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Tips to Prepare for Your VA Claim Exam



If you’ve submitted a disability compensation claim to VA, you may be asked to attend a VA claim exam, or Compensation …

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Vets are protesting outside Capitol to push for new toxic exposure bill

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By 11 p.m. Friday, all the senators who had roamed the halls of Congress this week were gone from Capitol Hill.

But the veterans weren’t.

A contingent of about 15 veterans — most of whom had spent the prior 48 hours meeting with lawmakers to discuss new toxic exposure legislation — were camped out on the Senate steps even as rain began to come down steadily. More were expected to arrive after midnight.

Plans called for an around-the-clock fire watch of advocates at the Capitol to last until Monday afternoon, when the Senate is again scheduled to vote on the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, better known as the PACT Act. The goal was to emphasize — throughout the weekend — the importance of action on the issue, even if no lawmakers were present to see it.

“We’re here to let the Senate know that we’re not going home and neither should they until they get the PACT Act done,” said Patrick Murray, director of the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Legislative Service.

Veterans groups have been searching for ways to bring pressure and urgency on senators since Wednesday, when a procedural vote on the measure failed in surprising fashion.

The measure — which could expand medical options and benefits for as many as one in five veterans living in America today — passed out of the Senate in June by a comfortable bipartisan 84-14 margin.

But after it was approved with technical corrections by the House, Senate Republicans chose to block the bill, with 27 GOP members unexpectedly changing their vote from the previous month.

Reasons for the surprise opposition include lingering concerns about how some benefits spending will be classified in future budgets and anger over unrelated health care and climate change legislation announced by Senate Democrats this week.

But the veterans standing watch outside the Capitol said none of those factors justify stalling the sweeping veterans policy measure when passage appeared all but certain after years of advocacy and lobbying work.

Kristen Rouse, a board member of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and an Army veteran with three tours in Afghanistan, traveled from New York to Washington, D.C., on Friday to be part of the event.

“Veterans are sick and dying,” she said. “I may be next. I was exposed to thick constant smoke for a full year in Afghanistan. The very least I can do is show up to pull a shift on the Capitol steps with these fighters.

“We need the Senate to come back and get to work. Suffering veterans don’t get any breaks. They shouldn’t be on recess or whatever they’re doing. Veterans need help now.”

Advocates brought coolers, camp chairs and pizza to their late-night protest shift. They sent texts to fellow veterans about the effort throughout the night and passed time by watching clips of Jon Stewart, the comedian-turned-activist who spoke at a veterans rally on Capitol Hill Thursday, skewering Republicans on social media for their opposition to the bill.

Veterans said several House lawmakers — but no senators — stopped to chat on Friday afternoon to offer support for the effort. Other passersby approached to ask about the bill and what it could mean for the veterans community.

The plan, which calls for about $300 billion in spending over the next 10 years, would establish a presumption of service connection for 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers related to the smoke from burn pits used in Iraq and Afghanistan. It would also extend Veterans Affairs medical care for those vets, from five years after service to 10 years.

It would also provide new benefits for veterans who faced radiation exposure during deployments throughout the Cold War; veterans dealing with hypertension and monoclonal gammopathy from the Vietnam War, and new Agent Orange presumptive status for veterans who served in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Guam during the 1960s and 1970s.

Senate Democrats said they are hopeful that a deal can be reached to move ahead with the bill by Monday afternoon, when the chamber is expected to return from a weekend break for a final week of work before its month-long summer recess.

As the weekend began, the advocates on the Senate steps were hopeful that their vigil there will only last until that Monday procedural vote.

“This is a bill that should have been passed a month ago,” said Aleks Morosky, deputy director of government affairs for Wounded Warrior Project. “When it came back over to the Senate, the people that voted for it last time, they chose to vote no on it. And that is unacceptable.

“So, we’re here to get the Senate to pass this bill without any more delays.”

Leo covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He has covered Washington, D.C. since 2004, focusing on military personnel and veterans policies. His work has earned numerous honors, including a 2009 Polk award, a 2010 National Headliner Award, the IAVA Leadership in Journalism award and the VFW News Media award.

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Defense Official Says Sanctions Nearly Stall Russian Offensive in Ukraine > U.S. Department of Defense > Defense Department News

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Fighting continues in the east and south of Ukraine as Russian advances slow to a crawl, grind to a halt in some places, or are slowly reversed in areas like Kherson, a senior Defense Department official said today.

