Articles

Adultery is a crime punishable under Article 134, UCMJ.  There are three elements that must be met to prove adultery existed. Read more»

There comes a point in every Soldier’s career when they must decide to stay in, re-enlist or retire. The decision is seldom an easy decision. Whether you are a first enlistment Soldier or experienced career Soldier, I want to share with you six questions you should ask yourself before your ETS or retire from the Active Duty Army. Read more»

If you are struggling with PTSD, the VA can help.

I used to have a reoccurring dream after I returned home from my last deployment. It always began and ended the same.

I am running down an alley towards my truck. I am at a full out sprint with bullets skipping the dirt around my heels. I feel as though I cannot run fast enough but finally make it to my vehicle. I jump in, look at the floor board then glance down the alley from which I came. I scream to my driver to move out. No response. I look over to the driver, noticing that my gunner’s legs are not in the gunner’s position, and see that my driver has been replaced with an Insurgent. I pull my 9mm pistol out of my leg holster and point it at his head. He smiles and places the truck in gear to start moving. I pull the trigger of my pistol and put a round in his head. Blood and grey matter covers the inside of the truck. The truck slowly lurches to a stop against a wall. I get out of the truck, I am surrounded, they open fire, and I wake up. Read more»

Today, I want to share my top 7 leadership tips for today’s Army NCO. These tips are unconventional tips that you might not learn in your NCOES. However, I believe that all of these ideas can benefit you immensely if you keep an open mind and apply what you learn. Read more»

Growing up as an only child, my mother never asked me to cook, thus I never learned how. After I married, cooking became a requirement, especially as I was looking for a teaching job and my husband, Jim, was a second lieutenant working LONG hours. I made tacos the first time I cooked a meal for him in our apartment in Tacoma, WA. Read more»

While most soldiers want to do a good job, there are a few who decide they don’t have to do what you tell them. For them, jerking the boss around when they get corrected is their idea of entertainment. In many cases, these soldiers are nearing the end of their enlistment, and they have no intention of remaining in the military. While old vets rarely talk about it, such behavior Read more»

With the drawdown going strong, the military is looking for discriminators to ensure only Soldiers with good records can reenlist. We now have Brigade Commanders reviewing Soldier performance history to see if they should be allowed to REUP! Team, this is serious when your future is in the hands of a Colonel and not your company commander. Read more»

Bullying is counter to military values and teamwork. Yet, it is frequently a fact of life in the military. In part, this is because rank gives bullies power over people they outrank. In addition, yelling at people and getting in their face is nothing new in the military. This is why there is often a fine line between motivating subordinates and being a bully. Read more»

The Army, like any organization, must react and adapt itself according to changing outside conditions. We are now entering a part of the cyclical lifespan of the U.S. military called a drawdown. What does this mean to Soldiers? Simply put, if you have committed an unforgivable sin such as: DUI, drug use, lying, cheating, or stealing you will have to work very hard to be retained. Read more»

There is a lot of work to be done before you separate out of military service. It not only marks the ending of a career, but likely a complete uprooting of your life and drastic modification to your lifestyle. Read more»

Now that we are through the holiday season and charging forward towards Spring we face 2012, a presidential election year. That potentially spells problems for military personnel (active, Guard, Reserve, or retired) who want to be involved in the political process. This article is a quick reference to help you navigate the various political restrictions that apply to you as a Service Member.

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What happens after the decision has been made to pursue Article 15 action? The following general advice is written primarily for Soldiers facing Article 15 punishment and leaders who have subordinates undergoing an Article 15. The focus is on Soldiers, but the same principles apply to Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen. Read more»