Readout of Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper's Meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

 Oct. 29, 2020

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Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper met today in Tel Aviv with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.  They discussed shared security concerns throughout the region and the need for continued cooperation to advance our mutual interests.  Secretary Esper reaffirmed the longstanding and continued U.S. commitment to maintain Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge (QME).  Both leaders agreed on the need to continue to strengthen the bilateral security relationship. 

Secretary Esper and Prime Minister Netanyahu discussed how the normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain under the Abraham Accords represents a historic opportunity to strengthen regional security.

Troops Tell Esper that DOD Should Not Lose Focus on Diversity, Inclusion

 Oct. 30, 2020 | BY Jim Garamone , DOD News

Service members tell Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper that they do not want the Defense Department to lose focus on the importance of diversity and inclusion in the force.

The secretary met with service members during a visit to Bahrain. Esper has held 24 of these talks all over the world.

The feedback he is getting is consistent. "One concern that was expressed — and I share the same concern — is that we lose focus," Esper said during a meeting with reporters traveling with him. "The good news is: It's not different [from] my previous 23 sessions. The bad news is: It's not different [from] the previous 23 sessions. In other words, there's a constant concern out there."

The secretary said everywhere he goes, "there's this sense that there is not overt racism in the military, but there is unwitting bias."

Those are the things they are looking for ways to rid the military of, he added. Losing focus worries the secretary as well. He does not want diversity and inclusion to become just another PowerPoint lecture that service members have to endure. "So, that's a problem that I want to make sure we avoid, which is why I set up the three initiatives I did in the summer: short-, medium- and long-term efforts."

The short-term efforts were immediate things Esper could put in place. "That's done, we've accomplished several things like we took photographs out of promotion boards," he said. 

The second part will come from the report of the Defense Board on Diversity and Inclusion that is due out next month.

"Then the long-term, the thing that will sustain the focus will be the Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion in the Services," he said. This will be similar to the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services and should sustain and keep the focus on the diversity and inclusion effort.

Department of Defense Press Briefing on Military Community and Family Policy Family Readiness Programs, Policies and Initiatives

 Oct. 29, 2020

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military, Community and Family Policy Kim Joiner; Marcus J. Beauregard, Director, Defense-State Liaison Office, Department of Defense Military Community and Family Policy; Lee Kelley, Director, Military Community Support Programs; Carolyn S. Stevens, Director, Office of Military Family Readiness Policy

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DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE KIM JOINER:  Good afternoon.  I'm Kim Joiner, deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Military, Community and Family Policy.  To the reporters in the room and those on the phone, thank you for joining us today.  We appreciate your participation and hope that we walk you -- you walk away with a better understanding of what our team does every day for our service members, their families and survivors, particularly during this time of COVID-19.

We are the focal point for the coordination of a broad range of quality of life issues within the department.  We are home to Military OneSource, the DOD-funded program that provides comprehensive information, resources and confidential support 24/7, 365 on every aspect of military life.

And before I introduce and welcome my three directors today, I'd like to inform you that we continue to closely follow Secretary Esper's three priorities for the COVID-19 response, which are, first, protecting the health and safety of our service members, their families and our civilian workforce; second, maintaining our national security mission capabilities; and, third, supporting the whole-of-nation response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, we designated commissaries and other support facilities as mission essential so they could remain open throughout the pandemic.  Our military family resources are especially critical during the pandemic.  To better serve our service members and their families during this challenging time, military community and family policy significantly enhanced our support efforts in every aspect of our portfolio.

For example, we transitioned more than 1,800 military and family life counselors around the globe from face-to-face non-medical counseling support to telehealth.  We launched a section on Military OneSource specifically dedicated to COVID-19 to ensure our military community receives the latest and most accurate information.

And just this month, we launched the My Military OneSource mobile application, which is available for download on smartphones and tablets to provide easier access to information, support and referrals.

Secretary Esper holds an unwavering commitment to caring for our warfighters and their families, as evident in his adding his own fourth line of effort to the National Defense Strategy of taking care of families.  This has sent a strong message to the military community and throughout the Department of Defense.  We understand how much our people rely on the resources we provide, so this is a no-fail mission for us.

You're going to hear about the spectrum of support we provide.  However, in order to really get a true picture of the impact, nothing replaces talking to the service providers who do the work, or the service members and families who access the resources.  So if at any point in the future you would like to take a deeper dive into the resources and talk to those providing and receiving that direct service, please let us know, and thank you.

Now, allow me to introduce my three directors.  Mr. Marcus Beauregard -- over to you, Marcus.

DIRECTOR MARCUS J. BEAUREGARD:  Good afternoon.  My name is Marcus Beauregard.  I'm the director of the Defense State Liaison Office. Our office of 10 people work with state governments.

Our mission from the very onset has been to essentially eliminate barriers that military families find as a result of unintended consequences of state policy.  We also have done some work in terms of basically comporting state policy with federal -- federal law and policy, to ensure that there is no disconnect.

Over the years, we've worked family law; we've worked consumer protection; we've worked child care; K-12 education; higher ed.; EFMP [Exceptional Family Member Program] support through Medicaid waivers; employment security; licensure; voting; National Guard support; veterans' treatment courts; and disposition of human remains.

Right now, we have 10 key issues that we're working that I'll be happy to explain, and go from there.  Look forward to your questions.

MS. JOINER:  Thank you, Marcus.

Ms. Lee Kelley?  Lee, you can take it away.

DIRECTOR LEE KELLEY:  Thanks, ma'am.

My name's Lee Kelley.  I'm director for military community support programs in the Office of Military Community and Family Policy.  My team oversees Military OneSource, the military and family life counseling program, as well as some of DOD's spouse employment programs, like the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities Program, the Military Spouse Employment Partnership and the My Career Advancement Account Scholarship for military spouses.

I wanted to just offer three areas of focus that we have right now during this -- this particular phase of 2020, and the first is a focus on the virtual provision of support.  And so we're very lucky in -- within our team to be implementing programs that were already predominantly delivered virtually when in March, we experienced the widespread closures as a result of COVID-19.  However, we -- we have added additional virtual capability due to the current needs of our service members and families.

