The “best interest of the child” is today’s guiding principle in child custody determinations. Historically, this has not always been the case, and this concept still faces challenges, running counter to the traditional attorney-client relationship which places the client’s (the parent’s) interests first.
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Child custody is decided based on "the best interests of the child" in Virginia. The real sub-criteria of this decision seem to be essentially these:
1.
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When parents first separate, it is not unusual for children to show somenegative reactions. The following may be a useful guideline to help youunderstand how your child might respond to the change in your relationshipwith the other parent.
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Do grandparents have custodial rights in Pennsylvania? Can grandparents file for custodial time with the grandchildren independent of the parents of the minor child? How much time will a grandparent get with the minor child? Will it be the same amount of time as the parent would get?
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The Utah legislature has granted grandparents the statutory right to visit with their grandchildren in cases where their grandchildren live with the ex-spouse of their child or with someone else as a result of their child's death. See Utah Code Ann. Section 30-5-2.
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It's a safe bet that every parent wanted to be with his or her children during this past holiday season. Unfortunately, it is just as certain that many were unable to be with their children because of a one-sided custody arrangement.
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The Washington State Legislature has recently passed specific laws concerning the re of a child in Washington State. There are now specific guidelines about the process when notice must be given regarding an intent to relocatea child, how one may object to the re and how the court will decide if the re should be permitted.
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Whether already living under a child custody and visitation plan, or trying to agree on a plan, parents are presented with two basic alternatives for resolving disputes: go to court, or go to private mediation.
Where there is already an order, whether temporary or part of a judgment, it typically accounts for literally every hour of each child’s time.
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The 2,000 Legislature has set "new" standards for determining when Re of a child is appropriate. The new act, ESHB 2884, known as "Notice requirements and standards for parental re" has an effective date of June 8th, 2000. However the provisions of the Act also apply to parenting plan/orders entered prior to June 8th 2000.
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1) What determines custody questions in Pennsylvania? In making an award of custody, between parents, the court must consider the best interest of the children. Overnight visitation is called "partial custody" in Pennsylvania. Any custody order is reviewable upon any change of circumstances.
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After a bit of a hiatus from my blogging activities, I am pleased to return to posting this week, with a return to a popular series of posts I have done in the past.
I am attending the 28th Annual Family Law Institute in Destin, Florida, this week. Except for last year's (when my family was preparing for out Journey to China), I have attended each of these since 1988. It is a three day program on current events and cutting edge issues in family law, led by the premier family law attorneys and judges throughout the State of Georgia. I will be blogging reports of the program as I have in the past.
The entire program has been created under the leadership of K. Paul Johnson, of McCorkle & Johnson, LLP, Savannah. He has created a fact pattern which is desgned to educate and entertain, and will use video vignettes followed by presentation on various aspects of a divorce and child custody trial.
An overview of the program is listed below:
On Thursday, May 27, Tina S. Roddenbery, Chair of the Family Law Section, State Bar of Georgia, of the law firm of Holland Schaeffer Roddenbery Blitch LLP, Atlanta, will present the Opening Remarks.
Edward J. Coleman, III, Surrett & Coleman, P.A., Augusta, and Jonathan J. Tuggle, Boyd Collar Nolen & Tuggle, LLC, Atlanta, will be presenting on THE INITIAL CLIENT INTERVIEW.A section on PLanning your case strategy (surveillance, documents, etc.) will be led by Thomas P. Hawkins, Jr., Hawk Private Investigations, Inc., Atlanta, and Richard M. Nolen, Boyd Collar Nolen & Tuggle, LLC, Atlanta.
Hon. Adele P. Grubbs, Judge, Superior Court, Cobb Judicial Circuit, Marietta, James C. Metts, III, James. C. Metts, III, P.C., Savannah, Tyler J. Browning, Browning & Smith LLC, Marietta, and Stephen C. Steele, Moore Ingram Johnson & Steele, LLP, Marietta, will delve into the subject of Discovery/Evidence.
Hon. J. Stephen Schuster, Judge, Superior Court, Cobb Judicial Circuit, Marietta, and Randall M. Kessler, Kessler, Schwarz & Solomiany, P.C., Atlanta, will cover the important topic: TEMPORARY HEARING (when time is short).
On FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2010, we will cover alternate dispute resolution in "Making mediation Successful" with Carl S. Pedigo, Jr., Attorney at Law, Savannah, Wendy W. Williamson, The Mediation Center, Savannah, and Leigh F. Cummings, Warner, Mayoue, Bates & McGough, Atlanta.
This will be followed by a review of ETHICAL AND CRIMINAL ISSUES, with Hon. David L. Dickinson, Judge, Superior Court, Bell-Forsyth Judicial Circuit, Cumming, Hon. Mark Anthony Scott, Judge, Superior Court, Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit, Decatur, Kurt A. Kegel, Davis, Matthews & Quigley, P.C., Atlanta, and Barry B. McGough, Warner, Mayoue, Bates & McGough, P.C., Atlanta.
UNUSUAL CUSTODY ISSUES: Religious DIFFERENCES, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, ETC., will be covered with Hon. Jeffrey S. Bagley, Judge, Superior Court, Bell-Forsyth Judicial Circuit, Cumming, Hon. Gail S. Tusan, Judge, Superior Court, Atlanta Judicial Circuit, Atlanta, Charles E. Bailey, Warner, Mayoue, Bates & McGough, Atlanta, Sarah C. Brogdon, LCSW, Peachtree Psychological Associates, Atlanta, and Rebecca L. Crumrine, Davis, Matthews & Quigley, P.C., Atlanta.
The topic of EQUITABLE DIVISION (VALUING ASSETS, NONMARITAL PROPERTY ISSUES) will be explored by Kelly A. Miles, Smith Gilliam Williams & Miles, P.A., Gainesville, R. Scot Kraeuter, Savage Turner Pinson & Karsman, Savannah, Martin S. Varon, Alternative Resolution Methods, Inc., Smyrna.
On SATURDAY, MAY 29, 2010, we will conclude with:TAKING THE CASE TO TRIAL, led by Hon. Lawton E. Stephens, Judge, Superior Court, Western Judicial Circuit, Athens, Regina M. Quick, Regina M. Quick, P.C., Athens, and Katheleen B. Connell, Boyd Collar, LLC, Atlanta
DRAFTING THE FINAL JUDGMENT AND DECREE/SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTHon. Bill Reinhardt, Chief Judge, Superior Court, Tifton Judicial Circuit, TiftonKelley O?Neill Boswell, Watson Spence LLP, Albany
Protecting your client after the entry of the Final Judgment and decree, with Hon. Cynthia Wright, Judge, Superior Court, Atlanta Judicial Circuit, Atlanta, Gwenn D. Holland, Holland, Schaeffer Roddenbery Blitch, LLP, Atlanta, and Kice H. Stone, Stone & Driggers LLC, Macon.
And finally, a review of the past year's Case Law update and recent developments, presented by Jonathan V. Dunn, McCorkle & Johnson, LLP, Savannah, and Sarah McCormack, Kessler, Schwarz & Solomiany, Atlanta.
FORT KNOX, Ky (Army News Service, 30. development of 2010) during the mid-to-week development 26 Festival, Fort Knox used Vietnam Veterans and give them a warm "Welcome to the home Member State" they deserved, but few are received after the United States after the war, about 35 years ago.
