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

For military children, changing schools in a pandemic presents new challenges
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: At General Clarence Tinker K-8 School on MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., about four in five students are attending classes in person., Credit: Danielle Quilla / U.S. Air Force
Most military children are used to moving and changing schools. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be especially hard to make friends and fee...

Bought by WAMC Northeast Public Radio, KPBS, Texas Public Radio, KMXT, and Colorado Public Radio


  • Added: Sep 29, 2020
  • Length: 03:32
  • Purchases: 5
Why are there so few Black admirals in the Navy? Some blame a culture of discrimination
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Rear Adm. Alvin Holsey (left) speaks with Ensign Dimitri Foster aboard the USS Lake Champlain in 2018. Holsey - one of the Navy's few Black admirals - heads the One Navy Task Force., Credit: Craig Z. Rodarte / U.S. Navy
A Navy Task Force is looking at why only a handful of African Americans reach top jobs. It's also examining discrimination in all aspects of Navy l...

Bought by WUSF, KPCC, Colorado Public Radio, and Texas Public Radio


  • Added: Sep 10, 2020
  • Length: 03:44
  • Purchases: 4
In a little-discussed program, the VA is helping veterans deal with race-based stress
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: The Department of Veterans Affairs in St. Louis is one of several VA locations that have held small group sessions to help veterans deal with race and mental health., Credit: Department of Veterans Affairs
A group of VA psychologists across the country have formed race-based stress and trauma support groups for veterans of color.

Bought by WAMC Northeast Public Radio, North Country Public Radio, Texas Public Radio, WUSF, KPBS and more


  • Added: Sep 03, 2020
  • Length: 03:47
  • Purchases: 6
1986's 'Top Gun' led to a military recruiting boom. Will the upcoming sequel do the same?
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Former Navy fighter pilot John Semcken was a technical advisor on the set of the first 'Top Gun' movie in 1986., Credit: Libby Denkmann / American Homefront
"Top Gun: Maverick" is scheduled for release next year. But perceptions of the military and warfare have changed since the original iconic movie pr...

Bought by Texas Public Radio, WUSF, KPBS, WAMC Northeast Public Radio, and Colorado Public Radio


  • Added: Aug 17, 2020
  • Length: 03:59
  • Purchases: 5
The Air Force is under pressure to explain a longstanding racial disparity in punishment
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Risha Grant, an inclusion and bias expert, holds a closed-door discussion with leaders at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. June 30. Throughout the summer, the Air Force has been holding town halls and trainings about racial injustice., Credit: Sarah Brice / U.S. Air Force
Advocates are calling attention to statistics that show Black airmen are brought up for punishment more often than their white counterparts. The Ai...

Bought by KPBS, WUSF, Colorado Public Radio, and Texas Public Radio


  • Added: Jul 28, 2020
  • Length: 03:49
  • Purchases: 4
A new strategy for veteran homelessness: A tent camp outside the West LA VA
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Former Air Force medic Lisa Thompkins is among the veterans living at the West L.A. VA's tent encampment., Credit: Matt Tinoco / KPCC
The VA sanctioned encampment provides basic services to homeless veterans amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It's drawn mixed reactions from homeless advo...

Bought by KPBS, WAMC Northeast Public Radio, WUSF, Texas Public Radio, and Colorado Public Radio


  • Added: Jul 13, 2020
  • Length: 03:32
  • Purchases: 5
The VA is hoping to build awareness and trust among female veterans
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Female service members and veterans attend a Veterans Affairs Women's Health Transition Training event at Fort Carson, Col. in February. The training program now has moved online because of the COVID-19 pandemic., Credit: Neysa Canfield / U.S. Army
Women are the fastest growing subgroup among veterans. But many view the VA Health System as a place only for men.

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


  • Added: Jul 06, 2020
  • Length: 03:46
  • Purchases: 6
If the military renames southern bases, whose names should replace the Confederate generals?
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Soldiers gather for a 2019 awards ceremony at Fort Bragg, N.C. The base is one of 10 that Pentagon leaders say they are open to renaming., Credit: Joshua Cowden / U.S Army
With the call for changing the names of 10 Southern military bases gaining momentum in Washington, the question is starting to arise in Washington ...

Bought by KRZA, WUSF, KPBS, Colorado Public Radio, KMXT and more


  • Added: Jun 22, 2020
  • Length: 03:55
  • Purchases: 6
Amid long domestic deployments, Guardsmen and Reservists push for equity in benefits
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Members of the California Army National Guard assemble emergency food kits at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. , Credit: Jason Sanchez / U.S. Air National Guard
Even as members of the Guard and Reserve are seeing longer and more frequent deployments, they don't always receive the same retirement, education,...

Bought by Colorado Public Radio


  • Added: Jun 17, 2020
  • Length: 03:26
  • Purchases: 1
After initially saying it wouldn't, the VA now will remove Nazi symbols from two veterans cemeteries
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: A gravestone for a German POW in the San Antonio VA cemetery. The stone is engraved with a swastika and an inscription that references Adolf Hitler., Credit: Military Religious Freedom Foundation
The stones, engraved with swastikas, mark the graves of German POWs who died in the United States during World War II.

Bought by WUSF, Colorado Public Radio, and Texas Public Radio


  • Added: Jun 02, 2020
  • Length: 03:35
  • Purchases: 3

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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