On Sale for $2: A Soldier's Act of Heroism, Right Next to Used Books and an Old Toaster
Every Sunday, a swap meet takes over the parking lot of the VanBuren Drive-In movie theater in Riverside, California. During one visit, I had wandered away from my friends, who were combing through old dishes, looking for rare midcentury china to add to their collection. As I strolled through aisles past folding tables and blankets, […]
Mothers of Former Texas Soldier's Sexual Assault Victims Say Army Was Too Slow to Act
A lawsuit filed by two mothers of minor children sexually assaulted by a now dishonorably discharged soldier who served at Fort Cavazos, Texas, claims that the Army did not act quickly enough to stop him or prevent him from harming more young victims. Rashad Parkinson, 29, a former Bradley Fighting Vehicle maintenance technician, pleaded guilty […]
After Delays, Army Secretary Signs ‘Brandon Act’ Policy on Self-Referrals for Mental Health Evaluations
Army Secretary Christine Wormuth signed new instructions for soldiers this week that are intended to improve access to mental health treatment by allowing them to request an immediate referral for an evaluation from a supervisor or commander. Following a months-long delay in implementing a Defense Department policy announced in May, Wormuth issued a memorandum to […]
Army Sparks Outrage with Delay of ‘Brandon Act’ Implementation
Leaders at Fort Cavazos in Texas held a “call to action” on Aug. 16 — a day to focus on mental health, suicide prevention, intervention and access to care and services — following the suicide deaths of three soldiers assigned to the post. In the wake of the deaths, however, the parents who pushed for […]