Approximately 1,000 veterans turned out to be and 2,500 flag-waving, who were welcoming character mode, cheering, soldiers, civilian employees, family members and contractors who lined the route that the Veterans Convoy of buses and motorcycles initiated Brooks Parade field, the ceremony.
Veterans who were marched through the honour to cordon Fort Knox Junior ROTC cadets and Soldiers of the 19th century engineer Battalion.The audience applauded and promulgation of the Veterans of the items in the places they Move parking honor-field size for 15 minutes.
Veterans delight, vintage aircraft through three flew The aircraft will be included in the general public. OH-6-Loach, AH-1 Cobra and UH-1 H Iroquois--also referred to as "Huey", known to some as Vietnam's workhorse.
Choppers flew low and slow in the field, then at a safe distance away from land. aircraft and pilots remained after the ceremony, joining others in a static devices display to allow you to honor the guests an opportunity to discuss with them.
"Thank you from Heartland: A Salute-Vietnam Veterans" was designed for the whole of the surrounding Fort Knox communities events series theme.
Lt. Gen. Benjamin Freakley, Fort Knox Maqui Berry Comparison and accession Command Commander spoke in learning event.Freakley explains there how much debt they are today's army.
"We are the best led, best attended, most equipped with the best, the best trained and supported by the armed forces and our nation is still the best in the world of the army fielded, and because of you," he said. "Probably the most important thing, you can US Army instilled values that we try to live up to today. "
General, currently, foundations of modern-day field to share attention veterans, soldiers.
"You can now view all the formation of that one to the left, such as the end of the 19th century engineer Battalion," the General said."(They are) to combat hardened, all volunteers, soldiers, young men and women only from combat. you can view them and say" our pride, and built the force. "Today, the army is the Giants--your shoulders stamped in. "
Knox ceremony, when one veteran, said he had been transferred to the mountain of the motorcade route for waving flags as part of the school children in the eyes of the crowd.
Other enjoy the Fort Knox 113th army Band from rock combo box play 60. Veterans of some of their partners, and coaxed to dance in front of the performers graze apron.
Young Soldiers from the current date also took time to visit those who had served in Vietnam with the young NCO. one of the two Vietnamese chattasi and said there had no problems connecting to it.
"We have elapsed between the date of entry into different uniforms, but we have much in common," he said. "Once the military, each Soldier. "
(Maureen Rose writes Fort Knox Public Affairs Office)
Historically, only blood relatives had the right to file for custody in Pennsylvania. It was not until the very early 1980s that step-parents began to have their loving relationship with their step-children recognized by Pennsylvania Courts.
Today, anyone in a loving, parental relationship with a minor can file for and perhaps obtain custodial rights in a child.
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I don't get why Gretchen ended up in 2nd place. I wanted the judges to ask the model to take off the jacket so we could also see just what the heck that blouse was (because it certainly didn't go with the outfit). And the skirt -- chevrons or not -- was still just tinsel wrapped around a body. I liked her jacket, but that was about it. I thought some of the other designers, like Christopher, had better overall looks.
Anyway, I enjoyed reading your post. It's fun to re-hash these episodes with someone! I look forward to reading your take on next week...
WASHINGTON (31. development of 2010)-President Barack Obama traveled today Fort Bliss, Texas, to pay homage to the post's servicemembers the contributions actually called in, and made it possible for these tovereiden tomorrow is the official end of combat operations in Iraq, marking a major milestone.
"Congratulations on a job well done," Obama told about 130 1st Armored Division Soldiers, accompanied by their spouses, which had recently returned from Iraq, they gathered in the restaurants of the port facility post.
"It has not been a specific operation to all that you did not complete with gallantry, courage, with excellence," the President said. "That is the whole country to understand something. "
Thanks to these efforts, he said, "Iraq has the ability to create a better future for themselves and in the Americas is more secure."
Obama told the forces of the nation tonight his address in the White House underscore that the operation of a new Dawn begins tomorrow "our task in Iraq has not yet been paid."
"Our combat phase is over," he said, "but we are you too hard hours shall apply where, in a continuous work, which must be carried out" by civilians, as well as transitional military. "
"Work, which is still absolutely critical to provide training and support the Iraqi security forces, because Iraq is still violence and they are still learning their need for the protection of their country," Obama says way."They use huge-government services that you have already received training, but not yet mainstream. more work to do."
US forces to continue the activities of the joint counterterrorism partners in Iraq, he said.
Obama said, "But the line is that we are to combat phase, we are in a transitional phase, and which could not have been carried out in accordance with the procedure had not been for men and women in this Fort Bliss and the whole country".
Political disputes and debate aside all Americans agree that "we have a history of the world's finest fighting force," said the President of the drawing with cheers his audience.
"And the fact that we have, that the men and women in uniform, all branch service that make so many sacrifices and their family members, their sacrifices in the" next to the President said.
Obama recognize that victim today when he met with the Gold Star families, Fort Bliss, including a new mother, who had just lost her husband. Yesterday he visited Walter Reed lähettikin warriors of the Army Medical Center in Washington, d.c., where he granted 11 Purple Heart medals.
The US operation offsets in Iraq, such as Fort Bliss Obama told him that the Soldiers of the country "to serve and you your and you're served in us," software and services to support their needs.
He cited above, paragraph more support for veterans, better lähettikin warriors, including those of the brain injuries or signs of post-traumatic stress yleistilaan and suffers from post 9/11 GI Bill radanpitäjien, which provides a more educational benefits of troops and their families.
"I want to say thank you for your country Only on behalf of because without you, we will not be able to enjoy the freedoms of others and which are a valuable safety," Obama said. "And all the heroes who represents have served us so well generation-generation long line.
Obama said he would like to move closed around the room shake hands thanks to Soldiers ' "a job well done" and to ensure they know they are comments for "Welcome home open arms each lower with that country."
"People could not be prouder of you-and we are grateful," he said.
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, 8. Sept. 2010)-nine years after 11. Sept 2001 terrorist attack in Washington, D.C., the Pentagon visitors come and day and night reflect built site Memorial of the victims.
Only the Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Memorial Park features 184 stainless steel benches, each victim of an attack is one of the West of each set was over the water of the pool.
Cynthia Koebeler and Abplanalp, colleagues and friends from Indianapolis, long-term IND. Brenda visited the Park Sept 7, only days before the attack of the 9th anniversary.
Warm days, the blue sky, and the looming in the background, large Pentagon Abplanalp Koebeler and wanted to discuss what they both agreed premises memorial for the victims of the attack.
"Below the lights to backward and forward," said Koebeler.-I think, in my opinion, is the lights means. This way you are using the reflecting--we thought we require the use of impervious to all this.But we get attacked, and it is similar to how many innocents are here. "
Koebeler said he is not in a long time--and was the capital of the nation, visit at the husband makes Abplanalp repeated trips to the city.
"It has been for a long time since I have been, D.C., and I just wanted to see 9/11 Memorial," said Koebeler."Early on, it was too raw. but now it seems--is only nine years--I want to see what was this monumental decision."
Abplanalp, said he was already at work, when he heard about the 9/11 terrorist attacks and said a lot of discussion between colleagues did not exist as they followed the news story elevator building their poorly televisions in the lobby.
