RSS 2.0 FeedFebruary 2012, Featured Articles, Active Duty and Veterans News and Issues
Face of Defense: Airman Earns 'Miss Rodeo USA' Title
OKLAHOMA CITY, Feb. 16, 2012 - Air Force Staff Sgt. Trisha Smeenk of the South Dakota Air National Guard was selected as Miss Rodeo USA for 2012 here Jan. 15.
Face of Defense: Airman Earns ‘Miss Rodeo USA’ Title
By Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Nancy Ausland
South Dakota National Guard
OKLAHOMA CITY, Feb. 16, 2012 – Air Force Staff Sgt. Trisha Smeenk of the South Dakota Air National Guard was selected as Miss Rodeo USA for 2012 here Jan. 15.
She received the crown in conjunction with the International Finals Rodeo.
Smeenk is the first South Dakotan and first National Guard airman to receive the honor as the 49th official ambassador for the International Professional Rodeo Association. She will travel throughout the United States and Canada during her reign, representing the Miss Rodeo USA organization and the International Professional Rodeo Association.
"It has been my dream since I was a little girl growing up on a ranch in western South Dakota. I have been fascinated with rodeo since I was born," Smeenk said. "Continuing a family legacy, I competed in my first rodeo at age 5, and the rest is history. I find myself now 24 years old and still as much in love with the sport of rodeo as I have ever been."
Smeenk has served in the South Dakota Air National Guard for seven years and is a journalist in the 114th Fighter Wing public affairs office. She will take time off from her studies at South Dakota State University, where she is pursuing her master's degree in counseling and human resource Development.
"It is a goal of mine to accomplish a master's degree, but I can't imagine a better reason to put that dream on hold,” she said. “I will be living out another dream of mine in the meantime."
Smeenk practically grew up on horseback, competing in 4-H, Little Britches and high school rodeos. She spent four years as a Western rider for South Dakota State University's equestrian team.
The eldest of three children, Smeenk credits her family for her recent success.
"I am lucky to have such an amazing family who always supports and encourages me,” she said. “I am excited for this opportunity to meet and educate people [and] experience the industry I love while traveling to as many places as possible, and I couldn't do it without my family."
Smeenk will travel for a year as the reigning Miss Rodeo USA. In addition to rodeos, she will visit schools and events along the way while promoting the International Professional Rodeo Association
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USO Golf Classic and Fund Raiser - Lakewood (Colorado) Country Club
The Rocky Mountain USO, located at Denver International Airport, will be conducting its 6th annual Golf Classic, the USO's major fund raiser of the year. It will be held at beautiful Lakewood Country Club on Monday, June 11, beginning at 8:30 AM
Annual Veterans Business Expo and Job Fair - New Mexico
New Mexico Veterans Business Expo 2012 and Job Fair! Hosted by: New Mexico National Guard and the Veterans Procurement Assistance Center June 5th
Milicruit Annual Military Spouse National Virtual (Online) Career
Milicruit is holding its Annual Military Spouse National Virtual (Online) Career Fair May 7th 2012 1-4 PM EST Milicruit is supported by the White House Joining Forces Program and DOD in our efforts to hire 10K veterans and spouse through our company partnerships by Dec 2013
Panetta Supports ISAF Personnel Recall After Kabul Murders
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2012 - After learning this morning of the murders of two U.S. military officers serving in Kabul, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta backed the decision to recall International Security Assistance Force-Afghanistan personnel working in ministries there, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today
Face of Defense: Veteran Ensures Safety for Marines
HAT YAO, Thailand, Feb. 23, 2012 - Deploying, embedding and ultimately ensuring the safety of the Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is just the start of what former Marine Corps Cpl. Edwin A. Ventura does here for the unit.
Afghan Insurgent Reintegration Effort Works, Official Says
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2012 - The Afghanistan Peace and Reintegration Program, established and run by Afghans since 2010, resolves grievances that lead to fighting and delivers peace at a local level, a senior coalition officer said today.
U.S., African Forces Mitigate Terror Group's Impact
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2012 - U.S. special operations forces are helping four Central African nations reduce the size and lethality of the Lord's Resistance Army, a group that has terrorized the region for 25 years, U.S. officials said today.
