Items

• 
  2021-01-21

  Nearly 1 in 5 Defendants in Capitol Riot Cases Served in the Military

  The article discusses the Capitol riots and the veterans who participated in them, as well as recent extremist behavior within the military and the government's response.
• 
  2021-02-05

  Defense Department sending 1,000 troops to assist with vaccinations

  The article discusses the federal government's aid in California, where they would be sending troops to assist with vaccinations, as well as open two federally run vaccination sites in order to ensure that anyone wanting a COVID-19 vaccine would be able to get one.
• 2020-05-15

  "PCSing in the time of COVID-19: Four families share their stories"

  This story follows four military families as they prepare for Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders. The process is further complicated due to COVID-19 restrictions. Each family shares how they had to adjust routine travel plans; taking into account state-by-state orders as well as trying to navigate schooling for children. While PCS orders are a reality of all military members, during 2020 there were significant changes delivered by the Department of Defense.
• 
  2021-02-05

  Troops to Help with Vaccine Roll-Out

  The White House announced that 1,000 troops will be deployed to California in the next few weeks to aid with the vaccine roll out process. This is a single part of the Biden administration's "whole government" approach to ended the virus. The administration is already setting the goal of 1 million doses per day and may up that to 1.5 million.
• 
  2020-12-17

  SARS-CoV-2 Transmission among Marine Recruits during Quarantine

  This is an academic article that discusses the transmission of Covid-19 among Marine recruits in quarantine. Due to the pandemic, recruits have been forced to quarantine before they were able to begin their basic training. Marines were sent to a college campus where they practiced social distancing for two weeks before going to training. This study shows the effectiveness of quarantining, social distancing, and mask-wearing
• 2020-03

  Stuck In The North

  I was serving in the Norwegian Army when COVID-19 came onto the scene. My base, Skjold Leir, was one of the first places in Europe to react to the virus. Immediately after it was perceived as a threat, my base shut down, and put the soldiers into quarantine, leaving us stuck inside our rooms in the barracks. My company, which was a part of the Engineer Battalion, had spent the last two weeks preparing for Cold Response 2020, a major international military exercise, meant to train and expose soldiers from all over the world to the severe elements of Troms, in the north of Norway. This event was unfortunately canceled, due to the newly arisen threat of the CoronaVirus. The members of my squad and I got stuck in our rooms quarantining for five days. We tried to keep ourselves occupied to pass the time. We began to hear news of mass lockdowns taking all over Europe, with the United States closely following suit. Although there were some who were hopeful that this might be over by Easter, it became quite apparent that things would not get better any time soon. After our quarantine, there was a malfunction in one of the gates at the back of the base. The gate would not close, so more soldiers were needed on both day- and night-shifts to ensure that our base was not compromised. The entire base needed to be patrolled constantly as well. This assignment lasted two weeks. I was chosen to serve on the night-shift. I found it extremely difficult to adjust my internal clock to stay awake all night and sleep during day-light hours. At times, I found myself sleepwalking while standing in front of the main entrance, not among one of my most proud moments. Thankfully, we were assigned partners, and we were instrumental in helping each other in staying awake and focused. Although the first few nights of the night-shift had been rough for us, we quickly adjusted to it. It would not be until after we were done with our two-week overnight-shift that the gate finally got fixed. Fortunately for us, however, we managed to find a way to seal it shut during the night, thus lessening the workload. After our two week shift was over, we quickly began with our normal routines. Other than the local gym and movie theater being closed, as well as each barrack in our base needing to take turns going to the mess hall to have breakfast and dinner, business was still running as usual. An unfortunate consequence of the pandemic was that soldiers could not leave base, which meant that all of our vacations were cancelled. For some of us, this would be a trying period, as the pressure of being trapped in base for so long without going home increased the amount of depression in our squad. My base took some preventative measures to keep its soldiers content and motivated. They organized sport events, as well as other fun things to keep us preoccupied, some of which I helped to set up and run. This, unfortunately, would not be enough for a few of the soldiers on base. Some of them ended up quitting the army, sheerly out of the stress caused by not seeing their loved ones for months on end. Even I at some point had a brief panic attack, as the pressure of being in this same place for so long affected my morale. I am proud to say that I managed to pull myself back together, and refused to quit. I was determined to see my obligatory service in the Norwegian Military through to the end. For all our extraneous duties, we were awarded with a two week leave. To finally come home after many months of service was a great joy. I was so happy to see my parents, my brothers, my friends, as well as my dogs. I also brought with me a great sense of pride and accomplishment.
• 
  2020-11-19