"Someone said the bomb struck the World Trade Center--do not even know was on an airplane," he said. ", And in the same way as we went there, it is the case when both buildings came down. We were stunned and no one knew what to say or do. the only thing we had thought was our must get Home. "
Koebeler said he heard a car radio and was the attacks on the drag from the sense the road side.
"They do that is to say, Word attack," he said. " I thought that was odd. radio innostaja is considered to be something is wrong, that is, the level was hit and I went to the work of the building., the second hit for the whole of the Office while I was at work., only really quiet and we have collected around and too many words were exchanged. you do not know what to do it. "
Abplanalp said 9/11 terrorist attacks have made her Think more now what he does, that it has affected her life.
"This could happen at any time," he said. "It keeps you closer to your family.You can talk to people who do not have talked to in years.You do not know what happens. "
He said that he and his family have been discussed what would happen was an attack affected his family more directly charged nine years ago.
"We are talking about it--not always--but we are talking about, in particular, for me and my husband," she said.
Koebeler said he and his family is to discuss the possibilities of other attacks, which occurred on 9/11.
"I think you become tarkkaavaisen more, because you think: when they move again," he said. "New York, may have in place of the Miami. Or perhaps it is not even bombing. we are in the process of being speculated might be tainted information about water, or in any other way in the us.We do all our efforts at an airport, maybe they have switched strategies, and it is frightening for us.My children and to talk about that. "
9/11 After-effects is far-reaching, in particular those relating to the Iraq and Afghanistan. hers my friend at work Abplanalp said two people to serve in the armed forces, which are male.And he has seen the effects of the war to that family.
The son of his friend, he said, had taken control of his life and is now in the course of the introduction of the impact of this experience.
"He suffers from PTSD--that is to say, he has killed someone for the first time," he said. "I think that is the case when it became a real him. listen to talk about--I was crying because what happened to his son. I can only imagine if it is of my son. I am they fear and I hate when they have been there more than I can only imagine go. is the parent of a son or daughter and send them over the disease virus taking. "
Although not Koebeler and Abplanalp was aware of the 9/11 attacks victims in person, several employees of the company is either injured or the New York World Trade Center towers, the company was killed in the attack. ' Bureau.
They are in line with the terrorist attacks have changed, all of them.
"I do not like the loss of life," as a result of wars Koebeler say. "Every night on a local drive, and someone lost--which is sad. It has changed our world outlook. "
"It has been the world's edge," said Abplanalp. "It keeps your eyes open. "
Saturday is the memorial ceremony, Pentagon Memorial to remember 11.Sept 2001 Memorial wreath. for visitors is open 24 hours a day.
Introduction
The goal of the legal process of divorce is to end the marriage and decide such issues as child custody, visitation, child support, alimony (sometimes called spousal support or maintenance), property and debt division and attorney's fees and costs.
A divorce judgment can be based on an agreement between the parties or result from a trial.
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The terms "sole custody" and "joint custody" are somewhat generic. They represent categories of custody, but custody itself is best understood as a continuum, as unique as the parents who divorce.
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Although Florida Statute 61.121 allows for rotating custody a/k/a split custody of minor children there is a presumption in Florida that rotating custody is not in the best interest of the child. Rotating custody involves the child(ren) living with each parent on an equal annual basis amounting to at least six (6) months total with each parent.
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CASEY GARRISON, South Korea--Elementary and middle school students who, Uijeongbu-Dongducheon are located in the region North of Seoul-no longer take 90 60-minute one-way bus ride Yongsan Garrison to participate in school thanks to the opening of the historical development of 30 Casey Elementary School.
Before the General Walter Sharp, thus Commanding General of the United States forces Korea announced plans to normalize the travel the entire peninsula 10 Soldiers and their families.Dec 2008 Warrior country was dependent on a limited demo.
"It's great," said Sgt. Luis Cruz, company b, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment tour normalization and that his 6-year-old daughter-in-Office of the new school. "Now children do not need to obtain the right to ride the bus for a long time so (community) and in the event of a change for the better. "
Although the school found some snags transport, lunches and a student of the first registration, Casey Elementary School principal Shelly Kennedy and his new staff were prepared to deal with them.
"We had some snags first but today all presented in a timely manner to the line," Kennedy said at the end of the second day of school.Perhaps the greatest challenge for the Department of Defense Education activity to the opening of the school had a short timeline.
Kennedy said, the principal shall normally be effected on the spot for a period of one year before the opening day of December 2009 had not made a decision to build a school and he arrived the following March.
"It was actually quite amazing," he said."They made the construction of this excellent work. we are still trying to outfit it to meet the needs of the us."
The original estimates were around 250 students, but registration is increased to more than 300 creating some of the challenges of Kennedy.
"Is higher than expected, and therefore, we are forced to accept only one command sponsored class students," he said.
Kennedy expects to improve the situation for the second part of the eighth grade school through the Start opens adjacent building 20 Aug 2011. it is also in progress, civil-engineering activities, which converts it to school Now Kennedy Barracks. academic year will focus on the current.
"The goal is quality education for students," he said.
Kennedy and his staff continue to work through some of the problems, and he said processes have improved categories for first day of his historical faculty share his enthusiasm.
"I'm kind of starts up information," said Bess Testaments, which is transferred within a brand new school DODEA before classes started first. "I selected here luxurious location in Europe and this is very exciting to see our children such access to servicemembers. It is a great. "
(Major-General William Griffin, 2nd Light Infantry Division Public Affairs, contributed to this article.)
Custody in Vermont is called "parental rights and responsibilities". Parental rights and responsibilities are divided into two categories: legal and physical. Legal rights and responsibilities means the right to make decisions regarding major events in a child's life, such as elective surgery, religion , and schooling.
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When a divorcing couple goes to court over custody of Harry the Hamster,you can read about it in the tabloids (right next to the story revealingthat David Letterman's replacement will be Elvis). People actually do fightover the most trivial things. It's why they aren't married any more.
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No matter what you feel about your other half, your children need both of you to fix the problem so they don’t feel neglected. It is sad when I witness a costly court battle over who will “win” the children. The battles are not so often in the best interest of the child, but centered on the need to hurt the other spouse one more time.
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Like most states, the standard for child custody determinations in California is the overall best interest of the child with an emphasis on ensuring the “health, safety, and welfare” of the child and “frequent and continuing contact” with both parents absent child abuse, domestic violence, or where the contact would not be in the best interest of the child as provide
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How to fight the custody battle
For many reasons, communities and judges react differently to fault testimony. Their reaction depends on many factors. Perhaps the community is conservative or there has been a great deal of publicity about a recent child-abuse case. Something in the judge's own life may influence a decision. The law differs from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
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Parents who are involved in a child custody dispute often ask if the child can decide with which parent he or she would like to reside.
Initially, it should be understood that there is no fixed age at which a child?s preference will control this decision.
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WASHINGTON (Army News Service, 1. Sept. 2010)--a new pilot program to improve the Army only salvation-focused unit features by adding a few extra Hengenpelastuslaitteissa noses group.
Urban Search and Rescue dog pilot program, which was specially designed verkkotunnistetietojen 911th Engineering Company, employs a natural scent tracking features canines to find survivors in the event of a disaster.
911Th Military District of Washington, is based out of Fort Belvoir, Va, and is changing to meet the unique natural disasters and attacks, quick-reaction tactical emergency unit nation capital.
