Latest news with #ArmyReserve
Los Angeles Times
02-06-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
University of Memphis Global – an Online Path to a Better Future
My family and I moved to the United States in 2014. We chose Memphis as our second home to start fresh and build a better future. When I graduated high school in 2020, I decided to join the Army Reserve so I could work full-time to help support my family financially. Along the way, my parents always reminded me of the importance of a college degree. Honestly, I struggled with the decision between choosing work over school. That changed when I discovered the University of Memphis Global (UofM Global) where I could earn my degree 100% online from an accredited, nationally recognized Carnegie R1 university. The flexibility of the program made it possible to balance work, life, and education. Once I enrolled, I knew I made the right choice. As an online student, I stayed involved with campus life through career fairs and joining student organizations like the Society of Human Resource Management. I wanted to get the most out of my college experience and connect with people who shared my passion for HR. Last November, I deployed to Kuwait, with a month left of fall semester. Thanks to the support and structure of UofM Global, I was able to finish strong, even making the Dean's List. I'm taking four classes while serving on active duty, and I'm proud to say I'll be graduating in May. Being able to serve my country, support my family and earn my degree means the world to me. I feel ready to take on whatever comes next. To learn more, visit
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kansas City honors fallen soldiers with Memorial Day ceremonies
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Men and women who sacrificed their lives to serve the country will be honored across the nation Monday. Annual free Memorial Day services will be held at the World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City on Monday. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV The annual Memorial Day ceremony is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. Expect to see plenty of local and state dignitaries in attendance. They will be among a crowd listening to retired Maj. Gen. William 'Razz' Waff give Monday's keynote address. Gen. Waff served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve for 39 years. A bell-tolling ceremony and presentation of the colors will take place at noon. Then at 2 p.m., the Walk of Honor brick dedication ceremony will be held. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri Monday's events are free for the public to take part in. General admission rates to the museum are reduced for the public and made free for veterans and active-duty military personnel so they can partake in the holiday-weekend tradition. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
25-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
More work needs to be done to support Massachusetts veterans, state secretary says
Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans' Services Jon Santiago said on this Memorial Day, more needs to be done for veterans in the state, especially with ensuring there's enough staff to support and care for them. Memorial Day is much more than a day off and the start of the summer season. For 155 years, it has been a day reserved for honoring the sacrifices made by military personnel who die while serving our country. Santiago, who is a major in the U.S. Army Reserve, was asked if he thinks the public has forgotten the true meaning of Memorial Day. "I think the values that Memorial Day represents [are] still very much alive in people all across the Commonwealth, all across this country. Now whether there is a diminished patriotism when it comes to certain events, perhaps, but for Memorial Day, what this is about, to me and to so many other folks that I interact with on a daily basis, it's about reflection and gratitude and really acknowledging the sacrifice borne by generations of Americans for 250-plus years that have allowed us to be who we are, to share these values and to have the freedoms that govern how we live in society today. For me, it's a moment of gratitude. It's really a sacred American day," said Santiago. Fixing veterans homes after COVID deaths That said, Santiago turned to the challenges facing many of the state's 200,000-plus veterans. "Whether it's PTSD, substance use, a whole host of issues, but there are also generations of veterans who have been here for decades who are still looking for care. Think about our Vietnam veterans, our Korean War veterans who are getting up there in age that need that support," he said. During the height of the COVID pandemic, dozens of veterans died in the state's two Soldiers Homes due to mismanagement, and Santiago says fixing those facilities in Chelsea and Holyoke has been a top priority. The institutions were "using paper medical charts, paper scheduling, not licensed to be nursing homes, ran by people not licensed to run nursing homes with dilapidated infrastructure. Over the course of two years, we've completely turned that around, and I can show you that with outcomes, [people] telling us that care is better, quality is better, and folks are excited about being there." Concerns about VA staffing It's been a couple of months since we learned that the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs planned to cut 17% of the workforce at the VA, 83,000 jobs nationally. How is what has happened since affecting services here in our state? "This is increasingly concerning," says Sec. Santiago. "We're talking about a 15% decrease in staff supporting veterans, whether that's at the VA or some of the other centers that the VA utilizes. We need that support of staff to do the work that we need to do, and so we're already seeing cuts to services across not just the Commonwealth, but across the country.... It raises significant concerns on whether veterans will be able to access their care." Santiago also discussed the potential impact of Medicaid cuts included in the House tax bill passed last week, and steps he's been taking to improve services for female veterans. You can watch the entire interview here, and please join us every Sunday morning at 8:30am for more interviews with newsmakers in public policy on the weekend edition of "Keller At Large."