  Father and Son Graduation Celebration

  It was the fall of 2019, and the celebration was on for graduation. Two Air Force Veterans are standing side-by-side for a father and son picture. This moment represents the sky is the limit, and the only thing to do is to move forward and continue with a masters program. Continuing with my higher education meant a continuation in life events for my dad. COVID-19 and his untimely death was not foreseen for the new year of 2020. This will always be a happy time of our lives.
• 
  2020-11-16

  Interview with Active Air Force Reservist during COVID-19

  This is a audio interview with a active Air Force Reservist, describing how the Covid pandemic has impacted his work environment and personal livelihood.
• 
  0011-11-12

  Repeating History

  I compared something that was written about the Spanish Flu in 1918 to something that was said about Covid-19 in 2020.
• 
  2020-11-07

  Positive Chapter 31 Decision Letter During COVID-19

  Upon receiving this letter, I was overwhelmed with joy and excitement. 30 years in the military sacrificing time with family, friends, and myself have offered me an opportunity to complete and extend my education. Something that I have always wanted to accomplish but could not because of career choices and defending our country. The attachment to this email is the “Decision Letter” that explains the criteria of how the VA has determined my grant into the Department of Veterans Affairs Education Benefits. It was great news receiving this letter, but receiving it comes after my summer registration and start of class.
• 
  2020-11-03

  Oral History of National Guardsman Peter Bain

  An interview of Texas Army National Guardsman Peter Bain who served on both the COVID-19 Relief Mission and the Civil Unrest Mission during the summer of 2020.
• 
  2020-11-01

  A Retiree Initiating Vocational Rehab Benefits

  Going through the process of applying for my Vocational Rehabilitation assistance, I had to complete a job analysis of the degree that I am pursuing. The VA councilor that was assigned to me is very nice and helpful. Her concern to help me was to either qualify me for a job, or training that would help me with finding a career that would work with my disabilities. This email is secondary to an email sent - instructing me to compare three different states that offer careers in Public History. My goal was to show a growing trend in the field, and Texas was showing the highest from the rest of the country. At this time, I have not been accepted into the Vocational Rehab program, but I am registered to start a summer class and the loans pile up.
• 
  2020-11-01

  How Will I Pay for My Master’s as a Retired Reservist with No Income?

  After graduating with an undergrad in History in the fall of 2019, my goal was to continue my education in Public History. A Graduate Program had opened recently at St. Mary’s University in my hometown of San Antonio TX. That meant that I did not have to commute to Texas State that was approximately 65 miles away, and an hour drive with no traffic – maybe two hours, or more with traffic. I had exhausted my GI Bill Chapter 33 and did not know how I was supposed to fund my continuing education. My loans were adding up and I was not sure of registering for my master’s degree. Talking with the school’s VA office I was encouraged to contact the Veterans Administration to speak with some one that worked with the Vocational Rehab department; that is something that I had already pursued prior to this event, and I was denied service. This is an email shared between me and a VA representative in the middle of 2020. Communication during the Covid-19 pandemic, and summer vacations was making things tough to complete. With the start of these events I was hoping for financial support for my summer II class.
• 
  27 October 2020

  How has COVID-19 challenged your VA 2020 school registration?