And just as an example, in the spouse-employment space we are particularly increasing our number of virtual engagements.  Our Virtual Military Spouse Symposium back in April of 2020 saw nearly 4,000 spouses attend, versus typically what we'd see on an annual basis at -- at that one event would be more like 2,000 spouses.

We also recently held our Virtual Hiring Fair through the Military Spouse Employment Partnership, bringing almost 700 military spouses to visit more than 100 companies who participate in the partnership, who are committed to spouse hiring.

The second area of focus that we have right now is of the virtual delivery of a -- a new initiative developed by the Office of People Analytics called REACH -- Resources Exist, Asking Can Help.  It's a -- it's a program, an initiative that's actually focused on dispelling the myths around help-seeking, and -- and COVID-19 has not prevented us from moving that forward.  And so we're now focusing more on a virtual delivery with the goal, again, of dispelling the myths of help-seeking, normalizing the experience of help-seeking, removing stigma that might exist for our service members and families.

And the third area of focus, that we're really very excited about, is this fall we've launched a relationship campaign because the top reason that service members and families seek non-medical counseling through the Military and Family Life Counseling Program, as well as through Military OneSource, is for relationship support, and certainly, that need has not gone away during this pandemic.  So we've been focused on a public-facing relationship campaign to help pull back the curtain on what relationship support looks like for couples in the military, and we're looking internally at how we provide that relationship support to determine how we can do it in the most effective manner possible.  And I really look forward to your questions.  Ma'am?

MS. JOINER:  Thank you, Lee.  And last, but not least, Ms. Carolyn Stevens.  Carolyn?

DIRECTOR CAROLYN S. STEVENS:  Good afternoon.  I'm Carolyn Stevens, the Director of the Office of Military Family Readiness Policy.  Our office is divided into three teams:  Children, Youth and Families; Family Advocacy Programs; and the Office of Special Needs.  I'd like to take a few moments and share some of the initiatives that -- that we have in place that are supporting our families.

So starting first with the Exceptional Family Member Program, we recently launched, with the help of Military OneSource, a web application called “EFMP and Me.”  EFMP and Me gives our families, our service providers and our leadership access to a myriad of different topic areas so that individuals can go into the web application and search on very specific information to get questions that -- that might be specific to their individual needs, like preparing for a move; questions about education when you're transitioning to a new location; questions about TRICARE and other medical needs; or just -- just the adjusting to new life situations, if you have a family member enrolled in EFMP.

October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and our Family Advocacy Program, along with the department, is taking the opportunity to reinforce our commitment to keep our military families safe; to support victims of domestic abuse; and ensure that domestic violence is recognized as a crime in those -- in those cases where there's abuse and harassment.  We have really focused on what we call a coordinated community response to the work with family advocacy programs, ensuring that we are working with our other entities like law enforcement, investigators, school personnel, personnel in children and youth programs.  And the importance of that means that we are taking a very integrated approach in providing supportive services through all of the family advocacy programs.

In particular, we're excited to -- to announce that we have recently launched a training course that involves first responders; again, a very concrete way of ensuring that we take advantage of technology and take advantage of those relationships to work together to support our families.

And then finally, in the area of children, youth and families, we've recently launched an initiative through Military OneSource, again, where we've expanded the availability of childcare for hourly care purposes.  We know that not every family needs care on a full-time basis, and through this expanded service with Military OneSource, families can now go into a web application.  They can search care providers and find a care provider who can be available to meet those short-term, hourly care needs.

I look forward to your questions.  I'll stop there.  Thank you.

MS. JOINER:  Thank you, Carolyn.  OK, let's get started.  Abraham Mahshie with the Washington Examiner.  Go ahead.

Q:  Thank you so much.  (inaudible) these important initiatives and topics that you guys have spoken about, and I have a few questions.  Lee, I wondered if you could describe a little bit more, specifically, the counseling and the job sort of assistance that you've been providing since COVID hit.  Obviously, mental health is a big issue related to the coronavirus lockdowns.  I wonder if you could get into more details on that.

And then Carolyn, you spoke about domestic violence awareness this month, and I -- studies show that the more time people spend together, the higher domestic violence is.  And so coronavirus lockdowns is putting people together for longer periods of time.  I wondered if you're observing that in the military as well, and how you've responded to that.  Thank you.

(UNKNOWN):  Thank you.  Go ahead, Lee.

MS. KELLEY:  So I'll start, talking about our counseling programs.  Our counseling programs, from the beginning, since they -- they've -- since they started more than a decade ago, have been centralized and standardized through Military OneSource and the Military and Family Life Counseling Program.  The biggest difference between the two programs is that Military OneSource is a -- it's entirely, almost entirely virtual.  So it's a call center, 1-800-342-9647, 24/7, 365 days a year.  And it's often referred to as a one-stop-shop.  So any concerns, questions related to military life, whether it's financial counseling, health and wellness coaching, assistance with eldercare, childcare, not -- certainly, non-medical counseling, spouse employment, tax filing -- you name it.  Service members and families can reach out to Military OneSource at any time.  They can do that via the 1-800 number, or they can do that via live chat through the website.

The Military OneSource Program has always provided non-medical counseling.  That non-medical counseling -- and just to -- to kind of step back and define non-medical counseling for a second, because it's not the most intuitive phrase.  Non-medical counseling is for all of those issues of -- those stressors related to military life that are under a threshold of a mental health diagnosis -- so relationships, anger, communication, grief, loss.  Those are all really appropriate for the solution-focused, non-medical counseling that we provide through Military OneSource.

The Military OneSource non-medical counseling can be provided face-to-face in the community, around where a service member or a family member lives or works; it can be provided via telephone or via video.  Separately, the military and family life counseling program, before COVID-19, was provided solely face-to-face.  This was face-to-face delivery of non-medical counseling support where service members and families live and work.

