Army Reserve's Double Eagle App now available to download | Former Aerospace Corporation exec tapped for Air Force secretary post | Supreme Court won't hear suit challenging Feres doctrine
The Army Reserve's Double Eagle App is now live on Android and iOS devices, providing a "link to all the cool stuff in the Army Reserve," said Army Reserve chief Lt. Gen. Charles Luckey. Among its functions, the app has resources to help prepare Reservists for the Army Combat Fitness Test and provides information about local support services.
President Donald Trump has announced the nomination of former Aerospace Corporation chair Barbara Barrett to succeed Heather Wilson as Air Force secretary. "Ambassador Barrett is a force to be reckoned with and who has the leadership, experience, and knowledge to lead our Air Force into the future during a time of increased global threats," said Sen. Martha McSally, R-Ariz.
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a case challenging the Feres doctrine, which bars service members from filing medical malpractice suits against DOD medical personnel. "Unfortunate repercussions -- denial of relief to military personnel and distortions of other areas of law to compensate -- will continue to ripple through our jurisprudence as long as the Court refuses to reconsider (this issue)," wrote Justice Clarence Thomas in his dissent.
Vice President Mike Pence spent time with the Army Reserve's 88th Readiness Division, based at Fort McCoy, Wis., during a visit last week. Pence praised the base in a speech, saying, "Fort McCoy has trained more than 100,000 military personnel every single year from every branch of the service, faithfully executing your mission to 'Underpin Total Force Readiness.'"
The Air Force Reserve's 93rd Fighter Squadron F-16C Fighting Falcons based at Florida's Homestead Air Reserve Base trained with the US Air Force in Europe and the Royal Air Force at a Dissimilar Air Combat Training exercise in the UK. The Fighting Falcons, with support from the 482nd Fighter Wing, flew 136 sorties during the Flying Training Deployment at Royal Air Force Lakenheath.
Some troops with permanent injuries or conditions that limit their ability to participate fully in the new Army Combat Fitness Test may be able to take an alternate assessment, said Michael McGurk of the Center for Initial Military Training. "For example, those permanent profile soldiers who are incapable of running long distances, they could be allowed to complete an alternate aerobic event," he said.
The Navy is reevaluating its Tuition Assistance benefit for active-duty troops due to funding issues and because participation in college courses is perceived as possibly distracting newer sailors from military training. When fiscal 2020 begins in October, only those with two or more years of service will be eligible for the benefit, according to Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Robert Burke.
The Army and Air Force are offering up to $500 to spouses of active-duty, National Guard or Reserve troops to reimburse them for professional relicensing fees associated with relocating to a new station, according to policies issued this month. The Navy plans to issue its policy on reimbursements next month.
