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Repeated deployments weigh heavily on U.S. troops USA Today    Share    Army Staff Sgt. Bobby Martin Jr. has been fighting insurgents in Iraq or Afghanistan longer than the entire three years the Korean War lasted. At age 34 and finishing a fourth combat tour, he has seen five of his men killed since 2003. Four died this year, including two on Martin's birthday in May. Thirty-eight cumulative months in combat have left him with bad knees, aching shins and recurring headaches from a roadside blast, ailments he hides from his soldiers. More PRESIDENT’S BUDGET Pentagon said to request about $4 billion more for weapons Bloomberg    Share    The Pentagon will request about $189 billion for weapons development and purchases in the next budget, about a $4 billion increase over current spending, according to government officials. The proposal for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 includes $76.1 billion for research and $112.8 billion to buy weapons, said officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. Congress this year approved $184.9 billion for weapons, including $104.5 billion for procurement. More Pentagon budget shows modest growth, weapons reforms Reuters    Share    Emerging details about the fiscal 2011 defense budget confirm what U.S. defense executives have been expecting: Defense Secretary Robert Gates is delivering on his promise to secure modest, but steady growth while continuing to kill unneeded and troubled arms programs. More SERVICE SECTION NEWS Guard, Reserve officers get chance at active duty The Army Times    Share    National Guard and Army Reserve officers have a shot at receiving a Regular Army appointment and serving on active duty through a program available this year. The Call to Active Duty program is open to lieutenants of the Individual Ready Reserve, as well as basic-branch Guard and Reserve captains, majors and lieutenant colonels. More NOAA may prohibit Navy sonar testing at marine mammal 'hot spots' Los Angeles Times    Share    Marine mammal "hot spots" in areas including Southern California's coastal waters may become off limits to testing of a type of Navy sonar linked to the deaths of whales under a plan announced this week by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA also called for development of a system for estimating the "comprehensive sound budget for the oceans," which could help reduce human sources of noise - vessel traffic, sonar and construction activities - that degrade the environment in which sound-sensitive species communicate. More HAITI Florida Reserve base playing vital role in transporting relief supplies and people into Haiti U.S. Air Force    Share    Homestead Air Reserve Base in Florida is playing a vital role in moving essential medical supplies, equipment and military support to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, said the commander of Air Force Reserve Command. Homestead is important to the Haiti relief effort because of its strategic location, Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr. told bloggers and online journalists during a "DoDLive" bloggers roundtable Jan. 19. More Troops find need overwhelming in Haiti Millitary.com    Share    A paratrooper unit called the Green Falcons arrived at a basketball court atop a hill to dispense food and water to a Haitian camp, but the men also carried with them the necessary amount of patience and restraint. Both virtues are required in military operations where the need is so great but the desperation makes distribution of the relief so difficult. More Beware when donating to charity Millitary.com    Share    In response to the devastation caused by the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti, there's been an outpouring of goodwill and a desire to help victims. But not all urgent appeals for aid being broadcast on radio and television, online and at social networking sites are legitimate, a consumer expert with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission warned in an interview for the Jan. 21 American Forces Press Service weekly news podcast. More RESERVE & GUARD MOBILIZED National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated as of Jan. 19, 2010 U.S. Department of Defense    Share    This week the Army, Navy and Air Force announced an increase in activated reservists, while the Marine Corps announced a decrease. The Coast Guard number remained unchanged. The net collective result is 627 more reservists activated than last week. At any given time, services may activate some units and individuals while deactivating others, making it possible for these figures to either increase or decrease. More

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