So it's a little bit of a nontraditional counseling program, in that you could connect with a counselor while you're fixing an aircraft on a flight line, because that counselor's been embedded in your unit.  You could connect with a counselor when you go to pick up your child at the child development center or at the school.  So the counselors are located in convenient places for service members and families, so it's always been done face-to-face, around the globe, through the use of more than 2,000 counselors.

What happened during COVID-19 was a demand signal immediately went up from our military communities, service members and families around the globe that said "we don't want a -- yes, we can't have the face-to-face support right now, but we don't want to lose the capability of the counseling support provided through the military and family life counseling program."

So the program quickly transitioned in a matter of days to provide telehealth support.  And so that same counselor that you knew from your child's school, you were then able to connect with via video.  Military OneSource has been and continues to be used as a central directory for military and family life counselors.  So if you say "oh, I -- I know I had one at my unit, but they're not here right now because we're all working from home," you can call Military OneSource and find out the contact information for that counselor so that they can set up a video appointment.

So that's -- that's where we were back in March and where we continue to be, but the military and family life counseling program, it just depends on the location as to whether they're providing face-to-face or telehealth support right now.  Completely based on the conditions on the ground and the needs of that location.

I'll move on to the spouse employment piece that you referenced.  The spouse employment piece -- so again, the spouse employment program really benefited from already being delivered centrally and in a standardized fashion virtually.

So the spouse education and career opportunities program is implemented through Military OneSource and it provides a dedicated career coaching support to military spouses, and it always has.  So it was already virtually delivered, so it was seamless during COVID-19.

What the call center experienced, what the program and the career coaches experienced was not a tremendous spike in spouses calling regarding unemployment, but certainly to include calls related to unemployment; layoffs; how do I balance work and virtual schools for my child; and also for our spouse students, who maybe were attending school in person using the My Career Advancement Account scholarship -- my school's closed, does that mean I'm going to lose my funding?  And the short answer is no.

So from the spouse employment perspective, we allocated more effort towards meeting the virtual needs by offering new virtual events.  So we offered, just in the last couple of months, career empowerment expos for the Air Force and the Navy that had been previously planned to have been done in person.  Those were then done virtually, which actually allowed us to have a wider spectrum of speakers, because there was no travel involved in that.

The third that I just wanted to touch on, that you mentioned, related to COVID-19 specifically -- I mentioned the shift of the military and family life counseling program to telehealth.  I'll also say that Military OneSource did need to undergo a shift at the onset of COVID-19 related to support provided to military youth.

Previously, military youth could only obtain non-medical counseling face-to-face through Military OneSource.  We heard, again, a demand signal from our military community saying "we need our military youth to be able to access video counseling from their home."  And so the program was modified to allow that capability.  A parent just needs to come in and give their consent at the start of the video session and then the military youth is able to proceed with a video counseling session.

Q:  Great.  Do you have any metrics to describe, like, sort of how -- when you talk about demand signals, like, the increased demand for those counseling services or the -- the jobs?  Or if you don't have metrics, like, do you have any anecdotes?  Like, did -- did this -- did this actually go up, did it go up by a lot?

MS. KELLEY:  So with Military OneSource, we've seen a steady increase in utilization, but not necessarily -- it didn't start with COVID-19.  We've been seeing, over the last two years, a steady increase in utilization.  That steady increase has continued through COVID-19.

What you see in COVID-19 are anecdotes related to the circumstances introduced by the pandemic.  So again, I'm not used to having my spouse in the house all day long -- communication challenges related to relationships.  You know, from -- from a  -- a metric standpoint, you know, just to give you kind of an idea of the amount of relationship support that's provided through the programs, I'm -- I'm going to cite an F.Y.'19 data point, but it hasn't changed tremendously in F.Y. '20.

So F.Y. '19, we saw relationship support make up more than 260,000 sessions within the military and family life counseling program out of a total of 765 sessions.  So about 34%.  Again, that's the top issue, people seek non-medical counseling through our programs -- is for relationship support, and in F.Y. '19, again it was up -- it ended up being more than 260,000 sessions, and so that -- that has remained the key issue.

It's just that the -- the relationship support that's being asked for now includes the issues that have risen to the surface as a result of COVID-19.  In some cases, couples have welcomed the opportunity to work virtually with a military and family life counselor from the comfort of their home, rather than having to coordinate to meet their spouse on base or at another location to have that session.

So for some couples, they've embraced the convenience of -- of telehealth, and for others, it made -- more appreciate the face-to-face support, which we're able to do safely, abiding by CDC -- Centers for Disease Control requirements in areas where that's acceptable and appropriate.

Q:  OK, thank you.

MS. JOINER:  Carolyn, go ahead.

MS. STEVENS:  You ask about the increase -- potential increase in domestic violence, domestic abuse cases.  Certainly we -- we see the -- we see the news and we know that in the civilian community, there are increases in the number of reports.

We are not currently seeing that within our military services.  In fact, the -- the number of reports now are very similar to the reports a year ago this time.  We -- we are concerned that -- and this is an issue that we do need to maintain watch -- I -- I -- I do want to pivot, I think what's important, and it mirrors a lot of what Lee is talking about -- the -- the value and the importance we've placed on the availability of supportive services through virtual methods.

So our family advocacy clinicians have also shifted to that virtual service delivery, our new parent support counselors, the home visitation program shifted as well, victim advocate support, all of that can be provided through -- through virtual means.

So -- so we haven't lost the rhythm of being able to support both victims, provide information to leadership in terms of -- of what are the next steps in cases of allegations of abuse.  We didn't lose anything because we just shifted to a virtual means.

Q:  In (inaudible) increased sort of calls, or you said no increased reports?

MS. STEVENS:  No increased reports.  And that's what -- so I'm focused on your question, I'm interpreting your question as -- we do read in the news that there are increased reports, and that's really where we are, are staying connected.  That's what -- that's the data that gets reported back to us.

Q:  All right, very good, thank you.

MS. JOINER:  Thank you, Abraham.

We also have Jennifer-Leigh on the call from Air Force Magazine, on the phone, if you'd like to ask your question?

Q:  Well, hello everyone, and thank you so much for taking the time to speak with all of us.  I have two quick questions.  The first was actually a follow-up on the (inaudible)  just received.  And this question, again, is for Ms. Stevens.

