bulletin 160101 (html edition)

7/23/2019 Bulletin 160101 (HTML Edition)

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RAO

BULLETIN1 January 2016

HTML Edition

THIS BULLETIN CONTAINS THE FOLLOWIN ARTICLES

!" Arti#$% Su&'%#t

( )O) ( *

05 == National Coast Guard Museum [03] ------ (USCG Authorization Act

05 == !"AC [#5] ------------ ($%&% 'rillion !ill )cludes *undin+ ,or 0%.

0/ == *eres octrine [01] ---------------------- (A22lication to !irth n4uries

01 == o *raud 6aste and A7use ------- ("e2orted %. thru 3% ec 0%5

08 == *AS %088-" [0/] ---------------------- (0%5 s A9aila7le on m:;a:

08== Marine Cor2s ;aci,ic "eali+nment -------- (Mo9in+ *or<ard in 0%.

%0 == ;6>MA [.1] ---------------- ('otal MA?s as o, ec 0%5 @ 13088

%% == ;6>MA "eco9eries ---------------- ("e2orted %. thru 3% ec 0%5

( +A ( *

% == A eath eri,ication S:stem [0%] ----------------------- (Ne< ;olic:

%3 == A Bealth Care Access [/] ---- (ustice e2t ro2s #. o, 55 Cases

%3 == A nsurance i9idends in 0%. --- ($11&% million to D#30000 ets

%# == A Claims !acElo+ [%50] ---------- (Fo<est !ut Ne9er Goin+ A<a:

%5 == A ata !reach [51] ------------------- (re+on -%# Com2romise

%5 == eterans Crisis Fine [0%] ----------- (6hat Ba22ens on the ther nd

%. == A Minorit: eterans ;anel [03] ---------------------- (Ne< Mem7ers

%1 == A Claims Assistance [0.] -------------------- (eterans Fa< !lo+

%



%1 == A Accounta7ilit: [%] ------------------------- (;hoeni) A ,,icials

%8 == A Accounta7ilit: [%3] -- (Meanin+,ul isci2line>9idence FacEin+

% == A Accounta7ilit: [%#] -- (aila7le ,,ense or Mana+ement MistaEe

== A Accounta7ilit: [%5] -------------- (*H 0%. @ )tra $.! <>Strin+s

3 == A "ural Access [3] ---------------------- (ncreased thru Choice Act

#== A *lu Shots [03] ----------------- (A "etail mmunization ;ro+ram

5 == A !ud+et 0%. [0#] -------- ($%.3! A22ro9ed @ B&"&08 S:no2sis

. == *isher Bouse )2ansion [%%] ----------------------------- (a:ton hio

. == A ;'S Claim Su22ort [0] ------ (nde2endent Medical 2inions

1 == A "o7otic Fe+s ------- ("e6alE @ A Bas A+reed to ;a: ,or ets

8 == A ata !reach [5/] ------------------------- (No9em7er ;B ncidents

30 == A *raud 6aste I A7use ------------ ("e2orted %5 thru 3% ec 0%5

3% == A Medical Mari4uana [%.] --- (*ederal>State Fa<s o9er ;ot Collide

33 == SN %. ------------------ (Ne<l: Assi+ned irector SE:e Mcou+all

3# == AMC 'omah [%#] -------------------- ("estorin+ 'rust %00-a: ;lan

3. == AMC Fea9en<orth JS ----------------------- (:e Clinic 6ait 'imes

3/ == A BCS ;hoeni) [%1] -------------------- ("emains Mired n ;ro7lems

( +%t, ( *

31 == Cam7odia Fi,e ,or ets ---------------------------- (Fots o, 22ortunit:

#0 == et *ertilit: 'reatments - (nsurance Co9era+e Fost U2on ischar+e

#% == S!; C ,,set [#3] ------------ (Under "e9ie< 7: Bouse Committee

# == et !rain 'rauma -------------------------- (Undia+nosed !rain n4uries

#3 == Fe+ion o, Bonor --------------------------- (A<ardee r& d McAninch

## == Bonor *li+hts [08] ------------ (S2rin+ 66 *li+ht Could 7e the Fast

#5 == et *unerals ----------------------------------------------- (% Gun Salutes

#. == et e2ortations [0#] ---------------------- (mmi+rant e,ense ;ro4ect

#1 == et 'o)ic )2osureDFe4eune [5/] ----- (A 6ill Co9er 1 Conditions

50 == J8?s ,or eterans --------------------- ()2anded "ole o, Ser9ice o+s5% == 7itK FairdDliza7eth -------------------------------------- (# C 0%5

5 == "etiree A22reciation a:s ------------------------- (As o, 8 C 0%5

5 == et Birin+ *airs -------------------------------- (% AN thru 8 *e7 0%.

53== 66 ets 8/ ------------------------------------------------ (<ensD!ud

55 == et State !ene,its I iscounts ------------------------- (Missouri 0%5

( +%t L%"i,$ation ( *

55 == et !ills Su7mitted to %%#th Con+ress ---------- (%5%%. thru %5%3%

( MILITAR- ( *

5.== Militar: SmoEin+ !an --------------- (Ba<aii !ased 'roo2s under %

5/ == Na9: *leet Size ------------------------------------ (Set to Gro< in 0%.

51 == 'o2s in !lue ------------------------------------ (0%. Season Cancelled

.0 == Great Green *leet --------- (Maiden o:a+e Scheduled Fate anuar:

.% == FooEin+ Ahead to 0%. --------------------------------------------- (USN

. == Fess-'han-Bonora7le ischar+e -------------- (35000 Since 000

.# == "A; [03] ------------- (Fa< Chan+e nds "eser9e 'uition ;ro+ram



.5 == Militar: ischar+e Studies -------------------------- ('<o ue in 0%/

.5 == Militar: Se2aration ;a: [0%] ---------- (m2act on A Com2ensation

./ == ;"M [0%] ------------------- (3000 Mortar "ounds rdered @ %0mm

.1 == "o7otic Car+o Mo9ers [0] -------- (USMC Mule ;ut ut to ;asture

.8 == Militar: nlistment Standards 0%5 [08] ----------- (Criminal Bistor:

/0 == Medal o, Bonor Citations ----------------------- (Berda *ranE A& @ N

( MILITAR- HISTOR- ( *

/% == Militar: 'ri9ia %%/ ------------------ (66?s %st 5 Mission Aircre<

/3 == A9iation Art ---------------------------------------------------- (oEer 'he

/# == Militar: Bistor: ----------------------------------- (Chichi ima ncident

/. == 66 Ads ------------------------------------------------------------ ("CA

// == -a: ------------------------------------------------------- ('ime to um2

// == 66 ;re<ar 9ents - (%83% Goe77els 6eddin+ <>!est Man Bitler

/1 == 66 ;ost6ar 9ents - (!elsen Concentration Cam2 Cemeter: %8#.

/1 == S2anish American 6ar ma+e 10 -------- (Cam2 McCalla une %181

/8 == 66 in ;hotos %05 ------------------------ (German A/ tanEs @ %8%1

/8 == *aces o, 6A" (66 -------------- (G in "ome tal: Ma: 3%8##

10 == Ghosts o, 'ime ------------ ('hen I No<? ;hotos o, 66 Sites (0/

10 == Militar: Bistor: Anni9ersaries ------------------------- (0% thru %5 an

( HEALTH CARE ( *

10 == '"CA" ura7le Medical Lui2ment ------- (Co9era+e Fimitations

1% == '"CA" Autism Care [%5] --------- (*ee Cuts o, U2 to %5 in 0%.

13 == '"CA" ;harmac: Co2a: [%.] ----------- (Chan+e *e7ruar: % 0%.

13 == et r+an onation ---------------- (Arm: Sta,, S+t& Matthe< 6halen

1# == '"CA" Cataract Co9era+e - (ne o, the Most Common 2erations

1# == '"CA" ;ro9ider A9aila7ilit: [05] ---------- (!e<are Non-Certi,ied

1# == '"CA" ;harmac: mer+enc: ;rocedures ---------- (Storm Goliath

15 == '"CA" Bel2 --------------------------------------------- (IA %5%3%

( FINANCES ( *

1/ == SS 6ar Surta) ----------------------------- (Sen& Chris Coons ;ro2osal

1/ == *lood nsurance ---------------------------------- (6hat is>is not Co9ered

18 == CFA 0%/ ------------------------------------- (A ee2er i9e nto "ed

18 == Charita7le Gi9in+ 'a) eduction --------------------- (Jno< the "ules

80 == Social Securit: I A ----------------------------- (%.0%0% thru %.0%%5

8% == dentit: the,t ;rotection [0%] ---- (Fi,elocE $%00M Settlement <>*'C

8 == Sa9in+ Mone: ---------------------------- ("e,ri+erator o?s and on?ts83 == S:rian "e,u+e Scam --------------------------------------- (Bo< it 6orEs

8# == Bolida: Bi+h ;a: o7 Scam ------------------------------ (Bo< it 6orEs

85 == Gi,t )chan+e Scam --------------------------------------- (Bo< it 6orEs

8. == 'a) !urden ,or ArEansas "etired ets ---------------- (As o, ec 0%5

8/ == 'a) !urden ,or Mar:land "esidents ------------------- (As o, ec 0%5

88 == 'hri,t Sa9in+s ;lan 0%5 ------------------ ("eturns as o, 30 C 0%5

3



Su22orters o, the ,irst national museum honorin+ the U&S& Coast Guard ho2e ne<l: 2assed ,ederal le+islation <ill 2ro9ide a ,inancial li,t to the lon+-a<aited 2ro4ect 2lanned alon+ ConnecticutTs <ater,ront& 'he Senate this montha22ro9ed the Coast Guard Authorization Act <hich includes lan+ua+e e)2andin+ the amount o, su22ort the CoastGuard can 2ro9ide to de9elo2 and install museum e)hi7its and dis2la:s o, the ser9iceTs arti,acts& 'he 7ill alread:cleared the Bouse o, "e2resentati9es and no< a<aits ;resident 7amaTs si+nature& Sen& "ichard !lumenthal has 7een <orEin+ <ith "e2& oe Courtne: a ,ello< Connecticut emocrat to chan+e current ,ederal la< <hich +reatl:

limits ho< much the Coast Guard can ,inanciall: su22ort the 2ro4ect 2lanned ,or do<nto<n Ne< Fondon& Be saidheTs 7een concerned a7out <hether enou+h ,unds <ill 7e e9entuall: raised ,or the 2ro4ect and 7elie9es this chan+e i, si+ned into la< <ill 2rom2t more 2ri9ate donations& T9e 7een <orEin+ <ith them to lend su22ort and sim2l: maEemore 2eo2le a<are ho< im2ortant it is to reco+nize the Coast Guard ,or its achie9ements !lumenthal said&

Courtne: said ,ederal le+islation 2ro9ides a hu+e 7oost to national e,,orts to create the lon+ o9erdue museumand sends a 2o<er,ul si+nal that this e,,ort has stron+ 7acEin+ o, the Con+ress the ,ederal +o9ernment and the CoastGuard& 'he ca2ital cam2ai+n ,or the 2lanned $%00 million museum a ,i+ure that includes a $0 million 2edestrian 7rid+e o9er railroad tracEs and other Americans <ith isa7ilities Act reLuirements has 7een a three-2ron+eda22roach& t includes o7tainin+ $0 million ,rom the state <hich alread: has 7een 2romisedV u2 to $30 million ,romthe ,ederal +o9ernmentV and the remainin+ $50 million ,rom 2ri9ate donations said 6es ;ul9er e)ecuti9e director o, the museum and a retired ca2tain o, the Coast Guard !arLue a+le& Be said donations ha9e 7een comin+ in 7uthe a+reed <ith !lumenthal and Courtne: that the ,ederal la< chan+e <ill liEel: encoura+e more 7ecause it sho<sthat the ,ederal +o9ernment is su22orti9e o, the 2ro4ect& 'he museum has recei9ed 2ri9ate commitments <orth$%&/5# million ,rom some o, the 300 com2anies associated <ith the American 6ater<a:s 2erators a nationalad9ocate ,or the U&S& tu+7oat to<7oat and 7ar+e industr:& More mone: is e)2ected&

r+anizers ha9e discussed 2ossi7l: o2enin+ the museum as earl: as the summer o, 00& t <ould 7e the onl:national museum dedicated to the men and <omen o, the Coast Guard& 'he e,,ort to 7uild such a museum has 7een alon+ one& 'he museum association <as or+anized in 00% to raise ,unds ,or the 2ro4ect and a22l: ,or ,ederal andstate +rants& A 00# act o, Con+ress desi+nated Ne< Fondon home o, the U&S&Coast Guard Academ: as thelocation ,or a museum& )terior desi+n <orE ,or the museum is under<a: <hile a museum desi+n ,irm is <orEin+on creatin+ interior e)hi7its& ;ul9er said there <onTt 7e a 2ro7lem in ,indin+ arti,acts to ,ill those e)hi7its& Numerous 2ieces are in Coast Guard collections around the countr: as <ell as in se9eral stora+e areas in the 6ashin+ton &C&area& 9er the ne)t t<o :ears an ad9isor: 2anel <ill decide ho< 7est to e)hi7it those o74ects& 6e Eno< <hat <eha9e ;ul9er said& 6e 4ust <ant to dis2la: it in a <a: thatTs 7est ,or the 2erson <ho comes into the Coast GuardMuseum& [SourceK 'he Associated ;ress @ Susan Bai+h @ ecem7er / 0%5 ]

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

BRAC U/dat% 45 1*1 Tri$$ion Bi$$ E7#$ud%, Fundin" 8or 2016

'he e,ense e2artment has 7een 2ressin+ ,or :ears to close unneeded 7ases in the U&S& <hich <ould sa9e 7illions

and hel2 +raduall: do<nsize and recon,i+ure the militar:& !ut that cam2ai+n has 7een mostl: +reeted <ith hostilit:

on Ca2itol Bill& Fast March ,or e)am2le ;enta+on o,,icials ar+ued 7e,ore a Senate 2anel that a ne< !ase

