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

The Marines' first west coast female boot camp is over, and it may be years before it happens again
From: American Homefront Project
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A group of female recruits completed Marine boot camp in San Diego this spring - the first time the Corps has trained women outside of Parris Islan...

Bought by KMXT, WAMC Northeast Public Radio, and KPCC


  • Added: May 06, 2021
  • Length: 03:43
  • Purchases: 3
As their spouses lost jobs in the pandemic, more troops began relying on emergency food aid
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Cars line up at a March food distribution event at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio., Credit: Carson Frame / American Homefront
A new report says military families are relying more on food banks and other emergency aid, partly because military spouses lost their jobs or had ...

Bought by iPondr, KCUR, KPCC, North Country Public Radio, and KMXT


  • Added: May 03, 2021
  • Length: 03:11
  • Purchases: 5
After billions of dollars in damage, the military is trying to protect bases from climate change
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Military and civilian officials attend a ceremonial groundbreaking at Camp Lejeune, N.C. for a major reconstruction effort that will make the base more resilient to the effects of climate change., Credit: Jay Price / American Homefront
Hurricanes caused catastrophic damage to East Coast military bases in 2018. Now, as it starts to rebuild, the Pentagon wants to make bases less vul...

Bought by Texas Public Radio, KPBS, KMXT, and KPCC


  • Added: Apr 27, 2021
  • Length: 03:50
  • Purchases: 4
After a military-wide stand down to address extremism, what's the Pentagon's next step?
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Chief Personnel Specialist Jennifer Johnston conducts an extremism stand down March 19 aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford. The Pentagon ordered all service branches to conduct the stand downs after the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection., Credit: Angel Thuy Jaskuloski / U.S. Navy
After the January 6 Capitol insurrection, the Pentagon ordered all service branches to discuss extremism with the troops. But observers say that's ...

Bought by KMXT, KPCC, and Texas Public Radio


  • Added: Apr 07, 2021
  • Length: 03:50
  • Purchases: 3
A new study says troops are leaving the military because of sexual assaults and harassment
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Amber Davila left the Army after she was sexually assaulted by a fellow soldier. A new study found sexual assault doubles the odds that a service member will leave the military within 28 months., Credit: Courtesy Amber Devila
The RAND Corporation study concluded that the cost of sexual assault and harassment extends beyond the victims. It's also causing troops to leave t...

Bought by KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif., WAMC Northeast Public Radio, KPBS, North Country Public Radio, and KPCC


  • Added: Mar 29, 2021
  • Length: 03:54
  • Purchases: 5
Under pressure to address sex crimes in the ranks, an Army unit is asking soldiers for ideas
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: In a "Shark Tank" style event, 34 soldiers in the 18th Airborne Corps submitted proposals to improve the Army program that responds to sexual harassment and assault. The Corps has committed to implementing the concepts of seven finalists., Credit: Marygian D. Barnes / U.S. Army
Army leaders concede that a program designed to eliminate sexual harassment and abuse has not achieved its goal. So the 18th Airborne Corps held a ...

Bought by WAMC Northeast Public Radio, KPCC, KPBS, and Texas Public Radio


  • Added: Mar 01, 2021
  • Length: 03:13
  • Purchases: 4
Troops with service-related mental health issues say it's unfair to kick them out of the military
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Romeo Pactores, Jr.'s 18 year military career is in jeopardy after a DUI that he said was prompted by service-related mental health issues., Credit: Steve Walsh / American Homefront
The Marine Corps established Wounded Warrior Battalions to aid troops with the worst mental and physical injuries. But Marines in the battalions wh...

Bought by Texas Public Radio and KMXT


  • Added: Feb 23, 2021
  • Length: 03:53
  • Purchases: 2
The Pentagon wants to root out extremism in the military, but nobody knows how common it is
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin talks with Army Maj. Gen. William J. Walker of District of Columbia National Guard outside the U.S. Capitol Jan. 29., Credit: Erica Jaros / U.S. Army National Guard
Pentagon leaders were concerned about extremism in the military even before the Jan. 6 insurrection. But new Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he...

Bought by Texas Public Radio, KPCC, and KMXT


  • Added: Feb 15, 2021
  • Length: 03:51
  • Purchases: 3
Despite Biden's order, transgender recruits still wait to join the military
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: President Biden signs a Jan. 25 order repealing the military transgender ban, as Vice President Harris, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Mark Milley (left), and Defense Secretary Llyod Austin watch., Credit: Adam Schultz / White House photo
Though President Biden signed an executive order allowing transgender people to serve in the military, would-be recruits are waiting for the Pentag...

Bought by North Country Public Radio, WAMC Northeast Public Radio, Texas Public Radio, and KPCC


  • Added: Feb 08, 2021
  • Length: 03:40
  • Purchases: 4
Congress is paying more attention to veteran suicide, but progress is slow
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Kristen Christy poses with her husband Don in a 2005 photo. Don, an Air Force lieutenant colonel, died by suicide in 2008., Credit: Kristen Christy
New federal laws seek to improve mental health care for veterans and their families. But advocates say it will take time for local communities to f...

Bought by KPCC, KPBS, North Country Public Radio, Texas Public Radio, and KMXT


  • Added: Jan 25, 2021
  • Length: 03:30
  • 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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Shula Neuman
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Shahla Farzan
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Jonathan Ahl