I was just hoping that you could elaborate on the training programs that involved the domestic violence issues that you said was incorporating first responders.  If you could just speak to the nature of what that program is, whether it trains with families, that brings in first responders as speakers or if they're training first responders to be more kind of fluent in what military culture looks like, what military family dynamics look like.

And then my second question is on an unrelated note, and that's for Mr. Beauregard.  And that question is, have you seen any progress on the part of states with respect to military staff licensure portability, especially following the Department of the Air Force's assessment of portability in all states where the department has installations?  Thank you very much.

MS. STEVENS:  So thank you for that question.  Regarding the training that I mentioned in my opening remarks, it is focused on technology.  Last year, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and again this year, our office focused on the fact that abuse can occur through technology, through the phone, through text.  That we needed to move away from thinking about this issue as simply a face-to-face issue between an alleged offender and a victim.

And so this training that I mentioned is -- is really focused initially at that law enforcement group as first -- first responders, and bringing them into the conversation about the importance of understanding how technology can be used in cases of domestic violence.

And while -- while we worked with law enforcement to develop this training, it's appropriate for all first responders.  Just, again, this is really focused on the technology aspect of this issue.

Thank you. Lee?

MS. JOINER:  Marcus.

MS. STEVENS:  Marcus, sorry.

MR. BEAUREGARD:  Thank you for that question.  I'll see if I can repeat it and make sure I got it right.  You're asking about whether we saw any improvement in military spouse licensure policy at states; and has there been any impact of the Air Force evaluation system that feeds into the -- their basing model?  Is that correct?

Q:  Yes, basically I'm just wondering if anything has improved on the licensure portability front, and if the -- I guess if that Department of the Air Force assessment, that kind of graded or have indicators for the relative portability of licenses in various states where the department has bases, if that has had any positive impact.

MR. BEAUREGARD:  OK, thank you -- thank you for that.

I'd like to start with just saying that our office has been working military spouse licensure for several years, and over a period of time, we got the states to enact certain legislation around endorsement, temporary licensure, expedited application processes.

In 2017, we found at the -- as a result of a study that was done by the University of Minnesota, that those were not necessarily the most impactful ways to get to the issues that military spouses have with licensure, which are fundamentally about the process and about the amount of effort, time and resources it takes to get to the point of being licensed in a new state.

And so what we did is we went back to the states in 2018.  We were aided -- and I wanted to make this point, that the letter that came from the three military department secretaries was sort of the shot across the bow that really got things moving.  States once -- where they thought they had taken care of the problem, realized, no, there is more to be done.  And so we took advantage of that opportunity to work with states on new best practices that they were developing.

Concurrent with that, at the same time, the Air Force was developing their criteria to evaluate states, and we worked with them, based on the knowledge we had coming from our experiences before 2017 and the result of the University of Minnesota study.  And so they started developing that evaluation process and at the same time, the department started working -- as I said, working on this issue as well.

And Secretary Esper, in 2019, said that after he -- he established a fourth line of effort for the National Defense Strategy that included taking care of military families as essential to our national strategy, he also identified military licensure as a key element to that, and requested that we put together a report that would go to all the state governors in the defense -- or the congressional defense committees.

In that, we lined out a way head, three lines of effort.  And those three lines of effort developed into also a criteria.  So the Air Force had a criteria, we had a criteria.  Not necessarily the same, but supportive, definitely supportive of each other.  Ours is oriented -- ours -- the OSD criteria, along the three lines of effort, just basically there to provide feedback to the states to let them know how are they doing on those three lines of effort.  The Air Force developed a criteria around nine occupations as a test of how well they're doing.

And so we use both of those.  And where there are any differences, we've been working very closely together -- the Air Force team and our team -- and approaching states where they have any concern about a difference in that evaluation.

As far as the impact of that evaluation, it has definitely, I think, heightened the awareness of this issue in states where there are Air Force installations.  And we are the boots-on-the-ground team that deals with the state legislators.  And so we hear from them and ask -- have them respond to us about how can they do better.  And so we provide them best practices from other states, which indeed provide the support necessary to improve to answer the needs of the Air Force criteria as well.

Long answer, but hopefully that gave you some context of how we're doing this now.  The -- the three lines of effort are included in our 10 key issues for this year and so we're taking them to the states in 2021 to continue our effort.  And we're seeing great response.

In 2021, we'll be working on enhancing licensure, state licensure policy.  We call it "enhancement" because the states had already done something, but we've come up with a new way of benchmarking them, giving them best practices and giving them a baseline, saying that a military spouses should be able to get a license within 30 days and provide minimal paperwork initially.

They may have to provide additional paperwork to verify their initial application, but they should be able to get some kind of either provisional, temporary or even permanent license based on minimal paperwork up-front.

The second line of effort is to ensure that states are implementing whatever state law they have, and making that law accessible to military spouses.  We receive feedback from military spouses that they still don't understand what they need to do; and so we test the -- the states in terms of going to their websites, looking at their application forms, ascertaining whether they have done a good job with implementation and whether they're making it readily accessible to the military spouse.

And finally, we see that interstate compacts for occupational licensure provide a game-change.  They basically allow a military spouse to hold the license in one state and then be able to work in all other member states through something called “privilege to practice” without having to re-license in the new state.  So we're following through with that as well.

So right now, we have about 20 states that have fulfilled the requirements that we see in terms of that 30-day minimal paperwork requirement.  We've got 22 states that we recognize have good policy, good policy to ensure accessibility and have websites that make it -- make it so, make it accessible for military spouses.

And then overall, we've got 39 states that have committed one way or another to interstate compacts; in the criteria that the -- that the OSD has in terms of how well are they doing, we think that states are doing well if they've done at least three compacts -- there's five out there right now that we have been following.

And so we've got 19 states that have done at least three.  And as I said, we'll be working with them in 2021 and working hand-in-hand with the Air Force in terms of their criteria reviewing the -- the results of their criteria so that we don't have any disconnects that we have to necessarily discuss with states as a follow-on.

