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Women's Timber Corps – 1942 History

Author: Paul hussey

During the war many women of Britain joined many organisations and the various armed forces, wheras before the war women had not been able to join the sevices. One of the Corps especially created for women was the "Women's Timber Corps" where 4,900 women were instantly enrolled to felling, snedding, loading, crosscutting, driving tractors, trucks, working with horses, measuring and operating sawmills and manage forests all over the UK.

Originally the Women's Timber Service had been set up during the first world war, but in April 1942 the Ministry of Supply (Home Grown Timber Department) inaugurated a new venture – the "Women's Timber Corps" (WTC), in England. The Scots quickly followed in May 1942, forming their own Women's Timber Corps which was a part of the Women's Land Army of Scotland. This was a new unit with its own identity and uniform.

Today if you talked of the Women's Timber Corps the most likely response is "Never heard of them". Yet their story is fascinating. The Women's Timber Corps replaced men in the forests and helped to produce timber vital to the war effort. These women were called "Lumber Jills" as they were affectionately known, who replaced the men who had answered the call to war. They wore the same uniform as the women Land army ( With a different badge on their Beret's) and their living conditions were frequently primitive and for girls who had worked in shops, offices, hairdressing salons and restaurants, the hardship was daunting.

Worst of all was the extreme physical effort required to lay-in, fell and cross-cut the timber; but the girls of the WTC set to with determination to produce pit-props for the mines, telegraph poles for communications, gun-stocks for the troops and even coffins for the casualties of war. There are tales of the social and practical aspects of living in crowded huts, as well as the more technical details of working with axe and saw. Training centres were set up throughout the UK.

The Women's Timber Corps was disbanded in August 1946, with each girl handing back her uniform and receiving a letter from Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, who was then the patron of the WTC.

Looking back over the last 70 years it is always surprising how many stories there is still to tell concerning the British Struggle during the second world war and how the war affected every day life and person in the country. My generation who were born in the1950's and 1960's owe our parants and grandparants generation for todays freedom with our grateful thanks.

Please visit my Funny Animal Art Prints Collection @ http://www.fabprints.com

My other website is called Directory of British Icons: http://fabprints.webs.com

The Chinese call Britain 'The Island of Hero's' which I think sums up what we British are all about. We British are inquisitive and competitive and are always looking over the horizon to the next adventure and discovery.

Copyright © 2010 Paul Hussey. All Rights Reserved.

Article Source: http://paulhussey.articlesbase.com/womens-issues-articles/womens-timber-corps-1942-history-3335973.html

About the Author

My family tree has been traced back to the early Kings of England from the 7th Century AD. I am also a direct descendent of Sir Christopher Wren which has given me an interest in English History and Icons which is great fun to research.

I have recently decided to write articles on my favourite subjects: English Sports, English History, English Icons, English Discoveries and English Inventions.

At present I have written over 100 articles which I call "An Englishman's Favourite Bits Of England" in various Volumes.

Please visit my Blogs page http://Bloggs.Resourcez.Com where I have listed all my articles to date.

Copyright © 2010 Paul Hussey. All Rights Reserved.

From slavery to freedom

Author: Tobin Crenshaw

When Prime Minister Winston Churchill delivered his "finest hour" speech at the beginning of World War II, he made it clear that Britain would never surrender to the Nazi regime.

Two people in particular paid close attention to Churchill's words that night, forever altering the history of the world.

The first was President Roosevelt who was so moved he decided that the United States of America would support Britain.

The second person was Hitler who was in Berlin at the time. The Prime Minister's speech unsettled the Führer who postponed an invasion of England and instead turned his sights on Russia, a fatal move.

Churchill's speech demonstrated that words have power.

Owen Fitzpatrick shares, "Think about what it would be like to have a constant companion who did nothing but insult you, made you feel bad for making mistakes, and filled you with worries about the future and regrets about the past. The problem is that many people have such a companion."

Fitzpatrick is referring to a person's self talk. He rightly concludes that when people really become aware of how bad they treat themselves, it can be very startling.

Scripture states, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21). How crucial it is we define ourselves in our thoughts and words in the light of God's grace.

It has been said that the devil's success plan is to base your self worth upon your performance plus other people's opinions. This is a surefire equation for failure. True freedom is not found in such fickle things but in a solid understanding of your true identity.

