MILITARY PERSONNEL - Storming Media

A Public Health Approach to Injury Prevention: The U.S. Military Experience

Jan-2010

17 pages

Authors: Michelle Canham-Chervak; Bruce H Jones; Steven H Bullock; Timothy S Wells; David A Sleet; Bruce R Burnham; Christopher P Rennix; Jack W Smith; Bruce A Ruscio; ARMY CENTER FOR HEALTH PROMOTION AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND MD

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TITLE: A Process to Identify Military Injury Prevention Priorities Based on Injury Type and Limited Duty Days. BACKGROUND: Injuries, one of the leading public health problems in an otherwise healthy military population, affect operational readiness, increase healthcare costs, and result in disabilities and fatalities. This paper describes a systematic, data-driven, injury prevention-decision making process to rank potential injury prevention targets. METHODS: Medical surveillance and safety report data on injuries for ...

Fixing Intel: A Blueprint for Making Intelligence Relevant in Afghanistan

Jan-2010

28 pages

Authors: Michael T Flynn; Matthew F Pottinger; Paul D Batchelor; CENTER FOR A NEW AMERICAN SECURITY WASHINGTON DC

This paper, written by the senior intelligence officer in Afghanistan and by a company-grade officer and a senior executive with the Defense Intelligence Agency, critically examines the relevance of the U.S. intelligence community to the counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan. Based on discussions with hundreds of people inside and outside the intelligence community, it recommends sweeping changes to the way the intelligence community thinks about itself -- from a focus on ...

Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy

02-Dec-2009

Authors: Kenneth Katzman; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE

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Upon taking office, the Obama Administration faced a deteriorating security environment in Afghanistan, despite a build-up of U.S. forces there in preceding years. Signs of deterioration have included an expanded area in which militants are operating, increasing numbers of civilian and military deaths, Afghan and international disillusionment with corruption in the government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, and the ease of infiltration of Taliban militants from safe havens in Pakistan. ...

Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy

10-Nov-2009

Authors: Kenneth Katzman; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE

Upon taking office, the Obama Administration faced a deteriorating security environment in Afghanistan, despite a build-up of U.S. forces there in preceding years. Signs of deterioration have included an expanded militant presence in some areas, increasing numbers of civilian and military deaths, Afghan and international disillusionment with corruption in the government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, and the ease of infiltration of Taliban militants from safe havens in Pakistan. Building ...

Military and Veterans' Benefits: Analysis of VA Compensation Levels for Survivors of Veterans and Servicemembers

Nov-2009

33 pages

Authors: Daniel Bertoni; Kyle C Adams; Beverly Ross; Walter K Vance; Kirsten B Lauber; Gregory D Whitney; Daniel R Concepcion; Paul R Schearf; Melissa H Emrey-Arras; Susan L Aschoff; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC

We study the local reactivity of molecular oxygen with bimetallic substrates of a platinum trimer island supported on nanotips of CoPt, Pt, Co, Ni, and Fe. Because of the reduced interatomic distances and varying interaction strengths with the substrates, the supported island interaction with oxygen can be tuned from stronger to weaker relative to the interaction of a freestanding island with oxygen despite that there is no well-behaved trend with ...

Defense Health Care: Post-Deployment Health Reassessment Documentation Needs Improvement

Nov-2009

59 pages

Authors: GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC

The Department of Defense (DOD) implemented the post-deployment health reassessment (PDHRA), which is required to be administered to servicemembers 90 to 180 days after their return from deployment. DOD established the PDHRA program to identify and address servicemembers' health concerns that emerge over time following deployments. This report is the second in response to a Senate Armed Services Committee report directing GAO to review DOD's administration of the PDHRA, and ...

ISAF COIN Advisory and Assistance Team (CAAT)

29-Oct-2009

13 pages

Authors: NATO INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE FORCE KABUL (AFGHANISTAN)

This presentation is from the Counterinsurgency Leaders' Workshop, which was held at the Battle Command Training Facility in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, on 27-29 October 2009. The presentation addresses the following problems in the theater of operations in Afghanistan: (1) units arrive in theater at different levels of COIN training and expertise; (2) there is insufficient or no unity of effort for COIN from Regional Command to Regional Command, between civilians ...

