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February 12, 2013

News for Reservists

Top Story

Same-sex partners will gain access to military benefits
The Pentagon on Monday released a list of military benefits that will be offered to the same-sex partners of service members. The benefits include military IDs, access to commissaries and the ability to visit loved ones in military hospitals. Some benefits will remain off limits to same-sex partners, as offering them is illegal under the Defense of Marriage Act, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said. The Pentagon aims to make the new benefits available by Oct. 1. USA Today (2/11) , Air Force Times (free registration) (2/11) , Stars and Stripes (2/11)

In the Pentagon

N. Korea tests nuclear device despite international criticism
North Korea exploded a nuclear device today after a three-week buildup that included harsh warnings from the U.S., China and other nations. North Korea detonated similar explosives in 2006 and 2009. The Wall Street Journal (2/12)

Pentagon officials plan for worst-case sequestration scenario
Pentagon officials are preparing for across-the-board budget cuts if sequestration occurs as scheduled on March 1. One official said there was little optimism that a solution would be found, adding that service chiefs "are planning for the worst." The Wall Street Journal (2/11)

U.S. sides with Japan in radar incident involving China
Air Force Times (free registration)/The Associated Press (2/11)

On the Hill

Senate committee to vote today on Hagel nomination
The Senate Armed Services Committee was to vote today on whether former Sen. Chuck Hagel should become U.S. defense secretary. A full Senate vote could take place by the end of the week. Air Force Times (free registration) (2/11)

On the Home Front

SEAL who shot bin Laden faces difficult transition to civilian life
The Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden says he is now jobless and has no health coverage and no prospects of collecting a military pension. The situation highlights the poor job that the military does at preparing service members for civilian life, some observers say. The SEAL's claim that he doesn't have access to health insurance has been disputed by Stars and Stripes. Esquire.com (2/11) , USA Today (2/11)

Service Section News

Army, Navy struggle to meet spending rates set by Congress
Army and Navy spending for the first half of the current fiscal year has been above the rate set by Congress, which could cause the branches' budgets to be squeezed during the second half of the year. Politico (Washington, D.C.) (2/11)

Army Pacific Command could get 4-star general
President Barack Obama is nominating Lt. Gen. Vincent Brooks to become a four-star general and lead the Army Pacific Command. The Navy and the Air Force already have four-star generals in the region. ABC News/The Associated Press (2/11)

Reserve Strength

Military prepares vehicles for Afghanistan departure
One of the challenges faced by the U.S. as it withdraws from Afghanistan is cleaning vehicles from the region so that they comply with requirements from the Pentagon and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dangerous insects and live ammunition are some of the items that inspectors must check for. Stars and Stripes (2/9)

Reserve Life

Wyo. bill aims to help service members gain professional licenses
Wyoming is considering legislation to help military personnel and their spouses obtain professional licenses. The bills call for military education and training to be taken into consideration when service members apply for occupational licenses. Star-Tribune (Casper, Wyo.) (tiered subscription model) (2/11)

SmartQuote

We spend our time searching for security and hate it when we get it."

--John Steinbeck,
American author

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