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February 4, 2013

News for Reservists

Top Story

Veterans account for at least 22% of U.S. suicides, VA says
Veterans are estimated to account for roughly 22% of all suicides in the U.S., but that percentage might actually be higher, as veteran suicides are likely underreported, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The majority of veterans who commit suicide are at least 50 years old; fewer than 5% are under 30, the VA reported Friday. MarineCorpsTimes.com (2/1)

In the Pentagon

Analysis: U.S. steadily increasing military presence in Latin America
The U.S. has spent more than $20 billion in the past decade on fighting drug trafficking in Latin America. Army, Navy and Air Force personnel, working with Coast Guard counternarcotics teams, are helping train and supply local forces in the region and are conducting joint anti-trafficking operations. ABC News/The Associated Press (2/3)

Defense officials see continued U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan
The U.S. will maintain a strategic partnership with Afghanistan after the end of combat operations in 2014 and will likely keep troops in the region, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey said Sunday. "We're committing to an enduring presence," Panetta said. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (2/3)

On the Hill

More Republican senators oppose Hagel nomination
After a confirmation hearing for Chuck Hagel last week, more Republican senators say they will vote against him for defense secretary. "Senator Hagel's answers before the committee were simply too inconsistent, particularly as they related to Iran and Israel," said Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., in a statement. The Hill/DEFCON Hill blog (2/1)

Commentary: Veterans play a prominent role in U.S. politics
Military veterans have a significant political presence in Washington, even though the number of veterans in Congress has decreased steadily over the past four decades, Tim Hsia writes. In terms of the Cabinet, the secretary of state and the secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs are both veterans, as is President Barack Obama's nominee for defense secretary. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/At War blog (2/1)

Service Section News

Survey details Marines' biggest concerns about women in combat
Male Marines' most common concern regarding women in combat is the possibility of being falsely accused of sexual harassment or assault, according to an online questionnaire administered by the Marine Corps last summer. Possible fraternization and preferential treatment were also cited as concerns. NBC News/The Associated Press (2/1)

Reserve Strength

Pentagon will submit sequestration plan by Friday
The Pentagon will submit a plan for dealing with sequestration to the White House by the end of this week, sources say. The Friday deadline will give the Defense Department three weeks to prepare for the defense cuts scheduled for March 1. The automatic cuts represent $500 billion over 10 years. Defense News (2/2)

Reserve Life

Veterans' unemployment rates increase
The jobless rate for post-9/11 veterans increased from 9.9% to 11.7% in January, according to government data. The jobless rate for veterans of all generations increased for the third straight month to 7.6%. The overall jobless rate remained at 7.9%. MarineCorpsTimes.com (2/1)

Special units help reservists handle stress
The U.S. Army Reserve has 13 Combat and Operational Stress Control units working to help active-duty troops manage stress. The Army, Air Force and Navy are deploying similar units in a bid to counter depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (2/4)

SmartQuote

To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, subtract things every day."

--Laozi,
Chinese philosopher

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