Category Archives: Veterans for Common Sense News

Fighting military suicides with peer counseling

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Team VCS

(CBS News) The Pentagon granted a six-month extension Wednesday to a pilot call-in program for American military personnel considering suicide. The suicide rate among both active-duty troops and reservists is alarming, and it’s increased dramatically this year. One effort to … Continue reading →

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Three active servicemembers head to London Paralympic Games

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Team VCS

  Stars and Stripes Published: August 23, 2012 RELATED Soldier who lost leg blazes ‘legendary trail’ as competitive marksman Navy Lt. Brad Snyder competes at a meet sanctioned by the International Paralympic Committee in Colorado Springs, Colo., in February of … Continue reading →

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Life Gets Better Once You Get Help

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Team VCS

VCS General Counsel Thomas Bandzul sharing his story to encourage veterans to get help. Learn more about Life gets better,at Make the Connection http://maketheconnection.net/stories/story.aspx?story_id=212

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New mobile app helps patients with PTSD through prolonged exposure

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Team VCS

The Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs have released PE (for prolonged exposure) Coach, a smartphone mobile application for use with post-traumatic stress disorder treatment. Both departments use prolonged exposure therapy as an effective treatment for PTSD. PE Coach is … Continue reading →

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Groups call on Marines to sever ties with UFC

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Team VCS

From Stars and Stripes by By JENNIFER HLAD WASHINGTON — A group of veterans is asking the Marine Corps to stop sponsoring the Ultimate Fighting Championship, saying the mixed martial arts organization tolerates inappropriate and offensive speech and is inconsistent with the … Continue reading →

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VCS Presents Testimony before DNC Platform Committee

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Team VCS

VCD AD for Advocacy Ben Krause presents our testimony before the DNC platform committee

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New Program Aims to Better Help Troops Transition to Civilian Life

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Team VCS

  From Armed Forces Press Service by Terri Moon Cook Washington, D.C. –  The Defense Department is conducting pilot classes of a new program designed to better prepare service members transitioning out of the military to civilian life. Transition Goals Plans … Continue reading →

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Using technology to battle PTSD

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Team VCS

From the Boston Globe by Chelsea Conaboy Brian Sullivan, a former Army bomb technician, quit treatment for post-traumatic stress when, he said, doctors began pushing him to take medications he didn’t want. His symptoms, however, did not quit. Traffic jams made … Continue reading →

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Army Suicides Doubled Last Month From June’s Total

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Team VCS

From the AP By Robert Burns WASHINGTON — Suicides among active-duty soldiers in July more than doubled from June, accelerating a trend throughout the military this year that has prompted Pentagon leaders to redouble efforts to solve a puzzling problem. … Continue reading →

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Veterans Affairs agency under investigation for conference spending

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Team VCS

From the Washington Post By Lisa Rein The Department of Veterans Affairs spent $5 million—and set aside $4 million more — last year for two training conferences whose organizers are under investigation for breaking ethics rules by improperly accepting gifts, congressional committees and … Continue reading →

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