Military & Veterans News
Military & Veterans News
Precision health initiative brings genetic testing to Veterans
WASHINGTON — Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that, as part of an innovative partnership, VA and Sanford Health, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health care systems, will soon provide free genetic testing to some Veterans cared for by VA.
Military & Veterans News
VA to receive new Fisher Houses in Michigan, Colorado and Nebraska, which offer temporary lodging to Veterans’ families and caregivers
Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that Fisher House Foundation plans to construct three new 16-suite Fisher Houses at VA campuses in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Aurora, Colorado; and Omaha, Nebraska; which will provide temporary accommodations for the families and caregivers of Veterans and active-duty military receiving care at the VA facilities.
Military & Veterans News
VA seeks training providers to ready Veterans for high-tech careers
Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it is inviting training providers to participate in a new pilot program to prepare Veterans for careers in the high-tech workforce.
Military & Veterans News
Registration opens for 2019 National Veterans Wheelchair Games: Event to be held July 11-16 in Louisville, KY
Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that Veterans interested in registering for the 2019 National Veterans Wheelchair Games can do so online Jan. 7 through April 15.
Military & Veterans News
VA to provide capability for Veterans to access their VA health data on Apple iPhones
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will release new capabilities this summer providing Veterans who receive care at VA with the ability to access their personal medical data using the Health Records on iPhone feature from Apple. Military & Veterans News
DOD Releases Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies, Academic Program Year 2017-2018
Today, the Department of Defense released the Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies, Academic Program Year 2017-2018.
Military & Veterans News
VA selects 10 Patient Safety Centers of Inquiry for special funding
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is funding 10 VA Patient Safety Centers of Inquiry (PSCI) over the next three years (2019-2021) to develop innovations to improve patient safety throughout VA.
Military & Veterans News
VA updates disability rating schedule related to hematologic and lymphatic systems
Effective Dec. 9, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) updated portions of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities(VASRD or Rating Schedule) that evaluates the hematologic and lymphatic systems.
Military & Veterans News
VA Hosts Music Therapy Retreat in Nashville to Help Veterans Heal
‘Operation Song’ connects professional songwriters, former service members to help participants improve their lives
Military & Veterans News
Department of Defense Announces Fiscal Year 2018 Recruiting and Retention Numbers -- End of Year Report
The Department of Defense today announced recruiting and retention statistics for the Active and Reserve Components for fiscal year 2018.
Military & Veterans News
Defense Department Announces Cost of Living Increase to Retired Pay
The Department of Defense announced annual cost of living adjustments that will benefit military retirees and survivors during calendar year 2019. Most military retirees will receive a 2.8 percent increase to their retired pay beginning with the pay they receive on Jan. 1, 2019. Likewise, survivors of members who died on active or inactive duty, or survivors of military retirees who participate in the Survivor Benefit Plan, will, in most cases, see a 2.8 percent increase to their annuities beginning in January.
Military & Veterans News
VA Mobilizes Federal Agencies to Offer Free Legal Services to Help Veterans
Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) together with representatives from the departments of Labor, Justice, Defense, Homeland Security, the U.S. Navy and others, signed a joint statement aimed at improving access to free legal services for Veterans in need.
Military & Veterans News
DOD Expands Tech Talent Initiative to Develop Critical Cyber Capabilities
Defense Digital Service Opens ‘Tatooine’ Workspace in Augusta Ga. to Support Growing Partnership with Army Cyber Command
Military & Veterans News
End of fiscal year hospital Star rating shows large improvement in overall quality of services of VA medical centers across nation
As part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) efforts to remain transparent and hold VA facilities accountable, VA released end of fiscal year 2018 (FY2018) hospital Star ratings, which evaluate and benchmark quality of care delivery at VA medical centers (VAMCs) across the nation.
Military & Veterans News
Presidential Proclamation on Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day, 2018
Courageous Americans of every generation have given their last full measure of devotion in defense of our country and our freedom. The families who stood alongside these heroes have paid a price no family should ever have to pay. Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day is a solemn reminder that these families ‑‑ the families of our fallen service members ‑‑ bear the burden of their loss forever.
Military & Veterans News
Presidential Proclamation on Patriot Day, 2018
On Patriot Day, we honor the memories of the nearly 3,000 precious lives we lost on September 11, 2001, and of every hero who has given their life since that day to protect our safety and our freedom. We come together, today, to recall this timeless truth: When America is united, no force on Earth can break us apart. Our values endure; our people thrive; our Nation prevails; and the memory of our loved ones never fades.
Military & Veterans News
VA to fund first national center of excellence for Veteran and caregiver research
Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will fund a new center of excellence to expand the department’s capacity to deliver innovative, data-driven and integrated approaches to improve services for Veterans and their caregivers.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: Guard members continue Harvey response; 30,000 additional Guard troops ready to respond
ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Guard response to Hurricane Harvey will be a long term, sustained effort, said a senior National Guard official, adding that up 30,000 Guard members stand ready to assist with those efforts if needed.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: Statement by Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis on Military Service by Transgender Individuals
The Department of Defense has received the Presidential Memorandum, dated August 25, 2017, entitled “Military Service by Transgender Individuals.” The department will carry out the president’s policy direction, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security. As directed, we will develop a study and implementation plan, which will contain the steps that will promote military readiness, lethality, and unit cohesion, with due regard for budgetary constraints and consistent with applicable law. The soon arriving senior civilian leadership of DOD will play an important role in this effort. The implementation plan will address accessions of transgender individuals and transgender individuals currently serving in the United States military.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: DoD Releases Clarifying Guidance to Veterans Regarding Discharges and Military Records
The Department of Defense today released clarifying guidance for discharges and military records reviews. In the past few years, the department has issued guidance for consideration of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) but there remained some questions about how the guidance applied to sexual assault, sexual harassment, or mental health conditions other than PTSD. This guidance fills in the gaps and resolves any confusion that veterans or the review boards may have had, and it ensures a fair and equitable review of separations for all veterans. The guidance has been forwarded to a number of Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) and Military Service Organizations (MSOs) in order to spread the news to as many veterans as possible.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: VA staffing new White House VA Hotline Principally with Veterans
Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced that the two-month pilot phase of the new White House VA Hotline that began in June has demonstrated that Veterans calling the hotline respond best when their calls are answered by fellow Veterans and others with first-hand experience on their issues.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: Bob McDonald, Former VA Secretary and P&G CEO, Joins Boulder Crest
BLUEMONT, Va., Aug. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Boulder Crest, a pioneering nonprofit focused on cultivating and facilitating post-traumatic growth amongst combat veterans and family members struggling with PTSD and/or combat stress, announces the addition of Former VA Secretary Bob McDonald to its Honorary Board.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: VVA Lawsuit Challenges DoD Website that Leaks Private Information About Millions of Veterans, Facilitates Fraud
Today, Vietnam Veterans of America filed a federal lawsuit in order to end the Department of Defense’s systematic violation of veterans’ and servicemembers’ privacy rights. DoD currently operates a website that exposes private details about the military service of millions of veterans to anybody at all, anonymously, for any purpose. The website violates veterans’ rights under the Privacy Act and empowers scammers to perpetrate identity theft, impostor scams, and other frauds.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: Remarks by President Trump at Presentation of Medal of Honor to Specialist Five James C. McCloughan, U.S. Army
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Please be seated. Thank you, Chaplain Hurley. Secretary Mnuchin, Secretary Mattis, Secretary Shulkin, Senator Stabenow, Congressman Upton, and members of the Armed Forces: Thank you for joining us as we award our nation’s highest military honor to Specialist Five James C. McCloughan.