The deaths of three Marine Reservists on April 8, 2019 are now at center stage in the controversy over whether Russia paid operatives in Afghanistan bounties for US troop deaths.

US Investigates Claim that Russia Placed Bounties on Troops

In late June, news broke that Russia had secretly been paying bounties to the Taliban for killing Americans in Afghanistan. Officials, speaking off the record to The New York Times, said that the intelligence community had come to this assessment in early 2020, with President Donald Trump being briefed in February or March at the latest. Despite the White House’s National Security Council creating a plan to combat and end this practice, Trump has yet to authorize any action as of July 1.

American officials reported large financial transfers between Russian accounts and Taliban accounts, based on digital records. They have also identified a possible middleman between Russia and the Taliban.

Both Russian and Taliban spokespeople have denied these allegations on the record. However, some Russian lawmakers have also spoken about such agreements in hypotheticals. Russian Parliament Member Aleksei Zhuravlyov estimated that if bounties were paid, at most 22 American troops would have been killed as targets, according to reporting by The New York Times.

Why Russia Might Be Willing to Pay

Russia and the US have long stood on opposite sides. At the end of World War II and the division of Europe among the Allies, the two nations engaged in a decades long stand-off. Known as the Cold War, the US and former USSR, now Russia, built stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction, maneuvered for alliances and raced into space – all in an effort to top each other. The Cold War largely ended with the fall of the USSR in the early 1990s.

A large part of the eventual downfall of communism in Russia was connected to a nominally separate battle being waged in Afghanistan during the 1970s and 1980s. Russia was attempting to consolidate and dominate Afghans, a people who primarily identify with local or tribal leadership. The CIA covertly supplied the Afghan fighters with weapons and other war materiel. Eventually, Russian forces were depleted and withdrew at a great loss.

In recent years, under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, a former KGB operative and Communist Party leader in the USSR, Russia has been exerting its influence and strength in Eastern Europe. In 2014, Russian troops occupied areas of the Ukraine, claiming them as traditionally and culturally Russian. The US opposed such a move and, under President Trump, sent Javelin missiles with the condition they not be used in the conflict with Russia. In addition, US troops reportedly killed many Russian mercenaries during fighting in Syria in 2018.

Throughout his first term, Trump has largely been complimentary toward Putin and about Russia. He frequently upholds Putin as a role model and praises the Russian government. Most recently, Trump has been angling to include Putin and Russia in the G7 conferences.

Were US Troops Killed for Cash?

Democrats, who were briefed on this matter in late June, appear to believe the intelligence community.

“Nothing in the briefing that we have just received led me to believe it is a hoax,” said Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) following their classified briefing on June 30.

However, there is no publicly available evidence to link the deaths of Staff Sgt. Christopher K.A. Slutman, 43, Staff Sgt. Benjamin S. Hines, 31, and Robert A. Hendriks, 25, to any Russian bounty plot.

Intelligence officials are still investigating links to other US troops deaths in 2019. According to the LA Times, several associates of suspected Russian-paid Taliban operatives in the bounty scheme were arrested in March and are being held for questioning.

Bounty Scheme’s Impact on Troop Support for Trump

Friends and family of the Marines killed on April 8, 2019 described their feelings about these new allegations as “pouring salt on a wound,” according to reporting by The New York Times.

Other veterans have also spoken out against Trump’s reaction to intelligence briefings, though it remains unclear whether support for him among the military community will erode as a result. The news about Russian bounties for US troop deaths broke a month after General Jim Mattis, USMC (ret.), and Admiral Mike Mullen, USN (ret.), broke ranks to speak out against the president and his administration.

Do you think it’s plausible that Russia paid a bounty to Taliban operatives? Sound off in the comments.

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper announced on July 17 that all DOD installations would effectively ban divisive symbols, including the Confederate battle flag.

This news follows changes already made in the Marine Corps, Navy and on all installations in Japan and Korea.

DOD Drafts New Confederate Flag Policy

The new policy specifies which flags may be flown on DOD properties worldwide. The Confederate battle flag is not listed.

Flags displays are regulated on all military installations for both military and civilian personnel. They include workplaces and offices, public spaces and common access areas.

As of Friday, flags allowed to be flown on US military installations include: the US flag; POW/MIA flag; state flags; and flags of our allies. While the new policy does not specifically ban Confederate flags or other divisive flags, it does not include them on the list of approved symbols.

“I am committed to fielding the most powerful military force the world has known by strengthening the bonds of our most valuable resource — our people. That is why we honor the American flag, which is the principal flag we are authorized and encouraged to display,” Esper wrote in the memo, according to reporting by CNN and Politico.

In certain circumstances displays of non-authorized flags will still be allowed under several exemptions, including “museum exhibits, state-issued license plates, grave sites, memorial markers, monuments, educational displays, historical displays, or works of art, where the nature of the display or depiction cannot reasonably be viewed as endorsement of the flag by the Department of Defense.”

