Latest news with #MilitaryTimes
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New program gives nondeployable sailors more opportunities to serve
A recently announced Navy initiative will help expand work opportunities for sailors unable to deploy by placing them in shore billets that suit their unique expertise, according to a service administrative fact sheet released Monday. The EMPLOY program will place sailors who are dealing with injury or serious illness into positions that match their rank, and which would otherwise be gapped, a Navy spokesperson told Military Times. 'EMPLOY helps retain Sailors who desire to continue to serve, and also preserves valuable knowledge, skills, and experience needed to meet our warfighting mission,' the NAVADMIN said. EMPLOY was also created to reduce the administrative burden on the Disability Evaluation System, which determines whether a service member is eligible to return to duty, medically separate or medically retire due to a disability. A collaboration between Navy Personnel Command and the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, the voluntary program is open to active duty sailors and sailors in the Navy's Training and Administration of the Reserve program who are 'clinically stable and able to complete tasks associated with their rank/rate in a non-operational environment,' according to the Navy. 'This is about meeting the mission while also taking care of our people,' said Lt. Cmdr. Stuart Phillips, public affairs officer for Navy Personnel Command. How a sailor shortage is crippling ship maintenance at sea The program could apply, hypothetically, to a nondeployable sailor recovering from a musculoskeletal injury or one under observation after surviving cancer, Stuart said. Sailors will serve on EMPLOY tours for a minimum of 24 months and will be reevaluated during that time — no later than 15 months before their projected rotation date — for eligibility to return to full duty, another EMPLOY tour, referral to the disability system or separation from the service. Sailors assigned to career fields that require special duty screenings will need to complete the screening or de-screening process before being considered for EMPLOY. The EMPLOY process begins with military medical providers nominating a sailor for the program. The nomination will be considered for approval by a Medical Evaluation Board and convening authority. After, the sailor's command will fill out a candidate assessment form to evaluate the sailor. The Deployability Assessment and Assignment Branch (PERS-454) will then review the sailor's medical evaluation and candidate assessment form to determine EMPLOY eligibility. Detailers will work with sailors to negotiate their orders, or, if eligible, sailors may participate in the Senior Enlisted Marketplace, according to the admin message. EMPLOY sailors may be stationed at any Type 1 or Type 6 duty station. Type 1 duty stations include shore duty assignments in the U.S., including Hawaii and Anchorage, Alaska, where sailors aren't required to be away from their duty station more than 150 days per year or attend schooling for 18 months or more, according to the Navy. Type 6 duty stations include overseas shore duty assignments where sailors aren't required to be away from their duty station more than 150 days per year. Sailors approved for the program will have the opportunity to apply for cross-rating or redesignation if the new job requires it. Sailors without enough time left in their enlistment contract to complete an EMPLOY tour may also receive a conditional reenlistment contract. Phillips told Navy Times that the first iteration of the EMPLOY model was introduced during a phased roll-out last year, with the first sailor gaining approval for the program in May 2024. So far, 850 sailors have been considered for EMPLOY, which has retained 303 sailors. Twenty sailors are nominated for EMPLOY each week, Phillips said.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Air Force spends millions on relaxation cubes that may prove worth it
At dozens of bases across the Air Force, troops are undertaking tried-and-true relaxation techniques — biofeedback, meditation — in shiny mirrored cubes that can project light patterns and even galaxies. The experience, as one researcher put it, is more like a 'Disney ride' than a studio or clinical office. This is Lumena Mindgym, a flashy new curriculum-based therapeutic tool that's taking the Air Force by storm. More than two dozens Mindgyms have been installed at base fitness centers and support facilities for about $100,000 apiece; Mindgym just marked its first installations outside the continental United States, in Kuwait and Turkey, earlier this year. As the number of Mindgym advocates across the Air Force grows, other services are also entering talks to purchase the technology. It's a lot of flash and glitz to deliver relaxation to stressed-out service members. But the number of passionate advocates for Mindgym in the military is growing, and some argue the attention it's getting from troops who might otherwise avoid meditation and de-stressing techniques might make it worth every penny. The technology itself was created by an entrepreneur with a finance background, rather than a scientist; company executives make clear they are not the clinical experts. 