  Reaching out to my school's student veterans, I was able to acquire one response. I emailed out a few questions about how the Covid-19 pandemic effected their registration process, and any other thoughts that may pertain to school and the pandemic. Even for myself, trying to find volunteers to participate in this project is difficult; not being able to visit the campus and collaborate with classmates proved I did not have an abundance of volunteers to work with at a moments notice. Before the pandemic we were able to ask for almost anyone's help with school projects, something that seems like a luxury at this time in the middle of Covid-19. I want to thank the individual for participating in my project, and wish them well with their classes throughout this difficult times that we are experiencing.
• 
  2020-07-14

  Grandfather, Son, and Granddaughter Reunited at Last

  While serving with the Texas Army National Guard on the COVID-19 Relief Mission in Houston, TX, Josh Farrar was visited by his parents, wife, and daughters when he was given a day off by his Commander. In order to get outside, they all went to the park. This video is of the granddaughter and grandfather playing on a slide while the father (Josh Farrar) interacts with his dad. This video is important as it shows an extended family interacting during the pandemic in an outside venue while a family member is supporting the COVID-19 Relief Mission. This day was very supportive and therapeutic for the Soldier after months dealing with COVID-19 testing.
• 
  2020-06-25

  Coming Off Orders

  I served on the COVID-19 Relief Mission for 93 days with the Texas Army National Guard. The attached orders and email detail my timeline on the mission and my preparation in late June to come off orders by my end date of 18 July 2020. I will not give any more details than that when it concerns orders or paperwork for orders in this public forum. I just wanted to add to military and National Guard perspective of this story as thousands of National Guardsman served on the COVID-19 Relief Mission. In Texas, the same rules applied to this mission as to an OCONUS deployment in terms of leaving mission. The orders were also longer than 90 days for most Soldiers which allowed them to earn 50% Post 9/11 G.I. Bill College Benefits if they had never served on Active Duty Orders (outside of training) before.
• 
  2020-04-17

  Student, Instructor, Soldier: Leaving to Help With the COVID-19 Pandemic

  During Spring of 2020, I was wearing many hats. I was a 1st Lieutenant in the Texas Army National Guard, a husband, a father of two girls, a PhD student, a research assistant for the department chair of the Texas A&M Anthropology Department, and an Anthropology Instructor at Blinn College. Everything changed on April 17th, 2020 when I was activated with the National Guard on 45 day orders starting at 0800 on April 18th. I packed my bags, told my kids and wife goodbye, and sent emails to my supervisors at Blinn College and Texas A&M University. Two of the emails featured here are the emails that I sent to my supervisors. My orders were initially for 45 days but were later extended to 93 days in total. I sent updates to my supervisors as I learned new information. One update email to Dr. De Ruiter at Texas A&M University is featured in this email collection as well. This is my third activation with the National Guard in the past three years. I have been called to floods, hurricanes, and now a pandemic. Serving the people of the State of Texas is never boring, but it can be difficult on the family and jobs that I leave behind. I hope these emails speak to that struggle.
• 
  2020-07-14

  Registering for Graduate School While Serving in the Military on COVID-19 Orders

  While serving in the Texas Army National Guard on COVID-19 Relief Mission orders, I decided to apply to graduate school at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX. While on these orders, I ran into registration issues. I was trying to register as a full time student with nine graduate credits, but St. Mary's had born forced to redo their entire Fall 2020 course scheduling due to COVID-19. This is described in detail in the email. At first I asked the registrar: "I am trying to web register for a third course in the fall. When I go to register in Banner, it states “No terms available for this option.” I seem to be in good standing and lack any registration holds that I can see. Is there any way to get my registration unlocked in Banner?" They responded: "We have temporarily closed registration so we can begin to make changes to the course schedule to accommodate the different modalities that will be offered. We will reopen registration on August 3. In the meantime, if you need to make a change to your schedule, I am happy to assist. Let me know if I can help." I had to ask them to manually enter me for this course so that I was signed up for a full time course load in time to meet my funding date commitments. Luckily this situation was sorted out and I was able to attend St. Mary's University full time during Fall 2020. The Fall 2020 semester was interesting though, as St. Mary's as a whole went almost entirely online.
• 
  2020-07-25