“The flags we fly must accord with the military imperatives of good order and discipline, treating all our people with dignity and respect, and rejecting divisive symbols,” wrote Esper.

According to Politico, Esper had also recently come under pressure from top defense leadership to enact this ban. Each branch of service remains free to enact their own ban on additional flags and symbols.

USMC Leads Charge for Change in DOD

Marines have proven to be the tip of the spear when it comes to banning displays of the Confederate battle flag.

In early June, USMC Commandant General David Berger issued a memo that required all Confederate flag images and items from all installation throughout the Corps.

The US Navy has also enacted a similar ban, with the Army and Air Force keeping such actions under consideration. US forces in Japan and Korea have also enacted similar bans on all installations within their sphere of influence.

New Policy Skirts Trump’s Opposition

Esper’s new policy is a revision from an earlier policy that named the Confederate flag outright as banned from all bases. Some see the changes as creating language that is more palatable to President Donald Trump.

Trump, as of July 1, promised to veto any defense spending bill should it include language banning Confederate symbols. He issued his opinion via Twitter.

The release of the DOD’s policy effectively circumvents Trump’s ability to veto the Defense Spending Authorization Bill. The president has vowed to veto any proposal that included renaming of Army bases to remove Confederate leaders.

Bases which had been considered for renaming include Fort Bragg and Fort Benning, among others.

Trump has also previously stated that flying the Confederate flag is a freedom of speech issue.

House Armed Services Committee Adds Language to NDAA Removing Confederate Symbols

In early July, the House Armed Services Committee agreed to include language removing such displays from all DOD properties as part of the defense spending authorization.

Iraq War veteran Representative Anthony Brown (D-MD) introduced the amendment to the bill which would “prohibit the public display of the Confederate battle flag at all Department of Defense property.”

The proposed language, according to NPR, has bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate. Due to Trump’s public opposition to the renaming of military bases, the $704.6 billion defense spending authorization hangs in the balance. The bill includes funds for a 3% pay raise for troops.

Senator Chuck Shumer (D-NY) expects the bill to pass in Congress even with a Trump veto.

“Let me make a prediction: First, that provision will not change in this bill as it moves through the House and Senate. Second, let me predict, President Trump will not veto a bill that contains pay raises for our troops and crucial support for our military,” Schumer said on July 1.

With the recent news about the DOD’s effective Confederate flag ban, there has not been word about possible changes to the House Armed Services Committee’s proposals.

How will this new policy impact installations and troops? Sound off in the comments.

As summer has progressed, coronavirus case have spiked across the US. Hot spots in July included several states with a heavy military presence.

While cases are on the rise in the US, coronavirus is also on the rise in the ranks.

COVID-19’s Impact on US Troops

As of July 15, there are 18,968 cumulative cases among active duty personnel. This data reflects an increase of 952 cases from numbers reported on July 13.

When you include all DOD employees, there are 27,088 cumulative cases, an increase of 1,266 from data reported on July 13.

According to data analysis by Military Times, more than 4,100 active duty troops have tested positive for COVID since between July 1 and July 10. This reflects a rate of growth that is more than twice the national rate during the same period. COVID-19 cases in the ranks increased by approximately 33% while total cases in the US rose by 16%.

When each service is considered separately, the cumulative cases reported, as of July 15, are:

• Air Force: 2,805
• Navy: 5,084
• Marines: 2,124
• Army: 6,104
• National Guard: 2,614

According to Air Force Magazine, the DOD switched to cumulative reporting of cases instead of current active cases in April to “more accurately reflects the effects of COVID-19 to our force.”

DOD COVID-19 Numbers Compared to Total US Cases

As of July 10, approximately 0.8% of the total US active duty force has, or had, tested positive for COVID-19. The US generally has an infection rate of 0.9%. Similar to the general US population, some cases may not have been accounted for due to asymptomatic carriers or those who did not seek treatment and testing.

Military Response to COVID-19

In March, the DOD implemented travel restrictions and emergency policies in efforts to control the spread of COVID-19.

Many troops were switched to telework as their roles allowed. Currently, many military personnel are still working from home or are on adjusted schedules to allow for social distancing.

During the spring and early summer, many troops were in limbo as PCS moves were paused indefinitely. However, those moves are back on and being scheduled, albeit on a sometimes adjusted schedule.

Beyond PCSing, troops general movements were restricted for both leisure and official purposes.

Many deployed personnel were held in place for extended periods of time prior to returning to their home bases. Upon returning, troops were quarantined away from their families for an additional two weeks.

All military personnel had travel restrictions imposed for personal leave and travel. Many were restricted to their immediate vicinity or had a tight radius in which they must remain. This radius remains determined by by individual base leadership and is in part based on local coronavirus data. As a result, some troops have experienced greater travel liberties than others based upon location and the decisions of their base leadership.

Boot Camp & COVID-19

In early July, USMC boot camps reported hundreds of cases in new recruits, based on reporting by Military.com.

