamese sniper.

President sees terror threat reduced to pre-9/11 level

Some call it wishful thinking, but President Barack Obama has all but declared an end to the global war on terror.

Obama: Sexual assault threatens trust in military

Choosing future Navy and Marine leaders as his audience, President Barack Obama issued a pointed call Friday for an end to sexual assaults in the military, appealing to graduating midshipmen to display honor and moral courage to contain what has become a growing epidemic.

Female lawmakers lead push to crack down on military sex crimes

Veteran entrepreneurs lowering jobless rate to below civilian levels

As more former service personnel turn to entrepreneurship, they're generating jobs that are helping to cut the unemployment rate for veterans to a four-year low of 6.2 percent in April, lower than the 6.9 percent rate for adult non-veterans.

Veteran jobs

See more at the Stars and Stripes Veteran Job Center.

Ombudsman

Ernie Gates, Stars and Stripes' ombudsman

Official 2013 military pay tables

Find your 2013 Basic Allowance for Housing rate

Commissaries to close Mondays, some Tuesdays due to furloughs

Most of the 247 military commissaries will be closed on Mondays when civilian defense worker furloughs begin July 8, and many will be closed on Tuesdays as well, the Defense Commissary Agency said Friday.
Obama's drone rules leave unanswered questions
DODEA director Fitzgerald says she'll retire in late summer
DOD civilians use 'strength in numbers' to fight LQA loss
Sailor who survived bridge collapse: 'I thought we were done'
GAO: Military propaganda efforts flawed
Senators urge DODEA teacher exemption in furlough plan
A safe haven for military pets
Henry Kissinger turning 90, his mind sharp as ever
Bill would widen military whistleblower protections

Military
History
Veterans
Afghanistan
Mideast
Asia

Suicide bomber dies in blast in Afghan capital

A would-be suicide bomber died when his explosives-rigged vest went off prematurely in Afghanistan's capital on Saturday morning, police said. The attack came a day after a Taliban assault in Kabul left 10 people dead including the six attackers.
11:33 May 25, 2013
Thirty-three dead in clash, bombing in Afghanistan
Jordan king says extremism 'grown fat' on conflict
Balloons bring smiles in war-weary Afghan capital
Iranian exiles' exit from Iraq hits snag
Taliban attack international aid group in Afghanistan capital
Syrian artillery pounds rebel-held town of Qusair

'Yugonostalgia' as Croatia prepares to join EU

Croatia may be on the doorstep of the European Union, but in the village of Kumrovec another group of nations was getting all the glory. In Kumrovec, the birthplace of Yugoslavia's late communist leader Josip Broz Tito, thousands gathered Saturday to mark his birthday.
08:20 May 25, 2013
Police arrest friend of suspect in British soldier's slaying
Female suicide bomber injures 11 in Russian region
Slain British soldier’s family didn't think he’d face danger at home
Unlike Boston, questions for suspects in London hospitals are limited
UK-bound Pakistan plane diverted, 2 men arrested
Russia says Syrian regime agrees to peace talks

Furlough Friday: Unpaid day off for many in gov't

No one answered the tax-help hotline at the IRS on Friday. And you could forget about getting advice on avoiding foreclosures at the 80 Housing and Urban Development field offices nationwide.
11:22 May 25, 2013
FBI investigating alleged gun resales by Los Angeles SWAT units
Two honored for heroic rescue on Mississippi River
NH Air National Guard lauded for KC-46A win
In 2009 redux, Obama faces thorny issue of detainees at prison in Cuba
Military will look into whether judge’s comments tainted trials
Lawmakers step up pressure on military footwear

7 Philippine marines, 5 militants killed in clash

At least seven Philippine marines and five militants were killed in a clash Saturday as the military launched an offensive against al-Qaida-linked gunmen who have been blamed for recent kidnappings and of trying to sabotage a road project in the southern Philippines.
08:53 May 25, 2013
Copter training prepares Hawaii Guard unit for deployment
Osaka mayor in unprecedented crisis
2-child limit for Muslims in parts of Myanmar
2 former sex slaves demand Japan mayor quit
N. Korean envoy delivers letter to China's president
Philippine official: Shoal to be defended 'to the last soldier'

