Inside the DoD

Military aircraft aiding firefighting efforts in the western United States have resumed operations. This comes after the aircraft were put on operational hold following a crash of a North Carolina Air National Guard C-130 in South Dakota. The crash killed four service members and injured two.

Nearly forty-nine million Americans, including one out of every four children, don't have dependable, consistent access to food. The Feds Feed Families program aims to curb hunger in America by asking government employees to donate to food banks.

Following months of dispute over ground transportation through Pakistan, the Pakistani government has re-opened ground lines of communication in the country.

On Wednesday, Americans celebrated two hundred and thirty-six years of independence. People showed their patriotism with fireworks displays, parades, cook-outs and parties covered in red, white and blue. Many visited memorials and cemeteries, paying tribute to service members who have fought and died for the United States.

In addition to the Fourth of July party, President Obama also hosted twenty-five service members in the White House East Room, where they took their Citizenship Oath before their Commander in Chief. These twenty-five were among more than four thousand service members who became U.S. Citizens during Independence Day.

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced a new Department of Defense grant program for schools supporting military children at the Military Child Education Coalition national training seminar in Grapevine, Texas.

In a visit to Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff discussed some of the challenges the military will face in the future.

In Chicago, First Lady Michelle Obama joined Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, as he signed the military family licensing act into law. Illinois became the 23rd state to enact this law, which allows the transfer of military spouse's professional licenses from other states.

The Department of Defense broke new ground on Tuesday, hosting its first-ever pride month commemoration. This commemoration honored gay and lesbian service members, as well as the department's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civilian employees.

On Wednesday, The Montford Point Marines were presented the highest civilian award given by the United States: The Congressional Gold Medal. Nearly 400 former marines, who were among the first Black Americans to join the Corps, attended the ceremony.

A shooting incident Thursday at Fort Bragg, N.C., left one soldier dead and two others wounded. During a 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade unit safety briefing, a soldier shot another member of the unit and then turned the weapon on himself. The shooter was injured and in custody.

In "This Week in the DoD" for June 22:

Gen. Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, shared his thoughts on leadership and the future of the Defense Department at a military leadership event in Washington, D.C.

The Defense Department is working to improve health care and education for women on the battlefield. Increased infection rates and injuries caused by ill-fitting body armor (designed for men's bodies) are major concerns.

The U.S. Army has new plans to energize troops. Using high-voltage batteries, soldiers in the field will be able to lighten their load while retaining the same energy capabilities.

The Defense Centers of Excellence hosted a conference in Washington, D.C., addressing suicide and suicide prevention. The Defense and Veterans' Affairs Departments are partnering to better help troops and veterans who may be suicidal. Secretary of Veteran's Affairs Eric K. Shinseki spoke to attendees about the importance of warning signs and the unique challenges that come with addressing suicide.

In "This Week in the DoD" for June 15:

Department of Defense leaders urged lawmakers in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to ratify the Law of the Sea treaty. Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. James Winnefeld Jr. said the treaty improves on rules set forth in prior treaties and will give the U.S. a global leadership opportunity while also enhancing national security interests.

Loss of access to transit routes through Pakistan are costing the U.S. $100 million monthly, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told Congress. The roads have been closed to U.S. vehicles since an incident in which Pakistani soldiers were accidentally killed. Discussions with the Pakistani government to reopen the routes continue.

On Thursday, the U.S. Army celebrated 237 years of protecting the nation. Soldiers around the world celebrated with cake-cuttings, wreath-layings, ceremonies and more. Secretary of the Army John McHugh and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond Chandler share their birthday messages to the Army.

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta released a video message today to thank gay and lesbian service members and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civilians for their dedicated service to the nation. Recognizing June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, the secretary also thanked the families of gay and lesbian service members and LGBT civilians.

In "This Week in the DoD" for June 8:

Next Thursday, June 14th, marks the U.S. Army's 237th Birthday. Military communities from around the world are celebrating the day, with events including cake-cutting ceremonies, commemorative speeches, parades, concerts, and festivals.

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey travelled to Southeast Asia this week for bi-lateral and multi-lateral meetings with defense officials in the region.

Secretary Panetta announced an agreement between the U.S. and Vietnam that will help the U.S. find and identify remains of service members declared missing in action during the Vietnam War.

In Singapore at the Shangri-La dialogue, Panetta said the U.S. military will reposition itself to focus on security issues in the Asia-Pacific region, including a reposturing of the Navy's presence.

The secretary then moved on to Afghanistan to assess the situation there as troops prepare to draw down.

After Gen. Dempsey returned from his travels in the Philippines, Thailand, and the summit in Singapore, the Chairman laid out the military's plan for increased engagement in Asia.