Russia is failing on the battlefield and suffering domestic failures at home, the official said.

The Ukrainians have become very effective in finding and killing Russian command and control nodes and destroying swaths of Russian materiel, the official said.

“Even as Russia is talking the big talk, even as Russia is menacing the Ukrainian population, the Ukrainians continue to bravely advance. They’re making tremendous use of the $8.2 billion in equipment we’ve provided, thus far,” the official said.

The menace to Ukrainian civilians includes air strikes in the Ukrainian cities of Odesa and near Kyiv over the past week, the official noted.

Also, the National Intelligence Council released a “chilling report” that described at least 18 so-called filtration camps where Ukrainians are subjected to inhumane conditions, including abuse and, in some cases, executions, the official said.

Regarding military support to Kyiv, DOD is consulting closely with Ukraine’s ministry of defense to ensure materiel, including ammunition, that they need is forthcoming. DOD is putting together another security assistance package that will address those needs, the official said.

In terms of Russian domestic failures, export controls that have been imposed on Moscow by the United States, partners and allies around the world are just now starting to have an effect, the official said, ticking off a list that included:


Major Russian state-owned companies have lost 70-90% of their market capitalization.​


Around 1,000 multinational companies have suspended operations in Russia.​


Inflation in Russia is rising up to 20%.​


The Russian stock market has lost a third of its value.​

“This is just the beginning of the impact of these sanctions,” the official concluded.

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Best Tactical Knives (Review & Buying Guide) in 2022

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Published Jul 30, 2022 11:00 AM

“It did not last long. It is only in the movies that knife fighters stab and miss and slash and miss and tussle over several city blocks.”

James Jones, ‘From Here to Eternity’

Almost every 1990s action movie has a scene where the hero (or villain) pulls out a tactical knife, a long piece of cold steel sharpened to a razor’s edge, and proceeds to go to work. While, hopefully, you don’t have any communist regimes to overthrow any time soon, maybe you’re looking for a blade to take with you when hiking or jogging, or something for self-defense? Perhaps you just need a solid fixed blade for that next field op?

Regardless of the purpose, here are our top picks for the best tactical knives worth carrying

For more than three decades, the Survival Rescue Knife, or SRK, has been one of Cold Steel’s most lauded blades. Often copied and cloned by other companies, the Navy SEALs’ standard issue knife for BUD/S training has yet to be outdone, and for good reason. This tried-and-true design is rugged, uncomplicated, and affordable.

The base model is made in Taiwan from SK5 high-carbon steel, which is known for its toughness and wear resistance, despite being extremely inexpensive. In our testing, it proved extremely durable and had decent edge retention, all while remaining easy to resharpen in the field with basic sharpening stones. Cold Steel also has higher-end models available in premium steels, including DLC-coated CPM 3V. The handle is made from Cold Steel’s Kray-Ex, otherwise known as kraton. This rubberized polymer has deep checkering to ensure a solid grip, no matter what environment you may find yourself in.

Our main complaint is the Tuff-Ex finish, which appears to be some sort of epoxy finish or powdercoat. While it provides decent protection from wear and corrosion compared to simple paint, it does start to show wear after some, unlike the DLC coating used on most of Cold Steel’s more expensive knives. For the price though, you can’t go wrong — six inches of Japanese steel, a comfortable handle, and a sheath made from fiberglass reinforced nylon, all come together to form a knife just as tough as the servicemembers who trust it with their lives.

Product Specs


  • Blade length:

    6 inches

  • Blade material:

    SK-5

  • Blade finish:

    Tuff-Ex

  • Handle material:

    Kray-Ex

  • Blade shape:

    Clip point

  • Sheath material:

    Secure-Ex

  • Weight:

    8.2 ounces

PROS

Tough SK5 steel

Battle-tested design

Textured, comfortable handle

Non-reflective coating

Inexpensive

CONS

Tuff-Ex finish wears off easier than DLC

One of CRKT’s most popular models designed by custom knifemaker Alan Folts, the CRKT Minimalist series has steadily grown over time to include a wide range of blade shapes, including Wharncliffe, cleaver, clip point, drop point, spear point, hawkbill, and tanto variants. All of them have three things in common. The first is being extremely budget-friendly. This is largely due to them being, well, not large, but is also unfortunately due to them typically coming with budget steels like 8Cr13MoV, or even 5Cr15MoV on the older models. Thankfully, Smoky Mountain Knife Works has you covered with this SMKW exclusive in tough D2 tool steel.