Chuck Colson went to prison for his participation in the Watergate scandal. In jail he found spiritual liberation in the gospel of Christ.

Asked by a reporter how he could be sure his faith was real, Colson replied that behind bars he learned about true love from a friend who was a believer.

He told the reporter, "I will never forget the day Senator Al Quie, called to say, ‘Chuck, because of your family problems I'm going to ask the president if you can go home while I serve the rest of your prison term.'"

In that moment Colson understood the sacrifice that Jesus made.

As he relayed his story the reporter told the camera to stop rolling and began to cry, desperate for that same freedom.

Want to experience radical change in your life? Realize that your words have power and begin to use them in conjunction with your calling as a child of God and no longer as a "slave to sin" (Romans 6:20). It truly is the path to freedom.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/from-slavery-to-freedom-4112645.html

About the Author

A former pastor, Tobin holds both a B.A. and an M.A. in theology. Having traveled widely in the Marine Corps and as a graduate student, Tobin has spent the past 15 years gathering some of the world's most powerful life-changing truths. He's the author of The Life That Is Really Life: How Biblical Truth Can Transform Your Spiritual, Emotional, Physical and Relational Health which is available on Amazon and at his website twominutesermon.com

The Press and a Province: A Look at the Iraqi Media in Al Anbar

Author: Randy L. Garsee

Perhaps true freedom of the press in Iraq never existed. Certainly not before the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and certainly not immediately after the conflict began. Between suicide bombings, kidnappings and beheadings, the mere survival of the press became more of a challenge than its freedom. Eleven journalists, all Iraqis, were killed in Iraq in 2008 simply for doing their jobs, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, or CPJ. Believe it or not that means it is becoming less dangerous to be an Iraqi journalist. In the same report, the CPJ wrote, “Nevertheless, the figure was the lowest yearly toll since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003--and two-thirds lower than the annual figures for 2007 or 2006.”

Until very recently, journalists from all over the world were targets and casualties in the Iraq war. This is a nation where press freedom, even before the conflict began, was suppressed by the brutal regime of Saddam Hussein. Before the conflict, an Iraqi reporter’s words could get him maimed, if not killed.

“Before, no. They have limitation talking,” said Arabic media analyst Ubart Shaul. “Otherwise, their tongues were gone, will be cut.”

Right now it appears things have changed dramatically, especially in the once violent, Sunni-dominated Al Anbar Province in western Iraq. The media is flourishing here and covering major events. Take, for example, the Rule of Law conference this spring in Ramadi, the capital of Al Anbar.

As Brig. Gen. John Wissler, the deputy commanding general of Multi National Force - West, pointed out, the fact the conference was held at all reflected a measure of significant progress.

“We have overcome those violent times,” he told conference attendees as an interpretor translated his words to Arabic. “And the rule of law is finally coming to the forefront, once again, in Anbar.”

As the general spoke several microphones bearing the Arabic names of their media outlets lined the podium in front of him.

This type of open news coverage was unheard of until very recently.

“Basically what people knew was what bad guys were saying on the Internet or what the Iraqi or Arabic stations were saying,” explained Mahir “Mike” Isho, the Arabic spokesman who works for Multi National Force - West aboard Al Asad Air Base in western Iraq. “Unfortunately, those TV stations and those media outlets didn’t have representatives in Anbar. It was too dangerous for anybody to work in the journalism field.”

Security, however, is still a concern and it was a major topic at the Rule of Law conference held in Ramadi, the capital of Al Anbar.

“It’s big issue here, will always be big issue here because it will take time,” Shaul said. “That’s my opinion. It’s gonna take some time, but it’s much better than the way we are comparing, like in 2006. Now in 2009, it’s much, much, much better.”

If there is any doubt, however, as to the extent of progress made for the Iraqi media, all you have to do is turn on the television.

“Now journalists and reporters talk about any issue they can,” Shaul said. “I mean if they like any issue, it’s open.”

Shaul added it isn’t just television news that’s growing in Iraq. “I think Iraq now becomes the country that has too many newspapers,” he said. “The country is small to have a hundred, a hundred newspapers, maybe more.”

In a region filled with state-sponsored news, Iraq’s news media is evolving into an inspiring example of what could be in the Arab world.

“I like the freedom in the Iraqi media. I like it. I feel it. I’m very proud of it,.” Shaul said. “I believe most Arab media are very jealous of what level Iraqi media is.”

