Quantcast

VA leaves nearly $5 million unused in 2018 campaign to battle suicide, watchdog finds
The Government Accountability Office reported Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, that the Department of Veterans Affairs spent only $1.5 million on suicide prevention programs. The department was alloted $6.2 million for such programs. <br>Government Accountability Office
The Government Accountability Office reported Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, that the Department of Veterans Affairs spent only $1.5 million on suicide prevention programs. The department was alloted $6.2 million for such programs. <br>Government Accountability Office

Following a yearlong investigation, the Government Accountability Office reported Monday that the VA has cut back since 2016 on suicide prevention outreach. Of the $6.2 million budget obligated for suicide prevention outreach in fiscal year 2018, the agency had spent only $57,000, or less than 1 percent.

An aviation boatswain's mate directs an aircraft on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan in the Philippine Sea, Sept. 20, 2018.<br>Kenneth Abbate/U.S. Navy photo
An aviation boatswain's mate directs an aircraft on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan in the Philippine Sea, Sept. 20, 2018.<br>Kenneth Abbate/U.S. Navy photo

GAO: Navy training, certification improved — but sailors still report 100-hour workweeks

The report, published last month, said the Navy in Japan had “improved markedly” the number of surface ship crews with lapsed training certifications over the past year.

A servicemember inspects a red blood cell unit before placing it in a box to be shipped. On Dec. 17, 2018, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany said an employee is under investigation for potentially threatening the hospital's blood supply.<br>James Hodgman/U.S. Air Force
A servicemember inspects a red blood cell unit before placing it in a box to be shipped. On Dec. 17, 2018, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany said an employee is under investigation for potentially threatening the hospital's blood supply.<br>James Hodgman/U.S. Air Force

Landstuhl hospital employee investigated over suspected threat to blood supply

The medical center is the European home to the Armed Services Blood Program, which collects blood and other blood products at donation centers at up to three mobile drives throughout Europe each week.

A disabled veteran takes in the quotes and pictures on glass panels at the new American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, which was dedicated in Washington on Oct. 5, 2014. <br>C.J. Lin/Stars and Stripes
A disabled veteran takes in the quotes and pictures on glass panels at the new American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, which was dedicated in Washington on Oct. 5, 2014. <br>C.J. Lin/Stars and Stripes

Group urges White House, VA to reject resurfaced proposal cutting disabled, unemployed veterans' benefits

AMVETS is urging the White House and the VA to publicly disavow the proposal in a new Congressional Budget Office report before it creates a groundswell of anger within the veteran community.

more top headlines

The Capitol is seen at twilight in Washington, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018.<br>J. Scott Applewhite/AP
The Capitol is seen at twilight in Washington, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018.<br>J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Little if any progress as partial government shutdown looms

The fight over President Donald Trump's $5 billion wall funds has deepened, threatening a partial government shutdown in a standoff that has become increasingly common in Washington.

Cpl. Jose Araujo Jr. of the III Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan, was found guilty of sexual assault and sexual harassment last week and sentenced to six years in prison, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018.<br>Courtesy of Facebook
Cpl. Jose Araujo Jr. of the III Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan, was found guilty of sexual assault and sexual harassment last week and sentenced to six years in prison, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018.<br>Courtesy of Facebook

Okinawa-based Marine sentenced to six years for sexual assault, harassment

Cpl. Jose Araujo Jr. was found guilty at a general court-martial of sexually assaulting a female Marine and sexually harassing seven other Marines, according to a spokeswoman for the 3rd Marine Logistics Group.

Marines with 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 3rd Marine Division, join Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers at the opening ceremony for exercise Forest Light 19.1 at Hijyudai Maneuver Area, Japan, Dec. 7, 2018.<br>Christine Phelps/U.S. Marine Corps
Marines with 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 3rd Marine Division, join Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers at the opening ceremony for exercise Forest Light 19.1 at Hijyudai Maneuver Area, Japan, Dec. 7, 2018.<br>Christine Phelps/U.S. Marine Corps

US-Japan alliance ‘more important than ever,’ says Tokyo’s revised defense strategy

Strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance is more important than ever for Japan’s national security as challenges with China, cybersecurity and elsewhere continue to evolve, according to new defense guidelines approved Tuesday by the Cabinet.

featured

in case you missed it...

u.s.
pacific
europe
middle east
africa
see all
The Capitol is seen at twilight in Washington, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018.<br>J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Little if any progress as partial government shutdown looms

The fight over President Donald Trump's $5 billion wall funds has deepened, threatening a partial government shutdown in a standoff that has become increasingly common in Washington.

