Airlines Drop Military Luggage Fees

I previously reported about airlines charging soldiers (going to combat) fees for extra luggage...fees which include their mandatory gear to take into a war zone....

My reaction to such insanity was ????

Thankfully (I would assume under public pressure and hopefully shame) they cut out these ridiculous fees:

All major U.S. carriers were allowing military to check two bags for free, but the $100 industry norm for the third checked bag was hitting young troops directly in their wallets, despite some assurances from the Defense Department that the fee might be reimbursable at a later date. The VFW weighed in by asking the Air Transport Association to work with its member airlines to exempt military personnel traveling on orders from paying baggage fees on a third piece of checked luggage. "A $100 is a huge out-of-pocket expense to someone who doesn't earn very much," said Gardner, "and that's why this luggage fee waiver is so important. Our troops can now properly focus on their mission instead of remembering to complete a travel voucher in a war zone."

ATA president James C. May, the VFW national commander expressed his thanks to the association for facilitating the fee waiver with its member airlines.

You can read his letter here

The NCO Creed

No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as "The Backbone of the Army". I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the Military Service and my country regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.

Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind -- accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my soldiers. I will strive to remain tactically and technically proficient. I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned Officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.

Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers, leaders!

Troops pay baggage fees on way to war zones

I had to do a double-take when I read this article on CNN. My first gut reaction was: "WTF?"

Not only do these soldiers have to contend with back to back tours of duty or risk being discharged (sometimes losing their retirement) but now this?

I understand that rising fuel costs means having to pay more at the ticket counter for air fare and luggage but where do you draw the line when soldiers, who are being thrown into harm's way, are expected to comply?

Some of them are not coming back. I mean come on here!:

Some airlines are charging U.S. soldiers extra baggage fees to take their military kits with them as they set off for war.

Some U.S. airlines give military personnel a break (a break??? Just freaking do it)....no need to pat you on the back....on baggage fees, but others levy surcharges.

Military personnel carry large, heavy kit bags containing boots, clothing and gear. In the past few months, airlines have instituted fees for all travelers ranging from $15 for one bag to $250 for a third bag. (Hmmm and how much are these soldiers' salaries as it is for going over there)..surely not in the same league as say uhhhhh certain civillian contractors who are profiteering off the backs of these men and women, the Americans and the Iraqis.

"What we want to do is nip this in the bud by exempting the military personnel who are traveling under orders from having to pay a fee on their third bag," said Veterans of Foreign Wars spokesman Joe Davis.

(some airlines have these soldiers pay upfront and then they are reimbursed later). ROLLING my eyes here................

Amen to Davis:

"These young troops are going to war," he said. "There's a lot more on their mind than to have to worry or try to remember to get a hundred dollars reimbursed to them when they get into a war zone."

Is Rome worth one good man's life? We believed it once. Make us believe it again. He was a soldier of Rome. Honor him.

Turn the page...

This morning I heard Bob Seger's Turn the Page and began to think about the path my own life is taking....the goals I have set....and this part got to me:

"Out there in the spotlight your a million miles away,

Every ounce of energy, you try and give away,

As the sweat pours out your body like the music that you play.

Later in the evening as you lie awake in bed..."

First time I heard that song was back in 1987, stationed in South Korea when a group of us would roll in from the field and hit the vil' having a few. I loved going to the field, for one I knocked off a slew of days from my short-timer's calander and well, made you appreciate the more simple things in life when you're stuck out in the woods for a spell.

What does it mean to be a veteran?

Joining the Army 22 years ago was never in question for myself. When I was around 14 years old I knew I wanted to sign up. It felt right. I wanted to travel, earn money for college via the Army College Fund, and serve my country....yes...those three words....serve my country.

Today as we reach yet another year with the wars overseas I think about the kids who joined for the same reasons I did and wonder what motivated them? Serving in these wars cost us so much in so many ways. My heart goes out to the lot of them....so really, what does it mean to be a soldier?

For many it can mean different things. For myself I was proud to wear the uniform....to be part of something greater than myself. My strength, my character, fortitude was tested time and again on various levels...at times I honestly thought I would either physically or mentally break, wouldn't be able to follow through---however I did. I wanted my family to be proud....wanted to be proud of myself. Had to be part of history.

Being a veteran means you carry within you a slew of memories that most people simply don't have. You were a member of an elite camaraderie that poems, stories, movies were penned from. And when you are done You feel an acute sense of loss because you are no longer a part of that greater whole.

Being a veteran means you gave up a core piece of yourself for your fellow countrymen; and those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan gave up allot...their families, friends, personal freedoms for something greater--though we may all have our issues regarding these wars.....we must never forget that it was people like them that gave us the freedoms we have now....part of that grander generation from long past............part of what being an American is all about.

