American Homefront Project

GroupAccount image
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

Series image
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.

Series image
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

Struggling to meet its recruiting goals, the Navy is now accepting enlistees as old as 41
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Matt Allen conducts a surfing lesson with 11-year-old Ray Goodson on the beach in Encinitas, Cal. At the age of 41, Allen is enlisting in the Navy under a new rule that raises the maximum age for Navy recruits., Credit: Jay Price / American Homefront
The Navy has raised its age limit from 39 to 41 - the oldest of any of the services. But the Navy’s national chief recruiter said data shows older ...

Bought by WRFA-LP, North Country Public Radio, KPBS, Texas Public Radio, and KUT


  • Added: Jan 12, 2023
  • Length: 03:46
  • Purchases: 5
Weapons, tents, generators, and more: The U.S. military is sending supplies to Ukraine almost daily
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Troops at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware load pallets of ammunition onto an aircraft bound for Ukraine Aug. 9, 2022., Credit: Cydney Lee / U.S. Air Force
The U.S. Transportation Command has the primary responsibility to load planes, ships, and other vehicles with supplies bound for Ukraine.

Bought by WRFA-LP, KPBS, KRPS, Texas Public Radio, and KUT


  • Added: Jan 05, 2023
  • Length: 03:38
  • Purchases: 5
Policymakers say addressing extremism among veterans is a 'delicate' challenge
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: According to the George Washington University Program on Extremism, more than a hundred veterans were criminally charged in connection with the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol., Credit: Brett Davis / Flickr
While still a small percentage of the total veteran population, the number of veterans committing extremist violence has risen sharply, according t...

Bought by WRFA-LP, KUT, KPBS, North Country Public Radio, and Texas Public Radio


  • Added: Dec 30, 2022
  • Length: 03:55
  • Purchases: 5
After a slow recruiting year, states are trying new ways to attract people to the National Guard
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: The concert band of the 42nd division of the New York Army National Guard performs holiday music at Warrior Ranch in Calverton, N.Y. Dec. 3, 2022., Credit: Desiree D'Iorio / American Homefront
The National Guard fell about 9,000 troops short of its goal in 2022. Some states are improving their outreach and incentive plans to try to counte...

Bought by WRFA-LP, KPBS, Texas Public Radio, and KUT


  • Added: Dec 20, 2022
  • Length: 03:57
  • Purchases: 4
As data plays a bigger role in warfare, the military is building a new center to analyze it
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency plans to move into its new St. Louis building in 2025. The Pentagon is spending close to $2 billion on the facility, which will increase the government's capacity to analyze maps and satellite imagery., Credit: Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio
The new western headquarters for The National Geospatial Intelligence Agency in St. Louis will mainly deal with mapping and satellite imagery.

Bought by KUT, WRFA-LP, and Texas Public Radio


  • Added: Dec 19, 2022
  • Length: 03:55
  • Purchases: 3
A lawsuit alleges a racial disparity in VA benefits and says the VA isn't doing enough about it
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: A VA spokesperson said the agency knows that racial disparities exist in benefits decisions, and it’s studying ways to address them. A federal lawsuit says the agency isn't doing enough., Credit: Adam Fagen / Flickr
Lawyers who filed the suit say agency records show the VA is more likely to pay claims from white veterans than from Black veterans.

Bought by North Country Public Radio, WRFA-LP, KUT, KWMU St. Louis, and KMXT


  • Added: Dec 14, 2022
  • Length: 03:48
  • Purchases: 5
Military suicides have become slightly less common, but are still a 'massive problem'
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Judy Beckett of Cornerstone Equine Therapy Center in Escondido, California is working with the Navy to help build resilience among sailors. She said being around horses can help service members work through a number of mental health issues, such as PTSD a, Credit: Steve Walsh / American Homefront
Though military suicide has been a problem for decades, critics say the Pentagon hasn’t come to terms with the fact that anyone can potentially be ...

Bought by North Country Public Radio, WRFA-LP, KUT, Texas Public Radio, KPBS and more


  • Added: Dec 07, 2022
  • Length: 03:42
  • Purchases: 7
For disabled children of military parents, frequent moves can lead to schooling and health care gaps
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: 8 year old Victoria Thomas boards a bus to attend school outside of San Antonio, Texas. Victoria is nonverbal and relies on a motorized wheelchair and assistive communication devices., Credit: Carson Frame / American Homefront
When service members move from base to base, they sometimes find it takes too long for their child's new school to begin providing special educatio...

Bought by KWMU St. Louis, KMXT, North Country Public Radio, WRFA-LP, KUT and more


  • Added: Nov 29, 2022
  • Length: 03:47
  • Purchases: 7
An ‘insane’ housing market is hitting military families hard when they have to move
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Lisa Koroma and her family moved to this Colorado Springs subdivision after her husband was transferred to Fort Carson. She said their rental home here costs more than the monthly housing allowance her husband receives from the Army., Credit: Lisa Koroma
A recent study found military families are spending more time and money to find places to live when they change duty stations.

Bought by WRFA-LP, Texas Public Radio, North Country Public Radio, and KUT


  • Added: Nov 17, 2022
  • Length: 03:45
  • Purchases: 4
81 years after it was founded, the USO is making changes to remain relevant to today's troops
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Army soldiers help themselves to free food in the USO lounge at Fort Bragg, N.C. The organization plans to close about 40 of its lesser-used lounges while opening 28 in places where it says troops are especially isolated or face high stress., Credit: Jay Price / American Homefront
The service organization is closing some of its centers, opening new ones, and expanding its online programs to respond to funding reductions and t...

Bought by KWMU St. Louis, KUT, North Country Public Radio, WRFA-LP, KRPS and more


  • Added: Nov 14, 2022
  • Length: 03:52
  • Purchases: 7

Actions

Playlists

none

People who work with American Homefront Project

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