'We don't have anybody in-house that's a neuroscientist or Ph.D.,' Brandon Murphy, head of growth for Lumena, told Military Times in an interview, adding that they did maintain an advisory board of doctors and researchers. Nor was Mindgym designed with the military specifically in mind. Founders were shopping the technology at a Colorado-based sporting tradeshow in 2019, Murphy said, when they encountered Adam Strang, Biotechnology Product Line Lead at the Air Force Research Laboratory. Strang was intrigued by the tech and connected the team with veteran Air Force pilot and human performance expert Jannell MacAulay, who'd become a vocal advocate for Mindgym and help develop the curriculum to be used by airmen. 'It's like a flight simulator for your mind,' MacAulay posted on Facebook in April during a visit to one of the Air Force's facilities. By 2022, a seed fund grant had enabled the installation of the first Mindgym at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, complete with a clinically validated curriculum and wearable components that measured brain activity and heart rate. The first users were explosive ordnance disposal technicians from Hill's 775th Civil Engineering Squadron. And that initial group of 55 airmen gave Mindgym its best evidence for effectiveness. Over 219 20-minute training sessions, according to Lumena Labs, the group self-reported an average 30% improvement in mood. The biodata receptors documented a 16.2% reduction in stress indicators, while 61% of users said their stress management capabilities improved. Sleep quality also improved for 15% of users. 'Many in the group reported stronger focus during the Weighted Airmen Performance Systems (WAPS) testing — the program that determines promotions for Staff Sergeant (E-5) and Technical Sergeant (E-6),' Lumena stated in study analysis. 'They also cited decreased incidents of road rage and across-the-board improvements in their marital relations, gym workouts, and even their golf scores.' While follow-up studies have not been conducted, the feedback appears to demonstrate how even a small amount of therapeutic attention to the brain and the mental resilience of service members under stress can make a significant difference. Strang, at the Air Force Research Lab, told Military Times in an interview that Mindgym compared favorably to the sensory deprivation float tanks popular for promoting relaxation and stress reduction. 'Float tanks are messy and maintenance is challenging,' Strang said, adding that it was never clear to him if the atmosphere of the tank or the opportunity to take a nap in it made the most difference to his mental state. 'I hopped into Mindgym, and it didn't feel like a waterless float tank to me at all,' he said. 'It felt like a psychedelic experience.' AFRL has plans to study the efficacy of Mindgym in comparison with other mindfulness and relaxation technologies, though those are predicated on future funding awards. Strang emphasized that Mindgym is not a panacea for mental health or resilience but said boosting cognition and reducing stress, particularly in a 'next frontier' warfare environment where troops are joining a real fight from their desks as drone pilots or Space Force satellite operators, was worth the dedicated investment. 'They're $100,000 cubes, I think, the last time I checked,' Strang said. 'Let's say they facilitate relaxation and recovery across 100 people by 10%; what's the operational impact of that? I don't know. But what happens if one person who is flying an F-35 sits in that cockpit and, because of these interventions, prevents a mishap of a $60 million aircraft? Would that be worth it? Probably.' As the Air Force continues to install Mindgyms, the company has recently had more conversations with Navy officials, even demonstrating the Mindgym at the Sea Air Space naval trade show earlier this year. Murphy said he saw value for the technology particularly in the submarine community, where stress and operational tempo were high. There are now 32 different sessions a service member can select in Mindgym; a grant last year enabled the recent development and deployment of a stroboscopic light therapy protocol that is supposed to promote higher theta brain wave state, enabling reduced stress in high-intensity situations. 'I'd honestly love to have [a Mindgym] on every military base on the globe,' Murphy said, 'so that there's not a service member that doesn't have access to something like this.'