  COVID-19 Military Service Leads to Scholarship

  I decided to attend St. Mary's University while on the COVID-19 relief mission with the Texas Army National Guard during Summer 2020. The attached email is the email I received when I was notified that I had earned a scholarship that would lower my costs of attending graduate school. I was overwhelmed. I applied to the scholarship with the following essay: I am currently a graduate student completing my Graduate Certificate for Dual Credit Teaching in U.S. History. I am on track to graduate in May 2021. I work as an Anthropology Instructor at Blinn College. I currently serve as the Anthropology Instructor to RELLIS Campus for the joint Texas A&M Engineering at Blinn Program. Students are co-enrolled in the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University and Blinn College. Given the expansion of the Blinn RELLIS Campus, there is a need for instructors who are certified to teach in multiple disciplines. Though my Ph.D. is in Anthropology, I possess a B.A. in History. I decided to go back to school in order to become certified to teach History courses so that I could further advance Blinn’s vision for the RELLIS Campus. I have a proven track record of academic excellence that I intend to continue at St. Mary’s University. I finished my undergraduate studies and previous graduate studies with GPA’s over 3.90, receiving various awards along the way (see C.V. for details). The most important thing in my life is not my job or academic achievement, but my family. I am married to a loving and supportive wife, Helen, who works as a high school math teacher. We have two amazing daughters – three-year-old Annie and one-year-old Rose. Though difficult, I have decided to surrender some of my limited time with them in order commit to and finish this graduate certificate online by May 2021. Finally, in addition to my work at Blinn College and my family obligations, I serve as a Commissioned Officer in an Airborne Company with the Texas Army National Guard. Most recently I was activated for the COVID-19 Relief Mission, leaving my wife behind with the children. My orders ran from 18 April-18 July. While on this mission, I initially served as a COVID-19 Mobile Testing Team (MTT) Officer-in-Charge (OIC). Subsequently promoted to 2nd-in-Charge/Executive Officer (2IC/XO) of Texas Region 6, I led a staff of 18 Soldiers in personnel management and logistical resupply for 12 MTTs, encompassing 229 Soldiers and Airman. In all, my region served 8.2 million people in 25 counties - 29% of Texas. Working with multiple civilian agencies, including the Texas Department of Emergency Management, Texas Emergency Management Task Force, and Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, I managed the resupply of 546,825 medical supply items and the testing of 58,550 COVID-19 patients at nursing homes, assisted living centers, meat packaging plants, drive-through sites, and walk-up sites in the region. Thank you for making this scholarship fund available to non-traditional students like myself. Additional funding would significantly lighten the overall family burden of completing this graduate program. Thank you once again for your generosity. It was very uplifting that my hard work with the military also allowed me to attend school full time upon returning from duty.
• 
  2020-10-28

  Excitement of Graduation Dimmed By COVID

  Dave Ruff is a military veteran and recent graduate of the PhD program in Anthropology (Nautical Archaeology) from Texas A&M University. Dave was working in Croatia on a Roman shipwreck for his dissertation project. Dave is a really great friend and mentor. He is always willing to talk about his life experiences - in and out of the Navy - especially when it comes to money and investments. Dave is a hard-working individual who takes his role as an academic very seriously. I was extremely happy for Dave when I found out that he would be graduating in May 2020. He started in the program at Texas A&M a year or two before I did, but he moved from Texas to North Carolina to be closer to his grandchildren and this pushed him back a little. Dave and I had been planning graduation for a few months. We helped each other check all the final boxes on the graduation checklist and buy robes. We were both really excited for the event. I hadn't seen Dave in about a year, so I was excited to see him in person at the graduation. Graduation in May 2020 was cancelled due to COVID-19. This email details a conversation between Dave and I. I was serving on the COVID-19 mission with the Texas Army National Guard and used the money I earned from that mission to pay off my house. I thanked him for his money mentorship throughout the years. The email goes on to detail how all of Dave's summer plans for research had been cancelled due to COVID-19, but that being a grad and being locked down had given him time to work out and lose some weight - a goal that we both had, but he fulfilled better than I! I wanted to highlight this email chain, as I feel that it brings humanity to the experience of Veteran PhD students, recent graduates, and researchers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 
  2020-10-16