At just over two ounces when sheathed, the Minimalist gets its moniker from the spartan nature of the handle. Full-tang construction, micarta scales, and deep finger grooves ensure that you’ll maintain a secure grip — despite only being designed for three fingers. The micarta scales are an upgrade over the normal green resin-infused fiber scales and make it slightly grippier when wet.

While D2 steel is a little more prone to corrosion, normal blade maintenance should easily prevent rust from forming. The hollow-ground blade allows for a very acute edge and is easily resharpened. And, thanks to the paracord lanyard and adjustable belt clip that it comes with, you can carry it any way you want.

Product Specs


  • Blade length:

    2.13 inches

  • Blade material:

    D2

  • Blade finish:

    Bead-blasted

  • Handle material:

    Micarta

  • Blade shape:

    Clip point

  • Sheath material:

    Zytel

  • Weight:

    1.6 ounces

  • Weight with sheath:

    2.2 ounces

PROS

Upgraded to D2 steel

Ergonomic grip

Lightweight

CONS

Three-finger grip

No blade coating

Few knives are as iconic as the Ka-Bar Fighting/Utility Knife. Ubiquitous with the United States Marine Corps and nearly 80 years old, it’s as legendary as the M1911A1 that ‘won two wurld worz.’ As with most vintage designs, however, the Ka-Bar is far from perfect. A thin rat tail tang is most people’s primary complaint, while others dislike the thin blade (and even thinner tip). Designed by a Marine Corps veteran, the TOPS US Combat Knife fixes these issues.

Laci Szabo started off by updating the classic clip-point design to have a full-tang, greatly increasing the overall strength and durability of the blade. In addition, the spine is 2mm thicker than that of the Ka-Bar, which translates to a visibly thicker tip. The quillons are notably thicker as well, and the entire knife is finished off nicely with grooved micarta scales that harken back to its predecessor. While this premium fixed blade is notably heavier than the Ka-Bar, it’s worthwhile, given all the improvements.

Product Specs


  • Blade length:

    7.5 inches

  • Blade material:

    1095

  • Blade finish:

    Black powdercoat

  • Handle material:

    Micarta

  • Blade shape:

    Clip point

  • Sheath material:

    Nylon

  • Weight:

    17.5 ounces

PROS

Made in USA

USMC-inspired design

Tough, high carbon steel blade

Textured micarta handle scales

Based out of Nevada, Hogue Knives has built a reputation for producing quality, American-made knives, and the EX-F03 is no exception. EX-F stands for extreme fixed-blade, and it’s easy to see why. It’s made from a singular piece of 154cm steel, which has a solid balance of edge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness.

We went with the Hawkbill model, which, while small, allows for a full grip while maximizing cutting potential. The black, textured G10 grips are as ergonomic as the rest of Hogue’s grips and are slightly hollowed out on the inside. Combined with the skeletonized tang, this helps keep weight down, while providing a space to store smaller items.

The finger ring is actually part of the G10 handles, which means that you can make the EX-F03 shorter and lighter simply by unscrewing the scales. Included with the knife are two sheaths: a black nylon belt sheath and a black Boltaron neck sheath. The sheaths allow you to insert the Hawkbill with the orientation for both right- and left-handed draw, which makes this even more versatile.

Product Specs


  • Blade length:

    2.25 inches

  • Blade material:

    154cm

  • Blade finish:

    Stonewash

  • Handle material:

    G10

  • Blade shape:

    Hawkbill

  • Sheath material:

    Nylon/boltaron

  • Weight:

    3.13 ounces

  • Weight with sheath:

    5.2 ounces

PROS

Made in USA Quality 154cm steel

Finger ring aids unsheathing and retention

Includes two sheaths

CONS

G10 finger ring slightly less durable than steel

There’s no way around it, so we’re just going to up and say it: The Black Talon 2 is a dedicated people-opener, and Cold Steel is unapologetic about that fact. Based on Spyderco’s Civilian, it was designed for only one task, and it did very well at said task. Cold Steel’s imitation is the greatest form of flattery and is beefed up in pretty much every respect.

