Military & Veterans News

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Army Releases October Suicide Data The Army released suicide data today for the month of October.  During October, among active-duty soldiers, there were 20 potential suicides:  five have been confirmed as suicides, and 15 remain under investigation.  For September, the Army reported 15 potential suicides among active-duty soldiers:  four have been confirmed as suicides, and 11 remain under investigation.  For 2012, there have been 166 potential active-duty suicides:  105 have been confirmed as suicides, and 61 remain under investigation.  Active-duty suicide number for 2011: 165 confirmed as suicides, and no cases under investigation.
More Promises from VA as Backlog Continues to Increase Military & Veterans News Vet News: More Promises from VA as Backlog Continues to Increase WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held an oversight hearing entitled “Reclaiming the Process: Examining the VBA Claims Transformation Plan as a Means to Effectively Serve Our Veterans.” At the hearing, the Committee learned that VA has yet to completely implement a comprehensive transformation plan to provide veterans with a paperless disability claims process that relies on accuracy the first time a claim is submitted.
VA Announces Aggressive National Recruitment Effort to Hire Mental Health Professionals Military & Veterans News Vet News: VA Announces Aggressive National Recruitment Effort to Hire Mental Health Professionals WASHINGTON - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki recently announced the department would add approximately 1,600 mental health clinicians as well as nearly 300 support staff to its existing workforce to help meet the increased demand for mental health services.  The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has developed an aggressive national recruitment program to implement the hiring process quickly and efficiently.
DOD to Host Vietnam War Commemoration Ceremony at Vietnam Veterans Memorial Military & Veterans News Vet News: DOD to Host Vietnam War Commemoration Ceremony at Vietnam Veterans Memorial Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta will host a ceremony on Monday, May 28, 2012, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to thank and honor America’s Vietnam Veterans on behalf of a grateful nation.  This ceremony will serve as a public kickoff of efforts to partner with communities across the United States.  Invited guests include thousands of Vietnam Veterans, their loved ones, Gold Star families and leadership from the military services, Cabinet and Congress.  There will be a limited viewing area open to the general public.
Military & Veterans News Vet News: WEEKLY Presidential ADDRESS: A New Chapter in Afghanistan WASHINGTON, DC— In this week’s address, President Obama spoke about his recent trip to Afghanistan, where he met with our brave troops and signed an historic agreement that will help put an end to the war.  The goal of defeating al Qaeda is within sight, we have killed Osama Bin Laden, and the President has now signed an agreement with Afghanistan that details a new relationship in which the Afghans will soon be responsible for the security of their nation. As we look towards that future, we must also focus on the type of nation our troops return to.  This is why the President called on Congress to take the money we are no longer spending at war, use half of it to pay down our debt, and use the other half to rebuild America. It’s time for America to make the choices that ensure a strong middle class where everyone a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules.
Military & Veterans News Vet News: Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta Statement on U.S.-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement “I strongly support the U.S.-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by President Obama and President Karzai in Kabul.  This agreement affirms the long-term commitment of the United States to Afghanistan, and it is a further expression of our shared goal of defeating al Qaeda and its extremist affiliates.  It is a tangible sign of the strength and the resilience of the partnership that has been built between the United States and the Afghan people, and the significant progress that has been made by American, international and Afghan forces in building an Afghanistan that can secure and govern itself.  The transition to Afghan security lead has commenced and it is on track.
Chairman Murray Applauds President's Decision to Address GI Bill Accountability Military & Veterans News Vet News: Chairman Murray Applauds President's Decision to Address GI Bill Accountability (Washington D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, released the following statement today after President Obama signed an executive order that takes action against deceptive practices targeting educational benefits for servicemembers and veterans. Senator Murray recently introduced similar legislation that increases transparency in order to help VA educational beneficiaries make informed decisions about the schools they attend so they get the most out of their GI Bill benefits. The bill would also require that VA and DoD to develop a joint policy to curb aggressive recruiting and misleading marketing aimed at servicemembers and veterans using the GI Bill.
Military & Veterans News Vet News: Integrated Disability Evaluation System Failing America’s Wounded Warriors WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) held a hearing to review the progress made by the Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) in implementing the Integrated Disability Evaluation System, or IDES. A servicemember is referred to IDES when their active duty status is questioned through either physical or mental injuries incurred on active duty. IDES was put in place upon the recommendations by several commissions—including the Dole Shalala Commission—in 2007 to better assist America’s recovering warriors and their families’ transition from active-duty to VA. Former commission members and DoD and VA officials testified before the Subcommittee.
Military & Veterans News Vet News: VA Construction Projects Face Scrutiny for Delays, Accountability, and Costs WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, members of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs questioned VA officials regarding four major construction projects in Orlando, Florida, Las Vegas, Nevada, Denver, Colorado, and New Orleans, Louisiana, estimated to cost more than $3 billion, as well as to receive status updates on VA major medical facility leases, which collectively have start up costs of $442 million, across the country. 
Military & Veterans News Vet News: Cardin, Ruppersberger Announce First Hotel Partners in Military Program, Urge Others to Participate BALTIMORE – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and U.S. Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (both D-MD) today announced that three major hotel corporations have agreed to participate in a new national program that will allow American citizens to donate their hotel reward points to wounded warriors and their families. Marriott International was the first hotel company to agree to participate in the program, followed by the Wyndham Hotel Group and AmericInn. Event participants called on the rest of the lodging industry to follow their lead and agree to participate by Memorial Day, when organizers hope to open the program to donations.
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