I think that -- that covers it.

(Laughter.)

MS. JOINER:  I think you covered that, Marcus, thank you.

Is there anybody else on the phone that would have a question they'd like to ask?

OK.

Q:  Hi, this is Caitlin Kenney with Stars and Stripes.

MS. JOINER:  Go ahead.

And we'll get back to you, Abraham, just a moment.

Go ahead.

Q:  Hi.  I don't know if I heard this, but can you say, I guess, what the -- if there's been any increase in, like, more -- like, new, I guess, users for those counseling -- the nonmedical counseling, whether it's service member or spouse or teams?  Do you have, like, any actual, like, increasing in numbers and data regarding that, now that it's at least more accessible with virtual?  Thanks.

MS. KELLEY:  Hi, this is Lee Kelley.  I can take that.

(UNKNOWN):  Thank you, please.

MS. KELLEY:  So we've seen a steady increase in Military OneSource utilization of nonmedical counseling that has continued throughout COVID-19, but did not start at the onset of COVID-19.  So it's been a regular, steady increase that did not go away with COVID-19.

The nuance is that the issues -- when we kind of take a pulse of the issues that people are seeking counseling for, COVID-19 may emerge as a stressor amongst those -- those issues that are described when a service member or a family member is seeking support.

You know, for kind of looking at just F.Y. '20, which I know just wrapped up, relational problems remained the top issue for which service members and families sought support for through Military OneSource and the Military and Family Life Counseling Program.  It was 56% of all nonmedical counseling sessions for Military OneSource.

And F.Y. '20, I know earlier I cited the F.Y. '19, but the F.Y. '20, it was 38% for relational -- again, relational problems being described as the top reason service members and families were seeking nonmedical counseling.

(UNKNOWN):  can you (inaudible) that?  Sorry.

MS. KELLEY:  Yeah, sure.  So earlier, I had mentioned the F.Y. '19.  And the F.Y. '19 relational problems accounted for 34% of Military and Family Life Counseling sessions, OK?  In F.Y. '19, relational problems indicated were for 57% of total Military OneSource sessions, so two different programs.

Then, switching to F.Y. '20.  F.Y. '20, they accounted for 38% of Military and Family Life Counseling programs.  In F.Y. '20, they accounted for 56% of Military OneSource sessions.

MS. JOINER:  Thank you, Lee, great.

MS. KELLEY:  Thank you.

MS. JOINER:  Abraham, did you have an additional question?

Q:  (inaudible) very similar to the question that was just asked, was trying to get numbers.  And it just -- with all -- with the COVID lockdown stress that is permeating all of society and the military, it's hard to believe that it is negligible that the services -- that there's a negligible increase in demands for these services.

MS. KELLEY:  The demand has always been in existence.  With Military OneSource, we've continued to see a rise in utilization of service members and families accessing the service.  That rise did not start with COVID-19.

We think this is a good sign in that service members and their families, when COVID-19 really began to initiate the significant lockdowns starting in March, knew they could rely on Military OneSource as a place to reach out to for support, particularly because that support could be provided virtually; and service members and families, again, for more than a decade, have been used to being able to rely on that service, whether it's picking up the phone, accessing it via live chat.

With military and family life counseling, we have seen sustained utilization through that program but during COVID-19, when we switched to telehealth, there was a -- a -- there was less utilization because the -- the counselor was not right there with you in the room or at the family center or at the school or at the child development center.

So service members and families have to reach out to engage or they may have their command reach out and say "this is that military and family life counselor's contact information," but this speaks to why the military and family life counseling program was a face-to-face program to begin with, because it was intended to really create that ease of access for service members and families.

The telehealth capability has been the -- the capability that we can bring to bear in COVID-19, in areas where face-to-face support isn't available or isn't appropriate at that time, but it doesn't take away -- so -- when -- when we were able to go back to face-to-face support, I think that's what you will see.

You will see military and family life counselors delivering face-to-face support, not maintaining a telehealth presence, because I think the -- the -- the -- what we know through this program is that the face-to-face delivery is important because that counselor's not sitting in an office somewhere.  They're actually walking around the unit or walking around the school.  And so they're an easy -- easy frame of reference for someone who's seeking help.

You know, the Department of Defense worked with RAND on an evaluation of non-medical counseling and the results were published back in 2017 and they -- they really kind of point to why the program is effective.  It -- it's effective because service members and families feel comfortable with the confidentiality provided through the counseling, they feel comfortable with encountering a -- a counselor in normal settings versus having to maybe go to a -- an office to -- to sit down and kind of call -- maybe call attention to themselves.  So they're able to really be comfortable with that counseling.

And so the -- just to -- just briefly, the results of that evaluation found that non-medical counseling does reduce problem severity in the short and mid term, and it does reduce interference with daily routines.  And so this kind of, again, speaks to why we believe that non-medical counseling is a really important prevention program for our service members and families in maintaining their wellbeing and readiness.

Q:  Great.  Could you quantify the utilization?  Like, how many -- what number of people or families is using it?

MS. KELLEY:  For -- for which -- for both programs?  Yes, I can.  So for --

MS. JOINER:  Lee, why don't we try to -- we'll get -- can we get -- get back to you on that, just so we're certain we're -- certain we're -- we're on the numbers?

MS. KELLEY:  Sure.

MS. JOINER:  OK.  One more question -- we have time for one more question.  Does anybody on the phone have a question? 

All right, well thank you, for everybody joining us today, for the opportunity to be with you.  To my directors, thank you so much, excellent job.

And that concludes today's event, so thank you very much.

WASP Visit

 

Betty Dybbro, a Women Airforce Service Pilot, or WASP, visits Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Oct. 21, 2020. The WASPs were federal civil service pilots who tested and ferried aircraft and trained other pilots during World War II to help offset the lack of male pilots on the home front.

Musical Marine

A Marine with the Quantico Marine Corps Band performs at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va., Oct. 24, 2020.

 

After the Storm

 

An Army CH-47 Chinook spins up for an evening training flight just after a storm clears at Katterbach Army Airfield, Germany, Oct. 6, 2020.