See more U.S. news
Marines with 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 3rd Marine Division, join Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers at the opening ceremony for exercise Forest Light 19.1 at Hijyudai Maneuver Area, Japan, Dec. 7, 2018.<br>Christine Phelps/U.S. Marine Corps

US-Japan alliance ‘more important than ever,’ says Tokyo’s revised defense strategy

Strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance is more important than ever for Japan’s national security as challenges with China, cybersecurity and elsewhere continue to evolve, according to new defense guidelines approved Tuesday by the Cabinet.

See more Pacific news
The 8-year-old son of an airman assigned to Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany died Saturday night following a crash on autobahn A60 near the base.<br>Stars and Stripes

Spangdahlem airman’s son, 8, dies in autobahn car crash

The eight-year-old son of an airman from Spangdahlem Air Base was killed Saturday night in a single-car crash on autobahn A60 near the base, German police and base officials said.

See more Europe news
Soldiers at Camp Dahlke West in Afghanistan lift weights Dec. 16, 2018 in a gym on base. The once sparse base had no gym as of April last year, and soldiers resorted to building gym equipment out of spare lumber. The new gym is part of a rapid expansion of the base to host the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade in 2018 and the 2nd SFAB in 2019.<br>J.p. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes

An austere base in Afghanistan rapidly expands for more US troops

At the entrance of the base cafeteria at rapidly-expanding Camp Dahlke West, 60 miles south of Kabul, is a sign stating a simple rule: if you want to eat, you’ll have to fill two sandbags.

See more Middle East news
U.S. AFRICOM air strikes killed 60 insurgents over two days in Somalia.<br>AFRICOM

US airstrikes kill 62 militants in Somalia

The attacks bring 2018’s strike total in Somalia to 45 — eclipsing last year’s tally of 35, AFRICOM said.

See more Africa news

theaters
The Capitol is seen at twilight in Washington, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018.<br>J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Little if any progress as partial government shutdown looms

The fight over President Donald Trump's $5 billion wall funds has deepened, threatening a partial government shutdown in a standoff that has become increasingly common in Washington.

See more U.S. news
Marines with 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 3rd Marine Division, join Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers at the opening ceremony for exercise Forest Light 19.1 at Hijyudai Maneuver Area, Japan, Dec. 7, 2018.<br>Christine Phelps/U.S. Marine Corps

US-Japan alliance ‘more important than ever,’ says Tokyo’s revised defense strategy

Strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance is more important than ever for Japan’s national security as challenges with China, cybersecurity and elsewhere continue to evolve, according to new defense guidelines approved Tuesday by the Cabinet.

See more Pacific news
The 8-year-old son of an airman assigned to Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany died Saturday night following a crash on autobahn A60 near the base.<br>Stars and Stripes

Spangdahlem airman’s son, 8, dies in autobahn car crash

The eight-year-old son of an airman from Spangdahlem Air Base was killed Saturday night in a single-car crash on autobahn A60 near the base, German police and base officials said.

See more Europe news
Soldiers at Camp Dahlke West in Afghanistan lift weights Dec. 16, 2018 in a gym on base. The once sparse base had no gym as of April last year, and soldiers resorted to building gym equipment out of spare lumber. The new gym is part of a rapid expansion of the base to host the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade in 2018 and the 2nd SFAB in 2019.<br>J.p. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes

An austere base in Afghanistan rapidly expands for more US troops

At the entrance of the base cafeteria at rapidly-expanding Camp Dahlke West, 60 miles south of Kabul, is a sign stating a simple rule: if you want to eat, you’ll have to fill two sandbags.

See more Middle East news
U.S. AFRICOM air strikes killed 60 insurgents over two days in Somalia.<br>AFRICOM

US airstrikes kill 62 militants in Somalia

The attacks bring 2018’s strike total in Somalia to 45 — eclipsing last year’s tally of 35, AFRICOM said.

See more Africa news
see more

veterans

An aerial photo of the Bay Pines Department of Veterans Affairs complex.<br>VA
An aerial photo of the Bay Pines Department of Veterans Affairs complex.<br>VA

Retired Marine colonel who took his life at the Bay Pines VA campus was the fifth veteran to do so since 2013

On Dec. 10, retired Marine Col. Jim Turner put on his dress uniform and medals and drove to the Bay Pines Department of Veterans Affairs complex. He got out of his truck, sat down on top of his military records and took his own life with a rifle.

