Military service members are being urged to submit their complaints

Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, and Senator Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on Friday launched a whistleblower form for military service members so that the armed forces don't "fall to woke ideology."

The form is available on a new webpage on Crenshaw's website, which states that submissions will be shared with Cotton's office.

"Enough is enough. We won’t let our military fall to woke ideology," Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL, said in a Friday tweet. "We have just launched a whistleblower webpage where you can submit your story. Your complaint will be legally protected, and go to my office and @SenTomCotton."

Crenshaw added that "with written permission," he and Cotton, a former Army captain, "will anonymously publish egregious complaints on social media and tell the country what’s happening in our military."

"For too long, progressive Pentagon staffers have been calling the shots for our warfighters, and spineless military commanders have let it happen. Now we are going to expose you," he said.

The form notes that whistleblowers take "serious risks" when reporting "allegations of wrongdoing" and recommends military members "consult an attorney experienced in whistleblower law for further guidance."

The Defense Department has come under heavy fire recently from conservatives after Space Force Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier was removed from his post after speaking out against Marxism in the military.

Conservatives came to the aid of Lohmeier after his sacking, and Republican lawmakers demanded he be reinstated.

Last week, House Armed Services Committee (HASC) member Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., decried cancel culture as "getting out of hand" and told Fox News that she was supporting legislation to ensure that American troops aren’t being indoctrinated into woke culture, which is more intolerant of conservative beliefs and values.

In addition, HASC ranking member Mike Rogers, R-Ala., said in a news release that "the United States Armed Forces should be focused on preparing to face and win any battles against the threats posed by China and other foreign adversaries and not imposing political beliefs on those who chose to serve in uniform."

The Navy also came under criticism in March after leaked slides from the military’s "extremism" training said sailors could not discuss "politically partisan" subjects on duty but that it was OK to advocate for Black Lives Matter while on duty.

The Navy revised their slides after multiple reports came out highlighting the political bias in the military branch’s training.

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Senators John Cornyn (Tex.) and Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), along with Representatives John Garamendi (Calif.) and Mark Amodei (Nev.), have introduced the "Respect for Grieving Military Families Act" (H.R.3232, S.1588). This important legislation aims to prevent the Department of Defense from reclaiming the benefits of deceased military retirees while their families are still in mourning.

Many surviving spouses, unaware of the immediate notification requirement to the Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS) upon the retiree's death, are taken by surprise. Those who had joint bank accounts, through which retirement payments were electronically made, had given little or no thought to the possibility of DFAS reclaiming any overpayments from these accounts. Such action could deplete the account of any remaining funds, regardless of whether they were retirement payments or sourced from elsewhere. The bill proposes a gradual repayment over 12 months instead of a one-time withdrawal, also granting the Secretary of Defense the option to forgive the overpayment.

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Over the past decade there has been growing awareness of the limitations of pharmacological approaches to pain management and the risks associated with opioid pharmacotherapy in particular,” said Dr. Diane Flynn, a primary care pain management adviser at the Interdisciplinary Pain Management Center at Madigan Army Medical Center Aboard Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington. Aligning to this awareness, the Military Health System is also changing the conversation on treating and managing pain among beneficiaries.

As a result, within the Military Health System pain management is shifting – and improving. By implementing the Stepped Care Model of pain management first adopted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the MHS is exploring nondrug interventions such as acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, physical therapy, occupational therapy, yoga, nutrition, and behavioral health management. “We’re trying to reorient our culture away from the idea that pain equals pills,” said Dr. Chester Buckenmaier, director of the Uniformed Services University’s Defense & Veterans Center for Integrative Pain Management.

Part of that change includes the introduction of behavioral health consultants or BHCs in the primary care clinic to provide evidence-based behavioral health treatments and brief cognitive behavioral therapy for pain, said U.S. Public Health Service Capt. Anne Dobmeyer, Ph.D., a clinical health psychologist. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for pain helps patients develop coping strategies for managing pain that could include stress management and mood management. BHCs also work with patients on pacing physical activity, developing skills in relaxation, and altering thought patterns that can worsen the pain experience.

“Sometimes the way we think about our situation or about our pain can really turn the dial up on pain by increasing the stress that we’re feeling and magnifying the experience of pain,” said Dobmeyer. “Being able to change the way we are looking at or thinking about our pain or experience can help turn the dial down on the pain level, and help improve quality of life, despite the presence of an ongoing chronic pain condition.”

Pain management involves a mind-body and social connection; cognitive coping strategies can help address the whole patient in treating pain.

“We’re not asking people to put on rose-colored glasses and just think positive thoughts,” Dobmeyer said. “But we want patients to evaluate whether the way they are thinking about pain or their situation is really helping them get where they want to be in life, or whether it’s getting in the way.”

In a pioneering move, the Defense Health Agency issued guidelines and regulations in January 2020 on the use of acupuncture for beneficiaries. Buckenmaier called the guidelines historic and an example of federal medicine providing leadership in the health care community.

“Oftentimes people will say, well, acupuncture is alternative medicine, but what’s really being made clear in these documents is it’s not alternative,” he said. “[Acupuncture] is medicine and it’s an equal partner with the things we’ve been using.”

That’s not to say integrative interventions such as acupuncture can or should replace medication, including opioids, said Buckenmaier. “I don’t mind saying to you opioids aren’t bad,” he added. “If you’ve been in a war zone and just been blown up, you’re not screaming for acupuncture. In that situation, opioids can be very useful.”

The problem is how the health care community has relied on opioids to treat pain. “Opioid pain medications can have a role in helping manage acute pain, but they are less effective at helping treat chronic pain problems,” said Dobmeyer.

Still, patients want simple, fast relief. “There is usually no one treatment that will eliminate chronic pain,” said Dr. Flynn. “The best approach to chronic pain involves a variety of approaches.”

The DoD’s new pain scale implemented last year is helping better define a patient’s pain and, as a result, better treat it through a variety of approaches. Using the new pain scale, Buckenmaier treated a patient suffering from chronic pain after he had been severely wounded. The patient commented his pain level was a 6 out of 10 and fully expected it to remain so into the following week. Through the pain scale, he revealed he was sleeping and happy to be reunited with his wife. “He said, ‘My pain is a 6, but I’m OK,’” Buckenmaier recalled. “When you ask that sort of detailed information, that’s not a patient who needs another prescription; that’s a patient who may want to double down on other successes like acupuncture, physical therapy, or behavioral health modification.”

People living with chronic pain don’t need to suffer. “Comprehensive pain management focuses on helping people with pain live active, meaningful lives despite pain,” said Flynn. “With a willingness to try different pain management approaches and a commitment to a daily pain management practice, it is possible to lead a satisfying, productive life despite pain.”

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When Jennifer Mackinday became a full-time caregiver for her brother, James, after he was injured in a roadside bomb attack in Iraq in 2005, the two siblings found themselves thrust into an unfamiliar situation without much support.

“When my brother returned, I needed to spend most of my time caring for him,” she said. “That meant I separated from my civilian community, and he was separated from his support group, which was the military.

“I didn’t have those touch points in my community and I didn’t know really where to turn to get my questions answered. I spent a number of years doing everything by myself.”

Veterans advocates for years have emphasized the importance of community help in recovery and reintegration for wounded troops. But a new survey released this week by the Military Family Advisory Network and Wounded Warrior Project suggests that Veterans who spend only a few years in the ranks may have an even more difficult time finding those support networks than their retired peers.

“Every time we went into one of these questions, we found a difference between the [retired and non-retired] populations,” said Shelly Kimball, research director for MFNA. “For us, that gives us a pathway forward for where we need to be.”

The survey, which polled 1,276 post-9/11 Veterans and caregivers last fall, found less satisfaction with health care access among non-retirees than with retired troops (22 percent negative vs. 11 percent).

Fewer non-retiree families had adequate financial savings than their retired peers, with 43 percent of retirees reporting $5,000 or more in emergency funds on hand compared to 18 percent for non-retirees.

Traditional military retirees receive a pension from their service, and both they and medically retired individuals can receive some health care benefits for life. But other questions showed unexpected transition issues hitting non-retirees harder than their peers.

For example, about 29 percent of post-9/11 Veterans who left before retirement said they have concerns about their own alcohol use or a family member’s excessive drinking, compared to 15 percent of retirees with those concerns. Researchers also saw similar splits on the issues between caregivers of each group.

Retirees were more likely to live close to military bases and less likely to be divorced, according to the survey. Nearly 30 percent of non-retirees said they lived at least 20 miles from their primary care doctor, as opposed to only 17 percent of military retirees.

The survey sample relied heavily on WWP and MFAN members, which may have resulted in a higher proportion of respondents with serious medical issues and significant transition challenges.

But researchers said that the results “make it clear that post-9/11 Veterans, retirees, and their family members have different needs that cannot be met with one-size-fits-all solutions. Taking into account their unique perspectives and experiences illuminates the most e!ective ways to give this population the best opportunity to thrive.”

In Mackinday’s case, she said the lack of other young Veterans in the community where she lived with her brother caused numerous complications. Her lack of military knowledge made navigating military and Veterans Affairs benefits difficult, and both siblings struggled with increased stress and loneliness.

“I didn’t know how to ask for help. And I didn’t know how to accept it when it was being offered,” she said. “Ultimately that led me to a really dark place in my life when I felt so isolated and alone that I thought about taking my own life.”

Mackinday said they eventually connected with Wounded Warrior Project, where they each found their own support networks and sense of community. WWP officials said that’s a common refrain from their members

“In conversations I’ve had with Veterans, they share how they struggled to find that social support and that connection,” said Amanda Peterson, senior researcher for WWP. “So it’s really important that we develop additional ways for post-9/11 Veterans and their families to connect with each other, and get the resources that they need.”

The full report is available at the MFAN web site.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Warwick woman who is alleged to have (1) fraudulently claimed to be a wounded United States Marine Corps (USMC) veteran and recipient of a Purple Heart and Bronze Star, and (2) schemed to collect hundreds of thousands of dollars in veteran benefits and charitable contributions, was arrested today by federal agents and made her initial appearance in federal court in Providence, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

Sarah Jane Cavanaugh, 31, is charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with using forged or counterfeited military discharge certificates, wire fraud, fraudulently holding herself out to be a medal recipient with intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit, and aggravated identity theft.

Charging documents allege the following:

• Cavanaugh used the personal identifying information of an actual Marine, and falsely claimed that she served in the USMC from 2009-2016; was honorably discharged; achieved the rank of Corporal; and was wounded in action in Iraq/Afghanistan.
• Cavanaugh used an official Veterans Administration (VA) email account, which was issued to her as a VA employee, to purchase and later display on a Marine uniform a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. She had not been awarded either award. In fact, a search of the Defense Personnel Records Information Retrieval System, a database containing military-service records, provided no records or information pertaining to Cavanaugh.

         It is further alleged that Cavanaugh:

• Created and submitted falsified military discharge documents, medical diagnosis, and medical bills to “HunterSeven,” an organization that provides monetary aid to veterans in need. Cavanaugh did so to request financial assistance and falsely claim that she was being treated for cancer from exposure to burn pits in Iraq/Afghanistan and inhaling particulate matter in the aftermath of an Improvised Explosive Device.
• Posing as a combat veteran, Cavanaugh contacted “Code of Support,” and collected $18,472 in financial assistance for mortgage payments, repairs to her home furnace, a gym membership, and for other unspecified bills,
• Posing as a combat veteran diagnosed with cancer related to her military service, Cavanaugh collected approximately $4,700 from an internet-based fundraising website,
• Claiming to be a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient, Cavanaugh collected approximately $16,000 from a charity that provides therapy for veterans through art programs, and
• Posing as a wounded combat veteran, Cavanaugh collected $207,000 from the Wounded Warrior organization to pay for groceries and physical therapy sessions.

A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Cavanaugh was arrested by federal agents on Monday and appeared before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond. She was released on $50,000 unsecured bond.

The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald R. Gendron and investigated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Police Service, and the FBI, with the assistance of the U.S. Defense Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations.

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S 1970, The Clean Water for Military Families Act, will require the Secretary of Defense to conduct testing for and remediation of perfluoroalkyl substances and polyfluoroalkyl substances at or surrounding installations of the Department of Defense located in the United States, formerly used defense sites, and State-owned facilities of the National Guard. Fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS are hazardous "forever" chemicals that create serious health problems. The presence of PFAS has been confirmed at more than 300 Department of Defense installations, and is likely detectable at many more. The Department has testified that it could take approximately 30 years to clean up the PFAS pollution at affected sites. This is simply too long a timeline. Our military members and their families deserve at a bare minimum access to clean water at Department of Defense installations.

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“The nurses could not do enough for us. We knew they truly cared about us. They gave us the best treatment possible, and I saw them cry when a patient died.”

This is one of many powerful comments from wounded servicemen in the book “Quiet Heroes, Navy Nurses of the Korean War 1950-1953, Far East Command.” Whether it was a wounded GI helicoptered into a M-A-S-H unit, the life-saving surgery aboard a Navy hospital ship, or emergency procedures at 30,000 feet from an Air Force nurse during an evacuation flight, the courageous service by women awaited men during the worst moment of their lives. Keep in mind, in 1950, there were no male nurses. Life and death responsibility, in one of the worst wars this country ever fought, fell to women.

The history of female nursing in war goes back to Gen. George Washington’s troops in the Revolutionary War. Although not a formal part of the Continental Army, women stepped in and nursed those in need. Things evolved to the United States contracting for nurses in the Spanish-American War. That led to the first nurses being brought formally into the Army in 1901 and the Navy in 1908. When the Air Force separated into its own service at the end of World War II, nursing was an important function of this new branch of the military.

In June 1950, the North Korean army streamed across the 38th parallel. Two hundred American soldiers, supported by one nurse, stood in harm’s way. With the collapse of South Korean forces, it was a race to move Eighth Army troops and support services to prevent a total loss of the Korean Peninsula. Into that bloodbath, the first M-A-S-H nurses from Japan were soon scrubbing an abandoned schoolhouse in Taegu (now Daegu) for 24 hours straight to prepare for the hundreds of emergency surgeries that followed. Navy nurses scrambled to the hospital ship Consolation, rushing to the Far East where 72 hours straight of surgery greeted their arrival. And immediately, emergency care on crowded Air Force evacuation flights brought the servicemen to full care in Japan.

During the next three years, nurses not only took care of the wounded but often helped pioneer new life-saving measures. Lt. Mattie Donald is but one example. She helped put in place the first generation of artificial kidney machines that saved men suffering acute renal failure because of loss of blood.

Sixteen nurses lost their lives during that war. While none were killed in combat, three separate plane crashes claimed their young lives. Over 3,000 Army nurses, 4,000 Navy nurses and hundreds of Air Force nurses quietly saw action in that soon forgotten war. But the ones who will never forget are the men those nurses cared for.

Another wounded serviceman recounted in the Navy nurse book, “One day, while doing her job, she stopped in the midst of several bunks and took my hand. While tears ran down her face, she said to all of us patients around her, ‘I don’t know how you boys do what you do in combat. I will never forget you.’ And I have never forgotten her.”

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A Maryland man was sentenced Monday to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution for defrauding a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) program dedicated to rehabilitating military Veterans with disabilities.

According to court documents, Francis Engles, 65, of Bowie, was the owner and operator of Engles Security Training School (Engles Security). In August 2015, Engles Security became an approved vendor of the VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment program, which provides disabled U.S. military Veterans with services. Thereafter, Engles Security obtained over 80% of its total revenue from the VA in exchange for purporting to provide certain courses to disabled military Veterans.

To further the scheme, Engles falsely represented to the VA that his company was providing Veterans with months-long courses for 40 hours per week and over 600 total hours. In fact, as Engles knew, Engles Security offered Veterans far less than what Engles represented to the VA. In some instances, it offered only a few hours of class per day for several weeks. Some Veterans did not attend more than one day of class. Engles nevertheless sent to the VA “Certificates of Training” stating that Veterans had completed courses that they had not completed or, in some instances, had not taken at all. Similarly, Engles submitted letters to the VA falsely stating that the Veterans were employed by Engles’ private security business. Engles also instructed Veterans to sign attendance sheets for classes that he knew they did not in fact attend. In total, Engles Security obtained $337,960 from the VA for the purported education of military Veterans.

Engles also attempted to obstruct the investigation into his fraud. During an interview with federal agents, Engles lied about Veteran students’ attendance at the school and later, when Engles Security was served with a grand jury subpoena, Engles prevented his employee from producing responsive documents that she had gathered. Some of these documents were later discovered in the government’s search of Engles Security’s office.

In February 2019, four other individuals were sentenced in related cases following their guilty pleas. James King, a former VA employee, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for committing bribery, defrauding the VA and obstructing justice. Albert Poawui, the owner of Atius Technology Institute, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for committing bribery. Sombo Kanneh, Poawui’s employee, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for conspiracy to commit bribery. Michelle Stevens, the owner of Eelon Training School, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for committing bribery.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips for the District of Columbia; Special Agent in Charge James A. Dawson of the FBI’s Washington Field Office’s Criminal Division; and Special Agent in Charge Kim Lampkins of the VA Office of Inspector General’s Mid-Atlantic Field Office made the announcement.

Trial Attorney Lauren Castaldi of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Lallas of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case.

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The heads of the U.S. military branches are calling on the Defense Department to stop the transfer of all medical facilities to the Defense Health Agency, saying the novel coronavirus pandemic has shown that the plan to convey the services' hospitals and clinics to the agency is "not viable."

In a memo sent to Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Aug. 5, the secretaries of the Army, Navy and Air Force, along with the branch chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Space Force, called for the return of all military hospitals and clinics already transferred to the DHA and suspension of any planned moves of personnel or resources.

They said that the COVID-19 outbreak has demonstrated that the reform, which was proposed by Congress in the fiscal 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, "introduces barriers, creates unnecessary complexity and increases inefficiency and cost."

"The proposed DHA end-state represents unsustainable growth with a disparate intermediate structure that hinders coordination of service medical response to contingencies such as a pandemic," they wrote in the memo, first obtained by a reporter for Synopsis, a Capitol Hill newsletter that focuses on military and Veterans health care.

The DoD launched major reforms of its health system in 2013 with the creation of the Defense Health Agency, an organization initially established to improve the quality of health care available to military personnel and family members and reduce services such as administration, IT, logistics and training that existed in triplicate across the three service medical commands.

But the initiatives ballooned in 2016, with Congress passing legislation that placed the DHA in charge of military hospitals and clinics worldwide, as well as research and development, public health agencies, medical logistics and other operations run by the service medical commands.

On Oct. 1, 2019, all military hospitals and clinics in the continental United States were transferred to the DHA, with those overseas expected to move over by October 2021.

But in December, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy asked for a temporary halt of the transfers of Army facilities and requested that the Army Public Health Center and Army Medical Research and Development Command remain permanently under the service's control.

Ryan said he had concerns with what he viewed as a "lack of performance and planning with respect to the transition" by the DHA and Defense Department Health Affairs, according to a memo he sent Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist.

McCarthy's comments were the first public statements by a military service in opposition to the transformation, which also calls for cutting roughly 18,000 military medical personnel.

In early March, the Air Force and Army surgeons general weighed in, telling the House Appropriations defense subcommittee that the reorganization is an "extremely difficult" and "complicated merger of four cultures." They suggested that the Defense Health Agency isn't ready for some of the coming changes.

The DHA assumed management of all domestic military treatment facilities without the staff or management capabilities to actually run them. As part of the plan, the services were to provide support and guidance for the DHA to run the hospitals and clinics in the interim, until its personnel were ready to operate them.

But then the pandemic struck. And according to a source familiar with operations at several medical treatment facilities in the Washington, D.C., region, tensions that had been bubbling since the initial facility transfer erupted.

At one facility, commanders and DHA leadership argued over who was responsible for the COVID-19 screening tents in the parking lot.

"There are definitely turf battles going on," said the source, a DoD civilian employee. "[The services] are making it very hard."

The COVID-19 pandemic has delayed several elements of the military health system reform effort. In March, the DoD placed a 60-day hold on a step to establish administrative markets responsible for military treatment facilities in five regions in the U.S.

