The Senate considers Chuck Hagel as President Obama’s nominee for Secretaryof Defense. The Pentagon Channel and pentagonchannel.mil will bring you live coverage of the Senate hearing.
Click here for live coverage beginning at 0930 ET Thursday!
First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden launched Joining Forces, an initiative to mobilize all sectors of society to give service members and their families the opportunities and support they have earned. The Children’s Concert during inaugural weekend was held in support of Joining Forces. For Mrs. Obama, the Children’s Concert was the highlight of inaugural celebrations. From the White House website:
“I have to tell you that my very favorite part of this entire weekend is being right here with all of you. Absolutely. Because for me, this is what inauguration is all about. It’s about celebrating who we are as Americans and all the things that make this country so great. And when I think about who we are, when I think about what makes America great, I think about all of you –our men and women in uniform, our military spouses, and our amazing military kids.”
SSgt Josh Hauser sat down with Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden to discuss thier Joining Forces initiative. See the entire interview here.
Two Airmen supporting Joint Task Force-National Capital Region Public Affairs, the military people who support the Presidential Inauguration, have created a cell phone app just in time for the inaugural festivities. The program, called “Inauguration”, is a free, user-friendly app that compiles news and other material related to the 57th Presidential Inauguration from across the Web.
Senior Airman Daniel Burkhardt, who codesigned the app, is just one of hundreds of Department of Defense military and civilian personnel sent to JTF – NCR in support of the inauguration. To encode the app, Burkhardt harnessed the knowledge and skill he gained while completing a degree in network engineering prior to joining the Air Force more than two years ago. His supervisor from Joint Base Andrews, Staff Sgt. Christopher Bevins, created the graphics and videos for the program and gathered information for Burkhardt. The program took them less than a week to create. From an NCR press release:
“It’s a huge opportunity,” said Burkhardt, a native of Perkasie, Pa., and a broadcast journalist assigned to 11th Wing Public Affairs. “I’m super excited that I could lend the experience I gained over six to eight months.”
“Inauguration,” which was designed to distribute Department of Defense-released information on the inauguration, collects real time updates from websites linked to it, offering the latest press releases, videos and photographs covering the historic event and preparation for it. It contains a map of the inaugural parade route, complete with global positioning that automatically orients the map based on the user’s location, and icons that pinpoint medical stations, and indicate road closures and walking routes. The app also includes security information released by the secret service and lists items event-goers are prohibited from bringing with them on site. On Inauguration Day, “Inauguration” will provide a live video stream of the event via a redirect from CNN.
Celebrations for the 237th Marine Corps Birthday Ball have begun and Ashley Strehl is here to answer your questions about what to wear. From the blog post “How to look your best at the Marine Corps Ball”:
You are a direct reflection of your Marine, and you want him to be proud to have you on his arm. I have been attending the USMC Birthday Ball with my Marine for the past five years. In the few birthday balls I have attended, I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. Trust me, you don’t want to be the date whom everyone else is talking about – or even worse, the date who is not welcomed in!
Count down the do’s and don’ts here.
November is Military Family Month. Caring for military families has become a national priority with the launch of the White House’s “Strengthening Our Military Families” intiative and the related “Joining Forces” Campaign. From defense.gov:
“In our military families, we see the best our country has to offer. They demonstrate the virtues that have made America great for more than two centuries and the values that will preserve our greatness for centuries to come,” President Barack Obama said in his proclamation issued today declaring the month of November as Military Family Month.
Read about DoD military family support, an education milestone for military kids and more here.
To watch the video of CJCS and Mrs. Dempsey honoring military families with Rosalita from Sesame Street click here.
by MC1 Elliott Fabrizio
FREE STUFF!!!… is not the purpose of Veteran’s Day.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t graciously accept some of the offers extended by private businesses to show their appreciation for those who have served in our nation’s armed forces.
This list can help you find the best deals to take advantage of this Veteran’s Day weekend.
Just to cover myself, this list in no way implies endorsement by The Pentagon Channel or the DoD, but is simply this Sailor’s personal recommendation for great deals.
10. Krispy Kreme: Free Doughnut and Small Coffee (Nov. 11)
This is not meant to be a ranking system. Krispy Kreme is number ten because you should go there first and start off your Veteran’s Day off with a delicious free doughnut and cup of coffee. The customer service representative I spoke with estimates that 99 percent of their chains will participate but also recommends calling ahead because Krispy Kreme is a franchise and some may not offer the deal.
9. Outback Steakhouse: Free Blooming Onions and Soda (Nov. 11 & 12)
Outback Steakhouse is opening their hearts to veterans with free blooming onions and soft drinks. Be sure to enjoy this deal in moderation or you may need the help of doctors to re-open your heart- kidding. This offer is good on that Sunday and Monday, and, according to their website, from November 13 to the end of the year, veterans enjoy 10 percent off their entire check. Outback is a strong military supporter and participates in Operation Feeding Freedom that has served more than 207 thousand deployed service members, according to outback.com.
7. and 8. Chili’s and Applebee’s: Free meal (Nov. 11)
I’m lumping Chili’s and Applebee’s together because their offers are identical. I have done the Applebee’s Veteran’s Day meal and they basically have a special menu with seven meal options. You get one of them free. Drink and tip is not included. I’m not going to knock this deal, but when I go into an Applebee’s I usually want their largest steak dinner with a side of ribs, and you won’t find that on the special offer menu.
