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Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier, civilian earn 2014 Secretary of the Army Awards.

House lawmakers released a $521 billion blueprint for the 2015 defense budget that rejects most of the Pentagon's cost-saving proposals.

The U.S. House Armed Services Committee wants to shift billions of dollars from things such as service contracts and museums to Pentagon weapon programs.

House Bill calls for $100 million slash to the annual commissary operating budget, which is two-thirds, over three years.

Iran will target American aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf should a war between the two countries ever break out.

The chairman of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee has drafted legislation that would require the Defense Department to re-write a major military strategy review that was sent to Congress in March.

U.S. signs new lease to keep strategic military installation in the Horn of Africa.

Pentagon pressured to show progress on assaults.

Report: LAX control center's computers crashed while tracking U-2 - the plane, not the band.

The American Legion is demanding the immediate resignation of Veteran Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki and two other top VA leaders.

King Stallion: Newest Marine helicopter gets a royal rollout.

In July, the U.S. Army will make its first big decision on how to proceed with the ambitious, decades-long developmental project to replace up to 4,000 Apache and Black Hawk helicopters by the mid-2030s.

DARPA's Warrior Web project may provide super-human enhancements.

A small study that has shown results using the drug MDMA and conventional therapy to treat PTSD could be of significant value.

Cool: A video that clearly explains the dimensions of the Moon in relation to other things.

It's hard to believe these paintings are not 3D images.

Preview Arcade Fire's new video which stars Andrew Garfield.

Weird:Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig sings the theme for a new Seinfeld-themed video game.

Take a cruise with Wes Anderson, Jason Schwartzman and Tilda Swinton.

Finally: Weird sketches they cut from SNL.

LINK: Original photo by Lance Cpl. Sullivan Laramie

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 5.5.14 >>>

The deaths of more than 40 pro-Russian activists in a burning building during clashes in Odessa last week have injected new venom into the fight for Ukraine.

Bipartisan call for more Russian sanctions as battles rage in Odessa, Ukraine.

The CIA is dismantling its frontline Afghan counterterrorist forces in Afghanistan, leaving a security vacuum that U.S. commanders fear the Taliban and al Qaeda will fill.

This summer, nearly 50 ships from at least 16 navies will gather at Pearl Harbor for the Rim of the Pacific exercises, but notably absent - again - will be the newest type of U.S. warship, the littoral combat ship.

Memorial at Fairchild Air Force Base has been dedicated to three crew members who were aboard an American tanker refueling plane that crashed last year in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan.

Congress' chance to fix aircraft carrier drones.

One year into a controversial experiment, what the U.S. military is learning about women training for combat duty.

About nine in 10 active-duty troops oppose DoD proposals to reduce their pay raises and basic allowances for housing.

DoD personnel costs could force program cuts.

Army researchers measure quality of life.

Knowledge Management Centers roll out Air Force-wide.

DNA sequences can trace your ancestors to within 30 miles.

Simulation of Saturn passing by Earth on a collision course to the Sun.

A story about the return of 24.

What is this secret code hidden in so many films and TV shows?

Remembering The Cure's Disintegration on the occasion of its 25th anniversary.

Nice: Chewbacca selfie.

List: 100 best comic-book characters.

Then there's this ...

LINK: Original photo by Sgt. John Crosby

Margo Myers was on the scene at yesterday's Joint Base Lewis-McChord's Combined Graduation Recognition Ceremony inside the Sharon McGavick Conference Center at Clover Park Technical College. She has the scoop on several of the Brandman University graduates, of which 70 received diplomas. She files the following report. ...

Among the graduates is Anthony DiMascolo, who received his bachelor's in organizational leadership. The retired U.S. Air Force E-8 needed just three years to complete his degree, excelling in his studies with a 3.9 grade point average. "Grueling," explained DiMascolo as he described his efforts to complete ahead of schedule. "But now it's wonderful. I love Brandman. It was challenging, which I like, and there was a lot of research, which I like." He graduated summa cum laude.

Read more...

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At least 42 people were killed in street battles between supporters and opponents of Russia in southern Ukraine, bringing the country closer to war. 