In April, the department paused the rollout of its Military Health Systems Genesis electronic medical records program to several new medical facilities, although it continued to modernize the IT infrastructure needed to support the system.

And in June, the Pentagon's top health official announced that the DoD would delay some of the changes planned for this year, including an effort to begin closing or restructuring 48 hospitals and clinics and sending at least 200,000 patients to private care.

But Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Thomas McCaffery, a former health industry executive who took office last August, has said he remains committed to reform, which he believes will improve quality of care while also saving taxpayer dollars.

"There's been at least 12 times since World War II where there has been efforts to change our system," McCaffery said during a visit to military health facilities in Washington last week. "All focused on the best way to organize and manage for the mission, have a ready medical force and a medically ready force. The mission is still the same, and having a more integrated system is the way to do it."

In their letter to Esper, the service heads said the DHA has been helpful during the pandemic in developing standardized clinical practices for the coronavirus response.

But they still asked him to suspend any transfer activity and appoint a working group to explore different options for management of the hospitals.

They also asked that all military hospitals, including two that have operated under the DHA and the National Capital Region since 2013 -- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland and Fort Belvoir Community Hospital -- be returned to their respective services.

They did not say which service Walter Reed would fall under; the medical center was created after a merger between the Army's Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and the Navy's National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. It remains housed at Bethesda, a Navy installation.

"We look forward to working together to achieve successful reform of the military health system," they wrote.

Lisa Lawrence, a public affairs officer at the Pentagon, said the department plans to continue pursuing reforms as spelled out in the fiscal 2017 defense policy bill.

"The Department remains focused on ensuring the Services maintain a medically ready force and a ready medical force, as well as [ensuring] all eligible beneficiaries have continued access to quality health care," Lawrence said.

A staff member for the National Military Family Association said that it "makes sense" the pandemic would lead to a reevaluation of the military health system reforms, adding that the organization hopes the DoD, DHA and military services will continue focusing on accountability, transparency and standardization across the system.

"Whatever the outcome, our priority is that service members and families have access to high-quality health care, wherever they happen to be stationed," said Eileen Huck, deputy director for health care at NMFA.

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Yet another dangerous entitlement expansion could be coming soon. On Nov. 10, the House Agriculture Committee will discuss a bill that would put significantly more members of the armed forces on food stamps, weakening the military in numerous ways. Yet the federal government has no evidence to justify this policy — and even if there is a problem that needs to be solved, there’s a better option than greater dependency on government welfare.

The Equal Access to the Right Nutrition for Military Families Act, or EARN Act, is being sold with the usual tugging at the heartstrings. Its congressional sponsors are focused on “food insecurity” among U.S. forces. They must not have read their own bill, which fails to prove that such a crisis exists.

The EARN Act begins with a lengthy discussion of the Department of Defense’s lack of data on food insecurity in the military. The Pentagon has been tasked with discovering that information since 2016, yet government investigations have found little to no movement. Congress again directed the Pentagon in 2020 to submit a report on the matter, but it has yet to materialize. As a result, the officials who oversee the armed forces apparently have no idea how many military families are dealing with food insecurity.

The EARN Act’s co-sponsors don’t mind. They cherry pick food insecurity statistics from other sources, even though such findings are all over the map. The bill tacitly acknowledges that government data would be superior, since it appropriates money to prepare an official report within a year. Yet rather than start there, the bill begins by expanding welfare first and getting the facts later.

What’s worse is how the bill would affect the military itself.

My husband has a combined service of 20 years, active duty and Army National Guard, and he and I can both attest to the administrative nightmares surrounding pay and benefits. Yet the EARN Act would inject a new welfare bureaucracy into the already bloated military bureaucracy. There are programs within the military for families who need extra help and this duplication would add to the massive administrative complexities that frustrate military families. The Defense Department should focus on keeping the American people safe and keeping ahead of our increasingly aggressive and advanced adversaries — not administering welfare.

Most disturbingly, the EARN Act would remove personal responsibility. Each branch mandates that service members provide for their families — in the Army, it’s Regulation 608-99. For many, the bill would shift a big part of that responsibility to the government, undercutting the military’s efforts to train and maintain stable troops with strong families.

The potential for disruption is severe. Even if non-Pentagon estimates of food insecurity are accurate, the EARN Act likely would shift an even larger percentage of the military onto food stamps. Housing allowances wouldn’t be counted as household income, thereby expanding eligibility to troops making well above the federal poverty line. Families that don’t need the help would wind up trapped in welfare. That’s insulting.

The bill also would institute a six-month transitional program for troops leaving the military, regardless of their income, assets or pension. A full-bird colonel who made close to six figures a year could be swiping an EBT card at the local grocery store. Food stamps were never meant to cover people in that position — and it should not be allowed to happen.

This bill is just Congress’s latest attempt to shift more Americans onto welfare without proving the wisdom or need for such a move. Instead of the EARN Act, Congress should prioritize fact-finding. The only useful part of the bill is its requirement of — and funding for — an official Pentagon report. That should be the only part that passes. If a report finds evidence of widespread food insecurity, then Congress could consider raising military subsistence levels or enact larger annual increases to military salaries. That’s a discussion that should happen in the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, not the Agriculture Committee, which has no expertise in national security.

It says a lot about our current political moment that the go-to approach is putting more people on welfare, regardless of the need or its effects. Those in the armed forces deserve better, and so does America.

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A voluntary recall of millions of CPAP breathing machines, used mainly to treat sleep apnea, has many users wondering if they've been inhaling cancer-causing toxins in their sleep.

At least 25 million U.S. adults have sleep apnea, a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts throughout the night, preventing them from getting a good night's sleep. A continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP machine, pushes a steady stream of air into a user's nose and mouth, keeping airways open.

But CPAP users now face the choice of using a machine that the company says could actually hurt their health – or going without, which means they won't get a decent night's sleep.

In June, the manufacturer Philips voluntarily recalled millions of its popular DreamStation CPAP machines because of possible health effects.

Philips said sound-dampening foam used in the DreamStation "may degrade into particles" and "off-gas… chemicals." The FDA says breathing those in could "result in serious injury which can be life-threatening" or "cause permanent impairment" ranging from irritation to asthma… or even "toxic or carcinogenic effects."

"It's caused a lot of anxiety," said Dr. David Claman, the medical director of the Sleep Disorders Center at University of California, San Francisco. He says many of his patients have recalled machines.

CBS News consumer investigative correspondent Anna Werner asked, "What are you telling your patients to do?"

"I'm advising the more severe patients to stay on CPAP. and then I'm to some degree in the milder cases, letting them choose, because I also feel uncomfortable with saying I can't know that this is safe."

Werner heard from some frustrated sleep apnea sufferers, including James Colbert, who described his life 13 years ago before he started using a CPAP machine (including, for the past two years, the Philips DreamStation): "There were times where I would literally fall asleep mid-sentence talking to someone because I was so exhausted from not going to sleep the night before."

Since using CPAP, Colbert said, "I actually woke up refreshed, and could go throughout the course of my day with, you know, a ton of energy that I needed for work or, you know, time with my family."

Jozefa Kozyra, of Lehighton, Pennsylvania, relied on her DreamStation to sleep so she could provide round-the-clock care for her son, Kamil, who has muscular dystrophy.

Kamil told Werner, "She needs to bathe me, dress me, feed me, and other exercises to do during the day."

But since the recall, she said her doctor advised her not to use the machine – and she's struggling without it. "I'm very tired, I'm very slow," said Jozefa.

Werner asked, "How much sleep do you get without the machine?"

"When I don't have machine now, two hours, three hours," she replied.

Her son said Medicare turned her down for a replacement machine, and she can't afford to spend hundreds of dollars to buy a new one.

Kamil said, "She called several times to her insurance and Medicare, and they're saying, because it hasn't been five years, even though it's not her fault at all, they're not willing to pay for a new machine."

Philips now says it will "replace or repair devices" … "within approximately 12 months" once the FDA approves a solution.

It's unclear how many patients have suffered health effects; the company said it received complaints on 0.03 percent of its machines in 2020, including some the FDA sent about "the presence of black debris/particles" in some machines.

Philips said its testing revealed "possible risks," which raises questions for Dr. Claman: "Is this just the tip of the iceberg, or is this all there is?"

As for James Colbert, he said the risks of not wearing the machine are greater than possible unknown health effects, so he's continuing to use his.

"I cannot afford to not use it, because I would get so little sleep in," Colbert said. "And if I slept without it, I would stop breathing so many times during the course of the night."

But he has a message for Philips: "To tell me that it could take up to a year? That's a year that I could be putting myself in jeopardy," Colbert said. "People just cannot afford to wait 12 months for a resolution."

Colbert has also joined a lawsuit against Philips, he said, to push them to act faster on this problem.

Philips did not respond to CBS News' request for comment on the lawsuit. (In April, Philips came out with a new machine, the DreamStation 2, which it says is not affected by this recall.)

Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal is demanding answers about how many people are affected by the recall, and what Philips is doing to help them.

There's one other potential problem that may be coming into play here: many people with the machines use an ozone cleaning system to clean them, and that may be degrading the sound abatement foam faster.

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A new study has found that serious sleep disorders are on the rise in the U.S. military -- conditions that can affect readiness and cause short- and long-term physical and mental health problems for troops and Veterans.

According to research from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, insomnia diagnoses increased 45-fold, and obstructive sleep apnea rose 30-fold, among U.S. service members from 2005 to 2019.

The increases should concern military leaders and doctors as well as the Department of Veterans Affairs, which provides medical treatment for Veterans with service-related conditions, said retired Army Col. (Dr.) Vincent Mysliwiec, a sleep expert and one of the study's authors.

"A large percentage of military Veterans have insomnia and sleep apnea. We're trying to develop a better understanding of the factors that go into sleep disturbances that can develop into sleep disorders in the military," he said.

Rates for insomnia across the services rose consistently beginning in 2005 and peaking in 2015 before dropping slightly. Sleep apnea diagnoses peaked in 2016, but remained higher than they had been previously, according to the research.

The highest rates for both disorders were found in the Army, with more cases diagnosed than expected; the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps had lower-than-expected rates. Yet all services saw increases.

Those most likely to be diagnosed with either disorder were married, male, White, age 40 or older, and higher-ranking enlisted soldiers.

"These findings are concerning because service members across the military branches are otherwise healthy and have similar physical requirements. Their sleep disorders developed and were diagnosed while they were in the military," Mysliwiec said.

Female service members were diagnosed at much lower rates than men. That is not surprising for sleep apnea, which is diagnosed at lower rates in civilian women of military service age than it is in men, but was surprising for insomnia since women generally have a higher prevalence of that disorder, according to Mysliwiec.

"Insomnia is increasingly diagnosed in women Veterans, thus the lower rate of insomnia diagnoses found in our study suggests that female service members are potentially underdiagnosed for this sleep disorder," the researchers wrote. "This is a potentially alarming finding and one that warrants further study."

For the study, the researchers searched the medical records of active-duty Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine personnel for the medical diagnostic codes for the two disorders.

While sleep disorders in the military are always a subject of interest, many studies have focused on a single service -- mainly the Army -- or were based on surveys.

This was the first study to look at diagnoses across the branches, with the exception of the Space Force, which didn't exist at the time, and the Coast Guard, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security.

The authors noted that many factors may have contributed to the larger number of Army personnel receiving diagnoses, including that the service has higher rates of personnel who are overweight -- a contributing factor to sleep apnea -- and soldiers may have better access to medical centers with sleep disorder clinics.

The Army had the first servicewide education program regarding military-appropriate sleep practices, which may have made soldiers more aware of their sleeping habits and prompted them to seek medical care.

Study co-author Alan Peterson said that while deployments were not evaluated in the research, "previous research has shown a strong correlation between deployments and sleep disorders, and deployments combined with other chronic health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.

"In the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, there were longer and more frequent deployments between 2008 and 2012. The Army typically had the longest and most frequent deployments -- 21 months -- compared to 12 to 16 months for the other services," Peterson said.

The researchers said the findings "open the door" to learning about the causes of these disorders in military personnel and advised military medical leadership to give further consideration to interventions, as well as enhanced insomnia screenings for female service members and more widespread screening for sleep apnea among Black troops.

Mysliwiec said he'd like to see more focus on healthy sleep habits and scheduling to ensure that service members don't suffer from disrupted sleep or run the risk of developing a sleep disorder.

"There's this perception that military personnel, in some way, shape or form, cause their sleep disorders. That's just wrong," he said. "'Oh, they drink lots of caffeine. That causes their sleep disorders.' Well, they drink lots of caffeine because they have to work 12-, 14-, 16-hour days and need to stay awake. They have to have a coping mechanism.

"How do we prevent people from needing to get these drinks to stay awake and perform their military duties? And if we do make them work 36 hours, do we give them time to sleep and recover after?" he added.

The study was published in February in the journal Sleep.

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that SLOANE SIGNAL-DEBOSE, age 51, a resident of Slidell, pled guilty to misappropriating funds from a veteran while SIGNAL was the veteran’s fiduciary.

The government filed a one-count bill of information that charged SIGNAL with misappropriation by a veteran’s fiduciary, in violation of Title 38, United States Code, Section 6101. According to court documents, from 2016 until 2018 SIGNAL was a fiduciary for a veteran who needed assistance with the management of his affairs, and controlled the veteran’s finances and bank accounts. During that time, SIGNAL took over $100,000 from the veteran’s accounts, routed it through bank accounts in her own name, ultimately using it as the down payment on a home for SIGNAL that was only in SIGNAL’s name. SIGNAL also used additional funds from the veteran to pay contractors working on SIGNAL’s home. SIGNAL then submitted false records to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs to hide her misuse of the veteran’s funds.

SIGNAL faces up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release after release from prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain to SIGNAL or the gross loss to any victims, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. Judge Sarah S. Vance set the sentencing hearing for February 15, 2023.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas D. Moses is in charge of the prosecution.

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LUBBOCK, Texas (NEWS RELEASE) - Texas Tech University has consistently been recognized when it comes to its service to military members and Veterans. Most recently, Texas Tech ranked on the “Best for Vets: Employers” list by Military Times and as a “Top 10 School” in the Military Friendly® Schools Awards designation by Viqtory.

Texas Tech is one of three universities listed on the “Best for Vets: Employers” list and the only higher education institution in Texas to be ranked. Other employers on the list include Bank of America, Hilton and Southwest Airlines. The university was evaluated on its military-connected job openings, inclusive hiring practices, military caregiver programs, employment retention and other factors.

“Texas Tech is honored to be among the list of employers recognized on Military Times’ ‘Best for Vets’ list,” said LaDonna Johnson, associate managing director of human resources at Texas Tech. “We are incredibly proud to provide support to our military employees.”

Texas Tech employs 228 active service members and Veterans. Throughout the year, employees find support and service through Texas Tech’s Military & Veterans Programs (MVP). The unit exists to assist Veterans and their families in achieving academic, personal and professional success. But support does not stop with employees.

Texas Tech also has roughly 3,600 military-affiliated students enrolled, and their positive experiences are one of many reasons Texas Tech was named a “Top 10 School” in the Military Friendly® Schools Awards designation by Viqtory, a company that creates resources for Veterans. This award is determined by evaluating public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey.

Over 1,800 schools participated in the 2022-2023 survey and Texas Tech ranked No. 9.

This rating takes into account many factors such as academic policies and compliance, admissions and orientation, culture and commitment, financial aid and assistance, graduation and careers, and military student support and retention.

“Over the past year, MVP staff worked tirelessly at improving processes and strengthening our relationships with students, other departments and the community,” said Sierra Mello Miles, director of MVP at Texas Tech. “This allowed us to bolster the support network for our military-affiliated population on campus. Our slogan is ‘#1Family1Mission’ and we mean it. It’s in our hearts to do right by the servicemembers and their families for what they’ve sacrificed. I’m so proud of our team and grateful for our supporters across campus and the community.”

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Hundreds of military installations show unsafe levels of toxic “forever chemicals” in their ground water, including a handful along the Chesapeake Bay, according to a study released Wednesday by the Environmental Working Group.

Using Defense Department records, researchers noted that there are eight bases with between 0.8 and 2.2 million parts per trillion of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, compared to the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limit of 70 parts per trillion.

“The chemicals have seeped into the bay, affecting its wildlife, and potentially harming residents’ food supply and livelihoods,” according to the report. “The contamination underscores the need for swift DoD cleanup.”

Affected sites include Aberdeen Proving Ground, Naval Research Laboratory Blossom Point, Martin State Airport Air National Guard Base, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, the Naval Academy and Naval Research Laboratory Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, as well as Joint Base Langley-Eustis and Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Virginia.

Five of those installations show PFAS contamination above 70 parts per trillion.

Langley, home to Air Force fighter squadrons, reported the highest contamination rate, at more than 2.2 million parts per trillion. PFAS contamination in the military is largely attributed to the used of aqueous film-forming foam, a flame retardant used to put out aircraft and vehicle fires.

All of the sites, save Aberdeen and Blossom Point, are in some stage of remediation, whether it’s investigations or assessments.

“The records also show that PFAS may be present in the groundwater at several other bases near the Chesapeake Bay where DOD has not tested to confirm the presence of PFAS,” according to the report.

Those include Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Fort Monroe, Cheatham Annex and Naval Fuel Depot Craney Island, Virginia, as well as Weide Army Heliport, Navy Recreation Center Solomons and Naval Training Center Bainbridge, Maryland.

Despite DoD efforts to filter drinking water on bases, Chesapeake contamination offers another risk, according to the EWG: seafood.

A 2020 study found PFAS, to the tune of thousands of parts per trillion, in rockfish, oysters and crabs caught in southern Maryland. The Food and Drug Administration does not have a safe consumption limit for PFAS in food.

Though DoD has known about contamination due to fire-fighting foam, efforts to clean it up have come in fits and starts. The services no longer use the foam in training, vastly cutting down exposure, but there have been no major efforts to clean up groundwater around bases beyond filtering what residents drink.

While advocates push for stronger EPA regulations, and legislation that would fund federal clean-up of military bases, a non-toxic firefighting foam still doesn’t exist.

“The rate of progress is defined primarily by the rules that govern our physical world. Physics, chemistry, science,” Richard Kidd, the deputy assistant defense secretary for environment and energy resilience told the House Appropriations Committee in May. “Based on what we know today — and known technology ― frankly, it will be years before we fully define the scope of the problem and with that definition can reflect it in our budget request, and after that, probably decades before cleanup is complete.”

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Have you ever heard of ASMR?

Autonomous sensory meridian response — it’s a brain tingling phenomenon that involves soothing sounds putting people straight to sleep.

“ASMR is a perceptual sensory phenomenon, likened to meditation, which encompasses a pleasant and calming ‘tingling’ sensation localized to the scalp and neck in those able to experience it,” according to an NIH article entitled ‘Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response: What is It? and Why Should We Care?’ “These sensations are triggered by specific auditory and visual stimuli such as whispering, personal attention, and even being the subject of a physician’s clinical examination. People looking to experience ASMR turn to the website “YouTube” where videos have been produced that utilize these triggers. These videos are generally watched by users in a quiet environment to achieve the relaxing effect of ASMR.”

While those YouTube videos typically involve some gentle whispering, unboxing items or tapping plastic, you probably have never been lulled to sleep by the dulcet sounds of rushing water as a submarine makes a dive beneath the waves, until now.

It’s just as soothing as playingEndlessOcean — if you grew up in the 90s and your parents bought you a GameCube. Just kick back and let the water rush over you.

While you are being lulled to sleep though, it’s worth noting that surfacing can be one of the most tense moments for submariners, whether in combat or just entering a crowded harbor. You might call it the calm above the surface.

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MIDLAND, Texas (KOSA) - There’s an odd loophole in military benefits that keeps combat-wounded Veterans who served less than 20 years don’t get retirement benefits.

“You never should really have to think twice about whether your country is going to take care of you,” said Midland resident and Marine Jerry Fuentes.

The loophole affects Veterans like Fuentes, who served for more than a decade and did two combat tours before suffering serious injuries from IED explosion.

“I know it sounds a little odd that injured in combat, 13 years in, would have to fight for retirement, but I honestly did,” Fuentes said.

