The TAPS Daily

Welcome to The TAPS Daily - your source for some of the latest news, resources, and thought pieces from across the military and veteran community during the COVID-19 response.

1. 4 Things to Know About POW/MIA Recognition Day
   (Military.com)
   You Are Not Forgotten – that's the central phrase behind the POW/MIA remembrance movement which honors America's prisoners of war, those who are still missing in action and their families.
2. Pentagon rewriting pandemic playbook after study faults COVID-19 response
   (Politico)
   In confronting COVID-19, the Pentagon failed to initially account for the “global nature” of a modern pandemic.
3. Three Weekend Habits To Boost Happiness And Productivity
   (Forbes)
   Every weekend gives you the chance to start your new work week in high gear. It’s important to consciously choose fulfilling activities that disconnect you from the work of the just-finished week.
4. State Department, Officials Accidentally Feature Navy Planes in Air Force Birthday Messages
   (Military.com)
   It's the Air Force's 73rd birthday. To celebrate, top officials and government agencies have posted photos commemorating ... the U.S. Navy.
5. Army Issues New Memo About Protecting Bases from Climate Change
   (Military.com)
   The U.S. Army is so worried about climate change, which it has identified as a national security threat, that it issued a new directive September 11 requiring planners and managers to establish resilience measures against natural disasters, according to a service news release.
6. Here comes the first day of fall! The autumnal equinox is Tuesday.
   (USA Today)
   Our long, hot summer is finally coming to an end on Tuesday, September 22 with the autumnal equinox, which marks the beginning of fall in the Northern Hemisphere.

• 42 States, 1 U.S. Territory Pledge to Help Veterans at Risk of Suicide as Part of ‘President’s Roadmap’
  (The Epoch Times)
  A proclamation has been signed by 42 states and one U.S. Territory pledging to prioritize suicide prevention among U.S. veterans and the nation’s population at large.
• Finding strength through Hope - Beyond the Blue
  (McConnell AFB)
  Lynnette Brown, 22nd Contracting Squadron quality assurance program coordinator, shares the story of her late husband’s suicide and how she uses her story to help others as part of McConnell’s Beyond the Blue initiative. Lynnette Brown credits TAPS and partner, Home Base, with helping her with the healing process.
• Want To Send Mental Health Support? There’s A Care Package For That
  (Forbes)
  After her own battle with depression and anxiety and suicide ideations, and following the loss of her brother to suicide, Julia Broglie became a source of support to others in emotional crisis. She created a care package guided by the six pillars of mental health, in an effort to let people know they are not alone and that there is hope.
• Suicide prevention starts with building healthy connections
  (DVIDS)
  Suicide prevention, at its very basic, is about people taking care of people, even in the workplace.
• Second Lady Karen Pence Highlights Veteran Suicide Prevention Efforts in Arizona
  (WhiteHouse.gov)
  Today Second Lady Karen Pence participated in a roundtable discussion on veteran suicide prevention efforts underway in Arizona. Mrs. Pence delivered opening remarks about her role as the Lead Ambassador for PREVENTS and the importance of now more than ever being the time to address veteran suicide. TAPS is a member of the PREVENTS Task Force.

• Our Hearts Are With You - TAPS Natural Disaster Response
  TAPS offers assistance to military survivors impacted by disasters including COVID-19.
• Pathways to Success: College Education Exploration
  Join TAPS as we explore finding the best school for you, military benefits and scholarships, and how to navigate the application process. 
• We're All in This Together - COVID-19 Resources for American Public
  Resources and support to help anyone facing the impacts of COVID-19.
• TAPS News Archive
  Catch up on all the TAPS news stories over the years on the TAPS media resource page.