"eali+nment and Closure (!"AC round <ould 2a: o,, handsomel: 2roducin+ $ 7illion a :ear in sa9in+s 7:

shrinEin+ the in,rastructure 7: onl: ,i9e 2ercent accordin+ to the Militar: 'imes& !ut in,luential "e2u7licans

includin+ Sen& Jell: A:otte o, Ne< Bam2shire chair o, the Armed Ser9ices readiness su7committee lashed 7acE

notin+ that the last !"AC in 005 cost the +o9ernment $35 7illion and :et 2roduced little in the <a: o, sa9in+s&

XNo< is not the time to s2end 7illions o, u2-,ront dollars on another !"AC round es2eciall: as costs ,or the last

one ha9e dramaticall: e)ceeded e)2ectationsY she said

5



ust in case the e,ense e2artment and the 6hite Bouse didn?t +et the messa+e the G;-controlled Con+ressinserted unmistaEa7le lan+ua+e in the $%&% trillion omni7us s2endin+ 7ill ,or ,iscal 0%. 7arrin+ ,rom 2lannin+

another massi9e shutdo<n o, militar: 7ases& XNone o, the ,unds made a9aila7le 7: this Act ma: 7e used to 2ro2ose

2lan ,or or e)ecute a ne< additional !ase "eali+nment and Closure (!"AC roundY states the le+islation <hich is

a<aitin+ ,inal a22ro9al 7: the Bouse and Senate& XNormall: Con+ress 4ust tells an a+enc: that the: can?t s2end

mone: to do this or thatY said Ste9e llis 9ice 2resident o, 'a)2a:ers ,or Common Sense& X!ut tellin+ the ;enta+on

that the: can?t s2end mone: to 2ro2ose a !"AC is the le+islati9e eLui9alent o, Zdon?t e9en thinE a7out it&? 'he

Administration can?t e9en 2ut it in their *iscal Hear 0%/ 7ud+et reLuest ne)t :ear&Y

t has 7een a ,ull decade since Con+ress last authorized a ma4or do<nsizin+ o, the militar:?s U&S& ,oot2rint& More

than 350 installations ha9e 7een closed in ,i9e !"AC rounds datin+ 7acE to %811& n an e,,ort to insulate the

decision maEin+ ,rom 2olitics Con+ress in the 2ast has le,t the nitt: +ritt: o, decidin+ <hich 7ases to 2reser9e and

<hich to close to an inde2endent commission and then 9oted to a22ro9e or re4ect the o9erall recommendations&Gi9en the stead: decline in the num7er o, troo2s and ci9ilian <orEers there is less and less o, a need to maintain

man: s2ra<lin+ and costl: 7ases and militar: installations in the countr:& 'he e,ense e2artment at one time

estimated its e)cess or sur2lus in,rastructure at 7et<een %1 2ercent and 30 2ercent accordin+ to 'he *iscal 'imes&

'he ;enta+on?s 9ast real estate 2ort,olio includes more than 5.000 7uildin+s and structures on 53 7ases 2osts

and centers&

At a time <hen e,ense Secretar: Ashton Carter and Gen& ose2h un,ord the chair o, the oint Chie,s o, Sta,,

are 2ressin+ to streamline the militar: and reor+anize com7at commands administration o,,icials de,ense 7ud+et

anal:sts and others are disma:ed 7: the staunch con+ressional resistance to do<nsizin+ the in,rastructure& 'his is

es2eciall: alarmin+ <hen the ;enta+on is 7ein+ sho<ered <ith so much mone: -- $5/&. 7illion alone in ,iscal 0%.

<hile little is 7ein+ done to cracE do<n on <aste or adeLuatel: audit s2endin+& Bo<e9er la<maEers ar+ue that the

timin+ is <ron+ ,or another !"AC amid <ides2read 2u7lic concern a7out de,ense and the threat o, SS terrorists&And the: sa: that the last do<nsizin+ durin+ the administration o, "e2u7lican ;resident Geor+e 6& !ush in 005

2ro9ided a cautionar: note a7out the limits to sa9in+s that can 7e achie9ed 7: closin+ 7ases&

Mostl: Bouse and Senate mem7ers don?t liEe 7ase-closures 7ecause the: are 2oliticall: di9isi9e 2ittin+ one

state a+ainst another and the: can lead to the loss o, 4o7s and economic o22ortunit: in their states that could

7ecome an issue durin+ an election& A:otte ,or e)am2le is ,acin+ a tou+h challen+e ne)t :ear ,rom emocratic

Go9& Ma++ie Bassan and can?t a,,ord to a22ear <illin+ to risE a 7ase closin+ in Ne< Bam2shire& XCon+ressmen

don?t <ant 7ases closed in their districts it?s as sim2le as thatY said Gordon Adams a 2ro,essor emeritus at

American Uni9ersit: and an authorit: on de,ense s2endin+ and strate+:& XAnd that?s almost entirel: <hat it is& 'he

militar: 7rass <ould lo9e to close 7asesV the: <ould lo9e to +et the sa9in+s ,rom consolidatin+ in,rastructure ,or

thin+s that the: reall: <ant& 'he: Eno< the: ha9e too much in,rastructure&Y

Bo<e9er the contro9ers: isn?t cut and dried& 6hen the last !"AC <as considered and a22ro9ed in 005 the;enta+on estimated similar e)cess ca2acit: to <hat it is claimin+ no< accordin+ to re2orts& Con+ress ultimatel:

a22ro9ed reducin+ militar: in,rastructure 7: less than 3&5 2ercent 7ut at a cost o, a startlin+ $35 7illion to achie9e&

'he annual sa9in+s ,rom that hu+e in9estment turned out to 7e rou+hl: $# 7illion& 9er since then o22onents o,

more 7ase closures cite the !ush administration?s costl: e)2eriment& Het Adams said that the 005 !"AC <as

di,,erent ,rom earlier e,,orts 7ecause Xthe: did more reali+nment than the: did closure&Y X6hat that means is taEin+

,orces ,rom 2oint A and +rou2in+ <ith them <ith ,orces at 2oint ! consolidatin+ 7om7ers consolidatin+ ,i+hter

aircra,tY he said& X'he: didn?t close 9er: man: 7ases& !ut the: had to do a lot o, s2endin+ to recon,i+ure 7ases so

.



that the: could recei9e the incomin+ material and 2eo2le&Y XMem7ers o, Con+ress hide 7ehind that cost to o22ose

an: ,uture 7ase closure roundsY he added& [SourceK 'he*iscal'imes @ ric ;ianin @ ecem7er %1 0%5 ]


F%r%, )o#trin% U/dat% 09 A//$i#ation to Birt In'uri%,

or+e rtiz had his dau+hter?s ,uture in mind <hen he ,iled a medical mal2ractice suit a+ainst the +o9ernment o9er

her 7otched 7irth& !ut <hen the case <as dismissed 7: a lo<er court and an a22ellate court 7oth citin+ the *eres

doctrine rtiz 2etitioned the U&S& Su2reme Court ho2in+ to chan+e the le+al rule that 2re9ents his child ,rom

<innin+ a 7irth in4ur: suit solel: 7ecause her mother is an acti9e dut: ser9ice mem7er& X6e?9e reached a 2oint

<here 2eo2le can see ho< un,air this is ,or children o, militar: ,amiliesY or+e rtiz said in a 2hone inter9ie< ,rom

his San Antonio home& Xsa7ella is the 9oice o, these ,amilies&Y

sa7ella <as 7orn March %. 008 to rtiz and his <i,e Air *orce Ca2t& Beather rtiz at 9ans Arm:

Communit: Bos2ital *ort Carson Colorado& As her mother <as 2re22ed ,or a 2lanned Cesarean section deli9er:

she <as +i9en a medication to <hich she had an aller+: \ one noted in her medical records& 6hen she <as +i9en an

antihistamine to counter the aller+ic reaction her 7lood 2ressure 2lun+ed de2ri9in+ sa7ella o, o):+en in the <om7&

sa7ella no< . su,,ered 7rain and ner9e dama+e that reLuires her to +et occu2ational and 2h:sical thera2: each

<eeE& She <ears le+ 7races and has s2ecial accommodations at school&

I,a&%$$a Orti3: 6: ;a, in'ur%d in t% ;o.& ;%n %r .ot%r: Air For#% Ca/t* H%at%r Orti3: ;a, "i<%n a .%di#ation to

;i# ,% i, a$$%r"i#*

Antici2atin+ sa7ella?s li,etime medical needs or+e rtiz ,iled suit a+ainst the Arm: hos2ital& !ut a district

court dismissed the case citin+ the *eres doctrine <hich 7ars claims a+ainst the ,ederal +o9ernment 7: mem7ers o,

the armed ,orces and their ,amilies ,or in4uries stemmin+ ,rom acti9it: Xincident to militar: ser9ice&Y n a22eal the

%0th Circuit Court o, A22eals ruled that sa7ella?s in4ures <ere directl: related to her mother?s in4uries and thus

*eres <as a22ro2riatel: in9oEed& or+e rtiz 7elie9es this e)tension o, the *eres doctrine to children <ho ha9e

ne9er <orn a uni,orm is <ron+& Be remains ho2e,ul that the Su2reme Court <ill consider sa7ella?s 2etition +i9en

that he 7elie9es the case re,lects discrimination a+ainst militar: <omen& Xt?s a +reat o22ortunit: to add some clarit:

and understandin+ to the *eres doctrineY rtiz said&

'hat doctrine stems ,rom a %850 case *eres 9& United States in <hich the Su2reme Court ruled that acti9e-dut:

troo2s are not co9ered 7: the *ederal 'ort Claims Act <hich allo<s 2ersons <ron+ed 7: +o9ernment em2lo:ees to

sue the +o9ernment o9er their in4uries& t has remained a contro9ersial rule e9er since s2arEin+ com2laints ,rom

2atient ad9ocac: +rou2s militar: ser9ice or+anizations and troo2s <ho ,eel the: ha9e no le+al recourse <hen

somethin+ +oes a<r: at a militar: hos2ital or clinic& 'he Su2reme Court has consistentl: re,used to hear 2re9ious

2etitions a+ainst *eres most recentl: in 0%% in the case o, a Marine <hose sur+er: ,or a routine a22endectom:

<ent a<r: lea9in+ him in a 9e+etati9e state and e9entuall: leadin+ to his death& or+e rtiz an Air *orce 9eteran

said that <hen he 4oined the militar: he <as a<are o, the doctrine and understands restrictions are needed to ensure

/



militar: leaders and 2ersonnel are not sued ,or decisions made in the line o, dut: or ,or in4uries sustained in trainin+

or <ar& !ut he does not 7elie9e *eres should a22l: to e+re+ious medical errors made in militar: hos2itals& X thinE a

line should 7e dra<nY he said& 'he American Fe+ion and National eterans Fe+al Ser9ice ;ro+ram ur+ed the

Su2reme Court court to consider the case 7ecause *eres o,ten is a22lied une9enl: across lo<er courts&

Attorne:s ,or sa7ella and her ,ather or+e rtiz sa: dismissal o, the ,amil:?s claim <ould 7e an o9erreach o,

the *eres doctrine the e)ce2tion to the *ederal 'ort Claims Act that 7ars acti9e-dut: troo2s ,rom suin+ the U&S&

+o9ernment& XFo<er courts? erroneous denials o, the *ederal 'ort Claims Act 4urisdiction <ill continue and <orsen

until *eres is o9erturnedY <rote attorne:s ,or the +rou2s& thers 7acEin+ the rtiz claim include the National

r+anization ,or 6omen the National nstitute o, Militar: ustice and ,our mem7ers o, Con+ress&

'he ,amil:?s Su2reme Court 2etition <as ,iled %3 C'& 'he ,ederal +o9ernment had until %1 C to ,ile a

res2onse 7ut reLuested and <as +ranted a 30da: e)tension& oe !ennett a Colorado attorne: <ho re2resents the

,amil: said the court could decide in March <hether to schedule oral ar+uments in the case& 'he Su2reme Court

recei9es at least %0000 2etitions each :ear and hears onl: 7et<een /5 and 10 cases& rtiz said he Eno<s the odds

are slim that the 4ustices <ill acce2t his dau+hter?s case 7ut remains o2timistic& X ho2e the Su2reme Court can looE

at this and realize that *eres is not 4ust 7ein+ a22lied to militar: mem7ers& sa7ella?s case ma: 7e e)treme 7ut

there needs to 7e clarit:Y he said& [SourceK Na9:'imes @ ;atricia Jime @ ecem7er 1 0%5 ]


)o) Fraud: Wa,t%: and A&u,% ^ R%/ort%d 16 tru 1 )%# 2015

A8"ani,tan=!%nta"on - ,,icials in the ;enta+on includin+ man: 2ast Secretaries o, e,ense in administrations o,

7oth 2olitical 2arties ha9e com2lained a7out the hi+h cost o, militar: medical care and s2eci,icall: the cost o,

medical care ,or retirees& n ,act one ,ormer Secretar: said it <as eatin+ the ;enta+on?s 7ud+et ali9e& Bo<e9er

recentl: it <as re9ealed that the ;enta+on s2ent $#3 million on a +as station in A,+hanistan that <as ne9er used&

'he S2ecial ns2ector General ,or A,+han "econstruction estimates that the +as station should ha9e cost a7out

$500000 7ut someho< it ended u2 costin+ 1. times that amount& 'hat stor: a22eared last <eeE a 6ashin+ton

&C& ne<s2a2er 'he Bill& 'he article <as a7out ;enta+on <aste and it demonstrated <hat '"A has 7een sa:in+,or :ears& S2eci,icall: there is so much <aste in the ;enta+on that i, it <as e9er accounted ,or it <ould 7e in the

