Outside the wire

Remembering the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon

By Toni Rico on September 11, 2013 Outside the wire

Today we all pause to remember that awful day. Army spokesman George Wright tweeted out a picture of the flight path of American Airlines Flight 77, which crashed into the Pentagon on 9/11. The floor plan shows the devastating impact the attack had on the Army’s G-1 personnel office. Lt. Gen. Timothy Joseph Maude, deputy chief of staff for personnel, was killed that morning, with many others. The G-1 office took a direct hit that day; Maude was the highest ranking member of the military who was killed in the Pentagon attack. In addition to Maude, the personnel office lost 28 people.…

See our list of this generation's most highly decorated war heroes, the top story in this week's Army Times

By Toni Rico on September 9, 2013 Afghanistan, Army, Congress, Outside the wire

Our top story today finds out who are the most decorated combat heroes from the post 9/11 era. Army, Navy and Air Force service members make our list of the top 10, but not Marines. Experts say that is because the Marines have tougher standards for awarding combat valor medals than other services. Find out more about this new generation of combat heroes in the Sept. 16 issue of the Army Times and leave your thoughts and comments below. In tough news for service members, President Obama is asking for a 1 percent pay raise for service members on…

Ranger scroll latest fashion statement?

By Toni Rico on September 4, 2013 Army, Gear, Outside the wire

Spotted on the web: Urban Outfitters military-inspired clothing includes a vest with a 3rd Ranger Battalion scroll over the top left-breast pocket. Some in the military community were upset about it, and eventually Urban Outfitters removed the item from their website, although when you click on the original link the site says the vest is “sold out.” A screenshot of the original vest appears above. Other military themed clothing remains on the website, including jean jackets with Army and Air Force ranks, although other items with unit patches seemed to have been removed. What do you think? Was the vest…

15-year retirements and paycheck uncertainty, read it in this week's print edition of Army Times

By Toni Rico on September 3, 2013 Outside the wire

Our top story this week: Active and Reserve soldiers who are selected for involuntary separation can choose the 15-year retirement option, which will be offered again this year. But it’s only open to certain soldiers. Find out who qualifies, and what happens to your retirement pay, in this week’s Army Times. Also on the cover, for service members, veterans and retirees the threat of delayed paychecks in November is looming as Congress returns Sept. 9 from a summer break, with strong odds of another round of sequestration. If lawmakers and the White House fail to reach an agreement on spending…

This week's print edition of Army Times:

By Kathleen Curthoys on August 19, 2013 Outside the wire

NCO career overhaul Separate forms to measure three levels of performance

Drug cartels recruiting soldiers?

By Toni Rico on August 13, 2013 Army, Crime, Outside the wire

A recent news report says Mexican drug cartels are recruiting from the military ranks. An article on FOXNews.com is sounding the alarm on drug cartels recruiting hit men from the Army. The article makes its case on the apprehension of three former Army soldiers in the last several years. FOXNews.com mentions the recent sentencing of Michael Apodaca, a private first class who was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. He did a hit for a drug cartel and was sentenced to life in prison July 25. Apodaca was first arrested for the contract killing in 2009. The article also mentions a…

News round up: the top stories from this week's Army Times

By Toni Rico on August 12, 2013 Army, Outside the wire

Fort Irwin’s crackdown on off-duty dress is the top story this week. The dress code applies to family members, too, and a few spouses are not too happy. But while some are upset by the post’s ban on saggy pants, do-rags, sexy clothes and vulgar T-shirts, others are embracing the new policy and calling for dress codes on posts Army-wide. What do Army leaders have to say? And what about family members who have to follow the dress codes, too? Also, an Army lieutenant colonel thinks he has the answer to fix the Army: ‘Purge the generals.’ Lt. Col. Daniel…

Report: Anonymous has infiltrated the Army

By Joe Gould on August 9, 2013 Outside the wire

BuzzFeed has posted a Q&A with a purported “active-duty Army captain and member of Anonymous”–who ironically, has asked to be anonymous for the piece. He describes “how the organization operates, his own involvement in the Arab Spring, how the crackdown on Bradley Manning and Edward Snowden has affected soldiers.” The interviewee promised more leaks from fellow Anonymous soldiers. “A lot [of Anonymous members] are mid- to high-rank NCOs. They are well-respected, have connections, and overly large security clearances. A lot of people who are part of the [Anonymous] culture are just dying at this point for something to come across their…

CNN: Victims of military sexual assault accuse San Diego mayor of making unwanted advances

By Amanda Alderman on August 7, 2013 Army, Outside the wire

Two women who say they were raped while serving in the military have told CNN that embattled San Diego Mayor Bob Filner made unwanted advances toward them after they met him at an event for female veterans. Nearly a dozen women have come forward in recent weeks to accuse Filner, a 10-term congressman from California who is in his first term as mayor of San Diego, of making unwanted sexual advances. He has refused to step down despite repeated calls to do so. In a report dated Wednesday, retired Air Force Master Sgt. Eldonna Fernandez told CNN that she has…

Browsing: Outside the wire