Megan McCloskey

Soldier injured in bomb blast gets rare double arm transplant

Army Sgt. Brendan Marrocco, who was blown up in 2009, is the first soldier to receive a double arm transplant — and just the seventh successful recipient in the United States.
22:52 May 12, 2013

Lawmakers again push for Fort Hood shootings to be labeled terrorism

A trio of lawmakers is again pushing the Defense Department to classify the 2009 Fort Hood shootings as a terrorist attack, calling it a crucial step in helping the victims and their families.
18:15 May 6, 2013
New VA mental health center puts veterans and families under one roof

At a new VA mental health facility in New York, veterans go to the right, their families to the left — and their doctors meet in the middle.
11:44 April 14, 2013
Baker relieved of duties as Task Force-Horn of Africa commander

Gen. Carter Ham, AFRICOM commander, lost confidence in Army Maj. Gen. Ralph Baker's ability to lead, but the command isn't releasing any further details at this time because the alleged misconduct is being appealed, a spokesman said.
14:34 April 5, 2013
Military evaluating suicide prevention programs

After another rise in the military suicide rate last year, the services on Thursday outlined to Congress their efforts to reverse the trend and evaluate their prevention programs.
18:13 March 21, 2013
Aggressive use of craniectomy keeps Ranger and others like him alive

After a severe trauma like a gunshot wound, the very protection that the skull provides becomes the brain's greatest adversary. The skull turns from a sanctuary to a prison.
21:15 March 19, 2013
Cuts could affect Army's mental health providers, limit soldiers' access to care

The Army could lose a large chunk of its mental health force to furloughs starting next month, limiting access to care for soldiers dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and other issues.
11:04 March 13, 2013
Wait for court-martial in fratricide case frustrates victim’s family

It’s been almost four years since the deadliest case of American fratricide in the Iraq War, and the Army sergeant accused of killing five of his fellow servicemembers has yet to face a court-martial.
11:30 March 4, 2013
Latest VA estimate of veteran suicides comes from limited data

The Department of Veterans Affairs' statistics are based on an incomplete collection of national data. The VA used death certificates from only 21 states – not including California or Texas, home to the largest population of veterans. Women, as well as young, single veterans, are often missing from the data.
14:52 February 5, 2013
Reaction ranges from 'overdue' to ill-timed 'social experiment'

The decision to allow women in combat roles in the military has drawn praise — and ire — from all sides. From active-duty soldiers to Congresswoman and combat veteran Tammy Duckworth, one theme is clear: The military will never be quite the same.
18:04 January 24, 2013
Officials: Panetta, Dempsey to remove ban on women in combat

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey will remove the ban on women in combat, creating a fully gender integrated force by 2016, defense officials said Wednesday.
20:51 January 24, 2013
Fort Hood case drags on: Hasan refuses to shave December 27, 2012
More soldier suicides than combat deaths in 2012 December 20, 2012
Ky. police: Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer attacked December 13, 2012
Judge removed in Fort Hood shooting rampage case for bias December 3, 2012
Do recent ethics, sex scandals undermine integrity of officer corps? November 14, 2012
Chapter 3: Reality sets in November 14, 2012
Forever after: A warrior wounded, a family challenged November 13, 2012
Chapter 2: A promise kept November 13, 2012
Chapter 1: Christine's Choice November 12, 2012
Some Fort Hood survivors find Hasan’s beard a mockery October 27, 2012
Court to hear arguments about Fort Hood shooting suspect, beard October 11, 2012
Insider outrage: Families feel added sense of violation, betrayal October 4, 2012
Insider outrage: Families feel added sense of violation, betrayal October 4, 2012
Insider outrage: Maj. Phil Ambard, 44 October 4, 2012
Insider outrage: Pfc. Jon Townsend, 19 October 4, 2012
Insider outrage: Sgt. Joshua Born, 25 October 4, 2012
Insider outrage: Lance Cpl. Gregory Buckley Jr., 21 October 4, 2012
Insider outrage: Sgt. William R. Wilson III, 27 October 4, 2012
Insider outrage: Staff Sgt. Andrew Britton-Mihalo, 25 October 4, 2012
Military burials bring final dignity to homeless veterans September 18, 2012
Obama ordering VA to add staff, see suicidal vets within 24 hours August 31, 2012
ISAF trainers told to get closer to Afghan partners to prevent insider attacks August 28, 2012
Sikh temple shooter promoted extremist views during his Army years August 7, 2012
Lack of resources backlogs high-tech leg brace for injured GIs July 10, 2012
War hero gives Purple Heart to civilian injured at Jonestown June 12, 2012
Between two public servants, Purple Heart-felt admiration June 11, 2012
'There was no way to get to them without putting yourself in harm's way' May 31, 2012
‘I chose to remember how they lived’ May 24, 2012
White supremacist leader says half of his group has served in the military July 11, 2009