7illions o, dollars& , that mone: <ere sa9ed there <ould 7e no e)cuse ,or tr:in+ to ,orce retirees to 2a: more ,or

their health care&

Accordin+ to the article X'he ;enta+on em2lo:s at least .00000 ser9ice contractors& !ut 7ecause it does such a

2oor 4o7 o, tracEin+ them it can?t +i9e an accurate ,i+ure o, e)actl: ho< man: o, these contractors it em2lo:s ho<

much the: cost relati9e to their ci9ilian counter2arts or ho< much o9erla2 there is in the tasEs 2er,ormed 7:

contractors and ci9ilian 2ersonnel& !etter mana+ement o, this <orE ,orce could sa9e untold 7illions that could 7e

2ut to 7etter use& Add to e)am2les cited thus ,ar the scores o, other cases o, o9erchar+es du2licate 2urchases and

4ust 2lain mismana+ement that characterize ;enta+on s2endin+ 2ractices and the amounts <asted mount into the tens

o, 7illions o, dollars& Un,ortunatel: these are not 4ust ZmistaEes&? 'he: are the 2redicta7le outcome o, the <a: the

;enta+on does 7usiness&Y Hou can read the entire article hereK htt2K>>thehill&com>7lo+s>con+ress-7lo+>econom:- 7ud+et>.%18#-2enta+on-<aste-machine-is-still-<ell-,ueled &

Con+ress is alread: at <orE tr:in+ to come u2 <ith <a:s to the chan+e militar: health care s:stem& '"A is

a,raid that 2ushin+ more o, the cost ,or medical care onto the 7acEs o, retirees is e)actl: <hat the:?ll tr: to do and

the: <ill ,i+ht to sto2 an: scheme that does that& [SourceK '"A 6ashin+ton C @ ecem7er %# 0%5 ]


1

http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/economy-budget/261894-pentagon-waste-machine-is-still-well-fueled







)FAS 10>>?R U/dat% 0@ 2015 I, A<ai$a&$% on .y!ay

n m:;a: at htt2sK>>m:2a:&d,as&mil>m:2a:&as2)P,l2s=88"D"C;S annuitant and retiree electronic %088" ,orms ,or

0%5 are no< a9aila7le& 'he e,ense *inance and Accountin+ Ser9ice (*AS im2lemented the m:;a: <e7-7ased

s:stem in March 000& m:;a: deli9ers 2a: in,ormation and lets :ou 2rocess 2a:-related transactions timel: sa,el:

and securel:& 'he <e7-7ased s:stem 2rotects a+ainst identit: the,t and is ,aster and more secure than re+ular mail 7:

allo<in+ mem7ers to access electronic %088" "AS and other ,inancial in,ormation& m:;a: matches industr:

standards ,or the hi+hest le9el o, encr:2tion and securit: to 2rotect m:;a: users& , :ou do not ha9e a ;ass<ord ,or

accessin+ m:;a: :ou can o7tain one 7: clicEin+ on the *or+ot or Need a ;ass<ordP linE on the m:;a: <e7site at

the <e7 address sho<n a7o9e to recei9e a tem2orar: ;ass<ord& , :ou ha9e an: Luestions concernin+ m:;a: call

toll ,ree at %-111-*AS#%% or %-111-33-/#%% Commercial %.-5-508. or SN 510-508. 1K00 a&m& - 5K00 2&m&

astern 'ime& , :ou ha9e an: Luestions re+ardin+ the in,ormation on :our %088" call %-100-3%-%010& [SourceK

*AS-Smartocs @ ecem7er %. 0%5 ]


Marin% Cor/, !a#i8i# R%a$i"n.%nt ^ Mo<in" For;ard in 2016

'he Cor2s? ;aci,ic reali+nment <ill mo9e ,or<ard in 0%. amid recent dust-u2s <ith Ee: allies& 'he ;enta+on in

earl: ecem7er a<arded $308 million ,or the ,irst 2hase o, a Guam construction 2ro4ect needed to mo9e 5000

Marines and %300 de2endents ,rom Eina<a& Con+ress has a22ro9ed nearl: $8 7illion ,or the relocation and a2an

has alread: 2ut u2 more than $% 7illion& 'he mo9e ,rom Eina<a is scheduled to run ,rom 0% to 03& 'he

construction 2lan calls ,or Marine Cor2s ,acilities at the Na9: Com2uter and 'elecommunications Station at

*ine+a:an ,amil: housin+ at Andersen Air *orce !ase and li9e-,ire trainin+ ran+es in the north& 'he ecem7er

,unds <ill +o to<ard site and +rade 2re2arationV electrical mechanical and <ater and <aste<ater utilities u2+radesV

and construction o, road<a:s and side<alEs leadin+ to *ine+a:an&

M+?22 O,/r%y, and C?10J Su/%r H%r#u$%, 8i$$ t% 8$i"t $in% at Marin% Cor/, Air Station Fut%n.a in Oina;a: Ja/an*

U*S* and Ja/an%,% o88i#ia$, ;ant to r%$o#at% t% &a,% to t% $%,, d%<%$o/%d H%noo Bay ar%a: &ut .any r%,id%nt,: and t%"o<%rnor: o//o,% t% /$an*

Most Eina<ans are ha22: to see a reduction in the num7er o, Marines \ /# 2ercent o, U&S& ,orces in a2an are

7ased on the island \ 7ut tensions remain hi+h as a2anese and U&S& o,,icials looE to relocate Marine Cor2s Air

Station *utenma ,rom a hea9il: 2o2ulated section o, Eina<a to the less de9elo2ed area o, BenoEo !a:& Man:

residents <ant the 7ase mo9ed o,, the island com2letel:& 'his 7attle <ill 2la: out in the courts in 0%. as a2an?s

central +o9ernment in earl: ecem7er ,iled a la<suit a+ainst Eina<a Go9ernor 'aEeshi na+a to allo<

construction to mo9e ,or<ard& n the land do<n under ar<in de2lo:ments ha9e 2ro9en in9alua7le as the ;enta+on

8

https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx?flps=99R~RCPS

https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx?flps=99R~RCPS



looEs to 7ee, u2 re+ional securit: and res2onse <ith an e:e to<ard an e)2andin+ Chinese militar:& Bo<e9er the late

0%5 lease o, ar<in ;ort to Chinese-o<ned com2an: Fand7rid+e Grou2 has caused a stir in the ;enta+on

accordin+ to Australian media re2orts <hich descri7ed su7seLuent dialo+ue as Xemer+enc: talEs&Y

'he Marines? 0%5 de2lo:ment marEed the ,ourth rotation throu+h ar<in and the second time a ,ull 7attalion

landin+ team \ a7out %%/0 Marines and sailors \ has de2lo:ed to the Northern 'erritor:& ;resident !aracE 7ama

said in 0%3 that he ho2ed to send 500 Marines \ a ,ull Marine air-+round tasE ,orce \ to Australia durin+ the0%.-0%/ time,rame thou+h it is not clear <hether that +oal <ill 7e met& U&S& and Australian de,ense leaders are

looEin+ to rotate a three-shi2 am2hi7ious readiness +rou2 throu+h the re+ion and 2erha2s a carrier striEe +rou2&

ar<in?s 2ort <ould need to 7e e)2anded to host an am2hi7ious assault shi2 and t<o docE landin+ shi2s& 6hen the

dust settles the Cor2s 2lans to ha9e MAG'*s or 7etter in Australia Guam Ba<aii and Eina<a& [SourceK

MarineCor2s'imes @ Fance M& !acon @ ecem7er / 0%5 ]


!OW=MIA U/dat% 69 Tota$ MIA, a, o8 )%# 2015 D 9:0>>

WWII or%an War +i%tna. War Co$d War Ira Ot%r Con8$i#t, Tota$ W /33%5 W /11 %&.# %. . 13088

W "e,lects actual num7er still unaccounted-,or& ;MJ" data7ase count is sli+htl: hi+her due to se9eral entries

2endin+ administrati9e re9ie<&

W ue to limited or con,lictin+ data concernin+ location o, loss ,or a22ro)imatel: % o, 66 missin+ the a7o9e

ma2 does not sho< a total num7er eLual to the list o, 66 missin+ 7: name else<here on this site& As the data

,rom our 2redecessor or+anizations is mer+ed and 9alidated all 2u7licl: a9aila7le in,ormation <ill 7e 2rom2tl:

u2dated

[SourceK htt2K>><<<&d2aa&mil>urMissin+>;astCon,licts&as2) ec 5 0%5 ]


!OW=MIA R%#o<%ri%, R%/ort%d 16 tru 1 )%# 2015

Jee2in+ the ;romise *ul,ill their 'rust and No one le,t 7ehind are se9eral o, man: mottos that re,er to the

e,,orts o, the e2artment o, e,ense to reco9er those <ho 7ecame missin+ <hile ser9in+ our nation& 'he num7er

o, Americans <ho remain missin+ ,rom con,licts in this centur: areK 6orld 6ar (/35%5 Jorean 6ar (/1#%

Cold 6ar (%. ietnam 6ar (%./ %88% Gul, 6ar (5 and Fi7:a (%& 9er .00 e,ense e2artment men and

%0

http://www.dpaa.mil/OurMissing/PastConflicts.aspx





<omen -- 7oth militar: and ci9ilian -- <orE in or+anizations around the <orld as 2art o, oTs 2ersonnel reco9er:

and 2ersonnel accountin+ communities& 'he: are all dedicated to the sin+le mission o, ,indin+ and 7rin+in+ our

missin+ 2ersonnel home& *or a listin+ o, all 2ersonnel accounted ,or since 00/ re,er to htt2K>><<<&d2aa&mil> and

clicE on Zur Missin+?& , :ou <ish to 2ro9ide in,ormation a7out an American missin+ in action ,rom an: con,lict or

ha9e an inLuir: a7out MAs contactK

• MailK ;u7lic A,,airs ,,ice 300 e,ense ;enta+on 6ashin+ton &C& 030%-300 AttnK )ternal A,,airs

• CallK ;honeK (/03 .88-%#0

• Messa+eK *ill out ,orm on htt2K>><<<&d2aa&mil>Contact>ContactUs&as2)

*amil: mem7ers seeEin+ more in,ormation a7out missin+ lo9ed ones ma: also call the ,ollo<in+ Ser9ice

Casualt: ,,icesK U&S& Air *orce (100 53%-550% U&S& Arm: (100 18-#80 U&S& Marine Cor2s (100 1#/-%58/

U&S& Na9: (100 ##3-881 or U&S& e2artment o, State (0 .#/-5#/0& 'he remains o, the ,ollo<in+ MA>;6?s

ha9e 7een reco9ered identi,ied and scheduled ,or 7urial since the 2u7lication o, the last "A !ulletinK

+i%tna.

o?o?O?o?o?

or%a

'he e2artment o, e,ense ;6>MA Accountin+ A+enc: (;AA announced # C that the remains o, a U&S&

ser9iceman missin+ ,rom the Jorean 6ar ha9e 7een identi,ied and <ill 7e returned to his ,amil: ,or 7urial <ith ,ull

militar: honors& Arm: S+t& Ro&%rt C* )ain

?o?o?O?o?o?

'he e,ense ;6>MA Accountin+ A+enc: announced the identi,ication o, the remains o, Arm: ;,c& )a<id S*Bur% %

?o?o?O?o?o?

'he e,ense ;6>MA Accountin+ A+enc: announced 1 C the identi,ication o, the remains o, Arm: ;,c&

Ja.%, M* S.it %8 o, 6ilco) Count: Ga& <ho <as lost ,i+htin+ in South Jorea on *e7& % %85%& Be <as

assi+ned to Com2an: J 31th n,antr: "e+iment nd n,antr: i9ision&

Wor$d War II

'he e2artment o, e,ense ;6>MA Accountin+ A+enc: (;AA announced # C that the remains o, Marine

C2l& Ja.%, )* Otto unaccounted ,or since 6orld 6ar ha9e 7een identi,ied and are 7ein+ returned to his ,amil:

,or 7urial <ith ,ull militar: honors&?o?o?O?o?o?