The Kremlin is receiving "thousands" of calls for assistance from Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine.

The United States has warned its citizens of a plan to attack one of two Sheraton hotels near Lagos, Nigeria's main commercial hub, which so far has been spared by the country's violent Islamist militants.

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel urged large NATO nations to step up their defense spending and contributions to the alliance as Russian military movements have shown Europe "still lives in a dangerous world."

What Obama should tell Americans about Ukraine.

Obama vowed to continue using his executive authority whenever possible this year, but Republicans countered that the commander in chief's lack of action on Ukraine hurts the U.S. at home and abroad.

Why American can't contain China.

Army prepares new tack for deploying forces in Pacific.

With lawsuits and mergers, U.S. space market primed for changes.

It took 18 months for Judicial Watch to unearth the emails on Benghazi.

Over the past four years, the Defense Department's logistics agency threw away a significant portion of the spare parts it purchased via a $21-million contract with the manufacturer of Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected trucks.

The Navy and Raytheon are looking at starting planned Tomahawk missile re-certification and modernization efforts at least one year ahead of the 2019 planned time frame.

Learning more about China's new massive warship plan.

Nine of the 10 Medals of Honor from the Afghanistan war have been earned in Nuristan and Kunar Provinces.

Army (and Boston) Strong: Colonel awarded for heroism at marathon.

Science has finally figured out how to win Rock-Paper-Scissors.

Passenger films one of his airplane's engines on fire.

Make some room on your periodic table, there's a new metal in town.

Don't forget Sunday is Star Wars Day. Why not celebrate with some Chewy cufflinks?

The five best new songs of the week.

Hundreds (if not thousands) of copies of a badly reviewed Atari E.T. game were found buried in the New Mexico desert.

How many days of your life would it take to whip through all of the TV that's worth binge-watching?

Cool ...

LINK: Original photo by Cpl. James Gulliver

1st Lt. Zachary Simons from the 2-2 SBCT files this report:

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - The 2-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division is slated to deploy to the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif., later this summer, where it will certify as a globally-available and regionally-aligned combat brigade.

The NTC is one of the nation's premier training facilities, and to prepare, the Lancers sent senior leadership from the brigade down to the subordinate companies to a Leader Training Program in Fort Irwin, April 14 - 23.

However, training doesn't stop when leaders are away.

"First Lt. [Henry] Hart has performed very well multiple times with minimal guidance and oversight. He is a very strong leader that shows great potential and understanding of combined arms maneuver," said Capt. Justin Shine, commander of Company C, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 2-2 SBCT, 7th ID.

Hart, a Philadelphia native, is a mobile gun system platoon leader with C Company, 1-17 Infantry, and during LTP, he assumed command.

During Hart's time in command, the company conducted urban operations training April 14-18.

"The Platoon Leaders showed great initiative and discipline during my absence. They have taken ownership and have worked with their NCOs to develop great teams," said Shine.

Hart is slated to be promoted to captain Friday, May 2.

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Pro-Russian rebels shot down two Ukrainian helicopters today, killing two crew.

NATO official: Russia undermining global security.

U.S. military personnel knew early on that the Benghazi attack was a "hostile action" and not a protest gone awry, according to a retired general who served at U.S. Africa Command's headquarters in Germany during the attack.

How the Iraq War crippled U.S. military power.

House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Rep. Adam Smith of Washington urged his colleagues to embrace some of the Obama administration's proposed weapon program cuts, arguing the savings will allow the military to buy new platforms and remain ready for war.

American and Gulf Cooperation Council air defense commanders are still calling for development of an integrated missile defense system in the region as Iran reveals a new series of ballistic missile tests.

NATO leaders plan to push European countries to increase defense spending at September's meeting of alliance members in Wales.

A House Armed Services subcommittee passed its markup of its part of the annual defense bill that would - among many other things - freeze some funding for the Army's Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle Program.

Pentagon officials unveiled a new sexual assault prevention strategy that directs the services to review alcohol policies after the military saw the number of sexual assault reports increase 50 percent last year.

