Aug 06, 2009 — The National Guard has solved its recruiting problem, for the most part, finding plenty of rank-and-file soldiers willing to sign up. But here in New York and across the country reserve units are struggling to find enough clergy willing to serve as chaplains. All the Guard services are scrambling to bring more religious into their ranks, but the Army National Guard has the deepest shortage. In New York, only 8 out of 24 chaplain's posts are filled. And there are no Roman Catholic priests serving in the Army Guard despite the fact that nearly half the soldiers are Catholic. Brian Mann sat down to talk about the problem with Colonel Eric Olsen from Saranac Lake. He's the state chaplain for New York's State Division of Military Affairs.  Go to full article

Washington, DC, Jul 31, 2009 — Congressman John McHugh took mostly polite questions in a two and a half hour hearing today to become the next Secretary of the Army. The North Country Republican gave a somber assessment of the Army. He spoke about high suicide rates and deployment stress, recruitment challenges, and the future of "don't ask, don't tell". The toughest questions came from fellow Republican, John McCain, who criticized some of McHugh's campaign contributions. Still, members of the Senate Armed Services committee promised a swift confirmation. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Pierrepont Manor, NY, Jun 03, 2009 — During his years on the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. John McHugh has wrestled with plenty of thorny issues, from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to Abu Ghraib. He's viewed as a moderate Republican, willing to tangle with leaders of both parties. As Army Secretary, he will also have to help sort out a controversial ban on open homosexuals serving in the military. Brian Mann has this political profile.  Go to full article

Pierrepont Manor, NY, Jun 02, 2009 — Congressman John McHugh will need Senate approval before taking over as Secretary of the Army. The North Country Republican has been a passionate supporter of the military during his nine terms in Washington. As Brian Mann reports, McHugh has taken nuanced -- and sometimes conflicted -- positions on defense policy.  Go to full article

Fort Ann, NY, May 29, 2009 — The top soldier in New York state is facing new questions and new scrutiny following his nomination by President Obama to head the Army National Guard. Major General Joseph Taluto, who lives in Fort Ann in Washington County, had been expected to win easy confirmation by the U.S. Senate. But now the widow of one of his officers killed in Iraq says General Taluto mishandled discipline and morale during a deployment in 2005. Brian Mann reports.  Go to full article

May 26, 2009 — As Fort Drum continues to grow, it's using more and more of its sprawling military reservation for live-fire training. That can be a problem for civilian neighbors just outside Drum's boundaries. So the military is buying easements on land just off Fort Drum to prevent people from building more houses or businesses there. It's called the Army Compatible Use Buffer program, (ACUB). The land will be managed by the Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust. Fort Drum's announcing the signing of its first three easements in Philadelphia and LeRay in Jefferson County at a ceremony tomorrow. David Sommerstein spoke with Betty Jones, Fort Drum's community planner, about the land deals.  Go to full article

Feb 09, 2009 — Last week, the U.S. Army announced 2008 saw the highest soldier suicide rate on record. Now, the news is even worse. The Army believes 24 more soldiers committed suicide just last month, six times the number from January 2008. One Army official told CNN, "this is terrifying, we do not know what's going on." Inside the Army and out, experts agree back-to-back deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan are taking a devastating toll on mental health among soldiers. The Army has been trying to catch up on treating post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. Tom Tarantino says it's still not enough. Tarantino is an Iraq veteran and is a policy associate for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. The group was lobbying Capitol Hill last week for more mental health care for veterans. Tarantino told David Sommerstein there is still a stubborn stigma among soldiers attached with seeking help.  Go to full article

Sep 16, 2008 — America's military has been at war in Afghanistan and Iraq for seven years. The long campaign has brought new strains to soldiers and service-members. But the pressure is also growing on military families and children. Advocates are pushing for more financial support, better mental health programs, and better housing. Brian Mann was in Washington DC last week for a conference on the future of military families, hosted by National Public Radio. He spoke with Michele Joyner. She's a military spouse herself and works with the National Military Families Association.  Go to full article

May 08, 2008 — This week, soldiers from Fort Drum's 10th Mountain Division are heading back to Iraq for another 15-month deployment. We've been talking with First Sergeant Jennifer Rebecca Williams, who goes by "JR", about the growing demands on military families. Sgt. Williams is leaving behind her husband and her 3-year-old daughter Reilly. She told Brian Mann that balancing her military career and her role as a mom is tough. And Williams says the Army could do more to support military moms.  Go to full article

May 07, 2008 — This week, soldiers from Fort Drum's 10th Mountain Division are heading back to Iraq for another 15-month deployment. Their families face a tough and nerve-wracking year of separation. The challenge is especially tough for military women, some of them leaving behind very young children. Brian Mann sat down to talk about life as a military mom with Sergeant First Class Jennifer Rebecca Williams. Her own daughter, Reilly, is three years old. Sgt. Williams is deploying with the Headquarters Company of the 10th Mountain Division. She says balancing family with military duty is getting harder as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan stretch on.  Go to full article