But what Fuentes gets in retirement is then taken from his disability. Even as he suffers from nerve damage that limits his mobility, as the current law stands, he can’t get both disability and retirement.

“I’ve never seen my military retirement to this date, and that’s where the Major Richard Star Act would come into play,” he said.

The Major Richard Star Act (H.B.1282/S.344) would expand retirement benefits to over 40,000 Veterans whose careers were cut short due to combat injuries. More than 6,000 of those Veterans live in Texas, the most of any state.

A version of the bill exists in both the House and Senate. In a devastating blow, it wasn’t included in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

That could’ve been the end of the Major Richard Star Act, but it’s garnered new life by garnering over 290 co-sponsors in the House. This newfound popularity allows it to potentially come to a vote on the House floor.

“We were all very surprised [we reached 290 sponsors], but we’ve done a fantastic effort engaging with lawmakers and making them aware of the bill,” Fuentes said.

One of those co-sponsors is Rep. August Pfluger (R, TX-11).

“Obviously, I’m a little disappointed that this wasn’t part of the NDAA this year, but that doesn’t mean it can’t come as a standalone bill,” Pfluger said. “I think that’s really the next action, to see how we can get this to the House floor.”

While it seems likely the bill will get to the House floor, the Senate might be more difficult. Support there isn’t as broad, and Texas senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz have not sponsored the legislation. Fuentes said ‘Star Act’ supporters have repeatedly reached out to both senators without success.

CBS7 reached out to both Sen. Cornyn and Sen. Cruz for this story. Sen. Cornyn’s office said they are looking into the legislation. Sen. Cruz did not respond to our request for comment.

Despite not having success reaching some of the state’s highest lawmakers, Fuentes, other Veterans, and a growing number of lawmakers continue battling to help America’s forgotton wounded continues.

“I think in the last few years, the government has made steps in the right direction, but it’s still not to a point where it needs to be,” Pfluger said.

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A Facebook post from Tricare celebrating April as “Autism Acceptance Month” has struck a nerve, with hundreds of military families criticizing the Defense Department for its health care coverage of autism treatment for military families.

Families complained that recent DoD policy changes have resulted in cuts in coverage for autism treatment.

“What a gross post from a group that has made getting services so difficult for hundreds of people,” wrote Meigan Toland, commenting on Tricare’s simple April 8 post.

At last look on April 11, there were 690 comments to the post, which reads: “We can all work to make room for more inclusivity and tolerance with just a little patience, understanding and education. Learn more about Tricare coverage of Autism treatment: www.tricare.mil/autism.

The post “immediately, albeit unintentionally, highlighted the concerns and limitations with the changes in autism care that many military families encounter,” stated a press release from the organization Exceptional Families of the Military.

The responses to the post “are eye-opening, underscoring a problem that needs to be addressed in the military community,” said Austin Carrigg, CEO and founder of the group.

In spring 2021, defense officials announced an expansion of the Tricare Comprehensive Autism Care Demonstration program to provide more support to meet families’ needs. There are nearly 16,000 military children diagnosed with autism involved in that program, which began in 2014 and is currently authorized to continue through Dec. 31, 2023.

In response to Military Times’ request for comment, Defense Health Agency officials said the Tricare benefit is unique in its coverage. “Unlike commercial plans, Tricare is defined in statue and regulation, whereas commercial plans tend to have flexibility for various coverage determinations,” said Peter Graves, spokesman for DHA.

“Tricare’s autism benefit is one of the most robust available and provides coverage for occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician services, psychological services, psychological testing, prescription drugs and speech therapy.”

Changes in the demonstration program “focus on providing enhanced beneficiary and family support, improving outcomes, encouraging parental involvement and improving utilization management controls to truly provide a comprehensive benefit,” he said.

Military families have said that among other things, the changes curtailed coverage of Applied Behavioral Analysis, or ABA, services provided in community and school settings, where therapists help children develop skills to deal with real world situations when they may experience sensory overload. Registered behavior technicians are not covered in community or school settings. Board-certified behavior analysts are allowed but only if approved by the Tricare contractor for a limited time.

Unpredictable stressors in community settings can’t be replicated at home, and therapy can’t address behaviors until the behaviors happen, families contend.

“I can recreate a grocery store at home, with a cashier … but I can’t recreate the 80-plus people in the store,” Holly Duncan, an Air Force wife and mother of two children on the autism spectrum, told Military Times. If therapists are allowed to work with students at school, they can reinforce the proper behavior for the child who may not want to sit in her seat and do the work. This also allows the teacher to continue to teach the class.

“We also want to make sure everyone is on the same page” so that the behavior is reinforced to better help the child, said Duncan, co-director of the Autism Family Advocacy Committee for the Exceptional Families of the Military organization.

“Our children already have enough hoops to jump through,” commented Lana Lazar-Amaro on the Tricare page. “Limiting ABA to clinic settings only makes it nearly impossible for our children to receive the necessary therapy hours when they are school age.”

Graves said “Tricare is consistent with commercial and Medical plans regarding the exclusion of ABA services in the school setting,” and cited as examples the Federal Employee Health Benefits plans, Texas Medicaid and Cigna.

In a Dec. 21 letter to the Defense Department, Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York said they began hearing from families about the adverse consequences of the changes shortly after they took effect. They requested more information about the changes and the steps DoD is taking to support military families with beneficiaries diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Military families on Facebook repeatedly cited problems with bureaucratic processes that often cause disruptions in a child’s treatment. Treatment plans have to be submitted to Tricare every six months now. Waiting lists for appointments compound the difficulties.

“I’m on edge, wondering if we’ll be able to be approved,” said Dr. Jennifer Bittner, an Army spouse who, with Duncan, is co-director of the Autism Family Advocacy Committee.

Bittner, who was previously a practicing child and adolescent therapist, wants to ensure that her child receives a quality treatment plan that supports his needs, not just one that “checks the boxes” for Tricare, she said. “I can’t tell you the amount of stress I go through every six months wondering if services are going to be stopped” if the plan isn’t approved, she told Military Times.

Some commenters called for coverage of additional alternate therapies. “There are therapies that families want for their children that aren’t being offered through the autism care demonstration,” Duncan said. “Those who don’t choose ABA for their families are left behind. That’s not okay. ABA is not a one-size-fits-all therapy. We need other therapies offered for families.”

For example, she’d like Tricare to also cover social skills groups, which is not covered under the autism care demonstration.

“Tricare, please stop with the acceptance and awareness spiel until you put together accessible, meaningful coverage that addresses issues instead of making families’ lives so much more difficult,” commented Kristin Proffitt on the Tricare Facebook page. “After 10 years with 2 children on the spectrum, your callous and arbitrary changes to their services and the steps you have actively taken to make therapy less accessible … has caused our family more stress and harm than their diagnosis ever would.”

Kira Barrett-Voelker called the Tricare post “a slap in the face.

“As a health-care provider with a child on the spectrum, all you’ve done is reinforce society’s negative view of autistic individuals,” she wrote. “It’s not just ABA that’s the issue. It’s becoming increasingly more difficult to find any therapy or provider, even in big cities, that will work with Tricare.”

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WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss announced today that the United States has filed a complaint in partial intervention against Connections Community Support Programs, Inc. (“Connections”) in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The United States alleges that Connections violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting claims for payment to Medicare and Medicaid that falsely represented the identity and professional qualification of individuals providing mental health services.

Connections provides mental health treatment services at facilities located throughout Delaware. Medicare regulations and policies only allow providers to bill for mental health services rendered by individuals holding specific professional qualifications. Delaware Medicaid regulations and policies similarly condition whether mental health services can be reimbursed, and at which fee rate, on the professional qualification of the rendering provider.

The United States alleges that from at least January 2015 through October 2019, Connections submitted over 4,000 claims to Medicare in which it falsely certified that an individual holding an eligible qualification provided mental health services to Medicare beneficiaries when, in reality, a different Connections staff member who did not hold an eligible qualification provided the mental health service. With respect to Medicaid, the United States alleges that Connections submitted over 250,000 false claims that resulted in either full or partial overpayments due to Connections falsely certifying to the licensure or education level of the rendering provider. As a result of the false claims Connections submitted to Medicare and Medicaid, the United States alleges that Connections was paid more than $4,500,000 for mental health services for which it was not entitled to reimbursement.

“Federal healthcare regulations and policies that govern mental health services exist to ensure that Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries are treated by qualified professionals,” said U.S. Attorney Weiss. “We expect all providers to submit claims that are true, accurate, and complete, and entrust that they will do so. Connections violated that trust, and in the process, defrauded Medicare and Medicaid out of more than $4.5 million dollars. My office is committed to pursuing all providers who submit false claims to federal healthcare programs to obtain money to which they are not entitled.”

The original complaint was filed in 2019 under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which allow private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and receive a share of any recovery. The act permits the United States to intervene in whole or in part in such actions, as the government has done here. Those who violate the Act are subject to treble damages and applicable penalties.

The matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the Delaware Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The investigation and litigation are being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura D. Hatcher and Jesse S. Wenger.

The claims asserted by the United States are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

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The Pentagon had over 7,800 reports of sexual assault involving service members in 2020

Seven top U.S. military leaders have issued letters weighing in on the Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act of 2021.

The proposed legislation, which has received bipartisan support, would move the decision on whether to prosecute serious crimes to independent, trained, and professional military prosecutors while leaving misdemeanors and uniquely military crimes within the chain of command.

It would also:

• Ensure the Department of Defense helps criminal investigators and military prosecutors develop the necessary skills needed to properly handle investigations and cases related to sexual assault and domestic violence.
• Require the Secretary of Defense to survey and improve the physical security of military installations to increase safety in lodging and living spaces for service members.
• Increase and improve training and education on military sexual assault throughout the armed services.

While chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark A Milley, said he remains "open-minded to all solutions," he believes the decision to remove commanders from prosecution decisions and processes may have "an adverse effect on readiness, mission accomplishment, good order and discipline, justice, unit cohesion, trust, and loyalty between commanders and those they lead."

"I urge caution to ensure any changes to commander authority to enforce discipline be rigorously analyzed, evidence-based, and narrow in scope, limited only to sexual assault and related offenses, Milley added. "It is my belief we have not made sufficient progress in recent years to eliminate sexual assault, and we have consequently lost the trust and confidence of many Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Guardians in the chain of command’s ability to adjudicate these serious crimes."

Army Chief of Staff General James McConville said the move would be "detrimental to the good order and discipline required for effective warfighting." He recommended that if Congress decides to proceed with the bill, it should only apply to rape and sexual assault offenses and that any changes to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) be implemented on a trial basis of three years.

Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael Gildray said the proposal "erodes the ability of commanders to create and maintain the environment necessary to effectively exercise mission command." He also expressed concern that if the bill goes into effect without careful implementation, there is a "significant risk that cases may be delayed during trial or overturned on appeal."

"This, in turn, would erode confidence in the system and re-victimize victims," Gildray added. "Quite frankly, we will not prosecute our way to fewer cases. Rather, our efforts must begin far to the left of the crime and involve cultural transformation, education, and leadership, and accountability."

Commandant of the Marine Corps, General David Berger, said he would be forced to "reduce funding and structure elsewhere in our military legal system" if the bill is approved and argued the legislation "would seem to lengthen the process, limit flexibility, and potentially reduce confidence among victims."

"It is unclear to me whether or not the bill would promote the interests of justice by increasing accountability for perpetrators of sexual assault," Berger said. "The bill would challenge the timely administration of military justice in combat and forward-deployed environments by creating delays and procedural uncertainty, distracting commanders from their combat mission. We should guard against that outcome."

He believes the 180-day implementation timeline is insufficient to reconfigure the military justice system.

"No matter what changes are made, commanders must remain connected to the military justice process," Berger added.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Brown said he was unsure if removing commanders' authority to act on certain offenses will impact the occurrence of sexual assault "to the degree we all desire and need"

"Removing elements of authority will likely create some risk, particularly if poorly scoped, communicated, or implemented," Brown said. "That does not mean we should not try new measures if we believe they will increase accountability and reduce sexual assaults. However, supporting analysis associated with any proposed changes would be beneficial in determining the best approaches and the way forward on implementation…Implementation should reinforce commander’s responsibilities in the process, not relieve them from it."

Chief of Space Operations General John Raymond argued that removing the ability to enforce discipline in sexual assault and harassment cases would risk commanders' focus on prevention efforts.

"If the MJIIPA were enacted as written, covering a broad range of offenses, it would have the potential to adversely affect good order and discipline and weaken the readiness of our forces," Raymond said. "Any changes such as those proposed in the MJIIPA must be properly resourced and implemented on a timeline that ensures trusted and effective administration of justice from the start."

National Guard Bureau Chief Gen. Daniel Hokanson said the legislative changes to the UCMJ would "make the federal military justice practice more complex and specialized, further increasing the distinctions between the federalized and non-federalized processes."

"I am concerned that the scope of the proposed changes in the legislation goes beyond the military commander’s authority to address military sexual assaults to a much broader set of offenses," Hokanson said. "Such a significant change could have serious adverse impacts on the commander’s authority to execute the military justice responsibilities inherent in military command."

Three- and four-star military officials are required following confirmation in the Senate to commit to providing their personal views on matters when asked, even if they differ from the opinion of the presidential administration.

"I’m grateful to General Milley, General McConville, Admiral Gilday, General Berger, General Brown, General Raymond, and General Hokanson for their candor, Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Inhofe said in a statement. "Like all of us, they want to create a military environment where every service member can flourish, safe in the knowledge that their teammates have their backs. I know I can count on each of these officers to keep working with me and the rest of the Armed Services Committee to see that through."

In fiscal year 2020, the Department of Defense received 7,816 reports of sexual assault involving service members, nine less than the 7,825 reports received the prior fiscal year. The decrease was due to fewer reports from civilians against Service members as alleged offenders and fewer reports from Service members about pre-service incidents. Roughly 6,290 of the incidents occurred during military service, a 54% increase compared to the fiscal year 2019 total of 6,236. The Department received an additional 912 reports from United States civilians and foreign nationals who alleged a sexual assault by a service member, and 614 reports from service members who sought assistance for a sexual assault that occurred before military service.

In February, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin directed new initiatives to counter sexual assault and harassment in the military, including establishing a 90-day Independent Review Commission (IRC) to improve how the Department addresses sexual assault and sexual harassment, assessing compliance with sexual assault and harassment policies and prevention efforts, conducting evaluations at high-risk installations, and establishing a violence prevention workforce.

Other recommendations implemented include drafting proposed executive orders establishing a specific crime of sexual harassment and expanding judicial authorities to adjudicate pre-referral matters, issuing guidance for commanders to keep victims informed of the status of their cases, developing and enhancing training and education of sexual assault initial disposition authorities, extending the Defense Advisory Committee on the Investigation, Prosecution and Defense of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces for an additional 5-year term, and protecting confidentially provided information about alleged offenders and incidents through its CATCH program.

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As a military spouse, you’re qualified, educated and ready to serve. You have a unique perspective and understanding of what it means to care for our nation’s heroes. Here at VA, we value this experience.

We also know you bring so much more to the table.

That’s why we’ve partnered with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) program. The career program connects military spouses with more than 390 affiliated employers who have committed to recruit, hire, promote and retain military spouses in jobs everywhere.

“VA is thrilled to help DOD and military installations engage military spouses in conversations about career opportunities caring for our nation’s Veterans,” said Tracey Therit, Chief Human Capital Officer at the Office of Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security and Preparedness. “We are using every method — communications, job feeds, social networking and more — to provide information on the federal hiring process and links to real opportunities at VA.”

Finding opportunities to grow

There are over 600,000 active duty military spouses worldwide. Of those actively seeking employment, 30% are unemployed and 56% underemployed.

How are MSEP and VA making sure you get the chance to apply for a meaningful and rewarding career? Quite a bit, in fact.

On USAJobs, we tag VA jobs ideal for military spouses. We highlight key information — remote work opportunities, flexible work schedules, child care and health benefits — on our job announcements.

For positions covered under Title 5 hiring authority, we use noncompetitive procedures approved by the Office of Personnel Management. That means when you apply to become a VA accountant, police officer or human resource specialist and meet the minimum qualifications, you’re hired.

We also work with DoD to identify spouses with health care experience or training as a physician, nurse, social worker or occupational therapist. These VHA-administered positions do not require application through USAJobs.

Choose VA today

A career with VA is meaningful and mission-driven — and our total rewards benefits package consistently edges out those offered by the private sector. Keep an eye on this space for more on how military spouses can benefit from choosing a VA career.

• SEARCH for open positions using “military spouses” as a keyword.
• WATCH Tracey Therit discuss VA’s commitment to hiring military spouses.
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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced a new clinical trial to study convalescent plasma for treating seriously ill COVID-19 patients as part of a larger effort to give Veterans faster access to potential COVID-19 treatments and test the treatments’ effectiveness.

The trial is the first of multiple studies in VA Coronavirus Research and Efficacy Studies (VA CURES), a master protocol that offers a standardized framework for studying potential treatments for COVID-19 without the need for a new study design and protocol each time.

“This trial will go a long way toward helping in the fight against COVID-19,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “VA CURES will provide valuable information that will benefit our Veterans who are battling COVID-19, as well as other patients and the medical community in general.”

The trial will enroll around 700 Veterans with COVID-19 who are hospitalized at VA medical centers. A study team will randomize the study volunteers to receive either convalescent plasma or a saline placebo, and track and assess recovery and effects of the treatment.

Convalescent plasma is donated by people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies against the virus in their blood. Antibodies are proteins the body makes to fight infections.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) previously authorized the use of convalescent plasma as an investigational treatment for COVID-19 through FDA’s expanded access program. The program, used widely throughout the nation, including at many VA sites, ended Aug. 28. FDA has since authorized the emergency use of the therapy based on the available scientific evidence to date. FDA stresses further evidence from rigorous trials — such as the new VA study — is “critically important” for establishing safety and efficacy.

Visit VA COVID-19 research for more information.

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What is Jet Fuel?

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), jet propulsion fuel-5 (JP-5) and jet propulsion fuel-8 (JP-8) are kerosene-based fuels used in military aircraft. “Jet A,” the type of fuel used in civilian aircraft, is sometimes used in military aircraft as well. All three types of jet fuel (i.e., JP-5, JP-8, and Jet A) colorless liquids that are flammable and smell like kerosene. Jet fuel is composed of hydrocarbons, which are compounds that only contain the elements carbon and hydrogen. Hydrocarbons are found naturally in the earth as crude oil.

Effect on Environment

Many things can happen when JP-5, JP-8, and Jet A enter the environment. Per ATSDR, some individual components of the fuels will evaporate into the air from open containers or when they are spilled into water or soil. Essentially, the chemicals may be broken down by reacting with sunlight or other chemicals in the air. However, certain chemicals in may slowly move from the soil to the groundwater and subsequently attach to particles in the water and sink to the bottom sediment.

In some cases, the jet fuel chemicals will be broken down by bacteria and other organisms in soil and water, thereby preventing attachment to water particles and bottom sediment. Nevertheless, some chemicals in JP-5, JP-8, and Jet A may stay in the soil for more than a decade, posing serious environmental and health risks.

Veterans Exposed to Jet Fuel

Sadly, many Veterans may have been exposed to jet fuel while serving on active duty. Exposure can occur in a number of ways, including the following:

• Working with such products
• Living very close to where the products are used or may have been spilled
• Breathing air in an area where an accident or leak has occurred
• Drinking water or touching soil contaminated with JP-5, JP-8, or Jet A
• Swimming in waters where spillage has occurred
• Working refueling military or civilian aircraft
• Transporting jet fuels (especially if protective clothing is not worn)
• Living near a hazardous waste site where these such products are disposed of

As such, Veterans with military occupational specialties related to working on aircraft were likely at risk of coming into contact with jet fuel; however, other Veterans may have come into contact as well due to its environmental presence. Please note that the list included above is non-exhaustive, meaning there are additional ways in which Veterans may have been exposed that are not noted herein.

There is limited research to show that jet fuel was sometimes mixed with Agent Orange and various pesticides during the Vietnam-era, as well.