Sensory Substitution for Wounded Servicemembers

28-Oct-2009

37 pages

Authors: Anil Raj; FLORIDA INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN AND MACHINE COGNITION INC PENSACOLA FL

Warfighters who suffer combat, training or accidental injuries that damage their sensory capabilities or mobility have great difficulty returning to productive lifestyles once healed from the initial trauma. This project advanced technologies for non-invasive sensory and mobility augmentation in order to allow these individuals to regain hope and social, productive lifestyles. We addressed the needs of these wounded warriors through evaluation of current sensory substitution technology, identification of specific injured ...

Capability of the People's Republic of China to Conduct Cyber Warfare and Computer Network Exploitation

09-Oct-2009

89 pages

Authors: Bryan Krekel; NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORP MCLEAN VA

This paper presents a comprehensive open source assessment of China's capability to conduct computer network operations (CNO) both during peacetime and periods of conflict. The result will hopefully serve as useful reference to policymakers, China specialists, and information operations professionals. The research for this project encompassed five broad categories to show how the People's Republic of China (PRC) is pursuing computer network operations (CNO) and the extent to which it ...

Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy

06-Oct-2009

Authors: Kenneth Katzman; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE

Upon taking office, the Obama Administration faced a deteriorating security environment in Afghanistan, despite a build-up of U.S. forces there in preceding years, including an expanding militant presence in some areas, increasing numbers of civilian and military deaths, Afghan and international disillusionment with corruption in the government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, and the infiltration of Taliban militants from safe havens in Pakistan. Building on assessments completed in the latter ...

Implementing an All-Volunteer Force in Taiwan

Oct-2009

Authors: Stanley A Horowitz; INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE ANALYSES ALEXANDRIA VA

This document suggests how the Republic of China (Taiwan) might best meet its needs for military personnel in a challenging demographic environment. Taiwan is striving to complete the transition to an entirely volunteer active duty military by 2014. It faces relatively high personnel costs because of a high demand per capita for military personnel. After 2014 the youth population will decline, which will further increase costs. Completing the transition and ...

Financial Management of International Military Education and Training Funds

29-Sep-2009

32 pages

Authors: INSPECTOR GENERAL DEPT OF DEFENSE ARLINGTON VA

The International Military Education and Training (IMET) program is an assistance program that provides training to students from more than 108 allied and friendly nations. We evaluated the financial management controls over the IMET program funds. Specifically, we reviewed whether training and related costs were properly funded, accounted for, and reported; and whether the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) and Military Departments consistently applied policies and regulations.

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY; Additional Outreach and Collaboration on Sharing Medical Records Would Improve Wounded Warriors' Access to Benefits

Sep-2009

79 pages

Authors: GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC

Disability benefits available through the Social Security Administration (SSA) can be an important source of financial support for some wounded warriors, and Congress has mandated that the Departments of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) help them learn about and apply for such benefits. GAO was asked to determine: (1) how many wounded warriors have applied and been approved for SSA benefits and the extent to which they are receiving ...

Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy

14-Aug-2009

Authors: Kenneth Katzman; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE

Defense Manpower Requirements Report, Fiscal Year 2009

Aug-2009

98 pages

Authors: OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (PERSONNEL AND READINESS) WASHINGTON DC

This report explains the Department of Defense (DoD) manpower requirements incorporated in the President's Budget for FY09. The report is organized into five chapters. Chapter 1 contains an overview of the total number of Defense-wide personnel both military and civilian. It provides a clear and succinct picture of manpower in the Department and provides the basis for the rest of this report. Chapter 2 shows the estimated manpower requirements by ...

