Military & Veterans News
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. 
Military & Veterans News
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.
Military & Veterans News
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.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: VA Launches Acquisition Internship for Returning Veterans
WASHINGTON – A special internship to prepare newly-returned Veterans to become federal contracting specialists was launched recently at the Acquisitions Academy of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Frederick, Md.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: Detroit to Host VA Small Business Conference, Hiring Fair
WASHINGTON – The National Veterans Small Business Conference, the government’s premier event for Veteran-owned small businesses, is coming to Detroit’s Cobo Center June 25-29, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced today.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: DOD Announces Recruiting and Retention Numbers for Fiscal 2012
The Department of Defense announced today recruiting and retention statistics for the active and reserve components for fiscal 2012, through December.
Military & Veterans News
Vet News: Largest Annual Wheelchair Sports Event in the World Returning to Richmond this June
WASHINGTON – Registration is open for the 32nd National Veterans Wheelchair Games, the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world. More than 500 Veterans from across the United States, Puerto Rico and Great Britain are expected to compete in the Games, taking place June 25-30, 2012, in Richmond, Va. – the site of the very first National Veterans Wheelchair Games held in 1981.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: VA Launches Facebook Pages for All 152 Medical Centers
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today that all of its 152 medical centers are now actively represented on Facebook, the world’s largest social networking site.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: VA-HUD: Homelessness among Veterans Declines 12% in 2011
WASHINGTON – The Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development today announced that a new national report shows that homelessness among Veterans has been reduced by nearly 12 percent between January 2010 and January 2011. The 12 percent decline keeps the Obama Administration on track to meet the goal of ending Veteran homelessness in 2015. Military & Veterans News
Vet News: Army Moves Forward with Civilian Reductions
In July, the Army announced a planned reduction of approximately 8,700 positions by Sept. 30, 2012. These cuts are based on Department of Defense resource decisions as reflected in the fiscal 2012 President’s Budget and require a reduction of Army civilian employees to comply with decreased funding levels. 
Military & Veterans News
Vet News: Navy Christens Submarine Mississippi
The Navy christened its newest attack submarine Mississippi, Saturday, Dec. 3, during an 11 a.m. EST ceremony at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Conn. The Honorable Ray Mabus, secretary of the Navy, delivered the ceremony’s principal address. Allison Stiller, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for ship programs, is the ship’s sponsor.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: VA Recognizes Outstanding Achievements in Homeless Programs
WASHINGTON – The best facilities, employees and civilian providers working to eliminate homelessness among Veterans were recently honored by the Department of Veterans Affairs.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: A Thanksgiving Day Message from the Secretary, Eric K. Shinseki
Thanksgiving is an American tradition that predates the U.S. Constitution by more than 100 years. It is an observance that binds us as Americans no matter our race, religion, or culture. It is a time when we reflect on our many blessings and give thanks for the bounty in our lives.