'he e2artment o, e,ense ;6>MA Accountin+ A+enc: (;AA announced the identi,ication o, the remains o,

Arm: Air *orces %st Ft& L%onard R* Farron o, ;ierce Count: 6ash& <ho <as 2ilotin+ a ;-38 Airaco7ra that

,ailed to return to 7ase a,ter a stra,in+ mission o9er Guadalcanal on ct& %5 %8#& Be <as assi+ned to the ./th

*i+hter SLuadron 3#/th *i+hter Grou2 %3th Air *orce&

[SourceK htt2K>><<<&d2aa&mil @ ecem7er 3% 0%5 ]

%%

http://www.dpaa.mil/


http://www.dpaa.mil/Contact/ContactUs.aspx



http://www.dpaa.mil/Contact/ContactUs.aspx




( +A (

+A )%at +%ri8i#ation Sy,t%. U/dat% 01 ^ N%; !o$i#y

'he ,ederal +o9ernment has acEno<led+ed that it <ron+l: declared more than %00 9eterans dead and sus2ended

their 7ene,it 2a:ments and sa:s it is chan+in+ its 2olic: o, con,irmin+ deaths& MiEe "ieEer a .8-:ear-old ietnam

6ar Na9: 9eteran <ho <as amon+ those <ron+l: declared dead said his situation turned serious <hen he realized

he mi+ht +o <eeEs or more <ithout a 7ene,its checE <hile the situation <as ironed out& s2ent ,i9e minutes ar+uin+

on the 2hone <ith a lad: a7out me 7ein+ dead he said <ith a <r: smile at a ne<s con,erence C& 9entuall:

started looEin+ around the house ,or thin+s to sell he added&

"e2u7lican U&S& "e2& a9id oll: o, *lorida 7rou+ht the issue to the e2artment o, eterans A,,airsT attention in

a No9em7er letter& n res2onse the A acEno<led+ed that it had erroneousl: sto22ed 7ene,its to %%5 2eo2le ,rom

ul: / 0%# to A2ril % 0%5 7ecause o,,icials 7elie9ed the: <ere dead& No< the de2artment is u2datin+ its

2rocess to reLuest ,urther con,irmation o, the 7ene,iciar:Ts death 7e,ore it terminates 2a:ments A s2oEesman

"andal Noller said in a statement to 'he Associated ;ress& 6hen o,,icials thinE a 9eteran is dead the de2artment

<ill send a letter to his or her address and reLuest con,irmation o, the death ,rom a sur9i9in+ ,amil: mem7er

accordin+ to a %0 C letter ,rom the A to oll:Ts o,,ice& , the A doesnTt hear ,rom the ,amil: \ or ,rom a

9eteran erroneousl: 7elie9ed dead \ onl: then <ill the de2artment terminate 2a:ments accordin+ to the letter&

oll: said that heTs +rate,ul the de2artment tooE action and that A 7lamed the 2ro7lems on com2uter and human

error& 'he A 9eri,ies its 7ene,iciariesT entitlement throu+h an automated match <ith the Social Securit:

AdministrationTs eath Master *ile Noller said& Althou+h these t:2es o, errors are a small 2ercenta+e <e sincerel:re+ret the incon9enience caused 7: such errors Noller said in his statement& n "ieEerTs case under the ne< rules

he <ould ha9e had a 30-da: 2eriod to 2resent e9idence that he <as ali9e and <ell oll: said& [SourceK Associated

;ress @ 'amara Fush @ ecem7er 0%5 ]


+A H%a$t Car% A##%,, U/dat% 2@ ^ Ju,ti#% )%/t )ro/, 46 o8 55 Ca,%,

ustice e2artment o,,icials ha9e declined to 2ursue dozens o, criminal in9esti+ations into em2lo:ees at the

e2artment o, eterans A,,airs <ho alle+edl: 2artici2ated in a national e,,ort to co9er u2 lon+ dela:s in care 7:

creatin+ ,aEe 2atient <aitin+ lists& As o, 3 C the ustice e2artment has re,used to 2ursue an: char+es in #. o, 55

cases re,erred 7: the ATs o<n ins2ector +eneral& Nine cases are still 2endin+ accordin+ to a letter ,rom "e2& e,,

Miller chairman o, the Bouse eterans A,,airs Committee to Attorne: General Foretta F:nch that <as o7tained 7:

the 6ashin+ton )aminer& es2ite the <ides2read attention A o,,icials ha9e recei9ed ,or mani2ulatin+ 2atient <ait

times the ustice e2artment has acEno<led+ed o2enin+ 4ust one criminal in9esti+ation into a 2ractice that tooE

2lace at %%0 A ,acilities across the countr:&

*! irector ames Come: told Con+ress last :ear that the la< en,orcement a+enc:Ts ;hoeni) o,,ice had o2ened

a criminal 2ro7e o, alle+ations made a+ainst o,,icials at the ;hoeni) A hos2ital& Bo<e9er durin+ a Bouse udiciar:

Committee hearin+ last month F:nch could not ans<er Luestions ,rom "e2& Mimi 6alters ("-CA a7out the status

%



o, that in9esti+ation or <hether an: others had 7een o2ened& F:nch 9o<ed durin+ that hearin+ to ha9e her sta,,

2ro9ide 6alters <ith in,ormation a7out the in9esti+ation& A month later ustice e2artment sta,, did res2ond to

6altersT Luestions& 'he o,,icials reLuested 6alters acce2t an in,ormal 2hone call rather than a ,ormal res2onse

then re,used to ans<er an: Luestions a7out the sco2e o, the a+enc:Ts <orE <ith the A& am at a loss as to <h:

[the ustice e2artment] reLuired a month to determine that it <as una7le to 2ro9ide an: ans<ers to these

Luestions 6alters <rote in a ec& %/ letter to F:nch& t is m: concern that [the ustice e2artment] intentionall:

induced m: o,,ice to 2artici2ate in an in,ormal discussion ,or the sole 2ur2ose o, o7structin+ le+itimate

con+ressional o9ersi+ht 7e:ond the 2u7licTs 2ur9ie< she added&

'he ustice e2artment did not res2ond to a reLuest ,or comment a7out <h: it could not ans<er 6altersT

Luestions and <hether it had e9er 2ursued criminal char+es a+ainst an: A o,,icials in9ol9ed in the <ait-time

scandal& [SourceK 6ashin+ton )aminer @ Sarah 6est<ood @ ecem7er 30 0%5]


+A In,uran#% )i<id%nd, in 2016 ^ 99*1 .i$$ion to G40:000 +%t,

'his :ear A <ill 2a: $11&% million in annual di9idends to a22ro)imatel: #30000 eterans <ho ser9ed 7e,ore %85.

and hold Luali,:in+ li,e insurance 2olicies& 'he di9idends come ,rom the earnin+s o, trust ,unds that eterans ha9e 2aid insurance 2remiums into o9er the :ears and are linEed to returns on in9estments in U&S& +o9ernment securities&

A <ill 2a: the ,ollo<in+ di9idendsK

• $53&5 million Antici2ated total amount o, di9idends to Luali,:in+ eterans o, 6orld 6ar holdin+

National Ser9ice Fi,e nsurance 2olicies that 7e+in <ith the letter XY&

• $&3 million Antici2ated total amount o, di9idends to 7e 2aid to Luali,:in+ 6orld 6ar -era eterans

holdin+ eterans "eo2ened nsurance 2olicies that 7e+in <ith the letters XY X"Y or XSY&

• $3& million Antici2ated total amount o, di9idends to 7e 2aid to Luali,:in+ Jorean Con,lict-era eterans

holdin+ eterans S2ecial Fi,e nsurance 2olicies that 7e+in <ith the letters X"SY or X6Y&

• $%05000 Antici2ated total amount o, di9idends to 7e 2aid to Luali,:in+ eterans <ho ser9ed a,ter 6orld

6ar until %8#0 and hold U&S& Go9ernment Fi,e nsurance 2olicies that 7e+in <ith the letter XJY&

No action is reLuired on the 2art o, the eteran recei9in+ di9idends& A <ill automaticall: 2a: the di9idend on

the anni9ersar: date o, the 2olic: 7: sendin+ it to the insured eteran& 'he amounts <ill 9ar: 7ased on the a+e o, the

eteran the t:2e o, insurance and the len+th o, time the eteran has had the 2olic: in ,orce& eterans eli+i7le ,or the

di9idends must ha9e had these A li,e insurance 2olicies in e,,ect since the: le,t the militar: and <ould ha9e

recei9ed annual noti,ications a7out their 2olicies& A o2erates one o, the nation?s lar+est li,e insurance 2ro+rams

2ro9idin+ more than $%& trillion in co9era+e to .&3 million Ser9icemem7ers eterans and ,amil: mem7ers&

eterans <ho ha9e Luestions a7out their 2olicies should contact the A insurance toll-,ree num7er at %-100-..8-

1#// or send an email to Ainsurance_9a&+o9& *or more in,ormation on A li,e insurance see

htt2K>><<<&7ene,its&9a&+o9>insurance& [SourceK Anta+e ;oint @ ecem7er 30 0%5 ]

%3

mailto:[email protected]


http://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance







+A C$ai., Ba#$o" U/dat% 150 Lo;%,t But N%<%r oin" A;ay

'he eterans A,,airs e2artmentTs 7acElo+ o, disa7ilit: claims <ill ,inish 0%5 near its lo<est le9el in si) :ears 7ut

still <ill not come close to the 2u7licl: 2romised +oal o, zero& A o,,icials this <eeE said the 7acElo+ sits at 4ust

under /5000 cases do<n 7: nearl: hal, ,rom <hen the de2artment 7e+an 2u7licl: tracEin+ the ,i+ure in 008 and

do<n 7: 11 2ercent ,rom its 2eaE o, nearl: .%000 cases in the s2rin+ o, 0%3& t?s a remarEa7le turnaround ,or an

a+enc: that in the earl: 2art o, this decade routinel: tooE ridicule ,rom critics ,or the e9er-+ro<in+ 7acElo+ totals

and sa< the o9erall num7er o, claims s2iEe as it <orEed to maEe internal im2ro9ements&

Since 0% more than 8#0000 ne< 9eterans ha9e 7een added to A?s com2ensation lists& !ut ,or :ears 6hite

Bouse and A leaders ha9e 2u7licl: tar+eted 0%5 as the :ear the: <ould eliminate the 7acElo+ com2rised o, ,irst-

time claims 2endin+ ,or more than ,our months& And that +oal ma: ne9er 7e reached& n a statement this <eeE A

o,,icials said some claims <ill al<a:s reLuire more than %5 da:s to 2rocess X,or a num7er o, com2le) reasons&Y

'hose include shi,tin+ schedules ,or medical e)ams additional entitlement issues and disco9er: o, ne< e9idence

durin+ 2rocessin+ that can 7olster a 9eteran?s case& XA?s le+al dut: to assist 9eterans in ,ull: de9elo2in+ their

claims is an o7li+ation <e taEe seriousl: and <ill not rushY the statement said& XA em2lo:ees are dedicated to

+ettin+ 9eterans the 7ene,its the: ha9e earned as LuicEl: and accuratel: as 2ossi7le&Y

eterans !ene,its Administration o,,icials ha9e estimated that a7out %0 2ercent o, ne< claims comin+ into the

s:stem ma: ,all into those cate+ories& 6ith the current in9entor: that translates into a rollin+ list o, a7out #0000

7acElo++ed claims& 'he de2artment has cleared more than 530000 o9erdue claims ,rom its caseload in a7out &5

:ears thanEs to a series o, 2rocess u2dates com2uter u2+rades and :ears o, mandator: o9ertime ,or claims <orEers&

'hose chan+es include mo9in+ A ,rom a lar+el: 2a2er-7ased 2rocessin+ s:stem to a com2letel: di+ital one

ena7lin+ ,aster sharin+ o, medical records and militar: ser9ice in,ormation& 'hat 2rocess <asn?t ,ull: en+a+ed until

0%3 a,ter the 7acElo+ had Luadru2led ,rom its ,all 008 totals& A com7ination o, ne<l: returnin+ raL and

A,+hanistan <ar 9eterans and decisions to e)2and the num7er o, ietnam-era ser9ice-connected illnesses led to a

dramatic s2iEe in the caseload and to ,rustration o9er the slo< 2ace o, chan+e&

n res2onse A leaders reLuired its claims 2rocessors to <orE 0 hours o, o9ertime each month nearl:

continuousl: since the start o, 0%3 and ,or isolated 2eriods in the t<o :ears 2rior& 'he mo9e added hundreds o,

da:s o, e)tra 2rocessin+ time 7ut has <orn on em2lo:ees tasEed <ith the <orE& e2artment leaders ha9e said the:

ho2e to end the mandator: ' in the comin+ :ear& ;ro+ress on clearin+ the 7acElo+ has 7een lar+el: sta+nant since

cto7er <hen the total di22ed 7elo< /5000 cases ,or the ,irst time& !ut the 2rocessin+ num7ers o,ten stall near the

end o, the :ear as holida: 7reaEs and unused 9acation time stacEs u2 and in 2ast :ears si+ni,icant 7acElo+ reduction

has resumed in late anuar:& utside critics also ha9e e)2ressed concern that the e,,ort to clear the dela:ed ,irst-time

claims has led to an increase in the 7acElo+ o, a22eals on claims <here cases routinel: lan+uish ,or three :ears or

more&

'he a22eals caseload has risen 7: a7out /5000 since s2rin+ 0%3 to 4ust o9er 35000 2endin+ cases toda:& !ut

A o,,icials insist the 2ercenta+e o, total claims that <ind u2 in a22eals has remained stead: in recent :ears and therecent rise is connected to the +reater num7er o, claims 7ein+ ,iled 7: 9eterans not 2ro7lems <ith 2rocessin+ ,irst-

time cases& e2artment leaders ha9e 2romised to address the a22eals 2ro7lems in comin+ :ears <hile also

remainin+ ,ocused on the ,irst-time claims dela:s& X6hile com2lete elimination o, the 7acElo+ ma: not 7e

achie9a7le under our current 2rocessin+ s:stems and 2rocedures <e Eno< there is still more that <e can doY the:

said in their statement& [SourceK Militar:'imes @ Feo Shane @ ecem7er 8 0%5 ]


%#



+A )ata Br%a# U/dat% 59 Or%"on ))?214 Co./ro.i,%

'he re+on e2artment o, eteransT A,,airs (A mailed noti,ication on 1 C to 8./ re+on 9eterans <hose

2ersonal in,ormation ma: ha9e 7een com2romised& Co2ies o, their dischar+e and se2aration 2a2ers commonl:

re,erred to as %#s ma: ha9e 7een in the 2ossession o, an unauthorized 2erson& 'hese documents t:2icall:

include 2ersonal in,ormation such as social securit: num7er date o, 7irth address and ,ull name& t is that 2rimar:

document ,or a 9eteran& And that document is entrusted <ith us A s2oEes<oman Nicole Boe,t said& 'he ,act

that it <as made a9aila7le to a 2erson outside this a+enc:V <e taEe it 9er: seriousl:& A7out 330000 9eterans reside

in re+on and Boe,t said the A is entrusted <ith a7out %00000 o, the %# ,orms& 6hen a 9eteran is 7ein+

released ,rom acti9e dut: he or she can elect to ha9e a co2: o, their %# sent to their state de2artment o,

9eteransT a,,airs&

Boe,t said the A 7ecame a<are o, the 7reach a7out a <eeE and a hal, to t<o <eeEs a+o 7ut could not

s2eci,: ho< it <as disco9ered 7ecause o, an on+oin+ e)ternal in9esti+ation& 'his <as not a technolo+ical 7reach