While Anbar appears safer for Iraqi reporters, the same isn’t necessarily true for other nationalities. Foreign media, like France and China, have set up bureaus in Al Anbar but use Iraqi stringers. Even American reporters who work out of Baghdad request to travel with the U.S. military before covering areas like Fallujah or Ramadi.

While there is more freedom for the press, and while there has been less violence against the media in 2009, Al Anbar Province, as well as the rest of Iraq, is still far from ideal. Perhaps in time, the power of the Iraqi press will pave the way for a safer environment for all journalists.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/journalism-articles/the-press-and-a-province-a-look-at-the-iraqi-media-in-al-anbar-910338.html

About the Author

Randy L. Garsee is working throughout 2009 as a civilian journalist for the U.S. Marine Corps aboard Al Asad Air Base in Iraq's Al Anbar Province. Photos are available upon request at randygarsee@gmail.com. For more information visit randygarsee.blogspot.com.

Llc or S-corp? Which is the Right Entity Form for Your Business?

Author: Alexis Martin Neely

Last week, we talked about what a business entity is and whether you should use one for your business, .. the short answer? Yes, if you want to grow your business and shield your personal assets from your business activities.

This week, we'll cover what kind of entity you should use and where you should set that entity up.

You'll recall, we are really talking about either an LLC (Limited Liability Company) or an S-Corp (Corporation filing an election for special taxation with the IRS). You can form a C-Corporation or a Limited Partnership, but if you are considering that, make sure you are talking to a lawyer who is familiar with the specifics of your specific situation and is advising you personally.

With both LLCs and S-Corps, you are taxed only once on the income of the entity , meaning that all of the income and expenses will be reported on an information return filed with the IRS, but the actual taxes are paid by the shareholders or members of the entity. This is called pass-through taxation.

You'll recall from last week, that I said the purpose of your business entity is to limit your liability as a business owner. This is to encourage business owners to take risks that they would not take if they had unlimited personal liability.

Here's the thing though, the shield is only intact if certain formalities are maintained, such as proper filings with the State, annual meetings of the shareholders (for corporations), and separation of all financial activities between you and the entity.

Far too often, I've come across business owners who used an incorporation service, a shoddy lawyer, or a CPA to incorporate their business and when I asked these business owners where their operating agreements, bylaws, annual meeting minutes and state filings were kept, they couldn't tell me.

Why is that? Because they didn't realize that merely filing articles of incorporation with the State does not provide liability protection.

Your corporate entity must be established correctly from the beginning with governing documents and then maintained on a yearly basis.

If you don't do that, you may come to find out too late that your business entity doesn't provide the protection you thought it did.

So, make sure that once you decide what kind of an entity to use, you set it up right and then maintain that entity. Now, before we talk about the type of entity, let's talk about one additional kind of asset protection that you need to take into account.

Up until now, we've been talking about what I call "inside asset protection" or protection against liabilities that are incurred by the corporation, within the bubble that I described in last week's post.

There's another kind of protection that is often overlooked and that's "outside asset protection".

Outside asset protection protects your business from your potential personal liabilities.

For example, if you are in a car accident, file for personal bankruptcy, or are sued by a business partner or colleague or personally guarantee a debt. These are all personal risks that are happening outside your business entity.

In most cases, your business entity is not protected from your personal risks. That means if you are sued personally and a judgment is obtained against you, the judgment creditor could take your business entity from you in satisfaction of the judgment. But, not always.

In certain States, notably Nevada, there is something called "charging order" protection. What this means is that if you are sued personally and a judgment is entered against you, your judgment creditor cannot take away your Nevada business entity, they can merely take a charging order against it.

This means that they have a right to distributions from the entity, but cannot force those distributions in satisfaction of the judgment.

This can be a big deal if you are concerned about your potential personal liabilities.

In that case, you will want to establish either a Nevada LLC or a Nevada S-Corporation.

If you could care less about charging order protection, you can form an entity in any State of the Union, but in most cases you will want to form it in your own home State where you will be doing business because no matter what if you use a foreign corporate form, you will need to qualify to do business in your State, which means you pay state income taxes there no matter what.