2008 Post-Election Voting Survey of Local Election Officials: Statistical Methodology Report

Aug-2009

27 pages

Authors: DEFENSE MANPOWER DATA CENTER ARLINGTON VA

This report describes sample design, sample selection, weighting, and variance estimation procedures for the 2008 Post-Election Voting Survey of Local Election Officials. The first section of this report describes the design and selection of sample. The second section provides information on weighting and variance estimation. The final section describes the calculation of response rates, location rates, and completion rates for the full sample and for population subgroups.

2008 Post-Election Voting Survey of Unit Voting Assistance Officers: Statistical Methodology Report

Aug-2009

24 pages

Authors: DEFENSE MANPOWER DATA CENTER ARLINGTON VA

This report describes sample design, sample selection, weighting, and variance estimation procedures for the 2008 Post-Election Voting Survey of Unit Voting Assistance Officers. The first section of this report describes the design and selection of sample. The second section provides information on weighting and variance estimation. The final section describes the calculation of response rates, location rates, and completion rates for the full sample and for population subgroups.

Medical Surveillance Monthly Report. Volume 16, Number 8, August 2009

Aug-2009

29 pages

Authors: ARMED FORCES HEALTH SURVEILLANCE CENTER SILVER SPRING MD

Since October 1985, the U.S. military has conducted routine screening for antibodies to HIV-1 among civilian applicants for U.S. military service. Since 1986, all members of the active and reserve components of the U.S. Armed Forces have been periodically screened for antibodies to HIV-1. This report summarizes prevalences and trends of HIV-1 antibody seropositivity among civilian applicants for military service who have been screened since 1990. It also summarizes incident ...

Enhancing Professional Military Education in the Horn of Africa the Ethiopian Defense Command & Staff College Initiative (CSL Issue Paper, Volume 13-09, August 2009)

Aug-2009

5 pages

Authors: Bernard F Griffard; John F Troxell; ARMY WAR COLL CARLISLE BARRACKS PA CENTER FOR STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

Strategic planning is a way of thinking. It is a process of defining a national strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating resources (capital and people) to pursue this strategy. In today's challenging economic environment, employing the strategic planning process is critical for a nation to fully evaluate the impacts of its identified strategic ends, ways and means. Since strategic planning takes place within a constantly changing environment, it ...

Homosexuals and the U.S. Military: Current Issues

22-Jul-2009

Authors: David F Burrelli; Jody Feder; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE

In 1993, new laws and regulations pertaining to homosexuals and U.S. military service came into effect reflecting a compromise in policy. This compromise, colloquially referred to as don't ask, don't tell, holds that the presence in the armed forces of persons who demonstrate a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion ...

U.S. Military Stop Loss Program: Key Questions and Answers

10-Jul-2009

Authors: Charles A Henning; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE

Stop Loss is a frequently misunderstood DOD force management program that retains servicemembers beyond their contractually agreed-to separation date. Because of the involuntary nature of this extension, some critics have referred to the program as a ?backdoor draft? or ?involuntary servitude?. Stop Loss was initially used in the 1990-91 Gulf War and later in Bosnia and the Kosovo Air Campaign. All of the Services used Stop Loss at the beginning ...

Medical Surveillance Monthly Report. Volume 16, Number 7, July 2009

Jul-2009

21 pages

Authors: ARMED FORCES HEALTH SURVEILLANCE CENTER SILVER SPRING MD

Lyme disease is a zoonotic tick-borne disease that is caused by infection with a spirochetal bacterium of the genus Borrelia. It has a worldwide distribution and is endemic in many temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. In the United States, it is hyperendemic along the mid- and northeastern Atlantic seaboard and in nonurban areas of Wisconsin. Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks that feed on both humans and animal hosts ...

The Development of Planning and Measurement Tools for Casualty Evacuation Operations at the Joint Readiness Training Center

Jul-2009

46 pages

Authors: Kenneth L Evans; Michael F Coerper; Jeffery A Johnson; ARMY RESEARCH INST FOR THE BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES FORT BENNING GA

The present investigation sought to quantify small unit casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) practices at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) and to determine the extent to which a job performance aid, the Warrior Leaders Casualty Evacuation Guide, might improve unit CASEVAC performance. Unit CASEVAC practices were measured by trainers/mentors using the Casualty Evacuation Checklist, a tool developed especially for the investigation. Over the course of ten unit rotations at JRTC, 768 ...

