Getting your next assignment just got easier. On Thursday, sailors began applying online for their next job, bypassing their career counselor. Previously, sailors had the option of viewing available jobs online, but career counselors still had to submit the applications. But assignments won’t be automatic. It’s still up to detailers at Navy Personnel Command to approve the moves. “This gives individual sailors more control, but doesn’t make the career counselor obsolete,” said Senior Chief Navy Counselor (SW) Veronica Holliday, Navy Region Southwest command career counselor. “We are still a part of the process, but our job now is to help sailors prepare for picking assignments and help them navigate any problems they encounter.”

U.S. troops leave Iraq cities – Army News, news from Iraq, – Army Times

U.S. combat forces pulled out of Iraqi cities June 30, marking what the top commander there called a significant milestone. But the next step — how to quickly and securely withdraw as many as 130,000 troops, pack up and leave after six years of war — may prove more daunting and complicated given the looming 2011 deadline outlined in the security agreement between the U.S. and Iraq. In the coming months, soldiers will continue to conduct missions in Iraq, focusing now on the areas outside the cities and near the country’s borders. Troop and brigade levels are expected to remain fairly steady even as the Army builds up in Afghanistan through the fall, but relief and longer dwell time are in sight, as commanders expect to draw down to 50,000 troops in Iraq by the end of September 2010.

Air Force seeks larger pool of 1st sergeants – Air Force News, news from Iraq – Air Force Times

Manning for first sergeants has recovered from a dangerous low hit only a year ago, although more of the key leaders are still needed, according to the senior noncommissioned officer who oversees the volunteer program. As of June, 1,135 of the 1,230 authorized first-shirt positions — 92 percent — were filled, said Chief Master Sgt. Sandra Miller, first sergeant special duty manager in the office of the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. The number of first sergeants last year stood at 1,079, or 88 percent.

Report pins cyberattacks on N. Korean army – Air Force News, news from Iraq – Air Force Times

SEOUL, South Korea — A North Korean army lab of hackers was ordered to “destroy” South Korean communications networks — evidence the isolated regime was behind cyberattacks that paralyzed South Korean and American Web sites — news reports said Saturday, citing an intelligence briefing. Members of the parliamentary intelligence committee have said in recent days that the National Intelligence Service has also pointed to a North Korean boast last month that it was “fully ready for any form of high-tech war.”

12 Afghan insurgents die in latest strike – MarineCorpsTimes.com

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — International troops and Afghan police killed 12 Taliban insurgents in a gunbattle in southern Afghanistan, police said Sunday. The joint force attacked a compound north of the capital of Uruzgan province where the militants were hiding Saturday evening, sparking the fighting, police spokesman Mohammad Musa said. He said no Afghan police or international troops were killed.

Colors Timed to Nation’s Master Clock

The most accurate Sounding of Colors in the world, down to one one-billionth of a second, was sounded for the first time at Naval Support Facility (NSF) Naval Observatory on July 2. The key to the accuracy of the sounding of morning and evening colors is that the procedure is tied to the nation’s Master Clock, based at the Naval Observatory.

Army Medical Researchers Share Ideas with U.S. Army Africa

New combat medic training manual named ‘Hot Product’

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — The U.S. Army Medical Department’s recently published “68W Advanced Field Craft: Combat Medic Skills,” was named a “Hot Product” at the 27th Annual EMS Today Conference and Exposition, hosted by the Journal of Emergency Medical Services. The text placed in the top 30 of tens of thousands of EMS products submitted according to Alisha Weisman, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, textbook publisher. “Hot Products” are granted distinction and selected for being innovative, functional, potentially life-saving, and offering remarkable improvements to patient care and provider performance she said. “This book ultimately contributes to saving lives on the battlefield. The authors worked in the field and understand the imperatives that exist in insecure situations,” said editor-in-chief Casey Bond. “Their dedication is visibly manifest in (an approximately) 92 percent save rate in current conflicts.”

Medics turn aid station into Afghan emergency room

KONAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Outside Forward Operating Base Blessing here, combat medics serving with 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, spend every morning combing through a crowd of sick or injured Afghans desperate for medical attention. “This is their [emergency room],” Spc. Danielle Lafoille of Manistique, Mich., said. “If something happens, this is where they are going to come.” Since arriving at Blessing in July, the 1st Infantry Division soldiers have treated more than 4,000 Afghans, some walking as long as two days for treatment.

All active-duty, most Reserve components meet recruiting goals

7/10/2009 – WASHINGTON (AFNS) — All active-duty military components met or exceeded their recruiting goals in June, with the Marine Corps adding the highest percentage of its target to its ranks, Defense Department officials here announced July 10. Military Reserve components, with the exception of the Army National Guard, also met or exceeded their goals. Data published on the DOD Web site shows that the Marine Corps goal was to add 3,655 new Marines, which it exceeded by 14 percent, recruiting a total of 4,155. The Marine Corps Reserve more than doubled its goal of 565, adding more than 1,200 Marines. The Army National Guard fell short of its mark, recruiting 84 percent of its goal to add 3,209 Soldiers. The Army National Guard has reduced its accession mission as part of its end-strength management program, officials said, and is on track to achieve its year-end goal.

Remains of 7 troops killed in Afghanistan return home

7/9/2009 – DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (AFNS) — The remains of seven American troops killed July 6 during combat operations in Afghanistan returned to their nation during a dignified transfer July 8 here. Twenty-six family members from every region of the country stood on the tarmac witnessing their loved one’s return. Subdued voices of the carry team leaders directed their teams to perform precise movements as they transferred their comrades-in-arms from the C-17 Globemaster III to a waiting vehicle. A six-person Navy team carried the transfer case of the single Sailor into one vehicle, followed by a six-person Army team who then carried each transfer case for the six Soldiers into a second vehicle.

http://www.npc.navy.mil/NR/rdonlyres/DE0F66ED-3767-41E2-8450-EC3BC29BC6F0/0/NAV09194.txt

RMKS/1. THIS NAVADMIN ANNOUNCES THE 2009 USS CONSTITUTION CPO HERITAGE TRAINING. USS CONSTITUTION, LOCATED IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS WILL HOST THE FISCAL YEAR 2010 CHIEF PETTY OFFICER (CPO) SELECTS FROM 17-21 AUGUST AND 24-28 AUGUST.

Def Leppard, Raven Drum Foundation offer free concert tickets

7/10/2009 – WASHINGTON (AFNS) — The rock group Def Leppard and Raven Drum Foundation have started giving away 100 free concert tickets to military members and veterans with military ID for each show in the 2009 Def Leppard summer concert tour to honor the military and provide a little fun and excitement over the summer months. Poison and Cheap Trick also will perform on the entire tour. “Def Leppard’s involvement came through a desire to give something back, and what better way to honor these heroes than with a night of music?” said Rick Allen, Def Leppard’s drummer and Raven Drum Foundation founder. “We wanted to thank these heroes in a meaningful way for their service.”

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Tags: AOTC #70, Attack of Da-Chief, Born on The Bayou, Da-Chief

Corpsman.com AOTC#70 “Born on The Bayou”

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New detailing system gives sailors control – Navy News, news from Iraq – Navy Times