retirement

White House petition created to institute Army retirement medal

By Michelle Tan on February 10, 2014 Army

Sgt. 1st Class Steven Janotta recently shared his idea for a retirement medal with the readers of Army Times, and he’s since garnered thousands of supporters. Now one soldier has gone so far as to lobby the commander-in-chief himself. On Feb. 5, a White House petition was created compelling President Obama to consider instituting a retirement medal. The petition (which has a LONG way to go to reach the 100,000-signature threshold for actual consideration) states: “If a Soldier continued faithful service for at least two decades or more to the US Army; then, their service and this significant event should…

The best and brightest from this week's Army Times

By Meghann Myers on June 24, 2013 Army, Outside the wire

On this week’s cover, the Army is working to create common physical requirements for each military occupational specialty, so that both men and women hoping to join combat arms will have to meet the same standards. Since the Defense Secretary Leon Panetta lifted the women-in-combat ban earlier this year, there have been concerns that physical standards infantry and other positions would be watered down to accommodate women. “We’re calling it ‘Soldier 2020,’” Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel Lt. Gen. Howard Bromberg told us. “You’ll notice it’s ‘soldier’ for 2020. It’s not male soldier or female soldier. We’re not…

The best and brightest from this week's Army Times

By Meghann Myers on June 10, 2013 Army, Outside the wire

It’s finally happening: the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force will soon be wearing the same camouflage pattern. Maybe. A House panel voted last week to force the services into settling on a pattern and implementing it by October 2018. The bill is likely to pass the House of Representatives, but House members are worried that service leaders will make a strong plea to the Senate to keep their troops in service-specific camo. The bill does include some exceptions for desert and woodland patterns, and each service would be able to keep its differing shades of combat boots and headwear.…

DoD: Beware the Thrift Savings Plan app

By Meghann Myers on March 27, 2013 Army

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GlUMY8oa7s&feature=youtube_gdata[/youtube] If you have a Thrift Savings Plan and an iPhone, this is one app you should definitely not check out. DoD is warning service members to steer clear of TSP Funds, a free app that claims to help you manage your retirement and investment account. Trouble is, the app isn’t sanctioned by TSP or the Defense Department. In fact, it asks for your TSP login and password in order to use it. That means you’ve just handed access to your plan — and a host of other personal information — to whomever developed the app. So watch out, and…

The best and brightest from this week's Army Times

By Meghann Myers on December 31, 2012 Army

17 issues that will shape the service this year New grooming standards, the long awaited and much anticipated new PT test, changes to the qualitative service plan and the return of 15-year retirements. Drug testing myths: knowing the facts could save your career In 2008, two Navy air traffic controllers based in Mayport, Fla., tested positive for cocaine use during military urinalysis. Turns out both had been drinking the same herbal tea made from coca leaves. Both fought the findings in separate courts-martial. One was exonerated, the other found guilty by a military jury. It just goes to…

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