Quran Incident Inquiry Underway, ISAF Official Says
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2012 - Coalition members are working with Afghan leaders to quickly and fully investigate the "grave mistake" that yesterday ended in partially burned Qurans at the Parwan detention facility near Bagram, Afghanistan
Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, Pres. Karzai Condemn Insurgent Violence
WASHINGTON, Feb. 21, 2012 - The commander of the International Security Assistance Force joined with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in condemning a recent spate of insurgent violence in Afghanistan
Ashland Independent Film Festival: a devastating 'Welcome,' a reliable 'Tap' and more
"The Welcome" is a film about a group of two dozen troubled military veterans -- some of whom served in Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq -- who came together at a retreat near Ashland in the spring of 2008 to learn how to share their stories, first with one another and then with an audience at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival on Memorial Day.
Navy Ballistic Missile Submarine Veteran “We Shall Never Forget” Painting
Rich Byrnes, Navy Ballistic Missile Submarine Veteran during the Cold War, now Director of Engineering for a Specialty Chemicals Manufacturer, and amateur Artist Story about an Acrylic Painting titled “We Shall Never Forget”.
Task Force Wings takes to the Afghanistan skies
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Wings, takes to the Afghanistan skies after its Transfer of Authority Ceremony with Task Force Thunder, 159th CAB, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.
CSAF helps dedicate Alaska's first Fisher House
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (AFNS) -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz helped dedicate the new Alaska Fisher House in a ceremony here Feb. 17
Bagram Airfield Red Cross Helps During Tough Times
www.newsblaze.com News: "There is only one Red Cross in all of Afghanistan so we are responsible for the entire country," said Jana Fullmer, BAF Red Cross team leader.
Charlie Daniels, Gary Sinise, Chris Young, Darryl Worley, Grascals headline Heroes Tour
Actor Gary Sinise will join legendary musician Charlie Daniels in a special free event to support Lipscomb University’s Yellow Ribbon Enhancement Program as part of the inaugural stop on the Charlie Daniels’ Scholarships for Heroes Tour 2012
Afghan-led Force Captures Haqqani Network Leader
KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 15, 2012 - An Afghan-led and coalition-supported security force captured a Haqqani network leader in the Bak district of Afghanistan's Khost province today, military officials reported. In other Afghanistan operations
Veterans Canteen Service Keeps Kitchen Waste Out of Landfills
The Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) of the Department of Veterans Affairs is piloting two initiatives that should keep nearly 600,000 pounds of kitchen waste out of U.S. landfills in 2012.
Home in Minnesota after One Year in Afghanistan
What an amazing feeling. Dropping my green duffle bags on the kitchen floor and kissing my wife and son. Home!!
Combined Force Captures 2 Taliban Leaders
KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 14, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition security force captured two Taliban leaders and a suspected insurgent during an operation in the Maidan Shar district of Afghanistan's Wardak province today, military officials reported
Sites Connect Spouses With Jobs
By Elaine Sanchez Feb. 13, 2012 Over the past year, veterans and military spouses have been invited to a host of career fairs across the nation that connect dozens of employers seeking to support the military community with hundreds, sometimes thousands, of job-seeking troops and spouses
Combined Force Captures Taliban Leader
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader in the Maiwand district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province today, military officials reported. In Afghanistan operations:
Indiana Guard Unit to Lead Multinational Force in Afghanistan
"Everyone is in good spirits and ready to accomplish the mission," said 1st Lt. Laura Sizemore, of Indianapolis, assistant intelligence officer and company commander
Face of Defense: Former Israeli Soldier Serves in Guard
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Feb. 10, 2012 - Last summer, near the Sea of Galilee in the northern Israeli settlement of Mitzpe Adi, Daniel J. Houten finished up routine repairs on an Israeli Army M113 armored personnel carrier. As he shut the hood, he also closed the door on another chapter in his life
Iraq War Veteran Returns Home to Begin a Successful Business
Iraq War Veteran Nic Gray has come full circle. After utilizing AspenPointe’s Peer Navigator services to integrate back into civilian life, AspenPointe is now relying on a business Gray started after getting back on his feet
DOD Opens More Jobs, Assignments to Military Women
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2012 - Military women, particularly soldiers, will see more than 14,000 new job or assignment opportunities because of policy changes the Defense Department announced today.
Family Matters Blog: Are You Ready for a Pet?
