Category: National Guard

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It is Hard to Adjust to the Private Sector When you Have Been Deployed to Other Countries

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Military news…

A federal judge has effectively granted more than 30 Navy special operators the service’s first religious exemptions for the Covid-19 vaccine.

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Several high-level executives of a private military housing company that was fined $65 million after pleading guilty to fraud were implicated in the scheme, but never held accountable for their actions.

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For the sentinels who stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Monday morning’s snow storms.

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While Americans See an End to 20 Years of War, VA’s Job Has Just Begun

Veterans have immediate, life-or-death needs and want better care. They want it for yesterday’s veterans, too.

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New Law Named For Vanessa Guillén Will Revamp Military Investigations Into Sexual Assault, Harassment

As of January 1, decisions to prosecute sexual assault and sexual harassment will be made outside the chain of command and survivors will be offered protection against retaliation.

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Here is another excerpt from my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life.

What Are They Thinking?

On one of my off days in Korea, I was invited to ride with a courier to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone.)

I thought that would be very interesting so I accepted the invite. We had to go through several villages, and of course the people didn’t seem to like us. They were shouting things at us I probably didn’t want to hear.

We got to the DMZ. What a depressing place! It was a very small outpost with guards watching the North Koreans on the other side of the DMZ. They let me look through one of their binoculars, and I could see a North Korean soldier looking through his binoculars back at me. It was a very odd feeling. He was just another guy like me, but he would probably shoot me if he could.

There is still strife between the two countries. There is still the DMZ zone. There are soldiers still looking at each other with binoculars. Nothing much has changed, except the lives of those who had to serve in Korea.

They came home and then they had to try to cope in the private sector. They had/have to adjust, and survive. I feel for them, because I was there with them. I know the frustrations. I know the disappointment. I know the feeling that no one cares.

I can say that it is hard to block out the negative aspects of our military service. It is hard to change thoughts into a different world in the private sector. It took me a while to clear my mind and concentrate on the future. I had to realize that I needed to move on and start a new adventure. I needed to think about the next day of my life.

I never have regretted serving my country. I would do it again if I was able. I have learned that I just need to be thankful that I have another day on this earth, and should seek what I can do to better my live and those around me that I love. 

IWILL

Some of the soldiers, in the private sector, have some issues still lingering with them from their time in in the service. I understand this. I have had to re-group myself. The key is to do something about it. Don’t hide your feelings. Get the right help to get you back on track in life. There are many resources in the back of this book to help you on your way down your new path of life.

There is always help for you 24/7 at: 1-800-273-8255

Think about this

Isn’t it funny that so much of what we fear is only the fear of the unknown?

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Come back often to see if there are other excerpts. Better yet. go to the top of this page and click on “Subscribe.” When you do all future posts will come directly to you inbox.

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Checking in on you…How are you doing/ Have you lost faith in our world?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 13,610 fellow veterans here who have your back.

If you are battling mentally, because of your love for others, but it isn’t working, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will no hang up until they know you are OK.

1-800-273-8255…texting 838255.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.

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I Found Out That White Lightning Can Make You Blind, in the Military

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Military news…

The Army is developing a COVID-19 vaccine to fight all variants of the virus, including those that may not yet exist.

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Russian forces could soon push deeper into Ukraine, and this time it may look more like an invasion than the covert campaign Russia has waged since 2014.

“When I opened the door, it didn’t even register at first who I was looking at, and when it finally clicked … words cannot describe the feeling.” That’s from Army veteran Adam Strick, who got a surprise visit on Saturday night from his old battle buddy Mike Fligg. The two spent every day of their 15-month deployment to Iraq together, but they had not seen each other in 14 years.

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A private housing contractor that subjected military families across the country to mold, insect infestations, burst pipes and other problems agreed to pay more than $65 million in fines and restitution.

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A Florida state Senator wants to bring back the old cliche ‘join the military or go to jail’ for criminals.

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Everyone knows reindeer help Santa deliver presents, but did you know they also helped defeat the Nazis? That’s right, about 6,000 reindeer played a crucial role helping the Soviet Army beat the Wermacht back into Germany during World War II.

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rally sweeps

Win $100 Gift Card with Rally$weeps

Holidays are cherished times spent with family and loved ones. Sometimes, due to deployment, or situations outside of our control, we can’t spend holidays with the people we love.

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Another excerpt from my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the MIlitary: In and Out of the Trenches of Life.

This chapter was about my exposure to White Lightening

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White Lightning in West Virginia

While I was stationed at Ft Bragg, North Carolina, we went on maneuvers in West Virginia. We were out in the country hills right in the middle of farm land.

We had time off on one of the days there so a couple of others guys and me went on a walk through the farm land. As we came around a bend, we saw some men sitting up on a hill in lawn chairs laughing and carrying on. We thought we might as well get to know some of the locals.

As we got closer we saw that the men had rifles leaning up against their chairs. I started thinking about the movie, Deliverance. They were all in overalls, and were smoking pipes with who knows what in them. Beards were the style for all of them. They would fit right in with the people of, Duck Dynasty.

