Author: USVM Editor

The Department of the Army has officially broken ground on a new barracks project at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) that will feature sustainable building materials the Army Public Affairs recently reported. Designed to accommodate 168 Soldiers from the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, the new facility will allow the Army to assess the advantages of incorporating sustainable materials and design practices into military construction. This project aims to boost building resilience, enhance environmental quality, and foster healthier defense communities. The 89,000-square-foot, three-story structure adopts a “twin barracks” design, consisting of two 44,500-square-foot buildings. The layout includes a combination of four-bed, two-bath…

Starting a business following military service is a great way to put your experience, self-starter attitude and confidence into action in your civilian life. The leadership skills, the willingness to get the job done, and the ability to change course are all attributes that will make you a strong, successful entrepreneur. The Small Business Administration is an excellent place to start if you’re looking for resources to guide you along the way. But there are many other organizations that can offer critical advice and guidance. Here are just a few:SBA Veteran Business Outreach Centers The SBA provides assistance to veterans…

The concept for SickFit arose organically when I observed a gap in the military community regarding the availability of high-quality socks capable of withstanding rigorous activities, particularly while wearing combat boots. As an engineer in the Army, my instinct to address challenges kicked in immediately. The realization struck me during a grueling 12-mile ruck march for Air Assault School on a scorching day in Texas when my feet were left distressed!!Experiencing this firsthand ignited a determination to improve the footwear options for our service members. Hence, on 27 July 2021, SickFit was established with the mission of providing durable, performance-oriented…

By Robert Henderson    As service members consider the choices available to them when they transition out of the military, many are faced with a difficult decision. The path to civilian life is not always straightforward, and the job security of the military appears alluring when one considers the unknowns of easing back into civilian life. In this article, my aim is to use my story of transitioning from the Air Force to Yale University to help fellow veterans realize their options in the realm of education.Like many fresh-faced service members straight out of high school, I planned to attend college after completing a…

Posted 7/20/2024. Updated 8/3/2024. Watch the Olympics all week, ending on August 11.  Service members, retirees, family members, honorably discharged veterans and others authorized to shop online at military exchanges will be able to stream over 5,000 hours of coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games for free, thanks to a partnership between the Army and Air Force Exchange Service and Comcast NBCUniversal, Military Times recently reported.The Paris Olympics will take place from July 26 to Aug. 11, and authorized users can stream the action through their personal devices and computers through ShopMyExchange.com.All service branches are eligible. Due to content…

Having your spouse deployed can bring up a wide range of emotions, starting from when you first learn about the deployment and continuing until after your spouse has returned home. You may experience fear, anger, loneliness, joy, relief, and anticipation. Follow these tips from Military OneSource to help you cope with your spouse’s deployment.Before the deploymentAs departure day nears, some spouses begin to feel:Confused, stressed, resentful, or depressedDetached or withdrawn as their service member invests more time and commitment in the missionHopeless and impatientEmotionally and physically distantTo help keep things positive and loving with your spouse during the pre-deployment period,…

Capital Caring Health, part of the nation’s largest not-for-profit advanced illness care and hospice provider—Chapters Health System, and Ageless Innovation, the makers of the award-winning Joy for All™ Companion Pets, are distributing companion pets to Veterans with dementia, and those suffering from feelings of social isolation and loneliness as part of their innovative “Robotic Pets for Vets” program. Beginning in 2021, Capital Caring Health has been partnering with Ageless Innovation, the pet manufacturer, to provide Joy for All Companion Pets to Veterans in Capital Caring Health’s service area in Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, and nationwide. To date, Capital Caring Health’s  “Robotic…

If you’re a military spouse looking to expand your career options and further your education, there are numerous resources available to assist you, ranging from grants and scholarships to other forms of support.Military spouses are eligible for a variety of benefits when pursuing a postsecondary degree or advancing their career goals. The following programs, grants, and scholarships can help cover the cost of a college degree or vocational training certificate of your choice.Military Services Education Assistance Programs Each branch of the military offers education assistance programs for their service members and dependents. Here are some examples:Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Supplemental…

For U.S. Army Capt. Molly Murphy, the toughest part of the Army’s challenging Ranger Course was the very first day.”I didn’t sleep at all the night before; I was so scared and felt way over my head,” she told CNN.CNN reports that Murphy, who currently works as a pediatric intensive care unit nurse at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland, graduated from Ranger School on July 19, becoming the first female Army nurse to complete the course.Over approximately 60 days, Ranger School, hailed by the Army as its “toughest course,” puts students through grueling physical and mental exercises…

Alma Cooper was named the winner of the 73rd Miss USA pageant, which was held at Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday night. She was crowned by Savannah Gankiewicz, who assumed the title of Miss USA 2023 after Noelia Voigt resigned in May.Cooper, 22, is a second lieutenant and military intelligence officer in the US Army.According to her Miss USA bio, Cooper graduated in the top 5% of her class from West Point Military Academy and is a Knight-Hennessy Scholar at Stanford University, where she’s pursuing a master’s in data science.Before taking the crown, Cooper competed in the evening…