Megan McCloskey

Contact information:

mccloskeym@stripes.osd.mil

Phone:
(703) 695-7119

Tweets by @MegMcCloskey

Recent blogs

Fort Bliss gets on the microgrid, a first for DOD
Esquire article wrongly claims SEAL who killed bin Laden is denied healthcare

Esquire magazine claims “The Man Who Killed Osama bin Laden ... Is Screwed.”
Capturing the oral history of today's vets

A new project is starting to record the stories of those who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan
Hands in pockets? Satirical blog takes aim

Responding to a recent petition filed with the White House, The Duffle Blog parodies the Army's lamented rule.
Google to create job search community for veterans

Google is trying to do for veterans what it does best: provide a centralized place to easily find and use the information that’s out there.
4 Army Rangers honored for valor
Army court orders Fort Hood suspect to shave

Appeals court upholds judge's ruling, says Hasan hasn't proved beard is worn for sincere religious reasons.
Fort Hood shooting victims want attack called terror

They released a video Thursday detailing why they think the accused shooter was a terrorist.
Movie portrays 'crazy vet' seeking redemption
Fanfare at one new VA hospital, delays at another

A $600-million VA hospital opens in Vegas, while a new facility in Orlando is at least a year behind schedule.

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.

Most Read
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Hot Topics

Army investigating Alaska officer for allegedly condoning affairs May 25, 2013
2-child limit for Muslims in parts of Myanmar May 25, 2013
French soldier stabbed in throat outside Paris May 25, 2013
Air Force facing 'readiness crisis,' leaders say May 25, 2013
Fort Worth police say 'Colonel Mike' created an elaborate ruse about a military career May 25, 2013
Patch, Wiesbaden lead way in track finals May 25, 2013
Improved grenade design on the way May 15, 2013
Obama refocuses terror threat to pre-9/11 level May 25, 2013
Hagel pays tribute to fallen commander in speech May 24, 2013
Female Marine gets reprimand, loss of pay in adultery case April 25, 2013

Welcome home 172nd Infantry Brigade: 1-2 soldiers tasked with getting Iraqis autonomy 01:43 May 12, 2010
Interservice softball: Marine Corps Far East Regional Men’s Tournament 01:30 May 12, 2010
Servicemembers get first use of Google Voice 01:29 May 12, 2010
Pentagon: Afghanistan deaths coming ‘at an alarming rate’ 01:26 May 12, 2010
Rules eased for new Navy working uniform 01:25 May 12, 2010
USS McCain arrives at Sasebo after suffering damage to sonar array 01:23 May 12, 2010
Landstuhl to test Sigonella flu case for H1N1 01:22 May 12, 2010
Clemency is last hope for a more normal life 01:19 May 12, 2010
Focus turns to matching old, new Iraqi institutions 01:09 May 12, 2010
Overseas voting is not just a duty, it’s a chore 00:44 May 12, 2010

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