Boe,t said& ur main concern <as to maEe sure 9eterans <ho are 2otentiall: im2acted <ere a<are and o,,ered

credit monitorin+ as LuicEl: as 2ossi7le& 6e <anted to taEe total res2onsi7ilit: and maEe sure 2eo2le are totall:

2rotected she said& 'he A has no e9idence at this time to su++est that there has 7een an: attem2t to misuse the

in,ormation& All im2acted 9eterans <ere mailed a noti,ication and o,,ered credit monitorin+ ser9ices ,or a ,ull :ear

at no char+e& 'he noti,ication includes a desi+nated 2hone num7er ,or those <ho ha9e Luestions or concerns&

!e:ond the more immediate in9esti+ation and res2onse ,or our 9eterans that are im2acted ha9e also asEed our

leadershi2 team ,or a 7roader re9ie< o, our 2olicies and internal controls around 9eteransT con,identialit: and

2ri9ac: A irector Cameron Smith said& 'he trust our 9eterans ha9e in our a7ilit: to Eee2 their 2ersonal

in,ormation 2ri9ate +oes to the core o, our <orE& [SourceK Statesman ournal @ Ca2i F:nn @ ecem7er 1 0%5 ]


+%t%ran, Cri,i, Lin% U/dat% 01 ^ Wat Ha//%n, on t% Ot%r End

'he eterans Crisis Fine is an anon:mous call center desi+ned to encoura+e eterans and their ,amilies and ,riends

to maEe the call& 'he 2ro,essionals on the other end o, the line are sim2l: called Xres2onders&Y Het the: ha9e a 4o7that is unliEe almost an: other an:<here& 'he: are s2eciall: trained and e)2erienced in hel2in+ eterans o, all a+es

and circumstances& Some o, the res2onders are eterans themsel9es and understand the challen+es eterans o, all

a+es and ser9ice their ,amilies and ,riends ha9e 7een throu+h& urin+ their shi,ts (<hich can ha22en at an: time

an: da: res2onders immediatel: let the caller Eno< that someone is on the other end <ho cares and <ill listen as

lon+ as needed& "es2onders sta: on the line until the: are either assured o, the caller?s sa,et: 9ia a ,amil: mem7er

or ,or<ard the situation to local emer+enc: rescue coordinators <ho ha9e the situation in hand& A recent B! ,ilm

a7out the Crisis Fine ,eatures t<o seLuences that 9i9idl: 2ortra: the understandin+ and com2assion reLuired on the

4o7K

• n one res2onders <orE <ith an A,+hanistan <ar eteran and ,ather o, ,i9e <ho is tormented 7: recurrin+

ni+htmares that ha9e 7ecome un7eara7le& 'he res2onder tells the man <ho ser9ed his countr: <ith the

Marines XHou?re their ,ather& No one can re2lace :ou&Y

• n another res2onders and tech 2eo2le are in9ol9ed in a da:lon+ search ,or an anon:mous caller in distress&

At last throu+h 7rilliant detecti9e <orE the :oun+ man is admitted to an Arm: medical ,acilit:& A Crisis

Fine su2er9isor comments X'his is a +ood endin+ to the da:&Y Success means Eee2in+ a caller en+a+ed on

the 2hone until the: are out o, dan+er&

, :ou are a eteran in crisis Eno< someone <ho is or are a concerned ,amil: mem7er 2lease maEe the call&

"ecei9e con,idential su22ort # hours a da: / da:s a <eeE 3.5 da:s a :earK

%5



• Call %-100-/3-155 and ;ress %

• Chat online

• r send a te)t messa+e to 13155

*or more in,ormation 9isit htt2sK>><<<&9eteranscrisisline&net & , :ou?re interested in a 4o7 on the Crisis Fine or

su22ortin+ eterans in man: other <a:s 2lease 9isit A Careers at htt2K>><<<&9acareers&9a&+o9>4o7-

search>inde)&as2PL=9eteranscrisislineIcat=Iradius=%00Iloc=ne<:orEIsearch=search& [SourceK Anta+e;oint !lo+ @ ecem7er 8 0%5 ]

********************************

+A Minority +%t%ran, !an%$ U/dat% 0 ^ N%; M%.&%r,

A announced the a22ointment o, ,our ne< mem7ers to the Ad9isor: Committee on Minorit: eterans on ec& %&

'he committee <as chartered on No9& %88# and ad9ises the Secretar: o, eterans A,,airs on the needs o, the

nation?s #&/ million minorit: eterans on com2ensation health care reha7ilitation outreach and other 7ene,its and

2ro+rams administered 7: the A& 'he committee assesses the needs o, eterans <ho are minorit: +rou2 mem7ers

and recommends 2ro+ram im2ro9ements desi+ned to meet their needs& 'he committee mem7ers are a22ointed tot<o or three-:ear terms& Minorit: eterans com2rise nearl: % 2ercent o, the total eteran 2o2ulation& 'he ne<

committee mem7ers areK

M%$i,,a Ca,ti$$oK Na9: eteran o, San Antonio 'e)as& Ser9ed as the Assistant "e+ional irector ,or San Antonio

"e+ion eterans Count: Ser9ice ,,icer Association o, 'e)asV Assistant 6omen eterans CoordinatorV Ad9isor to

the US Arm: Sur9i9or utreach Ser9ices ;ro+ramV and Ad9isor to the Alamo Communit: Colle+e istrict eterans

A,,airs Committee& Currentl: ser9es as the Assistant eterans Ser9ice ,,icer at the !e)ar Count: eterans Ser9ice

,,ice in San Antonio 'e)as and is an accredited eterans Ser9ice ,,icer&

%.

https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/


http://www.vacareers.va.gov/job-search/index.asp?q=veterans+crisis+line&cat=&radius=100&loc=new+york&search=search







B%nno C$%<%$andK Arm: eteran o, *air7anEs AlasEa& Ser9ed t<o tours in on+ 'am ietnam <here he earned a

;ur2le Beart& Be also ser9ed as Senior ice Commander and e2artment Commander o, the Militar: rder o, the

;ur2le Beart& n reco+nition o, his distin+uished militar: ser9ice the AlasEa *ederation o, Nati9es 7esto<ed him

<ith their Xeteran o, the HearY honors in 0%# at their Annual Con9ention in Anchora+e& Mr& Cle9eland also

,ounded the AlasEa Nati9e eterans Association and is currentl: ser9in+ as ;resident&

in"%r Mi$$%rK Na9: eteran o, AccoEeeE Mar:land and ,ormer homeless disa7led eteran& Ms& Miller 7ecame

*ounder and C o, t<o non2ro,it or+anizations that ser9e eterans and their ,amiliesK ohn %#K nc& and 6omen

eterans nteracti9e& She ser9ed as Chair<oman o, the ;rince Geor+e?s Count: eterans CommissionV

Commissioner Mar:land Commission ,or 6omenV mem7er o, the Mar:land eterans "esilience Ad9isor: CouncilV

and a mem7er o, the Mar:land Care+i9ers Su22ort Coordinatin+ Council& She is currentl: a mem7er o, isa7led

American eterans&

io.ara So,aK Arm: eteran o, Summer9ille South Carolina& Ms& Sosa is the *ounder and ;rinci2al o, OAS

Consultin+ FFC an inte+rati9e mental healthcare and holistic <ellness consultin+ ,irm& She ser9ed on the 6omen

eteran Social ustice 7oard o, directorsV Militar: ;artners and *amilies eteran nitiati9eV the Sem2er *idelis

Bealth and 6ellness Ad9isor: !oardV and a current mem7er o, the 6omen in Militar: Ser9ice ,or America

Memorial *oundation nc&

T% n%; .%.&%r, 'oin #urr%nt .%.&%r,

• Mar9in 'ru4illo r& Committee Chairman Marine Cor2s eteran

• Man:-!ears Grinder Col& (USA-"et

• ;atricia acEson-Jelle: Ft& Col& (USA-"et

• Fi7rado "i9as Command S+t& Ma4& (USA-"et

• 'eresita Smith S+t& *irst Class (USA-"et

• "e7ecca Stone Sta,, S+t& (USA-"et

• Cornell 6ilson r& Ma4& Gen& (USMC-"et

• Anthon: 6oods Arm: eteran

%/



[SourceK A Ne<s "elease ec& 3 0%5 ]


+A C$ai., A,,i,tan#% U/dat% 06 +%t%ran, La; B$o"

'he eterans Fa< !lo+ at htt2K>><<<&9eteransla<7lo+&or+>ta2-into-2o<er-9eterans-la<-7lo+ is <ritten 7: a A

Accredited Attorne: and ,ocuses entirel: on 'itle 31 Claims ,or Ser9ice Connected isa7ilit:& t 2ro9ides close to

%000 2osts o, in,ormation teachin+ :ouK

• Bo< to ,ile A claims

• Bo< to introduce e9idence into :our A claim

• Bo< to ar+ue :our claim more 2ersuasi9el:&

• Bo< to understand Court decisions

• Bo< to ,ill out ,orms

• Bo< to 2re2are ,or hearin+s

• And more&

Not% T% a&o<% i, /ro<id%d a, an in8or.ation ,our#% on$y and ,ou$d not &% #on,id%r%d a RAO Bu$$%tin %ndor,%.%nt 8or

.%.&%r,i/ K%it%r t% 8r%% or /aid o/tion to a##%,, t% &$o"* Ho;%<%r: it #ou$d &% u,%8u$ in an,;%rin" u%,tion, you

a<% r%"ardin" #$ai. initiation: ,tatu,: a//%a$: and=or ;y notin" i, a//%nin"*

Some additional data sources that could assist in increasin+ Eno<led+e o, :our condition and ho< to su7mit a A

claim ,or its treatment and>or disa7ilit: com2ensation areK

• htt2sK>><<<&:outu7e&com><atchP9=dN/hu*`NHGU # 'hin+s Hou Need to Jno< a7out A Slee2 A2nea

isa7ilit: Claims

• htt2sK>><<<&:outu7e&com><atchP9=Bn/.l"e7zss 'he strai+ht honest truth a7out Slee2 A2nea and C;A;

• htt2sK>><<<&:outu7e&com><atchP9=)*#)mJ%E Slee2 itamins and Beart Bealth (5 ;art

• htt2sK>><<<&:outu7e&com><atchP9=N6uoBUsH A Com2ensation !ene,its Unem2lo:a7ilit: or U

• htt2sK>><<<&:outu7e&com><atchP9=hH!JrNBlo A isa7ilit: !ene,its and Secondar: Ser9iceConnection

• htt2sK>><<<&:outu7e&com><atchP9=s,:.#:'4HC0 A isa7ilit: Com2ensation and ;'S

[SourceK eterans ssues @ Colonel an CedusE: @ ecem7er 3 0%5 ]


+A A##ounta&i$ity U/dat% 12 ^ !o%ni7 +A O88i#ia$,

*or months o,,icials at the e2artment o, eterans A,,airs ha9e claimed the: <ere st:mied in tr:in+ to hold to2

;hoeni) A o,,icials accounta7le 7ecause o, an on+oin+ criminal in9esti+ation& !ut an email this <eeE ,rom the

de2artmentTs ns2ector GeneralTs ,,ice sa:s that e)cuse is 7unEK 'he G and *! criminal in9esti+ation o,

;hoeni) o,,icials <as com2leted re,erred to ,ederal 2rosecutors and re4ected o9er the summer& 'here is no 2endin+

case& 'he contro9ers: centers on Fance "o7inson de2ut: director o, the ;hoeni) A Bealth Care S:stem and !rad

Curr: chie, o, Administrati9e Ser9ices& 'hose senior e)ecuti9es <ere 2laced on administrati9e lea9e in Ma: 0%#

a,ter ins2ectors 9eri,ied dela:ed 2atient care ,alsi,ied <ait-time data and <histle7lo<er retaliation at the Carl '&

Ba:den A Medical Center on ndian School "oad& Bos2ital irector Sharon Belman <ho also <as sus2ended at

the time has since 7een ,ired&

%1

http://www.veteranslawblog.org/tap-into-power-veterans-law-blog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN7huF_NYGU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn76lRebzss


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xF24xmJQK1k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWuoH2VUsYE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYBKrENQHlo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfy64yTjYC0

http://www.veteranslawblog.org/tap-into-power-veterans-law-blog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN7huF_NYGU


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xF24xmJQK1k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWuoH2VUsYE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYBKrENQHlo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfy64yTjYC0



'he ,act that "o7inson and Curr: remain on lea9e collectin+ more than $#00000 in 2a: and 7ene,its ,or more

than %8 months dre< an+er and criticism in the 2ast <eeE ,rom Ee: la<maEers includin+ Sen& ohn McCain ("-

A and "e2& e,, Miller ("-*F chairman o, the Bouse Committee on eteransT A,,airs& urin+ a Senate

Committee on eteransT A,,airs ,ield hearin+ in Gil7ert this <eeE Undersecretar: a9id ShulEin re2eated the claim

that disci2linar: e,,orts ha9e 7een th<arted 7: our ina7ilit: to inter9ie< <itnesses <ho ha9e not 7een cleared 7:

the U&S& Attorne:Ts ,,ice& 'hat comment 2rom2ted the Bouse committee sta,, to asE the A ,,ice o, ns2ector

General ,or 9eri,ication& n an emailed res2onse G Con+ressional "elations S2ecialist Me+an anFandin+ham

<rote that statements 7: ShulEin and other A o,,icials are not accurate&

anFandin+hamTs missi9e o7tained 7: 'he Arizona "e2u7lic sa:s the G noti,ied the A 7e,ore ul: that the

criminal in9esti+ation o, ;hoeni) A em2lo:ees <as com2leted and the U&S& Attorne:Ts ,,ice decided not to 2ress

char+es& Cosme Fo2ez a U&S& Attorne:Ts ,,ice s2oEesman declined to 9eri,: the case <as re4ected& Fo2ez said

