Author: Tom Vanden Brook
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McCain blasts Army for considering recruits with history of self-mutilation, vows action
WASHINGTON — The Army’s decision to allow people with a history of self-mutilation, bipolar disorder, depression and drug and alcohol abuse to seek waivers to enlist in the service drew a sharp, bipartisan rebuke on Tuesday when Sen. John McCain said he was prepared to put a hold on nominations to Pentagon posts until the Army…
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Senior military officials sanctioned for more than 500 cases of serious misconduct
WASHINGTON — Since 2013, military investigators have documented at least 500 cases of serious misconduct among its generals, admirals and senior civilians, almost half of those instances involving personal or ethical lapses, a USA TODAY investigation has found. Many cases involve sex scandals, including a promiscuous Army general who led a swinging lifestyle, another who lived…
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Air Force could recall as many as 1,000 retired pilots to address serious shortage
WASHINGTON — President Trump signed an executive order Friday allowing the Air Force to recall as many as 1,000 retired pilots to active duty to address a shortage in combat fliers, the White House and Pentagon announced. By law, only 25 retired officers can be brought back to serve in any one branch. Trump’s order…
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Army general’s racy texts with subordinate’s wife prompt official probe
WASHINGTON — The Army has launched an investigation of the major general in charge of its forces in Africa for sending dozens of messages, some of them suggestive, to the wife of an enlisted soldier under his command, USA TODAY has learned. The Facebook messages sent by Maj. Gen. Joseph Harrington range from flattering to…
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Navy: Transgender sailors can still serve and get medical treatment until further notice
WASHINGTON – The Navy will not immediately discharge transgender sailors and will continue to provide them with medical treatment despite the tweets fired off by President Trump on Wednesday, according to an email obtained by USA TODAY. The email from Vice Adm. Robert Burke also acknowledges that Trump’s announcement is “causing concern for some of…
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Disgraced Army general fired after ‘inappropriate’ relationship with young woman on staff
WASHINGTON — The Army has stripped a disgraced former division commander of one star and forced him to retire for having an inappropriate relationship with a female captain on his staff. Wayne Grigsby will leave the service as a one-star general, the Army announced nine months after it fired him from commanding the First Infantry…
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Services required to report plans to accept new transgender troops
WASHINGTON — A top Pentagon official has called on the civilian and uniformed leaders of the armed services to report on their plans to begin accepting new transgender troops by July 1, according to a memo obtained by USA TODAY. Last year, the Pentagon rescinded its ban on transgender troops, allowing those in uniform to serve openly. The…
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Chelsea Manning to remain on active duty, receive health care after prison release
WASHINGTON — Pvt. Chelsea Manning, the transgender soldier and convicted national security secret leaker, will remain an active-duty, unpaid soldier, eligible for health care and other benefits, following her scheduled release May 17 from military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, according to the Army. Manning entered prison as a man named Bradley. Manning changed her…
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Military nude photo investigation expands into gay porn websites
WASHINGTON — The military scandal involving sharing of sexually explicit images of troops has expanded beyond the private social media site Marines United to a slew of gay pornography web pages with images of men wearing military uniforms engaged in sex acts, USA TODAY has learned. The broadened investigation to an increasing number of websites underscores…
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Suicide kills more U.S. troops than ISIL in Middle East
WASHINGTON — Suicide — not combat — is the leading killer of U.S. troops deployed to the Middle East to fight Islamic State militants, according to newly released Pentagon statistics. U.S. casualties have been relatively low since the U.S.-led war effort began with a bombing campaign in August 2014, reflecting the limited combat exposure for troops. Of…