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, KCUR-Kansas City, and WSHU-Fairfield, Conn.

Series

Pieces

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
Some veteran entrepreneurs say military experience is helping them withstand the pandemic
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Veteran entrepreneurs take part in a 2019 class at Action Zone in Tampa. The non-profit organization moved online in 2020 to continue its classes in entrepreneurship for veterans., Credit: Rosie Lee / Action Zone
The pandemic has forced some veteran-owned businesses to close. But other veteran entrepreneurs say their military experience has helped them withs...

Bought by KPCC and KMXT


  • Added: Feb 02, 2021
  • Length: 03:32
  • Purchases: 2
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
To speed up COVID-19 vaccinations, leaders are turning to the National Guard
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: At a drive-through vaccination site in Elizabeth City, N.C., Tech Sgt. Steven Simpson of the North Carolina National Guard administers a COVID-19 vaccination as Maj. Hollis Guenther gives the next recipient instructions about the vaccine., Credit: Jay Price / American Homefront
More than a dozen states have called up the National Guard to help at vaccination sites, and President Joe Biden may mobilize Guard units nationally.

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


  • Added: Jan 18, 2021
  • Length: 03:54
  • Purchases: 4
A report finds thousands of veterans had VA claims improperly denied during the pandemic
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Veteran Marc Session points to some of his Navy mementos on display in his Chula Vista, California home., Credit: Steve Walsh / American Homefront
A VA Inspector General's report has found that the agency improperly denied benefits to thousands of veterans who couldn't see a doctor.

Bought by Texas Public Radio, KMXT, and KPCC


  • Added: Jan 12, 2021
  • Length: 03:28
  • Purchases: 3
'We do feel kind of robbed': COVID-19 forces the military to scale back basic training
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Trainees march in formation at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The Air Force has restructured basic military training so that there is less travel time and fewer opportunities to practice drill., Credit: Carson Frame / American Homefront
Health and safety precautions during the pandemic have led the Air Force to eliminate parts of basic training. But some military observers question...

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


  • Added: Jan 05, 2021
  • Length: 03:38
  • Purchases: 4
A lack of timely and accurate data is hampering efforts to prevent veteran suicide
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Curley Bonds, the Chief Medical Officer for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, joins other state and county officials at a 2019 Suicide Prevention Month event., Credit: Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
Some states and cities are trying to improve the quality of data on veteran suicide, which is often incomplete and years old.

Bought by Texas Public Radio, KPBS, and KMXT


  • Added: Dec 31, 2020
  • Length: 03:29
  • Purchases: 3
For veterans with PTSD, life in isolation can lead to relapses and new symptoms
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Iraq War veteran Roberto Cruz said he realized he needed mental health treatment after he got sick with COVID-19 in July and spent weeks in isolation., Credit: Stephanie Colombini / American Homefront
Months of physical distancing and pandemic anxiety has been especially tough on veterans who were already dealing with post-traumatic stress disord...

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


  • Added: Dec 23, 2020
  • Length: 03:31
  • Purchases: 5
It was just 30 units, but an East L.A. apartment fire underscores the veteran housing crisis
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Manuel Bernal, president of East LA Community Corporation, stands in front of what remains of the Nuevo Amanecer complex, which had 30 units for homeless veterans., Credit: Robert Garrova / American Homefront
Some of Los Angeles County's 3900 homeless veterans had been lined up to move into the complex under construction. After the fire, many will remain...

Bought by KPBS, Colorado Public Radio, and WUSF


  • Added: Dec 14, 2020
  • Length: 03:20
  • Purchases: 3
National Native American Veterans Memorial celebrates a complicated tradition of service
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: The National Native American Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. opened in November. The monument incorporates water for sacred ceremonies, benches, and lances where visitors can tie cloths for prayers and healing., Credit: Ron Cogswell / Flickr
Native Americans join the military at a high rate, but some struggle with the military's role in displacing and subjugating Indigenous people throu...

Bought by Texas Public Radio, WUSF, North Country Public Radio, and KRZA


  • Added: Dec 04, 2020
  • Length: 03:31
  • Purchases: 4

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