Ike Puzon posted on July 28, 2010 14:12
2010 War Supplemental - HR 4899
At this writing, Congress is still stalled on providing this critically needed funding. This is critical funding for the DoD and Services in conducting wars in OIF and OEF. Due to social issues the service members and commanders do not have the resources to conduct operations. Congress is more concerned about social issues than providing this critically needed funds that allows the military to complete their assigned missions in OIF-OEF. Email or write your Congressional delegation and tell them to stop stalling and pass the War Supplemental funding and pass the measure to fund the war fighters' efforts. HR 4899; when first adopted by the Senate in May, H.R. 4899 contained a total of $45.5 billion in discretionary funding for FY 2010. This included $37.12 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and $13 billion for Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange. But the House amended the bill to add-on $23 billion in domestic spending, including $10 billion to help prevent layoffs of schoolteachers. Past War supplementals have included disaster relief & war funding only. Email or write your Congressional delegation and tell them to stop stalling, hold the social programs for other legislative consideration. Pass HR 4899 strictly for war funding for the war fighters' efforts. www.ausn.org
FY 2011 NDAA Update
There is strong possibility that Congress will not pass the NDAA until after the elections. Our military needs this authorization and the War Supplemental to do their jobs correctly. Do NOT let Congress stall on these bills and have them delete the controversial social issues! The House has passed the FY 2011 NDAA, and the Senate is waiting to bring the NDAA to a floor discussion & vote. There are several issues that are stalling the NDAA at this time:
- the abortion funding issue
- The second engine for the F-35,
- additional C-17s for the USAF,
- the pending change to the DADT provision, and the Senate floor schedule. Please use our CAPWIZ system to email Congress delete the DADT and abortion issue - solve the problems and get on with governing.
TRICARE RESERVE RETIREE (TRR) Program, TRICARE Reserve Select participation rate 6% & AUSN Meets with GAO on Access to TRS
We discovered this week that OMB did not receive the final ruling on TRR program until 2JUL2010 - when OSD indicated they had sent it in late May or early June! We have sent out a legislative alert and many have responded - keep up the pressure to implement the program in a timely manner at www.ausn.org. We met with GAO to discuss a congressionally mandated review of access to TRICARE by Guard and Reserve members. We used members overwhelming response to last week's plea for comments to guide our responses to GAO. The responses fell into several areas - details will be provided later - but for the most part it appears; education & exposure to TRS and TRICARE is a low priority for Guard and Reserve members. Additionally, TRICARE is viewed as a negative program by members and doctors. Additionally, the lack of access in the IRR - is a major factor for many. TRICARE Reserve Select is a good program for many once they get into it, keeping it can be an issue - in the Navy Reserve. If you need information on the TRS program that we fought hard to make available - please see: http://www.tricare.mil.
Guard and Reserve Early Retirement Issue - Amendment to Senate NDAA
The 2008 National Defense Authorization Act included an early retirement provision, but its eligibility started on January 28, 2008. Over 600,000 who served since September 11, 2001 were unfairly excluded. The law from the FY 2008, NDAA reduced retirement by 90 days for every 90 days of mobilization in support of a contingency operation, since 28 JAN 2008. The House failed to address this again in the FY 2011 NDAA, however Sen. Kerry (D-MA) and Sen. Chambliss (R-GA) intend to introduce an amendment in the Senate when the NDAA for 2011 is considered. This would extend eligibility for earlier retirement to those who have served since 9/11/2001. You can assist in moving this legislation forward by writing your Congressional delegation today and ask for their co-sponsorship of any amendment that included this provision. Over the last 20 years, the contributions in support of Active Duty missions by both the Guard and the Reserve have increased substantially. With an Operational Reserve Component drastically changed to an operational reserve force Congress changed the reserve retirement system to allow for operational support. Correcting the eligibility date back to 9/11/2001 is necessary. www.ausn.org
Fact sheet on new rule for PTSD claims
The Veterans Affairs Department has posted a fact sheet including questions and answers about the new rule governing post-traumatic stress disorder claims. This new rule, to be published in the Federal Register, relaxes the evidence requirement of certain PTSD stressor claims by veterans. Veterans of any era or conflict can file a claim under the new rule. The rule covers claims received by VA on or after July 13. The new rule relaxes the evidence requirement of certain PTSD stressor claims by veterans.
First RADM Female Chaplain assigned as first female Chaplain of the Marine Corps
Marines and Sailors gathered in the Memorial Chapel at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Arlington, Virginia, to witness the first female chaplain of the Marine Corps assume her post July 9. Rear Admiral Margaret Kibben took the oath of office from General James Amos, the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, and assumed the duties as the senior Navy chaplain serving with Marines.