New York Post
23-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Can you pass the new Army fitness test?
'Army Strong' is more than just a tagline — for soldiers, it's a requirement for duty. The U.S. Army requires that all active-duty soldiers prove their physical prowess by passing a rigorous fitness test. There have been multiple versions of the test over the years, and the Army recently announced that a new version has been adopted. On June 1, 2025, the military branch will roll out its new Army Fitness Test (AFT) as a replacement for the current Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). The new test, based on '18 months of data analysis and feedback from thousands of test iterations,' will introduce updated scoring standards that emphasize 'readiness and combat effectiveness,' according to an Army press release. Soldiers will have until Jan. 1, 2026, to meet the new AFT requirements without facing 'adverse actions.' AFT scores are recorded during basic training for soldiers and initial training for officers, the Army states on its website. Active-duty soldiers are required to complete the test twice a year, while soldiers in the Army Reserve and Army National Guard must record scores once a year. 'The AFT is designed to improve soldier readiness and ensure physical standards [and] prepare soldiers for the demands of modern warfare,' said Sgt. Maj Christopher Mullinax, senior enlisted leader, deputy chief of staff for Operations, Army Headquarters, in the release. 6 On June 1, 2025, the military branch will roll out its new Army Fitness Test (AFT) as a replacement for the current Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). WavebreakmediaMicro – 'It emphasizes holistic fitness over event-specific training and is grounded in performance.' Scoring requirements are more demanding for the new test, with soldiers in combat roles held to the highest standards. 'Combat standards are sex-neutral for the 21 direct combat roles, a change designed to ensure fairness and operational readiness,' the release states. 5 components of the test The AFT consists of the following five events, as described on the Army's website. 6 Active-duty soldiers are required to complete the test twice a year, while soldiers in the Army Reserve and Army National Guard must record scores once a year. WavebreakMediaMicro – 1. Three-repetition maximum deadlift In this challenge, the soldier must lift the maximum weight possible three times using a 60-pound hex bar and plates. This move assesses muscular strength, balance, and flexibility. 'Deadlifts require a person to recruit glute and hamstring strength in order to lift a barbell off the ground to waist height,' said Miles Hill, a certified personal trainer and boxing instructor at Rumble in New York City. 'It is the most effective technique for picking heavy weights off the ground.' The deadlift can also be dangerous for civilians if they use improper form, warned Dr. Hooman Melamed, an orthopedic spine surgeon and sports medicine expert from Beverly Hills. 'If your posture or form is off, the risk to your lower back and hips is high — it could be a career-ending injury for some,' he told Fox News Digital. 2. Hand-release push-up The soldier must complete as many hand-release push-ups as possible in two minutes, using proper technique. 'Hand release push-ups require a person to drop all the way to the ground, lift their hands in the air for a second, and then push themselves back up to high plank,' said Hill, who is also a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo. Melamed noted that while hand-release push-ups are great for building upper body strength, if the person is not already strong, the sudden force can damage the shoulders. The hand-release push-up tests muscular endurance and flexibility. 3. Sprint-drag-carry With the sprint-drag-carry (SDC), the soldier is tasked with completing five 50-meter shuttles (sprint, drag, lateral, carry, sprint) as quickly as possible, using two 40-pound kettlebells and a 90-pound sled. 6 The new test will introduce updated scoring standards that emphasize 'readiness and combat effectiveness,' according to an Army press release. WavebreakMediaMicro – 'The sprint-drag-carry is probably the toughest sequence here, since it requires explosive strength, muscular endurance, and cardiovascular endurance,' Hill said. Melamed calls the SDC a 'brutal test of speed and explosive power.' 'If you're not conditioned, tearing a hamstring or pulling something mid-run can happen,' he said. 4. Plank The soldier must maintain a proper plank position for as long as possible, testing muscular endurance and balance. 6 Soldiers will have until Jan. 1, 2026, to meet the new AFT requirements without facing 'adverse actions.' LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – 'A plank is an ultimate test of core strength and endurance, as it requires a person to hold their body weight for as long as they can,' said Hill. 'It can be challenging, but it is the time requirement that determines the challenge.' Melamed noted that while this move looks simple, holding a proper plank for time is extremely challenging. 'It exposes weaknesses in the back, core, and shoulder girdle.' 