Military

San Diego Democrat Bob Filner says the Veterans Administration is criminally negligent in not responding to the high number of veterans killing themselves. Jodi Breisler reports from Capitol Hill.

 Southbay Leaders: Otay Blackwater Presence Will Complicate Border Relations

A number of Southbay community leaders say Blackwater’s presence near the border in Otay Mesa will complicate U.S.-Mexico relations and pose a danger to the border region. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

 Life Aboard the USS Nimitz Aircraft Carrier

What is life like aboard an aircraft carrier? In the new PBS series “Carrier,” a film crew traveled for six months on the San Diego-based USS Nimitz nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to find out. We go behind the scenes with the director and producer of series for a glimpse of life on an aircraft carrier.

 Newlywed Marines Reported Missing From Pendleton Spotted in Missouri

Two recently-married marines reported missing from Camp Pendleton 12 days ago have been spotted in Missouri. The Naval Criminal Investigation Service has called off its search for the pair. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

 Progress in Iraq, Toll Road Proposal, SEC Charges

President Bush says he will not authorize a troop withdrawal from Iraq during his presidency. Also, the dispute over a proposed toll road through San Onofre State Beach has resurfaced. And, five former City of San Diego officials are charged with fraud by the SEC.

The leader of a San Diego homeless veterans' treatment facility came to Capitol Hill Wednesday. He told congress members the need is going up with returning veterans from the Middle East. From Washington Jodi Breisler has more.

Lawyers for a Marine captain deployed in Iraq say a San Diego jury has awarded their client $3.5 million in punitive damages from a servicemembers' insurance company.

 Weapons Training Program at Local High Schools Under Fire

California high school officials are taking part in a statewide summit today about school shootings. The summit comes at a time when there's mounting pressure in the San Diego Unified School District to end a Junior ROTC air-rifle training program. Community activists say having guns on campus sends the wrong message to students. But district officials say the training instills confidence and discipline. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has this report.

 New Navy Supply Ship Christened in San Diego

The USNS Amelia Earhart plunged into the San Diego Bay for the first time last night. The ship is nearly 700ft. long and weighs in at 25,000 tons, and will deliver supplies to U.S. and allied warships at sea. We learn how the San Diego General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard, the only major ship construction yard on the West Coast, builds both military and commercial ships.

 California National Guardsmen Chronicle Frustrating Mission in Iraq

The U.S. war in Iraq hit two major milestones this month - its 5th anniversary and the 4,000th U.S. military personnel to die. As the war lingers on and the nature of the mission changes, some on the frontlines are experiencing fatigue and frustration. Frontline follows two members of the California National Guard platoon Bad Voodoo during their latest deployment in Iraq as they record their daily, personal experience fighting the war.

The Department of Justice is stepping into the debate over the Navy's use of sonar. KPBS Environmental Reporter Ed Joyce has details.

An elite Navy SEAL who threw himself on top of a grenade in Iraq to save his comrades will be posthumously awarded the nation's highest military tribute - the Medal of Honor, a presidential press secretary announced Monday.

 Protest Music Evolves from Folk Ballads to Hip Hop Beats

Is there protest music today? We look at the contemporary musical landscape to determine if protest music from the 1960's and 70's has a modern day equivalent.

 Border Patrol Recruiting at Military Bases

The Border Patrol is looking for a few thousand good men and women at U.S. military bases in Germany. The Border Patrol is under pressure to hire an additional 2,500 agents by the end of the year. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

 Mission Bay High School Students Protest ROTC Program

About 20 Mission Bay High School students walked out of school today to protest a Junior ROTC program on campus. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

 Iraq Conflict on Film

After five years of the Iraq War and 4000 American troops lost, two films are being released that showcase the high price of the Iraq conflict.

 Race Relations, Real Estate, War's Impact on SD

Presidential candidate Barack Obama delivered a speech earlier in the week about racial divisions in the United States. In the speech, Obama encouraged Americans to "move beyond our old racial wounds." Also, the rate of mortgage failures in the County is starting to slow down, but the market is still considered unaffordable to the average San Diegan. And, this week marks the five-year anniversary of the war in Iraq.

 On 5th Year War Anniversary, Lt. Col. Says Guard Still Underfunded

On the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war, the California National Guard is having no trouble getting new soldiers. But it’s a different story when it comes to their equipment.

 Marine Wives Speak Out After Five Years of Deployments

Some Marines from Camp Pendleton leaving for Iraq this month are on their fifth deployment. On this, the five-year anniversary of the war, we ask Marine wives if seeing their loved ones go off to war gets any easier with experience. And what is the cumulative effect of multiple deployments on their children? KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

 KPBS Listeners Discuss What They Think Should Be Done in Iraq

The Iraq war began five years ago today with the bombing of Bagdad. Now, American troops are still there, and nobody believes the country is stable enough to stand on its own. Iraq is a major issue in the presidential race, with a deep split between John McCain and the two Democratic contenders as to what should be done. We open up the phone lines to our listeners on the subject of Iraq.