News 6 Mashup: May 10, 2021
Here is a News 6 mashup of top stories for the week of May 10, 2021, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Jolene McNutt:
Military Families have Lower Financial Readiness than Civilians
Federal News Network’s Tom Temnin shared an interview with First Command’s CEO, Mark Steffe, who reported that the military’s financial readiness scores are trending significantly down from past years. Additionally, this annual survey has consistently found that military members E-5 and above typically score lower in financial readiness than their civilian counterparts. “We’ve been doing the financial behaviors index survey every month for 13 years,” said Steffe. In addition to the monthly survey, they do an annual survey each February, which adds an additional nine questions. “And what we found this year in the survey was more alarming than what we’ve seen in past years . . . The average grade this year was 57. And that’s down from 71, just a year ago,” he said. Tune into Federal News Network’s Federal Drive podcast with Tom Temin to hear how military members can make changes to better equip themselves financially.
Displaced Marines Joining Army
More than 450 Marines have been impacted by restructuring, reported Military.com. The redesign has caused early retirements and changing career paths for some, but for others, they are moving to Army tank units. “Tank battalions, bridging companies, and law enforcement units were slashed as part of the plan,” which was unveiled in March of 2020. Military.com reported that, “So far, 69 Marines who were assigned to tank battalions have transferred to the Army.” Those who moved to the Army were primarily enlisted troops. “Another 259 personnel have made lateral moves into new Marine MOSs,” and more than half were tank officers who have “chosen to become intelligence, logistics, or cyberspace officers.”
Sailor Saved 19-Year-Old’s Life
In March, a sailor on duty responded to a distress call and saved a 19-year-old’s life. Senior Chief Hull Maintenance Technician Mario Pais and his team were “retrieving equipment off the coast of San Diego when they heard a distress call over the Coast Guard channel,” reported Navy Times. The team could see two boats and reached out by radio to confirm. “It was definitely more than a bleeding leg,” Pais told Navy Times. “The victim’s leg was completely severed. It was severed off from the boat propeller.” A doctor from the other boat had applied a makeshift tourniquet. “But Pais promptly took control of the situation, applied another tourniquet, spoke with the injured civilian, and directed another passenger to drive the boat to the pier,” Navy Times reported. The man had to have his leg amputated, but he is healing.
This Week in History
On May 8, 1945, we commemorate Victory in Europe Day also known as V-E Day. This is a remembrance of Germany surrendering to the Allied forces, effectively ending the European conflict of WWII. World War II would not be officially over until Japan surrendered to Allied forces in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.
Photo: Lance Cpl. Justin Rodriguez, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
