Rachel Martin

Petraeus's Fall As Stunning As The Career Before It

Rachel Martin — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 06:32:00 +0000

The resignation of CIA Director David Petraeus, the retired four-star general who stepped down late Friday citing an extramarital affair, brings to an end one of the most storied careers in modern U.S. military history.

Petraeus left the Army in August 2011 after nearly four decades in uniform. Before his retirement ceremony had even begun, he walked up on the empty stage, went over to the podium and tapped on the microphone.

Turns Out, There Are Rules For The Debates. Lots

Rachel Martin — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 10:32:00 +0000

When President Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney meet for their third presidential debate on Monday, there will be some rules for the candidates — and the audience.

In the first debate, Jim Lehrer of PBS demanded "Absolute silence!" Although Lehrer caught some flack for letting the candidates freewheel in that debate, he meant business when it came to keeping the audience quiet.

"If you hear something that's really terrific, sit on it!" he told the audience. "If you hear something you don't like, sit on it!"

But that's not the only debate rule — not by far.

On Oct.

Frontlines Of Fatherhood: Catching Up After War

Rachel Martin — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 09:42:00 +0000

Last year, members of the 182nd National Guard regiment marked Father's Day far away from their loved ones. This year, they're home with their kids after a year in Afghanistan.

Spc. Bryan Tolley, 29, knows the challenges of being both a soldier and a dad. His son, Ryan, is a shy, blond 18-month-old who happily clings to his dad.

"Seeing his face light up when he sees Dada come through his bedroom door instead of Mama — because he's so used to his mother — it's awesome. I love it," says Tolley of Plymouth, Mass.

At a Guard event in the state, he meets up with his friends from deployment.

For Guard Members, A Last Stop To Transition Home

Rachel Martin — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 10:02:00 +0000

The 182nd Infantry Regiment of the Army National Guard landed back in the U.S. last March after a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan.

After two months of leave, however, their official transition time is over and the deployment paychecks have stopped. It's now time to get back to regular life, and for the members from Massachusetts, that means a mandatory check-in with the unit's leadership.

From Soldier To Civilian

For most of the soldiers, it was the first time they've put on a uniform in months.

National Guard Members' Next Battle: The Job Hunt

Rachel Martin — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 10:25:00 +0000

Before the soldiers of the 182nd Regiment of the Army National Guard came home, they were asked how many were unemployed or looking for work. The answer: about one in three.

As more soldiers return to civilian life, a civilian job may not be there waiting. Service members with the National Guard have the extra challenge of convincing employers to hire them when they may be called to active duty for a year or more.

The Army Chaplain: A Kind Of Mission Specialist

Rachel Martin — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Transcript

RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

There is one group in the military with a unique role in helping soldiers and their families through difficult times. So, on this Easter Sunday, an Army chaplain describes his work helping soldiers who have just returned from war.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

RICK EBB: My name is Chaplain Rick Ebb. I'm the post chaplain here at Camp Atterbury. I am one of the first people they see, and I think that's very important that the representative of faith is there.

Dismissed: Military Families Reunite, Face The Future

Rachel Martin — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 10:01:00 +0000

Back from a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan, the 182nd Infantry Regiment of the Army National Guard had to make a pit stop before heading home.

Home Front: 'Citizen Soldiers' Start A Transition

Rachel Martin — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 10:07:00 +0000

A few days ago, a plane carrying members of the 182nd Infantry Regiment touched down in Indiana. The 303 soldiers who were on board are members of an Army National Guard unit that has just finished a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan.

The soldiers, dressed in their combat uniforms and carrying their weapons, bounded down the stairs from the plane. They shook the hands of the generals who had gathered there to welcome them home. It was the middle of the night and raining, but none of them seemed to mind.

Candidates' (Vocal) Pitch Plays Into Appeal

Rachel Martin — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 12:00:00 +0000

In a new study, scientists found that listeners were more likely to cast their vote for the candidate with the deeper voice, regardless of the candidate's gender. Host Rachel Martin reports.

CIA Tracks Public Information For The Private Eye

Rachel Martin — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 11:29:00 +0000

Secrets: the currency of spies around the world. The rise of social media, hash-tags, forums, blogs and online news sites has revealed a new kind of secret — those hiding in plain sight. The CIA calls all this information "open source" material, and it's changing the way America's top spy agency does business.

NPR recently got a rare behind-the-scenes look at the CIA's Open Source Center. It operates on the down-low, even though they deal with public material. We aren't allowed to tell you where the Open Source Center is.