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March 19, 2013

News for Reservists

Top Story

ROA recommends incentives to boost reservist hiring
The Reserve Officers Association has submitted recommendations to the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee on how to incentivize employers to hire National Guard and Reserve members. The package includes tax credits, money to provide health benefits and advance warnings of deployments. Army Times (3/18)

In the Pentagon

Explosion during training exercise kills 7 Marines in Nev.
An explosion at a U.S. Army depot in western Nevada killed seven Marines who were participating in a training exercise on Monday, officials said. The explosion occurred when a 60-millimeter mortar round did not discharge properly, according to an Army spokesman. At least eight Marines were injured. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model)/Nation Now blog (3/19)

Hagel asks Pentagon to review defense strategy
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has asked the Pentagon to review its strategy in light of recent budget cuts from sequestration. "The Department of Defense must constantly examine the choices that underlie our defense strategy, posture and investments, including all past assumptions and systems," Hagel said in a memo. Reuters (3/18)

On the Hill

Senate ends debate on bill for continuing resolution
The Senate voted to end debate on a bill for a continuing spending resolution to fund the government and avert a shutdown. The $982 billion bill also includes a 2013 Pentagon appropriations bill. The current continuing resolution expires on March 27. Defense News (3/18)

Service Section News

Analysis: How the Iraq war forced military branches to adapt
The Iraq war forced the military to train lower-ranking officers on strategy, as events on the ground occurred too quickly for higher-ranking officers to be involved in every decision, experts say. "Iraq, more than Afghanistan, forced us to develop a structure where a smaller unit could own territory," said retired Army Col. Michael Starry. The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)/McClatchy Newspapers (3/19)

Reserve Strength

Officials discuss future of Pa. Reserve base
Pennsylvania lawmakers and military officials on Monday met to discuss the future of the 911th Airlift Wing, which the Air Force announced last week would remain open. The base may be again targeted for closure in discussions involving the Base Closure and Realignment Commission. "We know that we're going to see a BRAC, and we need to be ready," said U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, R-Pa. American City Business Journals/Pittsburgh (3/19)

Reserve Life

Whistle-blowers file complaints about VA hospital in Miss.
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel sent a letter to the White House on Monday, indicating that five whistle-blowers have sent complaints regarding a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Jackson, Miss. The complaints cite poor sterilization procedures, chronic understaffing and missed diagnoses. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (3/18)

SmartQuote

You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it."

--Margaret Thatcher,
British prime minister

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