Cold Steel started off with Andrew Demko’s ludicrously tough Tri-Ad lock. Slim, textured handle scales made from American G10 ensure that you’ll have a solid grip, even in the most extreme conditions. The viciously recurved blade is made from premium American S35VN steel and is available in both plain and serrated edges. The Black Talon 2 features a visibly stronger tip than its predecessors, which corrects the fragile, needle-like tip that snaps off all too often on the Spyderco Civilian. Last but not least is the Demko thumbplate, which allows you to open the knife automatically when drawing it from your pocket, similar to the Emerson Wave.

The Black Talon 2 is uncannily good at turning one piece of meat into two pieces of meat and isn’t something you want to casually handle. It’s one of a very few select knives that we’d describe as frighteningly sharp. Buyer beware, this knife is almost too good at what it does.

Product Specs


  • Blade length:

    4 inches

  • Blade material:

    CPM S35VN

  • Blade finish:

    Satin

  • Handle material:

    G10

  • Blade shape:

    Tri-Ad lock

  • Pivot type:

    Phosphor-bronze and

  • Weight:

    4.8 ounces

PROS

Premium S35VN steel

Tri-Ad lock

Demko thumbplate

Scary sharp

Things to consider before buying a tactical knife

Tactical knives come in many different forms and sizes. No matter what task you have in mind or what your local restrictions are, it’s probable that you’ll easily find a tactical knife that suits your needs. You can find them at pretty much any sporting goods store or online, and they’re available at pretty much every price point.

Types of tactical knives

Fixed blade

Any knife with a blade that is “fixed” in place — that is, one that is securely affixed to the handle and lacks a pivot — is considered a fixed blade. In many ways, they’re the polar opposite of pocket knives. Unless sheathed, the blade is always visible. Due to the lack of a complicated locking mechanism, they are straightforward, easier to manufacture than folding knives, and very user-friendly. The more resilient fixed blades are designed with a full tang, where the portion of the blade inside the handle has the same shape as the handle. Unfortunately, most inexpensive fixed blades are not; they contain a weak metal “tail” that is frequently epoxied or pinned inside the handle and are more prone to breaking.

Folding

Also known as pocket knives, folders are compact knives that contain at least one blade that folds into the handle, preventing the need for a bulky sheath. Conveniently carried in your pocket, they’re legal in most municipalities and can be extremely handy for everyday tasks. There are some that are quite large like the XL Espada from Cold Steel, but the majority will have blades between three to four inches in length. Folders are extremely versatile, despite being typically smaller and weaker than their fixed blade brethren.

Key features of tactical knives

Blade shape

The blade shape and general geometry are two of the most crucial factors to consider when selecting the appropriate blade, as they have a significant impact on the utility and longevity of your knife for particular applications. A box cutter will perform noticeably better than a machete in its intended purpose, while the machete will perform noticeably better when used outdoors. Some tasks call for a thicker, more powerful blade, while others call for a thinner, slicier blade. A knife with a very thin tip might be perfect for delicate, intricate work, but if used for cutting, will probably break.

Steel type

As many different blade shapes as there are, there are even more different kinds of blade steel available for tactical knives. Although high-carbon steel rusts more readily and is frequently less durable than premium stainless steel, it is typically tougher and easier to sharpen than stainless steel. Lower-quality steel is less expensive and usually easier to resharpen, while premium steel, whether carbon or stainless, typically has considerably higher hardness and edge retention.

Blade length 

A box cutter would not be used to cut through the undergrowth, just as a sword would not be used to open an envelope. While you might want a longer blade for a tactical knife, your state, county, or city might have restrictions that limit the length of your blade. Having said that, it’s generally preferable to have a little bit more length than is required — you can do a lot with an extra inch or two.

Handle materials

Nowadays, there are a wide variety of materials that are frequently used for handles, and each one has its own distinct advantages. Despite being more easily compromised by weather and rot than modern materials, wood and leather are classic choices frequently seen on traditional blades. You’ll have a better grip with rubber handles, although different compositions may be vulnerable to UV rays or abrasion damage. Our personal favorites are G10 and micarta because of their enhanced grip in harsh environments and resilience against abrasion, chemicals, water, UV radiation, and temperature variations.

FAQs about tactical knives

You’ve got questions, Task & Purpose has answers.

Q: Where should I carry my tactical knife?

A: This depends entirely on the knife, and what your local restrictions are. Some municipalities disallow open carry, while others only allow open carry. Some limit where you can carry knives in general. As always, it’s best to be informed before you pack up to head out. KnifeUp.com is a fantastic source for up-to-date information.

Q: What type of tactical knife is best for self-defense?