Guest blogger Navy Lt. Theresa Donnelly, of U.S. Pacific Command, is the owner of Hawaii Military Pets, which provides pet resources for military families. She’s offered to share her pet-related knowledge in a series of blogs for Family Matters
Face of Defense: Technology Brings Family Closer Together
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., Feb. 9, 2012 - Service members and their families often miss important moments in each other's lives during deployments, but technology such as video chat makes it possible to share some of those special moments, even when they can't be together physically.
Military Has Crushed al-Qaida Since 9/11, Official Says
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2012 - The United States hasn't seen a large-scale terrorist attack since 9/11 because U.S. forces have crushed al-Qaida over the last decade, a senior Defense Department official said here yesterday
Book aids servicemembers seeking civilian jobs
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DOD Supports Parades When All Combat Troops Return
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2012 - Pentagon officials say they're all for a "New York-style tickertape parade" honoring combat troops who served in Iraq, but bowing to the military leadership's wishes, agree that the best time to do so is after all combat troops have returned home from Afghanistan as well
Officials: Women Can Suffer Same Deployment Ills as Men
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2012 - It once was thought that servicewomen neither were exposed to the same combat situations as men nor developed the same psychological injuries. But officials now recognize otherwise.
Combined Force Captures Taliban Leader
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Afghanistan's Helmand province today, military officials reported. In other Afghanistan operations:
Families Foster Future Military Working Dogs
SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 6, 2012 - Navy veteran Hector Hernandez leans down to hug his dog as she pants noisily from her most recent dash around the living room. She nuzzles into his hand -- a momentary calm in the storm of activity that's Bella
Chairman's Corner: Strategic Directive to the Joint Force
By Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2012 - The past 10 years have been some of the most challenging in our military's history. Our service members and their families have endured every hardship and met every challenge with courage and dignity throughout.
CMSAF stresses Airman resilience
By Senior Airman Michael Charles 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs 2/6/2012 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- A soft light from Senior Airman Sarah Mattausch's mobile phone glowed in the darkness of her room before dawn on a Saturday, waking her up much earlier than expected. Senior Airman Sarah Mattausch saved her friend from harming herself.
ISAF Helicopter Crew Survives Crash
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2012 - An International Security Assistance Force helicopter crew survived after their aircraft crashed in eastern Afghanistan today, military officials reported
'Red Tails' Film Pays Tribute to Tuskegee Airmen
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2012 - Segregation during World War II spilled over into U.S. military ranks, but an all-African-American fighter pilot crew formed within the Army Air Corps made a major impact in helping to break down racial barriers.
Family Matters Blog: Military Caregivers to Gain More Support
WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2012 - Caregivers of wounded warriors often make great sacrifices to be at their loved one's side. They quit their jobs, sell their homes and leave family members and friends behind, often for years at a time
NCOA & Military.com 2012 Career Expos
It’s brand new year and Military.com & NCOA Career Expos are ready to kick-off a calendar of 46 events(!) that is more ambitious and comprehensive than ever! The events stretch from coast-to-coast, reach all five branches of the U.S. Military.
Help Stop Military Sexual Trauma
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Recovery Mission to Begin This Spring in North Korea
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2012 - Members of the Joint Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command are preparing for their first mission to North Korea in seven years to search for remains of missing U.S. Korean War veterans, a defense official reported
Family Matters Blog: Site Connects Kids Dealing With Deployment
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2012 - The Defense Department has launched a new website intended to bolster military children as they deal with deployments and the other stressors of military life.
Landstuhl Medical Center Saves Lives, Advances Medicine
LANDSTUHL, Germany, Jan. 25, 2012 - Medical-surgical teams at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center here save the lives every day of warriors wounded in Afghanistan and, until recently, saved troops wounded in Iraq. But that's only part of their success.
Fort Carson opens new center to improve training
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Fort Carson’s ability to ready soldiers for contingency operations expanded and improved this month with the opening of a new Training Support Center.
DOD Identifies Units for Upcoming Afghanistan Rotation
The Department of Defense today identified three major units to deploy as part of the upcoming rotation of forces operating in Afghanistan. The scheduled rotation will begin in Spring 2012
Air Force completes FY12 civilian workforce restructure
WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force officials announced 4,500 additional positions for elimination as a continuation of its FY12 Civilian Workforce Restructure Jan 11.