The president’s circumvention of Congress on the issue of deporting young undocumented immigrants is sure to rile Republicans, but as a short-term political tactic it’s a masterstroke
“As we recognize Pride month, I want to personally thank all of our gay and lesbian service members, LGBT civilians, and their families for their dedicated service to our country...The successful repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" proved to the Nation that just like the country we defend, we share different backgrounds, different values, and different beliefs -- but together, we are the greatest military force in the world.”
BattlelandVeterans
Wars’ Lagging Costs
Here’s a bracing chart from a new report from the Congressional Research Service detailing the cost of veterans’ care:
In FY1940, the budget authority for veterans’ benefits and services was $561.1 million, and in FY2012 the budget authority was $125.3 billion, or more than 200 times the FY1940 budget authority. In constant 2011
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BattlelandWar Story
“Mapmaker, Mapmaker, Make Me a Map!”
Army Major Michael Yeager has deployed three times to Afghanistan and Iraq, most recently to Afghanistan in 2010 as a special operations planner for the Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command.
But in this recently-posted March interview with the Combat Studies Institute at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, he spoke mostly about …
BattlelandClose-up
Battleland Diary, June 9-15
TIME’s photo editors bring you the best pictures from the front lines and home.
BattlelandMilitary Personnel
DoD DaDs…
The Department of Veterans Affairs is posting tributes to military fathers over on its Vantage Point blog (Sunday is Father’s Day):
Growing up with a military dad, all sorts of stereotypes come to mind: strict rules of
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Inside the World of the ‘Illegal’ Immigrant
Since revealing my status as an undocumented immigrant, hundreds of others have come forward to share their own stories. What they have to say will surprise you
Why Romney’s Big School Voucher Idea Is Really Pretty Puny
Three reasons the candidate’s school-choice proposal is less provocative than it seems
BattlelandMilitary History
Happy Birthday, Army!
BattlelandJapan
No Love For The Marines’ V-22 In Japan
TOKYO – Pity the poor V-22. The Marines’ beleaguered tilt-rotor aircraft can’t get any love even overseas. Even before the crash this week of an Air Force V-22 in Florida, local leaders in Japan were lining up against plans …
BattlelandDefense Contractors
Name Game
game-changers, a new technology or tactic that will render war as we know it obsolete. Turns out they also embrace name-changers. Here’s a nifty little $17 million contract buried deep in the Pentagon’s Wednesday contract announcements. It’s to defend a U.S. forward operating base in Afghanistan.
The name of the company may not …
BattlelandAuthor Q&A
Air Force Capt. Tony McPeak, Over Vietnam
Merrill “Tony” McPeak served as the U.S. Air Force’s 14th chief of staff – its top officer – from 1990 to 1994. A fighter pilot — who flew over Vietnam, in war, and as a member of the Air Force’s Thunderbirds aerial acrobatic team, in peace – McPeak ran the service during 1991’s Gulf War. He has always been an outspoken …
BattlelandVeterans
Veteran Workers Are Good Workers
Hiring a veteran is not charity. It is good business.
That’s the premise of the new report from the Center for New American Security presented Wednesday at its annual meeting. Drs. Margaret Harrell and Nancy Berglass interviewed representatives from 69 companies. The report listed both the pluses and minuses associated with hiring …