  Can't Wait

  I had been deployed for quite some time already and had not seen my family in a long time. When I found out that I would not be coming home when I was supposed to earlier this year (due to Covid-19), it just crushed me. My wife was devastated too because she had been alone taking care of our two daughters. My oldest did not quite understand why I had to stay longer and my youngest daughter was just a couple months old when I left. I was longing to see and hold my girls. Time away from them seemed ever ending but I knew that I would be home soon but soon was unknown. The thought of that was scary but I had my girls as determination. The why I do what I do. Once I came home to my girls it completed my journey and they would not let me go. The baby was a year old and my oldest was so talkative. She never talked before I left. They were so different but I also felt like I stepped into a different country with new rules. (Arizona State University, HST485).
• 
  2020-04-20

  Military Stop Movement

  Beginning in mid-March I began working a minimum hour schedule in order to ensure that as few people as possible were in the office. We assumed the pandemic would blow over soon and that like with most other things the Department of Defense was just overreacting and rolling out guidance that would expire quickly. On April 20 it became apparent that this was not the case. The PDF seen here shows that this was not something that was done with a lack of care or critical thinking because stopping all DoD movement is not done lightly or easily. This order also began my additional two more months working from home or in my workplace with a severely cut back schedule. This stop movement also impacted my life by forcing me to stay in Germany for months longer than expected, as well as numerous friends and coworkers who were suddenly left with no way to leave the country after shipping all of their household goods or their vehicles. Essentially it through thousands of people into a state of instability that could only be rectified by the passing of time until the stop movement expired.
• 
  2020-04-29

  Expert Opinion

  This photograph is taken in Houston, TX as part of a news conference with Rep. Al Green and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. On 29 April 2020, the city of Houston staged a news conference at a COVID-19 testing site run by the National Guard in Houston, TX. At the end of the conference, LTC English (who is a Nurse Practitioner and Texas Army National Guard Senior Medical Advisor) was interviewed for his opinion on public health and safety during the pandemic.
• 
  2020-05-09

  Graduating in the Age of COVID-19

  I graduated from Texas A&M with my PhD in Anthropology in May 2020. The graduation was in early May. I had defended my dissertation in late January and was working as a graduate assistant at Texas A&M and as an instructor at Blinn College when the COVID-19 came to Texas in March 2020. My jobs went online for a month, then I was activated with the National Guard on 18April2020. In this photograph from early May, I am attending my remote graduation ceremony from my workspace at the Region 6 COIVD-19 Response headquarters in Houston, TX.
• 
  2020-09-19

  Promotion during COVID-19

  Usually military promotions require a ceremony. I would have dressed myself and our two daughter up, my husband whole battalion would have be present as his superiors would have said a few words. I would have taken off his old rank from his uniform and officially pinned his new one on. Everyone would have cheered and we would have gone to dinner to celebrate. My husband promotion looked completely different than what we’re used to. He found out he would be pinned ten minutes before the zoom call, the kids were still in their pjs and my husband wasn’t even wearing his pants. Instead we got dressed in a hurry, got on a zoom call with five other people and I pinned him while my dad held the phone. It took less than five minutes start to finish then it was back to whatever we had been doing prior to the call. We ordered in dinner that day just to make it as special as we could. HST580 ASU
• 
  2020-09-19

