Army Celebrates Year of the NCO in 2009

It's not a controversial statement to say that Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs) run the military. Many civilians mistakenly believe that officers have the biggest impact, but it's the Sergeants and Chiefs who know the personalities of their units, and it is they who make sure that an officer's orders are put into action.

In honor of its NCOs, the United States Army has declared that this new Year will be the "Year of the NCO." In doing so, the Army will honor the legacy of the senior enlisted Soldiers who have been decorated in battles at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Omaha Beach, Vietnam, Iraq and everywhere in between.

The purpose of the year's commemoration will be several initiatives to raise the country's awareness of the sacrifices that NCOs have made in support of the Army and the country. The Army has highlighted two large goals:

    Make sure that Congress and the American public understand of roles and responsibilities of today's NCO
    Build on the development of NCOs through education, fitness, and leadership development In the area of education, the Army wants to make sure that its NCOs have increased access to both military and civilian career training so they can develop and be at the top of their game. In 2009 the Army plans to initiate the following NCO education initiatives:
    The Army Career Tracker pilot
    Phase one implementation of Structured and Guided Self Development
    Launch of the Warrior University website, which includes College of the American Soldier
    Transformation of NCO Education System

The Army is also looking to increase the number of online colleges under the Service Members Opportunity Colleges Army Degrees (SOCAD).

And online college degree programs are something that is not only available to Army NCOs, they are available to service members of every pay grade and every service branch though Military Tuition Assistance (TA).

While many NCOs enroll in a college degree to advance into the highest enlisted ranks of the military, a college education goes beyond the military. Whether one is a buck private or a master sergeant, a service member will eventually get out and have to face the civilian job market, which makes getting an associate or a bachelor's degree a good idea.

Online college degree programs are particularly helpful for service members, because the distance education format allows service members to study while still serving on active duty. Military personnel can pursue an online college degree whenever they have time off - all that's needed is a computer and an Internet connection.

And the best way to pursue a college degree is to have Uncle Sam pay for it by using your TA funds. TA benefits provide service members with up to $4,500 a year in funds for accredited, online college courses. One can enroll in an associate or bachelor's degree. Service members do not have to enroll in programs that are related to their MOS to get the funds.

Kim Yanez is a writer of nationally accredited online university for military offers certification programs and associate and bachelor's degree programs. Pursuing your career education in certificate and degree programs through the convenience and affordability of distance online education.

How to Search For US Army Military Records Online

Searching for any records or information on the internet can be both time consuming and extremely frustrating.

There are thousands of sites from all over the world that claim to be able to produce records and information on identities at the click of a button.

Gov-Records.com is a HUGE website dedicating to finding us army military record lists and dozens of other government records. It is a very useful website for finding public records. They have a huge databases you can query for just about anything.

Searchable records include:

- phone information
- criminal files,
- births and deaths
- marriage
- unclaimed money
- State and Federal census
- Bankruptcy
- Military Records
- Court proceedings
- US Phones and addresses
- Australian Phone and addresses

Reasons it might benefit you:

- Do you need to check a potential employees criminal history?
- I need that phone number!
- Do you need to find an old school friend?
- Where did my grandfather serve in World War II.
- Did my uncle return from the war?

Gov Records have a very sound reputation. Here are a couple of many testimonials:

"This is the most unique search tool I have found on the internet today. I was able to track down my family military history in just a few short minutes! Great research tool. "

Army Military Loans Explained

What exactly are Army military loans and why are they sometimes needed? How can people in uniform who are serving their country apply for these kinds of loans? These are questions that many military personnel ask and this article will offer answers.

First of all, "thank you" to the men and women of the Army and other branches of the military. People who pledge a life in service of others. Personal interests are taken aside and the welfare of their countrymen remains on top of their priorities. Indeed, their sacrifice for others should be of significant recognition.

This kind of career can make life difficult for a military person with a family, especially if the loved ones are living far away, off-base. The income that a service person obtains is not always enough to get he or she and their family through the days. Thus, paydays are most awaited. More often than not, though, the gap between these pay periods seems extremely long for someone with immediate basic needs to address.

