American Homefront Project

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The American Homefront Project is reporting on military life and veterans issues. We're visiting bases to chronicle how American troops are working and living. We're meeting military families. We're talking with veterans -- in their homes, on their jobs, at school, at VA hospitals -- to learn about the challenges they face.

Support for the American Homefront Project comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, as part of CPB's ongoing effort to expand coverage of local, regional, and national issues. Additional support comes from our partner public radio stations -- North Carolina Public Radio-WUNC, Texas Public Radio, KPBS-San Diego, St. Louis Public Radio, and WSHU-Fairfield, Conn.

Series

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2022 American Veteran 
4 Pieces

In commemoration of Veteran’s Day, the American Homefront Project collaborated with the PBS documentary series "American Veteran" to profile men and women who have served in the U.S. military.

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American Veteran 2021 
5 Pieces

In commemoration of Veteran’s Day 2021, the American Homefront Project collaborated with the PBS documentary series "American Veteran" to profile men and women who have served in the U.S. military.

Pieces

A Pentagon report finds that troops' suicides are often preceded by legal or administrative troubles
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate Ryan Cuppernall leads SafeTALK suicide training in Norfolk, Va. on Aug. 9, 2023. SafeTALK is a three-hour course that trains sailors and civilians how to prevent suicide., Credit: Jacqueline R. Ramos / U.S. Navy
About a quarter of all suicide deaths occur among troops caught up in legal or administrative battles - sometimes for minor infractions.

Bought by North Country Public Radio, KTEP, Texas Public Radio, KPBS, KUT and more


  • Added: Jan 09, 2024
  • Length: 03:44
  • Purchases: 7
Doctors turn to AI and wearable monitors to measure the effects of burn pits on veterans' health
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: At his office on Long Island, New York, Dr. Anthony Szema models the smart ring that tracks health data for veterans who were exposed to fumes from toxic burn pits overseas., Credit: Desiree D'Iorio / American Homefront
A long-term study hopes to shed light on an array of vague symptoms that can affect veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Bought by KTEP, Texas Public Radio, KPBS, WHRV, KUT and more


  • Added: Jan 02, 2024
  • Length: 03:43
  • Purchases: 8
Despite policy changes, critics say the Army doesn't do enough to find soldiers who go missing
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Kevin and Lisa Bushling - the parents of Joseph Bushling - take a break during a 2012 search for their son near Dugway, Utah. The search, conducted mainly by volunteers, was one of several unsuccessful attempts to find Kevin, who disappeared in 2011 and w, Credit: Tooele (Utah) Transcript Bulletin
After a string of high-profile deaths and disappearances, the Army is trying harder to find soldiers who fail to report for duty.

Bought by KTEP, KRPS, North Country Public Radio, KMXT, KUT and more


  • Added: Dec 12, 2023
  • Length: 03:56
  • Purchases: 8
The military is opening more childcare centers, but thousands of kids remain on waitlists
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: At the newly-built childcare center on Marine Corps Station Miramar in San Diego, all of the classrooms open to outdoor age-appropriate playgrounds., Credit: Carlos Castillo / KPBS
Staffing shortages and a lack of facilities have contributed to the long waits for childcare, though the situation has improved somewhat since the ...

Bought by KTEP, KRPS, KUT, WHRV, WRFA-LP and more


  • Added: Dec 04, 2023
  • Length: 03:44
  • Purchases: 8
To create more resilient warriors, Air Force training is emphasizing wellness and stress management
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Air Force recruits at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland prepare to leave a classroom after listening to a lecture on resilience, which included tips on self-control, keeping a positive mindset, and relaxation., Credit: Vanessa Adame / U.S. Air Force
The new basic training curriculum aims to better prepare recruits for the uncertainties of war.

Bought by KMXT, KPBS, WRFA-LP, KRPS, WHRV and more


  • Added: Oct 30, 2023
  • Length: 03:56
  • Purchases: 7
With the last of nine base renamings, the Army helps cast aside the myth of the Confederacy
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Retired Lt. Gen. Arthur J. Gregg stands in front of the newly named Gregg-Adams Club at the former Fort Lee, Virginia in April 2023. The club was off limits to Gregg and other Black Soldiers when he became an officer in 1950. Gregg now shares the new name, Credit: Terrance Bell / U.S. Army
Historians said the renamings – like the removal of many Confederate statues in recent years – are part of a more accurate understanding of the Con...

Bought by KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, Texas Public Radio, KRPS, WRFA-LP, North Country Public Radio and more


  • Added: Oct 26, 2023
  • Length: 04:00
  • Purchases: 9
After a series of suicides, the USS George Washington returns to sea with more mental healthcare
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: The USS George Washington is returning to sea after a six-year maintenance cycle when it remained in the shipyard in Norfolk, Va., Credit: Steve Walsh / American Homefront
The deaths among Washington crewmembers occurred during a six-year period when the carrier remained in the shipyard for maintenance.

Bought by KPBS, KMXT, WRFA-LP, KUT, KRPS and more


  • Added: Oct 16, 2023
  • Length: 03:50
  • Purchases: 6
Before 2011, the military forced out thousands of LGBTQ+ troops. Now, some are suing.
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Jules Sohn (left), who now is the LGBTQ+ Liaison for the Los Angeles Police Department, is among the plaintiffs in the lawsuit seeking to upgrade the discharges of thousands for LGBTQ+ former service members., Credit: Courtesy Jules Sohn
The federal lawsuit seeks upgraded discharges for more than 30,000 former service members.

Bought by North Country Public Radio, KMXT, Texas Public Radio, KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, WRFA-LP and more


  • Added: Oct 09, 2023
  • Length: 03:52
  • Purchases: 8
After defeating affirmative action at most colleges, activists' next target is military academies
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: New cadets line up at West Point for Reception Day June 26, 2023. The military academy's class of 2027 includes more than 1250 people. , Credit: Eric Bartelt / U.S. Military Academy at West Point
In its June ruling outlawing affirmative action in college admissions, the U.S. Supreme Court excepted the nation's military academies. A new lawsu...

Bought by KPBS, WRFA-LP, Texas Public Radio, KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, KLCC and more


  • Added: Oct 02, 2023
  • Length: 03:16
  • Purchases: 8
A new school will train U.S. troops to fight a growing threat: small weaponized drones
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Army Chief Warrant Officer Michael J. Spicer tests a "Nightfighter" anti-drone system at Fort Bliss, Texas in December 2022. The manufacturer says the system interrupts the radio signals that are used to control drones., Credit: Raquel Birk / U.S. Army
The Pentagon said the new institution - housed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma - will train about 1,000 troops a year to plan, install, and operate a variet...

Bought by Texas Public Radio, WRFA-LP, KTEP, WHRV, KUT and more


  • Added: Sep 28, 2023
  • Length: 03:56
  • Purchases: 6

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People who work with American Homefront Project

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Dave DeWitt
Reporter/Producer, WUNC
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Adam Hochberg (Admin)
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Brent Wolfe
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KPBS News
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KPCC BoardOperators
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Shula Neuman
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Shahla Farzan
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Jonathan Ahl