Latest news with #MichaelWeimer
New York Times
09-07-2025
- Health
- New York Times
New U.S. Army Shaving Rule Could Affect Many Black Soldiers
Soldiers with skin conditions will no longer be granted permanent medical waivers that allow them to avoid shaving under an updated U.S. Army policy that critics said could disproportionately affect Black troops. The change will phase out permanent waivers for soldiers who had been allowed to grow beards because they had been diagnosed with pseudofolliculitis barbae, also known as razor bumps or ingrown hairs. The condition affects up to 60 percent of Black men as well as other people with curly hair, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. The Army will still grant temporary medical waivers and permanent waivers for religious reasons that allow soldiers to grow beards. Soldiers with permanent medical waivers will work with their doctors and commanders to develop better grooming techniques and treatment plans that will allow them to shave without developing skin problems, the Army said. Soldiers who cannot comply with grooming standards that require them to be clean-shaven 'within a reasonable time' may be kicked out of the Army, the service said in a statement this week. The updated Army policy is similar to one the U.S. Marines announced in March. 'This update reinforces our culture that fosters discipline — and discipline equals readiness,' Michael R. Weimer, the sergeant major of the Army, said in the statement. 'Through a phased implementation, we are working with providers through commanders to effectively address grooming standards to ensure we maintain a professional force.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Army tests new ride-share program in Hawaiʻi: 5 things to know
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Transportation can be one of the most stressful experiences we as humans have given to ourselves. From monthly payments on auto loans and leases, to monthly insurance payments and maintenance, costs are a big stress. But then there's the use of the vehicle. Having a stable and safe parking space, worrying about collisions and dealing with inescapable traffic. In light of these issues and many more, the United States Army is trying something new to make life easier for soldiers and their families. They are launching a pilot ride-share program that is being tested at six Army bases, including three right here in Hawaiʻi. Here are the top five things found that is important to know about this effort. The Army is launching the ride-share pilot at: Fort Bliss, Texas. Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. Schofield Barracks, Hawaiʻi. Fort Shafter, Hawaiʻi. Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaiʻi. More than 600,000 people live or work at these bases. So, if the test is successful, then the Army plans to expand it to more families and civilians have often had trouble getting ride-shares onto military bases. This program aims to make it easier to get picked up and dropped off safely and quickly. Whether heading to a doctor's appointment or coming home from work, it's important to Army leadership that members and personnel feel supported. Even with easier access, safety is still a top concern. Ride-share drivers will go through checks using the FBI's crime database and the Terrorist Screening Database in order to be allowed onto these military bases. They'll also need to show proof of the ride on their phones or say who they're picking up and where when they check into the communities they enter. 'We heard you,' said Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer told the U.S. Army Public Affairs Office. 'It shouldn't be so hard to coordinate transportation onto our installations.' This program is a direct response to the challenges people living on and around bases have shared. 'This program demonstrates our commitment to addressing the challenges faced by our military communities,' said Dan Driscoll, Secretary of the Army told the U.S. Army Public Affairs Office. 'Through collaboration with the ride-share industry, we're able to provide our Soldiers and their families with safe, reliable and convenient transportation options that support their unique needs and enhance their overall quality of life.' Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 You can click to read the official statement from the Army. More information will be shared after the two-month test period wraps up. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Army launches Uber pilot program on Oahu
TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE Uber announced Monday that a 60-day pilot program will begin at Army facilities in the U.S., including at Schofield Barracks, Fort Shafter and Tripler Army Medical Center. A man steps out of a ride-hailing vehicle in Austin, Texas. 1 /2 TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE Uber announced Monday that a 60-day pilot program will begin at Army facilities in the U.S., including at Schofield Barracks, Fort Shafter and Tripler Army Medical Center. A man steps out of a ride-hailing vehicle in Austin, Texas. ROBYN BECK / AFP / GETTY IMAGES An Uber sticker is displayed on a car used for ride-hailing in Los Angeles. 2 /2 ROBYN BECK / AFP / GETTY IMAGES An Uber sticker is displayed on a car used for ride-hailing in Los Angeles. TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE Uber announced Monday that a 60-day pilot program will begin at Army facilities in the U.S., including at Schofield Barracks, Fort Shafter and Tripler Army Medical Center. A man steps out of a ride-hailing vehicle in Austin, Texas. ROBYN BECK / AFP / GETTY IMAGES An Uber sticker is displayed on a car used for ride-hailing in Los Angeles. Soldiers and their families in Hawaii might have an easier time getting on and off base, whether it's going to the airport or getting home safe after a wild night out, with a new pilot program the Army is launching in partnership with Uber. The Army and Uber announced the 60-day pilot program Monday. It will start at Army facilities on Oahu including Schofield Barracks, Fort Shafter and Tripler Army Medical Center. The program also will be in effect for Fort Bliss, Texas ; Fort Bragg, N.C.; and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. 'This pilot is our response to see if we can safely collaborate with the ride-share industry to simplify transportation options for everyone living on, working on or even visiting our camps, posts and installations, ' said Sgt. Maj. Michael Weimer in a statement release on the Army's website. 'We heard you and agree, it shouldn't be so hard to coordinate transportation onto our installations, but also in and around some of our larger ones.' U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii said in a statement that Pentagon and Army policy already allowed ride-share drivers to do pickups and drop-offs at military bases, but that 'each installation sets its own permit length and temporary-access requirements, which discourages ride-share drivers and limits transportation options. This pilot will look at the most effective strategies to safely increase ride-share operations and will provide guidance on how to standardize rules and procedures.' All drivers participating in the program will have to pass a background check before receiving an installation access permit, a process that includes proving and vetting identity through the FBI's National Crime Information Center and Terrorist Screening Database. Even with the permit, drivers will be allowed to access installations only after showing gate guards their access pass as well as the pickup or drop-off request on their smartphone apps. 'We are proud to partner with the Army to expand rideshare operations for service members and their families, ' said Dara Kho srowshahi, CEO of Uber, in a media release. 'This initiative underscores Uber's commitment to reliable transportation access, and will help to strengthen connections with surrounding communities and boost the local economies around these bases.' Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. Silicon Valley tech companies have been eager to work with the Trump administration, seeking partnerships and government contracts. Khosrowshahi—a former Iranian refugee—was once a vocal critic of Trump's immigration policies during his first presidency but has since changed his tune. During the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, he was optimistic about the future of tech under Trump and said, 'We want to work with every government. … The U.S. technology sector is an absolute treasure.' Uber donated $1 million to Trump's inauguration fund, and Khosrowshahi personally donated another $1 million. Uber previously donated $1 million to President Joe Biden's 2021 inauguration, but Khosrowshahi did not donate to the event. According to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the donations, the $1 million donation to Trump's fund is Khosrowshahi's largest-ever donation to a political candidate or inauguration fund. 'This program demonstrates our commitment to addressing the challenges faced by our military communities, ' said Army Secretary Dan Driscoll in a media release. 'Through collaboration with the ride-share industry, we're able to provide our Soldiers and their families with safe, reliable and convenient transportation options that support their unique needs and enhance their overall quality of life.'