Unit, which was played for the victims of the break-up of trains, 365 days a year to save limited premises of the victims of Sept 11, 2001, the Pentagon, collapsed buildings, vehicles, mines, tunnels and high lower crumpled role.
In the case of injury to members of their families and appetite suppressants drugs
their survivors, in accordance with the rubble Mounds or difficult to access workplace challenge tactical rescue, so adding with canines human scent detection option can help you find the victims faster and as a result, save lives.
1St Sgt. Alexander h. Robles 911th, "dogs can not go on much faster than we can, and they can remind us of the zones If perhaps members of their families and their survivors," said."When the structure is very small, limited spaces, but are not limited to, facilities which are large enough that someone survive. Spaces are very difficult to search.
Now six months the pilot-in-Office of the provost marshal, MAT is training two Belgian Shepherd Dog, search and: Chyta and Beppie.MAT would like to add two more canines and before the pilot completion in 2012.
David Reiter, MAT canine program manager "Dogs are in force, the factor" said. "The sky is the limit what you can teach a dog--has just taking advantage of this feature. "
Reiter, who is responsible for the pilot and training TO QUICKLY WRITE A WORDPRESS PLUGIN for all military dogs, MAT, in the area, said he has full trust dogs.
"These dogs have a large volume of announcement broadcast whether in return for them, allowing for all types of barrier to it," Reiter said.
The idea of a USAR program became years Capital Shield, emergency and consequence management each year, who will take part in the course of the exercise mat 911th. Commander asked for search and rescue dog features, information, the result is the start of the programme.
Reiter explains that if this feature is still in the past, the army usually rely on outside bodies.
"It definitely is intended to help them, if you have never sent a response ... to improve their ability to live themes of rubble in a much faster, in the search for" Reiter said 911th.
Previously trained as combat tracker dogs, Chyta and Beppie are very suitable for the "sniff out" survivors ' collapsed structures--dogs is believed to be able to identify smells until 10 000 times better than humans.
Victims, with a view to seeking a handlers type "find it!" and QUICKLY dog begins with a range of barriers and residuals for special aroma--trapped in the article number below to view the structure of people living in extreme poverty by searching over the smell.
All persons shall keep under constant review all systems of tissue or cells in the skin, which are cast, since a person is travelling at a speed of a microscopic particles. These heavier-than-air particles that contain a person's unique smell, millions of wind and carried out by the generally resolve near where a dog can pick up the scent of the ground. every man is a separate and identify odor, which is their own.
USAR dogs are trained to ignore the smell of other toimintarajoitteinen such as rescue workers, processors, or even other animals, and focus on finding the victims trapped in. When dogs find family, they continually bark at the victim's vicinity so the team will know where to find recue.
"Dogs are great," said the President.
The pilot only months Reiter and USAR dog hand Sgt. 1st Class William McEnaney have attended TO QUICKLY WRITE A Trainer course and design as well as the nationally certified Chyta in October, the Federal Emergency Management Agency-standard Beppie.
"They love the capability," said Reiter 911th. "They are looking forward to employ us in the future. "
INDIANAPOLIS--a new US Army dragster was unveiled race fans Indianapolis O'Reilly Raceway Park has thousands of Sept 3, major General of the Army Sgt. Kenneth o. Preston, US Army accession Command Commanding General Lt. Gen. Benjamin Freakley, US Army Top fuel driver and seven times world champion Tony "sarge" Schumacher, Don Schumacher, Don Schumacher Racing and more, the Army top Soldiers of the year.
The event marked the United States Army, Hot Rod National Association and Don Schumacher Racing partnership for 10 years.
"Is involved in the army is different than we have here out sponsorship in other forms," said Executive Director Bob Compton NHRA "I want to take a moment to thank all our 1.1 million Army Strong Soldiers there around the world serving our country and protection of our freedoms with regard to the part of us take the grant because you do a great job."
US Army dragster was participated in by Tony Schumacher during the 56th annual Mac tools Us nationals presented by Lucas Oil O'Reilly Raceway Park at Labour Day weekend.
Schumacher is six times in the course of the first fuel champion driver six World Championships, the Army driver, 65 in addition to the total number of records in a number of speed and time NHRA, such as Coca Cola Checks the armed forces, a total of seven and 61 with the national event wins the driving.
Tony "we started ten years ago here," said."Looking back, we have had since its inception, the progress is quite amazing. It had a dominant position with the United States Army ten years; it is not a sponsorship, is a brotherhood. we all know that."
"Is something so much more than that.It gives us the technology and group work and surrounds us good people who inspire us there to go and do great things, "said Tony a Will Ferrell coined the term" Shake racing and bake sale "with a smile.
Tony went to speed record set the O'Reilly Raceway Park 324 83 mph ihmetteleville teammate Antron Brown's previous record by nearly six mph in the evening and finishing third.
"The army has been blessed with three sports drivers; Antron Brown finest Angelle Sampey, and Tony Schumacher," said referring to the United States Army Freakley NHRA Team drivers.
"They are an excellent athletes, my book, but they are not even more important people of character.They are leaders. they are good things American youth who want to be like. thank you for so much help us Enviromental "Army Strong" and NHRA and setting forth your team winning efforts. "
Festival began, Don Schumacher Racing Brownsburg, Ind., auto show and gear and memorabilia auction had donated. cash Riley children's Foundation at Riley Hospital for children, young people's Physical Disabilities and James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home Camp Riley.
Make Us army officials and was Don Schumacher US Army racing team exchanged.
"Soldier what this entire agreement is really about," says Don, Don Schumaker Racing."The people that we can do what we do in all our lives on a daily basis.Soldiers who are there is our country and the world in which we live. all I can say is thank you to all the Soldiers there, that risk his life for us on a daily basis.
Later in the day and only a few miles down the road to the u.s. Army's Top fuel car was unveiled and presented the calling crowd from O'Reilly Raceway track pit.
Preston "there is no other driver harder there, working in his sponsor Tony Schumacher as" said. "He has made more than 160 young people training service program visits, he has visited more than 200 high schools and colleges with there youth to speak and to encourage them to remain in school, a school and career selection and targets for yourself. He has participated in the events affecting our young people to continue their education and training systems, it is necessary that decisions for better more than 250 future Soldier Centers. "
"In addition to that, he has been to Iraq, he has been in Afghanistan, he has been the Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, d.c., he has been Medical Center, Brooks our lähettikin warriors San Antonio. He was there really is a great advocate general representing the army."
Preston "the army, we are recognised by awards and decorations," on. "And, of course, we can identify, as far as possible, with the promotion of. last year we gave Tony staff Sergeant promotion to Say that deserves. better promotion than someone who demonstrates to acts, not only the words based on his performance. except his opportunities for the future, I would go ahead and publish order. "
The main United States Army Sergeant attached then Tony "sarge" Schumacher, promote him honorary Sergeant first class.
The Army ACE Suicide Intervention Training Program, developed by U.S. Army Public Health Command (Provisional) behavioral health experts, was evaluated by a panel of suicide prevention experts and is now listed in the Suicide Prevention Resource Center and American Foundation Best Practice Registry for Suicide Prevention.
