Military alters training to deal with budget woes
Daily training and routines have been altered to save money. Airmen and pilots have fewer flights. Soldiers and Marines have fewer exercises until deployment nears. The budget cuts are a result of the troop drawdown in Afghanistan and the military shrinking its size. The Army has focused its training on soldiers that will deploy to hostile areas sooner.
Barriers remain for women seeking military combat roles
The first three women to complete Marine infantry training graduated Nov. 21 after a 59-day demanding course. However, they will not be given infantry assignments. The women will be assigned to support positions while the Pentagon studies combat jobs for women. This decision could take up to two years despite the ban being lifted this past January.
US veterans offer hands-on help in Philippines relief effort
Active-duty military helps in the Philippines with the relief effort but American veterans also help too. Team Rubicon, a group of veterans who still serve to conduct disaster relief efforts, has been there for a week. Most of their efforts are used in the United States but on occasion, they do deploy. The group conducted search-and-rescues and now has fanned out to find more local citizens in need.
Kate Shelton 