Bradley Test

 

Soldiers field test the newest Bradley Fighting Vehicle in a series of maneuvers and engagements at Fort Hood, Texas, Oct. 24, 2020.

Growler Takeoff

 

A Navy EA-18G Growler takes off from the flight deck of the USS Ronald Reagan in the Philippine Sea, Oct. 28, 2020, during Keen Sword, an exercise with joint and bilateral partners to enhance long-range interception capabilities.

Customer Service

 

Air Force Airman 1st Class Diamond Durant accepts a parcel from a customer at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Oct. 28, 2020. Despite COVID-19 challenges, the post office remains dedicated to ensure timely processing of packages, incoming and outgoing.

Resident Assistance

Arizona National Guard service members deliver boxes of groceries to area residents in Casa Grande, Ariz., Oct. 29, 2020.

Esper Sees Iron Dome Missile Defense System in Tel Aviv

 Oct. 30, 2020 | BY Jim Garamone , DOD News

Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper got a chance to see the Israeli Iron Dome anti-missile battery that the U.S. Army is buying during a stop in Tel Aviv yesterday.

Iron Dome is a combat-proven piece of equipment that the Defense Department has invested in for years. The Israelis have used the system constantly to stop the rain of missiles that struck vulnerable cities in the south and north of the country. The Iron Dome prevented more than 2,500 missiles from striking occupied areas of the country.

Israeli officials are very proud of the missile defense network they have developed that includes David's Sling and the Arrow system. They are very proud to share the Iron Dome with the United States military.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu met Esper near the airport and called the sale of the Iron Dome to the U.S. Army "a testament to our alliance. The Iron Dome was developed by Israel with U.S. assistance," Netanyahu said in answer to a question. "Now we share so many things; the U.S. helps us in so many ways. It's a privilege for us to have reciprocity in this relationship. [Iron Dome has] protected us. We will be happy if it protects America, too."

Earlier, Defense Minister Benny Gantz met Esper at the airport and he escorted the secretary to the missile system static display. The system components were already mounted on U.S. Army standard Oshkosh trucks, and painted in Army colors. The battery was finished on time and within budget, Israeli Missile Defense Organization Chief Moshe Patel told Esper.

The Iron Dome is designed to shoot down short-range missiles — those with a range of about 40 miles or less. The Israelis developed the system in response to threats emanating from Gaza and Southern Lebanon. Israeli scientists worked on the solution to the problem set and often consulted with U.S. researchers. They developed and fielded the system quickly. The United States military invested in the project as well.

The system the U.S. Army has bought has been continually improved since its debut, Patel said. Israeli scientists worked the algorithms to increase the accuracy and range of the missiles. They also adapted it so it is compliant with U.S. command and control systems, and by extension, NATO command and control.

Iron Dome can be reloaded quickly and firing batteries can be ganged together. There is an artificial intelligence function that analyzes incoming rounds and determines if people or facilities are in danger. If not, the AI would not recommend a shot. A person is always in the kill loop, however, according to an Israeli Defense Forces officer whose identity is protected.

The battle management system is extremely adaptable and Patel said it could take inputs from many different radars and could be used to tie together different U.S. missile defense systems like the Patriot and THAAD.

The U.S. Army has one battery of Iron Dome missiles. The second will soon be shipped to America. The batteries will undergo tests at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama and White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

Achievement Medal

 

Army Staff Sgt. Lindsey Lopez receives the Army Achievement Medal from Lt. Col. Chip Rankin at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, Oct. 17, 2020. Lopez earned the award for her role as the noncommissioned officer in charge of 47 National Guard, Reserve and active duty soldiers at Camp McGregor.

Force Focus

 

An Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker copilot conducts preflight procedures at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Oct. 20, 2020.

Dome Display

 

Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper tours the Iron Dome display with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz in Tel Aviv, Israel, Oct. 29, 2020.

Passionate Performance

 

Members of the Quantico Marine Corps Band perform at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va., Oct. 24, 2020.

Readout of Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper's Meeting With USNAVCENT Commander Vice Admiral Samuel Paparo

 Oct. 29, 2020

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On October 28, 2020, Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper met with Vice Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces, Central Command, during the Secretary’s first official visit to Manama, Bahrain.

Secretary Esper expressed his appreciation for VADM Paparo’s leadership of USNAVCENT since taking command in August, and his steadfast commitment to U.S. forces stationed in Manama and operating across the U.S. Fifth Fleet to advance the shared security objectives of the United States and our partners in the Middle East.

While USNAVCENT, Secretary Esper also visited the crews of the USS Devastator and the USS Monsoon based at NAVCENT, and spoke with the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, where he commended the U.S. forces continuing to uphold commitment of multinational maritime forces to upholding the international rules-based order in international waters and advancing the freedom of navigation in the region.

Secretary Esper thanks VADM Paparo and our U.S. service members in Manama for the warm welcome and hospitality at USNAVCENT and for their daily vigilance in protecting American interests in the region.

Readout of Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper's Meetings With His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Bahrain Defence Force Commander Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa

 Oct. 29, 2020

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Yesterday in Manama, Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper met with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at Sakhir Palace, and also met with the Commander in Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force, Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, who he thanked for their gracious hospitality on his first official visit to Bahrain.

Secretary Esper expressed his gratitude to HM King Hamad and Field Marshal Al Khalifa for their friendship with the United States and U.S. forces. The parties reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Bahrain security relationship and shared commitment to advancing stability and security in the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in the face of Iranian malign influence.

On behalf of the President, Secretary Esper commended the leadership of Bahrain on their country’s historic normalization of relations with Israel last month, joining the United Arab Emirates in a critical step towards strengthening regional stability.

Secretary Esper expressed his deep appreciation to HM King Hamad for nearly a quarter century of hosting the U.S. Fifth Fleet and he and the Field Marshal’s continued support for U.S. forces operating out of Bahrain.

Program Clears Bike Trail for Recovering Soldiers During Pandemic

 Oct. 29, 2020 | BY CHRISTINE AURIGEMA

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Soldier Recovery Unit has used the time constructively.

