US military

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Soldier Faces Death Penalty for Killing Comrades

Murder of fellow troops, 'fragging,' is rare in Iraq

(Newser) - A soldier may soon face court-martial in the deaths of two US officers in Iraq, whom army prosecutors say he killed in a rare instance of “fragging”—the murder of a fellow soldier. The New York Times examines the case of Sgt. Alberto Martinez, who prosecutors say detonated...

Combat Troops Turn to Prozac
 Combat Troops Turn to Prozac 
Jun 6, 2008 3:53 AM CDT

Combat Troops Turn to Prozac

Anti-depressants keep soldiers in the field

(Newser) - A growing number of American troops serving abroad are taking Prozac and other antidepressants, Time reports. A survey last year found 12% of troops in Iraq are using the drugs, with 17% relying on them in Afghanistan. The drugs help the military keep stressed combat troops in the field—but...

Marine In Iraq Suspended Over Bible-Quoting Coins

He reportedly handed them out to Iraqis

(Newser) - A US Marine has been suspended after he reportedly distributed coins with Bible verses at an entry point in Falluja, CNN reports. One coin reportedly asked, in Arabic, “Where will you spend eternity?” Military rules forbid troops from proselytizing. A US spokesman apologized to angry Muslims and said “...

Military's New Recruiting Tool: Ultimate Fighting

Demographics, skills of mixed martial arts appeal to recruiters

(Newser) - The US military is mining an unlikely new recruiting ground: the 18- to 30-year-old devotees of mixed martial arts. MMA, which John McCain once labeled human cockfighting, has surged in popularity while instituting rules to appease lawmakers. The armed forces have begun organizing ultimate fighting championships of their own, not...

Soldier Suicides Set Record
 Soldier Suicides Set Record 
May 30, 2008 3:51 AM CDT

Soldier Suicides Set Record

115 Army suicides last year

(Newser) - The Army recorded it highest ever number of suicides last year, with 115 soldiers killing themselves, Reuters reports. The rate is staying high this year, with 38 soldier suicides so far. The military said the statistics showed no direct link between the increase in suicides and repeated deployments to combat...

Coaches Take Lessons From Iraq Troops

Mideast trip inspires grid bosses from Notre Dame, Auburn, Miami

(Newser) - Five big-name college football coaches toured the Middle East for five days, but it was they who came away star-struck by the troops—particularly the teamwork they witnessed among kids the same age as their own players. "We put signs up saying, 'Leave your egos at the door,'"...

Audit Shows Billions Unaccounted for in Iraq

Almost $8.2B in Iraq War funding evaded federal rules, reports the Pentagon

(Newser) - A Pentagon audit of $8.2 billion in taxpayer money spent in Iraq found that nearly all of the handouts skirted federal rules, and millions of dollars in contracts were awarded with little or no record of what they were for, reports the New York Times. Take the $320.8...

Debate Swirls Over Purple Heart for PTSD

Proponents say honor would reduce stigma; medal devalued, foes counter

(Newser) - Members of the US military are debating whether Purple Heart medals should go to troops with post-traumatic stress disorder, the Military Times reports. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said, "It’s clearly something that needs to be looked at,” but foes argue it would devalue the honor for...

US Commander Apologizes for Koran Target Practice

Calls shooting 'criminal behavior'; soldier sent back to US

(Newser) - A US commander has apologized to Iraqi tribal leaders after an American soldier used a Koran for target practice in Iraq, CNN reports. “The actions of one soldier were nothing more than criminal behavior,” said Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Hammond, head of US troops in Baghdad. "Please forgive...

Pentagon to Build Giant Prison in Afghanistan

New Bagram complex marks intention to hold prisoners abroad for years to come

(Newser) - The Pentagon is planning to build a huge new detention complex in Afghanistan, reports the New York Times, acknowledging that the US expects to hold prisoners there for many years to come. The 40-acre, $60-million facility at Bagram Air Force Base will replace the existing makeshift prison in a converted...