Defense Logistical Support Contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan: Issues for Congress

24-Jun-2009

Authors: Valerie B Grasso; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE

This report examines logistical support contracts for troop support services in Iraq and Afghanistan (for Afghanistan, beginning with LOGCAP IV) administered through the U.S. Army's Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP). LOGCAP is an initiative designed to manage the use of civilian contractors that perform services during times of war and other military mobilizations. On April 18, 2008, DOD announced the Army's LOGCAP IV contract awards to three companies--DynCorp International LLC, ...

Military Training: DOD Needs a Strategic Plan and Better Inventory and Requirements Data to Guide Development of Language Skills and Regional Proficiency

Jun-2009

31 pages

Authors: Gregory Marchand; Chad Reed; MacKenzie Cooper; Gabrielle A Carrington; John Bumgarner; Patricia Lentini; Catherine H Brown; Jay Smale; Kathryn Smith; Joanne Landesman; Sharon Pickup; Traye Smith; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC

Violent extremist movements and ongoing military operations have prompted the Department of Defense (DoD) to place greater emphasis on improving language and regional proficiency, which includes cultural awareness. GAO was asked to assess the extent to which DoD has done the following: (1) developed a strategic plan to guide its language and regional proficiency transformation efforts, and (2) obtained the information it needs to identify potential language and regional proficiency ...

Risk of Using Past to Predict Future: A Case Study of Jamming RCIEDs

Jun-2009

95 pages

Authors: Jeffrey A Dayton; NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA

The radio controlled improvised explosive device (RCIED) is one of the deadliest threats to military personnel supporting the global war on terrorism, and due to its success is expected to play a major role as a weapon of choice in future insurgencies. To mitigate the risk of a RCIED attack, electronic jamming devices are utilized to interrupt the communications between a remote control and the RCIED trigger. We consider two ...

Evaluation of High Resolution Imagery and Elevation Data

Jun-2009

42 pages

Authors: Leonard Adelman; Walter A Powell; Kathryn B Laskey; Ryan Johnson; Michael Altenau; Andrew Goldstein; Daniel Visone; Kenneth Braswell; GEORGE MASON UNIV FAIRFAX VA CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN COMMAND CONTROL COMMUNICATIONS COMPUTERS - INTELLIGENCE

How does the underlying data affect the ability of warfighters to derive useful information and make decisions? The Army Topographic Engineering Center (TEC) and GMU endeavor to shed light on this question with the third in TEC's series of value experiments. The fundamental objective of the series is to improve TEC's support of military personnel in the field through better geospatial products. The third experiment in the series goes in ...

Maritime Domain Awareness: Assessment of Current Status

Jun-2009

49 pages

Authors: Jared Freeman; Susan G Hutchins; Shelley P Gallup; Douglas J MacKinnon; NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA

Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) is viewed as predominately a security issue, however the economic ramifications of an attack against a high-value target such as a container vessel, cruise ship, or petro-chemical facility elevate the problem from a national level to cause for global concern. A significant attack could cause the port to shut down and spread anxiety through the global marketplace. To mitigate the danger posed by maritime vessels, the ...

Resourcing Movement Control Battalions during Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09

Jun-2009

61 pages

Authors: Blumenfeld; Charles H III; ARMY COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLL FORT LEAVENWORTH KS

This investigation attempts to determine whether the Movement Control Battalions (MCB) during Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09 were resourced adequately. Under current U.S. Army doctrine, the MCB is assigned to a Sustainment Brigade (SB), an Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC) or a Theater Sustainment Command (TSC). During OIF 07-09, the MCB in Iraq was assigned to the Support Operations Section (SPO), a subordinate staff section within the 316th ESC, both organizations were ...