Commissary case lot sales are returning.

Experiment grows new muscle in men's injured legs.

VA budget bill bonuses for senior executives.

Nine U.S. Army Air Forces airmen who were interned at the Wauwillermoos Camp in Switzerland seven decades ago finally were honored with the Prisoner of War Medal.

The Army's "Soldier for Life" website is designed to be a new online home for retired Soldiers.

An all-female team of four students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute recently developed a design to make the Army-issued rucksack hip belt more comfortable for female soldiers. 

A full-auto dart blaster that is a science-fueled dream play gun.

Watch a trailer for the new Elliott Smith documentary.

After domestic dispute, Paul Simon and Edie Brickell released a new duet.

Cool: New footage of Kim Deal and Kelley Deal playing "Gigantic" and "Cannonball."

List: 50 albums you may not know (but need to).

Finally Star Wars Vans.

Don't sweat it, Courtney. You're only human. ...

LINK: Original photo by Cpl. Laura Gauna

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 5.1.14 >>>

Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno say the fiscal year 2015 Army budget submitted to Congress "is lean, stark but critical to meeting the needs of our nation and our soldiers."

Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James outlined the service's progress in leveraging the talent and capabilities of the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve within the total force concept.

Reports of sexual assaults by members of the military rose 50 percent after the Pentagon began a vigorous campaign to get more victims to come forward.

The Philippines-China-U.S. Triangle: A precarious relationship.

A former commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan said Wednesday that corruption, not the Taliban, is the worst threat to the future of the war-torn country.

Five Pakistani militants we should be paying more attention to.

Afghanistan needs more than U.S. troops to survive.

The number of terrorist attacks, kidnappings, deaths and injuries across the globe rose by 43 percent last year.

A top VA health official says there is no evidence the Phoenix VA hospital kept a list of patients unable to get appointments.

The commander of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division has been relieved of command.

The U.S. Senate late Wednesday confirmed Robert Work as deputy defense secretary.

Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn and his deputy, David Shedd, will retire by early fall.

Natick researchers develop combat cooler.

Storied 4th Brigade Combat team "Currahee," 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), prepare to inactivate.

French flying car undergoes testing for Special Forces.

DoD official defends training Afghan military on Russian helos.

Sen. John McCain said the Air Force's recent contract with a Lockheed-Boeing joint venture prevents potential new competitors from bidding for some of the work.

House panel rejects commissary cuts, delays other changes.

Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) and Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.) announced a bill Wednesday to push military operations to be more energy efficient and rely less on fossil fuels.

The fascinating untold history of war and prosthetics.

The filmmakers for Godzilla were given access to Navy flattops and other support from the Defense Department.

Google now can remember where you parked.

Vice catches up with the woman formerly known as Miss Cleo.

Tips: What to choose on Free Comic Book Day.

This abandoned igloo hotel in Alaska can be yours for $300,000.

Salon looks at the gender politics in Star Wars.

Why?: These album cover faces are a little creepy.

Nice: Guide to sitcom writers on Twitter.

The Simpsons' Lego Spectacular is here. ...

LINK: Original photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Lavender

This just in from the 7th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office:

Approximately 50 Soldiers from the 787th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 3rd EOD Battalion, 555th Engineer Brigade, 7th Infantry Division, will case the unit colors Thurs., May 1, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., in preparation for their deployment to Afghanistan.

The ceremony is a military tradition officially marking a unit deployment or relocation. Once the 787th EOD Co. arrives at its final destination in Afghanistan, the colors will be uncased, marking the completion of the unit relocation.

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.30.14 >>>

Masked gunmen in military fatigues took control of a government building in another Ukrainian town.

Unshaken by the latest surge in violence, Iraqis braved the threat of bombs and attacks to vote today in key elections for a new parliament amid a massive security operation as the country slides deeper into sectarian strife.

A new defense pact reflects closer U.S.-Philippine ties.

President Obama's pivot to Asia will lack a crucial military underpinning next year, when for four months, the Navy will not have an aircraft carrier in the region.