My heart always goes out to our soldiers..........

VFW National News: At Last, GI Bill for the 21st Century is Law The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is celebrating the recently signed into law GI Bill for the 21st Century, after an intense ten-year lobbying effort for educational benefits comparable to those the original GI Bill of 1944 offered. The new GI Bill will pay the highest in-state public tuition rate, and also provide for books, fees and a living stipend. "This is why the VFW is just as relevant today as we were 109 years ago when we were founded. We make a difference," says VFW Commander-in-Chief, George Lisicki. Read More

Report from Landstuhl: Recovering Soldiers 'Kicked Butt' "Although it was emotionally difficult for them to talk, their spirit and morale was amazing. In their words, even though they were outnumbered four-to-one, they 'took it to the enemy, and kicked butt," said VFW National Commander, George Lisicki. Mr. Lisicki traveled to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany to pay visit to soldiers recovering from a recent battle on a remote outpost in Afghanistan's Kunar Province. During the heavily armed insurgent attack, nine members of the 173rd Airborne Brigade lost their lives. Read More

Military Report is the most comprehensive military benefits and quality-of-life newsletter for military personnel and retirees. Make sure that you and your colleagues subscribe for this free update publication.
-------------------------------- 28 JULY 2008-------------------------------------------
Officials Release Facts on New GI Bill
Deal of the Week: Nationwide Auto Transport Military Discount
Discount Airfares Through 2008
Test Your Singing Voice
Increase Your GI Bill by $5,400
Must Read Online Defense Journal for Defense Industry

Join SpouseBUZZ Live in Norfolk, VA
Featured Job: Security Guard
Funniest Military Stories Earn Cash
Navy Seeks Enlisted Applicants
VA Announces Online Claims
'Concurrent' Pays Expand

Spinach Artichoke Chicken Recalled
The Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon
Troops' Pets Need Homes
Free Naval Institute Membership
Troops to Teachers Seeks Applicants
Memorial Race Car Team Fundraiser

From War Zone to Work Zone
Chiropractors Offering Free Services
New Program for Illinois Veterans
AF Announces Captain Selections
Army Launches New Website
Marathon Fees to Increase

AF Updates Personnel Website
Health Conference Registration Open
New Army Deployment Deferment Policy
AF Offers Incentive Pay
Army Science Conference
Remembering the Tuskegee Airmen

Hire A Hero to Thank Troops
Print and Post This Week's Military Report
Headline Military News

Remember Us...

"Remember us." As simple an order as a king can give. "Remember why we died." For he did not wish tribute, nor song, nor monuments nor poems of war and valor. His wish was simple. "Remember us," he said to me. That was his hope, should any free soul come across that place, in all the countless centuries yet to be. May all our voices whisper to you from the ageless stones, "Go tell the Spartans, passerby, that here by Spartan law, we lie."

Care Packages to the Middle East

For anyone wishing to contribute in making the lives of soldiers easier in Iraq or Afghanistan please visit Any Soldier Inc. and Treat Any Soldier ---see what you can do to help.

A soldier in Iraq can't see your ribbon,

Or the flag at your front door.

But a letter they hold in their hands,

To them means so much more.

Supporter Liam Sweeny

The 1973 Fire

Our tour was quite informative and I was able to see military records in varying process of preservation from their wet and dry labs. We even received a tour of the stacks containing the salvaged records.

According the the archives website:

No duplicate copies of the records that were destroyed in the fire were maintained, nor was a microfilm copy ever produced. There were no indexes created prior to the fire. In addition, millions of documents had been lent to the Department of Veterans Affairs before the fire occurred. Therefore, a complete listing of the records that were lost is not available. Nevertheless, NPRC (MPR) uses many alternate sources in its efforts to reconstruct basic service information to respond to requests.
--------------------------------------------
Damage and reconstruction
The 1973 fire destroyed the entire 6th floor of the National Personnel Records Center. Damage from the fire can still be seen today. In 1974, a massive reconstruction effort was begun to restore the service records which were destroyed. In most cases where a military record has been presumed destroyed, NPRC is able to reconstruct basic service information, such as military date of entry, date of discharge, character of service, and final rank.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tours will be held for the remainder of today and tomorrow. For those of us who handle such records is a sobering reminder of the men and women who served to protect this country and the world at large.

Websites:

http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/nprc-fire.pdf

http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/fire-1973.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1973_National_Archives_Fire

Preservation Week at the National Archives

I will be attending an open house for the preservation department here at the Center. Will be interesting to see how the records which were severely damaged in the 1973 fire are being saved.