Yes, there are people who will tell you that you can avoid income taxes by setting up your entity in Nevada, but that is very rare. Like if your business is totally virtual and can actually have its principal place of business in Nevada. Or, if you live there, of course. Again, if this is something you are considering, talk to your lawyer.

Ok, so LLC or S-Corporation?

Well, there are pros and cons to both and I'm going to lawyer out on you at this point and tell you that this is really a decision you should be reaching with the guidance of your own lawyer and your own CPA working together to advise you.

Your decision will have tax consequences that cannot be considered based on what you read in a general article that does not take into account the specifics of your situation. So before you incorporate any sort of entity, make sure to consult with your own personal lawyer and your CPA to make the decision about an LLC or an S-Corporation for your business structure.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/law-articles/llc-or-scorp-which-is-the-right-entity-form-for-your-business-686366.html

About the Author

Alexis Martin Neely is America's Personal Family Lawyer, author of the bestselling book "Wear Clean Underwear! A Fast, Fun, Friendly - and Essential - Guide to Legal Planning for Busy Parents" and the nation's leading legal expert guiding you to more wealth, health and happiness by making smart financial and legal decisions for your family. Subscribe to Alexis' free online magazine Family Wealth Secrets at http://www.FamilyWealthSecrets.com and find the financial freedom you deserve.

A True Patriot: Captain Nathan Hale

Author: Duane Shoemaker

A little over two months after the Declaration of Independence was written, a young man faced the ultimate sacrifice for his country.  In is last words he was quoted as saying "I regret that I have but one life to give for my country." Although he never witnessed the greatness of his country, his patriotic example has stood for hundreds of years in America.  His story is America's story. At the age of only 22 years, Nathan Hale gave his life for our country as a true patriot.

While history has left little information about this remarkable young man, his story is not that much different that many of the soldiers today fighting for freedom. He attended college and obtained a degree from Yale University.

He first joined the military as a first Lieutenant in the 7th Connecticut army through the siege of Boston. He was later promoted to the rank of Captain and served in General Washington's army as it marched from Boston to New York. Because of his intelligence and leadership, Captain Hale was assigned to a special corps of rangers on September 1, 1776 which was organized to reconnoiter enemy positions.

During the next 22 days, General Washington faced fierce opposition from the British as his armies were pushed across Manhattan. Desiring to get a fix on the enemy positions, General Washington called upon the special small corps of rangers to secure information about the enemy's locations. Captain Hale volunteered for the mission and posed as a schoolmaster seeking a position on both Long Island and Manhattan. While returning to Huntington Bay with critical information for General Washington, Captain Hale was captured.

Shortly after his capture, Sir William Howe examined Nathan Hale and condemned him of being a spy. On a Sunday morning, September 22, 1776, Nathan Hale spoke his last famous words before he was hung by the British.

His bravery and patriotism will never be forgotten.  His short lived appearance on the stage of the American Revolutionary War highlights the true American spirit of our great nation. It is because of the brave men of the past like Nathan Hale that we live in the land of the free.

For more articles like this, visit www.patriotman.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/history-articles/a-true-patriot-captain-nathan-hale-1298930.html

About the Author

Duane Shoemaker has managed websites for the past five years. He also has 14 years of experience as an instructional designer for a major corporation. visit www.patriotman.com

Does God Love Westboro Baptist Church?

Author: Skip Conover

I am proud of the service of Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder, U.S. Marine Corps, who died defending the Constitution of the United States of America. He is one of a long line of American service members who have given up their lives so that all Americans can live in Peace with our Freedoms.

In my opinion, the behavior of the members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, who take it upon them selves to picket and protest at the funerals of service members killed in action, is highly inappropriate. I personally cannot understand how they envision that they in any way represent either the teachings of Jesus Christ or Almighty God.

Still, I believe the eight members of the Supreme Court of the United States who ruled in favor of the Westboro Baptist Church were correct in their decision. The 1st Amendment of the Constitution of the United States is sacrosanct, and our Freedom of Speech is in the bedrock of what it means to be an American. It is precisely what gives the United States its strength. I pray that Matthew Snyder's parents will also see it that way some day.

Defending our Freedoms means defending ideas and opinions we hate. But what would happen if we did not? What would happen to our values as Americans if we failed to defend the right to express hated opinions? The risk is that very soon we might find our own opinions hated by a majority of people, who want to silence us. All we have to do is look around the world to see the long-term performance of countries whose people are silenced by their governments. Too many of their people live in poverty, and harbor resentments that explode in revolutions like those seen in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, and now Libya.