West Point Boss Demands Hymn Changes for Her

Lyrics' 'men' and 'sons' are out of date, chief argues

(Newser) - The head of West Point is calling for changes to the military academy's two most beloved songs to represent thousands of female graduates, the Times Herald-Record reports. References to "men" and "sons" in the Alma Mater and the 1902 hymn The Corps should be switched to something more...

Okinawa Marine Gets 4 Years for Teen Sex Abuse

US court martial accepts his plea to lesser charges

(Newser) - The US marine accused of raping a 14-year-old Japanese girl was sentenced by court martial today to four years in prison, after pleading guilty to abusive sexual conduct, Reuters reports. The other charges against 38-year-old Sgt. Tyrone Hadnott, including rape and kidnapping, were dropped. With his plea deal, Hadnott will...

As US, Burma Talk, Volunteers Say Junta Is Selling Aid

American troops stand ready to help relief

(Newser) - A US admiral met with Burma's military command today in continued attempts to persuade the government to allow US servicemen into the country to assist in relief efforts, the Washington Post reports. Meanwhile, a Burmese volunteer operating his own supply effort tells the Daily Telegraph that government officials are commandeering...

Marines Tread Lightly in Opium Poppy Fields

Fighters ignore Afghan crop to avoid alienating locals

(Newser) - The US Marines have been battling the Taliban in the world's largest opium-growing region—and they're taking care not to damage the crop, the AP reports. Troops in Afghanistan are aware that the Taliban makes millions from the poppy harvest, but they also realize that destroying the locals' only source...

Let's Not Push War With Iran: Top Admiral

Joint Chiefs head prefers non-military pressure on Tehran

(Newser) - With wars still raging in Iraq and Afghanistan, the US would be hard-pressed to start a new one with Iran, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Michael Mullen said today. “I actually am very hopeful that we don't have to get into a conflict,” Mullen told Israeli TV, though...

Pentagon May Boost US Troops in Afghanistan

Number would be highest since war began

(Newser) - The Pentagon may send 7,000 more troops to Afghanistan to make up for a NATO shortfall, administration officials say.The move would bring US troop levels there to 40,000 and require relocating American forces from Iraq, the New York Times reports. While NATO countries have promised to send...

'Sorry' Gates: We Let Down Our Soldiers

He regrets poor treatment for Iraq, Afghanistan vets

(Newser) - Defense Secretary Robert Gates admitted yesterday that the US military made mistakes in taking care of soldiers back from Afghanistan and Iraq, reports Reuters. He said he regretted that veterans had received inadequate care for physical and mental problems, particularly those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Gates also acknowledged that...

Bombs Kill Dozens in Iraq
 Bombs Kill Dozens in Iraq 
May 1, 2008 4:52 PM CDT

Bombs Kill Dozens in Iraq

35 dead in double wedding blast; US soldier among dead in Baghdad attack

(Newser) - As US forces engaged in heavy fighting in the Mahdi Army's Sadr City today, bombings in Baghdad and Diyala province took the lives of as many as 45 Iraqis and one US soldier, the AP reports. The Diyala bombing, in Balad Ruz, was carried out by two suicide bombers—one...

New Ship a 'Reminder' to Iran: Gates

Defense sec prods Tehran as 2nd carrier arrives in Gulf

(Newser) - A second US aircraft carrier steamed into the Persian Gulf yesterday, which Robert Gates says Iran should see as a "reminder." The defense secretary denied that the deployment of another ship in the Gulf amounted to an escalation of American forces in the area, Reuters reports, but hoped...

US Preparing Iran War Plans
 US Preparing Iran War Plans 
Apr 25, 2008 2:40 PM CDT

US Preparing Iran War Plans

Attack isn't imminent, Joint Chiefs chair says, but US has capability

(Newser) - The US is preparing for a potential military action against Iran, the nation’s top military official said today. Such an attack would be “extremely stressing” on the military, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, but it is on the table if a diplomatic solution can’...

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