Records damaged:

Army World War I: 9/1/1912 to 9/7/1939
Army World War II: 9/8/1939 to 12/31/1946
Army Post World War II: 1/1/1947 to 12/31/1959
Air Force : (9/25/1947 to 12/31/1963 with surname of Hubbard through Z

The National Archives Preservation Programs (NWT)
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) employs many strategies to ensure the long-term preservation of textual, nontextual and artifact holdings and the information they contain. Broad system-wide approaches to preservation provide maximum benefit across NARA holdings. Thus, great emphasis is placed on providing environmental conditions that will stabilize and enhance the long-term preservation of all media and formats in NARA's custody. Advanced planning in emergency preparedness allows NARA to avoid situations that could result in loss or damage, and assures that we will be able to respond effectively if emergencies do occur. Uniform approaches to storage, housing, and handling are also significant aspects of the NARA preservation program.

NARA uses preservation risk assessment as a tool to evaluate the condition and preservation needs of its holdings. In combination with archival and curatorial information on intrinsic value and use, the preservation at-risk data is used to establish preservation priorities in such areas as holdings maintenance, reformatting, conservation treatment, and custom housing.

The Battle of Wentzville

I am hoping to attend this Civil War reenactment in September. A period of American history I am fascinated with:










Websites:
http://www.thecavalry.org/The_Battle_of_Wentzville.html
http://home.earthlink.net/%7Eturnerbrigade/schedule.htm
http://home.earthlink.net/%7Eturnerbrigade/civilian.htm

Jobs for Vets

I received this in my email:

Goal is to help employers find quality personnel to fill their open positions and enable veteran job seekers to complete a smooth career transition into the civilian workplace.

Transitioning Military Personnel and Armed Forces Veterans who are looking for employment consistently provide companies with well-trained, technically advanced, seasoned and reliable employees

Website:

http://www.militarycandidates.com/

Religion and the Military

I have been following the story of Army Specialist Jeremy Hall and his beef with the Army regarding his Atheist beliefs.

I can understand his dilemma, however, I also completely understand how the military views this situation.

For one, the military is not an individualistic entity but rather focuses on group identity...when someone strays from that "group" it can generate larger issues down the road.

When a person is molded into this ideology (which seems to contradict America's individualistic identity) it takes a breaking down of the psyche.

In basic training we are taught not to be individual but to think of the "greater good" of one's unit, the mission and ultimately our country.

So when someone like Specialist Halls goes outside of this "norm" I feel the first response from individuals who are trained to think polar opposite of what we are trained to do....is to shun. (Harsh yeah....but from my years in service I never saw too many people stray from this train of thought.)

Now, I see this man's quandary, however the greater good of the service needs to be taken into consideration.

Trust me, I didn't always like to pause in prayer when we went on convoys or even to get ready for a huge field exercise, but I paused like everyone else.

Brainwashed?

No?

But common sense tells me that if you try to break from that military mold I feel down the road somewhere you are going to create problems.

I am all for freedom of religion....we have many people serving in the Armed Forces who are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist...you name it.

I think that if we start to make exceptions and have men like Hall break free from what we tend to view as military tradition it will create a crack in the mold...thus creating dissent (though the way some soldiers shunned him or threatened his life is completely wrong...I feel it does a disservice to the uniform and doesn't represent what I know as honor in the military code)....sure I could be wrong but if anyone has served any length of time in the US Armed Forces they would understand where I am coming from:

Like many Christians, he said grace before dinner and read the Bible before bed. Four years ago when he was deployed to Iraq, he packed his Bible so he would feel closer to God.
He served two tours of duty in Iraq and has a near perfect record. But somewhere between the tours, something changed. Hall, now 23, said he no longer believes in God, fate, luck or anything supernatural.

Hall said he met some atheists who suggested he read the Bible again. After doing so, he said he had so many unanswered questions that he decided to become an atheist.
His sudden lack of faith, he said, cost him his military career and put his life at risk. Hall said his life was threatened by other troops and the military assigned a full-time bodyguard to protect him out of fear for his safety.

I will be following this story with avid interest.

Website:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/07/08/atheist.soldier/index.html

JOBS FOR VETERANS

Being a VFW member I always receive email newsletters. Resources like these are priceless for veterans leaving active duty or reserves and even those of us who served our precious country many years before:

VetJobs History

VetJobs is the leading Internet niche job board for reaching the 14 million military veterans currently in the work force, as well as the 250 thousand active duty military personnel who transition each year, and their family members. If you seek candidates with diversity, leadership skills, technical skills, security clearances and who have verifiable work backgrounds, you will find them in a military veteran. VetJobs is an excellent source for candidates in information technology, program and project management, sales, linguists, logistics, transportation, human resources, manufacturing, engineering, finance, healthcare, accounting and senior executives.

