Category: struggling

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Tough Times for Veterans During the Rat Race of Christmas.

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It has been a rollercoaster ride this whole week. I am beyond tired, but I am going to post anyway.

I have been “running,” all week. Not to the point where I can brag about my step totals, but just going, going, going!

I had two appointments to go to. A trip to the Oregon Coast. A trip to pick up groceries we had ordered, and much more.

It is called the “rat race,” and I am not able to keep up with it. I haven’t done all of my Christmas shopping yet, but I have to do it online. I am on lock down because of the virus. I have too many health problems. I would be a dead duck if I caught the virus.

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First woman to Captain a Nuclear-powered-air craft carrier

The Navy has selected a woman to command a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier for the first time in American history.

Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt was selected for the position by the fiscal year 2022 aviation major command screen board. Other officers who were picked for nuclear aircraft carrier command include Capts. Colin Day, Gavin Duff, Brent Gaut, David Pollard and Craig Sicola.

Naval Air Forces confirmed the historic selection on Monday, though it’s not known at this point which of the Navy’s 11 nuclear-powered carriers Bauernschmidt will command. 

This isn’t the first time Bauernschmidt has made history. In 2016, she became the first female executive officer of a nuclear aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln. As such, she was second-in-command of a crew of about 5,000 people. 

Bauernschmidt graduated from the Naval Academy in 1994, the same year women were allowed to serve on combat ships and planes.

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Airman receives the Air Force Cross

A Special Tactics Airman was awarded the Air Force Cross on Dec. 10 for heroic actions during a 2017 battle in Afghanistan in which he “repeatedly” exposed himself to enemy fire to direct airstrikes.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Alaxey Germanovich, a Special Tactics combat controller assigned to the 26th Special Tactics Squadron, 24th Special Operations Wing, Air Force Special Operations Command, will be presented with the second-highest award for combat bravery by Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett during a ceremony on Dec. 10.

Germanovich was attached to an Army Special Forces team with Afghan Commandos during a mission in Nangahar Provine, Afghanistan, on April 8, 2017. The team was ambushed by enemy combatants, and Germanovich “repeatedly exposed himself to sniper and machine gun fire while directing numerous danger close airstrikes.”

“With the team expending all of their rifle ammunition and grenades, they drew their pistols in an attempt to suppress the advancing enemy,” the release says. “Germanovich directed his team’s withdrawal, then traversed 700 meters carrying a casualty up a mountain to a helicopter landing zone while directing close air support.”

He’s credited with protecting over 150 friendly forces and destroyed 11 enemy fighting positions during the eight-hour battle.

Bed check

How are things going? Is the holiday season catching up to you? Is the rat race too fast?

You are not alone. There are over 10,320 fellow veterans here who have your back.

However, if it is just too overwhelming right now, GET HELP!

Here is a toll free number to call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and it is free.

Don’t try to take on this world alone!!

1-800-273-8255 Option # 1

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

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If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit for the site, please let them know about it.

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Military Spouses Are Critical When deployment Comes. They Keep the Home Fronts Going

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Why didn’t they have these boots when I was deployed to Korea? Geeze!

The Marine Corps is about to field a new boot that provides the type of protection against cold weather that the Marines fighting at the Chosin Reservoir 70 years ago could have only dreamed of.

Starting in early 2021, Marine Corps officials expect to begin fielding the Intense Cold Weather Boot, which is designed to allow Marines to fight and ski at temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Marine Corps Systems Command.

The Marine Corps will have 3,600 boots available to issue this winter, said Marine spokesman Emanuel Pacheco. For right now, the boots are only being issued to Marines training or operating in a cold-weather environment.

One noticeable change from other cold weather footwear is that the new boots are made out of black leather.

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In my up coming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life, I have a whole chapter on how important the spouses are in the military. I even talk about male spouse being the ones left behind during deployment.

Military Spouses have the home front handled while you deploy

When our troops deploy overseas, military spouses don’t just sit around waiting to see what’s new on Netflix. Months before deployments start, military spouses form a Family Readiness Group, commonly known as an FRG. Though FRGs operate differently based on the branch of service and individual unit needs, this is a typical list of their responsibilities:

It’s important to note that FRGs are almost entirely comprised of volunteers and wouldn’t exist without them. When I was deployed to Iraq in 2009, I was involved in a small vehicle accident with no injuries. In less than 24 hours, rumors had spread back home that we were attacked and had casualties. Our FRG immediately dispelled the rumors with real-time information from our command and allowed our family members to sleep better.