The best practices registry is an independent organization supported by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Three suicide prevention experts reviewed the ACE suicide intervention program and found that it met standards of accuracy, safety, adherence to prevention program guidelines and likelihood of meeting the goals and objectives of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
ACE was created in response to an Army leadership request to develop a Soldier-specific suicide intervention skills training support package for Army-wide distribution, according to James Cartwright, social worker with the USAPHC Directorate of Health Promotion and Wellness.
The program is based on research literature and has undergone a process of testing and revision that included focus group interviews and pilot testing to determine training utility and feasibility. ACE has been reviewed by Army Medical Command personnel and Army G-1, the Army's proponent for suicide training, for applicability and was approved for Army-wide training by the Army Task Force on Suicide Prevention, Cartwright said.
ACE is a four-hour training that provides Soldiers with the awareness, knowledge and skills necessary to intervene with those at risk for suicide. It includes suicide awareness, warning signs, risk factors and intervention skills development.
ACE stands for "Ask, Care and Escort." It encourages Soldiers to directly and honestly question any battle buddy who exhibits suicidal behavior. The Soldier should ASK the battle buddy whether he or she is suicidal, CARE for the battle buddy and ESCORT the battle buddy to the source of professional help, Cartwright explained.
"This training helps Soldiers and others who have taken it to be aware of warning signs exhibited by a battle buddy who is hurting and ... intervene before a suicidal crisis," according to Lt. Col. Scott Weichl, USAPHC (Prov) chaplain.
ACE program materials include a trainer's manual, PowerPoint slides with embedded video messages, suicide prevention tip cards listing risk factors and warning signs for suicide, and ACE wallet cards (with simple directions for identifying and intervening with those at risk).
Cartwright explained that the material is easily taught, and all Soldiers are encouraged to receive the training. He said that part of the training is a role-playing exercise that provides participants a chance to practice the intervention skills they learn in the training. The role-playing requires Soldiers to imagine that they are in a suicidal situation, and they have to use their skills to save a life.
"Get involved! Don't let your battle buddy die by suicide," Weichl said as he stressed the importance of the training.
ACE cards and other suicide training materials are available to units through the USAPHC online shopping cart at http://phc.amedd.army.mil/home/.
Links to AKO-based training also are available on the site.
DoD is in the middle of a civilian employee fitness campaign called "Leap into Fall" that challenges employees to log 1.5 million hours of physical activity. First lady Michelle Obama began "Let's Move" to help U.S. children become more fit and healthy. And the Army, by regulation, offers its civilians one-time administrative leave to help them get fit.
There's a message in all of this fitness-focused activity, and the message is, it's good for individuals, employers, and the nation to develop a fit and healthy population.
The Army Civilian Fitness Program, governed by Army Regulation 600-63, Army Health Promotion, Chapter 5-5c, provides guidance for the implementation of wellness programs for government civilians. Department of Defense and federal government policies also support fitness programs for government civilians. They are:
• DoD Directive 1010.10 Health Promotion and Disease/Injury Prevention, http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/101010p.pdf
• Federal Employee Health Program, http://www.opm.gov/Employment_and_Benefits/WorkLife/HealthWellness/wellnessresources/
The Army allows a government civilian to participate once. The program is time-limited to one six-month period. It includes up to three hours per week of administrative leave to be used for physical fitness activities. Participation requires supervisor approval, and should not impede accomplishment of the mission of the organization. A medical screening is highly recommended to be sure that anyone with an existing medical condition that would put them at risk has physician approval before participating.
The results of a study released in March 2010 at the American Heart Association's Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism Conference in San Francisco showed that workplace wellness programs help employees lose weight and reduce their risk of heart disease. Hospital workers took part in a voluntary 12-week, team-based wellness program that focused on diet and exercise.
The obese participants lost the most weight, but the overweight participants did almost as well. All participants had similar improvements in physical activity, along with lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, and reduced waist circumferences at program end and after one year.
To help you make the most of your exercise experience, burn more calories and lose that extra weight, mix up your exercise routine. Doing the same workout all the time is tough on your body. Cross-training prevents burnout and injury, while ensuring a balanced training program that includes endurance, strength, and flexibility.
Here are some tips to get you started:
• To prevent imbalance in the thigh muscles and stretch the hamstrings and hips, substitute one of your run days with a yoga or Pilates class.
• To build muscle and bone with weight-bearing exercise, include weightlifting two to three times a week.
• To burn calories and build core strength, add swimming to your exercise plan.
• To give your joints a rest but still burn lots of calories, replace running with a day of biking or a spin class.
• To increase the intensity of your walk, do plyometrics by adding jumping or skipping moves to your walk.
• To increase your heart rate plus strengthen your lower body, walk in a hilly region.
• To ramp up your walk without tiring, alternate moderately-paced walking with short, fast-paced bursts of speed. Peppering a 30-minute walk with 10 one-minute speed bursts can nearly double your calorie burn.
Check with your organization's human resource department or fitness facility to see what is available at your location. Take advantage of this opportunity to make regular physical activity a habit that stays with you for a healthy lifetime.
FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- On a table in a brightly colored kitchen bathed with sunlight sits a big bug. "I heard it say hamburger, hamburger," a young man says.
A child describes seeing a highway with lots of cars rushing back and forth. But there are no people inside those cars.
"I was riding the subway and I noticed that I could suddenly see into things. There was a young woman and in her purse she had handcuffs," says another young lady, who continues to describe a second scenario.
"I was in a field and I could see what looked like hundreds of silver and purple flowers. As I approached I realized that were actually parasols and then they would make a sound like a gong."
"I'm holding a big glass of milk and there's a head of lettuce in it," says a third person.
A talking bug, x-ray vision and nonsensical scenes are several of the dreams researchers pursue in "What are dreams? Inside the Sleeping Brain," recently shown at Brooke Army Medical Center as an opportunity for staff to learn about the science behind sleeping and dreams.
The film was broadcast on television last year as part of Public Broadcasting Service's NOVA science series.
"Most people are really interested in what dreams mean and whether there is a purpose to them," explained Sandy Fitzgerald, who coordinated a series of presentations for BAMC staff as part of the Department of Nursing's Resiliency Program.
Fitzgerald said that sleep is a huge issue for BAMC staff.
"Sleep is critical to resilience. It's one of the biggest issues for Soldiers when they're deployed and redeployed," she said. "Many have difficulty sleeping when they return - experiencing nightmares."
Fitzgerald said her resiliency series is a way of giving respite to the doctors, nurses and staff needing a little "doctoring" as well.
Working with critically ill and wounded warriors Xantrex 1500 returning from war zones is very stressful for staff she said, adding that many have been deployed, then hit the ground in a fully-functioning capacity caring for others on their return.
"By and large health care providers are very resilient people used to a high tempo. But they need nurturing as well because they don't always think to take care of themselves," Fitzgerald said.
She is also trying to sow seeds for others to think about in terms of overall health, resilience and alternative therapies are related.
"Knowledge can never hurt but specifically with dreams, if it raises questions and inspires dialogue about these things then maybe there would be some positive changes individually and systematically."
Fitzgerald said staff found the dream research fascinating.
"Dreams have been responsible for two Nobel Prizes, the invention of a couple of major drugs, other scientific discoveries, several important political events and innumerable novels, films and works of visual art," said Deirdre Barrett, a dreams researcher at Harvard Medical School.
Barrett related that the periodic table of the elements was said to have come to the Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev during a dream. She said Elias Howe's solution to creating a needle for his new invention, the sewing machine, was revealed in a nightmare.
