FW: VFW Action Corps Weekly, June 12, 2015

Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible;

 and suddenly you are doing the impossible.

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Subject: VFW Action Corps Weekly, June 12, 2015
To: rserge1@outlook.com
From: amarkel@vfw.org
Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2015 15:27:25 -0400

June 12, 2015 In This Issue: 1. SECDEF VSO/MSO Conference 2. Denver Construction Continues 3. House Hearing on Prescription Mismanagement 4. Hearing on VA's Fiduciary Program 5. Defense Appropriations Bills 6. Four MIAs Identified 1. SECDEF VSO/MSO Conference: Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter hosted the VFW and other veterans and military service organizations at the Pentagon on Wednesday to discuss challenges and threats his department faces with an uncertain budget and more global demands on a force in transition. Ending sequestration is his number one priority — as it is the VFW's —as well as the proper care and treatment of wounded, ill and injured service members, the families of the fallen, and outreach efforts to the younger generation to encourage them to serve. Among his many concerns and that of other senior briefers were: How to manage risk with an inconsistent budget. DOD must have fiscal clarity, because an inconsistent budget and the looming return of sequestration in FY 2016 directly impacts capability, capacity and readiness. There is more demand for U.S. forces than we have forces. Aside from ongoing troop reductions, America's overseas presence is one-third what it was 25 years ago. This weakens our ability to deter, shape and influence, plus it gives potential adversaries —who already have the luxury of picking the time and place — the ability to close on any fight faster than U.S. forces. The morale of mid-career NCOs and officers, who are critical to the future force. Opportunities were also discussed, including the current military personnel system and DOD's new blended military retirement system proposal: The military personnel system must change and adapt to future times, and some serious thought is being given to eliminating the current "up or out" promotion system, while still maintaining the basic requirement that military leaders are grown, not appointed. The officer corps, for example, is too fixated on promoting based on time and grade. Discussed was the possibility of hiring the most talented cyber warriors and starting them in higher ranks, for example. Or having officers willing to serve possibly 30 years, but with the full understanding that they would never rise above a certain rank in that career field. Or allowing service members "time off" to have children or do something totally different, and bring them back in without penalty. Everything is on the table to attract and retain a new generation of warriors. Regarding retirement, DOD's plan mirrors that of the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission, but with no lump sum option, and would include the government match throughout someone's career. Plan success, however, hinges on the elimination of the 1% COLA penalty that goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2016, for all new enlistees, should they stay the requisite 20 years. DOD's plan is based on a building block approach of increased benefits that rewards longevity. Currently, only 17% of service members reach retirement age. DOD's plan would provide some type of portable retirement account to 100% of service members, should they reach the two-year point. 2. Denver Construction Continues: Congress has passed legislation to continue construction of the Denver VA Medical Center, avoiding a second shutdown. This extension gives VA and Congress approximately five months to find a long term solution so the project can be funded through completion without further work stoppages. The VFW will continue to work with VA, Congress and other stakeholders to ensure this project is completed. 3. House Hearing on Prescription Mismanagement: On Wednesday, the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation held a hearing to discuss VA's management of high dose pain medication. Committee members urged VA to properly monitor the health condition of veterans with suicidal thoughts or tendencies. Another concern is veterans who might turn to illicit drugs if VA eliminates or curtails prescription pain medication without proper alternatives, or if VA fails to renew prescriptions in a timely manner due to appointment wait time issues. VA discussed programs it is implementing to reduce their providers' reliance on pharmaceuticals to treat mental health and manage pain. To view a video of the hearing, visit: http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/prescription-mismanagement-and-the-risk-of-veteran-suicide. 4. Hearing on VA's Fiduciary Program: On Thursday, The House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing to explore VA's fiduciary program. When a veteran who receives a disability or pension payment from VA can no longer effectively manage their finances, VA is obligated to provide a fiduciary. The Committee's goal is to make sure the fiduciary program is effective for the veterans who need it. To watch the hearing, click here: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/63536748. 5. Defense Appropriations Bills: Yesterday, the House passed a $578.6 billion Defense Appropriations bill. The bill provides a $24.4 billion increase from Fiscal Year 2015 appropriations and is $800 million above the President's request. The President has issued a veto threat over policy riders that prohibit the transfer of detainees from Guantanamo Bay.  The Senate Committee on Appropriations voted 27-3 to advance its version of the Defense Appropriations bill.  The Senate version provides $575.9 billion for defense programs.  Stay tuned to the Action Corps Weekly for updates on these important bills. 6. Four MIAs Identified: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains belonging to an Air Force pilot lost in World War II and three Army aircrew from the Vietnam War. Identified are: Army Air Force 2nd Lt. Jimmie D. Collins III, 22, of Sylacauga, Ala. On June 21, 1944, Collins was the co-pilot of a B-24H Liberator returning from a bombing mission near Berlin when it crashed near Hoofddorp, Netherlands. Also aboard were nine other airmen. One parachuted out and was captured by German forces; the other nine, including Collins, were reported as killed in action. Collins will be buried with full military honors in his hometown on June 29. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/NewsStories/NewsReleases/tabid/10159/Article/600103/airman-missing-from-world-war-ii-accounted-for-collins.aspx. Army Chief Warrant Officers 3 James L. Phipps of Mattoon Ill., 24, and Rainer S. Ramos, 20, of Bellingham, Wash., were the pilots of a UH-1C Iroquois (Huey) helicopter that was shot down in Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam, on Jan. 9, 1968. Also aboard were door gunners Staff Sgt. Warren E. Newton, 18, of Canby, Ore., and Spc. Fred J. Secrist, 19, of Springfield, Ore. The crew was assigned to Troop C, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 14th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade. A U.S.-led recovery team was able to recover the body of Secrist soon after the shoot-down, but not the other three, who will be buried as a group with full military honors on June 17 at Arlington National Cemetery. Read more at: http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=17332&source=GovDelivery. To sign up new veterans' advocates, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm. As always, we want to share your advocacy stories on the VFW Capitol Hill blog. To share your stories, either fill out our online form by clicking here: http://www.vfw.org/Forms/Capitol-Hill-Blog-Submissions/, or simply email photos and stories directly to vfwac@vfw.org.

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