They bridge the gap between civilian and military through service and entrepreneurship

It’s not just during deployments that military spouses step up; They’re always serving. Many get involved in causes advocating for military reform that aim to improve the lives of service members. Others launch businesses focused on giving back to their communities, like the following:

They are the quiet professionals on the home front

With all of the extracurriculars military spouses engage in, many do so by maintaining a quiet, professional ethos. They continue to serve because of the intrinsic good for the community, not just for a pat on the back.

While they may be too humble to brag about their accomplishments, you shouldn’t be. Task & Purpose and Armed Forces Insurance want to highlight the unsung heroes and supporters of the military community on social media with the #OurMissionIsYou campaign.

If you know of a military spouse who goes above and beyond for their community, let them know that their efforts have not gone unnoticed by celebrating and showcasing them.

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General Flynn has come up the idea of having President Trump suspend the Constitution and declare Marshal Law.

That would be a disaster in my opinion. That would certainly fuse a civil war. There has to be other measures to help clear up the mess we have in our government right now.

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The muck and mire of this world is just getting deeper. How are you handling it? Do you still have your head above water? Trying to survive?

You are not alone. 10, 200 fellow veterans are on this site and have your back.

However, if it just too much for you right now, GET HELP!

Here is a toll free number to call 24/7. They have highly qualified counselors they to help you. It is all free.

1-800-273-8255 Option # 1

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

_______________________________________

If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit for the site, please let them know about it.

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Military Personnel Must Stay at Their Posts no Matter What

+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit for the site, please let them know about it. I want to reach out to as many veterans as possible.

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What a ride I have been on. I had surgery on my left eye on Monday, and it is healing quite well. Still hard to type, but I will not leave my post. I will share a story from my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life. I was injured, but stayed on my duty spot.

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One of the things that happened to day which is Veteran’s Day, is nothing. I had to head to the coast and they didn’t have any restaurants on the list I gave you a couple of posts ago.

I went to the very small town of Waldport, Oregon. It is right on the coast. It is actually a pretty cool town.

I was there to get a haircut at the salon where my wife always goes, because a close friend is running it. We drive 70 miles each way to get our hair done.

As I was getting my haircut, the barber told me to look across the street. In this small little town the people were gathering to honor our veterans. You could see all the American Legion hats being worn. She said they have been there for a couple of hours. They had speakers, and some music. I so wanted to go there and greet them, but it was over when my haircut was done.

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I said I would share an excerpt from the book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life. This excerpt is from my time deployed to Korea. I was a radio/teletype (053) operator, and spent each of my days up on hill 468. On top of that hill was a small military outpost. It was being used to monitor the airwaves for breaches of security.

I was highly trained for that site since I was chosen to be a part of the Army Security Agency. It was something like the CIA of the military.

One day I was monitoring he airwaves when every started stopping. The machines all began to turn off.

I rushed outside to see that the main generator was out of gas. The previous solider was suppose to make sure it was full before he left.

I got two cans of gas and climbed up on the generator. I had just finished filling the tank when I started to fall. I grabbed for something to help me not get too hurt. Unfortunately it was the manifold for the generator. It was extremely hot and it burnt my left hand seriously.

I was in severe pain.

I could have called down to headquarters and have them send up the next shift, but that would wake them up with only a few hours of sleep.

I decided I need to remain at my post and tough it out. I found some Vaseline and wrapped my left hand with a medical cloth.

I was one handed and had to work the the equipment the best I could.

Luckily I only had a few hours left on my shift.

This was a time where I learned about not leaving your post no matter what. Many of heroes have done that on the front lines to save many of their buddies. I certainly was not a hero in this case, but I did my appointed task and I am very proud of that.

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Time to check in on you my friend. How are you doing? Is the life we have to live right now starting to get to you? Does the news cause you to scream like it does me? You certainly are not alone.

We just past 10,000 veterans following this site. (10,040.) Everyone of us has your back.

However, if it is just too overwhelming right now, GET HELP! Here is a toll free number to call, 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you. They will not hang up until the know you are OK. It is free BTW.

1-800-273-8255 Option # 1

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never fosaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

__________________________________________

+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit for the site, please let them know about it. I want to reach out to as many veterans as possible.