Defense Infrastructure. Planning Challenges Could Increase Risks for DOD in Providing Utility Services When Needed to Support the Military Buildup on Guam

Jun-2009

57 pages

Authors: Brian J Lepore; Mark A Little; Grace A Coleman; Michael W Armes; Raj C Chitikila; Katherine S Lenane; Mahender Dudani; Patrick E Peterson; Mark J Wielgoszynski; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC

The Department of Defense (DOD) plans to increase the U.S. military presence on Guam by more than two-and-a-half times the island's current military population of 15,000 by 2020. To keep pace with this growth, DOD has determined that substantial upgrades to the island's existing utilities infrastructure are required for electric power, potable water, wastewater treatment, and solid waste disposal to meet future utility needs. GAO was asked to examine (1) ...

Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines

21-May-2009

70 pages

Authors: Stuart L Farris; ARMY COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLL FORT LEAVENWORTH KS SCHOOL OF ADVANCED MILITARY STUDIES

The Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) indirect approach to irregular warfare (IW) offers senior U.S. policy makers and military commanders a suitable model worthy of consideration for conducting long-term military operations against terrorist networks inside a partner nation's sovereign territory. However, the indirect approach does not represent a one-size-fits-all solution or approved template for conducting successful IW and defeating terrorist networks abroad. The JSOTF-P's indirect approach to IW is ...

The Generals' Revolt and Civil-Military Relations

11-May-2009

33 pages

Authors: Lewis R Snyder; ARMY WAR COLL CARLISLE BARRACKS PA

The Generals' Revolt resulted from a crisis in civil-military relations precipitated by a Secretary of Defense who discounted the experience and knowledge of key strategic leaders and refused to accept or even listen to divergent opinion. The gradual and continual politicization of the military along with a decline in military professionalism and ethical decision-making also contributed to setting the conditions for the revolt. As the nation moves forward under the ...

Offensive Mine Countermeasures: Enabler for Access and Power Projection

04-May-2009

22 pages

Authors: Dallas L Pope; NAVAL WAR COLL NEWPORT RI JOINT MILITARY OPERATIONS DEPT

Consideration of naval mine countermeasures (MCM) often only includes the defensive, reactionary operations which are inherent to the dedicated MCM force. However, given the premium placed on the United States' ability to project power and conduct forcible entry, a more offensive approach must be planned. Joint force commanders rely on the expeditionary nature of naval forces to transport troops and equipment to the fight, support forces ashore, and to establish ...

The Civil-Military Relations Cube: A Synthesis Framework for Integrating Foundational Theory, Research, and Practice in Civil-Military Relations

04-May-2009

22 pages

Authors: Michael F Minaudo; NAVAL WAR COLL NEWPORT RI

The field of Civil-Military Relations draws from many disciplines, including political science, psychology, history, economics, anthropology, sociology, systems, and others. The topic of Civil-Military Relations may be considered to be a niche field of study in the broader view of academia. Can Civil-Military Relations be thoroughly understood through the lens of existing Civil-Military Relations theory? This question generated the idea of developing a Civil-Military Relations Cube in an attempt to ...

Security Force Assistance

May-2009

145 pages

Authors: Martin E Dempsey; DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY WASHINGTON DC

In an era of persistent conflict, the United States supports the internal defense and development of international partners, regardless of whether those partners are highly developed and stable or less developed and emerging. While many of these partners are nations, they can also include alliances, coalitions, and regional organizations. U.S. support to these partners ranges from providing humanitarian assistance to major combat operations. U.S. support includes conducting conflict transformation, bolstering ...

DOD Personnel Clearances: Comprehensive Timeliness Reporting, Complete Clearance Documentation, and Quality Measures Are Needed to Further Improve the Clearance Process

May-2009

65 pages

Authors: Shvetal Khanna; Dolores McGhee; Caryn E La Due Kuebler; James P Klein; Catherine Gelb; James D Ashley; David E Moser; Gregory A Marchand; Mae Jones; Ronald Lake; Brenda S Farrell; Thomas R Predmore; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC

The Department of Defense (DoD) personnel security clearance program has been on GAO's high-risk list since 2005, due to delays in the process and incomplete documentation. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) conducts most of DoD's clearance investigations, which DoD adjudicators use to make clearance decisions. The Deputy Director for Management at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) chairs a Performance Accountability Council that is responsible for reforming the ...