ArizonaTs to2 ,ederal 2rosecutor ohn Feonardo does not di9ul+e ho< an in9esti+ation has 7een resol9ed or an:

other in,ormation on criminal matters unless a con9iction is secured& 'he email ,rom anFandin+ham notes that

Belman <as ,ired <hile the A criminal in9esti+ation <as under<a: last :ear& t sa:s the A t<ice inter9ie<ed

Curr: earlier this :ear and tooE 2art in ,ramin+ Luestions ,or "o7insonTs inter9ie< 7: ins2ectors& t also sa:s the

G 2ro9ided the A <ith all in9esti+ati9e materials ,or 2otential use in the disci2linar: 2ro7e& Gi9en these ,acts

the email sa:s <e donTt understand ATs assertion that the: ha9e 7een una7le to in9esti+ate and hold these

em2lo:ees accounta7le &&&

arlier in the da: 'he "e2u7lic su7mitted a list o, Luestions to A headLuarters seeEin+ details o, ho< the U&S&

Attorne:Ts ,,ice 2re9ented disci2linar: 2roceedin+s& aco7sen did not address those Luestions 7ut 2ro9ided a A

statement that sa:s there has 7een no recommendation +i9en or decision made that AMC leaders (in ;hoeni)

should not 7e disci2lined ,or <histle7lo<er retaliation& 'he statement notes there ha9e 7een len+th: criminal

inLuiries and said the A is still re9ie<in+ the 9oluminous e9idence collected throu+h those in9esti+ations and <ill

im2ose a22ro2riate disci2line 7ased on all su7stantiated misconduct includin+ 7ut not limited to <histle7lo<er

retaliation& A e2ut: Secretar: Sloan Gi7son <as +rilled a7out the dela:ed 2ersonnel actions last <eeE durin+ a

hearin+ o, the Bouse Committee on eteransT A,,airs& Be acEno<led+ed the 2rocess had +one on too lon+ addin+

&&& <e can?t let issues lan+uish unresol9ed in 2rotracted G or e2artment o, ustice in9esti+ations ,or months and

:ears& ur 2ast 2ractice has 7een to <ait ,or these in9esti+ations to 7e com2lete& 6e?re done <aitin+&

'he con+ressional ire o9er accounta7ilit: <as e)acer7ated this <eeE 7: re9elations that internal A 2ro7es lon+

a+o determined that se9eral ;hoeni) administrators retaliated a+ainst <histle7lo<ers <ho ,irst e)2osed the

de2artmentTs crisis in care and mana+ement& ne in9esti+ation ,ound that "o7inson had trans,erred hos2ital

s2oEes<oman ;aula ;edene to a 7asement a,ter she re2orted administrati9e misconduct& Another concluded that

Chie, o, Sta,, arren eerin+ reassi+ned r& Jatherine Mitchell an emer+enc:-room su2er9isor a,ter she raised

concerns a7out 2atient sa,et: and dela:ed care& !oth em2lo:ees ,iled com2laints <ith the ,,ice o, S2ecial Counsel

and <on settlements ,rom the A& eerin+ a staunch de,ender o, the hos2ital administration had 7een scheduled to

testi,: durin+ a %# C Senate committee hearin+ 7ut <as canceled as a <itness a,ter the ,indin+s a+ainst him <ere

re9ealed& Be did not res2ond to a reLuest ,or comment su7mitted 9ia a hos2ital s2oEes<oman& [SourceK 'he

"e2u7lic @ ennis 6a+ner @ ecem7er %. 0%5 ]


+A A##ounta&i$ity U/dat% 1 ^ M%anin"8u$ )i,#i/$in%=E<id%n#% La#in"

'he eterans A,,airs e2artment does not 2lan to disci2line an: o, the mana+ers accused o, e+re+ious 7eha9ior 7:

union o,,icials in a contro9ersial ul: re2ort accordin+ to a A s2oEes2erson& 'he de2artment X,ound no

outstandin+ alle+ation o, <ron+doin+ <arrantin+ disci2line a+ainst an: o, the identi,ied mana+ersY the

s2oEes2erson said in res2onse to Luestions a7out the re2ort com2iled 7: the American *ederation o, Go9ernment

%8



m2lo:ees Focal %/ alle+edl: at A Secretar: !o7 Mconald?s reLuest& 'he #0-2a+e Xhit listY so-called 7:

ad9ocates ,or senior e)ecuti9es and ,ederal mana+ers detailed alle+ed incidents o, harassment discrimination

7ull:in+ and incom2etence 7: Xdisru2ti9e and ine,,ecti9eY mana+ers <ho <orE in A?s Central ,,ice&

'he A ,,ice o, Accounta7ilit: "e9ie< in9esti+ated the alle+ations in the re2ort and ,ound that se9eral o, them

Xhad alread: 7een raised and resol9ed throu+h the Lual m2lo:ment 22ortunit: com2laint 2rocess and>or the

la7or mana+ement +rie9ance or un,air la7or 2ractice com2laint 2rocessesY the s2oEes2erson said& ther alle+ations<ere more +eneral criticisms o, mana+ers? leadershi2 a7ilities communication sEills and 2ersonalit: traits Xrather

than unla<,ul acti9it: that mi+ht 7e actiona7leY the s2oEes2erson added& A leadershi2 created the ,,ice o,

Accounta7ilit: "e9ie< earlier this :ear to looE into an: alle+ed mana+ement or 2atient-related im2ro2rieties

<histle7lo<er retaliation and Xrelated matters that im2act 2u7lic trust in AY accordin+ to a March ,act sheet& 'he

t<o A" in9esti+ators <ho 2roduced a summar: re2ort o, their ,indin+s in earl: ecem7er are X7oth e)2erienced

la7or relations>em2lo:ee relations s2ecialistsY the A s2oEes2erson said& 'he: inter9ie<ed current and ,ormer

em2lo:ees and re9ie<ed rele9ant documents and com2laints& 6hile the accounta7ilit: re9ie< concluded the

alle+ations did not <arrant disci2line in9esti+ators recommended more trainin+ ,or mana+ers&

'he ul: re2ort com2iled 7: A*G Focal %/ identi,ied mana+ers 7ut did not 2ro9ide a list o, <itnesses or other

in,ormation that could su7stantiate or re,ute the alle+ations& ne senior e)ecuti9e accordin+ to the list alle+edl:

directed su7ordinates to si+n documents indicatin+ that mid-:ear 2er,ormance re9ie<s had taEen 2lace e9en thou+hthe: had notV another mana+er 2la:ed ,a9orites <ith em2lo:ees <ho share his reli+ious 7elie,s accordin+ to the

re2ort& Another su2er9isor <ho is descri7ed as a Xdis+raceY <ith a Xdisordered 2ersonalit:Y harasses ,emale

em2lo:ees the re2ort claimed <hile others ha9e alle+edl: made dis2ara+in+ remarEs a7out a su7ordinate?s se)ual

orientation ,orced em2lo:ees to asE ,or 2ermission to use the 7athroom :elled and cursed at su7ordinates and

i+nored reLuests ,or reasona7le accommodations and ad9ance sicE lea9e some ,rom disa7led 9eterans&

+A )%/uty S%#r%tary S$oan i&,on

Go9ernment )ecuti9e o7tained a redacted 9ersion o, the re2ort in cto7er throu+h a *reedom o, n,ormation

Act reLuest& 'he Bouse eterans? A,,airs Committee reLuested the unredacted re2ort in ul:& A e2ut: Secretar:

Sloan Gi7son told A Committee Chairman e,, Miller ("-*F durin+ a 8 C hearin+ that the de2artment <ould

2ro9ide the 2anel <ith the re2ort includin+ the names o, the accused mana+ers& 'o date the committee has not

recei9ed the unredacted re2ort& X'his is more 2roo, that no matter <hat t:2e o, in9esti+ation -- includin+ those done

7: A itsel, the ins2ector +eneral Con+ress or unions re2resentin+ A <orEers -- ,inds misconduct on the 2art o,

A em2lo:ees the end result is almost al<a:s the sameK the de2artment ,ails to institute meanin+,ul disci2line

a+ainst those ,ound to ha9e done <ron+Y Miller said in a statement&

Gi7son has 7een em2hatic a7out the im2ortance o, ,ollo<in+ due 2rocess and e9idence in disci2linar: actions

a+ainst em2lo:ees& urin+ the ec& 8 hearin+ 7e,ore the Bouse A Committee he de,ended his decision to demote

and reassi+n rather than ,ire t<o senior e)ecuti9es <hom the de2artmentTs <atchdo+ concluded used their 2ositions

o, authorit: ,or 2ersonal +ain& 'he e9idence a+ainst iana "u7ens and Jim7erl: Gra9es did not <arrant ,irin+ or

the G?s criminal re,erral to the ustice e2artment Gi7son ar+ued& X?m not +oin+ to recommend ?m not +oin+ to

2ro2ose a disci2linar: action that is 7ased u2on media co9era+e or an o2inion that is e)2ressed in the G re2ort i, it

0



is not su22orted 7: the e9idenceY he said addin+ that he Ene< his decision not to ,ire "u7ens and Gra9es <asn?t

+oin+ to Xsit <ell <ith 9irtuall: e9er:7od:&Y Buman resources mana+ement includin+ the disci2linar: and a22eals

2rocess ,or em2lo:ees can 7e incredi7l: com2le) <ithin A in 2art 7ecause it o2erates under di,,erent a22ointment

authorities and re+ulations <ithin t<o le+al cate+ories ('itle 5 and 'itle 31&

'he Senior )ecuti9es Association and *ederal Mana+ers Association sent a letter to Mconald in No9em7er

asEin+ <hat he 2lanned to do <ith the A*G Focal %/ re2ort& 'he +rou2s said the: had 7een contacted 7: se9eralmana+ers named in the re2ort& X6hile the: corro7orated the ,act that com2laints ha9e 7een ,iled a+ainst them

com2laints <ere o,ten ,ound to 7e unsu7stantiated& !ecause these mana+ers and su2er9isors had re2eated :et

+roundless accusations a+ainst them *MA and SA <orr: that instead o, thou+ht,ull: e)aminin+ constructi9e

means to im2ro9e A Focal %/ is 2ersonall: tar+etin+ mana+ers and su2er9isors and 2er2etuatin+ la7or-

mana+ement hostilit:Y the letter stated& 'he +rou2s also said that since the re2ort sur,aced the: had heard ,rom

Xse9eral A mana+ers and su2er9isors <ho ha9e 7een 9er7all: threatened and harassed 7: union re2resentati9es and

mem7ers&Y

SA nterim ;resident 'im irEs on C said the +rou2 <as X2leased <ith the ,inal outcomes o, the a+enc:

in9esti+ation and ho2es that A mana+ers <ill no< recei9e the su2er9isor trainin+ needed to im2ro9e their

administrati9e sEills and understandin+ o, the A?s com2le) and multi-,aceted 2ersonnel s:stem so that the: ma:

more 2roducti9el: conduct the 2u7lic 7usiness&Y irEs ur+ed the union (in this case A*G Focal %/ to use X2ro2er channels and seeE ,air and constructi9e solutionsY instead o, Xsim2l: slanderin+ mana+ers <ithout su,,icient

e9idence to 7olster their accusations&Y Miller said A leaders ha9e not 2ro9en the: Xare committed to holdin+

corru2t and incom2etent em2lo:ees accounta7leY and that the de2artment so ,ar Xhas o,,ered little more than rote

talEin+ 2oints on the im2ortance o, accounta7ilit: <hile the de2artment?s ram2ant lacE o, disci2line remains on

2er2etual dis2la:&Y [SourceK Go9)ec&com @ Jellie Funne: @ ecem7er 3 0%5 ]


+A A##ounta&i$ity U/dat% 14 ^ Jai$a&$% O88%n,% or Mana"%.%nt Mi,ta%

id a 2air o, senior eterans A,,airs e2artment e)ecuti9es +et a<a: <ith ,raud or <ere the: li7eled as 2art o, a

lar+er 2olitical s2atP 'hat?s the lin+erin+ Luestion a,ter ustice e2artment o,,icials announced the: <ill not char+e

the t<o <omen <ith an: criminal acti9it: des2ite a scathin+ ins2ector +eneral re2ort that accuses the 2air o, a7usin+

their 2o<er and stealin+ u2 to $#00000 in ,ederal ,unds& Fa<maEers ha9e called that a ,irea7le and 4aila7le o,,ense&

A leaders ha9e called it a mana+ement mistaEe and are <orEin+ on a demotion and reassi+nment ,or the 2air& *or

their 2art the e)ecuti9es at the center o, the de2artment?s latest accounta7ilit: scandal \ iana "u7ens

;hiladel2hia re+ional o,,ice director and Jim7erl: Gra9es St& ;aul Minnesota re+ional o,,ice director \ ha9e

said little&

)iana Ru&%n,: !i$ad%$/ia +A r%"iona$ o88i#% dir%#tor K$%8t and i.&%r$y ra<%,:

+A St* !au$: Minn*: r%"iona$ o88i#% dir%#tor Kri"t

%



'heir attorne:s ha9e si+naled the: intend to a22eal the demotions& !oth <omen a22eared 7e,ore Con+ress in

No9em7er 7ut declined to ans<er Luestions a constitutional ri+ht that critics 7lasted as 2roo, o, +uilt& 'he ins2ector

+eneral re2ort released in late Se2tem7er char+ed that "u7ens and Gra9es Xina22ro2riatel: used (their 2osition o,

authorit: ,or 2ersonal and ,inancial 7ene,it&Y !oth <omen <ere in9ol9ed <ith reassi+nin+ their 2redecessors to other

4o7s <ithin A then mo9in+ into the 9acant 2ositions themsel9es& n9esti+ators said the mo9es carried <ith them