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Major military conference adds health-themed summit to its annual show
The Military Conference 2025 has added a health summit to its showcase of military- and veteran-themed events at its annual meeting. The MCON Health Summit is a one-day event to be held at MCON 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Oct. 24. MCON Health is partnering with PsychArmor, a leader in military cultural competency training looking to drive innovation in whole health, brain health, wellness, care delivery, payment systems and suicide prevention, according to a joint release. Military Times is also a partner with the MCON 2025 event. MCON 2024 digital show daily coverage 'At MCON Health 2025, we're bringing together the right voices — leaders in healthcare, research, innovation, and veteran support; turning good ideas into real impact," said Tina Atherall, CEO of PsychArmor. 'By collaborating across sectors, we can reduce duplication, accelerate impact and ensure our communities are not just veteran-friendly, but truly veteran-ready.' The new health initiative is built on six pillars of change designed to bring new thinking, new stakeholders and innovative solutions to military and veteran healthcare. 1. Human Performance Innovation – Advancing cognitive and emotional resilience through cutting-edge research and training. 2. Economics of Care Delivery – Exploring sustainable, scalable healthcare models for military populations. 3. Advancing Therapy Development – Accelerating breakthroughs in neurotherapy, mental health treatments, and suicide prevention. 4. Leading Industry Change – Engaging public, private, and nonprofit sectors to disrupt outdated care models and drive systemic improvements. 5. Transforming the Continuum of Care – Strengthening the transition from military to civilian healthcare systems for seamless support. 6. Healing Communities – Empowering families, caregivers, and local networks to play a proactive role in brain health and mental wellness. 'MCON Health is about rethinking how we approach the continuum of care, mental health, and suicide prevention,' said, Waco Hoover, co-founder at MCON. 'By bringing together leaders from neuroscience, mental health, technology, and policy, we are fostering an ecosystem where innovative solutions can be developed and scaled to save lives. Our partnership with PsychArmor strengthens our ability to turn insights into action.' PsychArmor is a nationally recognized nonprofit using military cultural awareness to transform how our nation engages with the military and veteran community. 'At PsychArmor, we know that meaningful change happens when communities come together,' Atherall said. The MCON Health Summit will feature: • Expert Keynotes & Panels – Thought leaders from military leadership, neuroscience, and tech innovation discussing the future of mental health care. • Live Technology Demonstrations – AI-driven diagnostics, wearable health tech, and data-driven early intervention tools. • Solution-Driven Workshops – Actionable strategies to integrate emerging technologies and innovative care models into existing systems. • Cross-Sector Networking – Facilitating partnerships between healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, and technology leaders. After the event, attendees will leave with actionable strategies, new partnerships, and a roadmap to drive systemic improvements in military and veteran health care, according to the organizers. 'As a Marine veteran and son of a Vietnam veteran, I'm proud to see our team's commitment to advancing health care innovation for the military and defense sectors come to life,' Hoover said. 'Our latest MCON programs are designed to improve health outcomes for service members and veterans — both on the battlefield and throughout their lives. By integrating cutting-edge tech, powerful data analytics, and community-based care, we're delivering solutions that address the unique challenges faced by our military communities. Supporting those who serve is at the heart of everything we do at MCON Health.'
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump issues travel ban, bars Afghans from entry into US
President Donald Trump issued an executive order Wednesday blocking Afghan nationals from entering the U.S., another blow to Afghan allies seeking refuge in a country that has provided fewer and fewer pathways for their safety. The order, which goes into effect June 9, will fully suspend immigrant and nonimmigrant visas for 12 locations the current administration said uses deficient vetting processes that jeopardize U.S. national security. 'The Taliban, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group, controls Afghanistan,' the order read. 'Afghanistan lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and it does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures.' The order also cited an Afghanistan business and tourist visa overstay rate of 9.7%, and a student, vocational and exchange visitor visa overstay rate of 29.3% as reasons for the ban. Afghan allies who helped the U.S. military during the Afghanistan War, as well as relatives of U.S. service members, are currently stranded in Afghanistan and fear for their lives due to Taliban retaliation, Military Times previously reported. Shawn VanDiver, CEO of the Afghan relocation advocacy group AfghanEvac, slammed the presidential directive in a publicly released statement. DHS ends deportation protections for Afghans 'The Trump administration's latest Executive Order may claim to be about national security — but make no mistake: this is a political stunt disguised as policy,' he said. 'It reinstates a sweeping ban on entry for Afghan nationals and others, while quietly dismantling the very systems that have kept our country safe.' Afghans who hold special immigrant visas are exempt from the ban, the order stated. VanDiver said the exception was 'really good news,' but at the same time, the recently announced termination of Operation Enduring Welcome and the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts office — the program and facilitator of Afghan relocation efforts — muddied that relief. 'The headline, 'Travel ban includes exemption for SIVs,' is the smoke,' VanDiver told Military Times over the phone. 'The fire is, 'Oh, by the way, we dismantled all the things that allow you to process, that allow you to relocate.'' VanDiver said he was concerned the closure of those resettlement mechanisms, which would affect nearly 300,000 Afghan nationals, would make it so that only SIV holders with wealth or connections would find their way to the U.S. 'That's not who we are as America,' he said. Other exemptions include green card holders, foreign nationals with valid nonimmigrant visas and unique classifications listed in the executive order, athletes traveling for the World Cup or other State Department-approved sporting events, immediate family immigrant visas with clear evidence of identity and family relationship, adoptions, U.S. government employees with an SIV and immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran. Afghan refugees who fall within the purview of the United States Refugee Admissions Program were not exempt. Trump signed an executive order suspending USRAP on Jan. 20.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AXIL Brands, Inc. Receives Prestigious Features in Leading Military Publications
