Here are five news stories and events to start your week, from the editors at Military.com:
Bergdahl to Be Sentenced
Bowe Bergdahl, the 31-year-old U.S. Army sergeant who has pleaded guilty to deserting his post in Afghanistan in 2009, is expected to receive his sentence as early as Monday in a courtroom at Fort Bragg, N.C., by Army Col. Jeffery R. Nance, the judge overseeing the case. Bergdahl said his Taliban captors were more "honest" with him than the Army has been since his release from captivity three years ago, according to a Fox News article, which cites information from a Sunday Times Magazine of London.
Vietnam Vet to Receive Medal of Honor
Via Matthew Cox at Military.com: President Donald Trump on Monday will award the Medal of Honor to Vietnam veteran Gary Michael "Mike" Rose for his heroism during a secret mission into Laos that he promised never to discuss. The retired U.S. Army captain and 5th Special Forces medic is credited with risking his life on multiple occasions to treat about 70 wounded soldiers under enemy fire during Operation Tailwind. The daring mission was launched into Chavane, Laos, Sept. 11-14, 1970, and would not be declassified until June 1998.
Trump Lets Air Force Recall 1K Retired Pilots
Via Oriana Pawlyk at Military.com: "The Trump administration is giving the Air Force the option to return through voluntary programs as many as 1,000 retired pilots to active-duty service, the Pentagon announced. Through an executive order signed Friday, the measure gives the service more leverage as it attempts to combat the growing pilot shortage in its ranks. Ann Stefanek, a spokeswoman for the service, said Sunday the Air Force does not "currently intend to recall retired pilots."
Veterans with 'Bad Paper' Won't Get New VA ID Cards
Via Nikki Wentling at Stars & Stripes: "Starting next month, veterans can register for identification cards that prove their military history -- but not everyone who has served will get one. The Department of Veterans Affairs will provide free, hard-copy identification cards that include their names, photos and an identification number. The rollout is the result of legislation Congress passed in 2015 to make it easier for veterans to receive things such as discounts at stores and restaurants."
Air Force Mulls Uniform Shift from ABUs to ACUs
Via Oriana Pawlyk at Military.com: "The Air Force is weighing a decision to get airmen out of the Airman Battle Uniform and into the Army Combat Uniform, officials tell Military.com. "The Air Force regularly reviews uniform policy and gathers feedback from airmen via a number of channels. One recommendation has been the movement from ABUs to ACUs,' said Air Force spokeswoman Brooke Brzozowske. 'The Air Force uniform policy team is currently considering this feedback and working on possible courses of action,' she said in a statement Friday."
-- Brendan McGarry can be reached at brendan.mcgarry@military.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Brendan_McGarry.
