-
Cyberspace – The Bears and Packers? The offense and defense from the LandWarNet conference – DoD Roundtable
The use of computers, smart phones, satellite tv, cable, networks, wifi, email, Facebook, Twitter, immediate communications, long distance communications ++ has become so routine we expect them to be available. When we wake up and find our wifi or other electronics not working it is not a good start to the day. Imagine losing these capabilities when we have a cyber attack? Last week I had the privilege to speak with two electronic engineers who have compared cyber war to a football game. US Cyber Command Logo It was a great conversation but a bit over the head of this non geek. Yes, I remember taking a carburetor apart on…
-
A Split Second Decision – and a Medal of Honor! DoD Blogger Roundtable
Medal Of Honor Recipient Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry and his wife Ashley“Rangers Lead the Way” We all make them – those decisions that are made in the blink of an eye. But some are more important than others, how about life changing ones? We take time to consider those? Right? Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry had a life changing decision and he only had the blink of an eye to make it in – the grenade was live, it was close and he and his fellow Rangers were going to die. His decision to pick up the Taliban’s grenade and throw it away from his team saved their lives and…
-
“I Will Not Say Goodbye” An Interview with Josh Gracin
Josh Gracin“I want to take everyBreath I can getI want to live” Josh Gracin “I Want to Live” I watched Dan struggle for breath, his pneumonia and infection making it so hard. He was sweating, the pain meds helping but the pain in his eyes was clear. We had traveled to be near Dan before the surgeons were going to help. Leading a church youth group service trip to Nashville, TN, Dan had fallen ill and needed urgent care. I saw him smile as his 2 year old came into the room and rocked his world… I had been looking forward to interviewing former Marine, Josh Gracin about the “Rockin…
-
“The Army In Your Pocket” – DoD Roundtable
Do you have a smart phone? How do you use it? Can you use the Apps on it? I have one and there are so many applications (ie Apps) that I can not keep up with them. It appears that Uncle Sam via the US Army is ready to use commercial technology to help our soldiers fight the wars and win the missions that our country’s leadership tasks them to do. “The Army In Your Pocket” came from Lt General Michael Vane during a Department of Defense Blogger’s Roundtable this morning. General Vane is the Director of the Army Capabilities Integration Center who answered my first question, “what were the…
-
The VA Budget – Another Critical Budget for Our Military Community
The Department of Veteran Affairs just announced its fiscal 2012 budget proposal (part of the President’s budget proposal to Congress). The Secretary of Veteran Affairs, Eric Shinseki promised to ensure that they are “making every dollar”count in the budget of $132 Billion. A retired four star Army general, the secretary, has the heart of a soldier for those who served and funding is critical to turning a few things around at the VA. Caring for 6.2 million patients is a large undertaking and the “system” can be lethargic and not responsive to the veterans but Shinseki is trying to make the VA more responsive and up to the task of…
-
Virtual Reality and PTSD – DoD Roundtable
Our combat veterans see things with a different shade of glasses! Their survival instincts and experiences have highly toned their ability to react when facing combat situations. These same experiences and instincts are embedded into their brains upon their return from the combat arena and would surprise many Americans with little contact with the military or their families. These responses can lead to PTSD (post traumatic stress syndrome) and the symptoms of heightened heart rates, high levels of awareness of surroundings, sweat, anxiety, fear of crowds, strong emotions and many others. Seeing or feeling circumstances similar to combat threats such as a pile of garbage along a road (IED location)…
-
TECHNOLOGY! IT IS SAVING OUR TROOPS LIVES! – DoD Roundtable
Technology is Saving Our Troops Lives! They come with names like Wolfhound and Duke! Sounds like the family pet but these names are lifesavers for our troops and they show how technology can save lives! MilitaryAvenue met with Colonel John “Buck” Surdu, military deputy for the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, Communications-Electronics Center (CERDEC) during the DoD Roundtable as he excitedly described the capabilities of new equipment in the field. The colonel was pumped about saving lives and you could tell he was proud of his team’s efforts supporting the warfighters! So what is Wolfhound? Much like the famous dog this equipment has a great sniffer! In fact,…
-
Stop. Think. Connect. – DoD Roundtable with the Center for Cyberspace Research
Stop. Think. Connect. October is National CyberSecurity Awareness Month as declared by the President and those three words are the theme for cyber awareness throughout the nation. With the focus on cyber security the subject drew me to this DoD Roundtable with the warriors at the Center for Cyberspace Research. The US military has recognized the need for a Cyber Command and for education and research! The folks at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) are leading much of this effort through education efforts such as Cyberspace 200 and Cyberspace 300 courses where officers, senior civilians and senior NCOs with experience in the cyber world receive continuing education in…
-
Consider the Army’s electric footprint – DoD Roundtable
I had the opportunity to interview a few key players discussing the Army’s energy security mission. On the call were; U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Howard Bromberg, Commanding General, Fort Bliss; U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Dana J. H. Pittard, Deputy Chief of Staff, G3, United States Army Training and Doctrine Command; Mr. Jerry Hansen, Army Senior Energy Executive, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Strategic Infrastructure; Dr. Kevin Geiss, Program Director for Energy Security. Mr. Hansen defined the Army energy security mission as: “Make energy a consideration for all Army activities to reduce demand, increase efficiency, seek alternative sources, and create a culture of energy accountability while sustaining or…
-
Medical Care in Afghanistan – DoD Roundtable
This DoD Roundtable was perfectly timed for me! We were scheduled to participate and talk with U.S. Air Force Col. Schuyler K. Geller, command surgeon and commander, Medical Training Advisory Group at Camp Eggers, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan. But earlier in the week I had to have some last minute, unscheduled foot surgery and did not know if I could attend. But the schedule did work out and after my very recent personal experience while being treated, I talked to Col Geller with an up to date appreciation for the wonderful abilities of our medical team in the United States (and medications to help reduce pain as well)!…