AXIL's cutting-edge hearing solutions draw acclaim for innovation and performance LOS ANGELES, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AXIL Brands, Inc. ('AXIL' or the 'Company')(NYSE American: AXIL), a leader in innovative hearing protection, hearing enhancement, and wireless technology, is proud to announce its recent recognition in esteemed military and technology media outlets. Renowned publications including Military Times, Marine Corps Times, Air Force Times and Navy Times spotlighted AXIL's groundbreaking products in a series of articles. Additionally, the article was syndicated with Yahoo Tech. The features showcase how AXIL's innovative hearing protection and enhancement solutions cater to the unique demands of military personnel, outdoor enthusiasts, and professionals operating in high-intensity environments. The articles explore AXIL's commitment to providing cutting-edge technology, superior comfort, and unparalleled performance in hearing protection gear. 'These features reaffirm what we've always believed,' says Tyler Smith, Axil's national sales director. 'Our mission is to revolutionize hearing protection and spatial awareness for those who rely on clarity and safety in extreme environments. We're honored to have our products recognized by trusted media outlets that resonate with military professionals and technology enthusiasts alike.' AXIL products redefine tactical awareness by integrating state-of-the-art technology with practical, field-tested features that enhance performance in critical environments. Designed with advanced digital sound processing, AXIL's earplugs, earmuffs, and earbuds provide unparalleled hearing protection while simultaneously amplifying essential sounds. This ensures users can maintain full situational awareness during high-intensity activities. Whether identifying subtle environmental cues in military operations or maintaining focus in the great outdoors, AXIL's gear offers clarity and precision like never before. To learn more about AXIL's industry-leading hearing solutions, visit For direct links to the media features, check out the following outlets: Military Times Feature Marine Corps Times Feature Air Force Times Feature Navy Times Feature Yahoo Tech Feature About AXIL BrandsAXIL Brands (NYSE American: AXIL) is an emerging global consumer products company. The Company is a manufacturer and marketer of premium hearing enhancement and protection products, including ear plugs, earmuffs, and ear buds, under the AXIL® brand and premium hair and skincare products under its in-house Reviv3® brand - selling products in the United States, Canada, the European Union, and throughout Asia. To learn more, please visit the Company's AXIL® website at and its Reviv3® website at Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains a number of forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. The use of words such as 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'expect,' 'continue,' 'will,' 'prepare,' 'should,' and 'focus,' among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available information, and management's beliefs, intentions, strategies, projections, and current expectations concerning future events, including, but not limited to, any statements regarding the Company's anticipated offline expansion, anticipated revenue mix and market share, strategic partnerships and distribution channels, and the potential divestiture of the Company's hair and skin care business, which may not occur in a timely manner, or at all. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond management's control and may cause the Company's results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among other things: (i) the Company's ability to grow its net sales and operations, including developing new products and expanding internationally, and perform in accordance with any guidance; (ii) our ability to generate sufficient revenue to support the Company's operations and to raise additional funds or obtain other forms of financing as needed on acceptable terms, or at all; (iii) potential difficulties or delays the Company may experience in implementing its cost savings and efficiency initiatives; (iv) the Company's ability to compete effectively with other hair and skincare companies and hearing enhancement and protection companies; (v) the concentration of the Company's customers, potentially increasing the negative impact to the Company by changing purchasing or selling patterns; (vi) changes in laws or regulations in the United States and/or in other major markets, such as China, in which the Company operates, including, without limitation, with respect to taxes, tariffs, trade policies or product safety, which may increase the Company product costs and other costs of doing business, and reduce the Company's earnings; (vii) the Company's ability to engage in strategic partnerships and expand its distribution and retail channels; and (viii) the impact of unstable market and general economic conditions on the Company's business, financial condition and stock price, including inflationary cost pressures, the possibility of an economic recession and other macroeconomic factors, geopolitical events, and uncertainty, decreased discretionary consumer spending, supply chain disruptions and constraints, labor shortages, ongoing economic disruption, including the effects of the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the Israel-Hamas conflict, and other downturns in the business cycle or the economy. There can be no assurance as to any of these matters, and potential investors are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements. Other important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are discussed in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the Company's estimates of the addressable market for its products may prove to be inaccurate, and the projected demand for the Company's products could differ materially from actual demand. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available in the future. Investor Relations:Media Relations:Todd McKnight(917) 349-2175investors@