They cleared a bike trail in a stretch of woods near the SRU barracks so that recovering soldiers can learn cycling basics and become comfortable and confident cyclists. 

ARCP supports wounded, ill and injured soldiers as they transition back to the force or to veteran status. Adaptive reconditioning programs help ARCP soldiers optimize their well-being and achieve goals through activities and sports. Cycling is one example of a number of programs designed to help ARCP soldiers.

The Fort Bragg SRU cycling program was established years ago and welcomes riders of all experience levels. Some haven't ridden a bicycle since junior high school. Others are experienced riders who, due to illness or injury, are learning the skills again with a new approach, said adaptive reconditioning support specialist Dean Bissey.

Sgt. 1st Class Michael Pugh rides with the cycling group twice weekly. He said the Army's investment in this program showed him that the Army really cares about the soldiers.

The trail the soldiers used to frequent was only wide enough for one bike to pass at a time. This made it hard for the staff and cadre to ride alongside beginning cyclists while they taught starting, gearing and braking on uneven terrain.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bissey had time to survey, map and clear a small route in an unused patch of woods near the SRU barracks. The new trail allows him to ride alongside soldiers safely.

''It's not a very long path, but it's enough that we could explain the beginner-level skills, and we could work on those skills without having to involve a 30-minute drive to a mountain bike trail,'' he said.

Once the soldiers gain experience, they are invited on group rides. Some may participate in bike rides with 40-50 people, which increases their circle of friends and influencers and creates a safety net that they didn't have before, Bissey said. To keep riders safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of cyclists on rides was limited to five-plus staff members, and special cleanup and disinfecting procedures for personal protective equipment and common areas were instituted.

Pugh enjoys the camaraderie, conversations and meeting new people.

''The hour goes by quick,'' he said.

Pugh also cycles on his own because it challenges him every day and increases his endurance level. He plans to continue riding three to four days a week after he transitions, and he believes it will keep him fit and successful.

Bissey believes that cycling can provide soldiers with more than a good workout and a chance to expand one's social circle.

''People will remember the bike from being a kid and it being their first taste of freedom, the ability to go further and quicker than walking and the ability to explore past your own few blocks,'' he said. ''This sense of freedom is tapped into when soldiers start riding again.''

Adaptive reconditioning programs provide activities and sports that help wounded, ill and injured soldiers to optimize their well-being, achieve their goals and return to active lifestyles. Through these virtual programs, soldiers can continue classes and programs and try new ones. During the COVID-19 pandemic, an average of 350 AR activities are offered at 14 SRUs across the country every week.

The Army Warrior Care and Transition Program is now the Army Recovery Care Program. Although the name has changed, the mission remains the same: to provide quality complex case management to the Army's wounded, ill and injured soldiers.

Dedication Ceremony for Pentagon’s Newest Permanent Display

 Oct. 29, 2020

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Today, the Department of Defense will dedicate the Gold Star Families Pentagon Display at 11 a.m. EDT during a virtual ceremony in the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes.

Due to public health and safety concerns related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the dedication ceremony is a virtual event.

The ceremony’s principal speaker is Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Honorable Matthew P. Donovan.

“This is an important occasion as we honor—with this new memorial—and show our great respect and love for our military families who have lost treasured sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters,” said Mr. Donovan. “I am honored to represent the Department of Defense as we unveil this memorial today, representing the heart and soul of not only our department, but our nation. Over the years, the Pentagon has become a living museum. All through these corridors, we have world class historical displays recognizing significant moments and individuals throughout the history of the Department of Defense. The memorial you will see today will do just that as we honor our Gold Star families.”

The program will include remarks by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark A. Milley and Gold Star wife Jane Horton.

History of the Gold Star Family

The official history of our gold star family dates back to World War I when military families put service flags in their window featuring a blue star for every immediate family member serving in the War. If their loved one was killed in action, the star’s color would be changed to gold. In 1918, the Gold Star tradition grew as President Woodrow Wilson approved a recommendation by the Women’s Committee of National Defenses to wear a black armband with a gold star.

The Hall of Heroes

The Hall of Heroes is a room dedicated for people to honor the brave service members who have received the Medal of Honor, the highest award for bravery that can be awarded to members of America’s armed forces for exceptional acts of valor. It opened in 1968 and the name of every person to receive the Medal of Honor since the Civil War is displayed there. Three large Medal of Honor replicas are displayed prominently on the stage in the Hall of Heroes. They represent the Army, Navy and Air Force versions of the medal. Asterisks appear next to the names of those who received two medals, while dots appear next to the names of those who received medals from both the Army and Navy for the same act of gallantry.

The Making of the Gold Star Display

The Gold Star Families Display is a tribute to not only the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for this great nation, but to the families they leave behind who serve as their living legacies. The display provides the history and meaning of the Gold Star on the Service Flag and the Gold Star Lapel Button, and features a rotating story of a Gold Star family. The display features multiple Gold Star families who have continued to give back to the military community. Gold Star wife Jane Horton created the display.

The dedication ceremony will be livestreamed on defense.gov. The ceremony will also be shown on Channel 2 for live viewing in the Pentagon.

Read Understanding the Significance of the Gold Star for more information.

Learn more about how the department honors our Gold Star Families on the Military OneSource website.   

Defense Secretary Meets With Bahraini, U.S. Military Leaders

 Oct. 29, 2020 | BY Jim Garamone , DOD News

Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper visited with Bahraini and U.S. leaders in Manama, Bahrain, to get a feel for conditions in the vital Persian Gulf region.

Esper met with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and thanked the Bahraini monarch for his country's stout support of American presence in the region.

Earlier in the day, the secretary met with Navy Vice Adm. Samuel Paparo, the commander of the 5th Fleet based in Bahrain. He got a feel for operations in the Persian Gulf and the threat posed by Iran in that crucial waterway.

The secretary also visited with service members and toured the USS Devastator, a countermine ship, and the USS Monsoon, a patrol craft. Both ships are based in Bahrain and play an important role in ensuring freedom of navigation.

