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Active Living in the US Navy Even Has an IPhone App! DoD Blogger Roundtable
“They have an IPhone App for their program…” Spring seems to be a great time to get started on new workout plans, healthier eating, gardens and more! May is even designated as physical fitness and sports month so it was great timing for the DoD Blogger Roundtable to discuss the US Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling System and some new and better ways to help stay healthy! As a long time advocate for a healthy lifestyle I was very interested in the topic but wanted to make sure that it would be interesting for our followers. Diana Strock, Physical Fitness and Injury Prevention Program Manager said they had “resounding feedback”…
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U.S. Special Operations Command Virtual Town Hall Meeting, 3/7/2013
I love technology! Especially when it is used in the right place, for the right reason.Military Families spread out far and wide can’t usually go to a specific place, to meet people that can give them answers. Stepping up to the plate, meet the Virtual Town Hall Meeting: Are you a part of the U.S. Special Operations Command? Part of the family? Learn more about this opportunity to engage with leadership. Ask the questions you need answer to. Empower yourself with the facts. 1) Write your question on their Facebook wall: facebook.com/ussocom 2) Learn more about recording your own question on a video: 3) Find USSOCOM on Google+ where they will have their Live chat…
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Change of Command: Celebrate Parade Rest
Although geese fly in formation, they did not waddle on the parade field at Scott AFB. No goose steps. The left feet hit the turf on the beat of the bass drum. Flights, squadrons, groups and wings presented polished top notched personnel, as always, ready to shine and report to General Welsh, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Our military has a time honored tradition to uphold precision and honor in a way that showcases the challenge of working together. The step by step, in step march of men and women blends the missions the training and the esprit de corps of individual squadrons, groups and wings: they…
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US Navy Health Promotion and Wellness – DoD Blogger Roundtable
When we see images of our military community we see a young, vibrant and healthy group of Americans. But realistically our vision may be wrong. The Department of Defense spends $1 Billion per year on weight management, many still smoke and health and wellness are hot topics among the defense medical community and leaders. Talking health! See Below for Photo CreditYesterday Cmdr. Denise Gechas, Director of Population Health, Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center (NMCPHC) met with the Blogger Roundtable (BRT) to discuss the launch of the Navy’s health and wellness campaign. She was in Norfolk for the launch and the roundtable asked her about the campaign and she…
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“Shoulder to Shoulder” Suicide Prevention Stand Down
“… we should be standing “Shoulder to Shoulder” with our soldiers and their families on Thursday!” A day to reflect, a day to plan for the future, a day to remember those lost, a day to consider that we are not immortal or invulnerable… I remember during my days as an airman taking “safety down days” after a particularly tragic series of flight accidents to do just that. To highlight behavior health during Suicide Prevention Month the US Army is taking a “Stand Down” tomorrow focusing on “… good health, teammate involvement, risk reduction and resilience training.” See Photo Credit BelowThe Blogger Roundtable had the opportunity to speak to Sergeant…
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Army to Drawdown by 50,000 – The head “Scout” of the Army’s Enlisted Force Talks with MilitaryAvenue
SMA Chandler with 170th IBCT (see below for photo credit)Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA), Raymond F. Chandler took some of his critical time to speak with the Bloggers Roundtable on Wednesday. He said felt like the lead Scout of the Army’s enlisted force and wanted to give us a feel of what the enlisted soldiers where concerned about and how the Army was dealing with their issues. The SMA was lively, interested in our questions and provided some great responses as he described an “amazing Army”. He told us we were at a crossroads in the Army with reduced budgets and a drawdown of forces that will impact everyone.…
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“I’ll be Home for Christmas” is the new theme song of troops in Iraq – DoD Blogger Roundtable
The last division in Iraq should be home for Christmas! That is the goal of military leaders. After almost nine years of war in Iraq, the less than 20,000 troops still there are getting on planes and heading home – the 25th Infantry Division based in Hawaii is the last major unit in Iraq and as the New Dawn stage of the war prepares to transition the last 7 bases to Iraq (6) and Department of State (1) control. A new relationship is beginning with the New Year! U.S. Army Brig General Bradley Becker said a plane full of the division’s troops landed in Hawaii last night. The pace has…
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The Game of Life Has a Coach: Sister Elizabeth
Goals and principles, guidelines and pathways; no dice to roll or spinner to click but a level headed approach to an end game. Those who enter the game plan of The Mission Continues come with heart in hand, a desire for direction and a dream to be attained. Recovery from injury is not a cake walk. The time it takes to heal is not laid out in blocks with an easy view to end. But the desire to get in the game is real with each member of the group. And each member has their own story, a true character and a real life. Sister ElizabethLet’s get started! Enter Sister…
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Caring For Families is an Air Force Way of Life
Military life has a heart, a voice, and brains galore! Family presence, once a background nuance has been raised to the top level of prominence. Communication is the lifeline in this forceful body: in shape, in motion and in communion with all levels, ranks and backgrounds. Every branch of service has it’s unique concept for hosting this life line: the Navy has the Ombudsmen and the Army has the FRSA. The Air Force has their own new program: Key Spouses.Programs come together, and on paper are workable. Then… when real people enter and dedication, love of country, zeal for esprit de corps, Key Spouses zoom… Off the Key Spouses go…
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A Must Read for a Better Understanding of PTSD “Achilles in Vietnam” by Dr Jonathan Shay
Volunteers of America Michigan Veteran Homeless ShelterDuring a recent visit to a veterans’ homeless shelter in Lansing, MI, Patrick Patterson, the Volunteers of America Michigan Vice President for Operations gave me two books to read. The gift was a great way for me to find meaning as to how our veterans end up on the street. As I read, Jonathan Shay’s “Achilles in Vietnam, Combat Trauma and the Undoing of Character” the memories of the Vietnam era came flowing back to me… not as a combat veteran of that era but as an American who could not understand what was happening to my country, its soldiers and my friends. While…