Here comes in the usefulness of Army military loans. These types of loans are conceptualized primarily for the benefit of army members. Instead of them borrowing from their friends or relatives or succumbing to poor rates offered by pawnshops, these loans offer much better alternatives. Not only are the terms and rates superiorly good, the hassle and possible embarrassment coming from other means are likewise reduced as confidentiality is of utmost importance to the military loan providers.

Active duty military personnel, active reserve personnel, and those who had spent 20 years or more in the army service but are now retired are welcome to avail themselves of these loans. As long as these basic qualifications are met, credit checks and background investigations are sometimes not as important anymore regarding eligibility. There are some stricter organizations, however, which still impose the usual application procedure.

A growing number of organizations provide this type of service. In fact, the Army, Air Force, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, the United Service Organizations, and other service organizations of the military provide these loans and they can

even offer them interest-free. There are also several private financial companies all over the United States catering to the military most of which guarantee same day processing and approval of applications and lower interests than other types of loans.

Army military loans, especially those provided by private institutions, may range from $500 to $10,000 depending on one's need and credit history. The usual criterion in identifying the maximum amount to grant is the capacity to repay the loan which is manifested by income and credit history. It would be wise to indicate all income sources so as to give more evaluation bases to the credit officer. Each loan application is taken individually as needs and conditions differ, and is not compared against others or against a definite regulation. Application may be done personally or online.

Message centres are usually available to facilitate communication between the credit officers of the provider and the loan applicant. This ensures that coordination in terms of application as well as the status and payment of the loan once approved is systematic. Emails are not depended upon for information exchange as they are not very secure.

As processing is promised to be fast and efficient, army men are encouraged to just indicate their account numbers so that the funds may be directly deposited there once approved. With this, it may be easily withdrawn to immediately address the need for it. Conventional methods are available as well such as issuance of checks and mailing via regular US mail. With all these, areas of assignment should not be of major concern.

Should more need arise during enjoyment of previous loan which has not yet been paid fully, reapplication is permitted. However, the status of the previous loan, especially the amount that is yet to be paid, will be a major consideration in identifying the succeeding amount to be granted. Basic requirement for approval normally is at least one payment of the monthly amortization of the preceding loan. If target is a bigger loan amount, then there should have been more payments done in the past.

Updates on current balance may easily be viewed through the message centres. Statements are likewise sent on a regular basis or maybe requested by phoning the provider or logging on to the message centre. Payment schedules are also indicated in these statements.

With this type of financial assistance specifically designed for and readily available to the army men, one may be relieved of worry about current pressing needs and concerns for the family. However, the responsibility that comes with borrowing should not be taken for granted, so as to avoid further money problems in the future. Always be a careful borrower, of any kind of loan, including Army military loans.

Pat Caymus writes articles on a variety of topics designed to help consumers who are looking online for answers to questions about subjects such as personal loans, mortgage loans, Military Loans, auto loans, Bad Credit Military Loans and more.

US Military Recruitment - Revealing The Process Step By Step

The military recruitment process is extremely disciplined. All the information one need about military service can be found at the click of a button on the army website. You can either serve part time or for full time and the website details the differences between the two. A person who chooses to apply through this site for taking up military service is led to the army career explorer which gives you a plethora of information on beginning the recruitment process. The site also provides every bit of information you need starting from the recruitment process to the life in the US Army.

Military recruitment is an ongoing process for both the American and the British armies because of their current overseas involvement. Once the people waiting to be recruited go through the information in the site and the career's explorer, they are required to submit documentation. After this, a military recruitment officer will pay a visit to the applicant to verify the information provided by you. Also, the officer will be able to make sure your skills and qualification and ensure that you are fit to serve the US army and can survive its rigorous lifestyle. It is not necessary that the officer must come home to do all this. You may complete the entire process over the telephone if you wish to do so.

This military officer is your friend, philosopher and guide throughout your life in the army. This officer can tell you anything regarding life in the army or the application process or even on how long you can be expected to stay in the army. If you are interested in pursuing education even after joining the army, your officer is the one you must contact. He can provide you al the necessary information. There are many recruiters whom you can reach for more information. They can be found either online or even in your neighborhood. On completion of this, you will have to take up an aptitude test. You will be subjected to a set of multi choice questions which allows the military to asses your skill set and zero down on a role you are fit for.

