Military and Defense

Anti-Government Group Allegedly Formed By Soldier From Washington State Extremely Unusual

Patricia Murphy — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 23:41:12 +0000

Prosecutors in rural Long County Georgia are calling a soldier from Washington State the ringleader of a militia group that plotted cross country attacks. Pvt. Isaac Aguigui of Cashmere is stationed at Fort Stewart, Ga. He‘s recently been charged with the murder of his pregnant wife.

New Army Report Finds Trouble With Behavioral Health System

Patricia Murphy — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 00:06:24 +0000

The Army has more than doubled its number of military and civilian behavioral health workers in the past five years. It’s an important step. But it may not be enough. A report out today examines how the Army evaluates soldiers for mental health issues; it finds the system is riddled with problems.

Eugene Same-Sex Couple Gets Permission To Be Buried Together At A National Cemetery

Angela Kellner — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 01:11:25 +0000

A same-sex couple from Eugene has received the first-ever waiver to be buried together at a national cemetery. It comes after the death of one of the women.

JBLM Soldiers Don't Expect 'Rush' Of Females To Combat Roles

Tom Banse — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 01:37:27 +0000

Two themes emerged from a roundtable of mostly female soldiers at the U.S. Army's biggest West Coast post. Joint Base Lewis-McChord organized the panel Thursday to speak on the Pentagon's decision to allow women into combat roles.

Women Soldiers Reflect On New Army Career Options

Tom Banse — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 01:16:53 +0000

The Pentagon's decision to allow women in combat roles has some female soldiers rethinking their career trajectories.

Government Prosecutors Want Speedy Trial For Soldier Accused In Massacre

Patricia Murphy — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 00:13:07 +0000

Staff Sergeant Robert Bales' arraignment in a military court room south of Tacoma marked the start of a court martial that could potentially end in a death sentence.

Judge Orders Sanity Review For Bales

Patricia Murphy — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 00:42:59 +0000

The Army staff sergeant accused of murdering 16 Afghan civilians in an overnight rampage last March was arraigned in a military court room south of Tacoma Thursday. He could face death if found guilty.

Bales Hearing Underway

Austin Jenkins — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 01:50:00 +0000

Prosecutors have made opening arguments in a hearing for the Washington soldier accused of massacring 16 Afghan villagers earlier this year. The pretrial hearing for Staff Sgt. Robert Bales is expected to last several days.

Accused Afghan Massacre Suspect Returns To JBLM

Austin Jenkins — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 01:04:29 +0000

The Army sergeant charged with killing 16 Afghan civilians earlier this year has arrived back in Washington. That confirmation came late Monday from an official at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Three JBLM Soldiers Killed In Sunday Attack

Patricia Murphy — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 23:37:43 +0000

The Defense Department says three of four soldiers killed Sunday in Afghanistan were from Joint Base Lewis-McChord. A NATO spokesman said that Afghan police turned on the soldiers during an attack at a remote checkpoint. All three men were members of the 3rd Stryker Brigade stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.