American Homefront Project

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The American Homefront Project is reporting on military life and veterans issues. We're visiting bases to chronicle how American troops are working and living. We're meeting military families. We're talking with veterans -- in their homes, on their jobs, at school, at VA hospitals -- to learn about the challenges they face.

Support for the American Homefront Project comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, as part of CPB's ongoing effort to expand coverage of local, regional, and national issues. Additional support comes from our partner public radio stations -- North Carolina Public Radio-WUNC, Texas Public Radio, KPBS-San Diego, St. Louis Public Radio, and WSHU-Fairfield, Conn.

Series

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2022 American Veteran 
4 Pieces

In commemoration of Veteran’s Day, the American Homefront Project collaborated with the PBS documentary series "American Veteran" to profile men and women who have served in the U.S. military.

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American Veteran 2021 
5 Pieces

In commemoration of Veteran’s Day 2021, the American Homefront Project collaborated with the PBS documentary series "American Veteran" to profile men and women who have served in the U.S. military.

Pieces

Eleven years after his arrest, 'Fat Leonard' faces sentencing in a massive Navy corruption scandal
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: A 2022 wanted poster issued by the U.S. Marshals Service shows Leonard Francis, also known as "Fat Leonard," who allegedly cut off his ankle monitor and fled the U.S. He was later arrested in Venezuela and now faces sentencing for masterminding a Navy bri, Credit: U.S. Marshals Service
Military contractor Leonard Glenn Francis bribed more than thirty Navy officials in one of the biggest military corruption cases in U.S. history.

Bought by KUT and KTEP


  • Added: May 09, 2024
  • Length: 03:59
  • Purchases: 2
A new VA policy covers fertility treatments for more vets, but some are still excluded
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Amber Bohlman served as a logistical vehicle operator in the Marine Corps from 2005-2009. She and her partner Peter Folsom tried to conceive for years. While the VA has expanded its IVF eligibility to include couples who aren't legally married, Bohlman is, Credit: Courtesy Amber Bohlman
The VA now pays for IVF treatment for unmarried and LGBTQ veterans. But they still must prove their fertility problems are service-related.

Bought by WHRV, WRFA-LP, Texas Public Radio, North Country Public Radio, KTEP and more


  • Added: May 01, 2024
  • Length: 03:31
  • Purchases: 6
New Navy ships are years behind schedule, because manufacturers can't find workers to build them
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Shipyard workers look on as the Navy unveils the USS Massachusetts nuclear submarine during its christening May 6, 2023., Credit: Steve Walsh / American Homefront
Shipbuilders are pursuing a variety of measures to find more workers, including a marketing partnership with Major League Baseball

Bought by Texas Public Radio, KRPS, WRFA-LP, KUT, and KMXT


  • Added: Apr 17, 2024
  • Length: 03:44
  • Purchases: 5
Vets who were exposed to chemicals in the Panama Canal Zone want to be included in the PACT Act
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Steven Price served in the Army in the Panama Canal Zone. He says he was exposed to Agent Orange, DDT, and other toxins. He later developed chronic B-cell leukemia., Credit: Courtesy Steven Price
People who served in the Canal Zone were left out of a law that made it easier to get care and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Bought by WRFA-LP, KTEP, and WHRV


  • Added: Apr 08, 2024
  • Length: 03:45
  • Purchases: 3
The Marine Corps says its pandemic-related uniform shortage is easing and should end by mid-summer
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Marine Corps recruits get sized during their first uniform fitting at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, April 11, 2023., Credit: Jacob Hutchinson / U.S. Marine Corps
The Marine Corps says the private companies that make military uniforms fell behind because of inflation and COVID-related labor shortages.

Bought by KPBS, KUT, WRFA-LP, and KTEP


  • Added: Apr 03, 2024
  • Length: 03:57
  • Purchases: 4
The U.S. military is going to Gaza, hoping to deliver food from a football-field-sized floating dock
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Soldiers and family members await the departure of the James A. Loux, an Army watercraft, from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, March 12. It's among several Army and Navy vessels headed to the Mediterranean Sea for a Gaza relief effort., Credit: Steve Walsh / American Homefront
The mobile dock can deliver up to two million meals a day, but key questions about the mission remain unanswered.

Bought by WRFA-LP, KUT, KRPS, and WHRV


  • Added: Mar 27, 2024
  • Length: 03:43
  • Purchases: 4
With fake weapons and phony uniforms, they helped win WWII. Now, they're finally getting medals.
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: A soldier sits next to a fake inflatable tank used by the U.S. Army during World War II. The inflatables and other decoys were deployed in Europe to fool enemy troops about the positions and movements of real Army units., Credit: Ghost Army Legacy Project
The U.S. will bestow Congressional Gold Medals on members of a secret Army unit that carried out what came to be known as psychological operations.

Bought by WRFA-LP, KPBS, KUT, and WHRV


  • Added: Mar 18, 2024
  • Length: 03:59
  • Purchases: 4
As Congress repeatedly flirts with government shutdowns, military families face crisis fatigue
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks with troops at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana on Feb 23, 2024. Since Johnson became Speaker in October, Congress has dealt with multiple government shutdown threats as the House has struggled to pass long-term, Credit: Seth Watson / U.S. Air Force
Each threatened shutdown can lead to stress in the military community about missing paychecks and losing access to federal programs.

Bought by KMXT, KUT, KRPS, North Country Public Radio, WRFA-LP and more


  • Added: Mar 05, 2024
  • Length: 03:21
  • Purchases: 7
A lack of base housing is forcing Navy sailors to live on ships, even when they're home in the U.S.
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Commander Robert Molinaro, Executive Officer of the USS Ramage, inspects the ship's sleeping quarters March 22, 2023. Though the Ramage is back in port in Norfolk, Virginia, some sailors have to live on the ship because of a shortage of barracks space on, Credit: Adriones Johnson / U.S. Navy
A lack of barracks space - as well as poor living conditions in some barracks buildings - are contributing to complaints about sailors' quality of ...

Bought by KMXT, WRFA-LP, KUT, KPBS, WHRV and more


  • Added: Feb 20, 2024
  • Length: 03:51
  • Purchases: 6
Veterans who need financial fiduciaries can lose their gun rights. Critics say that's unfair.
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Sgt. Corey Briest (left) poses with his son Connor and wife Jenny, as Connor joins the South Dakota Army National Guard in Sioux Falls, March 11, 2022., Credit: South Dakota Army National Guard
Congress is considering whether to override a VA policy that says veterans who need financial fiduciaries may be reported to the FBI’s background c...

Bought by WRFA-LP, KPBS, WHRV, and KUT


  • Added: Feb 13, 2024
  • Length: 03:56
  • Purchases: 4

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People who work with American Homefront Project

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Dave DeWitt
Reporter/Producer, WUNC
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Adam Hochberg (Admin)
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Brent Wolfe
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KPBS News
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KPCC BoardOperators
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Shahla Farzan
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Jonathan Ahl
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Dan Katz