On successful completion of all these processes, you will be given a posting station where you can collect your kit. You will also be assigned to a post here and be inducted into the army.

Life After West Point Military School

West Point exists to educate and train Cadets who are commissioned as Officers in the US Army upon Graduation. The commitment is for a total of 8 years, 5 of which are on active duty and 3 in the Reserves if you choose not to continue on active duty. A very few graduates may select commissioning in other services, primarily where one of their parents has served a career in another service.

The primary options for Army service are the choice of branch of service. You choose that at the beginning of your senior year. What are your army career options? After graduating from West Point, you will be commissioned in one of several Army branches. You may want a combat arms branch such as Infantry, Field Artillery, Armor, Air Defense Artillery, Aviation or Combat Engineers. You also may choose a combat support branch such as Signal, Military Police, Chemical or Military Intelligence.

You may also want to choose one of the combat service support branches such as Ordnance, Quartermaster, Transportation, Adjutant General or Finance. Opportunities are also available for the Medical Service Corps or the Judge Advocate General Corps later in your service career. You will advance to positions of greater responsibility in each branch based on your abilities.

West Point is looking for well rounded young men and women who want to serve as commissioned officers in the US Army. By well rounded I mean good students, good athletes, and good leaders. The focus is on service in the Army rather than on the college education part.

Now to answer your specific questions. Commissioned officers serve as leaders of the wonderful young men and women in our Army today. The military is organized into branches of service that are either directly involved on the front lines (infantry, armor, field artillery, etc) or operate in support roles (signal, ordnance, intelligence, aviation, etc.) I would go to the Army's web site and check it out thoroughly.

As for percentage rates for West Point, there are two interesting numbers. The first is the percentage rate of acceptance of offers of admission. In recent years (since 9/11) the percentage rate has been steady at about 85%. That is the highest acceptance rate of any college or university in the nation, topping Harvard, Princeton and all the rest. This says that those who apply to West Point know what they are doing and are very serious about it.

The second percentage rate of interest is the graduation rate. In recent years the graduation rate has held steady between 75% and 80% of those who enter graduate, in four years. The national average is 50% in SIX years.

If you chose not to stay beyond your five year active duty commitment the world is open to you. Experienced young Army officers are in great demand everywhere in our business world and they have no problems supporting themselves or their families.

Finally, to answer your question about the potential for playing a professional sport following graduation. The Department of Defense has recently adopted a policy where a small number of Service Academy Graduates (not just West Point) to be released early from their active duty obligation to play professional sports. They do have to pay back the cost of their education (several hundred thousand $$) and serve in the Army Reserves in a recruiting role, but today there is a viable option for elite level athletes.

If you work for what you want then some day you will get it and when you do you will look back on your days at West Point and thank them for giving you the change to become something better to do something better with you life.

The Law About Health Problems in the US Army

My brother is leaving for Iraq. He has to go into combat training August 22nd. His sergeant doesn't know about his mental illnesses, he is bi-polar and has a panic disorder and some type of aggression disorder also. How can the military except someone in this state of mind. To me it seems like committing suicide by going to Iraq in this state of being. Can he take his medication? What if he is unable to take it? He is also addicted to pain killers since he has a bad back. Is there a mental evaluation before he leaves? Would he be a danger to his own comrades?

ANSWER: All soldiers receive an entrance complete physical examination, including a review of psychiatric issues and past medical history. Soldiers also must undergo a five-year (or sooner, depending on the soldier's particular job) physical reevaluating his physical status. Soldiers who exhibit symptoms of illness - physical or mental - are referred to the military treatment facility for diagnosis and treatment, if necessary. Soldiers preparing for deployment (such as your brother) undergo a predeployment examination in addition to the above examinations. If your brother has the problems you state he does, they should be included in his military medical records, which will be reviewed prior to his deployment and, when the conditions arose, whether at deployment or prior, will make him non-deployable.

The fact that he is scheduled for deployment and has the conditions you allege leads me to assume that he has not reported these conditions. If so, he needs to have his treating physicians report the conditions to the military physicians. Some of the above disorders may not make him nondeployable, especially if controllable with medication.