• VA Offers Debt Relief to Those Affected by Natural Disasters
  (Military.com)
  The Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced that it will offer debt relief to veterans adversely impacted by natural disasters.
• U.S. Military Working Dogs Should Be American-Born, Senator Says
  (Military.com)
  A Democratic lawmaker wants the Pentagon to buy American when it comes to its Military Working Dog program.
• Army National Guard major told Congress feds requested heat ray and stockpiled ammunition before clearing D.C. protest
  (CNN)
  Federal officials looked into getting a heat ray that makes targets' skin feel like it's burning and amassed thousands of rounds of ammunition in preparation for clearing a peaceful protest in Lafayette Square in June, according to written House testimony from an Army National Guard major who was at the scene.
• To end endless war, we must repeal the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force
  (The Hill)
  Nineteen years ago, this week, the 107th Congress voted to pass the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF). The text of this bill can fit neatly on one page, and it includes one sentence that has permitted the longest war in American history.
• Pentagon unveils new religious liberty policies after pressure from conservative lawmakers
  (Military Times)
  The Pentagon has issued new guidance on religious liberty within the military — following pressure from Republican lawmakers to “prioritize protecting the rights and freedoms of service members” in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 6 Ways to Exercise While Stuck at Home
  (Military.com)
  It’s tempting to forget about your New Year’s fitness goals during a national crisis, but movement gives us vital mood-boosting endorphins and stress relief. Here are six ways to get a solid workout in without leaving the house.
• Shorter Sleep Leads to Less Joy From Positive Experiences
  (Technology Networks)
  New research from UBC finds that after a night of shorter sleep, people react more emotionally to stressful events the next day--and they don't find as much joy in the good things.
• The Upside Of Virtual Grieving
  (Refinery29)
  We can use our times of solitude — as we might have to go back into isolation periodically — to contemplate and appreciate the lives we get to live, while paying our quiet dedication to those who are gone.
• When the world’s in crisis, we need ‘grief leaders.’ Here’s how to be one.
  (World Newj)
  Grief management helps ease ache by speaking successfully, acknowledging grief has occurred, recognizing and honoring losses, and ultimately, supporting those affected in discovering which means and starting to transfer ahead.

• It’s been a bad week on social media for military appreciation
  (Army Times)
  A series of recent military-themed social media gaffes on the part of accounts run by government departments and U.S. officials have left people wondering how much we know about supporting our military.
• Military Names New Judge for Guantánamo Bay 9/11 Trial
  (NY Times)
  The selection of Col. Stephen Keane eliminates one crucial roadblock to restarting pretrial hearings in the long-running case of the five men accused of helping plot the attack.
• Army Adds Face Mask, Better Hot Weather Gear to Soldiers' Clothing Bags
  (Military.com)
  The latest meeting of the Army Uniform Board resulted in a number of recommendations for clothing bag additions -- and plans to develop a new maternity PT uniform.
• The U.S. Navy is short almost 100 fighter pilots
  (Defense News)
  A rash of technical and safety problems has left the U.S. Navy’s fleet short by about 90 fighter pilots. Fixing the issue is an uphill battle.
• Gulf Coast Air Bases Emerge From Hurricane Sally
  (Air Force Magazine)
  Air Force installations along the Gulf Coast are starting to resume operations after Hurricane Sally made landfall early September 16 over Gulf Shores, Alabama, as a Category 2 storm.
• NATO stands up Joint Force Command Norfolk to boost readiness in the Atlantic
  (Navy Times)
  After reaching initial operational capability, Joint Force Command Norfolk was stood up on Thursday — becoming the only operational NATO command on the North American continent.
• Hurricane Sally inflicts wind, water damage at NAS Pensacola; Florida Guard aiding aftermath
  (Military Times)
  The effects of Hurricane Sally were still being felt across the Northern Gulf states on Friday, as military and civilian crews worked to assess and repair the damage.

• The long road to an independent Air Force
  (Air Force Times)
  The National Security Act of 1947’s primary purpose was to merge the Department of War and the Department of the Navy into the National Military Establishment, to be headed by a secretary of defense. Further, it authorized the establishment of the Air Force as an independent service, marking the culmination of a national debate that had begun four decades earlier.
• This non-profit organization works to recover WWII MIAs still missing
  (Navy Times)
  Friday marks 41 years since then President Jimmy Carter proclaimed a national day of remembrance for those Americans captured or still missing from war. In the last 26 years, Project Recover has helped bring 30 of America’s heroes home.

• Union wants DoDEA schools to move to remote learning, citing death of Fort Knox DoD school counselor from COVID
  (Military Times)
  A union representing teachers and other staff members of schools worldwide operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity is calling for officials to immediately move all schools to remote learning operations, citing the death of a counselor at Fort Knox Middle/High School from COVID this week.
• Sesame Workshop for Military Families: Elmo Talks About Feeling Shy
  (Military.com)
  Elmo addresses a question about feeling shy seeing a new doctor after a military move in this Sesame Workshop video.

Banner photo courtesy of the School of Advanced International Studies | John Hopkins University.