Military and Veteran News

Military & Veterans News Statement by Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis on Passing of Former Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci "It is with profound sadness that I extend my deepest condolences on the passing of former Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci. 

Military & Veterans News June Is PTSD Awareness Month It is estimated that we lose one veteran every 65 minutes to PTSD.  In recent years, it's estimated that over 20 percent (1 in 5) veterans return from Afghanistan have been diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).  This epidemic continues to grow and impacts veterans, their families and the community across the United States.

Military & Veterans News President Trump’s Executive Order Supporting Mental Health Care for Transitioning Service Members Now Underway WASHINGTON — Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that the White House has approved an interagency plan to implement President Trump's executive order supporting Veterans with mental health care and suicide-prevention resources during their transition from uniformed service to civilian life. 

Military & Veterans News Florida Veterans Support Line Expands Statewide at 1-844-MyFLVet With a veteran population of more than 1.5 million in Florida, Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is pleased to announce the Florida Veterans Support Line, 1-844-MyFLVet, has expanded to every county in Florida.

WeSalute Awards TopVet: Richard C. Hartnack Richard C. Hartnack, known as Rick, is the Non-Executive Chairman of Synchrony Financial, the recent spin out of GE Capital's consumer credit business, and a leading provider of credit cards. A proud Marine and Vietnam War Veteran, he credits the Corps for having shaped him for his success in the business world. Respectful of its roots and legacy, he is committed to ensuring that the Corp's virtues and values are shared with future generations.

Military & Veterans News VA Video Connect Expands Veterans’ Access to Health Care WASHINGTON — More and more Veterans are receiving health-care treatment virtually, thanks to efforts by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to expand telehealth.

Military & Veterans News President Supports Veterans at Annual White House Soldier Ride WASHINGTON, -- During the annual Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) Soldier Ride® event at the White House, the president welcomed over 70 wounded, ill, and injured post-9/11 service members and veterans and their caregivers. This segment of the iconic bicycle ride follows a special tradition among United States presidents that began in 2008 with President George W. Bush and continues today.

Military & Veterans News Department of Defense Announces Winners Of the 2018 Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards The Department of Defense (DOD) announces the 2018 Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards winners. The awards recognize individuals, teams and installations for their exceptional environmental achievements and innovative, cost-effective environmental practices.  

Military & Veterans News Executive Order on the Delegation of Authority to Approve Certain Military Decorations For the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of sections 1121, 3742, 3743, 3746, 3749, 3750, 6242, 6243, 6244, 6245, 6246, 8742, 8743, 8746, 8749, and 8750 of title 10, and sections

Military & Veterans News "Prescribed to Death" Opioid Memorial Raises Awareness of Prescription Drug Crisis On April 17, VA Acting Secretary Robert Wilkie visited the National Safety Council's "Prescribed to Death" opioid memorial and recorded this video message I'm Robert Wilkie. I'm visiting the National Safety Council's "Prescribed to Death" opioid memorial. The memorial is currently located here at the White House. It's part of President Trump's Initiative to Stop Opioid Abuse and Reduce Drug Supply and Demand.

Military & Veterans News VA Updates and Improves Assistance Program for Transitioning Service Members WASHINGTON — As part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) ongoing efforts to help transitioning service members navigate and understand VA’s various benefits, the agency recently updated VA’s briefing portion of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) – an interagency initiative authorized as a voluntary program in 1991 under the National Defense Authorization Act and made mandatory under the VOW to Hire Heroes Act in 2011 to help service members adjust to civilian life.

Military & Veterans Life Lindsey Vonn Remembers Her Dad’s Army Service as other Military Olympians Complete in Dramatic Style in South Korea American skier Lindsey Vonn dedicated her 2018 Winter Olympic performance to her grandfather, Don Kidlow, who served in the Army and was stationed in South Korea, not far from where Lindsey compete

Military & Veterans News For Women’s History Month, VA to Showcase Stories of 10 Women Veteran Athletes WASHINGTON — From distance runners to cyclists, the stories of 10 women Veteran athletes will be displayed at U.S.

Discounts & Benefits Glitches Continue to Dog Department of Veterans Affairs ID Card for Veterans On July 20, 2015, it was signed into law the authorization for the VA to issue a new Veterans ID Card or “VIC”. The purpose was to provide federal identification for all who have served our country. All veterans who served in the armed forces, including the reserve components, would be eligible for a VIC.

Military & Veterans News White House: Remarks by President Trump on the Administration’s National Security Strategy Thank you very much.  Thank you.  Please.  I want to thank Vice President Pence, along with the many members of my Cabinet here with us today. I also want to thank all of the dedicated professionals — military, civilian, and law enforcement — who devote their lives to serving our nation.  In particular, I want to recognize General Dunford and the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  (Applause.)

Military & Veterans News Department of Defense Issues Interpretive Rule Amendment Under the Military Lending Act, Limitations on Terms of Consumer Credit Extended to Service Members and Dependents The Department of Defense announced today that an Interpretive Rule Amendment under the Military Lending Act (MLA) Limitations on Terms of Consumer Credit Extended to service members and dependents, was published today in the Federal Register. The interpretive rule amendment provides additional guidance on questions the Department received regarding compliance with the July 2015 Final Rule.

Military & Veterans News White House: President Donald J. Trump will Make the American Military Great Again “As long as I am President, the servicemen and women who defend our nation will have the equipment, the resources, and the funding they need to secure our homeland, to respond to our enemies quickly and decisively, and, when necessary, to fight, to overpower, and to always, always, always win.”

Discounts & Benefits Aimed at Preventing Suicides, VA Invites 7 Cities to Participate in Mayor’s Challenge WASHINGTON — Today the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced the inaugural Mayor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among service members, Veterans and their families. 

Military & Veterans News VA Decision Ready Claims Program Expands to Include More Types of Claims WASHINGTON — As part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) ongoing efforts to modernize and improve Veterans’ experience with the disability claims process, VA unveiled its latest enhancements to the Decision Ready Claims (DRC) program, which will expand the pool of Veterans, surviving spouses and service members eligible to participate in the program. 

Military & Veterans News White House: President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Andrea Thompson to the Department of State Andrea L. Thompson of South Dakota to be the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.

Military & Veterans News DoD Complying with Court Orders to Access Transgender Persons into the Military As required by recent federal district court orders, the Department of Defense recently announced it will begin processing transgender applicants for military service on January 1, 2018. This policy will be implemented while the Department of Justice appeals those court orders. 

Military & Veterans News VA Exploring Alternative Treatments for TBI and PTSD WASHINGTON — Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it will use two innovative treatments to ease the everyday challenges associated with living with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Military & Veterans Life 5 Ways to Help Our Troops, Military Families, and Veterans in Need this Holiday Season Many veterans return from duty to lead full lives with successful careers. But it’s important to keep in mind, especially during the holidays, that some military and veterans do not have a strong support system. Many of our brothers and sisters struggle with Post Traumatic Stress, are alone for the holidays or, sadly, have struggled to find employment and don’t even have a home this winter. 

Military & Veterans Life After Combat, Time Outside Saved Army Veteran Stacy Bare's Life Bare, who served tours in Sarajevo and Iraq as a Captain in the U.S. Army, never doubted he would enlist. His uncle had been a green beret in Vietnam, and his grandfather, a Seabee in WWII. Raised in eastern South Dakota, Bare spent his childhood exploring Western and Midwestern landscapes, and learned the value of service early on, since “everyone had to pitch in” in his small town.