Your brother should see his military primary care physician and ensure his conditions are noted, diagnosed, and treated, and this physician will ensure that the necessary actions are taken regarding his deployment status. I recommend he do so as soon as possible.

I am a contracted cadet, so I am no longer able to get out of the Army. This year I have been having a lot of anxiety problem and feeling depressed (mostly form the anxiety). I think I may have some form of an anxiety disorder, however, I am afraid to seek help because I don't want to get disqualified (I need ROTC to pay for college). From what I've read it seems that if I see a doctor and get diagnosed with something that I inform them about I will lose my scholarship. I'm wondering if I see a doctor and do not inform the Army if they can find out. Can the Army search my medical or insurance records without my consent? What would you suggest is the best course of action?

ANSWER: While you can visit a doctor and not inform the Army, ultimately (likely at your commissioning physical), you will be asked. If you lie, you will commit a felony under the UCMJ. The physician you see may turn to someone - ROTC - for billing for your treatment, and if s/he finds you need follow up because of the seriousness of your condition, s/he may wish to contact your primary care provider.

Not all anxiety disorders disqualify one from military service.

The bottom line comes down to this - is getting a diagnosis and treatment more important to you than going untreated and remaining in need of treatment, and is your integrity worth only the cost of your college tuition? As to the first question, if you feel you need treatment, you should get it, as going untreated with a real condition could endanger your health and prevent your recovery. As to the second, I would not want an officer who I could not trust, and if your integrity slips on this, it will slip elsewhere, causing you further frustration and heartache when it does. The Army is not the place for one who would lie about a medical issue.

Can the Army search your medical or insurance records without your consent? Your health is a military-related issue, and the Army has the right to check on it.

But in the end, the chance of the Army finding out about your visit to a physician, on your own, is not great. So you make the call.

The best course of action is to get yourself to a physician if you think you need it. Chances are any diagnosis you get will not be service-disqualifying, but if it is, then it is a serious diagnosis for which you will need professional treatment.

Space Marines - Chapter 1

James and i also were placed into the identical group of soldiers, and went along to our own bunkers within the southern area of the camp. All of us stood in the lengthy collection full of additional men, using a form at hand, being unsure of that which you were acquiring ourselves directly into.

"So, what do you think it will be such as?Inch Specialists your pet.
"What?" Wayne responded.
"What do you consider I'm talking about, the particular Marine corps! What do you think the particular Marine corps is going to be like?Inch
"Oh. Much less bad, desire there's good foods in which we move. I am famished just considering it. We are going to end up being fine if that is what you are concerned with. Our world offers one of the better Militaries inside the galaxy. You will know. Inches

Just like James, usually considering foods. He or she had been proper though, since Human beings, additional aliens have not obtained kindly to us all. We all attempted to "Colonize" a few of them, however history exhibits us all they are not quite the particular Indian's and also we have been the actual conquistadors. It's more like, inside WW1, when almost all Planet's capabilities fought inside a weakling fight in which each side could've won. Anyway, we had to build up a number of the greatest Militaries to take on the other species. I really like that exactly how, in ancient times, individuals produced points showing of methods "aliens" would certainly beat all of us and become very sophisticated compared to us all, however in truth, we have been quite up high in the engineering race. Not really the most effective in a one class, more like any Jack port of most trades race. The actual destroyers have got beat all of us with regard to conflict engineering, and also producing the actual Communist federal government work. The actual LGM have beat all of us inside globe technology from the known galaxy, and won't share their strategies together with any other exoplanets. There is certainly a vintage ruse on them. "The destroyers attempted to conflict with all the LGM. They don't want to talk about it.Inch It is funny simply because they received their own test given to them through technology so advanced, they did not also require an armed service to be able to beat these.

"Next." It absolutely was our consider turn in our own types and also visit the lawn to stand using the additional people. Myself and also Wayne passed the types inside, and also was standing alongside any high, dark guy. "What's up fellas, my personal name's Darrell, it's typed Darel, but it's obvious Darrell. I am from Tella-K2, the particular planet's really bad when compared with this. I moved the following to start out an improved living, and also my buddy Tony a2z told me about this opportunity to make some dough employed in the particular army or what ever."