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Top enlisted soldier promises ‘promotion reform' for sergeants major
The Army is reviewing how it assesses, selects, promotes and assigns its sergeants major in what the service's top enlisted soldier called short- and long-term 'promotion reform.' Through 2025, the service will review all aspects of E-8 assessment and the selection process for the Sergeants Major Academy, Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer told the audience at an Association of the U.S. Army speaking event Thursday. The Army will also evaluate promotions, as well as how the service manages its command assessment program for the senior rank. 'Sergeant major talent management is a big topic right now,' Weimer said. 'How are we running boards to truly evaluate, assess performance, and then most important, assess potential.' Weimer served previously on the Senior Enlisted Council, which includes 10 sergeants major from across the services. He described that group, with each member averaging 30 years of experience, as, 'powerful if used properly' in this effort. Senior enlisted leaders to share career lessons in Army writing push Though nothing has yet been decided, Weimer expects change. 'Are we still doing this with a No. 2 stubby pencil like in 1993 or are we really taking advantage of where technology can help us?' he said. 'But then the humans still call balls and strikes when it comes to true potential assessments.' A substantial portion of how the analysis plays out will involve the Army's Human Resources Command, which handles the bulk of personnel requirements for the service. The review follows reports and rumors of sergeants major opting out of promotion boards, as well as promotable officers opting out of company or battalion command assessments. Weimer said those anecdotal reports are problematic without data to support the numbers. He did not cite specific data on senior enlisted soldiers opting out of command selection. The Army overhauled its command assessments for officers at the company and battalion level in recent years. The move aimed to provide a professional approach that would allow for a more holistic assessment of the candidates before assigning them leadership roles over those formations. In September, Weimer issued new guidance for the selection of command sergeants major that removed a requirement for a candidate's diversity to be considered, reported. Promotions boards are still allowed to consider diversity but are no longer required to do so when assessing candidates. The Army fired at least three high-profile command sergeants major in separate incidents last year. Those relieved of command included Command Sgt. Maj. Harold 'Ed' Jarrell, the top enlisted leader for 1st Information Operations Command; Command Sgt. Maj. Veronica Knapp, the top enlisted leader for the service's Military District of Washington; and Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew Carlson, the senior enlisted leader of the 173rd Airborne Brigade.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Army enlisted leader sees ‘transformation' at work in brigade visit
War is fog. War is mud. War is finding high ground. And for the Army, war is terrain. One of three select brigades is learning that during training in real time, not far away from real fighting in Ukraine. Soldiers with the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, have spent the past month in Europe spread out between Poland and Germany, where they've faced freezing conditions, fog too thick to drive through, rain, snow, mud and all the accompanying challenges such a climate brings. Based out of Fort Johnson, Louisiana, the 3rd Brigade is one of three Transformation in Contact brigades, an Army-wide effort to test on-the-ground equipment and structural changes, such as new reconnaissance and strike companies. The 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and the 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, out of Hawaii, are also Transformation in Contact brigades. Army wants robots, sensors to make infantry platoons 10 times better During this rotation, the 3rd Brigade also got attacked by Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer. But it was only pretend. Weimer visited soldiers, donning his field gear for a few days to march and train alongside the troops on both sides of the training scenario. 'We saw snow, sleet, fog that was so thick we had to walk in front of the vehicles at night,' Weimer told Army Times in a Jan. 31 interview. 'It's like it's own little weather ecosystem. And I think that's important context because that's very different than the 2nd of 25th ID's rotation and very different from the 2nd of the 101st down at [Joint Readiness Training Center], they see totally different terrain, totally different weather.' The former Delta Force operator spent some time with the opposition forces, probing the 3rd Brigade's defenses, where he saw soldier ingenuity on display. A key component of the Transformation in Contact initiative is giving brigades new and tailored equipment, such as infantry squad vehicles, more compact communications gear, and more advanced drones, among a slew of other tech tools. Weimer said he was impressed with the squad vehicle mobility that soldiers were able to use, even in the tough terrain. Alongside the squad vehicle, Weimer said soldiers were using the squad multipurpose equipment transport, or SMET, a kind of robotic mule, to cut obstacle emplacement time by nearly half the time it typically takes. The SMET can also operate in silent mode, charging devices without being detected in the field, he added. Those small but meaningful advances — cutting down time and reducing the number of soldiers to accomplish a task — have all been key in how small units and their noncommissioned officers are finding ways to solve tough problems in the field. However, there are still challenges. During the 3rd Brigade's rotation in Europe, freezing weather was eating up drone batteries. Soldiers were sleeping with batteries, using hand warmers and emergency blankets to keep batteries warm and sustain their charge, Weimer said. So, it's not all about new gear. Soldiers are still working with legacy systems, Weimer said. But they're finding new ways to use that old gear. The sergeant major described what he's seen among troops as having a '[Transformation in Contact] mindset.' Some of that translated into soldiers working through legacy network problems with new tools and combining approaches where it made sense. 'Soldiers are being soldiers,' Weimer said. 'They're figuring it out.'