"One night he dreamed of being attacked by cannibals with spears. And as he woke up in terror, the last thing he saw was that all of their spears had the hole at the pointed tip of the spear, and he realized that's where you put the hole in a sewing machine needle," Barrett said.
Researchers describe two types of dreaming during the sleep studies chronicled on the DVD and theorize that each has different roles.
"Sleep studies have revealed that not only do we dream in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, we also dream in non-REM sleep and they are different," explained Erica Harris, a sleep researcher at Boston University.
Scientists found after non-REM dreaming, self-concept and self-regard was positive, but more negative after subjects were waked from REM sleep. This suggests the proportion of REM and non-REM sleep may be a factor in depression.
Dreams also help with learning and memory.
Robert Stickgold, a sleep researcher from Harvard University, has subjects play video games they are unfamiliar with; then instructs them to think about their performance before sleeping.
"This is all about the function of sleep and the role of dreaming and processing memory," Stickgold said. "It makes the memory more useful for the future. We know they're getting better when they play again."
Fitzgerald said she plans to continue showing the "Dreams" DVD and is willing to lend it to other departments.
She has also started a massage therapy program for staff. "We offer chair massages from five to eight minutes. There is data out there that even a brief massage has benefits for staff resilience."
But the massage therapy is not offered to patients at this time.
"Hopefully there will be enough evidence related to healing to demonstrate that massage would be beneficial to patients as well. We're not there yet," Fitzgerald said. "When staff starts seeing the benefits for themselves, that thinking will translate."
FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Master resilience trainers are a growing presence on Sand Hill.
In the past year, more than 1,300 Soldiers, including about 20 drill sergeants from Fort Benning, have taken the Master Resilience Training course, part of the Army's Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program.
Modeled after the University of Pennsylvania's "Penn Resilience Program," the 10-day course is designed to equip Soldiers with the skills needed to better manage traumatic events - from money and relationship problems to major accidents and combat horrors - and teach others in their units to do the same.
Staff Sgt. Marcus Gurule of C Company, 2nd Battalion, 54th Infantry Regiment, was among the first drill sergeants from the 192nd Infantry Brigade to attend an MRT session at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He completed the course last November.
"I was picked because I am the fitness subject matter expert for my company," he said. "I learned about basic problem solving to get through tough times, and how to teach young Soldiers to see past the 'suck' factor in the present. Kids get too wrapped around how bad it is 'right now.'"
The Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program focuses on the five dimensions of strength: emotional, social, spiritual, family and physical. MRT is aimed at building mental toughness.
As the unit master resilience trainer, Gurule uses different exercises at the beginning of each cycle to introduce the concepts to basic training Soldiers, he said. Since the MRT program is still relatively new, the Army hasn't created a program of instruction yet, but two hours of resilience coaching is required in the "Red Phase" of training.
"I personally try to point out the simplicity in each training event. It's action-thought-consequence," he said. "I explain that if they really think about it - whatever the event is - it's nothing too hard or complicated. It's not that bad. People do this job every day and are successful, and they can be, too."
Gurule said drill sergeants and NCOs should always highlight the techniques Soldiers need to overcome whatever adversity they might face - throughout a cycle, he often discusses other examples where resilience can apply in a practical manner. That guidance must continue even after basic, he said.
"Operational units need to have as many NCOs as possible trained in this," he said.
Gurule said he believes MRT will produce long-term benefits for the Army and could ultimately lower cases of post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq.
"If you accept the things you can't change, then you won't suffer mentally from them later," he said. "Maybe we can make a more mentally aware Soldier, aware of his or her capabilities. Soldiers may be able to improve how they deal with the hardships and realities of combat because they can think through it."
Gen George W. Casey Jr., the Army chief of staff, has set a goal of having one MRT-qualified Soldier per battalion and another for each brigade headquarters. That would yield more than 5,000 Soldiers Army-wide.
Along with the Philadelphia venue, the MRT course also is taught to drill sergeants at "Victory University" on Fort Jackson, S.C. In July, the Army debuted a nine-member mobile training team that will bring the curriculum to Soldiers at posts around the world.
Brig. Gen. Rhonda Cornum, the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program director, said MRT course feedback has been positive.
"By about day four, you have almost universally seen the turnaround from skeptical to responses like, 'Why didn't the Army do this 10 years ago?' or 'If I had had this training 10 years ago, I'd still be married,'" she said. "There is no question, there is education and confidence that is built as the course goes on."
(Editor's note: Information from the Army News Service contributed to this report.)
FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Master resilience trainers are a growing presence on Sand Hill.
In the past year, more than 1,300 Soldiers, including about 20 drill sergeants from Fort Benning, have taken the Master Resilience Training course, part of the Army's Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program.
Modeled after the University of Pennsylvania's "Penn Resilience Program," the 10-day course is designed to equip Soldiers with the skills needed to better manage traumatic events - from money and relationship problems to major accidents and combat horrors - and teach others in their units to do the same.
Staff Sgt. Marcus Gurule of C Company, 2nd Battalion, 54th Infantry Regiment, was among the first drill sergeants from the 192nd Infantry Brigade to attend an MRT session at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He completed the course last November.
"I was picked because I am the fitness subject matter expert for my company," he said. "I learned about basic problem solving to get through tough times, and how to teach young Soldiers to see past the 'suck' factor in the present. Kids get too wrapped around how bad it is 'right now.'"
The Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program focuses on the five dimensions of strength: emotional, social, spiritual, family and physical. MRT is aimed at building mental toughness.
As the unit master resilience trainer, Gurule uses different exercises at the beginning of each cycle to introduce the concepts to basic training Soldiers, he said. Since the MRT program is still relatively new, the Army hasn't created a program of instruction yet, but two hours of resilience coaching is required in the "Red Phase" of training.
"I personally try to point out the simplicity in each training event. It's action-thought-consequence," he said. "I explain that if they really think about it - whatever the event is - it's nothing too hard or complicated. It's not that bad. People do this job every day and are successful, and they can be, too."
Gurule said drill sergeants and NCOs should always highlight the techniques Soldiers need to overcome whatever adversity they might face - throughout a cycle, he often discusses other examples where resilience can apply in a practical manner. That guidance must continue even after basic, he said.
"Operational units need to have as many NCOs as possible trained in this," he said.
Gurule said he believes MRT will produce long-term benefits for the Army and could ultimately lower cases of post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq.
"If you accept the things you can't change, then you won't suffer mentally from them later," he said. "Maybe we can make a more mentally aware Soldier, aware of his or her capabilities. Soldiers may be able to improve how they deal with the hardships and realities of combat because they can think through it."
Gen George W. Casey Jr., the Army chief of staff, has set a goal of having one MRT-qualified Soldier per battalion and another for each brigade headquarters. That would yield more than 5,000 Soldiers Army-wide.
Along with the Philadelphia venue, the MRT course also is taught to drill sergeants at "Victory University" on Fort Jackson, S.C. In July, the Army debuted a nine-member mobile training team that will bring the curriculum to Soldiers at posts around the world.
Brig. Gen. Rhonda Cornum, the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program director, said MRT course feedback has been positive.
"By about day four, you have almost universally seen the turnaround from skeptical to responses like, 'Why didn't the Army do this 10 years ago?' or 'If I had had this training 10 years ago, I'd still be married,'" she said. "There is no question, there is education and confidence that is built as the course goes on."