"Hi Darel, I'm Matthew, which is my buddy David. All of us come from this planet, as well as we are here to create some funds and possibly eliminate several Destroyers.Inch
"Right on gentleman, directly on.Inch He explained. He previously an odd accent, one that has been such as, "Chill out man, nothing bad's about to occur.Inches It was the ease and comfort that didn't last long even though

"Okay, Matthew Wechen, Thomas Cosly, Wayne Battle each other, you are in party 46. You will end up having a group of 47 additional men, and will also be among the first organizations to go in the market to fight at virtually any second's observe, thus be prepared.Inches
I'm wondering the reason why he or she chosen we, or if he or she picked several teams to express this too. Either way, it experienced me a small anxious, since I couldn't know anything at all apart from, I was there.

We went along to the actual bunkers near where i was and also resolved within. Some people delivered holo photos photos, others brought Guides to learn. A sergeant came in and informed all of us to be prepared with regard to supper, and if we are past due we have to run five kilometers about to track unlimited. Nobody wished to operate very much, thus most people had been early on in order to be secure and safe.

U.S. Expands Operations Against Al Qaeda in Africa

Various U.S. army and also intelligence agencies are increasing their monitoring operations through the African region, accumulating info upon tissue associated with al Qaeda as well as other known militant systems. Along with ing Qaeda, Frederick Kony's Lord's Resistance Military and also Somali terrorist networks have also been focused. At this point, it really is uncertain when some of the intelligence accumulating functions have got resulted in direct U.S. armed service attacks about individuals groups, one must assume that being an ultimate little bit of this objective.

You.Azines. traveler aircraft operations have been lively inside Photography equipment given that 2007, however seem to be growing rapidly as the Ough.Utes. presence in Irak and also Afghanistan wind gusts down. A current tale inside the Wa Post supplied somewhat detailed information concerning in which a number of the traveler plane bottoms are situated and their trip routes within the country.

Within nations in which a natural authorities construction is out there, the Ough.Azines. is apparently welcome to execute their own procedures. Free airline African nation regarding Burkina Faso is believed being home of one or more crucial traveler airplane hangar used by the particular You.Azines. In which nation's Foreign Minister, Djibril Bassole, discussed his / her state's issues concerning ing Qaeda and other groups getting main in the area."We must battle as well as protect our own borders. Once they integrate your own country, it is extremely, tough to get them out there.Inch

At this time, there is no reference to U.S. drones traveling similar quests in the region, but they appears to be to become a fit for these kinds of tasks. With enough cleverness from the existing number of secret agent aeroplanes, maybe long term drone missions may well be more effective at targeting militants with out just as much security damage to not guilty joe public.

Ask and Tell – 1st Ever Transgender Leader of LGBT Military Org

We’ve evolved quite a bit since "Don’t Inquire, Don’t Notify,Inch it seems like. That is one old guideline of the Ough.Utes. military might seem impossible in the modern day, it wasn’t too long ago it's the state run plan of 1 from the largest and most powerful militaries on the planet. Since beating that discriminatory policy had been this kind of huge leap forward, it’s often hard for those continuous to address with regard to Gay and lesbian legal rights in order to encourage anyone who there is nevertheless a battle still left regarding lesbian, homosexual, bisexual and also transgender individuals as well as their devote the actual Ough.Azines. army.

But there is nevertheless very much a fight left as well as Allyson Johnson, an old commissioned officer inside the Ough.Utes. Military and the new head regarding SLDN and OutServe, can there be to find out how the fight does, indeed, carry on. Both organizations may combine and be "OutServe-SLDN" on the mixed group’s very first panel meeting this weekend in Sarasota.

Mentioned Velupe in a interview, "This combat just isn't more than. We’re in the middle of a fight, just as certainly as we had been before ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ had been actually repealed. There have been several, numerous possibly, who had been beneath this particular idea, ‘What’s still left to do?’ There is certainly so much still left to do.Inches

As well as Velupe has been pretty particular about things, too, observing several specific items which the lady wished to tackle, such as same-sex spouse benefits regarding servicemembers and experts. Robinson can be a early 90's scholar from the prestigious West Stage U.Azines. Military Academy who served overseas just before resigning the woman's percentage to turn into a pastor/teacher to be able to places of worship in Colonial Azores and Tx.