,e<er res2onsi7ilities 7ut no salar: reductions 2lus +enerous relocation 2a:outs& Gra9es <ho maEes nearl:

$%/#000 a :ear +ot more than $%8000 to mo9e ,rom ;hiladel2hia to Minnesota& "u7ens <ho maEes $%1%000

recei9ed more than $11000 to mo9e ,rom 6ashin+ton &C& to ;hiladel2hia& Most o, that mone: <as tied to home

2urchasin+ 2ro+rams a9aila7le to relocated ,ederal em2lo:ees& Fa<maEers la7eled their actions as harm,ul to

9eterans ta)2a:ers and the de2artment as a <hole&

n res2onse to the re2ort A leaders sus2ended use o, the relocation 2ro+ram and are re9ie<in+ 7roader

reim7ursement 2olicies& !ut the: disa+reed <ith in9esti+ators? assessment o, a7use and corru2tion <ithin the

de2artment& n testimon: 7e,ore the Bouse eteransT A,,airs Committee earlier this month e2ut: Secretar: Sloan

Gi7son lamented Xthe +ul, 7et<een the rhetoric in the G re2ort and the actual e9idence&Y A leaders o2ted ,or

demotion rather than dismissal 7ecause X did not ,ind that the e9idence su22orted unethical 9iolationY Gi7son said&

X did ,ind that e9idence su22orted a ,ailure in 4ud+ment&Y Se9eral la<maEers challen+ed Gi7son?s decision not to

,ire the 2air citin+ the G?s criminal re,errals& !ut o,,icials <ith the U&S& Attorne:?s ,,ice a22ear to ha9e a+reed

<ith A?s assessment declinin+ to 2ursue criminal 2rosecution& nstead o,,icials there Xre,erred the matter to the A

,or an: administrati9e action that is deemed a22ro2riateY and declined ,urther comment& A o,,icials also ha9e

re2eatedl: noted that their in9esti+ation <as conducted se2aratel: ,rom the GTs inLuir: and their ,indin+s did not

sho< nearl: the same in,lammator: 9iolations as the outside one&

n No9em7er actin+ A Under Secretar: ,or !ene,its ann: ;ummill acEno<led+ed that his a+enc: should ha9e

7een more care,ul in its o9ersi+ht o, the 4o7 trans,ers 7ut told la<maEers he <as still ,ine <ith the results& X, could

+o 7acE in time still <ould ha9e made all o, the mo9esY he said& es2ite that 9ote o, con,idence "u7ens and

Gra9es are ,acin+ demotions and cross-countr: reassi+nments in res2onse to the re2ort& A leaders ha9e o2ted not to

tr: to recou2 an: o, the relocation e)2enses in Luestion \ and indicated the 2air ma: 7e eli+i7le ,or additional

reim7ursements i, the 2endin+ mo9es 2roceed& 'hat ,urther incensed Con+ress& Fe+islation is 2endin+ to maEe it

easier ,or 7ureaucrats to reclaim those Einds o, e)2enses e9en i, A o,,icials ha9e sho<n no interest in doin+ so&

Fa<maEers ha9e 2romised continued o9ersi+ht o, the Gra9es and "u7ens cases 7ut so ,ar ha9e o,,ered no

reaction to the ustice e2artment announcement& *or the 2ast :ear mem7ers o, Con+ress ha9e s2arred <ith A

leaders o9er a lacE o, ,irin+s and accounta7ilit: <ithin the de2artment sa:in+ de2artment o,,icials seem more

interested in 2rotectin+ 2ro7lem em2lo:ees than im2ro9in+ o2erations& !ut this latest case 2rom2ted A?s stron+est

2ush7acE on those criticisms& Gi7son challen+ed la<maEers durin+ his ecem7er hearin+ notin+K XT9e ne9er

encountered an or+anization <here leadershi2 <as measured 7: ho< man: 2eo2le :ou ,ired &&& :ou canTt ,ire :our

<a: to e)cellence&Y Be 2romised em2lo:ee dismissals <hen <arranted 7ut also 7lamed outside critics ,or turnin+

minor 2ro7lems into national scandals& 6hether A?s 2ro2osed demotions ,or Gra9es and "u7ens <ill 7e u2held

remains to 7e seen& ;a2er<orE mistaEes 7: the A ha9e com2licated the 2rocess dela:in+ the administrati9e action

and leadin+ to more 4a7s ,rom la<maEers& A decision on <hether the 2air <ill 7e mo9ed a+ain or sta: in their

current 2osts should 7e ,inalized 7: mid-anuar:& [SourceK Militar:'imes @ Feo Shane @ ecem7er 30 0%5 ]


+A A##ounta&i$ity U/dat% 15 ^ F- 2016 @ E7tra 6B ;=Strin",

'he e2artment o, eterans A,,airs is startin+ the ne< ,iscal :ear <ith an e)tra $. 7illion in discretionar: s2endin+

7ut that additional cash comes <ith strin+s& ut o, the $%&% trillion s2endin+ 7ill 2assed 7: Con+ress earlier this

month $/%&# 7illion has 7een earmarEed ,or A to im2ro9e (amon+ other thin+s its electronic health records



reduce the 7acElo+ o, disa7ilit: claims and continue construction 2ro4ects \ 2ro9ided the de2artment loo2s in

la<maEers& ither the A Secretar: or chie, in,ormation o,,icer must su7mit 2lans to 7oth the Bouse and Senate

a22ro2riations committees ,or 2ro4ects related to Xin,ormation technolo+: s:stems de9elo2ment modernization and

enhancementY accordin+ to the s2endin+ 7ill?s te)t& And i, a 2ro4ect?s cost +oes u2 or do<n 7: more than $%

million a reLuest ,or a ,undin+ trans,er must 7e made to those committees&

'here?s nearl: a dozen instructions A must ,ollo< i, it 2lans on usin+ a9aila7le ,undin+ to im2ro9e the eteransBealth n,ormation S:stems and 'echnolo+: Architecture (istA electronic health record& Not more than 5 2ercent

o, the ,undin+ can 7e o7li+ated or s2ent accordin+ to the le+islation until a re2ort is 2ro9ided to 7oth a22ro2riations

committees detailin+ e9er:thin+ ,rom chan+es in the Xsco2e or ,unctionalit: o, 2ro4ects <ithin the istA 9olution

2ro+ramY to a timeline o, scheduled milestones to Xan: chan+es to the +o9ernance structure ,or the istA 9olution

2ro+ram and its chain o, decision-maEin+ authorit:&Y Around $33 million <as set aside to hel2 the de2artment <ith

its electronic health records& A?s electronic health records s:stem <as a ,ocal 2oint ,or Con+ress se9eral :ears a+o

<hen it ordered the A and e,ense e2artment to come u2 <ith a <a: to share out2atient data 7et<een their

e)istin+ s:stems and mo9e on to modern health ' standards& n mid-No9em7er o leaders said the: had done that

and more&

Accordin+ to the s2endin+ 7ill $&/ 7illion \ $%/3 million more than ,iscal 0%5 \ <as set aside ,or the

eterans !ene,its Administration <ith an em2hasis on reducin+ the 7acElo+ o, disa7ilit: claims& n a No9em7er ,actsheet 2ro9ided 7: the 6hite Bouse the 7acElo+ o, disa7ilit: claims that are older than %5 da:s currentl: stands at

rou+hl: /.000 claims an 11 2ercent dro2 ,rom the March 0%3 2eaE o, .%%000 claims& 'he mone: in 2art <ill

,und nearl: 100 more sta,, mem7ers to handle the 7acElo+ and a22eals& 6ithin the s2endin+ 7ill is lan+ua+e

directin+ the A Secretar: to su7mit a Luarterl: re2ort to 7oth a22ro2riations committees that includesK

• 'he a9era+e time to com2lete a disa7ilit: com2ensation claim

• 'he num7er o, claims 2endin+ more than %5 da:s disa++re+ated 7: initial and su22lemental claims

• rror rates

• An: correcti9e action taEen <ithin the Luarter to address 2oor 2er,ormance

• 'rainin+ 2ro+rams undertaEen

• 'he num7er and results o, ualit: "e9ie< 'eam audits

A,ter mismana+ement led to a more than 7illion-dollar 7ud+et o9errun ,or a A hos2ital in en9er the s2endin+ 7ill dictates that ,or ma4or eterans Bealth Administration construction 2ro4ects the $.#8 million set aside ,or the

<orE <on?t 7e a9aila7le until the A uses an outside ,ederal entit: to ser9e as Xthe desi+n and>or construction a+entY

,or 2ro4ects <ith a total cost o, more than $%00 million& 'hat entit: <ould also 7e X2ro9idin+ ,ull 2ro4ect

mana+ement ser9ices includin+ mana+ement o, the 2ro4ect desi+n acLuisition construction and contract chan+es&Y

'he A must also certi,: in <ritin+ Xthat such an a+reement is e)ecuted and intended to minimize or 2re9ent

su7seLuent ma4or construction 2ro4ect cost o9errunsY and 2ro9ide a co2: to Con+ress& Also o, note ,ollo<in+ a A

,,ice o, ns2ector General re2ort that ,ound senior o,,icials usin+ their authorit: ,or 2ersonal and ,inancial +ain a

noti,ication must 7e made to the a22ro2riations committees i, a <ai9er is issued ,or ,undin+ to 7e used ,or the Bome

MarEetin+ ncenti9e ;ro+ram <ithin A& [SourceK *ederal Ne<s "adio @ Meredith Somers @ ecem7er 1 0%5

]


+A Rura$ A##%,, U/dat% 2 In#r%a,%d tru Coi#% A#t

Great ne<s ,or the uninsured 2o2ulation and eterans li9in+ in rural communities <ith limited access to health care

2ro9iders and ser9ices& , :ou are a eteran enrolled in or eli+i7le ,or U&S& e2artment o, eterans A,,airs (A

health care ser9ices the eterans Choice Act o, 0%# and Choice m2ro9ement Act o, 0%5 <ere created to o,,er

:ou +reater access to care in :our communit:& , :ou are a eteran <ho is not eli+i7le ,or A health care and do not

3



ha9e insurance the Bealth nsurance MarEet2lace ma: 7e a +reat o2tion ,or :ou& 'he eterans Choice Act increases

access to health care ,or enrolled eterans and the Choice m2ro9ement Act e)2ands this access to a lar+er num7er

o, eterans& *or e)am2le eli+i7le eterans <ho li9e more than #0 miles ,rom a A medical ,acilit: or are una7le to

schedule an a22ointment <ithin 30 da:s ma: 7e eli+i7le to use their Choice Card to see a 2ro9ider in their

communit:& 'o ,ind out i, :ou are eli+i7le 2lease call %-1..-.0.-1%81 or 9isit htt2K>><<<&9a&+o9>o2a>choiceact &

"ecent le+islation (the Choice m2ro9ement Act amended the eterans Choice Act to ,urther e)2andedeli+i7ilit: ,or eterans to recei9e care in their communities& A <ill im2lement these chan+es in se9eral 2hases <ith

the ,irst 2hase (<ai9er o, the enrollment date e,,ecti9e immediatel:& 'he le+islationK

• 6ai9es the enrollment date no< all enrolled eterans re+ardless o, <hen the: enrolled ma: 7e eli+i7le

• )2ands the .0-da: e2isode ,or re,erral care meanin+ i, an eli+i7le eteran is re,erred ,or care the: <ill

ha9e .0 da:s to com2lete the re,erral

• Allo<s ,or a22ointments less than 30 da:s <hen clinicall: indicated soon eterans <ith an a22ro9ed

clinical need ,or an a22ointment can seeE care in their communit: e9en i, it?s <ithin 30 da:s

• Allo<s A to e)2and it?s net<orE A has no< has authorit: to e)2and its eterans Choice ;ro+ram

2ro9ider 7ase

• Allo<s ,or eterans Choice ;ro+ram 7ene,it <here no A ,ull-time 2h:sician is 2resent at the e)istin+ site

o, A care

n addition eterans <ho recei9e hos2ital or medical ser9ices ,or a ser9ice-connected disa7ilit: <ill 7e eli+i7le

to 2artici2ate in a Bealth Sa9in+s Account e,,ecti9e ecem7er 3% 0%5& A <ants to ensure that eterans ha9e

o2tions to access the health care the: need and that the care recei9ed also ,ull: addresses their needs& eterans <ho

are uninsured or not eli+i7le to enroll in A health care can consider enrollment in state or ,ederal Bealth nsurance

MarEet2laces ,or a,,orda7le health insurance& Most 2eo2le can ,ind health insurance 2lans a9aila7le ,or $/5 or less

2er month& Fearn a7out o2tions a9aila7le in :our area 7: 9isitin+ htt2sK>><<<&healthcare&+o9 or call %-100-3%1-

58.& , :ou are a eteran <ho is either enrolled or not enrolled in A health care and <ant more eteran-s2eci,ic

in,ormation a7out the Bealth nsurance MarEet2lace 9isit <<<&9a&+o9>aca & [SourceK 'he "ural Connection @

,,ice o, "ural Bealth @ *all 0%5 ]


+A F$u Sot, U/dat% 0 +A R%tai$ I..uni3ation !ro"ra.