Defense Acquisitions. Assessments Needed to Address V-22 Aircraft Operational and Cost Concerns to Define Future Investments

May-2009

48 pages

Authors: GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC

Since the 1980s, the V-22, developed to transport combat troops, supplies, and equipment for the U.S. Marine Corps and to support other services' operations, has experienced several fatal crashes, demonstrated various deficiencies, and faced virtual cancellation--much of which it has overcome. Although until recently deployed in Iraq and regarded favorably, it has not performed the full range of missions anticipated, and how well it can do so is in question. ...

Civil-Military Relations: From Vietnam to Operation Iraqi Freedom

May-2009

59 pages

Authors: Brandon L DeWind; ARMY COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLL FORT LEAVENWORTH KS SCHOOL OF ADVANCED MILITARY STUDIES

The end of the Cold War did not bring about the grand peace that was anticipated for four decades. Instead, the world has become more dangerous. Military institutions worldwide must learn to adapt to the ever-changing face of the terrorism threat. Services can no longer look within their own ranks to accomplish the mission; all operations must be joint to succeed in the contemporary operating environment. This monograph examines civilian-military ...

Molecular Solutions to Low Vision Resulting from Battlefield Injuries. Addendum

May-2009

12 pages

Authors: Darlene A Dartt; SCHEPENS EYE RESEARCH INST BOSTON MA

We hypothesize that targeted molecular intervention can preserve vision threatened by battlefield trauma-induced corneal and retinal inflammation, corneal and retina/optic nerve apoptosis, ocular surface dry eye after refractive surgery, and retinal degeneration. We are studying the consequences of trauma-induced (1) corneal inflammation using a gene therapy approach of providing soluble Fas ligand to the cornea to determine if this ligand can suppress corneal inflammation in mice; (2) retinal inflammation by ...

A Blast Model of Traumatic Brain Injury in Swine

May-2009

7 pages

Authors: Samuel S Panter; NORTHERN CALIFORNIA INST FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION SAN FRANCISCO

Although blast-induced traumatic brain injury (BI-TBI) is a significant cause of morbidity and behavioral dysfunction in warfighters returning from Iraq, laboratory models are not currently available to study the mechanisms underlying this critical injury and develop new therapies to treat survivors. Many TBI models are performed in rodents, and data from these models have been used as a basis for several disappointing Phase III clinical trials in humans with TBI. ...

Federal Tort Claims Act

27-Apr-2009

Authors: Henry Cohen; Vivian S Chu; Vanessa K Burrows; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE

The Federal Tort Claims Act is the statute by which the United States authorizes tort suits to be brought against itself. With exceptions, it makes the United States liable for injuries caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of any federal employee acting within the scope of his employment, in accordance with the law of the state where the act or omission occurred. Three major exceptions, under which ...

Military Personnel: Status of Accession, Retention, and End Strength for Military Medical Officers and Preliminary Observations Regarding Accession and Retention Challenges

16-Apr-2009

63 pages

Authors: GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC

Military medical professionals are in demand, and the Department of Defense (DOD) is experiencing shortfalls in physician, dental, nurse, and other medical officers. The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) report accompanying the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 directed the Comptroller General to report by April 1, 2009, to the congressional defense committees on a study of medical and dental personnel requirements for the Army, Navy, and Air ...

Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia: Political Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests

09-Apr-2009

Authors: Jim Nichol; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE

The United States recognized the independence of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia when the former Soviet Union broke up at the end of 1991. The United States has fostered these states' ties with the West in part to end the dependence of these states on Russia for trade, security, and other relations. The United States has pursued close ties with Armenia to encourage its democratization and because of concerns by Armenian-Americans ...