Health Effects Associated with Jet Fuel Exposure

According to VA, possible health effects of jet fuel exposure depend on how Veterans were exposed (i.e., skin, oral, or breathing), length of time exposed, and personal factors (e.g., age, gender, genetic traits, diet). Unfortunately, little is known about the effects of JP-5, JP-8, and Jet A; however, results from several studies of military personnel suggest that exposure to jet fuel can affect the nervous system. Historically, observed effects include changes in reaction time and in other tests of neurological function.

Additional studies have been conducted with laboratory animals to explore the effects of exposure. Such studies found that exposure to high levels of jet fuel resulted in damage to the liver, decreased immune response, impaired performance on neurological tests, impaired hearing, and skin alterations. These findings are consistent with VA’s public health warnings regarding exposure. Specifically, VA’s reported health effects include:

• Irritation to unprotected skin
• Eye and upper respiratory irritation
• Fatigue
• Breathing difficulty
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Sleep disturbances
• Hearing problems
• Lung and heart problems (if exposed to very high levels over a long period of time)

Hearing Problems

New VA research has shown that hearing problems are linked to jet fuel exposure. Dr. O’Neil Guthrie, a research scientist and clinical audiologist with the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System in California, states, “even at subtoxic levels, the exposure is affecting the brain and resulting in auditory processing dysfunctions.” Importantly, auditory processing dysfunctions are changes that occur inside the brain rather than the ear. This means that the issue does not involve typical deafness or inability to hear sound. Instead, the issue is that the brain cannot interpret the sound or decipher the message, making communication very difficult. There is currently no treatment for such auditory processing dysfunctions.

Cancer

So far, several studies have examined the potential connection between exposure to jet fuel and various types of cancer. However, the studies did not provide conclusive results due to significant limitations. As of now, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency have not classified JP-5, JP-8, or Jet A fuels “as to their carcinogenicity” (i.e., tendency to produce cancer). On the other hand, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified these types as “Group 3 carcinogens” (i.e., not cancer-causing to humans).

VA Service Connection for Jet Fuel Exposure

Currently, there is no presumption of service connection related to jet fuel exposure. Therefore, Veterans must establish service connection for conditions related to jet fuel exposure on a direct basis. This means that Veterans will need to demonstrate the following:

• A current diagnosis of a qualifying medical condition;
• An in-service event (i.e., exposure); and
• A medical nexus linking the current, diagnosed condition to the in-service exposure

Here, the most important element of service connection will be the medical nexus. Veterans must obtain a positive medical nexus stating that their condition is “at least as likely as not” due to their in-service exposure to jet fuel. Veterans can submit additional evidence to support their claims, such as research, scientific studies, and medical literature pertaining to the effects of exposure described above.

Once service connection is established, VA will assign a disability rating based on the specific condition for which the Veteran is claiming benefits.

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The Department of Veterans Affairs continues to have difficulty with the “special challenge” of processing military sexual trauma-related claims, according to a report released Thursday by the VA Office of Inspector General. Errors during claim processing, and a failure to implement recommendations from a 2018 IG report, resulted in the VA prematurely denying benefits to potentially thousands of veterans, the report found.

Overall, the VA estimates roughly 57 percent of denied military sexual trauma claims were still not processed correctly, an increase from 49 percent during a similar review in 2018.

“The OIG concluded that VBA was not properly implementing recommended changes to assist veterans who had experienced military sexual trauma in obtaining the care and benefits to which they are entitled,” the review states in its findings.

Thursday’s review by the VAOIG is a follow-up to an August 2018 report, which laid out six recommendations for improving the process of MST claims and reviewing previously denied claims to ensure their accuracy. Ultimately, investigators determined that the VBA did not effectively implement the recommendations, leading to continued deficiencies in claims processing.

The review states that VBA took “steps” to implement the six recommendations laid out in the 2018 report. However, the VBA did not “monitor” the process “for compliance.” Leading investigators to conclude that “inadequate governance” of the MST claims “undermined” what the VA calls a “special obligation” to help those claiming MST.

“VBA should have created controls to ensure this policy was enforced and to hold both offices and individuals accountable for deficiencies,” the report reads.

While the VBA continues to struggle with processing MST claims, the report also details the hurdles veterans face in making such a claim in the first place. According to the report, the Defense Department estimates two-thirds of sexual assaults in the military go unreported. As a result, evidence of trauma necessary for a claim of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder related to MST is often difficult to “produce or validate.” That’s resulted in what the OIG deems a “special challenge” for the VA.

VA officials say they’ve begun taking corrective action.

“VA takes its responsibility extremely seriously in its mission to provide the necessary care and resources to individuals recovering from the devastating impact of MST. VA has already begun taking necessary action,” VA spokesman Terrence Hays told Military Times in an email.

While processing claims related to MST is complex for many reasons, the VAOIG recommended additional actions that the VA should take.

These include establishing a procedure to correct previous errors on claims; developing and monitoring a plan to address identified deficiencies in the MST claim process; effectively implementing and promoting compliance as related to the 2018 report; and developing a written plan to strengthen communication, oversight, and accountability of military sexual trauma claims processing.

“Bottom line is that we will make all necessary steps to ensure those impacted by military sexual trauma have the absolute-best care VA can offer,” Hayes said.

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VA will extend the existing moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, as well as extend VA loan forbearance requests, to June 30, because of COVID-19.

The current moratorium extensions for evictions and foreclosures were set to end March 31.

“We will do everything in our power to help Veterans, their families, survivors and our caregivers get through this pandemic,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “The department’s moratorium and forbearance extensions support President Biden’s Jan. 22 Executive Order to deliver economic relief to Americans amid the COVID-19 crisis by addressing economic hardships the Veteran community faces, through no fault of its own, during the ongoing pandemic.”

A forbearance allows Veterans time to resolve the reason that they can’t pay the regular monthly installment and get back on a regular monthly repayment schedule again. The missed payments due at the end of a forbearance period do not have to be made up in a single payment. However, if Veterans can make up the all the payments in a lump sum and resume making regular monthly mortgage payments, then they may do so.

VA’s Borne the Battle podcast previously tackled questions that many borrowers are facing during the pandemic, providing answers to questions on homeownership, borrowing, forbearance, VA Loans, complaint filing, and tips on financial decision-making during the pandemic.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has a “Find a Counselor” tool to find counseling agencies approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Veterans can also call the HOPE™ Hotline open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at (888) 995-HOPE (4673) for personalized advice. Other mortgage and financial resources are available at: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/coronavirus/.

VA borrowers experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 can review VA guidance for borrowers or call 877-827-3702 for additional information.

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The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced it is helping 38 states and territories with their response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), providing care, services and supplies to hundreds of non-Veterans in this time of uncertainty.

In coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), VA has deployed doctors, nurses and nursing aides to state-run nursing homes in several states where COVID-19 has emerged among vulnerable populations.

Most recently, VA dispatched more than 80 medical professionals to 26 non-VA nursing homes in Florida. These employees have begun rotations at the facilities to deliver direct care and advice about controlling infectious diseases.

The Florida mission follows an April 19-June 1 deployment of 90 VA nursing staff to two state-run nursing homes in New Jersey. VA has deployed staff to other state-run nursing homes in Alabama, Massachusetts and Tennessee, and is coordinating similar requests for help across the nation.

The department’s experience in caring for more complex nursing home patients makes its nursing home workforce a valuable service during this national emergency.

“Americans are coming together to fight COVID-19 in ways we haven’t seen since World War II and VA is proud to provide crucial support to non-Veteran nursing home residents around the country,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “Our ‘Fourth Mission’ is to serve all Americans in times of crisis and VA is here for the duration.”

Also, in coordination with FEMA, VA has committed to opening 1,500 beds in VA facilities to treat COVID-19 patients and ease the stress that some local hospital networks are facing.

During the last few weeks, the VA facility in Rhode Island cared for 7 community nursing home patients and the VA facility in Bedford, Massachusetts cared for 10 state Veterans Home patients.

Additionally, to help the U.S. Naval Ship Comfort close out its mission in New York, remaining patients were transferred and are being cared for by VA New York Harbor Health Care System and James J. Peters “Bronx” VA Medical Center. As part of VA’s Fourth Mission to help community hospitals with humanitarian patients through the COVID-19 pandemic, VA received 12 patients over the past few days: 11 patients are now being cared for by VA health care providers in Brooklyn and Manhattan, while the Bronx has accepted a Veteran patient from the ship.

VA facilities in California, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas have also taken in non-Veteran patients, and dozens of intensive care unit and medical/surgical beds have been made available in Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, New York, Oregon and Washington.

The department is also aiding non-Veteran patients in American Samoa, California, Guam, Iowa, North Carolina and Texas.

In addition to VA’s work with FEMA, VA is providing a range of services to Veterans and their families in more than a dozen states on its own. For example, VA’s Mobile Vet Centers are offering counseling services and outreach to health care workers, and screening assistance in Colorado, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Texas. In South Dakota, a Mobile Vet Center is providing blood drawing services.

VA is working with several other states on a range of services, such as the provision of masks and test kits, in Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, NewMexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

States that require assistance from VA should request it through their local Department of Health and Human Services Regional Emergency Coordinator — part of FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center. Counties, cities and other municipalities should route all requests for federal support through their respective states.

VA continues to encourage Veterans, staff members and their families to take precautions to protect against respiratory illnesses caused by COVID-19, the flu and the common cold, and to follow the guidance of their local and state health care and emergency management officials.

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Plan to visit a VA health care facility? Here’s what to expect

By now, you’ve heard about the coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19, that’s causing illness around the world.

Fortunately, VA is ready. We have plans in place to protect everyone who gets care, visits or works at one of our facilities.

For Veterans, families and visitors, that means your VA visit will be different for a while.

Call before visiting

If you’re a Veteran seeking medical care, call your VA health facility if you have symptoms of the virus. Or sign in to My HealtheVet and send a secure message. You may be able to get diagnosed and receive care through VA telehealth without having to come in at all.

If you visit a VA health care facility, you will be asked screening questions

VA health care facilities are adding protocols to ensure the safety of its patients and visitors. If you visit a VA hospital, clinic, community living center or other health care facility, you’ll be met at the entrance by a staff member. They will greet you and ask screening questions. Depending on your answers, a VA health care professional will assist you on the next steps of your visit. Some facilities, especially community living centers, may have visitor restrictions in place. Call before visiting so you’re aware of changes.

Leave time for screening

If you’re a Veteran coming in for an appointment, plan to leave home earlier than usual to allow time for the screening.

We’re doing all we can to make sure everyone in every VA facility — patients, families, visitors, staff and anyone else — stays as safe as possible during this situation.

For the latest VA updates on coronavirus and common-sense tips on preventing the spread of disease, visit https://www.publichealth.va.gov/n-coronavirus/.

For more information about coronavirus, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

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VA has provided life insurance for over 100 years to our nation’s service members, Veterans, and their dependents. Life insurance protects loved ones financially after the death of the insured. When selecting the coverage type and amount that is best for you, it’s important to keep in mind the purpose of life insurance, which includes income replacement, end of life costs, and financial flexibility.

VA Life Insurance offers several benefit options:

• Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (Serving)
• Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (Serving)
• Traumatic Injury Protection under Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (Serving)
• Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (Separation from Service)
• Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (Service Connection)
• Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance (Severely Service Disabled)

Once you’ve identified the life insurance program that best suits your stage of the journey from service member to Veteran, VA offers a variety of products and services that make obtaining and maintaining a policy efficient and easy. The VA Life Insurance website has several key features that allow you to:

• Apply for coverage
• Select electronic payment options
• File claims
• Upload documents
• Download forms

In the near future, policyholders will have the ability to pay for premiums using a credit card.

VA Life Insurance consistently seeks out better ways to accomplish its mission and is committed to innovating and collaborating with stakeholders to design customer-centered processes and products. We welcome feedback to help us increase outreach and awareness.

For more information, visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance.

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Listen, there are a lot of benefits to military service. There are so many the military actually hires people to explain them all to you. But chances are good this information was in a handout packet from your Transition Assistance class you didn’t read.

Luckily, I’m going to give you a quick and dirty rundown of the major points. It would behoove you to go seek out the details of these benefits, since they cover basic needs that people will need their whole lives, like income, housing, work and things like that, since your mama and Uncle Sam aren’t footing the bill anymore.

The first thing you need to do is file a claim for your VA benefits. The second thing you need to do is keep following up on it. Based on your submission and the VA’s subsequent (likely terrible) review of your records and a physical exam, the VA will designate a disability rating for you and assess if any of your chronic conditions are a result of your military service. If they find a condition like that, they call it a “service-connected disability” and will take care of that condition for the rest of your days. If they find enough things wrong with you that are related to service, they’ll just take care of all of you for life. You will also get a check in the mail every month to help ease your pain.

See how important that is? So you are strongly advised not to go through this process by yourself. Once you give up your military medical records, you will likely never see them again so you should photocopy everything and fill out your VA disability claim with an expert. Many Veterans Service Organizations (Like the American Legion) are more than just old guys sitting around drinking beer in the middle of the day. They can connect you with someone who can shepherd you through this process. If you do nothing else, take the time to do this right before you go to that new job or start school.

Now, if you decided more education isn’t for you, that’s okay. Be sure you transfer those G.I. Bill benefits to your spouse or children, though. But if you’re six months away from your discharge date, you still need to get moving. It’s time to find a job for yourself. By now you should at least have a post-military career resume squared away and know what field you want to go into. If you’re looking to go into government, you’re in luck, the government’s Veterans preference policy gives you an edge over other applicants. Governmental agencies are required by Congress to weigh their applicants with this preference.

Not everyone automatically gets Veterans preference. There are even different levels of it. You also need to be discharged under an honorable or general discharge, so I hope you kept your nose clean. You get a ten-point preference if you have a service-connected disability with the VA or were awarded the Purple Heart. You have a five-point preference if you are authorized to wear a campaign or expeditionary medal. There are actually a few gray areas and exceptions to these rules, so be sure to actually look up the details before you start applying.

The next thing we need to talk about isn’t something everyone in the military just gets, but it can be clutch when finding a job if you do have it: your security clearance. Chances are good that somehow the military actually trusted you with sensitive information. Lucky you.

If your military career required a security clearance and you want to do the same job as a civilian, you’re still gonna need it. Even if you’re looking to work in another field but still need a clearance, that clearance is going to save your new company time and money in hiring you, and they know it. So don’t go crazy after your last day in the military and lose that clearance. You can still pull stupid stunts when you retire from your $200,000/year aerospace defense job, so don’t risk it all now.

That’s not even the biggest benefit. There is one benefit so powerful as soon as you activate it, your phone will not stop ringing and your email inbox will explode: the VA Home Loan. The VA guarantees part of these loans, making them so attractive to lenders, they’ll throw themselves at you like you’re a female deployed to a tent city. If you’re smart about this, you’ll know exactly what kind of interest rate you want and how much you can afford. Do your research and get the right loan, the banks will take your money but they won’t do the legwork for you.

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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is coming under fire as the number of Veterans and health care workers infected with coronavirus within its system continues to mount.

Critics say the department is not doing enough to protect both Veterans and workers and is being opaque about supply shortages, death rates and other challenges in confronting the crisis.

More than 6,000 VA patients have been diagnosed with COVID-19, and 400 have died. Meanwhile, more than 2,000 VA health care workers have gotten the coronavirus, with 20 deaths.

The numbers as well as reports of equipment rationing have left lawmakers and Veterans groups demanding answers from the department and the White House coronavirus task force.

“They are the second largest agency within the federal government,” said Jeremy Butler, the CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

“So if there's anyone that should be a part of this national conversation coming out of administration, it's the VA. But we don't see any VA representation at the president's daily coronavirus briefings. We're not seeing anywhere near the level of media and public outreach from the VA like we see with the Department of Defense, who's also on the front lines of this,” he added.

Officials have defended the department’s response. In an emailed statement, VA press secretary Christina Noel said the department’s personal protective equipment (PPE) “practices are keeping Veterans and employees safe during challenging times, and the numbers prove it.”

She cited an infection rate for Veterans Health Administration employees of less than 1 percent, compared with 2.1 percent at Detroit’s Henry Ford Health System and 4.4 percent at the University of Washington Medicine.

“We understand that this national emergency has generated concern among some employees, but the department continues to be successful in helping America fight COVID-19,” she said.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal this month, VA Secretary Robert Wilkie acknowledged VA health centers did not have PPE for an “optimal situation” because normal supply chains “cannot be maintained in a once-in-a-century crisis.”

But the department had enough equipment to follow crisis guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, he added.

In a second interview with the Journal published Wednesday, Wilkie acknowledged the department was slow to publicly disclose the extent of its mask shortages but suggested criticism is a matter of hindsight.

“It’s easy to be wise after the event,” he said.

“Are there a lot of things I would want to have that we had to disperse to the rest of the country because they were suffering? Sure,” Wilkie added. “Do I have what I need to combat this? Yes.”

Wilkie’s comment came after several news outlets reported on internal memos that showed the VA rationing protective gear such as N95 respiratory masks even as VA officials publicly said it faced no shortages.

In addition to news reports, a March report from the VA’s inspector general also said “facility leaders expressed concerns related to supplies needed to test patients for COVID-19” and “acknowledged low inventory of personal protective equipment for staff.”

As of Friday, the VA reported 2,003 Veterans Health Administration employees confirmed to have COVID-19 and 20 deaths.

Shortages of PPE have beset hospitals nationwide. But top Democrats this past week said issues at the VA have been exacerbated by “a broken federal procurement and distribution process.”

In a letter to White House coronavirus task force head Vice President Pence, Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee ranking member Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and 15 Democratic colleagues urged greater use of the Defense Production Act to get supplies for the VA.

“Our nation made promises to provide the care our Veterans earned through their service to defend the freedoms we all hold dear. The administration's slow response and lack of a coordinated nationwide effort undermines the services the VA can provide Veterans,” said the letter, co-signed by former presidential candidates Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.).

“VA health care personnel from across the country are reaching out for help because they are afraid for themselves and afraid for their patients,” the letter added. “Those who care for Veterans should not be afraid to wake up every morning, go to work and help save Veterans’ lives.”

Another letter from Senate Democrats this past week to Wilkie led by Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) expressed concern that VA guidance “may be driven not by best practices for VA staff and patients, but by PPE shortages throughout the system.”

The letters followed one earlier this month from House Democrats that asked Pence and acting Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to “immediately allow the Department of Veterans Affairs... to cooperate with Congress” in fighting the coronavirus.

The letter, organized by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.), said information the VA is giving his committee in briefings “stands in stark contrast to what we have heard from VA employees and read in the media regarding PPE shortages at VA medical facilities.”

Pence, for his part, has touted the VA’s response to the crisis as a success, claiming that coronavirus cases have plateaued.

“We are also very proud of our team at the VA,” Pence said Wednesday at the daily White House coronavirus briefing. “The VA has addressed its capacity issues. It’s not seen cases among the Veterans in its facilities increase, so they are deploying teams to focus on nursing homes.”

The next day, the VA reported one of its biggest single-day increases in cases for patients so far. As of Friday, the department said it had 6,474 positive coronavirus cases among Veterans and 400 inpatient deaths.

Terrence Hayes, spokesman for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), said his organization “understands the difficulty that the department, along with other health care systems nationwide, are having as it pertains to securing proper protective equipment for its medical professionals and staff.”

“The VA has assured us on numerous occasions that all essential medical staff have the required PPE to ensure the health and safety of our Veterans and themselves during this pandemic,” he said in a statement. “The VFW will continue to monitor this situation and hold VA accountable during this challenging and unprecedented time because our Veterans’ health remains paramount.”

Other organizations were less diplomatic.

The VA “is just making stuff up,” said Rick Weidman, executive director for policy and government affairs at Vietnam Veterans of America. “They're denying, denying, denying, and just like it's an Agent Orange claim, deny, deny until we all die.”

VA leaders have been holding weekly calls with Veterans organizations, but Weidman dismissed the calls as uninformative.

Weidman said he is concerned Veterans who need to be hospitalized are being told to stay home because of the PPE shortage.

