The Washington Capitals showed their support for America’s armed forces with their seventh annual “Salute to the Military” appreciation night event held yesterday at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., according to AFPS’ Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Elliott Fabrizio.

While the Capitals gained a 5–3 victory over the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning, more than 800 service members and their families enjoyed the game courtesy of tickets the Capitals provided free through local military Morale, Welfare and Recreation offices.

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Douglas B. Wilson and Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli stressed the importance of garnering civilian support for the military and their families during a pre-game reception honoring the military.

“Less than one percent of Americans have served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom,” Wilson said. “All Americans need to understand who they are, and that we are all in this together. Military families, the men and women who support our troops are an important part of this country, and we need to give back. Ted Leonsis and the Washington Capitals epitomize that message, and we thank you.”

“Not only does this event salute the troops, but we’re also saluting the military families,” Chiarelli said. “The families are absolutely critical to our troops, and the support of the American people goes a long way.”

The Washington Capitals professional ice hockey team is part of the National Hockey League. Alexander Ovechkin, the team’s star left wing, played on the national hockey team for his native Russia during the recently concluded Winter Olympics in Canada.

Capitals owner Ted Leonsis praised the men and women of the U.S. military.

“This is such a small, minuscule payback for everything that our men and women in the services do for us,” Leonsis said. “The sacrifices our men and women do for us make it possible for us to live the life we are accustomed to as citizens. It’s a great honor for us to be able to give something back for everything the military does for us.”

The Capitals honored the troops with special performances and aired military “shout-outs” throughout the game. They also donated several viewing suites for use by Wounded Warriors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

“A lot of us are still going through surgeries and we’ve got many more ahead of us,” said Wounded Warrior Marine Lt. Col. Keith Schuring. “This gives us a night where we can relax and be with our fellow warriors and just enjoy ourselves.”

Service members attending the event expressed appreciation for the Capitals.

“Tonight has been great,” Army Master Sgt. Andrew Berger said. “Since we’ve been here they’ve really taken care of us. The Washington Capitals are awesome. It’s great to be here to show our support to them as they’ve shown their support for us.”

This week the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps announced an increase in activated reservists, while the Navy and Coast Guard announced a decrease. The net collective result is 3,743 more reservists activated than last week.

This week the Air Force and Coast Guard announced an increase in activated reservists, while the Army, Navy and Marine Corps announced a decrease. The net collective result is 770 fewer reservists activated than last week.

This week the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard announced increases in activated reservists, while the Marine Corps announced a decrease.  The net collective result is 788 more reservists activated than last week.

At any given time, services may activate some units and individuals while deactivating others, making it possible for these figures to either increase or decrease.  The total number currently on active duty from the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is 111,275; Navy Reserve, 6,413; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 16,357; Marine Corps Reserve, 8,421; and the Coast Guard Reserve, 701.  This brings the total National Guard and Reserve personnel who have been activated to 143,167, including both units and individual augmentees.

A cumulative roster of all National Guard and Reserve personnel who are currently activated may be found at http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jul2009/d20090714ngr.pdf.

Source: Department of Defense

All active-duty military components met or exceeded their recruiting goals in June, with the Marine Corps adding the highest percentage of its target to its ranks, Defense Department officials announced today.

Military reserve components, with the exception of the Army National Guard, also met or exceeded their goals.

Data published on the Defense Department Web site shows that the Marine Corps goal was to add 3,655 new Marines, which it exceeded by 14 percent, recruiting a total of 4,155. The Marine Corps Reserve more than doubled its goal of 565, adding more than 1,200 Marines.

The Army National Guard fell short of its mark, recruiting 84 percent of its goal to add 3,209 soldiers.

The Army National Guard has reduced its accession mission as part of its end-strength management program, officials said, and is on track to achieve its year-end goal.

Here is the breakdown of the other components:

Active-duty Army: 6,207 accessions with a goal of 6,025, for 103 percent;

Active-duty Navy: 3,428 accessions with a goal of 3,428, for 100 percent;

Active-duty Air Force: 2,846 accessions with a goal of 2,835, for 100 percent;

Army Reserve: 4,091 accessions with a goal of 3,488, for 117 percent;

Navy Reserve: 726 accessions with a goal of 726, for 100 percent;

Air National Guard: 867 accessions with a goal of 810, for 107 percent;

Air Force Reserve: 836 accessions with a goal of 836 for 100 percent.

Source: Department of Defense

This week the Army, Navy and Air Force announced increases in activated reservists, while the Marine Corps and Coast Guard announced decreases.  The net collective result is 503 more reservists activated than last week.

At any given time, services may activate some units and individuals while deactivating others, making it possible for these figures to either increase or decrease.  The total number currently on active duty from the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is 110,505; Navy Reserve, 6,409; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 16,172; Marine Corps Reserve, 8,602; and the Coast Guard Reserve, 691.  This brings the total National Guard and Reserve personnel who have been activated to 142,379, including both units and individual augmentees.  A cumulative roster of all National Guard and Reserve personnel who are currently activated may be found at http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jul2009/d20090707ngr.pdf.

Source: Department of Defense