Recent Videos

marine corps
navy
coast guard
air force
army
see all
James Prommersberger<br>
James Prommersberger<br>

A story of two Marines in Vietnam, and one's ultimate sacrifice

For 52 years, Paul Schultz never revealed details about his Vietnam War service. The closest he got was telling his sons that they owed their lives to his best friend in Vietnam.

See more Marine Corps news
The Austal USA shipyard in Birmingham, Alabama.<br>William B. Sparks/U.S. Navy photo
The Austal USA shipyard in Birmingham, Alabama.<br>William B. Sparks/U.S. Navy photo

Navy wants two more Littoral Combat Ships from Austal

Austal USA apparently will continue its hot streak: The Department of Defense has indicated that in its fiscal 2019 budget cycle, two of three contracts for Littoral Combat Ships once again will go to the Mobile-based shipbuilder.

See more Navy news

Coast Guardsman kills wife, son, self at Florida home

Miami-Dade police and Coast Guard officials said Petty Officer First Class John Presnar, 44, fatally shot his wife, Gretchen, 39, and shot their children early Sunday at their home south of Miami. He then shot himself.

See more Coast Guard news
The 8-year-old son of an airman assigned to Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany died Saturday night following a crash on autobahn A60 near the base.<br>Stars and Stripes
The 8-year-old son of an airman assigned to Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany died Saturday night following a crash on autobahn A60 near the base.<br>Stars and Stripes

Spangdahlem airman’s son, 8, dies in autobahn car crash

The eight-year-old son of an airman from Spangdahlem Air Base was killed Saturday night in a single-car crash on autobahn A60 near the base, German police and base officials said.

See more Air Force news
A statue of Sylvanus Thayer, overlooking The Plain at West Point.<br>Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes
A statue of Sylvanus Thayer, overlooking The Plain at West Point.<br>Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes

The great 'Eggnog Riot' of 1826 changed West Point's culture

The event would lead to the largest ever mass expulsion in West Point history and change forever the Academy's culture and even its architecture. And it very nearly changed forever the fortunes of one of America's most important 19th century figures.

See more Army news

military branches
James Prommersberger<br>
James Prommersberger<br>

A story of two Marines in Vietnam, and one's ultimate sacrifice

For 52 years, Paul Schultz never revealed details about his Vietnam War service. The closest he got was telling his sons that they owed their lives to his best friend in Vietnam.

See more Marine Corps news
The Austal USA shipyard in Birmingham, Alabama.<br>William B. Sparks/U.S. Navy photo
The Austal USA shipyard in Birmingham, Alabama.<br>William B. Sparks/U.S. Navy photo

Navy wants two more Littoral Combat Ships from Austal

Austal USA apparently will continue its hot streak: The Department of Defense has indicated that in its fiscal 2019 budget cycle, two of three contracts for Littoral Combat Ships once again will go to the Mobile-based shipbuilder.

See more Navy news

Coast Guardsman kills wife, son, self at Florida home

Miami-Dade police and Coast Guard officials said Petty Officer First Class John Presnar, 44, fatally shot his wife, Gretchen, 39, and shot their children early Sunday at their home south of Miami. He then shot himself.

See more Coast Guard news
The 8-year-old son of an airman assigned to Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany died Saturday night following a crash on autobahn A60 near the base.<br>Stars and Stripes
The 8-year-old son of an airman assigned to Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany died Saturday night following a crash on autobahn A60 near the base.<br>Stars and Stripes

Spangdahlem airman’s son, 8, dies in autobahn car crash

The eight-year-old son of an airman from Spangdahlem Air Base was killed Saturday night in a single-car crash on autobahn A60 near the base, German police and base officials said.

See more Air Force news
A statue of Sylvanus Thayer, overlooking The Plain at West Point.<br>Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes
A statue of Sylvanus Thayer, overlooking The Plain at West Point.<br>Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes

The great 'Eggnog Riot' of 1826 changed West Point's culture

The event would lead to the largest ever mass expulsion in West Point history and change forever the Academy's culture and even its architecture. And it very nearly changed forever the fortunes of one of America's most important 19th century figures.

See more Army news
sports
see all
Nathan Pine is the Air Force Academy's new athletic director. <br>U.S. Air Force photo

Air Force Academy names new athletic director

Air Force's new athletic director has one thing in common with the old one: ties to West Point.

Sports
Nathan Pine is the Air Force Academy's new athletic director. <br>U.S. Air Force photo

Air Force Academy names new athletic director

Air Force's new athletic director has one thing in common with the old one: ties to West Point.