6. Denny’s: Free all-you-can-eat pancakes (Nov. 12 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Denny’s is a name in possessive form like Chili’s and Applebee’s, but its deal is entirely different and entirely pancakes. I love pancakes, but here’s where you’ll run into trouble. All the pancakes you can eat sounds like it’s going to be a lot before you go there, but when you’re there it’s probably going to be around one and a half. A Denny’s press release states that the offer “can be enjoyed alone or as a tasty addition to any meal, offering a hearty start to the day for our nation’s heroes.” When you use this deal be prepared to order some eggs, bacon and coffee al la carte.
5. Sonic Car Wash: Free car wash (Nov. 11)
There are several listings of Veteran’s Day deals that cite a free wash at Sonic Car Wash. Are they referring the Sonic Car Wash in Utah, the Ultra Sonic Car Wash in New York, or the Soft Sonic Car Wash in Virginia? I don’t know for sure. The Utah location definitely offers the free wash, according to their website. The Virginia location said no, and I couldn’t get through to New York. Your best bet is to call whatever car wash is near you, whatever the name, and ask if they offer a Veteran’s Day deal. Best of luck, but my theory is that if you get your car cleaned for free this weekend, it probably rained.
4. Subway: Free six-inch sandwich (Nov. 11)
Who said there’s no such thing as a free lunch? This deal is great because it’s quick and easy to claim. Be sure to call ahead if possible because Subway is a franchise, and the owner of the Subway on or right off base may not be able to give out that many free sandwiches.
3. Olive Garden: Free meal with breadsticks and choice of soup or salad (Nov. 11)
Now we’re talking. Like most restaurants offering a free meal there is a special menu; however, at Olive Garden you also get soup or salad and bread sticks. I’m a big fan of soup, breadsticks and an all-around carb enthusiast. I recommend calling ahead just to be sure and make reservations if possible.
2. TGI Friday’s: Free Lunch (Nov. 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
This is a reminder to stay organized if you’re going to take advantage of some Veteran’s Day offers. Show up at TGI Friday’s for dinner and you’ll look quite foolish, since they are offering a free lunch. It’s going to be awkward. Keep your deals organized and you can visit Subway on Sunday and TGI Friday’s on Monday for two days of free lunches.
1. Golden Corral: Free “thank you” dinner buffet (Nov. 12 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
According to goldencorral.com, all chains participate in this event, and it’s a big one. I’ve witnessed this one from afar, and it’s a crowded affair. You will wait, you will witness breaches of buffet etiquette and you will be compelled to donate. This free meal sets itself apart from the others by also raising money for the Disabled American Veterans organization. According to their website, “To date, Golden Corral restaurants have provided over 3.2 million free meals and contributed more than $6.1 million to the Disabled American Veterans organization.” This is not a ranking, but raising money for disabled veterans gives Golden Corral a special place of honor on this list.
These listed businesses accept various forms of identification including military ID cards, DD214 papers and, for some, even pictures of you in uniform. Save yourself some trouble and call ahead to ensure you have everything you need, the location is participating in the deal and to make reservations if possible.
Happy Veteran’s Day from all of us at The Pentagon Channel.
Biological, chemical, and nuclear terrorist attacks, extreme weather events, and naturally-occurring emerging infectious diseases all pose national security threats unbounded by state, country, and regional borders. The Department of Defense uses global biosurveillance networks to identify and track such threats and to help defend the United States. From Defense.gov:
“As a nation, we must be prepared for the full range of threats, including a terrorist attack involving a biological agent, the spread of infectious diseases, and food-borne illnesses. The effective dissemination of a lethal biological agent, for instance, could endanger the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and result in untold economic, societal, and political consequences.”
- President Barack Obama
To learn more about biosurveillance networks click here.
SFC Danny Licciardi and his wife Charlene were recently recognized for having saved the life of a Soldier who had attempted suicide
SFC Danny Licciardi and his wife Charlene raced against time to find a fellow Soldier and stop him from committing suicide. Part rescue mission, part mystery, Rick Scavetta at Army.mil recounts their search for the Soldier who’d parked his car somewhere near Ramstein Air Base, Germany, taken an overdose of pills and was waiting to die. SFC Licciardi relied on his suicide prevention training and vague clues gleaned from leading questions to locate the Soldier.
The unnamed Soldier had tipped off friends at home who, in turn, contacted the Army. Military police then contacted the Licciardis, who knew the Soldier in distress. They had only minutes to find their friend and get him to a hospital.
It’s a powerful story that underlines how servicemembers can battle suicide in the ranks.
U.S. Paralympic Team members Brad Snyder and Cortney Jordan autograph the back of a gift presented to Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during a visit by the athletes to the Pentagon, Sept. 13, 2012. DOD photo by U.S. Navy 1st Class Petty Officer Chad J. McNeeley
That’s Defense Secretary Leon Panetta accepting a gift from LT Bradley Snyder and other members of the U.S. Paralympic Team. LT Snyder lost his sight to an IED blast in Afghanistan in 2011. A year to the day later, he won a gold medal in the men’s 400-meter freestyle at the 2012 Paralympics in London. It was one of two gold and three silver medals the swimmer won at the 2012 Games.
The Defense Department website features a slideshow of the Paralympians’ visit with Secretary Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff GEN Martin Dempsey. They will meet Commander in Chief Barack Obama Friday at the White House.
UPDATE: You can see TPC’s report on Commander in Chief Barack Obama meeting with Olympians and Paralympians at the White House by clicking here. It features sound from LT Snyder, who presented Mr. Obama with a flag the swimmer carried during ceremonies at the London Paralympics.
