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November 5, 2012

News for Reservists

Top Story

Veterans' unemployment hits lowest level in 4 years
The unemployment rate among veterans has dipped to its lowest level since November 2008, dropping to 6.3% in October, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The numbers represent a 1.4 percentage point decrease in unemployment since the same time last year. The Hill/DEFCON Hill blog (11/2)

In the Pentagon

U.S. releases timeline of CIA rescue efforts in Benghazi attack
Senior U.S. intelligence officials are disputing news reports that the CIA ordered operatives to stand down during the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Officials say the CIA launched a rescue effort within 25 minutes of the start of the attack. Los Angeles Times(tiered subscription model) (11/2) , Bloomberg Businessweek (11/2) , U.S. News & World Report (11/2)

On the Hill

DOD is likely to get half its wish list before January, observers say
Congressional observers say that while a sequestration fix isn't likely, the Pentagon will probably see about half its agenda items accomplished by lawmakers during the lame-duck session. Among the top priorities of Defense Secretary Leon Panetta are a defense-authorization measure, a cyberdefense bill and confirmation of Marine Corps Gens. John Allen and Joseph Dunford as heads of forces in Europe and Afghanistan. Panetta likely won't see the cyberbill passed during the lame-duck session, experts say, but confirmation hearings are set for this month, and the House has approved its version of the authorization bill. The Hill/DEFCON Hill blog (11/4)

On the Home Front

Online sales help make military surplus a big business
Online auction site GovLiquidation.com is helping the military unload surplus equipment and bring millions of dollars into Treasury coffers each year. Thousands of items as varied as kneepads and Coast Guard cutters are made available each week for purchase. Stars and Stripes (11/4)

Service Section News

Army, Marines form partnership for future needs
To shape a vision for ground forces in a postwar time, the Army and the Marines have formed a partnership called the Office of Strategic Landpower. "[T]he last 10 years have been a resource-rich environment ... as we all know, that's no longer going to be the case," the Army's chief of staff, Gen. Raymond Odierno, said last week. The new office will help plan for training, equipment and other needs for future conflicts. Defense News (11/1)

Reserve Strength

Air Force struggles to update aging fleet
The Air Force relies on aircraft models that have far exceeded their expected lifespans, having been in service for decades, this article says. Among them are the KC-135 Stratotanker -- which was introduced in 1956 -- and the F-15 and F-16 fighters. Efforts to update the Air Force's fleet have been delayed by design glitches and cost overruns. ABC News/The Associated Press (11/5)

Reserve Life

Guardsmen awarded $85 million for chemical exposure in Iraq
A federal court has ordered defense contractor KBR to pay $850,000 each, in addition to millions in punitive damages, to 12 Army National Guardsmen who in 2003 were exposed to cancer-causing chemicals while securing an oil industry water plant in Iraq. KBR will likely appeal the ruling, said KBR attorney Geoffrey Harrison. Reuters (11/2)

SmartQuote

Whoever is winning at the moment will always seem to be invincible."

--George Orwell,
British novelist and journalist

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