European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 29, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Pages stars and stripes june 2007 next skin notification policies to change Tillman death prompts new procedures to prevent problems like misinformation by Leo Shane Iii stars and stripes Washington new proce dures for next skin notifications will prevent problems like the misinformation surrounding Pat Tillmans military officials told lawmakers on wednes but several members of the House armed services commit tee said they Are still sceptical the defense department has done enough to ensure that families of troops killed overseas will receive Quick and accurate inform an army Ranger and former professional football play was killed in a Friendly fire incident in Afghanistan in april army officials initially told family and Media he was killed fighting Taliban but months later revised that an army investigation completed earlier this year found no Crim Inal wrongdoing in Tillmans death but suggested several sol Diers could be disciplined for re laying inaccurate and misleading stories about his death to cover up the All four services have policies requiring officials to notify families of an investigation into the death of their military Reuben adjutant general of the said families Are now notified specifically about investigations into Friendly fire even if the details have not been any information that is not conveyed timely or accurately to the family is a regrettable Inci he weve Learned these in every we want to make sure we get it and the procedures weve put in place we think will keep that from happen ing air Force and marines officials follow similar guidelines related to Friendly fire with minor differences in exactly when and How families Are Noti but Patrick who was trained As a Casu Alty assistance officer during his time in the questioned Why the Pentagon Hast adopted de apartment wide standards for those the lawmakers also criticized the army for delays in an anticipated report from army training and doctrine command studying whether any officers should receive administrative punishment for their role in the investigation of the Tillman that report was expected to be made Public by the Start of but Jones said no release Date has been email Leo Shane at  Marine corps to Issue More powerful firearm to some by Jeff Schogol stars and stripes the Marine corps is upping the firepower for Many marines and sailors now carrying under the old pistols were issued to All staff noncommissioned officers and Navy billets although the corps stocks extra rifles for ser Vic members in combat zones who go outside the officials now Many of these service members will be issued carbines instead of staff cos warrant offic warrant officers Marine officers from lieutenant to lieutenant colonel and sailors at e5 and below will be issued the m4 assault carbine instead of the the new policy the m4 is essentially a Shorter and More powerful version of the m16 which is issued to most Marine officers at the rank of colonel and All Navy offic ers and All enlisted sailors e6 and above will keep their the policy marines who Are now issued photo Courtesy of Colt under a new some in the Marine corps and Navy will be issued the m4 assault carbine instead of a the m16a2 Rifle will eventually get the newer but there Are exceptions to the weapons the m9 pistol will be issued by exception Only to those person Nel for whom the issuance of a Rifle or carbine would directly prevent accomplishment of their primary said Pat of Marine corps combat development some marines who face unique operational circumstance such As helicopter will be issued an m9 pistol and a Rifle or a carbine depending on How much space they have to store their weapons in an Beckett the new policy came after corps commandant James Conway tasked a group to come up with a new Way distribute weapons such As the m4 and m16a4 As widely As possible to the Marine air ground task Beckett the transition will be taking place Over time in accordance with acquisition Beckett the priority continues to be deployed or pre paring to deploy in support of the change from pistols to car Bines for Many marines does not show that the corps is unhappy with the Beckett the ongoing War has shown the tactical benefits of increasing availability of m4 and the Vari Ety of associated weapon Access he most marines will still use a version of the Beckett the m4 carbine will be the Al Ternate weapon for those whom the assignment of an m16a4 would pose a safety Hazard or pre vent accomplishment of their Pri Mary he email Jeff Schogol at  military scholarship offer is expanded to include service members dependents stars and stripes Washington Lincoln education services have expanded its offer of More than in military scholarships to include service members dependents As previously the education Grants were open Only to veterans or their but officials from the group this week opened up applications to children and other dependents of Active duty reservists and the scholarships Are part of the armed forces support foundations hire a hero eight scholarships will be made Avail Able to overseas applicants to take online courses in the company criminal Justice or Allied health degree Accord ing to Lincoln in 54 partial some up to will be Given to applicants for degree programs in automotive tech health skilled information technology or hospitality at local Lincoln sixty More scholarships of each will be Given to applicants for study in those same academic to applicants must file an online essay or video explaining what serving the country Means to and what they Hope to accomplish with the scholar recipients will also be required to pass a qualification Entrance exam be fore beginning any degree for More or to apply for a visit applications Are due by gifts for the youngsters Marine Michael from the Marine forces Pacific band of the amphibious ship uss gives out rubber bracelets on thursday to the children were relocated from the City of Legazpi in Albay province follow ing a typhoon induced landslide in december in the the uss Pel Eliu is there for a humanitarian Mission that includes building houses for the Burr