  Covid doesn’t stop the military

  After eight years of active duty service for the US Navy my husband decided to get out and join the reserves. Since March he has been required to check in remotely and do all work online. One of the perks not having to wear his heavy boots. This has slowly started to feel like a new normal for our family. I’m not sure when he will be able to return to base and resume his normal duties there but until then he’s doing the best he can. HST580 Arizona State University
• 
  2020-09-13

  Hermit HERALD VOL 1 ISSUE 63

  Covid controversy, NYC
• 
  2020-08-15

  Cuando piensas tomar en la chacra durante la cuarentena

  Este video fue grabado en día en la ciudad de Arequipa, como se sabe el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas esta prohibido ya sea lugares que estén fuera del hogar o dentro del mismo. Es por esto que algunos jóvenes optaron por celebrar el día de Arequipa en Characato distrito que se encuentra alejado de la ciudad el cual está rodeado de chacras los jóvenes pensaron que no serían atrapados pero al parecer algunas personas dieron aviso a los militares que se encontraban haciendo guardia a alrededores. El hecho ocasionó que al ser descubiertos empiezan a huir del lugar siendo perseguidos por el personal del ejército vecinos del lugar grabaron lo sucedido.
• 
  2020-08-19

  Portfolio of an intern of the Journal of a plague year archive

  Prior to interning the JOTPY internship I thought we would be doing a lot of submissions for the archive to build it and maybe online work to raise awareness of the archive. I had no real knowledge of public history and was going in not expecting it to be such an important part of the archive. Throughout the internship I developed many skills such as curating, how to write a blog, press release and mission statement, and how to build an individual archive collection. I realized my colloquial writing was weak during the internship since many of the projects involved reaching out directly to the general public and speaking plainly. I was once quite adept at this but being an undergrad and now a graduate student these skills had become quite rusty as I endeavored to perfect my academic writing. I had to learn to work as a team in the internship and also reach out to regular non academics for submissions and these socially based experiences were uncomfortable for me since I am more of an introvert. However, throughout the internship I came to really value the camaraderie and community the interns built together. Before the internship I shied away from group projects as a necessary evil to be avoided at all costs however the internship showed me how much fun working with others could be and to value a great team. The internship also allowed me to network with other people including fellow interns, teachers and archive associates. The internship gave me real world experience of my historical skills introduced me to many new skills set that could pertain to future employment. Overall, it was a great experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world.
• 
  2020-08-16

  Kyle Ballard Oral History 2020/08/16

  Kyle Ballard is active duty military in North Augusta, South Carolina. Kyle identifies as a gay man and uses the pronouns he and him. He has witnessed firsthand the federal government response to the pandemic as he works on a military base and was given a restriction of movement order after falling ill in March. Despite his illness, he was unable to get a Covid-19 test due to testing restriction at the time. He spends most of his time working at the military base and developing student government for Arizona State University’s online campus. Kyle discusses the potential issues faced particularly by LGBTQ+ youth in the middle of the pandemic and his disappointment in the government response across all levels. He lives with his boyfriend Mason and recounts how it was difficult to not see him as much after the quarantine had ended. Kyle wishes the media would focus more on what other countries have done to successfully limit the spread of Covid-19.
• 
  2020-08-13

  DOD covid-19 military cases

  This is an update of the number of coronavirus cases in the military.It shows a significant difference between the military branches with the army leading with the highest number of cases.
• 
  2020-06-01

  New basic testing methods

  This is an article discussing new protocols for military basic training involving a 14 day quarantine period and testing before training as well as contact tracing.
• 
  2020-07-10

  Military coronavirus rates growing at twice the rates as nationwide average

  This is an article explaining how the military is experiencing higher rates of coronavirus than the general public.The article claims it is due to more people getting tested when in reality it is due to precautions not being taken seriously.My husband's whole platoon was exposed to the coronavirus and they just quarantined those who expressed a desire to get a test and wouldn't let them get an actual test because it would "expose the people taking a test" they even tried to force a soldier without coronavirus to room with a soldier who had tested positive for it.
• 
  2020-08-08

