“As you are fully aware, the Department of Defense is facing a historic shortfall in our budget for the current fiscal year. This is the result of current law that went into effect March 1. It imposes deep across-the-board cuts on DoD and other federal agencies. Combined with higher than expected wartime operating costs, we…

A Proclamation Over the past three years, communities all across America have joined First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative, which aims to help parents make healthy choices and give our children a strong start. Today, families have more of the tools and know-how they need to embrace a healthy lifestyle. Kids and adults are…

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy – Sitting one row behind me next to the window, she blended in with the other travelers, casually dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved white shirt layered under a pink short-sleeved shirt. We, and about 150 other airline passengers, were leaving Detroit for a long fight to Amsterdam Aug. 20. She…

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. The first line of defense against child abuse certainly lies with parents – those who are most often the abusers. Let me make a disclaimer right at the start: I am not an expert on child rearing. But I am a dad. And with the parenting thing almost at…

Similar to the restructuring in early the 1990s, our Army is transforming from one in conflict to a peacetime force. This is not an easy transition and requires patience, understanding and dedication to the Army’s Values. As funding, available personnel and resources contract, we will all be tempted to cut corners and find the easiest…

For decades, the armed forces have called on people to serve this great nation, and throughout that time, their children have served right alongside them. In honor of their courage and support, then-Defense Secretary Casper Weinberger designated each April as the Month of the Military Child in 1986. Before Weinberger’s proclamation however, it was assumed…

To all Department of Defense Personnel: This month, the Department of Defense observes Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month with the theme “We own it…we’ll solve it…together.” Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month is an opportunity for the entire DoD community — service members, civilians, members of our families and leaders at every level —…

Monday marked the 150th year the Medal of Honor has been presented to service members. On March 25, 1863, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton presented Medals of Honor to six of the surviving members of Andrew’s Raiders. They were the first medals ever presented. March 25 was declared National Medal of Honor Day by the…

If you aren’t a Soldier leaving the military or a veteran seeking a career change, please find one and tell him or her my story. The Army Career and Alumni Program works, and I am proof. ACAP opened the door to my second career. I retired from the U.S. Army after 22 years in September…