SrA. Neil Murray has been serving as a lone medic at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, where he has no physician assistant or doctor to work with. As if that weren’t enough, he also serves as eyes and ears for his ground force teammates, calling out enemy positions during attacks. His medical care also extends to Afghan villagers. Of his teammates, Murray said: “I have been nothing but impressed with the Army members I work with on a daily basis. They make sound decisions, and I know they would put their neck on the line for me, as I would for them.” (Report by SSgt. Mike Andriacco.)
When acting Air Force Secretary Gary A. Ashworth rescinded service-wide “Family Days” last week citing the need to build readiness, he left it up to commanders, directors, and supervisors to decide if they would still permit extra days off. Here’s how Air Force major commands are taking that guidance.