"What they have been doing is telling people, 'Don’t come in. Call.' And when people call, they ask what their symptoms are, and they say, 'Listen, just stay home and rest and let us know if it gets a whole lot worse,'" he said. "One of their problems, why they're telling people not to come in, is because of their shortage of PPE."

Veterans groups are also expressing concern about an analysis released this past week of the use of an anti-malaria drug to treat COVID-19 patients at VA medical centers, saying it is indicative of the larger problem of the department not protecting Veterans well enough.

President Trump has touted the drug, hydroxychloroquine, as a “game changer,” but the analysis found primary outcomes for COVID-19 patients treated with it resulted in higher death rates and the need for mechanical ventilation.

“It kind of all ties into this lack of communication and transparency from the VA, but now I feel like it's even ratcheted up to another level of seriousness because we're talking about testing an unproven drug on Veterans with seemingly dire results and consequences but getting very little information from the VA on the process,” Butler, the CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said.

“It is troubling that it seems there could be a connection between the issues that are being highlighted at the president's level and the lack of communication from the VA,” he added.

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On Veterans Day, Iraq War Veteran Paul Rieckhoff criticized first son Donald Trump Jr. for comparing business deals his family gave up so his father could be president with the sacrifices Veterans made.

"Don Jr. is of age, if he really wants to understand what sacrifice is all about, he can join the military," Rieckhoff told CNN New Day host John Berman.

In a segment of his new book, Triggered: How the Left Thrives on Hate and Wants to Silence Us, Trump Jr. described a visit to Arlington National Cemetery. While his father, then-President-Elect Donald Trump, stood in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Army played "Taps," which is performed at military funerals, Trump Jr. said he thought about his family's sacrifices.

"In that moment, I also thought of all the attacks we'd already suffered as a family, and about all the sacrifices we'd have to make to help my father succeed—voluntarily giving up a huge chunk of our business and all international deals to avoid the appearance that we were 'profiting off the office,'" Trump Jr. wrote, according to Axios.

Rieckhoff, who founded the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) organization, told Berman this was an example of how the president and his family are "tone-deaf about what it means to serve." While he acknowledged there are many different ways to serve your country, he called comparing losing business deals to the Veterans buried at Arlington "ridiculous."

"Unfortunately, that's the kind of tone that's permeated the last three years of this administration," Rieckhoff said.

Rieckhoff wasn't alone in finding Trump Jr. comparing his own experience to those who served in the military to be inappropriate. Veteran Army Major Richard Ojeda posted on Twitter that the first son should be "banned from that hallowed ground."

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U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene disparaged the 1.33 million active-duty U.S. Department of Defense members, including the 481,254 active-duty U.S. Army members by declaring that joining America’s Armed Forces is “like throwing your life away.”

Now she’s facing the consequences, including blowback from her fellow members of Congress who served or have served in the U.S. Military, and other Veterans.

Vote Vets, an advocacy group that represents over 1.5 million Veterans, military families, and their supporters, accused Rep. Greene of supporting traitors and being a traitor herself.

U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), a current Lt. Colonel and pilot serving in the U.S. Air National Guard, derided the Georgia Republican Congresswoman as an “absolute idiot,” and took Kevin McCarthy to task as well, lamenting that Greene will “still will be praised by people like” ⁦the House GOP Minority Leader,⁩ “because, well, money and speakership.”

“She has no clue why we join to serve our country,” declared U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), an Iraq War Veteran who served in the U.S. Marines. “Nor does she understand how the military works. When you are a selfish person you can’t understand selfless people.”

Retired Army officer and Iraq War Veteran Fred Wellman, a former executive director of the Lincoln Project who served 22 years in the Army and did four tours of duty, according to his bio at the National Military Spouse Network, did not hold back.

“This is the anti-military kind of lies we’ve come to expect from the performative jackassery wing of the GOP,” Wellman said. “Selfless service makes no sense to people like Greene, Gaetz, and Trump. Every generation of my family has served. She only serves herself.”

Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and F-15 fighter pilot Jim Hendren, an independent Arizona state Senator and former Republican:

"Not my son and I know a lot of young people don't want to have anything to do with that. It's like throwing your life away."

Well, it is my son. He's not throwing his life away. He's defending your freedom to say such idiotic things.

Intelligence and foreign policy analyst Malcolm Nance, a former U.S. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer specializing in naval cryptology called Greene “MoscowMarge” and accused her of working for Russia.

“Marjorie Taylor Greene (Q-GA) says joining the US military is ‘like throwing your life away … Not to mention how they’ve been forced to take the vaccine,'” notes retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Moe Davis, a former Guantanamo Chief Prosecutor. “You can’t support anti-American scum like MTG and her ilk and say you’re an ‘American Patriot.'”

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Veterans criticized Republican Senator Ted Cruz on Thursday after he complained about a U.S. Army recruiting ad that was featured in a viral clip comparing it with a Russian military ad.

The video starts with the Russian ad, depicting soldiers doing pushups, parachuting out of an airplane and aiming their weapons as dramatic music reaches a crescendo in the background. It then pivots quickly to an animated Army clip of a female soldier raised by two mothers who decides to join the U.S. Army.

The video was originally shared on TikTok and now has more than 3 million views on Twitter. Cruz was apparently not a fan and tweeted out, "Holy crap. Perhaps a woke, emasculated military is not the best idea...."

The senator faced backlash on social media from Veterans, lawmakers and others following his remarks. Retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel and Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, who lost both of her legs while serving in Iraq, took issue with Cruz's comment.

"Holy crap," Duckworth tweeted. "Perhaps a U.S. Senator shouldn't suggest that the *Russian* military is better than the American military that protected him from an insurrection he helped foment?"

VoteVets, a political group that supports Veterans and promotes liberal causes, also criticized Cruz.

"Ted Cruz attacks a US Army soldier for telling her story, says he prefers Russians. Because Ted Cruz is a sedition-loving traitor," the group wrote.

Amy McGrath, a former U.S. Marine who ran against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell last year, also took aim at Cruz. "Dear @tedcruz- you have no idea what being a warrior is all about. Signed, all women who have worn the uniform to protect your right to be an ass," she wrote.

Former Missouri Senate candidate and Army National Guard Veteran Jason Kander questioned Cruz's toughness.

"You can do what like seven pushups I'm guessing?" he tweeted.

Cruz responded to critics saying the U.S. has the "greatest military on earth," but pinned blame on Democrats and media for "trying to turn them into pansies." His spokesperson Erin Perrine told CBS News in a statement that Cruz "passionately supports the brave men and women of the United States military and has repeatedly expressed concerns that Democrat politicians, left wing bureaucrats, and the media are politicizing our armed forces to promote a fringe woke agenda based on identity politics."

"Our military should be focused on winning wars, and we endanger our national security and our servicemembers when they focus on anything else," Perrine added.

However, he wasn't the only one who took issue with the video. An Army official told the Army Times that the comment section of the Army ad on YouTube was removed because of "negative commentary."

The ad features Army Corporal Emma Malonelord, who was raised in California by her two mothers. She decided to join the Army after meeting a recruiter as a student at University of California, Davis.

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The military has failed to meet deadlines set by Congress for rulings on Veterans' requests to correct records blocking them from receiving benefits, according to a federal class-action lawsuit filed last month.

The suit brought by the National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) charges that delays in processing the requests by the Boards for Correction of Military Records of the service branches amount to a denial of the due process rights of thousands of Veterans.

In an interview and in statements, Bart Stichman, executive director of NVLSP, said that rulings on "lifetime benefits" for disability and retirement are at stake in the lawsuit, which names Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy, Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett and acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly as defendants.

"Veterans who seek a correction of an erroneous less-than-honorable discharge or a wrongful denial of disability retirement benefits are paying a high price for the ongoing delays at the Correction Boards," he said.

The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 16, seeks to compel the "timely final decisions" of the Corrections Boards and gives the defendants until mid-February to respond, Stichman said.

Congress in 1998 set deadlines of 10 months for decisions from the Corrections Boards on 90% of existing requests for review, and 18 months for the remaining 10%, but the boards have routinely blown past the deadlines, the suit charges.

At a 2018 hearing of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, service representatives acknowledged the backlogs but said they couldn't clear them up without additional resources.

John A. Fedrigo, director of the Air Force Review Boards Agency, testified that Air Force Corrections Boards were reviewing only about 2% of the 15,000 applications received annually within the 10-month deadline.

Robert Woods, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Navy, testified at the 2018 hearing that his service received about 12,000 requests for review annually but was adjudicating only 68% of them within the 18-month deadline.

The suit was filed on behalf of Walter Calhoun of Georgia, an honorably discharged Army Veteran, and unidentified Veteran "John Doe" of Kansas, also an honorably discharged Army Veteran who served in the military police in Iraq and earned the Bronze Star.

After leaving the service, Calhoun applied for Combat-Related Special Compensation due to his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and headache disorder associated with PTSD, as well as right knee degenerative arthritis and left knee osteoarthritis. His requests were denied.

In 2016, Calhoun made a final request to the Army and has been waiting nearly 36 months, or twice the 18-month deadline, for an answer, according to the suit.

Doe experienced PTSD symptoms that led to his medical separation from the Army, which denied him disability retirement benefits, according to the suit.

In July 2017, Doe requested a correction of his records to enable him to collect disability but has yet to receive a ruling from the Army Corrections Board, the suit states.

Stichman said the class-action suit represents a mix of Veterans either requesting upgrades of discharges to entitle them to benefits or requests from honorably discharged Veterans for corrections to their records.

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LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - Danny Koch is a member of the Friends of the Monument of Courage here in Lubbock, as well as an advocate for obtaining a Veteran cemetery for the town.

Danny says the burial ground is not a want, but a need for Lubbock.

While speaking about the issue, Danny stated, “the closest state cemetery is in Abilene. So, if someone died in Amarillo, a Veteran, they can be buried in the cemetery in Lubbock, and it be easier on the family to travel.”

Texas has the second largest Veteran population in the nation. Most of them live right here in Lubbock and the surrounding area. Benny Guerrero, Commander of the Lubbock Veterans of Foreign Wars, says the patriotism in Lubbock is just one of the reasons it deserves a cemetery.

Guerrero stated that Lubbock is “the greatest place to live and the greatest place to serve, but we have been forgotten.”

Guerrero says the cemetery is just one of the projects Lubbock Veteran groups are advocating for, but that they also provide a wide range of services for Veterans in the area. He says that the best way to get involved in Veteran advocacy is to “get one of your Veterans that is in your family to join one of our organizations, that’s the best way, because then you can let us help you.”

These Veteran groups will be raising awareness for a need for a Veteran cemetery in Lubbock during their two-day event, “For Love of Country and Freedom.”

This event will be held August 11 and 12 in town and will be dedicated to honoring families of fallen soldiers. Donations are always welcome, but Benny says the best way to help is by spreading their message.

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With political divisiveness increasingly fracturing American society and distrust of the military on the rise, it might be up to service members to take the first step to bridge that gap, Veteran activists say.

During an online roundtable Tuesday hosted by the Veterans and Citizens Initiative, representatives of a variety of groups talked about the military-civilian divide, and how to fix it. The nonpartisan group of Veterans, military families and military support organizations formed last year to encourage a peaceful post-election period.

Sometimes, retired Marine Col. Joe Plenzler said, Veterans lament the public's lack of understanding of what they've gone through, without making their own effort to engage with their community. In fact, he said, Veterans have an obligation to serve and be leaders in their community.

"I have very little sympathy for Vets who do the hangdog thing, like 'Oh they don't get me,'" Plenzler said. "Come on, man. The only way they're really going to find out [what it's like for Vets] is if we take those active steps to engage. We can't just sit back on our heels and expect America to come to us, like some entitled class of people."

And there are more ways Vets can serve the community than just as police officers, firefighters or emergency medical technicians, Plenzler said. Vets could teach at their local community colleges and directly help young people to improve their lives, he suggested, but also help them understand where service members have come from.

Lauren Augustine, vice president of government affairs for Student Veterans of America, echoed those thoughts, and said Veterans and civilians have to look for things they have in common to build relationships.

"It's on all of us to be mindful that anybody you interact with is going to have a different lived experience from us," Augustine said. "If we have the idea that it's 'us versus them,' that's a terrible starting point to begin with. You've got to stay positive in how you start that conversation across the board."

Chapters of her group on college campuses try to build relationships with other campus groups, including student government organizations, LGBT groups and fraternities and sororities, she said. This not only allows the groups to work together, she said, but also creates natural opportunities for student Veterans to share their stories.

An SVA leader once organized a GI film festival at Florida State University, she said, that included a film and discussion about sexual trauma in the military. Augustine said a sorority member in that audience drew a parallel between the military's sexual assault problem and the Greek world's effort to stamp out that problem, which opened a dialogue and cooperation between the groups.

"We know there are problems we can solve together, and there will be natural opportunities to share both of our stories along the way," Augustine said. "The two communities, who you would never think have anything in common, they've really come together to address sexual assault and harassment on campus."

VCI's recent survey showed a lot of work has to be done to heal American society. When asked if the differences between Americans were so great they cannot come together, the 6,000 survey respondents became considerably more pessimistic over the last two years. In November 2018, 76% felt the differences weren't that great and 24% felt they were. But by December 2020, that difference had shrunk to 65% vs. 35%.

Researchers conducted two online polls last year and weighted the responses to account for differences in factors, including race, age, gender and region.

The survey found 94% of Americans felt the nation is divided politically, and 92% were worried for the future of their country -- a sentiment that was shared equally across political parties.

And though 51% of Americans felt it was possible for the country to come back together this year, only 39% felt it was likely, the survey found.

However, the survey found 61% of Americans felt Veterans were generally good role models for citizenship, and 56% felt the same about military families.

Most Americans also agreed that the nation needs to come together and support one another, the survey found, and that Veterans and military families were largely seen as trustworthy messengers for that sentiment.

However, the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and the involvement of multiple military Veterans dealt a noticeable blow to the public perception of Veterans' trustworthiness, the surveyors found in a follow-up online poll of 2,000 more conducted in early March.

Sarah Streyder, executive director of the Secure Families Initiative, a group that advocates for military spouses and family members, said the downturn in confidence in the military is frustrating but understandable -- for more reasons than just the Capitol riot.

Not many people serve in the military, Streyder said, and service members often come from multigenerational families, meaning fewer and fewer people have a connection to the military. And, she pointed out, not only was the military mobilized to respond to protests last summer against racial injustice, but some local law enforcement used surplus equipment provided by the military.

"Many over-policed communities find themselves on the receiving end of weapons that they rightly associate with the armed forces, whether or not it's in the hands of a service member," Streyder said. "I worry that when my spouse commutes back and forth from work in uniform, that that visual is going to either cause someone discomfort based on the affiliation, or cause someone to treat him with distress. It's hard for me to say that it's... an illogical reaction to current events."

Streyder and other panelists agreed Veterans and military families can help spread positive messages, such as by encouraging people to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The military has tapped more than 6,000 troops to help administer the COVID vaccine to citizens at multiple sites around the country, though not all have yet deployed. The teams vary in size, but a single team can administer anywhere from 250 to 6,000 shots per day.

And because of their personal experiences, Streyder said, they're uniquely suited to the task.

"We look like the diversity of America," Streyder said. "We move around a lot and get exposed to different ways of living, which I think can help us bring new ideas to new places. Especially civilian spouses, we've had to build really advanced networking skills in order to simply make friends at a new base home.

"And I think that makes us really good at bridging connections with people we may have polar opposite backgrounds with. And gosh, we could really use a lot more of those skills and civic discourse these days, right?"

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Veterans and military members received answers to COVID-19 vaccine questions from senior medical and military leaders during a virtual session Feb. 4.

The forum covered a wide variety of questions about the vaccine, including the effectiveness, availability and length of protection.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, started the panel by addressing the sobering statistics. He said COVID-19, which has killed more than 430,000 Americans, is still killing more than 3,000 Americans a day.

“That is the sobering and sad news,” Fauci said. “But, the light at the end of the tunnel is the extraordinary success that we’ve had with the vaccine development program.”

Effectiveness

Fauci said Americans have received more than 32 million vaccines from the two approved, with four more under development. While millions already received the vaccine, he said some still have questions whether to get the vaccine. He noted that the two vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech had more than 74,000 trials. Fauci cited the “extraordinary” 94-95% effective rate, then added that there were no cut corners or safety issues – two facts independently verified by scientists.

“That’s the reason why many of you hear me, every day in the media, saying when your turn comes up, please get vaccinated both for your own safety, for that of your family and that for the American community in general,” he said.

Fauci also answered a question about the length of effectiveness. Because vaccinations are still in the early stages, medical leaders are still gathering data on the effective length.

“We hope it’s longer than a year,” Fauci said.

Additional questions

The doctor also said that those with autoimmune disease often ask if they should receive the vaccine. He said that that’s even “more reason” to receive a vaccine – to prevent serious complications or death.

Fauci then addressed a question about how the messenger RNA vaccine works. Other vaccines put a weakened or inactivated germ into a person’s body. Messenger RNA vaccines teach human cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response. That immune response produces antibodies.

The RNA decays after a few days and does not enter a person’s DNA. The technology, he said, dates back over a decade.

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ramón “CZ” Colón-López said he recently received his second dose of the vaccine.

“I’m glad to say that I had a sore arm that subsided within a day as the only side effect,” said the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “I credit much of that with staying healthy and fit.”

Veterans receiving vaccine

Dr. Richard Stone, the acting under secretary for health at the Veterans Health Administration, said receiving a COVID-19 vaccine was a “personal decision.” He advised Veterans to talk to their medical provider at their VA facility.

Stone said the immunocompromised are at a greater risk for COVID-19, including severe complications. He said VA is focusing on high-risk Veterans first.

“We’re prioritizing based on risk,” Stone said. He added that vaccine companies are ramping up production, which will greatly increase the number of Veterans who can receive the vaccine. He said the faster Veterans get vaccines, the faster Veterans can resume normal lives.

“None of us are going to be able to resume our lives and be able to get out and do the things we want to do until we get to the point of 60 or 70% of the American population immunized,” he said.

Stone also highlighted VA’s efforts, which includes administering over one million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to Veterans and VA health care workers. He also said designated family caregivers of Veterans participating in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers can receive COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.

Blue Star Families and the American Red Cross hosted the event. Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Army Lt. Gen. Ronald Place, director of the Defense Health Agency, also provided information during the forum.

More information

Read about a new rollout tool that notifies high-risk Vets when to expect their vaccine: https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/84122/new-tool-notifies-Vets-vaccine/.

To get the latest updates and sign up to stay informed about COVID-19 vaccines, visit https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/.

View the VA COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution Plan: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/docs/n-coronavirus/VHA-COVID-Vaccine-Plan-14Dec2020.pdf.

Veterans who would like additional information can visit the VA COVID-19 vaccines webpage, visit their local facility’s website or contact their care team.

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"My primary care patient is experiencing depression. Should I recommend the patient be seen by the behavioral health consultant (BHC) in primary care? Or should I refer the patient to the specialty behavioral health clinic? What’s really the difference?”

The Military Health System (MHS) has various levels of care available for patients with behavioral health concerns. Clinicians in the MHS may have questions about which level and location of care is right for a particular patient: primary care behavioral health (PCBH) or specialty behavioral health services.

Integrated within primary care clinics, BHCs are licensed psychologists or social workers who assist primary care teams in the care of patients with a wide range of conditions and concerns. BHCs work with patients who would like to make changes to better manage their health, adjust to life changes, improve adherence to their primary care manager’s (PCM’s) treatment plans, or address behavioral health conditions or symptoms. BHCs provide focused, evidence-based assessment and intervention in appointments that are no more than 30 minutes in length. Many patients see the BHC for one or two visits; others engage in longer courses of care spaced out over time. BHCs typically work with patients until symptoms or functioning begin to improve, at which point care is continued by the primary care manager, who reinforces strategies that have been helpful and monitors the condition over time.