(Editor's note: Information from the Army News Service contributed to this report.)
NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - "Mosquitoes, ants, and wasps, oh my!"
The unforgiving terrain of the Nangarhar, Nuristan, Konar and Laghman provinces in eastern Afghanistan hosts hoards of insects and wildlife that create quite a hairy situation when it comes to co-habitating with troops; however, the Soldiers of the preventive medicine section of Charlie Company, 426th Brigade Support Battalion, Task Force Bastogne, see "combat" with these creatures on a daily basis.
What is the worst vector problem pestering Soldiers in a deployed environment?
"Flies! We have tons of flies and mosquitoes ... and mosquitoes are so much worse because it's harder to see them," said Capt. Susan Gosine of Fort Campbell, Ky., officer in charge of preventive medicine at Forward Operating Base Fenty in Jalalabad.
Mosquitoes and sand flies present a particular challenge because they can be carriers of vector-borne diseases such as Malaria. Soldiers deployed overseas are directed to take medication to prevent them from contracting the disease, though many Soldiers forget to take their pills. There were 29 cases of Malaria reported in 2009, mostly due to Soldiers forgetting to take their prescribed antibiotics.
"I specifically want to emphasize Malaria awareness," said Lt. Col. Joseph Llanos of Saginaw, Mich., a preventive medicine doctor for the 101st Airborne Division based out of Bagram Airfield. The highest risk for servicemembers is get rid of man boobs during the months of August and September.
Although vector control accounts for a large portion of the issues that PM handles, it is not the only concern of Gosine. She is, overall, responsible for the environmental safety of the FOB's residents, including living conditions, food preparation and water.
"The overall mission of preventive medicine is to prevent disease and non-battle injuries while deployed," said Gosine, who has a team of Soldiers and techs working with her at FOB Fenty.
PM is extremely important to troops in a field situation. If war fighters are not kept fit to fight, then their ability to accomplish the mission is greatly degraded. That is why Gosine and her team regularly visit outlying combat outposts and forward operating bases in the TF Bastogne area of operations.
"Well, if you consider past wars, preventive medicine is very important because you can lose troops to something as simple as diarrhea," said Gosine.
Even the common cold can be a combat degrader, but signs in the dining facility and the latrines remind Soldiers to practice good personal hygiene techniques.
"Our goal is to preserve the force, because once you get sick, it is a showstopper," said Llanos. "But if you prevent it, Soldiers will be overall healthier."
One thing Soldiers can do to prevent illness is wash their hands regularly. "I can't say it enough," warns Gosine.
As for those pesky insects, PM will continue their mission to keep Soldiers and civilians alike safe from the environment and anything else non-combat related that might cause them harm.
FORT MEADE, Md. -- Sgt. 1st Class Felicie Spencer takes medication for the pain she experiences from an injury.
But for a few months this spring, Spencer attended yoga classes at Gaffney Fitness Center. A member of Fort Meade's Warrior Transition Unit at Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center, Spencer said the practice soothed her discomfort.
"It eases the joints where there is pain," she said. "It's excellent. Sometimes I don't want to leave, I'm so comfortable."
If Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker has his way, yoga and other alternative therapies would be integrated into Army medicine to treat the pain of wounded Soldiers.
In May, the Army Surgeon General's Office released the Army Pain Management Task Force's final report. The task force, initiated by Schoomaker, made recommendations for a comprehensive pain-management strategy that is holistic, multidisciplinary and multimodal in its approach to treating Soldiers and other patients with acute and chronic pain.
According to an Army website, Schoomaker said at a June press conference that the increasing numbers of Soldiers returning from combat with severe wounds, and reports of medication abuse and suicides with pain as an aggravating factor, are troubling.
To improve the quality of life for wounded Soldiers, the general said he is supportive of alternative therapies. "Programs such as biofeeback and yoga have been subjected to scientific randomized trials and have been proven to be effective," Schoomaker said.
The task force report states that the military health system's care for wounded warriors is "rooted in a military culture that praises selflessness, toughness and willingness to accept pain." As a result, a "no pain, no gain" philosophy has been embraced by the military and "often causes delays in treatment" as servicemembers "attempt to work through their pain and 'tough it out.'"
A major problem discovered by the task force is an "over-reliance on medications to treat pain" and the "increased prevalence of prescription abuse" among Americans in general.
To tackle these obstacles, the report recommends the use of integrative and alternative therapeutic modalities such as yoga, acupuncture, meditation and biofeedback in a patient-centered plan of care.
Dr. William Swann, chief primary care manager at Fort Meade's WTU, said he applauds the Army's consideration of alternative therapies for Soldiers.
"I think it's a good idea," said Swann, an osteopath who is a certified Tai Chi instructor and has been trained in Qigong, mindfulness meditation and HeartMath, a stress-reduction management program.
Swann said he often recommends alternative therapies such as yoga and biofeedback for WTU Soldiers.
The goal of combining alternative therapies with traditional medicine should be to allow Soldiers "to take ownership of and be involved in their own healing from this mind-body perspective," Swann said.
Kimbrough is already using biofeedback for stress management and physical ailments, said Swann.
Dr. Stacey Ketchman, a supervisory psychologist in the behavioral health department at the Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg, N.C., said the department has successfully used biofeedback to treat pain in Soldiers for two years.
"We wanted to provide another way of treating pain that did not involve medication or invasive procedures," Ketchman said, noting that the over-reliance on pain medication is often not a solution to chronic pain, but only treats its symptoms.
The department's newly expanded Complementary Alternative Medicine Clinic offers biofeedback and hypnosis to treat a wide range of ailments, including chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, insomnia and migraines.
"I was extremely excited when the report came out," Ketchman said.
According to the clinic's satisfaction surveys, results from Soldiers have been "extremely high."
Ketchman said she hopes the Army's embrace of alternative therapies will increase funding for the Fort Bragg clinic to hire additional staff such as an acupuncturist, occupational therapist and chiropractor.
Lt. Col. Michele Spencer, S-3 operations and training officer for the 48th Combat Support Hospital, and Pamela Phillips, the Financial Readiness Program manager at Army Community Service, both teach yoga at Gaffney.
"To make [alternative therapy] mainstream, that's the exciting part," said Spencer, who also has taught power Vinyasa yoga to Soldiers when she was stationed in the international zone in central Baghdad in 2006.
"We were being bombed every day," she said. "The energy [there] was very dark, but what great light it was to have such a peaceful practice."
Spencer said that by the end of every class, she observed less stress in students' faces and bodies. Each was "a different person," she said. "Their breath was even more focused and soft."
Results are similar for participants at Gaffney's free yoga classes.
"The poses and the breathing," Phillips said, "do wonders for the psyche."
FALLS CHURCH, Va. - For the first time, members of the Retired Reserve who are not yet age 60, the so-called "gray area" retirees, can purchase TRICARE health coverage for themselves and their eligible family members with the Sept. 1, 2010 launch of TRICARE Retired Reserve, or TRR.
"This new program offers a health coverage opportunity for "gray area" Guardsmen and Reservists who served America honorably, setting a proud example for today's forces," said Navy Rear Adm. Christine Hunter, deputy director of the TRICARE Management Activity. "TRICARE Retired Reserve will provide an outstanding health benefit."