The U.S. Air Force has broken new ground by promoting former Lt. Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger to be the first female Four Star General.

In 1942 in the Pacific Ocean near a small atoll known as Midway, the U.S. Navy delivered a decisive blow against the Japanese Fleet, turning the tide against Japan. Two years later, nearly 170,000 troops stormed the beaches of Normandy in what became known as D-Day. Both of these events happened more than 70 years ago this week and ceremonies were held throughout the week to commemorate those historic events.

In "This Week in the DoD" for June 1:

Last weekend Americans across the country and around the world honored those who have died or gone missing while serving in the U.S. armed forces. President Barack Obama, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey spoke about America's rich military tradition at Memorial Day commemorations in the Washington, D.C., area. This year's Memorial Day held special significance: this year the Department of Defense is commemorating the 50th anniversary of America's involvement in Vietnam.

The U.S. Navy is now allowing women to serve on its submarines. On Monday, the first women to serve on submarines met President Obama and the First Lady at the White House.

Panetta visited troops in Hawaii, where he highlighted the role troops stationed in the Pacific will play in the future force. Panetta is currently in Singapore for the Shangri-La Dialogues, a meeting of defense leaders from around the Asia-Pacific region.

The Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs are merging their health records into what will be the world's largest electronic health system. The new system, which will be fully operational by 2017, will ensure the best care for service members even after they've left the military.

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey spoke before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. They joined Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in urging Congress to ratify the Law of the Sea Treaty and give the United States a voice in international maritime law.

Following last weekend's NATO Summit in Chicago, ISAF forces in Afghanistan have a new goal: for Afghan forces to take the lead on all combat missions by mid-2013. ISAF Commander Gen. John Allen briefed reporters at the Pentagon on the next few years of operations in Afghanistan.

Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs George Little said the Defense Department looks forward to normalizing relations with Pakistan and reopening supply routes to Afghanistan. After incidents last year, relations with Pakistan soured and transit through the country to Afghanistan was blocked.

In "This Week in the DoD" for May 18:

After 42 years, Army Spc. Leslie Sabo Jr. was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. In a ceremony at the White House, President Barack Obama lauded the soldier, who died destroying an enemy bunker, saving dozens of lives after an ambush in Cambodia. Sabo was also inducted into the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes.

More than half of Afghanistan is now secured by the Afghan National Security Force or is currently transitioning to Afghan control. After the next stage of transition, announced last weekend by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, the Afghan government will be completely responsible for 75 percent of the Afghan population.

This week the Marine Corps celebrates 100 years of Marine aviation. The first Marine pilot, 1st Lt. Alfred Cunningham, reported to flight training in Annapolis, Md., May 22, 1912.

The Army is facing a few years of transition, driven by the new military strategy and the end of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno described the Army's transition over the next five to seven years at a Pentagon press briefing.

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has ordered the Air Force to take additional measures to protect F-22 pilots after reports of hypoxia-like symptoms during flight.

In "This Week in the DoD" for May 10, 2012:

At the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Gen. Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, briefed reporters on developments in the Federal budget, specifically related to the Defense budget request.

Panetta hosted Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Liang Guanglie at the Pentagon Monday. The two reaffirmed the U.S. and China's mutual commitment to stable relationships between the two countries' governments and militaries.

The Atlantic Council honored all enlisted service members by giving them, as a whole, the Distinguished Military Service Award. Marine Sgt. Maj. Bryan Battaglia, the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, accepted the award on behalf of America's enlisted troops.

On Wednesday, Panetta and Dempsey spoke at the Forum on the Law of the Sea convention in Washington, D.C. There, they encouraged the U.S. to ratify the United Nations' Law of the Sea Treaty, which will provide legal rules and guidance for international use of the world's oceans.

Today is Military Spouse Appreciation Day; here's a special message from the Chairman and his wife, Deanie.

In "This Week in the DoD" for May 4:

President Barack Obama made a surprise visit to Afghanistan, where he signed a ten-year defense agreement between the U.S. and Afghan governments, outlining the two countries' relationship after the combat misison ends there. He also visited troops at Bagram Air Base.

After meetings with his counterpart from the Philippines, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta praised the country in a press conference with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He said the historic alliance between the U.S. and Philippines has been instrumental in disrupting al Qaeda activity in the South Pacific.

All this week, wounded, injured and ill troops have been competing in the annual Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo. The annual Olympic-style contest pits teams from each of the military services (as well as a team from the United Kingdom, this year) against each other in friendly competition. First Lady Michelle Obama and Gen. Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, joined the athletes at the Warrior Games opening ceremony Monday.

May is Military Family Appreciation Month, and we start the month off with a special message from Gen. Dempsey and his wife, Deanie.