Taking the Bite Out of Dental Readiness: Assessing Readiness in the National Guard and the Reserves

01-Apr-2009

44 pages

Authors: George J Hucal; DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS WASHINGTON DC

The activation and deployment of the National Guard and Reserves have increased since September 11, 2001. There is an emphasis on keeping those units manned, equipped, trained, and ready for future deployments and cases of national contingencies. Medical readiness plays a critical role in service members being able to accomplish their mission. Dental readiness is one essential part of medical readiness, and therefore is of national importance. The Army and ...

Surveying through Text Message: Planning, Programming, and Analyzing

Apr-2009

33 pages

Authors: Zannette A Uriell; Evangeline M Clewis; NAVY PERSONNEL RESEARCH STUDIES AND TECHNOLOGY MILLINGTON TN

Surveys conducted through text messaging, or Short Message Service (SMS), are a relatively new phenomenon, since SMS text messaging has only existed since 1992. SMS surveys are even more recent for the military population, with the first known military-population SMS survey being conducted in 2008. This report provides the method used for the early SMS surveys, named Lightning Polls when conducted by NPRST, and includes suggestions on planning for an ...

Innovative Service Delivery for Secondary Prevention of PTSD in At-Risk OIF-OEF Service Men and Women

Apr-2009

29 pages

Authors: Ronald Acierno; Martha Strachan; CHARLESTON RESEARCH INST SC

This report describes key research accomplishments for Innovative Service Delivery for Secondary Prevention of PTSD between 4/1/08 and 3/31/09. Previous progress reports detailed the initial, HSRO, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), and R&D protocol approval process, the employment and training of study staff, the development of the treatment protocol manual, implementation of study procedures, and the submission of revisions to the protocol (including the addition of two, alternate research ...

Reconstruction and Stabilization Operations: How District-Level Police Transition Teams Can Make Provincial Reconstruction Teams More Effective

Apr-2009

38 pages

Authors: Gaje; G D Jr; MARINE CORPS UNIV QUANTICO VA

THESIS: A change in the structure and employment of the district-level police transition teams will make Provincial Reconstruction Team efforts more effective on the overall national stability in current operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and future civil-military operations. DISCUSSION: Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) and Transition Teams (TTs) are scattered throughout the various provinces of Iraq and Afghanistan. They perform a myriad of missions to assist the host country to become more ...

Unraveling CORDS: Lessons Learned from a Joint Inter-Agency Task Force (JIATF)

Apr-2009

103 pages

Authors: Patrick V Howell; ARMY COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLL FORT LEAVENWORTH KS SCHOOL OF ADVANCED MILITARY STUDIES

Though the United States military has excelled in winning wars, it has not enjoyed the same success in winning the peace. That requires the coordinated effort of numerous departments and agencies of the U.S. Government -- an Interagency Operation. U.S. Government interagency efforts since the end of the Cold War have not been extremely successful. However, conducting Interagency Operations is not new to the U.S. Government. During the Vietnam War, ...

Economic Impact on Caregivers of the Seriously Wounded, Ill, and Injured

Apr-2009

Authors: Eric Christensen; Candace Hill; Pat Netzer; DeAnn Farr; Elizabeth Schaefer; Joyce McMahon; CENTER FOR NAVAL ANALYSES ALEXANDRIA VA

This study estimates the economic burdens borne by the family and friends who provide non-medical care, support, and assistance to seriously wounded, ill, and injured (WII) service members. Caregivers of the WII face many economic challenges as a result of being a caregiver. These include making housing/location changes, inability to meet existing financial obligations, additional/new financial obligations, and additional childcare arrangements. Many of these challenges are a result of caregivers ...

'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Policy: Is It Time to Talk?

26-Mar-2009

43 pages

Authors: Lucious B Morton; ARMY WAR COLL CARLISLE BARRACKS PA

For 15 years, the United States military has struggled with effectively executing the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy that governs the conduct of homosexuals within its ranks. Since its inception, more than 12,000 men and women have been discharged from military rolls. This paper argues that it is time to repeal the policy by demonstrating how it is incompatible with current laws and contradicts existing military core values. The discourse ...