OPM adjusts roles and age requirements

This is an overdue step and opens viable careers to our troops.  In the current economic environment, retirement at 57 is neither viable or even necessarily desirable.  I think it could be a great advantage to have a well-educated and seasoned Vet at the upper levels of federal service. I think this rule may have been created or directed at the stereotype of the “ole’ military man” that isn’t educated or can’t change, much less remember that they are working with civilians.  Those roles changed long ago.

OPM urges agencies to review age limits for new hires http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0809/082809p1.htm

Twitter Updates for 2009-08-31

• Just heard that Disney bought Marvel. Great price (4 bil) but I think not a great idea for cutting-edge story lines. #

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The Swamp Duck runs

NOSTALGIA DRAGSTER SWAMP DUCK ONE (ARMY)

From our friend Geri:

Doing it for the US Army————
this is my second trip to Pennsylvania to work with Tom and Barbie on Swamp Duck I.
Tom and I could not have devoted the time we did on this project if not for Barbies tireless work and support to make it possible for this to happen.
Barbie we love you.

This time Tom and Barbie adorned the car with US Army logo- and put a wing on the duck) it also is the first time anyone sat in the car for a fireup. this, by the way has been our agenda for several months.
We knew that SSG Marshall (Pat) Maset would be home from Iraq from his THIRD tour and here stateside for a short time then re-deployment for his FOURTH tour in IRAQ. we managed to pull it off- right place, right date and right time. we sat the 38 year old ‘kid’ in the seat for a Nitro baptism..
This entire day went off as we wanted and we couldn’t have been happier with it all.
To be honest-I never thought I’d see a 38 year old US Army Veteran grin like a 10 year old getting a pony for his birthday- check his smile, … Tom and I are so happy to have been able to provide this for Pat.
Pat- and your sisters and brother’s in the US Armed forces -this is for you. We love and admire you all!
you also scared the crap outa me when you whacked the throttle, watch it..
I wish we’d have had a 20 gallon tank on the Duck.

Twitter Updates for 2009-08-30

• http://ping.fm/p/PI1ys – I must have missed the part in the Bible where you talk on the cell phone while driving your ratty-ass mini-van #

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Twitter Updates for 2009-08-28

• http://ping.fm/p/ABU1o – Great blood drive today at the 1st Cavalry Division SFRC at Ft. Hood. @militaryblood #followfriday #

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Twitter Updates for 2009-08-27

• Just heard Ed Schultz ad for IAVA & USACoffee.com. Good stuff! #

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Twitter Updates for 2009-08-26

• http://ping.fm/p/wvhCq – LTG Rick Lynch, his wife & kids (actress Susan Lynch) introduce themselves & welcome new troopers to Ft Hood #

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Twitter Updates for 2009-08-24

• http://ping.fm/p/dcVRq – Blown-away happy to see the cool new ad in ArmyTimes for http://www.newgibill.org. Hope MilitaryTimes competing book d … #
• #MilitaryMon Learn about the easiest way to REALLY save a Soldier's (or Marine or Sailor or Airman) life at http://www.militayblood.dod.mil. #
• @markosm Hey, it's just babies (infanty mortality). As long as the ole' white men are cared for, it's all good – right? Right? #

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Draining the kids

From AABB:  We continue to suck our youth populaion dry without expecting more of the adults or analyzing the reasons they don’t donate:

Blood center: 16% of donations came from students
The Indiana Blood Center said that about 16% of last year’s blood donations came from high school students. “For the last couple of years, we’ve had a very successful program with 16-, 17- and 18-year-olds,” blood center Chief Medical Officer Dr. Don Waxman said. The state allows 16-year-olds to donate with parental consent, and 17- and 18-year-olds to contribute blood without permission from parents.  Tribune-Star (Terre Haute, Ind.), The (8/26)

No stigma? Even for surveys

Just in case we think it is all squared away.
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The following appeared on Boston.com: Headline: Veterans forsake studies of stress

Date:     Aug 24, 2009

“WASHINGTON – Researchers testing ways to treat the psychological wounds of war among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are encountering a serious roadblock: a shortage of willing study participants.”

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