What will be the result of those revolutions? Will they produce countries where people are free to speak their mind and hold to their beliefs, no matter how hateful? Or will they revert to governments and systems that punish dissent? If the latter is the result, we know the outcome already. Those peoples will continue to live in countries that condone slavery, bigotry, and religious intolerance. They may succeed for a time, especially if they are blessed with natural resources, but will they serve their people well in the fullness of time? I don't think so, nor do most Americans.

None of this means that the controversy of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas is finished. In the same sense that those Americans can exercise their Freedom of Speech, so can Americans who believe their behavior is inappropriate and damned by God now speak up and give that "church" a taste of its own medicine. As a retired Marine, if I lived in Kansas, I would be happy to stand my watch, picketing those people. Indeed, I believe many upstanding Christians, not to mention Americans of other Faiths, will be happy to show the members of the Westboro Baptist Church how they have lost their way in the sight of God, exercising their own Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Assembly in the process.

The process that made the United States of America is a process like tempering steel. In that process impurities are removed from the iron until it is steel. When one group brings up a bad idea, the rest of us can shout it down and out of our system. It is time for the members of the Westboro Baptist Church to hear the rest of us exercise our Freedom of Speech.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/politics-articles/does-god-love-westboro-baptist-church-4485185.html

About the Author
Skip Conover is an International Executive, Author, and Artist. His art is in collections in more than 20 countries. His first New York opening was in 2005. He turned his long time interest in Jungian Archetype into the Archetype in Action Organization.

Life in the Marine Corps: An Infantryman's Perspective

Author: Brent Lamborn

Life in the Marine Corps is in many ways like a civilian job once you have completed all of your training and schooling. In a typical civilian job, most people work from about 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They show up for work in the morning grab a cup of coffee and often start their day with some sort of regular routine before focusing on more specific tasks that need to be completed. Around noon a one hour lunch is taken and in the afternoon specific task's are focused upon. Life in the Marines is much the same way!

I was an infantryman in the Marine Corps for four years from 1993 1997. The first 6 months of my four years as an active duty Marine were much different than a civilian job. The first six months for me consisted of boot camp, and formal infantry training at what is known as the School of Infantry (SOI). We all are pretty much aware of what boot camp is like. In boot camp, nasty civilians are transformed into one of the few, the proud, a Marine! You will get yelled at a lot, you will PT (physical training) a lot, and you will either lose or gain a lot of weight! You will learn how to fire a rifle with pinpoint accuracy at 500 yards, learn how to wear a uniform correctly, and will learn about the many traditions and customs Marines live by. You'll also learn a lot about Marine Corps history, first aid, and how to do basic warfare. In three months you will be transformed into one of the Few. I won't lie; boot camp is tough, very tough. Once you get through it though, you will be a much better person for it and will be bursting with confidence.

After boot camp comes your formal schooling. It is at this point that you will attend some sort of school to learn the skills needed to perform your job well. It may be communication school, the school of infantry, or some kind of avionics school. Whatever it is, it will be much easier than boot camp and you will have much more freedom than in boot camp. At this point, you will be considered a "boot" a Marine who has just completed boot camp. Boots still have no idea what the "real Marine Corps" is like. The real Marine Corps in known as "the Fleet" or "FMF", the Fleet Marine Force!

Once you are in the FMF, your real job begins. In the FMF your life will be very similar to a civilian's life. You will be paid a salary, and will work from about 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m much of the time. In the infantry, you will often start your day with a healthy dose of PT (physical training). The PT will often consist of a multi-mile run, combined with other exercises like push-ups, sit-ups, side-straddle-hops, etc. When you are "in the rear" or not out in the field training, you will often have classes about such things as how to read a map, how to do first aid, how to call in mortar fire, and how to conduct a patrol. Other times you will be preparing for the next field exercise by packing up your gear and getting briefed on what type of exercise it will be. As a boot, you will be sent on "working parties". These are odd jobs that need to be done around the base and within your unit. You may be asked to help sort gear at supply, help build wooden tank targets for a firing range, or you might just be out picking up trash. Whatever you are asked, do it and do it well you will be rewarded for it. The rest of the time, you will be performing your job. For an infantryman, that means conducting field exercises. This includes attacking an enemy position at a live fire range, shooting live rounds and throwing live grenades in a house made out of tires, and rappelling of the side of a 100 foot rock wall. When you are done with these field exercises, you'll return to "the rear" and the cycle will begin again. That's the very bare bones basics of what it is like in the Marines as an infantryman.