If the patient does not improve with interventions at the primary care level, the BHC can link the patient with a higher level of care in a specialty behavioral health clinic for a comprehensive assessment and full course of psychotherapy. In specialty behavioral health, appointments are typically longer in duration (e.g., 50 to 60 minutes). Assessment may include a comprehensive battery of psychological tests and integration of information from various sources. Evidence-based psychotherapy may include weekly or bi-weekly appointments delivered over longer courses of care (e.g., 10 to 12 appointments). Patients are often seen in specialty behavioral health care until symptoms have remitted. When specialty behavioral health care is no longer needed, patients may still benefit from periodic visits with their primary care clinic’s BHC to assist with maintaining gains and preventing relapse.

In considering level of care decisions, a PCM may wonder: “If I think my patient needs specialty-level care, should I still send them to the BHC?” Sometimes it is clear that a patient would benefit from a higher level of care. For example, a patient with serious mental illness or a need for more complex psychotropic medication management may have needs best addressed in specialty behavioral health. While PCMs can bypass the BHC in these situations, there is often value in discussing the case with the BHC and potentially involving the BHC in care. BHCs can work with patients to increase willingness to accept a referral to specialty care, can address barriers that may interfere with accessing care, and can provide care to bridge gaps until a specialty care appointment is available and attended.

Learn more about primary care behavioral health and the role of BHCs on the Psychological Health Center of Excellence website.

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The world is reopening, travel to many countries is now possible, and civilian flights have resumed their routes. Many military families are now asking, "When will Space-Available (Space-A) travel reopen?" We posed this question to Air Mobility Command and here, we will share their response, plus help you prepare for the eventual resumption of this popular benefit.

As many in the military community know, Space-A has been restricted due to COVID-19 since March 2020, and as of this writing, it is still only an option for active duty on emergency leave and a few other specific cases. All other travelers require an Exception to Policy letter from an O-6 or higher.

According to Capt. Christopher Herbert, AMC Public Affairs, AMC does not yet have an approved timeline for reopening of Space-A flights.

"United States Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command continuously monitor the environment for the potential to ease restrictions on the Space-A program. We are hopeful that the Space-A program will resume soon and in a capacity that balances risk to the force with the use of this valuable benefit," Herbert said.

When Space-A travels reopens, it may not be at pre-pandemic levels right way.

"We anticipate a scaled approach to the resumption of AMC Space-A flights," he said.

Also, any restrictions from host nations that are still in place will also apply to Space-A travelers. If a country is not accepting tourists, you won’t be able to fly there using Space-A.

"Restricted access to such countries will remain in place until the host nation authorizes leisure travel," Herbert said.

While we don’t know exactly when Space-A will resume, it’s good news that AMC is actively looking for a way to reopen the program. In the meantime, there’s a lot you can do to get ready for the day when you can pack your bags and head over to the military passenger terminal to "compete" for a seat.

Learn the ins and outs of Space-A travel

Flying Space-A is an entirely different process from taking a civilian airline. You must get to know the process. Start by visiting the Air Mobility Command (AMC) Space-Available Travel page to figure out your category. Your category determines your priority for Space-A travel and where you are eligible to fly.

The AMC website also has a list of passenger terminal social media pages, where many terminals post their 72-hour flight schedules. Review those pages to learn which bases have the most flights and where they fly most often.

Familiarize yourself with the sign-up options on the AMC page linked above. Also, read through the FAQs linked in the upper righthand corner of the page.

Finally, review the full Space-A process to learn what you should do on the day of your flight, how to "mark yourself present," and what to do if you don’t get a seat.

Research your departure and arrival terminals

Know what to expect when you get to the military passenger terminal at both ends of your journey. For example:

• Does the terminal have eateries or vending machines?
• What local transportation is available to get you to/from the terminal?
• Where are your lodging options?
• If you’re flying to an overseas location, what are the immigration procedures, and what base facilities are you eligible to use?

Research your Space-A location in advance so you’re not trying to figure these things out when you’re jetlagged and have cranky kids in tow.

Know what to wear and what to pack in your carry-on

When flying Space-A, you may not know in advance what type of aircraft you will get, so it’s best to prepare for all possibilities. If it’s a cargo plane (C-5, C-17) or tanker (KC-10, KC-135), chances are good that it will be quite cold for most of the flight. Wear long pants, and dress in multiple breathable layers so that you can adjust your clothing to the temperature.

After the aircraft reaches altitude, the crew may allow passengers to stretch out on the floor or across the seats, so bring a lightweight, inflatable sleeping pad and a blanket or thin sleeping bag. You may also want an inflatable pillow.

If you’re traveling with kids, bring plenty of snacks, water bottles, and airplane-friendly activities. You may have to wait in terminals for hours, and some military passenger terminals do not have good WIFI, so download movies and books to your electronic devices in advance.

Finally, make sure you have all of the required documentation and paperwork.

Space-A travel is not "hard," but there is a lot to learn about how the process works. Do your research now so when Space-A reopens, you and your family are prepared for your next adventure.

Visit Air Mobility Command for updates on Space-A travel.

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Who’s got your six?” A common phrase dating back to World War I fighter pilots, but co-opted in recent times to focus on service members looking out for each other’s safety and well-being, and to protect each other from harm.

Social support is critical for performance and well-being, but your vast sources of support might not be fully obvious. It’s important to think about your network of loved ones, friends, and others who have your back.

The military continues to form strong bonds forged through rigorous training, shared hardships, daily unit cohesion and knowing that your brothers- and sisters-in-arms are willing make the ultimate sacrifice.

It’s important to recognize that the support you need for your physical, mental and spiritual well-being comes in different forms. Thinking broadly about who’s “got your six” can help alleviate feelings of isolation and loneliness, which are risk factors for poor health and mortality.

Social support can also look like this:

• They’re empathetic and encouraging. Whether it’s a quick text message just to check in, taking your phone call in the middle of the night, or helping you process a recent failure, there are people in your life who you can count on—no matter what. They help you navigate challenges and change. They help you highlight and savor successes too.
• They challenge you. Your biases might prevent you from seeing beyond your own perspective, which can sometimes impede your ability to accurately evaluate situations you find yourself in, solve problems, and maintain good relationships. You probably can think of someone in your life who pushes you to see beyond what’s right in front of you or challenges beliefs you might have about yourself or others.
• They know that little things matter, so they’re helpful. Maybe your neighbor puts out your trash when she knows you’re TDY. Or you might have a coworker who brings coffee on busy meeting days. Those around you who know the little things matter—and find ways to assist—can help you more easily manage your day-to-day demands.
• They support your professional development. Supervisors and other colleagues also “got your six” by helping you develop pathways to your career goals and aspirations. They create opportunities for growth and provide you with vital mentorship and feedback.
• They help build your resource bank. When you’re struggling or going through tough times, those who “got your six” might be the first ones who are brave enough to tell you when they notice something might be wrong. They recognize and honor boundaries, while leading you to resources that can help improve your coping skills. They support you when you seek help to better cope with things too.
• They might not come in forms you expect. Support can come from groups within your community, family, and even your pets. Online support groups, sports teams, and recreational clubs also can boost your feelings of belongingness and connection in unconventional ways.

Remember it’s not only about how THEY support you during critical times, but also how YOU support them. This is especially true when feeling stressed, overwhelmed or out-of-control. The bonds you develop can lead you through those tough times.

So the next time someone asks you, “Who’s got your six?” Think about “Who’s six do You have.” Who relies on you? Who do you mentor? Who do you check in on?

And then take a minute to acknowledge those people who positively impact your life. Let them know by giving them a #GotMySix shoutout in one of your next social media posts.

For more information about how social support can improve your performance, please visit the #GotMySix page on hprc-online.org.

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Dear Mr. President,

Happy President’s Day! Today we celebrate the foresight of the Founding Fathers and pause to remember and honor the men who have served as president these last 243 and a half years. I am an Air Force wife, and recognizing this day is different for me because I am not only reflecting on past presidents, but I am also remembering the actions of commanders in chiefs under whom my husband has served. In many ways, I have also served under these presidents.

President Abraham Lincoln, in his second inaugural address delivered just weeks before his assassination, said, “With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan — to achieve and cherish a lasting peace among ourselves and with the world.” A sacred obligation, indeed.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the war in Afghanistan — a somber anniversary that has impacted not only my family, but also many Veterans, military members, and their families. In a country where only 1 percent of Americans serve, the burden falls on fewer and fewer shoulders.

Mr. President, as you know firsthand, military spouses often get sidelined from decisions that directly impact us. We watch our military member deploy and hold our breath until he or she returns safely, while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy on the home front. We are encouraged to be resilient and strong, supporting the mission at home on behalf of a grateful nation. It is often a very lonely, isolating, and weary job.

Up until recently, I was unaware that there are 2.6 million military spouses and family members, more than the 2 million active duty and reserve military members. These 2 million military members have official leadership, but the 2.6 million dependents do not have an official voice within existing infrastructure. Military spouses struggle with many well known issues you’re well familiar with, as your family has a history of engagement with our community. Reports demonstrate that in recent years military spouses have a 25 percent unemployment rate and earn approximately 27 percent less than their non-military peers. Beyond the severe economic impact that comes from simply being the spouse of a military member, my peers and I grapple with education for our kids, consistent moving, creating community, mental health issues, marriage and relationships, financial difficulties, health care, and extended family back home. These issues can be overwhelming and, in my experience, do not occur independently of each other. Even worse, many times we feel that we have to go it alone — especially if we do not fit in with the command-sponsored programs, or have a “spouse club” attached to our member’s unit.

The military knows how to maintain national security, keep our country safe, wage war or keep peace, and many other things. However, the world of supporting the military family is different; it is a world that should be given an official voice and permanent seat to speak into these issues. The Air Force has an Air Force member leading the organization; same for the Army, Navy, Marines, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Someone who knows what it is like to serve in that branch is who leads men and women within the organization. The same should be true for families. Spouses are capable of leading ourselves, but we have long been shut out of important decisions on family readiness and spouse programs.

Mr. President, it’s time for spouses to have a seat at the table in an official capacity with the Department of Defense. I propose that you create a “Director of Military Spouses” position, paid and embedded within DoD and individual branch infrastructure and ensure military spouse voices are heard.

I believe that spouses need seats at the DoD and branch tables, but when spouse programs are at the pleasure of their attached command, many spouses do not have the ability to truly discuss issues that affect us. Spouses have the expertise, knowledge, and on-the-ground training to deserve a say in policies that impact our families and ourselves.

There are programs and organizations outside of the DoD that offer resources and support to spouses. These initiatives, including Joining Forces, are wonderful and offer avenues for help outside the chain of command, but they can only lobby for critical changes, not make them like a Director of Spouses could in conjunction with these organizations. Military spouses, as you have seen time and time again, are essential to supporting our national security, military retention, and morale. Countless spouses volunteer their time to lead and mentor other spouses yet are unpaid in their work.

Mr. President, I love being a military spouse. For me, I am following in the footsteps of many family members, including my grandmother, who was also an Air Force spouse 50 years ago. Some of the same barriers that she faced, my peers and I still face. Some of the adventures that she had, I am honored to have as well. Fifty years is a long time for spouses to continually contend with these problems, and I think that the military will only be able to overcome them by allowing those who have lived them to be empowered to reform them.

It is time for our country to fulfill the vision laid out by President Lincoln and to fully care for the families of those who have borne the battles by empowering them to have an official and lasting say in these policies and decisions.

Aleha Landry, Air Force spouse

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Metal Art of Wisconsin founders Shane and Justis Henderson give back for National Military Appreciation Month — and beyond

The month of May gives Americans the opportunity to thank their heroes during National Military Appreciation Month.

Wisconsin father-son duo Shane Henderson and Justis Henderson, founders of Metal Art of Wisconsin, gave a special shout-out to America's military men and women for maintaining the highest standards for our nation.

"Thank you," Shane Henderson said plainly in a Fox News Digital interview.

"America is the best country on the planet," he added.

"And you guys are the keepers of that. So, we thank you from the bottom of our heart."

Metal Art of Wisconsin has grown their following tremendously with their "extremely patriotic" product line.

It includes metal and steel American flags, as well as speakeasy vaults equipped with fingerprint security to hide any "dirty little secrets."

The father-son business first began as an Instagram page that went viral in 2013, and has since taken off.

Now, high demand for their craft has turned the pair into partners who choose to chase the American dream every day.

"We’re like war buddies," Shane Henderson said. "It’s awesome."

"Yeah, it’s like every father-son dream," Justis Henderson said.

Shane Henderson, a retired machinery sales employee, explained how his son had always taken interest in his father’s work since he was just a kid.

"We made the first pieces of metal art together," he said.

"I have pictures of him painting trees that we cut out of metal with finger paint when he was 10 years old. And now he's welding [five-foot] flags together and donating them."

In their consistent efforts to pay it forward, Metal Art of Wisconsin has donated almost $300,000 worth of artwork through its Flags for Fortitude campaign, which honors American heroes — from military personnel to crossing guards.

"We actually donate, free of charge, a personalized flag to nominees that are on our website, flagsforfortitude.com," Shane Henderson said.

"Anyone can go there and nominate a hero — whether it's a police officer, a doctor, a crossing guard, anyone in your community making a difference … It's pretty cool. Pretty emotional."

"Anyone in the service or Veterans … They're kings around here, so we treat them good."

The Hendersons continue to be driven by positive reactions to their work and the "big patriotic family" that has sprouted from the business.

"We’re one big family and we're giving back and it's awesome," Shane Henderson said.

"And it's cool to see the smiles that our products generate. It's a labor of love … and we don’t mind doing it. We love it."

Justis Henderson thanked his dad for leading him "on the right track" as a role model in the industry, as he prepares to attend Wisconsin’s Lakeshore Technical College for welding.

"I just want to follow in my dad's footsteps," he said. "He's on the right track and he’s leading me the same way. And I've seen the challenges he's gone through, how he handled it — and I'm learning everything."

"I enjoy painting, and I have great pride in the American flag."

Metal Art of Wisconsin is currently offering a 25% discount on freedomcabinet.com with the promo code militarylove25 for this month — as well as free shipping.

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Depression, isolation, loneliness and loss of purpose are common struggles among those transitioning from military to civilian life. Many also face challenges with applying for a civilian job for the first time or reentering the workforce.

However, women Veterans may also encounter gender pay gaps, bias against mothers, financial instability, gender-related health concerns, stereotypes about female soldiers, and stress caused by military sexual trauma. Add to these obstacles the frequent lack of a trusted peer network, and one thing is clear: Transitioning to life outside the military can be particularly hard for women Veterans.

“I lost a part of myself when I left the military. I expected motherhood to fill the mission and purpose I had felt while in the military,” said Air Force Veteran and military spouse Amanda Huffman. “But instead, I found it challenging and that I wasn’t doing enough. Part of it was the challenge of being a new mom. But I also needed something for me besides raising my kids.”

Huffman served for six years as a civil engineer, including a deployment to Afghanistan. Like many female Veterans, she struggled with transitioning from purpose-driven military service to finding where and how she belonged as a civilian. This led to frustration, anxiety and disappointment in the lack of resources tailored to women like her.

“I felt so alone when I was transitioning,” Huffman said. “I thought my experience was so different from everyone else’s (getting out to be a stay-at-home mom) that I did not have anyone to talk to. I felt that I wouldn’t be able to relate to other Veterans because my situation was so different.”

Whether a woman transitions into parenting, a civilian career or both, it is common to feel confused, left behind and disconnected. Huffman eventually found a new purpose and sense of community by creating some of the very resources she lacked during her own transition. However, she didn’t stop there — Huffman also created resources for those joining and currently serving in the armed forces.

Here are a few ways Huffman strives to help women who serve or have served in the military:

The Airman to Mom blog

The Airman to Mom blog shares details about Huffman’s experiences in the military, leading a dual military life and eventually transitioning to civilian living and motherhood. The blog also provides links to many of Huffman’s other free resources, including a deployment guide, a PCS moving guide and transition resources.

The Women of the Military podcast

Huffman’s Women of the Military podcast shares interviews and stories about women who have served in the military over the last several decades. By offering an in-depth look at what other military women have experienced, the podcast aims to provide inspiration and community to current and former female soldiers. Likewise, the podcast offers advice for women as they face challenges during and after service.

“What I have found through talking to Veterans is that even if our path after the military is different, many of the emotional challenges are the same. It is through the Veteran community that I realized I wasn’t so different after all.”

The Women of the Military eBook

The Women of the Military eBook features 28 stories about military women. The interviews in Huffman’s book illustrate how women have journeyed over the years from more traditionally female jobs like nursing to serving in combat positions.

“I did not know about all the things women were doing in the military until I started interviewing them,” Huffman said. “And even today, with over 200 interviews completed, I still learn more about women and their history in the military.”

Girl’s Guide to the Military

Huffman’s Girl’s Guide to the Military offers both insight and advice for women who are entering the military or currently serving. Huffman also plans to publish an expanded edition of the guide in September 2022.

“I have expanded that guide into a book A Girl’s Guide to Military Service, publishing September 13th,” she said. “It is meant to answer all the questions, starting with, is the military right for me to what branch, career field, etc., along with topics like military sexual trauma, deployment, relationships, motherhood and more. I want to ensure girls joining the military have as much information as possible to help them make informed choices.”

The Women of the Military Mentorship Program

Determined to do the best she can for the women she aims to help, Huffman created the Women of the Military Mentorship Program. Her goal is to provide one-on-one connections for women interested in joining the military, women who are currently serving and female Vets. The mentorship program aims to connect women with others who have shared similar experiences and challenges, offering valuable support and guidance.

Finding support and fellowship can be key to fulfillment during military service and eventually a successful return to civilian living.

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Military service members and Veterans have seen major changes to their pay and benefits over the past several years.

For the most part, it’s good news.

Basic pay has been rising, and service members saw a 2.7% increase in 2022. Basic Allowance for Housing increased, on average, by 5.1% in 2022, up from 2021′s 2.9% increase. It was the largest BAH increase since before 2016.

The BAH increase reflects the skyrocketing costs of housing around the country. At the same time other increasing costs nationwide, including health care costs, have affected military families in other ways, with some increases in Tricare costs and pharmacy costs.

While the pandemic affected many services and programs offered to military families, it’s also brought home the need for using technology to amplify these services, such as more telehealth offered by the Military Health System.

Whether it’s health care, retirement benefits, commissaries and exchanges, family support, VA loans, GI bill education benefits or the plethora of other benefits, maximizing the options available to you is essential to making the most out of your military career. These are generous benefits. You’ve earned them. Getting smart about what has changed and what has not is worth your time.

Basic Pay — A big increase may be coming

Service members saw a significant pay increase in January, but the 2023 pay raise could be the largest in decades.

Basic pay is determined by rank and length of service, with automatic raises when troops meet certain time and promotion markers. In addition, each year Congress determines how much of a pay raise all troops should get.

The figure is tied by law to the anticipated increase in private sector pay, but lawmakers in the past have approved bigger raises to help with recruitment and retention or smaller raises to save money for other military priorities.

What’s the average military pay increase?

The annual military pay increase takes effect in January of each year. The White House issues its target for the hike each August, either going along with the projected rise in private sector wages, known as the Employment Cost Index, or offering justification for proposing a different rate.

Congress has the final say, however. In the past, lawmakers have overridden attempts by the White House to submit lower pay raises in an effort to save money for other priorities. The raise is usually applied across the board, although lawmakers made an exception at the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to provide more money for some mid-career service members to help with retention.

The most junior enlisted service members make around $25,000 a year in basic pay (not including allowances, special pays and other benefits), while enlisted troops nearing retirement typically earn about $70,000 annually.

Officer pay is significantly higher: The most junior officers clear close to $40,000 a year while senior officers nearing 20 years of service can make in excess of $170,000. That means that even a small change in the anticipated pay raise calculations can make a big difference for military families.

For example, in past years (not in 2022) the Pentagon has backed plans for a pay raise 0.5 percent below the federal formula for the annual increases.

If that reduction were put in place for 2023, an E-4 with three years of service would see a difference of about $160 in take-home pay over the course of a year compared to the expected level of pay boost. For a senior enlisted or junior officer, the difference is closer to $340 over 12 months.