DOD civilians use 'strength in numbers' to fight LQA loss

Commissaries to close Mondays, some Tuesdays due to furloughs

DOD civilians use 'strength in numbers' to fight LQA loss

Congress vows close scrutiny of VA's backlog progress

Germans prep for post-2014 role in Afghanistan

Aggressive use of craniectomy keeps Ranger and others like him alive

Help Tornado Alley residents go underground

When disaster hits, Oklahomans bask in helping others. We’re good at it. Some call it the “Oklahoma spirit.” But even as we’re cleaning up the debris and mourning those killed by the mile-wide tornado that devastated Moore and other parts of the Oklahoma City suburbs on Monday, too many aren’t addressing what we can do to reduce potential damage in the future.

Gallery

After Hours: An order of fur with purr on the side

Kubasaki back on top with rout of St. Mary's

Live now on the Tablet Edition

Germans prep for post-2014 role in Afghanistan

The German armed forces will continue an assist-and-advise mission in the Afghanistan's north.
For S. Korean police, a primer on Americans in 238 pages

New book looks to ensure USFK-Korean relations don't get lost in translation.
Gallery

From the archives: Cold War chronicles

Throughout the Cold War, Stars and Stripes reporters were at the ready to report every rise in temperature.
Improved grenade design on the way

Troops can soon look forward to small improvements, even a possible complete redesign, of the fragmentation hand grenade.

Latest Blog Postings

Spouse Calls

Homeward bound

An Army wife writes about the journey she and her children shared with a soldier finally coming back to his loved ones
The Ruptured Duck

House Republicans push for backlog commission

The 15-person panel would weigh in on VA’s claims processing and evaluation problems.
Stripes Central

Busy lawmakers take time to help Muppets and the USO

When Cookie Monster asks for a favor, even Congress listens.
Europe Traveler

Hear some free music in Europe this summer

What beats an outdoor music concert? A free one! As summer kicks in, enjoy loads of musical performances at no cost during several weeks. Here's a hearty sampling.
Stripes Central

House moves to block another BRAC round

Defense budget language introduced by House lawmakers forbids DOD from planning or initiating another round of Base Realignment and Closure.
Good Game

All for One and One for all?

Microsoft unveiled the successor to its Xbox 360 on Tuesday and showed off a console that tries to do it all.

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Army investigating Alaska officer for allegedly condoning affairs May 25, 2013
Commissaries to close Mondays, some Tuesdays due to furloughs May 24, 2013
Hagel pays tribute to fallen commander in speech May 24, 2013
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DODDS-Europe baseball - Day 3 May 24, 2013
Female Marine gets reprimand, loss of pay in adultery case April 25, 2013
DODDS-Europe softball - Day 3 May 24, 2013
DOD civilians use 'strength in numbers' to fight LQA loss May 24, 2013
DODEA director to retire May 24, 2013
Favorites survive scares to advance in baseball May 24, 2013

VA researcher quits over burn pit studies 17:36 May 19, 2013
DODEA to announce dates for school closings related to furloughs 17:26 May 22, 2013
Welsh: Open to all options to stop military sexual assault 19:17 May 19, 2013
Commissaries to close Mondays, some Tuesdays due to furloughs 13:58 May 24, 2013
WWII-era Navy photographer Wayne Miller dies 23:43 May 22, 2013
Military expert: Boston bombing 'not an anomaly' 07:25 May 20, 2013
Kenya police kill 'terror couple' 08:25 May 19, 2013
Does social media add fuel to servicemembers' degrading actions? 04:01 May 20, 2013
Air Force aims to reduce alcohol-related incidents by 20% in 2007 22:31 May 11, 2010
US senator urges look at security in Sprint deal 17:04 May 24, 2013

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Graduation Tab

Don’t miss your chance to send your favorite grad a note of congratulations, printed in the pages of Stars and Stripes’ keepsake publication. The deadline for submissions is May 23rd.