Of course, there is much, much more to it than what I have just described here. If you have a question about what life is like as a Marine Corps Infantryman, find your way to this free Marine Corps Community where there are hundreds of members willing to answer your questions! I'd be more than willing to answer any question you may have myself!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/life-in-the-marine-corps-an-infantrymans-perspective-74614.html

About the Author

Brent Lamborn is a former active duty US Marine and manager of a free site for Marines and their supporters:

Green Marines

Military Retirement Gifts Honor Veterans Of The U.s. Armed Forces

Author: Tony Gilligan

U.S.  military veterans served our country with distinction and honor, no matter  whichbranch of the military they were part of.   While they were still on active duty, these veteran soldiers, sailors  and airmen of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard  risked their lives for the sake of our families, our freedom and our country.  And despite the tremendous adversity they  often faced, our veterans almost always emerged victorious.

Many of  these men and womenserved in combat zones, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam  and other hot spots.  Other veterans were  stationed at somewhat safer locations, but no matter where they were, they  admirably fulfilled their mission of protecting and defending our freedom.

Our military  veterans were members of the noble brotherhood of courage that make up our  armed forces.  And despite leaving the service,  our veterans remain a part of that brotherhood.   They always will.

Members of  the armed forces retire every day.  Many  current servicemen and women will soon be retiring, while others are recently  retired.

Military  retirement gifts are a distinctive way of honoring the careers of our military veterans.  They areideal for any soldier, sailor or  airman who is about to retirw from the armed forces.  Military retirement gifts don't need to be  restricted to service members who will soon be retiring, however. They're also  perfect for veterans who have already rejoined civilian life.

Many different  military retirement gifts are available, and any of them would be perfect for  current or soon-to-be veterans of the armed forces.  Almost allare quite affordable.  But the most important thing about military  retirement gifts is that they oftenare quite inspirational and they always provide  fitting tributes to distinguished military careers.

Military  retirement gifts often reflect the retiree's specific branch of service.  If appropriate, they can also indicate  membership in a specialized or elite force or unit, such as the Army Delta  Force or the Navy SEALs.

Some  military retirement gifts, such as watches or military rings, for example, are  quite easy to personalize by engraving the recipient's name, initials, service  rank, unit name, dates of service or other appropriate information directly  onto the item.  Other types of military retirement  gifts are typically custom-made.  These custom-made  military retirement gifts include items such as wooden plaques and engraved  military swords that specify details about the retiree's military career.

Still other  military retirement gifts are neither personalized nor custom-made, but  nonetheless will become cherished keepsakes.   These gifts include shadow boxes with spaces for military patches from bases  at which the retiree was stationed, display frames for rank insignia or medals  and ribbons, beautifully embroidered throw blankets or pillows,  and military-style caps, jerseys, jackets and ties.

The military  played an immense role in any retiree's life.   Military retirement gifts provide the opportunity to acknowledge and  honor that fact by celebrating the retiree's patriotism and service to our  country.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/jewelry-articles/military-retirement-gifts-honor-veterans-of-the-us-armed-forces-1954232.html

About the Author

Tony Gilligan is a freelance author who writes about various military gift topics. For more information about Tony visit his website www.military-gifts-specialists.com

Peace Corps for Retirees

Author: robert mccormack

As individuals are retiring in better health than ever before, with decades of active life to appear forward to, many are trying for rewarding and beneficial ways that to pay their time in retirement. Retirees around the globe have interaction in volunteer community work, contribute to charities, and even tackle paying jobs if they want to stay active and put their skills to continuing use.

One U.S. organization that has traditionally sought volunteers from among young people -- recent college graduates -- however that's turning more and more to retirees to fill its ranks is that the Peace Corps.

The Peace Corps is an independent U.S. government agency that was founded by President John Kennedy in 1961 and authorized by Congress later that same year. The agency's mission is threefold: to provide technical assistance during a broad selection of fields to foreign countries (mostly developing countries), to assist individuals in these countries better understand U.S. culture, and likewise to assist Americans better understand the cultures of other countries. Indeed, several Peace Corps volunteers come back to the United States and develop careers around their new interest in foreign cultures, whether or not through international business, academia, or the diplomatic corps.