Outside advocates have said even though those gaps won’t cover a mortgage payment, they are the difference between being able to afford a monthly co-pay for prescriptions or having to go without. That makes even small increases or trims a major issue in the military community.

Since the start of the all-volunteer military force in 1973, Congress has authorized a pay raise of at least 1 percent for troops every year, even during budget cycles where other civilian wages held steady. Since 2018, those increases have been 2.5 percent or more.

The 2022 and 2023 troop pay raise

The 2.7 percent pay raise troops received in January 2022 was just slightly below the 3.0 percent raise they got in 2021. That increase matched the federal formula based on the annual Employment Cost Index calculation.

For junior enlisted troops, the raise means about $800 more in take-home pay this year. For senior enlisted and junior officers, it’s about $1,400 more. An O-4 with 12 years service will see about $2,600 more over 2021 pay levels.

Discussions on the fiscal 2023 pay raise have not yet begun on Capitol Hill, but are expected to commence in March. The ECI formula calls for a 4.6 percent pay raise in 2023, significantly above this year’s raise. If that figure is approved, it will be the largest pay boost for military members in 20 years.

Congress is expected to debate the pay raise level along with the rest of the defense budget over the next few months. Typically, the full budget plan is not approved until winter, even though the next fiscal year begins Oct. 1. However, during election years (like this one), Congress sometimes completes the work earlier to avoid post-election conflicts with outgoing members.

Basic Allowance for Housing climbs sharply

This year, the Basic Allowance for Housing saw the largest increase since before 2016. It increased, on average, by 5.1%.

That percentage is an average across the board, and Defense Department data showed that nearly half of the 300 military housing areas in the U.S. saw increases of more than the 5.1%.

Generally, rates for BAH are adjusted once a year, and take effect Jan. 1. But the surging housing costs in 2021 caused DoD to move quickly to ease the financial burden for service members, by authorizing a temporary BAH increase in 56 military housing areas. The service members were eligible from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, 2021. Troops were required to apply for the extra money, and it’s retroactive. Those temporary increases ended when the new 2022 rates took effect. But troops can still apply for the past allowance to which they were entitled.

This tax-free benefit is set at a level intended to cover 95 percent of the anticipated housing costs for each assigned duty post in the U.S. Individual service members are now expected to pay the remaining 5 percent of housing costs with out-of-pocket cash.

Are off-base troops eligible for BAH?

Basic Allowance for Housing provides service members not living on base or in government-provided housing a cash supplement to be able to rent housing at local market rates. The amount paid to a service member depends on rank, whether or not they have dependents, and where they are based.

Who’s eligible for BAH?

Any active-duty service member stationed in the 50 U.S. states who is not provided with government-owned housing is eligible. Those living in privatized housing — owned and operated by civilian companies for the military — generally pay their BAH each month to the housing company. Those stationed in U.S. territories, possessions or overseas who are not provided government housing are eligible for an Overseas Housing Allowance, which is calculated under a separate formula.

BAH is non-taxable, and unlike the Overseas Housing Allowance, if a service member can find housing in the civilian community below the BAH rate for their assigned location, they are able to pocket the difference, because what service members actually spend is not used to calculate BAH. (In Overseas Housing Allowance, however, it’s “use it or lose it.” Service members lose whatever portion of OHA they do not spend.)

How BAH is calculated

DoD calculates median rental costs for 300 military housing areas, including Alaska and Hawaii. The calculations are based on the rental costs for a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment, a 2 or 3 bedroom townhome, and a 3 or 4 bedroom single family home, and then set against specific enlisted and officer ranks for a service member with dependents and service members without dependents.

Based on rank and the local real estate market, monthly BAH varies widely. For example, an E-1 without dependents at Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Base, Calif., receives $1,146 a month . An O4 with dependents stationed there gets $2,274. An O6 with dependents stationed at Fort Sill, Okla., gets $1,926 a month, according to DoD.

Check your rates For details of locations across the country, you can use the Defense Department’s official BAH calculator.

What if BAH for my area is cut while I live there?

Service members are protected from falling rates under a rate protection policy that maintains their current rate for as long as they remain at their location, regardless of whether the official rates drop. However, they will receive the new, lower rate if they are demoted or if their dependency status changes, in which case they’d receive the current rate for their new status.

If rates rise in a location, all service members receive the higher rates regardless of when they arrived. Two rates are set for each location by a survey of rental costs: The with-dependents rate goes to personnel with at least one dependent, whether that be a spouse or a child, and does not increase for additional family members.

What if my spouse and I are both in the military?

If there are no children, both spouses get the without-dependents rate. If the couple has children, one spouse receives the with-dependent BAH rate, while the other gets the single-rate BAH.

Military Retirement Pay — know your options

All service members entering the military are automatically enrolled in the Blended Retirement System, or BRS. Only those with service prior to 2018 remain in the legacy, all-or-nothing 20-year pension plan.

The BRS combines traditional monthly retirement checks of the legacy system with some new features that allow military members to take some government benefits with them even if they don’t serve up to the 20-year mark to qualify for a retirement pension. Historically, only 19% of active duty service members and 14% of Guard and reserve members in the legacy system served long enough to get retirement benefits.

In 2018, more than 400,000 eligible service members opted into the new BRS, out of the 1.6 million active duty and reserve troops who were eligible to make a choice between the legacy system and the new system.

Whether you opted in or are part of the new crop of service members automatically enrolled in the BRS, you need to pay attention to the key elements of the system, because it’s a critical part of your retirement planning and financial future.

How the Blended Retirement System works

Under the BRS, you’ll get the traditional monthly retirement pay for life if you serve for 20 years or more and earn a full retirement from the military, but it’s 20% less than what it is under the legacy system.

If you retire from active duty with 20 years of service under BRS, you’ll receive 40% of the average of your highest 36 months of active duty pay as your retirement pay, and that percentage increases by 2% for each additional year of service. The retirement pay has an annual cost of living adjustment. (The legacy benefit provided 50% of your highest 36 months of pay.)

How the DoD’s Thrift Savings Plan works

The Thrift Savings Plan, or TSP, is like a private-sector 401(k) retirement plan savings account. The TSP has been available to service members for years, but there was no government match until now. The money you contribute to your TSP is always yours. You own the DoD contributions after you serve at least two years.

Here’s how it works: After you have served for 60 days, a TSP account will be created, and automatic deductions of 3% of your basic pay start going to your TSP. (You can change that amount, but by law you will automatically be reenrolled at 3% each year.) DoD kicks in 1% automatically but will contribute up to an additional 4% of base pay to match your contributions.

So, if you put in 5% of your base pay to your TSP, DoD also puts in 5%. Making your 5% contribution to your TSP is key to getting the maximum benefit out of BRS.

While service members should contribute at least 5% of their basic pay to get the full DoD match — and not leave money on the table — everyone can contribute more, up to a limit of $20,500 in 2022. For those with civilian retirement accounts such as a 401(k) as well as a TSP, the contribution limits apply to the combined amounts.

What’s continuation pay and when is it paid?

The services will make a one-time payout of continuation pay when the service member reaches 12 years of service. To receive that continuation pay, which is similar to a retention bonus, you must commit to serve an additional four years.

In 2022, active duty members get 2.5 times their monthly basic pay as of the first day of their 12th year of service. Reserve and Guard members get 0.5 times their monthly pay — except for those in the Army Reserve and Guard, who get 4 times their monthly pay. It’s the prerogative of the services to adjust that multiplier to meet their needs, such as retention. Continuation pay is taxable, but you can also contribute all or part of it to your TSP. You can receive it in a lump sum or, to help reduce your taxes, you can opt to receive continuation pay in four equal installments over four years.

Lump sum retirement pay option

When you retire under BRS, you can request an up-front, lump-sum payment of part of the retirement pay you’d receive before you reach full Social Security retirement age, which for most people is age 67. You can opt to receive either 25% or 50% of its “discounted present value.” That means the amount is cut by a discount rate published yearly. For 2022, it’s a 6.54% reduction.

If you take the lump sum, the retirement checks are reduced by either 25% or 50%, depending on the percentage you received, until you reach age 67. At that point, your retirement check returns to its full amount. The lump sum is taxable; retirees can choose to receive the money in up to four installments over four years to reduce the tax burden.

Tip: To get the most out of your BRS benefit, make sure you’re contributing at least 5% to your Thrift Savings Plan account, to get the matching DoD contribution of up to 5%. Why turn down free money?

Tricare changes: What you need to know

The Tricare health care program is one of the most important benefits for almost 9.6 million beneficiaries.

In 2022, Tricare beneficiaries added their health care costs to the list of costs that were increasing in the current economic environment. Generally speaking, if a Tricare beneficiary paid out-of-pocket for Tricare before, those costs went up. Active duty service members don’t have any out-of-pocket costs.

Pharmacy costs also increased for 2022, with co-payment increases ranging from $1 to $8. The increase doesn’t affect active-duty service members, who pay nothing for their covered medications through military pharmacies, retail network pharmacies and through the home delivery benefit. The military pharmacy is still the lowest cost option for all military beneficiaries, because there’s no cost for covered generic and brand-name drugs at these pharmacies.

There were also changes to the Tricare retail pharmacy network in December, 2021. CVS returned to the network. Walmart, Sam’s Club and some community pharmacies left the retail pharmacy network. CVS has nearly 10,000 pharmacy locations, including many inside Target stores. The Tricare retail pharmacy network has more than 59,000 pharmacies.

The Tricare health program has also temporarily expanded the telehealth program during the national health emergency declared because of the pandemic, to make it easier for military beneficiaries to get care. Tricare covers telehealth visits by telephone, and eliminates patient co-pays and cost shares for telehealth options.

For several years before the pandemic, Tricare has covered the use of secure video conferencing to provide medically necessary services, allowing patients to connect with a provider using a computer or smartphone. Tricare has also expanded the medical services eligible for telehealth.

Who’s eligible for Tricare?

Tricare offers 11 different options, with choices depending on the status of the military sponsor and the geographic location: Active-duty members; military retirees; National Guard and Reserve members; family members (spouses and children registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System) and certain others, including some former military spouses and survivors, as well as Medal of Honor recipients and their immediate families.

Those entering the military on or after Jan. 1, or changing status (i.e., from active duty to retired) should make sure they and their eligible family members are enrolled in the Tricare program of their choice. Those who don’t enroll may only receive care at a military clinic or hospital on a space-available basis, and medical care by civilian providers wouldn’t be covered. The one-month open season begins on the Monday of the second full week in November and goes through the Monday of the second full week in December. During that time, you can enroll in a new Tricare Prime or Tricare Select plan; or change your enrollment. If you’re satisfied with your current Tricare health plan you don’t have to take action to stay enrolled.

The law overhauling Tricare included the strict limitation on switching between Tricare plans. Beneficiaries can’t switch between Tricare Prime and Tricare Select until the yearly open season starting each November, unless there’s some sort of qualifying life event, such as the birth of a baby, a move to a new duty station, marriage or retirement.

And for retirees, a new dental program, the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, or FEDVIP, has replaced the now-defunct Tricare Retiree Dental Program.

What are the Tricare options?

Tricare offers two core options: Tricare Prime and Tricare Select. Select replaced Tricare Standard and Tricare Extra in 2018. All active-duty members are required to enroll in Tricare Prime; they pay nothing out of pocket. Active-duty families can enroll in Tricare Prime without an enrollment fee. Prime beneficiaries are assigned a primary care manager, or PCM, at their local military treatment facility or, if one is not available, they can select a PCM within the Tricare Prime network. Specialty care is provided on referral by the PCM, either to specialists at a military facility or a civilian provider.

Tricare Select is similar to a traditional fee-for-service health plan. Patients can see any authorized provider they choose but must pay a deductible and co-pays for visits. Patients pay lower out-of-pocket costs when they receive care from a provider within the Tricare network.

All Tricare programs have a cap on how much a family pays out of pocket each fiscal year, depending on the sponsor’s status and the type of Tricare program used.

By law, Tricare beneficiaries fall into one of two categories:

• Group A: Sponsors who entered the military before Jan. 1, 2018, and their dependents; and
• Group B: Sponsors who entered the military on or after Jan 1, 2018, and their dependents.

Those in Group A and Group B have different enrollment fees and out-of-pocket costs.

What are the Tricare plans?

• Tricare Prime: Prime is similar to a health maintenance organization, which has lower out-of-pocket costs but requires enrollees to use network providers and coordinate care through a primary care manager — a doctor, nurse practitioner or medical team. It’s free to active-duty members. If you’re an active duty family enrolled in a Tricare Prime plan, you won’t have to pay enrollment fees, or co-payments unless you’re using the point-of-service option or filling a prescription outside of a military pharmacy. Retirees must pay an annual enrollment fee (Group A retirees pay $323 for an individual, $647 for a family in 2022). Co-payments for medical visits are lower than other programs.
• Tricare Prime Remote: Service members who live and work more than 50 miles or an hour’s drive from the nearest military treatment facility must enroll in Tricare Prime Remote. Family members are eligible if they live with an enrolled service member in a qualifying location, or they may use Tricare Select.
• Tricare Prime Overseas/Prime Remote Overseas: Tricare Prime Overseas is a managed-care option for active-duty members and their command-sponsored family members living in nonremote locations. They have assigned primary care managers at a military treatment facility who provide most care and referrals for and coordination of specialty care. Tricare Prime Remote Overseas is a managed care option in designated remote overseas locations, with most care from an assigned primary care manager in the local provider network, who provides referrals for specialty care. Activated National Guard and Reserve members and their families also may enroll in these options while the sponsor is on active duty; retirees and their families aren’t eligible.
• Tricare Select: This is a preferred provider plan — authorized doctors, hospitals and other providers are paid a Tricare-allowable charge for each service performed. Costs are higher for out-of-network providers, and certain procedures require pre-authorization. There is no enrollment fee for active-duty families. By law, Group A working age retirees (those who entered the military before Jan. 1, 2018), were required to start paying monthly enrollment fees in 2021. Copays vary by status and type of care: An in-network primary care outpatient visit costs Group A retirees and their families $32 in Tricare Select for example, while Group A active-duty family members pay $24 and others — Group B active duty family members those whose sponsor entered the network on or after Jan. 1, 2018, pay $16.
• Tricare Reserve Select: Qualified Selected Reserve members can buy Tricare coverage when they are in drilling status – not mobilized. The program offers coverage similar to Tricare Select.
• Tricare Retired Reserve: “Gray area” National Guard and Reserve retirees who have accumulated enough service to qualify for military retirement benefits but have not reached the age at which they can begin drawing those benefits (usually age 60) can purchase this insurance, which offers coverage similar to Tricare Select.
• Tricare for Life: This wraparound program is for retirees and family members who are eligible for Tricare and Medicare. The provider files the claims with Medicare; Medicare pays its portion and then sends the claim to the Tricare for Life claims processor. Enrollees must enroll in Medicare Part A (free for those who paid Medicare taxes while working) and Part B (monthly premium required) to receive Tricare for Life.
• Tricare Young Adult: Unmarried dependent children who do not have private health insurance through an employer may remain in Tricare until age 26 under a parent’s coverage via TYA Select or TYA Prime. Premiums are required for both.
• US Family Health Plan: Beneficiaries who live in one of six designated areas, can enroll in this as a Prime option. Those enrolled get all their care, including prescription drugs, from a primary care provider the beneficiary selects, from a network of private doctors affiliated with one of the not-for-profit health care systems in the plan. Beneficiaries don’t get care at military hospitals or clinics, or from Tricare network providers when enrolled in the U.S. Family Health Plan.

Eligible dependents must be registered

Beneficiaries must take action to enroll in a Tricare plan in order to be covered for civilian health care. Those who don’t enroll will only be able to get health care at a military clinic or hospital on a space available basis.

To be eligible for any of the Tricare plans, beneficiaries must first be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. Active-duty members are automatically registered in DEERS when they join the military, but they must register eligible dependent family members. Service members should make sure the information is correct for their family members. Only military members can add or remove family members; this is done through the local ID card office.

Help for military spouses and children

Military families are a microcosm of society, with many of the same needs and issues as their civilian counterparts. But layer on the frequent moves, deployments and other unique aspects of military life, and problems can be intensified with issues such as spouse employment, child care and finances.

Bases worldwide offer families a wide variety of support services, from legal assistance and tax preparation, to child care, education and employment assistance, financial counseling, relocation assistance, youth programs, and deployment and mobilization support. The pandemic may have affected the availability of some services while at the same time, intensifying the need for these services.

Central points of contact start with the family centers on military installations or MilitaryOneSource.mil, which offers access to additional assistance by phone or chat, 24 hours a day.

Most of the information on Military OneSource is available to the public, but some extra services are available for free to service members and their immediate family members, survivors of deceased service members, and certain others. Retiring or separating service members (and their immediate family members) can also access these services for one year after they leave the service.

Among those services are nonmedical counseling — available in person, by phone, secure chat or secure video session — as well as financial counseling, including tax preparation and tax filing help. Spouse employment and education services; language translation services for documents, health and wellness coaching, child/youth behavioral counseling, and family life counseling are also available.

For decades, two of the biggest issues for military spouses have been finding employment and finding good quality, affordable child care. Here are some of the programs that address those needs:

Military spouse employment and education

Spouses can visit their installation’s family center for employment and education assistance. They can also visit the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities, or SECO, section at MilitaryOneSource.mil for information on scholarships and other education and employment needs. SECO offers a free, personalized benefit through certified career counselors to help spouses investigate career options, education options or entrepreneurial projects.

Through DoD’s My Career Advancement Account program, or MyCAA, spouses of certain junior service members can receive tuition assistance of up to $4,000, with an annual cap of $2,000, to pursue licenses, certifications or associate degrees needed for employment in any career field or occupation. This benefit is available to spouses of active duty members in paygrades E-1 to E-5, W-1 and W-2, and O-1 and O-2. Under a recent provision in law, military spouses remain eligible for this financial assistance if their military sponsor is promoted beyond the eligible ranks, as long as they have an approved education and training plan in place through the program. Spouses can also search job opportunities on the Military Spouse Employment Partnership site, where hundreds of businesses that have been Vetted by the Defense Department are seeking to hire military spouses.

More than 500 employers are MSEP partners, and as the number has grown over the last 10 years, those employers have hired over more than 200,000 military spouses.

Many military spouses spend time and money getting new professional licenses when they move to a new state. It costs money for exams and other fees, as well as lost pay potential as they go through the process. To help with these costs, the law allows spouses to apply to their service branch for reimbursement up to $1,000, for relicensing and recertification costs each time they relocate with their service member. The Department of Labor has set up a website, based on DoD’s data about licensing, to help military spouses understand the laws of each state, and to find information about the appropriate licensing board in the states for each occupation.

What other options are available to military spouses?

The pandemic has shown the value of remote work in many professions, and remote work can be extremely beneficial for many spouses.

DoD recently started two pilot programs to help military spouses increase their professional knowledge and access to remote work opportunities. Spouses have access, at no cost, to Udemy, an online education platform. Another initiative is providing access to FlexJobs, an online providing Vetted, remote job openings across the U.S.

For more information on these initiatives, spouses should visit the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities section of MilitaryOneSource.mil.

Officials are tracking usage of these programs to see whether they should continue.

Child care for military families

The Defense Department child care systems include more than 600 child development centers, school-age care facilities and a number of family child care homes at more than 230 locations worldwide. All are required to adhere to DoD regulations. These programs are nationally recognized for their quality, and programs meet strict standards for curriculum, safety and health. Fees are on a sliding scale based on total family income. Families can learn more about the child care options offered at or near their installation at the official DoD website MilitaryChildCare.com. The website gives parents more visibility over what child care slots are available at multiple installations in a given area, and allows them to register and apply for child care in advance. Families can submit unlimited requests for child care, and remain on waitlists for a preferred program even after being offered care by another program.

Any family child care provider on an installation who offers child care for other families’ children for 10 or more hours per week must be certified through installation officials. Families can get lists of certified family child care homes at their installation’s child development program office. They can also find certified family day care homes through the MilitaryChildCare.com DoD website.

Military families can also find high-quality, subsidized child care in their local civilian community if care is not available on base. Families must register at the MilitaryChildCare.com website for fee assistance through this program, operated through the nonprofit Child Care Aware of America. For more information, visit this site.