5. Two-mile run The soldier must complete a timed two-mile run on a flat outdoor course in a test of aerobic endurance. 'Two-mile runs are relatively easy for any able-bodied human; however, the time constraints are what make it challenging,' Hill said. The standing power throw event, which was part of the previous version of the test, is no longer included as a requirement. 'We eliminated the standing power throw because it wasn't effectively promoting fitness and readiness as well as we would like,' Mullinax said. 'Furthermore, it presented an elevated risk of overuse injury and encouraged soldiers to focus on technique rather than demonstrating true power.' How tough is it? The toughness of a workout or fitness test is relative to the overall fitness of an individual, according to Dr. Jason Perry, M.D., primary care sports medicine physician with Baptist Health Orthopedic Care in Deerfield Beach, Florida. 'Generally speaking, the AFT is challenging, but not impossible for the average person with a basic fitness foundation,' Perry, who is unaffiliated with the Army, told Fox News Digital. 'It's designed to test full-body strength, muscular endurance, speed, agility, and cardiovascular stamina — all elements essential for combat readiness, but also relevant to functional fitness for civilians.' Compared to a typical gym workout, the AFT is more demanding because it combines different physical domains into one test, he said. 'Compared to elite athletic training, it's moderate—but not easy,' Perry added. For civilians who regularly strength train, run, or do functional workouts (like CrossFit or HIIT), this test is well within reach, he said. 6 AFT scores are recorded during basic training for soldiers and initial training for officers, the Army states on its website. DZiegler – For a civilian who exercises three to four times a week, the AFT is 'realistically achievable' with focused training over an eight- to 12-week period. 'About 30 to 50% of healthy, recreationally active adults could likely pass it with little to moderate training,' he predicted. 'Sedentary adults or those with chronic conditions would have a harder time and would likely need a focused eight-to-12-week (or possibly longer) conditioning plan to pass.' Melamed wasn't quite as optimistic, estimating that less than 5% of civilians could pass the AFT. 'These aren't weekend-warrior workouts — this is military-level conditioning,' he told Fox News Digital. 'You have to work your way up to this level of intensity training.' 6 For a civilian who exercises three to four times a week, the AFT is 'realistically achievable' with focused training over an eight- to 12-week period, according to reports. vectorfusionart – The expert also noted that there is a mental component to the test, but said mindset alone isn't enough. 'If you try this unprepared, you could get seriously hurt,' he cautioned. 'It's doable — but only with smart, progressive training. You have to work up to it gradually.' 'And this test is as much about strategy and recovery as it is about raw strength.'
CBS News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Massachusetts band, Nate Perry & Ragged Company, excited bring original songs to Boston Calling stage
Bands from across Massachusetts will get the chance to showcase their music on the Orange Stage at Boston Calling this weekend. One of those bands is Boston-based, Nate Perry & Ragged Company, who recently sold out a venue in Norwood. The band has been amping up rehearsals to focus on original material and storytelling. Former National Guard member "I had never expected to be getting ready to play Boston Calling," said band frontman, Nate Perry. The New Hampshire native is also fine-tuning his pipes with professional voice lessons. "This is the first time that I've taken any kind of real music lessons," said Perry. Perry began his career in the National Guard and Army Reserve, but after a brief stint, he made the switch to music. "I would just stay in my tiny barracks room and play guitar," said Perry. It was during that time that he discovered a deeper connection to the lyrics of some of his favorite songs. "I started getting closer to, like, the storytelling side of music because I wanted to start talking about things that matter to me," Perry told WBZ-TV. Discovering the art of songwriting He wanted to tell tales from the heart, and that began with finding a band of his own. "I found this guy on Craigslist who was looking for a singer for his band," said Perry. The man was also hoping to find a songwriter, which Perry had never done. "I started really drilling that, and I just started kind of telling my own stories. I went through an awkward process of breaking down the idealized version of who I am as a songwriter and then just being honest because I think you can tell right away," Perry told WBZ-TV. Now, he can do it in his sleep. "I kind of had this dream where there was, like, a rhythm in my head," said Perry. "So I woke up to that and I was like, well, I'm just going to write this down." Now all that's left to do is keep that momentum going until Memorial Day Weekend. Nate Perry and Ragged Company will play on Sunday on the Orange Stage from 2:45 p.m. until 3:15 p.m.
