Military & Veterans News
Military & Veterans News
Vet News: Gov. Malloy: Veterans Advantage Program Provides Benefits to Veterans While Building Scholarship Fund
(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that the State Department of Veterans' Affairs has partnered with Veterans Advantage, Inc. on an initiative to extend private sector benefits to veterans and their families who reside in Connecticut through the VetRewards Card program.
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Vet News: Detroit VA for Vets Hiring Fair
WASHINGTON – In its ongoing efforts to provide unemployed Veterans with the education and training they need to compete for high-demand jobs, VA will seek out Veterans who may be qualified for its new Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) at the Detroit VA for Vets Hiring Fair June 26-28.
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Vet News: VA Announces Aggressive National Recruitment Effort to Hire Mental Health Professionals
WASHINGTON - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki recently announced the department would add approximately 1,600 mental health clinicians as well as nearly 300 support staff to its existing workforce to help meet the increased demand for mental health services. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has developed an aggressive national recruitment program to implement the hiring process quickly and efficiently.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: Presidential Proclamation -- Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2012
Our Nation endures and thrives because of the devotion of our men and women in uniform, who, from generation to generation, carry a burden heavier than any we may ever know. On Memorial Day, we honor those who have borne conflict's greatest cost, mourn where the wounds of war are fresh, and pray for a just, lasting peace.
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Vet News: DOD to Host Vietnam War Commemoration Ceremony at Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta will host a ceremony on Monday, May 28, 2012, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to thank and honor America’s Vietnam Veterans on behalf of a grateful nation. This ceremony will serve as a public kickoff of efforts to partner with communities across the United States. Invited guests include thousands of Vietnam Veterans, their loved ones, Gold Star families and leadership from the military services, Cabinet and Congress. There will be a limited viewing area open to the general public.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: WEEKLY Presidential ADDRESS: A New Chapter in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON, DC— In this week’s address, President Obama spoke about his recent trip to Afghanistan, where he met with our brave troops and signed an historic agreement that will help put an end to the war. The goal of defeating al Qaeda is within sight, we have killed Osama Bin Laden, and the President has now signed an agreement with Afghanistan that details a new relationship in which the Afghans will soon be responsible for the security of their nation. As we look towards that future, we must also focus on the type of nation our troops return to. This is why the President called on Congress to take the money we are no longer spending at war, use half of it to pay down our debt, and use the other half to rebuild America. It’s time for America to make the choices that ensure a strong middle class where everyone a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules.
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Vet News: Secretary of the Navy Announces LHA 7 Will Be Named USS Tripoli
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today the selection of USS Tripoli as the name for the Navy’s next large-deck amphibious assault ship (LHA 7).Military & Veterans News
Vet News: Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta Statement on U.S.-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement
“I strongly support the U.S.-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by President Obama and President Karzai in Kabul. This agreement affirms the long-term commitment of the United States to Afghanistan, and it is a further expression of our shared goal of defeating al Qaeda and its extremist affiliates. It is a tangible sign of the strength and the resilience of the partnership that has been built between the United States and the Afghan people, and the significant progress that has been made by American, international and Afghan forces in building an Afghanistan that can secure and govern itself. The transition to Afghan security lead has commenced and it is on track.
