PLN 25

In the article “Army Joins With Mental Health Institute to Study Suicides” by Christen N. McCluney what matters is the Army is collaborating with the National Institute of Mental Health to launch the largest study ever undertaken of suicide and mental health among military personnel. The institute is partnering with an academic team led by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences that includes researchers from Harvard University, Columbia University and the University of Michigan. The team aims to develop a research agenda and research projects that look at the causes of, and areas for intervention in, a variety of mental disorders. I think this is important because it could help to find out why people kill then selves and help to find a way to prevent it. This would make a lot of people feel more secure. The project is going to capitalize on the data the Army already collects on service members including training experiences, deployments, exposure during deployment, as well as information about health problems and utilization of health services.

PLN 24

In the article “Forces in Afghanistan Kill, Detain Militants” by American Forces Press Service what matters is Afghan and international forces worked together to kill or detain numerous enemy fighters and terrorism suspects in operations over the last two days. A combined Afghan and international security force killed several enemy militants, including a Taliban district commander and detained several suspected militants in Afghanistan’s Wardak province. The force searched a compound near the village of Mayshin Kala in the province’s Sayed Abad district where intelligence indicated militant activity. Upon entering the compound courtyard, the force came under attack and returned fire, killing several enemy militants. I think that this is a good thing because it is helping Afghanistan make its country safer for it inhabitants. Afghan-international security force also detained a suspected militant in Kandahar province yesterday while pursuing a senior Taliban commander. The force searched a vehicle near the village of Shad Khan Kalay in the province’s Kharkriz district after intelligence indicated militant activity.

PLN 23

In the video "What if" by Karl Fisch, what people have said in the past about students will never use laptops in school or AHS will never have wireless internet or students will never use pens in school. What if we had listened to them? What would it be like today? Would we have laptops? Would we have wireless internet? Would we have pens? Would teachers have computers? Would we have Infinte Campus? I think that it is a good thing we didn't listen because school would be a lot harder and a lot more boring. Technology is helping students more than if we didn't use it. If we didn't have it I think more students would drop out and some nations would fall because of the lack of education. Technology is the only way to teach students today because it is what they are used to. What if we didn't have it?

PLN 22

In the article "Put Fourth our Best Writing Selves" by Douglas Hesse, what matters is Douglas is encouraging people to tell there story to Colorado and "show one another our best writing selves" said Douglas.

PLN 21

In the article “Summit Aims to Improve Family Support Programs” by Elaine Wilson, what’s important is more than 300 leaders who provide support to military families will gather next week to discuss the effectiveness of the military’s family support. The summit is expected to draw participants from all services as well as active and reserve components. The Defense Department’s military community and family policy office organized the summit in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and the University of Maryland. I think that this is a good thing because it will give service men and women’s families more support. Defense Department and land-grant universities will review identified priorities, issues raised at the summit and feedback from family member sessions and prepare a report with recommendations on ways to strengthen the development of a Defense Department strategic plan for military family support.(DOD)

PLN 20

In the article "Brigade Prepares for ‘Advise, Assist’ Mission" by Donna Miles what matters is 3rd Infantry Division's 1st Brigade prepares for its fourth deployment to Iraq. Army Col. Roger Cloutier, the brigade commander, calls it fitting that his soldiers will serve as one of four new “advise-and-assist” brigades made specifically to support Iraqi security forces. I think that this is a good thing because if our AA teams help the Iraqi security forces it will help stop fighting and help prevent terrorism. During the NTC rotation, the Iraqis - portrayed by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, NTC's permanent opposing force - took the lead in planning and carrying out every operation. During two out-of-sector operations, one at battalion level and one at brigade level, the Iraqi security forces led the planning, with concept development support from the U.S. stability transition teams.