We said hi, and they invited us to sit with them for a while. I noticed one of them was drinking out of a Mason jar. It looked like water, but I knew better. One of my friends asked what it was. “We call it White Lightning, here,” said one of the men who looked like he may be the elder of the group.

I was such a naïve young man, that I had no idea what they meant by the term White Lightning. They laughed when I asked them.

They said I should take a taste of it to see for myself. They handed me a jar, and I took a sip. I thought my insides were going to explode. I made some kind of noise, because all the Virginia guys laughed when it looked like I was going to heave.

However, the guys with me were “veteran,” drinkers and they tried a taste. They really liked it and drank the whole jar full. It wasn’t long before they started acting “silly.”

One of them liked it so much he asked for a refill. The “farmers,” had no trouble doing that. My friend sat there and drank another full jar of the concoction. He was getting very dizzy and incoherent about that time.

Then he started screaming, “I am going blind!” He said he couldn’t see. The hosts didn’t seem to get too worried. They said it is common to go temporarily blind for those who are new at drinking it.

It wasn’t funny for my group, and we helped our blind friend back to the camp area. He eventually got his sight back. It must have been interesting for him to explain how he was blinded in the first place.

In life we can start slowly doing things we maybe shouldn’t be, and think that it is OK. We keep doing the things we know we shouldn’t be doing, and then we see we are in too deep and fall.

It is no different than drinking White Lightning. It seems harmless at first, but then we are blinded by the force that has overcome us.

Be careful to always check out what is happening around you, wherever you may be. There things that look innocent, and yet can lead you down the wrong path.

IWILL

All too often there are people in the private sector who try to take advantage of the soldiers when they come home. It could be a scheme to supposedly help you get rich quickly, or it may be people wanting to pilfer money out of you in other ways.  Never jump into any project or new venture without researching everything about it. Let others see what you may be doing and ask for their opinion. You will have many eyes to help you seek the truth for you.

Think About this

Isn’t it interesting that we always believe someone who says they are trying to help us be successful?

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I will be sharing excerpts from time to time, so keep coming back to check this site out. Better yet…go to the top of this page and click on “Subscribe.” When you do all future posts will go directly to your inbox.

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Bed check. How are you doing? Do you have dreams about your service time? Are they nightmares?

FEAR NOT!!

There are over 13,530 fellow veterans subscribed to this site who have your back.

If the dreams just too much for you right now, GET HELP!

Here is a toll free number to call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will not hang up until the know you are OK.

1-800-272-8255..texting 838255.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

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+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.

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Iran is sneaking in Nuclear Building Behind Our Backs

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Military news…

Alwyn Cashe was a hero to his soldiers long before he charged into a burning vehicle in Iraq.

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Austin sending deputy to Hawaii in wake of tainted-water crisis that displaced thousands
Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks is slated to visit Hawaii this week to see firsthand how contaminated water has affected more than 3,000 displaced residents of military housing residents.

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Blinken calls out China’s aggressive actions during first stop of Southeast Asia tour

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip abroad touches on countries often at odds with China, the assertive presence in the region, and his speech reflected that atmosphere.

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Sailor accused of burning US warship faces 2nd day in court

Navy prosecutors alleged that a sailor charged with setting the fire that destroyed the USS Bonhomme Richard last year was “disgruntled” after dropping out of Navy SEAL training, while his defense lawyers said there was no physical evidence connecting him to the blaze.

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Senate advances compromise defense policy bill

The Senate easily advanced the compromise defense policy bill Tuesday, voting 86-13 to end debate on the measure, which would authorize $768 billion in spending.

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West warns time for talk is ending as Iran nuclear work advances

Stern warnings from U.S. and European officials suggest the window is closing on nuclear talks with Iran, with frustration boiling over after two weeks of negotiations marred by allegations of Iranian backsliding.

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Navy veteran among 6 who died in tornado at Illinois Amazon facility

Clayton Cope, 29, of Alton, was a decorated Navy veteran and the first of the six victims of a tornado in Edwardsville to be identified.

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I promised you some more endorsements in my last post and here is another one:

Signs of Hope for the Military: in and Out of the Trenches of Life, is a must read book for any military, which are hurting from PTD, TBI, anxiety, depression, etc. It has extensive valuable and doable suggestions for successful cope mechanisms. I have also enjoyed Doug Bolton sharing his own stories about his time in the military. He shows that he has been there and done that. This makes him very qualified to offer his advice, guidance and support.  

I applaud Doug for his insight and wiliness to share. I know you will too.

Colonel Dona Marie Iversen (Retired)

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The book will be sent to the publishers some time in January. Keep coming back to check on the progress. Better yet…go to the top of this page and click on “Subscribe.” When you do all future posts will go directly to your inbox.

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Checking in on you my friend. How are you doing? Do you have dreams about your service time? Are they nightmares?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 13,445 fellow veterans subscribed to this site who have your back.

If the dreams just too much for you right now, GET HELP!

Here is a toll free number to call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will not hang up until the know you are OK.

1-800-272-8255..texting 838255.

____________________________________________

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

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+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.