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Vet News: Chairman Murray Applauds President's Decision to Address GI Bill Accountability
(Washington D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, released the following statement today after President Obama signed an executive order that takes action against deceptive practices targeting educational benefits for servicemembers and veterans. Senator Murray recently introduced similar legislation that increases transparency in order to help VA educational beneficiaries make informed decisions about the schools they attend so they get the most out of their GI Bill benefits. The bill would also require that VA and DoD to develop a joint policy to curb aggressive recruiting and misleading marketing aimed at servicemembers and veterans using the GI Bill.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: Navy League Honors Prominent New Yorkers at 110th Anniversary Dinner in New York City
NEW YORK, March 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/Military & Veterans News
Vet News: DOD Launches Mobile App Development Challenge
The Defense Department announced today the launch of a challenge to develop innovative mobile applications that provide science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning tools.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: Integrated Disability Evaluation System Failing America’s Wounded Warriors
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) held a hearing to review the progress made by the Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) in implementing the Integrated Disability Evaluation System, or IDES. A servicemember is referred to IDES when their active duty status is questioned through either physical or mental injuries incurred on active duty. IDES was put in place upon the recommendations by several commissions—including the Dole Shalala Commission—in 2007 to better assist America’s recovering warriors and their families’ transition from active-duty to VA. Former commission members and DoD and VA officials testified before the Subcommittee.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: VA Construction Projects Face Scrutiny for Delays, Accountability, and Costs
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, members of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs questioned VA officials regarding four major construction projects in Orlando, Florida, Las Vegas, Nevada, Denver, Colorado, and New Orleans, Louisiana, estimated to cost more than $3 billion, as well as to receive status updates on VA major medical facility leases, which collectively have start up costs of $442 million, across the country.
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Vet News: Allen: Troops Will Accomplish Afghan Mission
Recent incidents have been deplorable, but they will not stand in the way of accomplishing goals in Afghanistan, the International Security Assistance Force commander said here.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated as of March 20, 2012
This week the Army, Navy and Marine Corps announced decreases in activated reservists while the Air Force and Coast Guard announced an increase. The net collective result is 235 fewer reservists activated than last week.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: VA Launches “Project REACH” Contest With HUD and Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation to Help Homeless Find Vital Services
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs launched a new contest today to help the people who help the homeless. It challenges the developer community to create easy, mobile access to resources that the homeless need, when they need it and where they can get it.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: Cardin, Ruppersberger Announce First Hotel Partners in Military Program, Urge Others to Participate
BALTIMORE – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and U.S. Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (both D-MD) today announced that three major hotel corporations have agreed to participate in a new national program that will allow American citizens to donate their hotel reward points to wounded warriors and their families. Marriott International was the first hotel company to agree to participate in the program, followed by the Wyndham Hotel Group and AmericInn. Event participants called on the rest of the lodging industry to follow their lead and agree to participate by Memorial Day, when organizers hope to open the program to donations.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: Final R&R Flight to Arrive at DFW Airport March 14th
The Army announced today it will officially close the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Personnel Assistance Point (PAP) with a ceremony on March 14th, marking the arrival of the last Rest and Recuperation (R&R) flight that will use that airport as a hub for service members returning from theater on R&R.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: Update of the Current State of our Nation’s Veteran Cemeteries
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) held an oversight hearing to examine the current state of our National Cemeteries. Testifying before the subcommittee were representatives from all of the agencies who have jurisdiction over veterans cemeteries.
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Vet News: Women Veterans: Make Your Own History
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs joins the Nation in observing Women’s History Month in March by honoring women Veterans for their significant historical contributions and encouraginMilitary & Veterans News
Vet News: Veterans Crisis Line Provides Confidential Help to Veterans and Families
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs is expanding its efforts to prevent suicide through several new initiatives that increase the availability of services for Veterans, Servicemembers and their families.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated as of February 14, 2012
This week the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps announced a decrease in activated reservists, while the Coast Guard announced no change. The net collective result is 960 fewer reservists activated than last week.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: Military Spouse of the Year Branch Winners Announced
The votes have been tallied and the six branch winners of the 2012 Armed Forces Insurance’s Military Spouse of the Year presented by Military Spouse Magazine have been selected.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: GAO Report Shows VA's Shortcomings in Dealing with the Rising Number of Homeless Women Veterans
(Washington, D.C.) – A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released today showed that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has had difficulty in planning for and meeting the unique needs of a growing number of homeless women veterans. The study, which was requested by U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs’ Committee, is one of the first of its kind to examine the troubling rise in homelessness among women who have served.