A: The one you train with. No, really. As with a firearm, if you aren’t training with it, you shouldn’t be carrying it for self-defense — you’ll only be endangering yourself.

Q: What is the best length for a tactical knife?

A: Depending on your intended use, you may need a longer or a shorter blade. In general, though, you’ll want to stick with a two- to four-inch blade for concealed carry, while you can get away with longer blades when you’re open-carrying out in the field. Just make sure to check your local regulations before you do so.

Final thoughts

In general, there’s an unfortunate market for “tacticool” knives and mall-ninja blades. If something’s legitimately tactical, however, it’s also practical. Most of the blades on this list are proof of this, as they are just as handy for EDC or camping use.

Methodology

I’ve been collecting and selling knives for nearly a decade and was even a blacksmith’s apprentice for a while. I’ve also written extensively about the subject for Task & Purpose. In addition to writing guides about Damascus knives, utility knives, and karambits, I’ve also reviewed individual blades like the Cold Steel American Lawman, WE Stonefish, Leatherman Curl, Cold Steel Storm Cloud, QSP Penguin, and Spyderco Slip Stone. Bluntly put, I’m a nerd — pun intended.

For this article, we used recommendations shared in forums around the internet, particularly a handful of Facebook groups for knife enthusiasts. We relied on these sources because the members tend to provide better feedback than what you’d find in product review sections on most knife websites. 

The knives we selected came highly recommended because of their overall quality and performance. We looked for blades that were durable, versatile, and easy to maintain. We considered things like the materials used for the blade, handle, and sheath, as well as the manufacturer’s reputation for quality control. We specifically looked for blades that were corrosion-resistant, either due to them being stainless steel, or having a protective coating if they were high carbon steel. Leather sheaths were avoided, as were wooden handles, due to their tendency to retain moisture.

For more information on our methodology and product reviews, check out the Task & Purpose review guidelines.

Task & Purpose and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Learn more about our product review process.



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Recruitment for research proposal-PLEASE FILL OUT IF YOU QUALIFY AND SHARE WITH OTHERS : Veterans

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Reposting-I have approval to post this

My name is Meghan Curtin and I am a doctoral student at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at National Louis University. Part of my requirement for graduation is to conduct a research study.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects trauma has on depressive symptom severity in veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The answers you provide will be anonymous. If you are a veteran who served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Freedom’s Sentinel (OFS), Operation New Dawn (OND) and Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) who speaks English and has access to an electronic device and internet access please follow the link prompt below. Veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Freedom’s Sentinel (OFS), Operation New Dawn (OND) and Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) with a preexisting diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, substance dependence, diagnosed traumatic brain injury, other cognitive impairment as a result of a service related head injury, or identify as non-binary will not be eligible for this study. Your participation will include filling out questionnaires that will take about 30-40 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary and participants are able to withdraw at any time.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/579SKK6

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U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Stacy's Tattoo Story | Veteran Ink



In this week’s episode of Veteran Ink, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, Stacy is sharing the story behind her ink. She details the time …

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[PSO2 NGS Farming Guide] Dread enemies and Why you should start Farming them.



Bored of current content? Try hunting these dread monsters and earn meseta for your own benefit!

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Women’s Health Care in DOD Unchanged by Supreme Court Decision > U.S. Department of Defense > Defense Department News

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While last month’s Supreme Court opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization means each state now makes its own laws regarding abortion services, the health care that the Defense Department provides to service members has not changed, the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness said. 

“Service members can receive the same reproductive health care after Dobbs as they did before the ruling,” Gil Cisneros testified today before the House Armed Services Committee. “Consistent with long-existing federal law, ‘covered abortions’ — those cases that involve rape, incest or where the life of the mother would be endangered — will continue to be authorized to use federal funds and facilities. There is no interruption to this care.” 

Travel policies related to health care also remain, Cisneros said. If a service member must travel to obtain a covered abortion, she may do so on official status and will not be charged leave. 

While the department will continue to be able to provide to service members the same level of health care it has always provided, Cisneros said the department is aware that the Dobbs decision will change available options for some service members when it comes to abortions that are not covered under department policy. Based on laws that may be in effect in the state where a service member is stationed, abortion services may not be available. 

“Service members are now having to navigate additional challenges to access essential women’s health care services,” he said. “Service members and their families, who were previously able to make very personal decisions about when to have a family, may now face greater burdens depending on where they’re stationed.” 

