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

Some in Congress want to create a new military branch to specialize in cyber warfare
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Specialist Isaac Marshall, an analyst with the North Carolina National Guard Cyber Security Response Force, builds a simulated computer network for a training event to help state and local government IT workers learn to recognize and respond to cyber atta, Credit: Jay Price / American Homefront
Supporters say cyber threats from China and other rivals require a dedicated force. But opponents argue that's unnecessary and risky.

Bought by WRFA-LP, KUT, WHRV, and KPBS


  • Added: Jul 11, 2024
  • Length: 03:58
  • Purchases: 4
A Virginia political fight illustrates the dilemma states face as costs rise for veterans programs
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Veterans fill the gallery of the Virginia House of Delegates as legislators meet June 28 in a special session to consider reversing cuts in a veterans education program. Delegates voted unanimously to reverse the cost-cutting move, but didn't reach an agr, Credit: Steve Walsh / American Homefront
Cost are increasing sharply as post-911 veterans begin to qualify for state benefits. But cutting the programs is politically difficult.

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


  • Added: Jul 02, 2024
  • Length: 03:50
  • Purchases: 5
With skills they've honed in the military, troops and veterans hope to become entrepreneurs
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Navy veterans Andy Camp, left, and Matt Semple stand in the San Diego Central Library IDEA Lab, where they worked to develop their water-saving razor. They've launched the product on Kickstarter, raising almost $70,000 from more than 1300 backers., Credit: Mike Damron / KPBS
Since 2022, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has been hosting entrepreneurship fairs at military bases to encourage troops to start businesses.

Bought by KRPS, North Country Public Radio, WRFA-LP, WUNC, KUT and more


  • Added: Jun 18, 2024
  • Length: 03:28
  • Purchases: 7
Four years after Vanessa Guillen's death, advocates are cautiously optimistic about military reforms
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Demonstrators gather in San Antonio in July 2020, shortly after Vanessa Guillen's body was found., Credit: Jolene Almendarez / American Homefront
The military has a new system to investigate sexual harassment complaints, after Guillen's family said her complaints weren't taken seriously.

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


  • Added: Jun 04, 2024
  • Length: 03:46
  • Purchases: 4
A federal monument to Iraq and Afghanistan vets is years away, but states are erecting their own
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Army veteran David Vieira, President of the Afghanistan Iraq Veterans War Memorial Fund, attends a dedication ceremony for Connecticut's new monument to Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans. Viera's non-profit raised money to build the memorial in Danbury., Credit: Desiree D'Iorio / American Homefront
While the national memorial goes through a lengthy planning and fundraising process, veterans are working with state and local governments to build...

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


  • Added: May 24, 2024
  • Length: 03:54
  • Purchases: 7
When troops' remains are identified from long-ago wars, it's getting harder to find family members
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Following a funeral ceremony in New Bern, N.C., Patriot Guard Riders member John Conner kneels to pay his respects to Barbara Weiss, the niece of Staff Sgt. Robert J. Ferris Jr. Ferris died in 1942 in World War II, before Weiss was born. She was the next , Credit: Jay Price / American Homefront
Scientific advances have allowed the Army to identify about 200 sets of remains each year - dating back to World War II. But the passage of time ha...

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


  • Added: May 23, 2024
  • Length: 03:51
  • Purchases: 6
The Army has stepped up its training for tunnel warfare, a dangerous - and growing - form of combat
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: An Army Special Forces soldier stands near the entrance of Fort Liberty's subterranean training facility. The elaborate Hamas tunnels in Gaza have brought new attention to underground combat, but the U.S. military began increasing its focus on tunnel warf, Credit: Jay Price / American Homefront
Hamas' elaborate tunnels in Gaza have brought attention to underground warfare, but it's a tactic used by many other potential U.S. adversaries.

Bought by KPBS, WRFA-LP, Texas Public Radio, KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio, KUT and more


  • Added: May 15, 2024
  • Length: 03:53
  • Purchases: 9
Eleven years after his arrest, 'Fat Leonard' faces sentencing in a massive Navy corruption scandal
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: A 2022 wanted poster issued by the U.S. Marshals Service shows Leonard Francis, also known as "Fat Leonard," who allegedly cut off his ankle monitor and fled the U.S. He was later arrested in Venezuela and now faces sentencing for masterminding a Navy bri, Credit: U.S. Marshals Service
Military contractor Leonard Glenn Francis bribed more than thirty Navy officials in one of the biggest military corruption cases in U.S. history.

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


  • Added: May 09, 2024
  • Length: 03:59
  • Purchases: 5
A new VA policy covers fertility treatments for more vets, but some are still excluded
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Amber Bohlman served as a logistical vehicle operator in the Marine Corps from 2005-2009. She and her partner Peter Folsom tried to conceive for years. While the VA has expanded its IVF eligibility to include couples who aren't legally married, Bohlman is, Credit: Courtesy Amber Bohlman
The VA now pays for IVF treatment for unmarried and LGBTQ veterans. But they still must prove their fertility problems are service-related.

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


  • Added: May 01, 2024
  • Length: 03:31
  • Purchases: 7
New Navy ships are years behind schedule, because manufacturers can't find workers to build them
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Shipyard workers look on as the Navy unveils the USS Massachusetts nuclear submarine during its christening May 6, 2023., Credit: Steve Walsh / American Homefront
Shipbuilders are pursuing a variety of measures to find more workers, including a marketing partnership with Major League Baseball

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


  • Added: Apr 17, 2024
  • Length: 03:44
  • Purchases: 5

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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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Shahla Farzan
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Jonathan Ahl
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Dan Katz