Military sexual assaults nothing new and that is the saddest part of all

If they actually did something back in 2006 they wouldn't be facing it even worse now.

White House, Congress bear down on military sexual assault
By Leo Shane III
Stars and Stripes
Published: May 16, 2013

WASHINGTON — As lawmakers on Thursday railed against the epidemic of sexual assault in the military, President Barack Obama summoned top Pentagon leaders to an emergency White House meeting to deal with the latest scandals and the perceived culture of indifference among service leaders.

The meeting, scheduled for late Thursday, was to include Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and a number of other senior enlisted advisers. Last week, White House officials held a similar meeting on the topic, that time with members of Congress furious over several high-profile assault cases in the ranks.

Earlier this month, the head of the Air Force’s sexual assault prevention office was charged with sexual battery for groping a woman in an Arlington, Va., parking lot. This week, an enlisted soldier leading similar programs at Fort Hood was accused of running a prostitution ring and assaulting women.
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This is one of the first videos I did back in 2006 Women At War. Back then 20% of female veterans using the VA had been sexually assaulted.
Sisters After War
The Voice, Women at War
Here are some headlines they forgot about.
Army adding lawyers to prosecute sex crimes
January 26, 2009
New campaign aims to stop sexual assault
April 3, 2009
Military Men Silent on Sexual Assaults
October 5, 2009

Soldiers in T-shirts and shorts rushed to help after suicide bomber struck

Suicide Car Bomber Attacks NATO Convoy In Kabul; 15 Dead, Dozens Wounded 
Huffington Post
By AMIR SHAH and KATHY GANNON
05/16/13

KABUL, Afghanistan — A suicide car bombing tore through a U.S. convoy during rush hour in the Afghan capital on Thursday, killing at least 15 people, including six U.S. military advisers and two children, officials said.

U.S. soldiers rushed to the scene to help, including some wearing only T-shirts or shorts under their body armor.

An Islamic militant group claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was carried out by a new suicide unit formed in response to reports that the U.S. plans to keep permanent bases and troops in Afghanistan even after the 2014 deadline for the end of the foreign combat mission. Hezb-e-Islami said its fighters had stalked the Americans for a week to learn their routine before striking.
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Fire department receives thanks from wounded Marine

Fire department receives thanks from wounded Marine
By Fairfield
May 15, 2013

The Fairfield Fire Department received a letter of thanks on May 13 from a soldier being treated at Walter Reed Hospital for the contributions made by members of the Fairfield Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local 1426 as hosts of the Stratton Faxon Fairfield Half Marathon and 5K since its creation in 1980 by retired Captain Steve Lobdell.

The letter reads: “Dear Steve, I’m a wounded Marine currently being treated at Walter Reed/Bethesda Hospital in Maryland. This morning I was greeted by a member of your fire department and given a very generous gift card. We are a long ways from Connecticut, so I was moved by your organization’s dedication and commitment to support our nation’s veterans. I’m hoping to run one of your races in the near future. Please pass on my deep appreciation to the other members of your fire department. God bless and thank you for your service. Semper Fidelis, Major Jason Iversen, U.S. Marine Corps.”

Fairfield firefighter Frank DeAngelo has been to Maryland for several years representing the Fairfield firefighters with Operation Gift Card, according to President Robert Smith, and has had the opportunity to meet wounded warriors when they first return from Afghanistan.

In addition to this program, the race makes donations to Homes for the Brave in Bridgeport, which houses homeless vets and recently opened a home for female homeless veterans.
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Rescue hero became suicidal with post-traumatic stress

Rescue hero became suicidal with post-traumatic stress
Sydney Morning Herald
May 16, 2013
Tim Barlass

A police officer who was awarded the highest decoration for civilian bravery after rescuing a boy from a stormwater drain planned to end his own life after a psychological breakdown. Detective Senior Constable Allan Sparkes, who almost drowned after entering the drain to free the 11-year-old in Coffs Harbour after a downpour, was later awarded the Cross of Valour.

But he has now given an insight into debilitating mental illness caused by 20 years of exposure to the trauma of police work.

‘‘The darkest of these days was the day I looked down at my service revolver, longing for death, knowing what damage this gun in my hands could do, knowing how instantaneous death would be at the end of its barrel,’’ he writes in his new book, The Cost of Bravery.

As he contemplated putting the gun in his mouth, a police colleague walked into the room, and Sparkes returned the weapon to its holster and handed it to the other officer. ‘‘That day I was Humpty Dumpty at the bottom of the wall, the day the heart and very soul of me shattered into a thousand pieces,’’ he wrote.
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Spiritual Fitness "teaches" that PTSD is physiological and biological

Let's put it this way. When I read the advertisement for Jiffy Lube on this, I started to laugh because of how fitting it was. When you read the following you'll have a better idea of how little they really do understand, including what went on with Fort Belvoir Chapel.

Spiritual Fitness teaches that PTSD is physiological and biological
Belvoir Eagle
By Justin Creech
Staff writer
Posted: Thursday, May 16, 2013

The Fort Belvoir Chaplaincy, in cooperation with the Fort Belvoir Chapel Community, hosted a conference of the Spiritual Fitness Initiative May 7-9 at Thurman Lecture Hall.

The conference focused on explaining that post-traumatic stress disorder isn’t a behavior flaw or problem. PTSD is actually a biomedical condition which can affect the brain’s ability to make logical decisions.
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