The work is usually related to social and economic development; volunteers usually receive three months of coaching, followed by a two-year assignment overseas. Volunteers may work with foreign governments officials, or they'll work with faculties, nonprofit organizations, local entrepreneurs, or directly with native villagers in agricultural or community development programs. Since 1961, a lot of than two hundred,000 Americans have served as Peace Corps volunteers in 139 countries. Currently, additional than 8,000 volunteers are serving abroad.

Peace Corps volunteers are indeed volunteers -- there's no salary. However, depending on circumstances, the govt. could provide a volunteer with "transition funds" of nearly $seven,five hundred after service is completed. All travel expenses are procured, with a monthly stipend to cover living and housing expenses. Volunteers receive complete medical and dental care during service, and may receive up to eighteen months of extra medical coverage (for an affordable premium) once service. Volunteers even earn vacation days during service, and will take 2 vacation days for each month of service. So although you won't be creating money throughout a Peace Corps assignment, you will not be spending cash either, unless your personal purchases whereas overseas are extravagant.

There is an application process that can take from six to twelve months; you need to interview, undergo a medical evaluation, look ahead to reference checks, and presumably anticipate a suitable assignment. And not everybody is accepted. Ninety p.c of Peace Corps positions require a bachelor's degree; lacking a degree, the Peace Corps will carefully look at work skills, hobbies, and former volunteer experience. Most of the help provided by the Peace Corps is technical, therefore expertise in agriculture, irrigation, forestry, urban designing, engineering, construction, and related fields would match up well with several Peace Corps programs. Applicants with liberal arts backgrounds can teach English or health education, or be assigned to community development programs.

There's no upper age limit for volunteers, and the Peace Corps accepts married couples, though the position process for couples might take longer. (Both spouses should qualify independently, and there must be matching jobs for every at a given location.) Currently, about 5 percent of volunteers are aged fifty or a lot of, however the Peace Corps hopes to expand that to 10 % and then 15 percent. The oldest Peace Corps member is eighty-one years old. The most famous retiree to serve was Lillian Carter, mother of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter; she served in India at the age of sixty-eight.

No special allowances are made for older Peace Corps volunteers. Training can generally be rigorous, and learning a brand new language, required for many positions, is a lot of difficult for a retiree than for a twenty-one thing faculty graduate. Living conditions in most locations will not be up to the standards that the majority Americans are used to back home, so it helps to be a coffee-maintenance person, able to adapt and thrive in less-than-ideal conditions. If you fancy outside activities like camping, adapting may be easier for you.

And if, when you travel overseas, you shun staying a world-normal hotel stuffed with alternative foreigners in favor of a locals-solely guesthouse merely as a result of you fancy the experience, then you'll be well suited for the Peace Corps.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/elderly-care-articles/peace-corps-for-retirees-4782565.html

About the Author

Robert Mccormack has been writing articles online for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in Retirement Guidelines, The peace corps for retirees. you can also check out his latest website about:
<a target="_new" href="http://retirement-guidelines.com/">Retirement Guidelines</a> 
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Nonjudicial Punishment: Service Cultural Divides in Military Justice

Author: Patrick McLain

Military members charged with violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) have a right to trial by court martial, except in the case of a member attached to or embarked in a vessel.  However, in a surprising number of cases, servicemembers opt to accept nonjudicial punishment (NJP), instead of demanding their rights to courts-martial.

The rates at which military members accept NJP are also not consistent amongst the military branches.  The 2009 Annual Report for the Code Committee on Military Justice shows how few in the military exercise their right to trial by court-martial, and the disparities between the branches.

In 2009, the Coast Guard reported fewer than 3.0 percent of all disciplinary cases were handled through court-martial.  The Army adjudicated 5.7 percent of all cases through court-martial, while the Navy/Marine Corps and Air Force were at 11.5 percent and 9.9 percent respectively.  Thus, over 90 percent of military members accepted administrative punishment when charged with misconduct, instead of fighting at a court-martial.

Why would a Sailor in the Navy accused of violating the UCMJ be twice as likely to seek trial by court-martial than a Soldier in the Army?  This is an especially curious statistic since a Sailor is much more to be attached to or embarked in a vessel than a Soldier.