Iran is just across the Gulf from Bahrain and remains the biggest problem in the vital thoroughfare. In the past, Iranian leaders have threatened to close the waterway. This would choke off a large proportion of the world's oil. Iran was behind last year's attacks on tanker ships in the region and launched a drone strike against a Saudi oil refinery. The Iranian regime also supports proxy groups from the Houthis fighting in Yemen to Shiite militias in Iraq.

Iran has seemed to back off from provocations. Fifth Fleet officials put that, in part, to the presence of the Nimitz carrier battle group in the Gulf and the solidarity among partners in the Gulf to ensure the waterway is safe. 

A total of 33 nations participate in operations to ensure freedom of navigation in the Arabian Gulf. Bahrain is a key member of that group and hosts the home port of the task force. U.S. Coast Guard personnel help teach partners' sailors the fine art of searching vessels. Task force vessels counter piracy, run counternarcotics operations and search for illegal weapons. The vessels also rescue mariners in trouble. There have been numerous reports over the years of coalition vessels rescuing Iranian mariners.

Before meeting Esper, the Bahraini king spoke briefly with reporters traveling with the secretary. He noted Bahrain has hosted the U.S. Navy for more than 70 years and was obviously proud of the association with the United States. He greeted Esper warmly at the Sakhir Palace and held his meeting with the secretary in a beautiful garden outdoors in deference to COVID-19 protocols.

Esper thanked the king for the support to American service members over the years and also thanked him for the Abraham Accords, which opened relations between the Kingdom and Israel.

Finally, the secretary met with American service members to discuss diversity and inclusion in the military. It was the 24th such session he has had with service members worldwide.

U.S. Department of Defense Hosts First Crisis Communications Working Group With the People's Republic of China People's Liberation Army

 Oct. 29, 2020

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On October 28 and 29, 2020, U.S. and Chinese defense officials convened the first Crisis Communications Working Group by video teleconference to discuss concepts of crisis communications, crisis prevention, and crisis management.

The meeting provided an opportunity to build mutual understanding between the U.S. military and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on principles to prevent and manage crisis and reduce risk to forces. The two sides agreed on the importance of establishing mechanisms for timely communication during a crisis, as well as the need to maintain regular communication channels to prevent crisis and conduct post-crisis assessment.

The U.S. delegation, as host, included representatives from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, and the United States Indo-Pacific Command. The Chinese delegation included representatives of the Central Military Commission’s (CMC) Office for International Military Cooperation, the CMC Joint Staff Department, and the PLA Southern Theater Command.

Funeral Escort

 

Soldiers assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” and members of “Pershing’s Own,” the U.S. Army Band conduct modified military funeral honors with funeral escort for Medal of Honor recipient Army Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Shurer II at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., Oct. 27, 2020. Shurer received the Medal of Honor for going above and beyond the call of duty April 6, 2008, while assigned to Special Operations Task Force 33 in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.

During COVID-19, Use of Non-Medical Family Counselling Remains Strong

 Oct. 29, 2020 | BY C. Todd Lopez , DOD News

During the COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdowns, the use of counseling support, such as what's available through Military OneSource has continued to rise — something that's actually been happening since before lockdowns began in March, said Lee Kelley, the director of Military Community Support Programs.

"We've seen a steady increase in Military OneSource utilization of non-medical counseling that has continued throughout COVID-19, but did not start at the onset of COVID-19," Kelley said, adding that during COVID-19, the lockdowns and the pandemic itself have increasingly shown up as stressors in counseling sessions.

The Military OneSource program has always provided non-medical counseling, Kelley said, for such issues related to military life that are under the threshold of what would be needed for a mental health diagnosis. Included in issues covered there, Kelley said, are relationships, anger, communications issues, grief and loss, for instance. The non-medical counseling provided through Military OneSource can be provided face-to-face, she said, but more often it's provided via telephone or video.

The related Military and Family Life Counseling Program, on the other hand, has always been face-to-face. That is, Kelley said, until COVID-19 closed down so many resources.

"What happened during COVID-19 was [that] a demand signal immediately went up from our military community, service members and families around the globe," Kelley said. "[They said] ... we don't want to lose the capability of the counseling support provided by the Military and Family Life Counseling Program. So the program quickly transitioned in a matter of days to provide telehealth support ... so that same counselor that you knew from your child's school, you were then able to connect with via video."

Kelley said a commonality between both counseling programs is that the most frequent topic for personnel seeking assistance from both services is relationship issues.

"That's the top issue people seek non-medical counseling through our programs for: relationship support," she said.

As a result, Kelley said, Military Community Support Programs has created a new program to focus specifically on highlighting the issue.

"We've been focused on a public-facing relationship campaign to help pull back the curtain on what relationship support looks like for couples in the military," she said. "And we're looking internally at how we provide that relationship support to determine how we can do it in the most effective manner possible."

No Rise in Domestic Abuse

While there have been some reports in the civilian community of a rise in reports of domestic abuse during COVID-19, the same hasn't happened in the military community, defense leaders said.

"Certainly, we see the news and we know that in the civilian community there are increases in the number of reports," said Carolyn Stevens, the director of the Office of Military Family Readiness Policy. "We are not currently seeing that within our military services. In fact, the number of reports now are very similar to the reports a year ago this time."

Nevertheless, she said, because there have been reports of such an increase in civilian communities, the department needs to keep an eye on the issue.

"We are concerned ... and this is an issue that we do need to maintain watch [on]," she said.

Military Mission

 

Soldiers exit an M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle to head to a meeting with town elders while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve in Syria, Oct. 25, 2020.

Nasopharyngeal Swab

 

Army Spc. Chris Rodriguez, with the 996th Area Support Medical Company, and Army Spc. Nicholas Martinelli, with the 2nd, 285th Aviation Battalion, conducts training for medical personnel at a local Scottsdale, Ariz. nursing home that will soon facilitate a COVID-19 point-of-care testing system to nursing home residents and visitors, Oct. 27, 2020. The Arizona National Guard has activated more than 800 Arizona citizen soldiers and airmen to support community needs during this emergency response.