Suicides In US Army Expected To Reach New High.

 McClatchy (11/18) reports, "Suicides in the Army are expected to reach a new high this year, with 140 suspected cases among active-duty soldiers so far, Army officials said Tuesday. This will be the fifth year in a row that grim statistic rose despite an aggressive military campaign to tackle the mental health stigma in the Army," whose vice chief of staff, Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, "said that the military wasn't seeing any trends that explained the rise." McClatchy adds, "The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan often have demanded that soldiers serve multiple tours. Coupled" with the recent "shootings at Fort Hood, concerns are rising about stress on the force, particularly" as the Obama Administration "considers sending more troops to Afghanistan."
Impact: Army suicides

VA, US Olympic Committee To Expand Paralympics Sport Programs.

 The American Forces Press Service (11/18) reports, "A recent initiative launched by the Veterans Affairs Department" and the US Olympic Committee "is giving disabled veterans a chance to rediscover their potential through athletics and competition. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the two organizations Oct. 21 to expand Paralympics sport programs to wounded warriors rehabilitating at community-level recreational facilities. Before the memorandum, Paralympics programs were offered primarily through warrior transition units at facilities such as Walter Reed Army Medical Center" in Washington, DC, the "National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and VA rehabilitation centers. Through the agreement, the Paralympics division of the US Olympic Committee and VA hope to ensure disabled veterans can be physically active when they return home, Charlie Huebner, the Paralympic division's chief, said in a recent telephone interview with American Forces Press Service."
Impact: Paralympics

First, Second Ladies To Celebrate Women In The Military.

 The Washington Post (11/18) reports in its "What to Watch" column that Wednesday will be "a day for the first and second ladies to focus on the White House's military families project," with Jill Biden set to speak "at the first 'USO Care Package for Women' party" before "she and the first lady...host a gathering at the White House celebrating women in the military. Veterans and current servicewomen will be joined there by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. James Cartwright, members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and their wives, and other military and administration officials."
Impact: Women in the military