U.S. active-duty military presence overseas is at its smallest in decades
The number of active-duty U.S. military troops stationed overseas has dipped below 200,000 for the first time in at least 60 years.
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John Kelly’s military background is unusual for a White House chief of staff
John Kelly is the first chief of staff in more than four decades to come from the upper ranks of the military, and unlike most of his predecessors he has no prior work experience in the White House or campaign politics.
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6 facts about the U.S. military and its changing demographics
The demographic makeup of the country’s active-duty force has changed over time, and those changes tend to reflect trends in the broader society.
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Tillerson would be first secretary of state without military or government experience
At least four secretaries of state previously worked as top executives for large private-sector companies.
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Profile of U.S. veterans is changing dramatically as their ranks decline
The share of the population with military experience – counting those who are on active duty or were in the past – has fallen by almost half since 1980.
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Most Americans trust the military and scientists to act in the public’s interest
Three-quarters or more of Americans are confident in the military, medical scientists and scientists in general to act in the best interests of the public. But fewer than half report similar confidence in the news media, business leaders and elected officials.
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Memorial Day: About half of veterans of post-9/11 wars served with someone who was killed
About half of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans (47%) said that they served with a comrade that had been killed. That number rises to 62% among soldiers who were in combat.
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More Americans say U.S. failed to achieve its goals in Iraq
As Sunni militants make a major military push against the central government in Iraq, the Obama administration is said to have rebuffed requests from Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to use drones to strike at extremist bases. That reported reluctance follows years of U.S. military intervention in Iraq that many Americans say was misguided and failed to achieve its goals.
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On D-Day anniversary, only 1 million World War II veterans still alive
By the next decennial anniversary, the VA estimates that their numbers will be down to 81,117.
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Veterans Administration critics include the soldiers who served in post-9/11 wars
Asked whether the VA put enough focus on post-9/11 war veterans compared to its treatment of previous generations of veterans, half of those who served in Iraq or Afghanistan said the treatment they got was about the right amount while 44% said it was not enough.
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