ROA SmartBrief

Reading this on a mobile device? Try our optimized mobile version here: https://r.smartbrief.com/resp/elhiCfbwocfConpVYnGj

February 21, 2013

News for Reservists

Top Story

DOD may furlough nearly entire civilian workforce
Nearly 800,000 civilian defense workers may face furloughs at the end of April if sequestration takes effect, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says. By the middle of next month, employees may receive warnings that they could be furloughed. The Defense Department doesn't expect to lay off workers this year but said layoffs are a possibility next year. Defense News (2/20)

In the Pentagon

NATO, Afghan forces launch series of operations across Afghanistan
Operations across Afghanistan involving Afghan and NATO forces have killed 25 militants and three commanders, officials said Wednesday. Fighting is expected to intensify as the weather gets warmer and heavy snows melt. Stars and Stripes/The Associated Press (2/20)

NATO: Air Force general is likely nominee for top post
Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, the top Air Force commander in Europe and Africa, is the most likely person to be nominated by President Barack Obama to lead NATO, officials said today. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (2/21)

On the Hill

Bill would allow veterans' children to keep health benefits longer
Veterans' children would be allowed to receive health benefits from the Veterans Affairs Department until they turn 26, under a bill introduced in the Senate last week. Currently, veterans' children become ineligible for VA health benefits at age 18. Air Force Times (free registration) (2/20)

On the Home Front

WWII vets who saved famous artwork to be depicted on film
A World War II troop unit assigned to find and preserve precious monuments and works of art will be portrayed in an upcoming movie starring George Clooney. The movie is based on a book titled "The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History." The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/At War blog (2/20)

Service Section News

West Point academy faces $92 million in budget cuts
The Army plans to comply with sequestration by cutting $351 million from its budget in New York, with $92 million of that being taken from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The cuts would postpone the construction of what would be the first new dormitory on the campus since 1965. Army Times/Gannett News Service (2/20)

Navy uses social media to report sequestration dangers
Navy public affairs officers are using Twitter and other social media tools to describe how the Navy would react to sequestration cuts. Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Navy's top public affairs officer, on Tuesday tweeted a sequestration plan that included the cancellation of 10 destroyer deployments. Wired.com/Danger Room blog (2/20)

Reserve Life

Caesars launches program for hiring former military members
Caesars Entertainment has launched an initiative aimed at hiring U.S. military veterans. The company, which has approximately 10,000 job openings nationwide, hopes to offer positions to former military members through the Enlisting Heroes program. "This program is based on the experience we've had with veterans working for us. The initiative is not simply the right thing to do, it's the smart thing to do," Caesars Chairman Gary Loveman said. Las Vegas Review-Journal (2/20)

Georgetown educates faculty on student vets
Georgetown University has launched a program designed to help faculty make their classrooms more veteran-friendly. The program's first seminar was held last week, when about 70 faculty members were brought together to share classroom experiences that involved vets and to hear from student veterans about common complaints. Stars and Stripes (2/20)

SmartQuote

Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed."

--Maria Montessori,
Italian physician and educator

Subscriber Tools

Print friendly format | Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy

Advertise

Associate Publisher: Jim Eubanks (202) 407-7822