Cisneros told lawmakers that the DOD continues to review its personnel and medical polices as a result of the Dobbs decision. 

“We understand the very personal nature of how the court decision impacts families,” he said. “We are being very deliberate in analyzing Dobbs with both focus and compassion. We want to make sure we get this right because it impacts access to essential women’s health care and reproductive care.” 

Another aspect of reproductive health care that lawmakers were interested in concerned the availability of contraception within the military health care system. Seileen Mullen, the acting secretary of defense for health affairs, testified that until recently DOD had contraceptive clinics set up at 18 military treatment facilities across the department. Now, she said, the plan is to have those clinics at all military treatment facilities across the department. 

“We have expanded where we have military treatment contraceptive clinics — walk-in clinics,” she said. “A woman or man could come up, get counseling, and decide what contraceptives they need that day.” 

Cisneros said the department is changing policy on one form of contraception in particular — the intrauterine device, or IUD — to make it available to more service members. 

“We are currently updating our policies so that service members and their families will be able to receive those IUDs through the TRICARE health care system without having to pay a copay, which is currently the thing right now,” he said. “We’re changing our policy, updating it, so that the copay will be eliminated with that.” 

Mullen also told lawmakers that the department will soon release results of a survey on women’s reproductive health conducted by the RAND Corporation, which reveals a lack of knowledge among service members regarding contraceptive options. 

“It’s the first time that has been done in 30 years,” Mullen said. “It’s given us quite a bit of information … includ[ing that there’s] a lack of education about women’s options around contraceptives, which are free in our MTFs. All active-duty service members get free contraceptives within the MTFs and in our retail pharmacies.” 

Right now, Mullen said, there is a small copay for active-duty service members to get contraceptives, but congressional legislation might change that — making contraception totally free to service members and their families. 

“We also … have an app called ‘Decide and Be Ready’ that men and women can use to go through their contraceptive options to decide what’s best for them,” she said. “We also have those walk-in clinics that are … being expanded this year, as well. But … it’s sort of astonishing how our young men and women really don’t fully know of what their reproductive rights and health care consists of, and we need to do a better job.”

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#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Frederick Weyand

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Army Veteran Frederick Weyand is today's Veteran of the Day.

Army Veteran Frederick Weyand is today’s Veteran of the Day.

Frederick Weyand was born in September 1916, in Arbuckle, California. While attending college at the University of California, Berkeley, he received a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps commission as a second lieutenant and then graduated a year later, in 1939, according to a U.S. Army article.

Weyand’s military service began in 1940, when he entered active duty. During World War II, he served in the field of intelligence. He was stationed in San Francisco, but was sent to Camp Richie in Maryland in 1942. According to a New York Times article, he “served under General Joseph Stilwell in the China-Burma-India Theater” in 1944. After World War II, he was stationed in Hawaii as chief of staff of intelligence in the middle Pacific region.

In 1950, Weyand was sent to Korea, commanding the 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment. During his service, he helped fight off a Chinese attack on the port of Hungnam to help Americans and civilians escape by ship. After his service there, he taught at the Infantry School at Fort Benning and worked as an assistant to the Secretary of the Army. He then went to Europe, where he commanded a battle group in Berlin.

Weyand was leading the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii when he and the division were transferred to Cu Chi in northwest Saigon in 1965 and 1966. In 1967, he became commander of the II Field Force. A year later, in 1968, Weyand believed that the North Vietnamese were planning an attack on Saigon using guerrilla warfare tactics. This turned out to be true when the North Vietnamese launched the Tet Offensive. Weyand’s preparations to increase Saigon’s defenses helped the Americans immensely in defending the city, according to a HistoryNet article. Weyand eventually participated as an advisor during the Paris Peace talks in 1968 and later returned to Vietnam to oversee the withdrawal of troops.

Weyand retired from service in 1976 at the rank of general. He moved to Honolulu, where he remained involved with the community through the Red Cross and the Rotary Club. During his service, he received a Distinguished Service Cross, five Distinguished Service Medals, a Silver Star and two Legion of Merits among other honors. He died in Hawaii in February 2010.

We honor his service.


Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.


Writer: Ryan Beane

Editors: Annabelle Colton, Nathaniel Scott

Researchers: Carl Wesseln, Timothy Georgetti

Graphic Designer: Kiki Kelley


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Veterans legacy Memorial PSA



Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough introduces Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM). Visit www.va.gov/remember.

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