After a military buildup, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24 for what he has called a “special military operation.” Within days, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy created “The International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine” and invited volunteers from other countries to fight alongside Ukrainians in defense of the country. A number of American veterans joined the fight against the Russian invasion, but not all of them would not return home. At least 10 Americans have died fighting in Ukraine, and at least two Americans were taken captive. Military veterans Alex Drueke and Andy Huynh, both from Alabama, were captured and held for three months before they were released.
Meanwhile, roughly 20,000 U.S. troops were mobilized throughout central and eastern Europe in anticipation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and then in response to it. Most are posted in partner nations, training with local troops. Military Times’ comprehensive coverage on the war in Ukraine includes live updates from the days immediately following the invasion, U.S. military aid sent to Ukraine, and analysis from defense leaders.
After Dec. 31, the Defense Department will no longer award American service members the National Defense Service Medal. Since the Sept. 11 attacks, all troops have been able to pin the award on their uniforms after completing initial training. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made the announcement about the medal’s retirement in a memo, writing “termination is based on the United States no longer conducting large-scale combat operations in designated geographic locations as a result of the terrorist attacks on the United States that occurred September 11, 2001.”
The National Defense Service Medal had been previously activated for five years during the first Gulf War, 13 years for Vietnam and four years for the Korean War. Service members may still receive the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal or the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal if they qualify.
President Joe Biden signed into law a comprehensive package to help veterans who are affected by toxic exposure. The Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, or PACT Act, was the result of more than a decade of work to make sure those with toxic exposure injuries, particularly related to burn pits in combat zones, get the health care they need through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Those efforts started with Congressional hearings after Military Times first reported troops’ concerns about the burn pits in 2008. The PACT Act passed with bipartisan support after veterans rallied and protested around the clock on Capitol Hill.
While veterans with illnesses that stem from burn pits have garnered the most attention, the law will also help Gulf War veterans and Vietnam veterans affected by Agent Orange exposure. It also included the “Camp Lejeune Justice Act,” which allows civil lawsuits against the government for injuries related to water contamination at the Marine Corps base from August 1953 to December 1987.
The Defense Department updated guidelines for its physical fitness and body composition program in March. The change allows the branches to tailor guidelines to meet the needs of their service members and missions. This gives services the freedom to determine the best way to evaluate body composition, as long as service members still meet certain criteria under each option.
The Marine Corps announced in August it will move away from the tape test and instead use X-ray scanners and other technology to determine body fat composition. The Army is weighing whether changes to body fat measurement are supported through data from a study on the service’s body composition policy but decided to keep its current height and weight screening tables.
The new DoD guidelines also remove language for specific options when it comes to physical fitness testing, leaving each branch responsible to test fitness levels of service members as they want. It also states testing physical fitness only needs to happen once a year and does not dictate that the evaluation be a literal test. The Space Force reportedly plans to eliminate an annual fitness test in lieu of monitoring fitness through a device like a Garmin or FitBit.
Additionally, DoD’s new policy requires branches to create tests based on occupational requirements.
Service members will receive an 11% increase in their monthly Basic Allowance for Subsistence in 2022, the largest percentage increase in the 21-year history of the food allowance. The BAS is intended to offset the cost of meals for service members, not family members, and is adjusted by food prices each year.
Military families have been feeling the pressure of increasing inflation, and the Defense Department unveiled initiatives this year to combat that. The measures include a temporary boost in Basic Housing Allowance for some active duty members for the second year in a row, new guidelines for the Basic Needs Allowance, and changes designed to keep costs down for commissary shoppers.
Several states have reported dealing with teacher shortages, but Florida offered an incentive for veterans to fill those roles. The Florida Department of Education announced an initiative to allow veterans to teach without typical accreditation or requirements other certified teachers need. Veterans still need to meet certain qualifications to be hired, including some college credits and supervision by a teaching mentor. Critics argued the move could lower the state’s standard of education.
In the grand tapestry of history, 2022 will be remembered as a year of profound significance for the military community. As we draw the curtains on this chapter, we can’t help but be awed by the remarkable stories that unfolded on the global stage
From groundbreaking technological advancements to acts of extraordinary valor, the military landscape in 2022 was marked by resilience, innovation, and unwavering dedication. These stories not only shape our understanding of the world but also inspire us to embrace the spirit of possibility and progress.
As we reflect on the biggest military stories of 2022, we are reminded of the incredible men and women who serve our nations with unwavering commitment. Their sacrifices and triumphs continue to define our collective spirit and remind us of the power of unity and determination.
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Source: By Military Times staff
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