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Direction of the War

GI Resistance

Life in the Military Today

Military Recruiting Practices

Student and School Related News

Veterans Benefits

War Crimes

Iraq Study Group findings counter military assessments
The findings of the study group call for intense training of Iraqi forces, to facilitate the withdrawal of US troops by 2008. Military advisors and generals refute the findings as impractical, citing the past problems of training Iraqi troops, and the increasing demand for American troops in Iraq 

US Military: About 2,000 Troops Being Moved Into Baghdad (29 November 2006)
An article about the four additional battalions to be sent into Iraq next year, and proposed troop movements focusing on Baghdad and the untenable situation there. Also, a brief snippet of the military view on whether Iraq is in a civil war.

Panel Reaches Deal on U.S. Iraq Policy (November 29, 2006)
An article about the troops, which also talks about the commission on Iraq and the likely new defense secretary, Robert Gates.

Leaving Iraq? Not so fast (November 22, 2006)
An article about Democrats' hollow promises to get us out of Iraq.

Debate Grows Over Beefing Up U.S. Force in Iraq (November 17, 2006)

At last, a hint of accountability (November 11, 2006)

Military Newspaper calls for Rumsfeld's Resignation! (November 3, 2006) 

Generals Clamor over Rumsfeld's ouster over Iraq War (April 13, 2006)

Pentagon says military reruitment continues to exceed expectations (April 11, 2006)

Immigration Consequences of Resisting Service (April 6, 2006)

A Letter from Carolyn Ho, Mother of Ehren Watada, Who Refuse to Fight in Iraq (June 27, 2006)

How GI resistance altered the course of history: "Sir! No Sir!" begins national screenings (April 3, 2006)

Life in the Military Today

Women veterans cope with emotional wounds
This article deals specifically with female Iraq veterans, and the health issues that they have to face after returning. Covers general issues of post-traumatic stress, lack of help and jobs for veterans, and increasing numbers of women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Also speaks to issues that are more pertinent to women, such as the sexual abuse and harassment in the army, and the difficulty of readjusting to civilian life.

Veterans Affairs hopes money more reliable in near future
A related article, about the funding crisis that Veterans Affairs has been undergoing. With the increasing number of Iraq veterans requiring medical care, the budget needed to care for veterans is increasing. Congress did approve an increased budget ($78 billion), but that alone is problematic, as the money being spent to care for veterans increases it adds to the cost of the war.

Wars wearing down military gear at cost of about $2 billion a month (this article is from earlier in the month)
An article dealing with the massive wear on military gear, and the mounting equipment costs inherent in maintaining the wars around the world. This affects troops who don't get body armor, and have to rely on charities to be safe. 

Unfriendly fire (November 11, 2006)
An update to the story of friendly fire killing Pat Tillman and an allied Afghan. Disturbing reports about the soldiers, the situation they were in, and who has so far been held accountable.

Military Recruiting Practices

New Army recruiting campaign creates strong feelings
A comprehensive article discussing the Army recruiting slogan, "Army Strong." Discusses different points of view from military insiders and outsiders. The fact that 200 million dollars was spent to come up with these two words is pretty phenomenal, but it does seem to make a difference and responses have been positive.

Military recruitment, beach party-style (November 29, 2006)
A new recruiting campaign by the national guard, emphasizing the "fun, living life" of the military, and the national guard in particular. Aimed at college students by disarming their trepidation toward military life -- added to recruiters' promises of not having to go to Iraq -- it is devastatingly effective. 

Feeling a Draft (November 27, 2006)
An article about the many downsides of a military draft, and the realities of being unable to sustain the current military situation because of troop shortages. Brings up the issue of volunteers being mostly lower class, and the problems of inequality that the draft would not address.

Military Recruitment Abuses Uncovered (November 2, 2006)
A great article about recruiters flat out lying to recruits. This is a local story about NY and NJ, but some of the things recruiters told the undercover recruits are shocking." Student: "Will I be going to war?" Recruiter: "I would say your chances would be slim to none."

U.S. is recruiting misfits for army: Felons, racists, gang members fill in the ranks (October 1, 2006)

Army Accepts Crime In Recruits (February 14, 2006) 
This is about military recruiting waivers, and claims that almost 1/6 recruits received a waiver for priors.

Student and School Related News

San Francisco Schools to Become Demilitarized Zones with Phase-Out of JROTC (November 15, 2006)
JROTC will be removed from schools in San Francisco, and this article lists a number of arguments for why this is taking place. Number one is counter recruitment, citing that JROTC gives the army an unfair advantage over other employers, violating the non-preferential treatment schools are supposed to grant. Also cites civil rights, demilitarization and other issues.

Federal Government and Public Schools (April 13, 2006)

Committee inserts military recruitment provision in state budget (April 11, 2006)

US Military Veterans Battle for Jobs at Home (November 19, 2006)

More Funds needed for Iraq veterans, say congressional candidates (July 1, 2006)

Senators Criticize Payment Plan for Monitoring Veterans' Credit, or, "Bush cuts Veterans' Benefits to pay for Credit Monitoring" (June 29, 2006) 

Military Fails Some Widows over benefits  (June 27, 2006)

War Crimes

Civic group to file suit against Rumsfeld (November 11, 2006)
This article is about Rumsfeld and his direct link to torture and war crimes.

A Wave of Sexual Terrorism in Iraq (July 14, 2006) 

GIs May Have Planned Rape, Slayings (July 1, 2006) 

US Investigates Iraq rape-murder case (July 1, 2006) 

US Troops Accused of Killing Iraq Family (June 30, 2006)

The Haditha Massacre: Op-ed by Marjorie Cohn (May 20, 2006)