China's A2/AD capabilities have many in Washington worried. America's land forces could help. 

Senator: Benghazi e-mails reveal White House misinformation.

Secretary of State John Kerry accused Moscow of accelerating the crisis in Ukraine instead of sticking to an agreement to ratchet back tensions.

The United States has proof that the Russian government in Moscow is running a network of spies inside eastern Ukraine.

The fate of the A-10 close-air support platform has been the most contentious issue between the Air Force and Congress over the last six months. If comments made yesterday are any indication, it's a fight that isn't going away.

House lawmakers have rejected proposed cuts in housing allowances and commissary funding, as well as an overhaul of the Tricare system that would increase out-of-pocket costs for some beneficiaries.

The House Seapower subcommittee markup that was revealed yesterday offered at least one surprise - cutting the Navy's request for three littoral combat ships to only two - but the bill supports the other new ship requests, including two destroyers and two submarines.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has directed all of the services to review their hairstyle policies in response to a letter from the Congressional Black Caucus.

Hagel's defense cuts: a good idea.

The Air Force chief of staff explored the proper force ratio between the service's active duty and reserve components in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The Army's most iconic helicopter is about to go pilotless.

Michael D. Shear examines how popular culture has incorporated the issues that President Obama has faced.

What happens when a normal guy gets to fly in a Thunderbird F-16.

Finally: Sunglasses that ping your phone when you leave them behind.

The cast of the new Star Wars movie has been announced.

Carrie Fisher is auctioning a bunch of her rare Star Wars stuff.

Peter Buck (R.E.M.), Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney), Scott McCaughey (Young Fresh Fellows, Minus 5), Bill Rieflin (Swans, Ministry), and Kurt Bloch (ex-Fastbacks) have formed the band super-Earth.

Finally: Road House fight chart.

OK, stop doing whatever the heck you're doing, because this is it. ...

LINK: Original photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.29.14 >>>

A pair of back-to-back bombs ripped through an outdoor market northeast of Baghdad today, killing at least 17 people and wounding 42.

Negotiators from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have arrived in Ukraine to try and win the release of an international observer team that has been held hostage by separatist forces in the town of Slavyansk in the eastern Ukraine since April 25.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu assured Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel during a phone call yesterday that Russian forces would not invade Ukraine, according to the Pentagon. 

The U.S. will focus on economic sanctions against Russia and put Ukraine's pleas for U.S. weaponry on the backburner.

North Korea conducted live-fire artillery drills near its disputed western sea boundary today.

How will the Ukraine crisis affect the defense budget? The more US Reps. Mac Thornberry of Texas and Rick Larsen of Washington state spoke yesterday, the more clear it became just how far apart the former's Republican Party and the latter's Democratic Party stand on national security issues.

While Obama scored points with skeptical Asian allies simply by showing up, not everything followed the White House plan. 

Foreign Policy: From bad to none.

U.S. Special Operations Command issued a formal request for "Advancement of Technologies in Equipment for Use by U.S. Special Operations Forces."

The mystery jets that were spotted over Amarillo, Texas, and Wichita, Kan. earlier this year are in fact Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bombers on a training sortie.

Army increases in-flight situational awareness for rapid response forces.

Marine dirt bike "gangs" of Afghanistan.

The U.S. Navy announced a record $17.645 billion contract to build 10 new SSN 774 Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines.

Defense Department CIO Teri Takai is set to step down in the coming days.

Report backs The New York Times op-ed piece linking vets to hate groups.

Amazing timelapse of massive 7-ft long Lego Serenity spaceship.

This bastard kills more humans than all the deadliest animals combines.

A 3,500-year-old NYC monument is being cleaned with freaking lasers.

Craig Ferguson is leaving The Late Late Show.

The Daily Show just hired a new correspondent.

Showtime put the premiere of its new monster-themed series, Penny Dreadful, on YouTube.

If Jedis from Star Wars fought wizards from Harry Potter, who wins?

Finally: Check out a comprehensive list of all of Don Draper's clients on Mad Men.

It's a looking glass into the past...

LINK: Original photo by Spc. Mike MacLeod