  COVID, ASU and Sick friends

  During this pandemic, i have dealt with many things. One being the loss of one of my best friends due to the virus. He served with me overseas and saved my life when i was shot and was bleeding out. It took everything in my heart to not fly out to his funeral. Because of the virus, i could not go and spend time with his wife and kids that i have known for years. He is the one that motivated to go back to school at ASU. RIP Ray. I created this image in his memory and combined it with ASU.
• 
  2020-07-10

  Alexis Walker Oral History 2020/07/10

  Alexis Walker grew up in Southern California but is currently living in Fayetteville, NC while her husband is stationed at Fort Bragg. Alexis is currently a full-time mom and a full-time graduate student in Arizona State University’s online History M.A. program. Alexis’s day-to-day life is mostly centered around her family and the social life of the family is heavily centered around the military community of Fort Bragg. In this interview Alexis reflects on her experiences as a mother during the COVID-19 pandemic and how that has affected the way she cares for her children. Alexis also provides a unique insight to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of military members, their families, and the military community as a whole. With the stop movement order issued by the military, the lives of Alexis and her family have essentially been put on hold until the military decides to relax this movement and travel restriction. Finally, Alexis reflects on the varying responses to the pandemic within a community made up of great diversity due to the varying cultural backgrounds of military families.
• 
  2020-07-20

  Camp Hansen COVID-19 Restrictions

  This screenshot provides a more specific look into what facilities and services were closed or modified as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak at Camp Hansen, Okinawa. Note to the right where one comment from a member of the 12th Marines tells his fellow "devil dogs" not to worry about the barbershop closures, since his CO shaved his head without any need of such a service.
• 
  2020-07-11

  HPCON C Guidance at Camp Hansen, Okinawa

  These orders, captured in this screenshot from Marine Corps Base Camp Hansen's Facebook page, stipulate what personnel can and cannot do as the III Marine Expeditionary Force battled a COVID-19 outbreak on this and other bases on Okinawa in early July 2020. A testament to COVID's sneaky transmission, not even secure military facilities could seal themselves off from the virus, prompting them to close down even tighter as their European counterparts did in the early months of the pandemic. Note: "HP Con C" stands for "Health Protection Condition Charlie," which means that there is substantial community transmission of a pathogen in the area.
• 
  2020-07-15

  Camp Hansen COVID Update From the Camp Commander

  This screenshot of a letter distributed to all Marine Corps and Navy personnel and their families aboard Camp Hansen in Okinawa details the service's priorities in the weeks ahead, as Marine Corps bases across the island do battle against a potentially deadly pathogen. Those priorities include preserving the Force, protecting the Marine Corps-Okinawa relationship, and "generate combat power" to deal with the COVID threat that struck Camp Hansen in July of 2020.
• 
  2020-07-15

  Limited Reopenings on Okinawa

  Following an outbreak on US Marine Corps facilities on Okinawa, the branch closed down most on-base community services in order to slow the virus's spread. On July 15, some installations cautiously re-opened a select few, although not all bases restored services immediately. Some services resumed with minimal staffing in place, while others only applied to unit training, while others offered a virtual alternative. However, this partial restoration was short-lived, when MCCS shut down the fitness centers the following day.
• 
  2020-07-21