Where the Differences Lie

Soldiers call Article 15 (for the UCMJ section that governs nonjudicial punishment) what the Marines call Office Hours, and the Navy and Coast Guard call Captain's or Admiral's Mast, but the different vocabulary does not explain the differences in the numbers of those who choose to fight charges at a trial by court-martial.  What causes these variations?  From the perspective of over 25 years serving in various roles in the military justice process, I have observed cultural attitudes between the military branches which likely play a significant role in these disparities, both among the Services as a whole, and their legal systems.

Whatever the service, there is almost always substantial pressure on a servicemember to accept NJP rather than demand trial by court-martial.  From the point of view of the accused member's NCOs and officers, NJP is a much more efficient process than a court-martial.  Trial by court-martial requires considerable resources through investigation, prosecution, trial, and possible appeal.  There is also the myth that the conviction rate is very high in courts-martial.  You may have heard Mark Twain's quote on such statistics, "There are lies, damn lies, and statistics."  These purported high conviction rates arose from including the many courts-martial in which an accused servicemember pleads guilty and does not fight a charge, and this statistic does not distinguish between courts in which the accused is represented by aggressive counsel who is not afraid of a fight and those members who are represented by counsel who view their role as facilitating guilty pleas and plea agreements.  Those are just two reasons why these statistics give a false impression of conviction rates.

Additionally, in the military, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines are trained to follow orders and accept the guidance of those senior in rank.  Thus, it is unsurprising that many servicemembers choose to go along with what "the system" offers, rather than fight for their honor, their freedom, and their military careers by exercising their rights.  Unlike battle, in which the military member has a moral duty to sacrifice his individual welfare for the good of the unit and the mission, Article 15 of the UCMJ makes clear that the military member, when faced with criminal charges, is not required to sacrifice his honor, freedom, or career for the benefit of ‘being made an example'.  The U.S. servicemember is not subject to the discipline of his ancient Roman predecessor, who could be punished by decimation, a punishment in which one out of every ten members of a unit was pulled out of the ranks for execution when a military unit failed in some significant way.  Military justice is American justice, and the UCMJ protects the military member's right to confront the witnesses against him in a trial in which the standard of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt, just as is done in a criminal trial in civilian courts.

In fact, courts-martial are eminently more favorably disposed to an accused servicemember than civilian courts are to a defendant in criminal trial.  A military member has the right to appointed counsel and expert assistance, without regard to his financial ability to hire his own attorney or expert help, and the military member also has the right to hire a civilian counsel at his own expense as well, if he wishes to have more experienced help serving with, or instead of, his military counsel.  Rules regarding the discovery of evidence and exclusion of evidence are much more favorably construed in favor of the military defendant, as contrasted the rights of a citizen facing criminal charges in civilian courts.

Sometimes, more than institutional pressures may account for the low numbers of courts-martial or the differing rates between the military services.  There is a general perception that court-martial proceedings are reserved for more serious offenses, while NJP is proper to correct minor infractions.  This may cause those accused of minor infractions to assume that they will be better off accepting NJP.  This is certainly not always the case, especially when the servicemember is not guilty of the charge, no matter how minor, or in those cases in which the evidence is lacking.  Then, it is often in the best interest of the servicemember to refuse NJP and demand trial by court-martial.

Generally, Servicemembers Have a Right to Trial By Court-Martial

The important thing for all service members to know is that, in almost all circumstances, they have aright to trial by court-martial, regardless of the pressures they encounter.  The best path is not always the easy path or the generally accepted path, but it is in your best interest to know your options when your freedom, career, or future is on the line.

Before making a decision of this magnitude, a servicemember must carefully consider the facts, defenses, and career consequences of any proceeding.  Those accused of violating the UCMJ or who are under investigation should not waive their right to trial by court-martial without first speaking to a knowledgeable military defense lawyer.

 

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/regulatory-compliance-articles/nonjudicial-punishment-service-cultural-divides-in-military-justice-3980487.html

About the Author

Contact Court Martial Lawyer Patrick J. McLain Before you bow to pressure and accept nonjudicial punishment, consider what your military career and future civilian opportunities are worth. If you value your future enough to fight for it by calling (214) 377-1470 today.

 

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