Retired Reservists may qualify to purchase TRR coverage if they are under the age of 60 and are not eligible for, or enrolled in, the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program.
They must also be members of the Pink Car Mats Retired Reserve of a Reserve component and qualified for non-regular retirement. For instructions on how to qualify for and purchase TRR go to www.tricare.mil/trr.
For calendar year 2010, the TRR member-only monthly premium is $388.31 ($4,659.72 yearly), and the member and family monthly premium is $976.41 ($11,716.92 yearly).
Premiums will be adjusted annually.
The comprehensive health care coverage provided by the premium-based TRR is similar to TRICARE Standard. After purchasing TRR, members will receive the TRICARE Retired Reserve Handbook, which includes details about covered services, how to get care and who to contact for assistance. For more information, visit www.tricare.mil/trr.
The TRICARE Management Activity administers the worldwide health care plan for 9.6 million eligible beneficiaries of the uniformed services, retirees and their families.
WASHINGTON (Aug. 31, 2010) -- The Veterans Affairs Department is making great strides in its efforts to reduce the backlog of veterans' claims, VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki today told thousands of veterans attending the 92nd Annual American Legion National Convention in Milwaukee.
"We intend to break the back of the backlog this year," Shinseki said.
The average time taken to process claims in VA is about 160 days. But by the end of the year no claim will take longer than 125 days, Shinseki said. VA doesn't plan to stop once the claims are processed by that mark, he added.
"Our goal is not an average," Shinseki said. "It's not just going to be faster; also better and more accurate. There's nothing magical about 125 days, especially because when we get there, we'll be looking at another target."
VA received more than 1 million claims in 2009 for the first time in the department's 80-year history. Disability claims for VA increased 75 percent between 2000 and 2010. That's an average of nearly 100,000 new claims each month, with no signs of slowing down, the secretary said.
VA health care professionals expect to treat and provide care for more than 6.1 million veterans in 2011, Shinseki said, including nearly half-a-million Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans.
In order to meet those veterans' needs, he said, VA hired more than 3,500 claims workers this year in the Veterans Benefits Administration. VA also invested more than $130 million toward establishing a paperless claims process, which, Shinseki said, will be ready in 2012.
More than $110 million this year, he added, was invested in tele-health technology, which includes technology for the virtual lifetime electronic records system. VA expects to spend $163 million on these programs next year, Shinseki said.
"We see this as the way to link [the Defense Department] and VA in a seamless transition as youngsters take off the uniform," he said.
Among VA's accomplishments this year, Shinseki noted improved care for veterans who suffer from Agent Orange- and Gulf War-related illnesses. Three new diseases were determined to be connected to Agent Orange, while nineJaponesque Go Curl Eyelash Curler new diseases were included in the Gulf War illness group, he said.
Congress last year appropriated $13.4 billion to begin benefits payments for some 2,000 veterans expected to claim Agent Orange-related diseases.
"It was the right decision," Shinseki said, "and the president and I are proud to finally provide this group of veterans, our Vietnam [War] veterans, the care and benefits they've long deserved."
Also, the claims process is now easier for those affected by post-traumatic stress, Shinseki added. Veterans no longer have to provide documentation of the event that may have caused their stress, he said.
"This decision ends decades of focusing on documenting the stressor event," Shinseki said. "Instead, we're streamlining the delivery of medical care and benefits for veterans suffering from verifiable PTS from combat.
"This is not a generational issue," he continued. "This is not Iraq or Afghanistan; it is all who have served in combat."
VA boosted its staff of mental health providers by 20,000 since Obama took office, Shinseki said.
"Our priority here is to diagnose, treat and cure," he continued. "If cure is not possible, then diagnose, treat and care will be the standard."
During his address, Shinseki also noted VA's work to end homelessness among veterans by 2015. Since 2004, VA has reduced the number of homeless veterans by 90,000. At least 107,000 veterans remain on the streets today.
Shinseki also emphasized the importance of good fiscal stewardship. He highlighted VA's successes and improvements under President Barack Obama's administration.
Obama proposed $25 billion in budget increases for the VA since 2009. Such support "underscores the president's commitment to transforming VA and fixing persistent problems that have plagued this department for decades," Shinseki said.
The president proposed $125 billion for VA's fiscal 2011 budget, Shinseki said, which will focus primarily on the ending the claims backlog and homelessness.
"VA must be without hesitation an advocate for veterans," Shinseki said. "This is part of a culture change that's under way. We need to make permanent the gains of the past 19 months.
"There will always be unfinished work," he added. "That's the nature of the mission, but for all of us, it is to continue to establish priorities, fight for resources and take care of veterans. That's what we intend to do."
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Sept. 1, 2010) -- The Army's Warrior Transition Command celebrated its first change of command since its inception nearly 17 months ago in the Pentagon courtyard Aug. 26.
Incoming commanding officer Col. Darryl A. Williams took the helm from Brig. Gen. Gary H. Cheek who was the first commander of the WTC when it stood up April 9, 2009. The WTC provides guidance and policy for 29 Warrior Transition Units and nine Community Based Warrior Training Units.
Since its beginning the WTUs and CBWTUs have provided care for nearly 10,000 wounded, ill and injured Soldiers and their families -- helping them make the transition from the Army into civilian life or back into the active Army.
Guest speaker Lt. Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker, Army Surgeon General and commander of Army Medical Command praised Cheek -- a life-long artillery officer -- for his most recent re-engineering of remote warrior care in the heartland by teaming with civilian partners.
Schoomaker said the model Cheek and his staff put into action allows Soldiers to keep close to their families and units in the National Guard and Reserve, their communities and potential employers or current employers.
"That model we hope will be applied for other Soldiers not within the warrior transition community who are medically not ready and to this day are struggling to receive the kind of ... prompt timely care they so much deserve," he said.
Prior to the changing of the colors, Schoomaker awarded Cheek the Distinguished Service Medal and the Order of the Military Medical Merit. He also inducted Cheek as an honorary member of the Army Medical Department Regiment -- a rarity for an artillery officer. Cheek's wife, Leslie, was also recognized by Schoomaker as a friend of the regiment.
In Cheek's farewell, he said his perspective on the WTC was to help the warriors in the program reach their goals and desires: "We've got to make them see the future, because it's not about what's wrong; it's about what's right ... it's not about disabilities; it's about abilities.
Cheek's new assignment will be as director of Military Personnel Management.
Col. Darryl A. Williams also spent his career as an artillery officer, though he said his transition from artillery won't be as big a jump as it was for Cheek, because his previous position had been as the deputy director for Comprehensive Soldier Fitness.
"What a noble mission it is to take care of our Soldiers who have served their nation, (or) given their lives or their limbs," he said.
"It's a surreal kind of thing for me to be here right now quite frankly," Williams said. "I don't know a whole lot about the job right now, but the WTC is a weigh station on to another career or a return to the Army and it's here we start the healing process."
Williams said he knows what Soldiering is about. He's had combat experience and 27 years of active duty experience. He's never been wounded though, and said he doesn't professes to know what that's like. He has served in and lost Soldiers in Iraq and feels the first thing he needs to do is "walk-a-mile in these Soldiers' shoes."
"I really want to touch these Soldiers and hear their stories," he said. "I want to jump down and visit them, and hear what they have to say."