  Outbreak on Okinawa

  In July 2020, a COVID-19 outbreak struck the US Marine Corps bases at Camp Hansen and MCAS Futenma on the island of Okinawa. This screenshot shows one of the countermeasures the Marine Corps Community Services took to halt the spread, which not only applied to Hansen and Futenma, but all USMC facilities on Okinawa. Due to the ease of transmission in crowded gyms, all fitness centers and gyms shut down, thus depriving the fitness-minded Marines of a key component to maintaining their physical readiness.
• 2020-07-15

  military deals with coronavirus for recruits

  This is a news article discussing how the military is testing new recruits for coronavirus.While only 2% test positive 60% of those are asymptomatic ringing how the fact that a vast majority of people would have further spread it without this preliminary test.The article also mentions higher than average retention rates which is probably due to the fact that with the economy suffering from the pandemic more people are opting to re-enlist and have the safety net of a secure paycheck and healthcare at this time.
• 2020-07-16

  military response

  This is a story of how one soldier can make a difference in the pandemic.This private was recognized for her good deeds by NASCAR however the question that begs asking is why it was necessary?why during a pandemic is a shortage of masks occurring especially in the military where people are forced to work in close quarters.
• 
  03/30/2020

  Al Bailey Oral History 2020/03/30

  University of Cincinnati, Public History Practicum, Dr. Wingo
• 2020-07-10

  military cases of Covid-19 increase

  This is a news article speculating why the military members are having an increase in positive coronavirus tests.What they leaving out is although masks are required for businesses they are not necessarily being followed by soldiers working and the same for social distancing and hand washing. My husband is in the military and tells me they were the masks when possible but most soldiers find them inconvenient and remove them whenever possible.Also social distancing is not practical for their work as they sometimes have to be in close quarters to complete their work.This in addition field events,airborne jumps, and other major projects that place many soldiers in close proximity together is probably the cause of the increased cases.
• 
  2020-04-04

  Bayani [Hero]

  Giving support to our frontliners
• 
  2020-03-30

  Socially Distanced Reception: MCRD San Diego

  This screenshot showcases B Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion's early morning reception at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego (MCRD San Diego), the Marine Corps' basic training installation for all recruits enlisted west of the Mississippi River. With social distancing an integral measure to counter the coronavirus's advance, recruits appear to be staggered in formation so as to avoid shoulder-to-shoulder contact, as indicated by the empty yellow footprints that would normally be occupied four to a row. However, it must be noted that at this date, none of the recruits have masks, and neither do the receiving sergeants in the photo's background, therefore underscoring the difficulties of rapidly adapting to a novel infectious disease whose spread could have dire consequences in a military environment.
• 
  2020-04-20

  Florida Army Guard Deploys to Nursing Home

  These screenshots of pictures from an article posted on the Department of Defense's website detail how the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team has traded in their rifles for PPE and COVID-19 test kits. Deployed to the Alexander Nininger, Jr., Veterans Nursing Home in Pembroke Pines, Florida, these soldiers conduct tests as mobile teams, while administering tests to staff before entering the facility. Moreover, these screenshots also give an idea of the total scope of the Florida Guard's COVID-19 mission, including its operations beyond nursing home facilities.
• 
  2020-06-08

  Training New Marines in a New Reality

  This screenshot from the United States Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot Parris Island Facebook offers a look into some of the adjustments the military has made in order to stem the spread of COVID-19 within its ranks. In a telling sign of the pandemic-era, these new recruits all wear protective masks in order to prevent possibly-infected water droplets from escaping into the air and triggering an outbreak within the barracks, an omnipresent threat, especially in boot camp.
• 
  2020-06-29

  Coronavirus Invades al-Jaber Airbase

  By infecting nearly every corner of the globe, COVID-19 further demonstrated its reach by invading the self-contained confines of US military bases, such as al-Jaber airbase in Kuwait. This screenshot, which features masked US Marines and airmen preparing a field kitchen, provides a glimpse into this self-contained world, with the headline revealing that nothing is immune to the coronavirus.
• 
  2020-05-07

  A Permanently Disqualifying Condition

  This memo from the United States Military Entrance Processing Command outlines certain guidelines for MEP stations to follow when testing and evaluating applicants for military service during the pandemic. One of its provisions specifically states that an established history of COVID-19 will be classified as a "permanently disqualifying condition," thus making the applicant unfit for induction.