Today's Headlines from Stars and Stripes

Stars and Stripes, the U.S. Military's Independent News Source: Thursday, November 19, 2009
Top headlines from Stars and Stripes. See the rest of today's news at www.stripes.com Warrior units in transition: As injures increase out of Afghanistan, WTUs adjust entry criteria Army warrior transition units have seen a small surge in the number of patients coming from Afghanistan in recent months, but overall the number of soldiers being sent to the specialized care units has dramatically dropped in the last year because of tighter restrictions on admitting troops. If gays can openly serve, will straights still want to? Stephen Vossler is an outspoken advocate for allowing homosexuals to serve in the military openly, saying his experience is the perfect example of the transition from awkwardness to acceptance that most troops will work through if the ban is overturned. Fort Hood slayings prompt full Pentagon review The Pentagon will investigate its procedures in light of the Fort Hood shooting rampage, looking at how all the military services keep a watch on potential problems in their ranks, officials said Tuesday. Army suicides expected to top 2008, but progress reported Soldier suicides in the Army in 2009 are on pace to top last year's numbers but Army officials said Tuesday they believe a decline in the rate of such deaths signals they are making progress in grappling with the problem. Troops hone artillery skills to cut Afghan deaths Deep in the woods on the Kentucky-Tennessee line, soldiers who call in powerful weapons like mortars are learning how to get close enough beforehand to better identify targets, a key element of the military's new mandate to reduce Afghan civilian deaths. Afghan official said to take bribe for copper deal A senior Afghan official allegedly took a $20 million bribe to steer a copper mining project to a Chinese company, a glaring example of the claims of corruption clouding the Obama administration's deliberations over expanding the U.S. commitment in Afghanistan. Military in Europe addressing swine flu Military doctors and commanders have taken to the airwaves and have held town hall meetings to address concerns and questions about the swine flu and the vaccine to treat the illness. Navy finds lax behavior aboard sub in collision U.S. military investigators say crew members of a U.S. submarine made dozens of errors before the vessel collided with an American warship in the Persian Gulf. They also found the sub was led by officers who improperly tolerated sleeping, slouching and a radio room rigged with music speakers. Judge: Corps of Engineers' negligence caused Katrina flooding A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the Army Corps of Engineers' failure to properly maintain a navigation channel led to massive flooding in Hurricane Katrina, a decision that could make the federal government vulnerable to billions of dollars in claims. Obama, South Korean leader accentuate the positive America's relations with South Korea, a crucial Asian ally, are on an upswing as President Barack Obama meets with President Lee Myung-bak on Thursday, though a stalled trade agreement is still a concern for the economic powerhouses. Troubled Afghan president begins his second term Under intense pressure to fix his corrupt government, Afghan President Hamid Karzai is expected to strike a balance in his second inaugural speech Thursday: answer international demands for reform while appeasing political allies who returned him to power. AP source: Ex-DOD official to head Fort Hood shooting review Defense Secretary Robert Gates has tapped a former senior defense official to lead a broad Pentagon review of the circumstances surrounding the Fort Hood shootings, The Associated Press has learned. Obama says talks under way on Iran sanctions President Barack Obama said Thursday the United States has begun talking with allies about fresh punishment against Iran for defying efforts to halt its nuclear weapons pursuits.
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