VetJobs was established in 1999 following extensive research on job and resume sites catering to the military market. The research indicated there was a gap in sites which assisted employers in identifying the transitioning military and veteran candidate. VetJobs is operated by a seasoned management team of professionals to assist companies, recruiting firms and hiring authorities to successfully reach the military market.

VetJobs is owned and operated by veterans for veterans. In January 2000, The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States exclusively endorsed and purchased ten percent of the company. Since then, VetJobs has garnered many veteran service organization endorsements.

Website:

http://www.vetjobs.com/

MAMA MIA!!!

Well, the road back into the Army is going to be a long haul but I am up for it. If God determines the military is in my future I leave it in His hands.

I come back to work after ONE day and see this two foot high pile of cases on my desk (I kid you not) and pending cases in my computer that have to be processed.

Talk about job security....mama mia!

The road towards my goals is a rough one. But due to my pit bull perseverance I am not one to give up easily on anything I set my mind to.

WHY would I?

If I feel that strongly about something I go for it full speed ahead.

Some people think because of my age (like 39 is old) I am crazy to be even thinking of going back in.

Maybe when you reach 39 you will feel old but not me.

I hate stereotypes given to women who are reaching middle age.

Why should I fit into all that hype?

Women in their 40's are just as vibrant as the men...even more so because we have gained so much throughout our lives, built our self-confidence, are ready to take life by the horns.

And when I reach 50 I still will feel the same. ;^)

LIFE

In a couple of days my life will change forever.

Either I will be accepted back into the folds of the Army......or I will not.

Depends on what the docs say.

If I am medically rejected from military service at least I can honestly say I gave 200% towards the effort.

I didn't just give up.

Not for something I had such a lifelong passion for.

When you believe in yourself....in something you truly love...you gotta go for it.

No excuses.

NONE.

Everyone who knows I want to return to the Army have continuously asked me what my thoughts are of being deployed to Iraq.

Right now the chemical unit I might be assigned to is under strength so there is no viable possibility for the next few years I would go.

Scary thought if I had to.

Yes....

Do I want to go over there?

No.

I prefer to defend my own country's borders but I also realize that by signing on the dotted line I open myself up to the possibility of being sent.

I am not blind or naive to this.

I do get offended when people try to make me out as such.

I am joining because I have 8 years to go for military retirement.

I would become a squad leader....I would wear my stripes again, the uniform....to be in an environment that was part of half my life.

Also for the bonus...it would help me out allot.

All I can do is pray.

And I for one am a person who wants to live her life to the fullest.

Just who I am...............................

One Step At a Time.....

Sometimes I bite off more than I can chew. Really???

Been that way since like forever.

Monday my recruiter and I are off to MEPS so that I can be evaluated. (SIGH)....Just sign me up already...................however I am quite realistic. I realize that I will have to see a heart specialist for my waiver (which I HOPE I get) and will be taking the DELAB for Spanish.

What is the DELAB?

Glad you asked. ;^)

The DELAB is the Defense Language Aptitude Battery and is designed for those individuals who are already fluent in a specific foreign language needed by the military. I will be tested on reading and listening only.

Spanish is one language needed currently....Arabic another.

If I spoke Arabic man oh man....the $$$ I could make as a translator but I know where I would most likely end up..........in Iraq.

Biting off more than I can chew...yes...getting back to that.

I did apply for a job in Indianapolis and of course the internship position for the Archives with positions available in St. Louis, Colorado and College Park.

The MOS I am planning to enlist into has a great bonus...however if I get the internship outside of the St. Louis area I would have to do more research in finding the same MOS at another Guard unit in the potential area I would be moving into.

My head is spinning.

AY CARAMBA!

So Spanish it is for this Latina.

I Am an American Soldier

I am an American Soldier.

I am a member of the United States Army -- a protector of the greatest nation on earth.

Because I am proud of the uniform I wear, I will always act in ways creditable to the military service and the nation it is sworn to guard.

I am proud of my own organization.

I will do all I can to make it the finest unit in the Army.

I will be loyal to those under whom I serve.

I will do my full part to carry out orders and instructions given to me or my unit.

As a soldier, I realize that I am a member of a time-honored profession--that I am doing my share to keep alive the principles of freedom for which my country stands.

No matter what the situation I am in, I will never do anything, for pleasure, profit, or personal safety, which will disgrace my uniform, my unit, or my country.

I will use every means I have, even beyond the line of duty, to restrain my Army comrades from actions disgraceful to themselves and to the uniform.

I am proud of my country and its flag.

I will try to make the people of this nation proud of the service I represent, for I am an American Soldier.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Soldier