What else is the DoD doing to ease the child-care burden?

DoD and the services are looking at new ways to ease the child care shortage, such as streamlining the hiring process for child care workers. Congress has allowed a DoD pilot program that provides fee assistance for in-home child care, for example. It’s currently available in five regions, but is limited to 250 slots. MilitaryChildCare.com provides more information.

Working military families get higher priority in child care programs under a DoD policy implemented recently. The policy also allows officials to displace children who are already in a child development program, whose parents are in a lower priority category, if the military family is expected to be on a wait list for more than 45 days after the time they need care.

Military families also have another option to help them find hourly and on-demand child care. Through MilitaryOneSource, families will get a paid subscription to a service that lets them search for child care providers in the nationally recognized service. DoD doesn’t pay for the child care, but pays for the subscription to the service that provides connections to available child care providers.

Want to buy a home? The VA can help.

The Department of Veterans Affairs home loan program took shape near the end of World War II and has been used by millions of service members and Veterans since then. It’s one of the most popular benefits for Veterans. Lenders issued a record high 1.4 million VA-backed loans in 2021, with an average loan amount of $310,000. The total loan amount was more than $447 billion.

How does the VA home loan program work?

The VA doesn’t issue the loans, it backs the loans issued by financial institutions. The VA guarantees a percentage of an eligible beneficiaries’ home-purchase or home-refinance loan, allowing the lender to provide better, more affordable terms and often letting the borrower seal the deal without a big cash down payment.

Who’s eligible for a loan under the VA program?

Eligible service members and Veterans can apply, via private-sector lenders, for home-purchase loans. As of 2020, there are no VA loan limits for Veterans who have the full VA loan entitlement. For a VA-backed home loan, you’ll still need to meet your lender’s credit and income loan requirements in order to receive financing. These VA home purchase loans can be used to buy manufactured homes or homes under construction, in some cases, but not mobile homes.

The VA loan program also offers cashout refinance loans.

An Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan can reduce the rate on an existing VA-backed loan.

What are the fees under the VA home loan program?

VA loans come with funding fees that vary by loan type and Veteran status. Veterans using the benefit for the first time on a no-down-payment purchase loan pay a 2.3 percent fee, for example, while a Veteran making a second cash-out refinance loan would pay a 3.6 percent fee. A full fee table is available.

Veterans receiving VA disability compensation are exempt from fees. Other loans, including joint loans, construction loans and loans to cover costs of energy-efficient repairs, also can be backed by VA. Consult your lender for information.

What to keep in mind when enrolling

The key step for service members and Veterans is to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility, either through the VA’s eBenefits site or via their lender, to be eligible for a VA-backed loan.

Those seeking to refinance existing loans should read lenders’ advertising material carefully: VA and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a “warning order” against deceptive lending practices.

Among the red flags: Aggressive sales tactics, low interest rates with unspecified terms and promises that borrowers can skip a mortgage payment as part of the new loan — a practice prohibited by VA.

What’s the VA loan program deadline?

VA loan eligibility does not expire, though the entitlement can only be used for the borrower’s place of residence (not a rental property). It can be reinstated after the loan is paid off or under other circumstances — another Veteran can assume the loan, for instance. Learn more Learn more from the VA here.

Which service members qualify for the VA loan program?

Service members whose time in uniform falls within these date ranges must have 90 days of active-duty service to qualify:

• Sept. 16, 1940-July 25, 1947
• June 27, 1950-Jan. 31, 1955
• Aug. 5, 1964-May 7, 1975 (Note: For those who served in the Republic of Vietnam, this era begins Feb. 28, 1961).
• For loan purposes, VA considers “Gulf War” service beginning Aug. 2, 1990, and continuing through the present day. Service members from that time period must have completed 24 months of continuous active-duty service to be eligible, or at least 90 days if they have the right discharge status.
• If your time in uniform doesn’t apply to the date ranges above and you were enlisted and separated on or before Sept. 7, 1980, or if you were an officer and separated on or before Oct. 16, 1981, you need 181 continuous active-duty days to qualify. If your service came after the above date ranges, you need 24 months of time in or less if you have certain discharges.
• Troops now on active duty become eligible after 90 days of service for as long as they remain on active duty. Reserve and National Guard members become eligible after six creditable years in service. Troops discharged for a service-connected disability are eligible regardless of service length.

What’s new in the VA loan program?

The federal law for VA home loans changed in 2020 to make it easier for Veterans to buy homes in areas with high real estate values, taking away the loan limit maximums previously required in certain areas of the country.

Some Veterans have experienced difficulty in using their VA loan benefit, especially in competitive housing markets in 2021 where multiple bids are made on houses. VA officials have said that misperceptions still persist among sellers and selling agents that VA financing is less desirable than conventional loans. Some advocates have said requirements for the VA loan program are cumbersome and burdensome. VA officials say more industry education is needed.

Those in the industry have recommended that Veterans question their realtors and their lenders about their experience and how often they’ve helped Veterans use their VA loan benefit. The National Association of Realtors is working to improve perceptions of the VA loan and make it easier for realtors to navigate the VA loan process.

VA officials are working with advocates and Congress on potential changes to the program. Additional details of the home loan process are available here. For more eligibility details, visit VA’s eBenefits site or call 877-827-3702.

GI Bill and Tuition Assistance

In the past year, more students became eligible for VA’s Yellow Ribbon program and new tuition assistance caps were put in place for some service members.

Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a benefit for the latest generation of service members and Veterans, as well as their eligible dependents. It includes payment of tuition and fees, a monthly housing allowance, and a stipend for textbooks and supplies.

The amount of time you spend on active duty determines your benefit level. In general, the higher your benefit level, the less you have to pay out of pocket for school, maxing out at the 100% benefit level, which covers full in-state tuition at public universities.

Here’s what Veterans who received an honorable discharge after Sept. 10, 2011, are eligible for based on the amount of time they’ve served:

• 100%: 36 months or more of active duty service, or at least 30 continuous days and discharged due to service-connected disability.
• 90%: At least 30 months, less than 36 months.
• 80%: At least 24 months, less than 30 months.
• 70%: At least 18 months, less than 24 months.
• 60%: At least 6 months, less than 18 months.
• 50%: At least 90 days, less than 6 months.
• No benefit: Less than 90 days.

If your service ended before Jan. 1, 2013, your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits will expire 15 years after your last separation date from active service. If your service ended after that date, your benefit does not expire.

What does the Post-9/11 GI Bill cover?

You can use your benefits toward an education at a college, university, trade school, flight school or apprenticeship program.

While the benefit covers all in-state tuition and fees at public institutions, it may not have the same reach at a private or foreign school. The maximum tuition coverage for private nonprofit, private for-profit and foreign schools for the 2020-21 school year was $25,162.14. That figure is expected to increase again in August.

How does the Post-9/11 GI Bill housing stipend work?

The housing stipends GI Bill users receive depend on the level of benefits they’re eligible for, how many courses they take and where they go to class.

The rate is determined by DoD’s Basic Allowance for Housing scale and is paid at the same rate an active-duty E-5 with dependents would receive in a particular area. If you are pursuing a degree entirely online, you get half of the national BAH average.

However, Congress passed changes to the program at the start of the coronavirus pandemic to allow students forced online by campus closures and virus mitigation efforts to receive full housing benefits. Those protections are set to last through spring 2022.

The VA had historically based the housing allowance on the location of the main campus of a school, even if the student in question is taking classes at a different branch campus that could be many miles away. However, in 2019, the Forever GI Bill directed VA to instead base the housing allowance on the location where a student takes most of his or her classes.

Can Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits be transferred?

Service members may transfer their benefits to a dependent, provided they have already served in the military for at least six years and agree to serve four more after the transfer is approved by the DoD.

The transfer must happen while you are still in uniform. Veterans who have already separated from the military are not eligible to transfer their benefits. Children are only eligible to start using the transferred benefits after the service member doing the transfer has completed at least 10 years of service. Spouses can use the transferred benefits right away.

What’s new in the Post-9/11 GI Bill program?

A pending court case could allow Veterans who are eligible for both the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill to use both benefits consecutively, essentially giving some Veterans another 12 months of education benefits. The issue is under appeal and may not be settled in time for the start of the 2022-2023 academic year.

Active-duty troops who received a Purple Heart for combat injuries are now allowed to transfer their benefits to dependents regardless of how long they served or their ability to commit to more service.

Starting in August 2022, active duty service members are eligible for the VA Yellow Ribbon program, which allows private schools to match VA benefits with their own tuition assistance.

More Post-9/11 GI Bill information

You can find more details here on the GI Bill.

You can head here for a GI Bill Comparison Tool.

You can apply for the Post-9/11 GI Bill online or by visiting a local VA regional office. If you’ve already chosen a school or program, arrange a meeting with the institution’s VA certifying official, who can help you get started.

Tuition assistance for active-duty troops

Service members have more education benefits available to them than just the GI Bill.

While service members can begin to use their GI Bill benefits on active duty, they can often get help paying for college from their service branches — and save the GI Bill for later — by using tuition assistance.

Here’s how tuition assistance works, and what you’ll need to know to make the most of it:

What is military tuition assistance?

Tuition assistance is a federal benefit that covers the cost of tuition, up to particular limits, for active-duty service members, as well as some members of the National Guard and reserves. The funds are paid directly to schools by the service branches.

Who is eligible for military tuition assistance?

Each service has its own requirements.

• Air Force/Space Force: All Air Force and Space Force officers incur a service requirement if they use TA, but there is no service-length requirement to begin using the benefit.
• Navy: Enlisted sailors and officers, including Naval Reservists, must have a minimum of two years of military service before becoming eligible to use TA.
• Army: As of Aug. 5, 2018, there is no longer a one-year waiting period after completion of Advanced Individual Training, Basic Officer Leader Course or Warrant Officer Basic Course to receive TA. Active-duty officers incur a two-year service obligation.
• Marine Corps: After previously having to wait 18 to 24 months to use TA, Marines now have no minimum service-length requirements for the benefit. However, they must agree to at least two more years of active duty service to use the benefit.
• Coast Guard: Active-duty Coast Guard members must have been on long-term active-duty orders for more than 180 days to access TA. The Coast Guard also has unit-specific requirements and requires commanding officer approval.
• Guard/Reserve: Soldiers who are activated or on drill status are eligible under the same conditions as active-duty Army personnel. Air National Guardsmen and reservists of other branches are eligible for TA if they are activated, and the use of TA often comes with a service obligation for a certain amount of time once the last course is completed.

What are the limits?

The Defense Department caps tuition assistance at $250 per semester hour and $4,500 per fiscal year. The Coast Guard recently set its cap for fiscal 2022 at $3,750.

Generally, TA funds can be used to pursue a higher degree than what you have already earned, up to the master’s degree level. If you have a bachelor’s degree, you can use it to pursue a graduate degree — not an associate or second bachelor’s, though there are some exceptions. Some branches require you to create a degree plan or take a branch-specific course before your TA benefits are approved.

Military stores try to broaden their appeal

Two benefits that help those in the military community stretch their dollars are commissaries and exchanges.

Commissaries are on-base stores that sell discounted groceries to authorized customers.

Exchanges are on-base stores (with an online component) that sell a variety of items ranging from clothing and shoes to toys, furniture, home appliances and electronics. They have on-base gas stations and stores that sell alcoholic beverages.

Over the past few years, eligibility to shop at military commissaries and exchanges have expanded to include more people in the military community.

Who can shop at commissaries?

Eligibility: Active duty, Guard and Reserve members, military retirees, Medal of Honor recipients, and their authorized family members. These shoppers have IDs issued by DoD. In a recent change, commissary employees can also shop, but not their family members. DoD and Coast Guard civilian employees on service agreements overseas are among the authorized shoppers, too.

As of Jan. 1, 2020, the eligibility was expanded by law to all Veterans with service-connected disabilities, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, and primary family caregivers of eligible Veterans enrolled under the Department of Veterans Affairs Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. Service connected disabled and other Veterans who are eligible use their Veterans health ID card, or VHIC, to gain access to the installation, and to shop. Spouses and other family members aren’t allowed to shop; however, they are allowed to come into the stores with the Veteran. They just can’t buy anything. Family caregivers who qualify for the benefit will have access to a memo at VA.gov which will be used for entry, along with a driver’s license, passport or other authorized form of ID.

What’s new at commissaries?

The commissary agency finished rolling out its Click2Go program to all commissaries worldwide in the fall of 2021. Customers choose their items online, select a pickup time, and at the appointed time, head to the Click2Go parking spaces where commissary employees bring their groceries to their car and finish the transaction.

Commissary officials are also planning to test doorstep delivery this year.

Commissaries add a 5 percent surcharge at the cash register which is generally used to pay for construction and renovation of stores, and equipment purchases. Because commissaries receive taxpayer funding each year for most operating costs, they’re able to offer groceries at generally lower prices overall than civilian stores. The law requires that overall, average commissary savings must be consistent with the baseline savings of 23.7 percent, compared with civilian grocers outside the gate.

There are a variety of initiatives to improve convenience and savings for customers, such as the Your Everyday Savings (YES!) program. That program has dropped prices long term on hundreds of popular brand items ranging from certain brands of toilet tissue, baby food, Spam, yogurt, to cereal and other types of products.

Commissaries also sell their own private label brands.

Payment accepted: Cash, personal checks, travelers checks, money orders, debit cards, Military Star card, American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Women, Infants and Children (WIC), American Red Cross Disbursing Orders, commissary gift cards, and coupons.

Sales restrictions: Most commissaries don’t sell beer or wine, although there’s a limited test selling the libations in 12 stores. Commissaries do sell tobacco in stores on Army and Air Force bases. DoD policy is that tobacco can’t be sold at a discount greater than 5 percent below the lowest competitor in the local area.

Some commissaries overseas have restrictions, such as ration controls in South Korea in order to control black marketing of U.S. goods.

Rules on who can use overseas commissaries are affected by status-of-forces agreements between host nations and the U.S. Situations vary by country, and individuals should check with the local U.S. military command or installation they plan to visit before they travel.

Locations and hours: Most commissaries have evening and weekend hours. To find a store, and get information such as hours and directions, visit www.commissaries.com and click on “Store Locator.”

Who can shop at military exchanges?

Exchanges are the military’s version of department stores, selling discounted brand-name goods from civilian companies, as well as their own private label items. There is no sales tax.

There are four exchange systems: The Navy Exchange Service Command, the Marine Corps Exchange system; Coast Guard Exchange system; and Army and Air Force Exchange Service, also known as The Exchange. Eligible exchange shoppers can shop online at www.shopmyexchange.com, www.mynavyexchange.com and www.shopcgx.com.

Stores support themselves almost completely through their sales income. All profits are used to fund military Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs, and to build or renovate stores.

Eligibility: Eligible shoppers include all ranks of active-duty, retired, National Guard and Reserve members and their families, Medal of Honor recipients, and their families, surviving spouses and former spouses. Those eligible can shop at any exchange, regardless of service affiliation.

In 2021, Defense officials expanded exchange shopping eligibility to Department of Defense and Coast Guard civilians, who are now able to shop in military exchanges in the U.S.

In 2020, the exchange benefit was authorized by law for all Veterans with VA service-connected disability ratings; Purple Heart recipients; Veterans who are former prisoners of war; and primary family caregivers of eligible Veterans under the VA caregiver program.

All honorably discharged Veterans can shop online at the exchanges. The Veterans Online Shopping Benefit does not grant on-installation access, unless the Veteran falls into another category, such as having a VA service-connected disability rating.

Employees. Exchange employees are paid from exchange revenue, not taxpayer dollars. The exchanges also seek to hire military spouses, with hiring preference programs.

Overseas. Overseas stores offer many U.S. products that may be difficult to find otherwise. Commands often impose shopping restrictions to limit the sale of U.S. goods on the illegal market.

Payment. Stateside and overseas exchanges accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover credit cards. Exchanges also offer their own credit plan through the joint-exchange Military STAR Card.

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Making a jump to the business world is often challenging for military careerists, but recruiters are searching for their talent

Intensive training as a paratrooper, extensive testing, knowledge, and execution are required before you can be called a U.S. Army “Jumpmaster.”

That was just one job title Nicola Hall had during her five -year Army career. She was also a sergeant and military police officer. As one of the first women deployed to Afghanistan after 9/11, Hall worked every day to earn the respect of her fellow soldiers by demonstrating her dedication to their shared mission and supporting them through the tough situations they faced together.

Yet, when it came time to transition from the military, Hall said she found the process of translating the skills she developed during her service into business-world language to be disheartening. There are not many job descriptions for people qualified to dive from an airplane at 1,200 feet.

“These days, my job titles are mom, Veteran, and business leader, but the skills I honed during my time in the Army set me up to be the leader that I am today,” said Hall, who is now a principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP serving federal health clients.

She recently recounted her story to a room full of other women Veterans, service members, military spouses, and caregivers who face similar challenges in making the successful “jump” from military service to the civilian workforce—but without as long a free fall.

Hall’s talk was part of a Women’s Employment Bootcamp that Deloitte sponsored at its Rosslyn, Virginia, office. The attendees represented various branches of the U.S. military and ranged from recently separated Veterans to those who have been in the civilian workforce for more than a decade.

COMMITMENT TO HELPING VETERANS TRANSITION

Deloitte has already hosted five virtual and 11 in-person Employment Bootcamps this year, serving 235 people. But these sessions are only part of Deloitte’s commitment to the Veteran community, which the organization outlines in its annual Veteran Impact Report.

Led by a team of Deloitte professionals, some of whom are Veterans themselves, bootcamp attendees hone the skills they need to be competitive in the civilian job market. They identify their personal strengths, discuss how best to translate the skills acquired in the military to civilian employment, develop an “elevator pitch,” refine their resume, and participate in practice interviews.

The event at which Hall spoke was the first bootcamp dedicated solely to women Veterans. The hands-on workshop gave each attendee an opportunity to foster relationships with their fellow service members and expand their network to include professionals who have faced similar challenges in their careers, despite being exceptionally qualified candidates for many jobs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women Veterans are more likely than other women to have advanced degrees, a bachelor’s degree, an associate degree, or some college.

PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS AND PURPOSE-DRIVEN MISSION A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

For businesses like Deloitte and government agencies that have a purpose-driven mission, a special premium can be placed on job candidates with “demonstrated mission experience and a high level of integrity and trustworthiness that tends to follow them out of the service,” said Kathleen Purtill, a principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP and leader of its civilian sector, who served as a naval surface warfare officer.

While Veterans are “significantly more likely than nonVeterans” to work for the federal government, women Veterans are the most likely, BLS data shows.

More than 250,000 service members transition out of the military and into civilian life every year, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. For those leaving the service, the transition can challenge them in ways the military did not.

Yet over the last decade, employers have paid more attention to this talented labor pool. BLS employment data show that unemployment rates in 2020 for male Veterans were 4.4%, similar to the 4.2% for female Veterans, and both were lower than the combined U.S. unemployment rate of 6.5%.

“If you just focus on the skills they used to perform the job — resilience, flexibility, problem-solving is what a military career requires,” said Juan Garcia, a naval aviator, former assistant secretary of the U.S. Navy and a managing director for Deloitte Consulting LLP. “Those attributes give you a competitive advantage in civilian life.”

Employers estimate that critical thinking, analytical skills, problem-solving, and skills related to self-management—such as active learning, resilience, stress tolerance, and flexibility—will be in the highest demand by 2025, according to “The Future of Jobs Report 2020” from the World Economic Forum.

Understanding this deep talent opportunity, Deloitte in 2013 made a public pledge to double its own U.S. Veteran hiring. It later introduced a Military Spouse Initiative, which supports career development for spouses who often have their own careers disrupted because of the intense demands, deployment schedules, and change of duty stations of the service member in their families.

“Now that I’m a single mom to an 8-year-old daughter, navigating work-life balance is daunting, a feeling that many women experience,” Hall said. “That’s why I’m proud to work for Deloitte, a company that has repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to Veterans. The opportunity to give back to my fellow Veterans is incredibly enriching and is one of my greatest passions.”

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