By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2009 - It's a scene that's played out in airports across the country numerous times in the past eight years: Families and servicemembers clinging to each other, either sad to leave or happy and vowing to never let go again.

By Ian Graham
Special to American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2009 - People complain about stress daily, and treatment for stress has become a large industry within the mental health field. But few know stress as well as servicemembers, who routinely face long work days, intense physical activity and high operational tempo - not to mention the risks of being deployed to a war zone.

By Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg
Special to American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2009 - After an initial delay caused by software and manpower issues, the first retroactive payments will be disbursed next week to soldiers who were retained on active duty involuntarily under the so-called "Stop Loss" program.

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 10, 2009 - Two Department of Defense Education Activity students will travel to Washington, D.C., and receive $5,000 scholarships as delegates to the 48th annual U.S. Senate Youth Program.

I have been checking out your site and the fantastic information that you provide for the members of your network, and I wanted to make you aware of an under promoted benefit offered by the DOD to all employees.

My name is Michael Norvell and I work for a nationwide provider of commuter vanpooling services called VPSI,Inc.  We operate more than 700 vanpools at 72 military installations across the country.  The customers pay for the service using the DOD Mass Transportation Benefit,  which is an allowance of up to $230 per month that all DOD employees can receive to pay for mass transportation.  The benefit fully covers the service for most participants, allowing them to commute to work for free.  This saves the soldier or civilian employee thousands of dollars in fuel expenses each year and thousands more on vehicle wear and tear, while reducing the stress level associated with commuting to work each day.

By Elaine Wilson
Special to American Forces Press Service

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va., Dec. 7, 2009 - Timothy Donovan sits in his wheelchair on the sidelines of the playground here, wishing he could swing on the swings or slide down the slides with his friends. But Timothy is unable to roll his wheelchair over the mulch, and the playgrounds lack the ramps and other special equipment he needs to play there.

By Elaine Wilson
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2009 - Officials are working to boost the resources and support the Defense Department's Exceptional Family Member Program provides to military families with special needs.