Maj. Gen. Bill Mullen reported that less than 2% of total Marine recruits have tested positive during the pandemic. Of those who did have COVID-19, Mullen said that many were either asymptomatic or experienced mild cases that did not disrupt training.

According to the DOD, the Army and the Air Force are reporting similar rates of coronavirus cases in their initial training facilities, with about 2% of recruits testing positive. Approximately 60% of those cases displayed no symptoms.

In response to COVID-19, the military services are testing all new recruits. Army and Air Force recruits who test positive are quarantined fo 14 days or until healthy. In addition, recruiting target numbers have been adjusted for 2020 to reflect the pandemic.

The Navy and Marines are quarantining all incoming recruits for 14 days. The sea services report that they are requiring personnel to wear face masks during all training. Each training cycle is also reduced in number and capacity to better ensure health and safety.

Cautious Reopening Driven by Local Data

Each military base has been authorized, per information released by the DOD.

As of July 15, 32% of all military installations have removed travel restrictions. However, 158 bases remain under some form of movement restriction. In part, some bases could have limits on personal travel due to restrictions imposed at the state level.

What do you think about the DOD’s response to the pandemic? Sound off in the comments.

Face masks are with us almost everywhere right now. We’re all covering up our faces in stores, restaurants and whenever we’re in crowded spaces. With lots of grey areas in our new face mask reality, there’s a few points of etiquette you might not think about.

Face Mask Etiquette You Might Not Think About

Based on current guidelines from the CDC and other medical experts, wearing a face mask is one of the best options to prevent the spread of germs right now. Yes, this is a change from the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is based on new information gained from our ongoing exposure to this virus.

However, the when and where to wear a mask is something that not everyone can agree on 100% of the time. To be fair, there are a lot of situations where the etiquette is not quite clear.

Is There a Need to Wear a Mask Whenever I’m Outside?

According to CDC guidelines, face masks should be worn outside if you cannot maintain at least six feet distance between yourself and others.

Basically, if you’re able to be far apart from others, you’ve got the green light to remove your mask. However, there are some situations where you should mask-up.

A prime example is passing others in close quarters, like on the sidewalk or other path. If you can move out of the way onto the grass or step onto the street, it might be wise to pull your mask on.

This was a prime concern, according to those interviewed by WBUR in Boston. Several parents were taken back by runners or other walkers who “zipped by” without wearing a mask.

Do I Need a Mask While Exercising?

Exercising while masked, or not, is a point of contention. If you’re running, you are likely passing walkers at a faster rate of speed, which means you’re not spending a ton of time sharing the same space.

However, you’re also sweating and breathing hard, leaving airborne droplets in your wake.

While outside spaces and solo exercise might mean you can pass on the mask, that’s not the case if you’re going to be within 6-12 feet of others at any time, according to an NPR article.

When you’re working out inside, such as in a gym, the calculations are different. Current data suggests that possibly infectious droplets linger longer indoors. Many gyms, and some states or counties, are also requiring patrons to be masked when not using cardio equipment.

Generally, carry your mask with you if you’re going to be exercising, inside or outdoors. Be prepared to mask-up if passing within 6 feet of others or as your fitness center requires.

Should I Wear a Mask When at a Socially Distant Gathering?

Probably? This gets tricky, depending on how your get together is set up. If you’re spaced properly and not sharing anything at all, you could possibly unmask and be okay.

However, if you’re planning in sharing food or using a shared bathroom, a mask is likely a good idea. Plan to mask up when you visit the potluck table or if you go inside to use the restroom.

Can I Call Out Someone for Not Wearing a Mask?

How well do you know this person? If it’s a close friend or family member, you could say something. Definitely say something if you see them doing risky behavior that could endanger others.

If you’re out in public and the person in question is a complete stranger, it’s more complicated. First, it’s awkward and can come off as judgmental. Plus, you don’t know if there are underlying health reasons behind their actions.

One step you can safely take is to approach a store employee and ask about their mask policy. This is a great way to handle your concerns, especially if you observe potentially unsafe behavior like frequent coughing.

What About On-Base Mask Wearing?

In early April the DOD issued a recommendation that all personnel wear face masks when unable to maintain 6 feet of space between others.

“The Department of Defense urges individuals on DOD property, installations and facilities to wear cloth face coverings when a 6-foot social distance cannot be maintained to help prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Navy Cmdr. (Dr.) Cameron J.L. Nelson, chief of DHA’s occupational medicine branch, said”

This guidance, issued on April 5, follows information published by the CDC. 

Each military service has issued guidance about the specific face masks troops are allowed to wear and when they must be worn. Generally, masks should be “conservative” on color and free of offensive slogans, non-military patterns and drug use. In addition, they should not be full-face covers, though balaclavas pulled up over the nose and mouth are generally allowed.

Overall the DOD recommends following the CDC guidelines for wearing face masks:

• Wear masks indoors
• Wear masks outdoors when unable to physically distance yourself from others
• Wear masks when exercising indoors or when passing within 10-12 feet of others while outside

What are your concerns or questions about mask etiquette? We’d love to help clear things up!