*lu season is here and +ettin+ :our ,lu shot is the sin+le 7est <a: to 2rotect :oursel, as <ell as :our lo9ed ones

a+ainst the ,lu 9irus& *or eterans +ettin+ a ,lu shot has ne9er 7een easier& More than 1000 locations no< o,,er ,ree

,lu shots ,or eli+i7le eterans throu+h a U&S& e2artment o, eterans A,,airs (A 2artnershi2 <ith 6al+reens&

Studies sho< that i, :ou 2lan <hen and <here to +et :our ,lu shot :ou are more liEel: to +et one& So <hat are the

o2tionsP eterans enrolled in the A health care s:stem ma: o2t to +et a ,ree ,lu shot at a local A health care

,acilit: or at a nei+h7orhood 6al+reens dru+ store& eterans can recei9e a ,ree ,lu shot at their A health care

,acilit: durin+ an: scheduled a22ointment or at a con9enient <alE-in ,lu station& Alternati9el: eteran 2atients ma:

9isit their local 6al+reens to +et a ,lu shot <here an a22ointment is not reLuired& ;artici2ation is strictl: 9oluntar:

and <hile there is no cost eterans should sho< their eteran denti,ication Card and another ,orm o, &

#

http://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact

https://www.healthcare.gov/


http://www.va.gov/aca


http://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact





'he record o, the ,lu shot ,rom 6al+reens <ill 7e included in the eteran?s A electronic health record

immunization record& eterans <ho choose the 6al+reens? o2tion should use Grou2 Code Q 5833O!AH or

do<nload the ,lu ,orm (htt2K>><<<&ehealth&9a&+o9>cam2ai+n>rrc2>0%5`A`"CC;`6`*lu`"e+*orm`%001%5&2d, &

6here9er :ou choose to +et 9accinated the 7est choice ,or :our health is to +et a ,lu shot&

Not% "e,erence to non-A 2harmacies includin+ 6al+reens does not constitute or im2l: endorsement o, these

or+anizations their ser9ices or 2roducts& , :our local 2harmac: is not currentl: 2artici2atin+ in the A "etailmmunization ;ro+ram the: ma: 2artici2ate in the ,uture as the 2ro+ram e)2ands& accine is su74ect to a9aila7ilit:&

State and health-related restrictions ma: a22l:& , :ou do not ha9e insurance co9era+e there ma: 7e a char+e ,or a

,lu shot a,ter March 3% 0%.&

[SourceK 'he "ural Connection @ *all 0%5 ]


+A Bud"%t 2016 U/dat% 04 16B A//ro<%d D H*R*202> Syno/,i,

n ecem7er %1 Con+ress 2assed and the ;resident si+ned into la< B&"& 08 the Consolidated A22ro2riations

Act o, 0%.& 'his le+islation 2ro9ides the *H 0%. ,undin+ ,or the e2artment o, eterans A,,airs (A and

includes ad9ance a22ro2riations ,or *H 0%/ ,or most A health care and mandator: s2endin+ 2ro+rams& 'he 7ill

includes almost $%.3 7illion in total discretionar: and mandator: ,undin+ ,or A ,or ,iscal :ear 0%.& 'his includes

$8% 7illion in mandator: ,undin+ and $/% 7illion in discretionar: ,undin+& 'he 7ill also includes $.3 7illion ($3

7illion less than recommended 7: the nde2endent !ud+et (! in ,iscal :ear 0%/ ad9ance ,undin+ ,or A medical

care and $%03 7illion in ,iscal :ear 0%/ ad9ance ,undin+ ,or ATs mandator: 2ro+rams ,or com2ensation and

2ension&

M%di#a$ !ro"ra., 8or F- 2016K 'he eterans Bealth Administration includin+ its research 2ro+rams is ,unded

at $. 7illion ($ 7illion less than recommended 7: the ! $% 7illion more than the AdministrationTs reLuested

le9el and $5 7illion more than ,iscal :ear 0%5& Medical Care Bi+hli+htsK

• Be2atitis C 'reatments& $%&5 7illion ,or ne< Be2atitis C treatments&

• 6omen eterans&-$5 7illion in total health care ,or <omen 9eterans <ho use the A health s:stem& 'his

includes $##. million ,or +ender-s2eci,ic health care&

• Care+i9ers& *or the ,amil: care+i9ers 2ro+ram $.05 million ($50 million more than reLuested 7: the

Administration&

• et Centers& $51 million to ,und read4ustment counselin+&

• Bomeless ;ro+rams& $%&# 7illion&

5

http://www.ehealth.va.gov/campaign/rrcp/2015_VA_RCCP_W_Flu_RegForm_100815.pdf

http://www.ehealth.va.gov/campaign/rrcp/2015_VA_RCCP_W_Flu_RegForm_100815.pdf



• Mental Bealth& $/&5 7illion includin+ $31% million ,or ;ost-'raumatic Stress isorder $.% million ,or

su7stance a7use treatment and $%## million ,or suicide 2re9ention outreach&

• "ural Bealth& $/0 million ,or 2ro+rams o, the ,,ice o, "ural Bealth&

• raL and A,+hanistan 6ar eterans&-'he 7ill includes ,undin+ o, $#&8 7illion to treat almost 1#5000 raL

and A,+hanistan <ar 9eterans&

• 'raumatic !rain n4ur:& $3 million in care ,or 9eterans su,,erin+ traumatic 7rain in4ur: or other

2ol:traumatic in4uries&

• Fon+-'erm Care& $/&5 7illion ,or institutional and non-institutional lon+-term ser9ices&

• Medical and ;rosthetic "esearch& 'he 7ill includes almost $.3% million $# million more than ,iscal :ear

0%5 and $8 million more than reLuested 7: the Administration&

Ot%r

• Claims ;rocessin+K 'he 7ill includes $&/ 7illion ($18 million less than recommended 7: the ! ,or claims

2rocessin+ $%/3 million more than last :earTs le9el o, $&53 7illion and $%0 million more than the reLuest&

• ConstructionK Ma4or Construction $%&# 7illion ($.1. million less than recommended 7: the ! ,or ma4or

construction 2ro4ectsV ,or minor construction $#0. million ($%.8 million less than recommended 7: the

!&

• Grants ,or the Construction o, State eterans BomesK $%0 million ($10 million less than recommended 7:the !&

• n,ormation 'echnolo+: ('K 'he 7ill 2ro9ides $#&% 7illion ($%51 million more than recommended 7: the

! to modernize and sustain ATs in,ormation technolo+: s:stems&

n some res2ects (es2eciall: <hen com2ared to the ! this a22ro2riation is lacEin+ in terms o, Eno<n and

2ro4ected needs& Bo<e9er the o9erall rate o, increase in ,undin+ ,or 9eteransT 2ro+rams is <elcome& 'he entire A

,amil: sends +ood <ishes to :ou and :ours ,or a sa,e and ha22: Bolida: Season and <e looE ,or<ard to continuin+

their ad9ocac: <ith :our assistance in 0%.& [SourceK A I A AUO @ National Fe+islati9e Sta,, @ ecem7er

3 0%5 ]


Fi,%r Hou,% E7/an,ion U/dat% 11 ^ )ayton Oio

A Secretar: "o7ert Mconald has endorsed the ,uture construction o, a 2ri9atel: ,inanced u2 to $. million *isher

Bouse on the s2ra<lin+ cam2us o, the a:ton A Medical Center accordin+ to the A and 2ro4ect o,,icials&

Mconald?s 7acEin+ <as a Ee: ste2 to 7uild the %.-7edroom house at the historic cam2us o,,icials said& r+anizers

ha9e tar+eted Se2tem7er 0%/ to o2en the ne< lod+in+ house to coincide <ith the %50th anni9ersar: o, the a:ton

A& 'he *isher Bouse lets ,amil: mem7ers o, hos2ital 2atients sta: <hile a 9eteran recei9es medical treatment&

X'he:?re +oin+ to sta: in the house ,or ,reeY said Chris Stanle: area e)ecuti9e director o, *isher>Ni+htin+ale

Bouses nc& Xt?s not +oin+ to cost them an:thin+& Ba9in+ a ,amil: close hel2s <ith the reco9er:&Y

'he 2ro2osed site ,or the house is alon+ Mar:land A9enue near !uildin+ #01 an o,,ice 7uildin+& 'he 2re,erred

construction locale lies 7et<een the main 2atient to<er and a communit: li9in+ center and a hos2ice care unit

a:ton A s2oEesman on Faue said %1 C& 'he State Bistoric ;reser9ation ,,ice has 7een asEed to J the

tear do<n o, t<o old 7uildin+s to clear the site ,or the ne< home o,,icials said& !uildin+ % constructed in %1/.

<as a #800-sLuare-,oot residence and is no< 9acant& 'he other !uildin+ 0 <as 7uilt in %115 and <as a /350-

sLuare-,oot hos2italit: house that?s no< closed accordin+ to the A& '<o alternati9e sites are 2otentiall: a9aila7le

Stanle: said&

.



"and: and icEi GunlocE o, S2rin+7oro donated $%&0/5 million throu+h the Greener ;astures *oundation <ith a

challen+e to raise another $500000 ,rom more contri7utors ,or the a:ton A *isher Bouse& 'he *isher Bouse

*oundation <ould ,inance the rest o, the cost& 'hat donation 2ut the house on a ,ast-tracE 2riorit: list ,or 7oth the

A and the *isher Bouse *oundation or+anizers ha9e said& "and: GunlocE is a ,ormer 2resident o, "G ;ro2erties

and the de9elo2er o, Austin Fandin+ a %#-acre retail and o,,ice com2le) in Miami '<2& Much liEe a home a

*isher Bouse <ould ha9e a shared Eitchen li9in+ and dinin+ rooms and a li7rar: amon+ other ,eatures& '<o similar

homes e)ist at 6ri+ht-;atterson Air *orce !ase& [SourceK a:ton ail: Ne<s @ !arrie !ar7er @ 0 ecem7er 0%5

]


+A !TS) C$ai. Su//ort U/dat% 02 ^ Ind%/%nd%nt M%di#a$ O/inion,

t is hard to sa: ho< much each di,,erent t:2e o, letter is <ei+hed or ho< much it hel2s in determinin+ a ratin+& t is

commonl: acce2ted that (doctors and>or co-<orEers ha9e the stron+est authentication <hen it comes to 2ro9idin+

su22ort statements 7ut ar+ua7l: s2ouses or ,amil: mem7ers that ha9e li9ed <ith and>or <itnessed the eteran?s

dail: li,e a,ter ser9ice has the 7est Eno<led+e o, ho< a condition or conditions ha9e <orsened o9er time and

a,,ected the o9erall Lualit: o, a eterans dail: li9in+&

, :ou a22lied ,or ser9ice-connected disa7ilit: com2ensation ,or 2ost-traumatic stress disorder (;'S utilizin+

A *"M %-0/1 S'A'MN' N SU;;"' * CFAM *" S"C CNNC'N *" ;S'-

'"AUMA'C S'"SS S"" (;'S AUG 0%# (htt2K>><<<&97a&9a&+o9>2u7s>,orms>!A-%-0/1%-

A"&2d, and <ere denied 7ene,its an o2inion ,rom a 2ri9ate medical doctor could hel2 increase :our chances o,

7ein+ success,ul on a22eal& 'he A calls these o2inions nde2endent Medical 2inions or Ms& 'he: are also

sometimes called ne)us o2inions since their 2ur2ose is o,ten to linE an incident in ser9ice to :our current disa7ilit:&

Hour 2rimar: care doctor <ho <orEs ,or the eterans Bealth Administration and disa7ilit: com2ensation decisions

are made 7: a se2arate 7ranch o, the A the eterans !ene,its Administration& , :our doctor maEes a statement

a7out <hether :ou should 7e a<arded 7ene,its ,or ;'S there is no +uarantee that the: are correct& 9en <hen A

doctors are <illin+ to <rite a letter in su22ort o, :our claim (man: are not their <ords do not ha9e the ,orce o, la<&

'he eterans !ene,its Administration <ill re9ie< :our claim ,or 7ene,its <ithout s2eaEin+ <ith :our 2rimar: care 2h:sician or an: s2ecialists that :ou see&

'he onl: time a A doctor can <rite a medical o2inion a7out :our claim is <hen the: are reLuired to a,ter <hatTs

called a Com2ensation and ;ension )am& ,ten a,ter :ou a22l: ,or 7ene,its the A <ill send :ou ,or a

com2ensation and 2ension e)amination 7: a A doctor& Chances are :ou <ill not Eno< the doctor :ou are sent to&

'he A <ill schedule a com2ensation and 2ension e)am ,or :ou i, the a+enc: needs more in,ormation a7out :our

;'S to maEe a decision a7out :our a22lication ,or disa7ilit: com2ensation& A 2ri9ate medical o2inion can hel2

:ou to +et :our disa7ilit: com2ensation claim a22ro9ed earlier in the 2rocess includin+ a,ter :our ,irst a22lication&

r it can hel2 :ou to +et 7ene,its LuicEer on a22eal& n some com2le) cases :ou ma: not 7e success,ul at all on

a22eal <ithout a 2ri9ate medical o2inion& t is 7est to ha9e an e)2erienced disa7ilit: la<:er <ho can ad9ise :ou on

<hether :ou need a 2ri9ate o2inion&

ust remem7er :our letters need to state ,actual in,ormation concernin+ the health and <ell7ein+ o9er a 2eriod o,

time <here the condition o, his 2ro7lems has +otten <orse& 'hese statements need to 7e o, hard truth and not

merel: o2inions or conclusions :ou or others ma: ha9e come to& !ein+ 2articular a7out dates o, incidents and

2ro9idin+ an: documentation o, record (ma:7e :ou Ee2t a lo+P <ill assist in authenticatin+ :our (;'S claim& ,

:ou ha9e no documentation record that is still oE& Hour (2ersonal and su22ortin+ statements <ill 7e more +eneral in

statin+ the ,acts 7ut none-the-lessV :ou <ill still 7e a7le to 2ro9ide insi+ht into the 2atient?s li,e&

Ho; to O&tain a !ri<at% M%di#a$ O/inion

/

http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-0781-ARE.pdf






Sometimes a 2ri9ate 2s:chiatrist or other doctor that :ou ha9e 7een seein+ :ou ,or some time <ill 9oluntaril:

su22ort :our a22lication ,or 7ene,its or :our a22eal 7: <ritin+ a letter ,or :ou& , :ou recei9e all o, :our health care

at the A it can 7e harder to +et a 2ri9ate medical o2inion& n these cases :ou <ill ha9e to 2a: a doctor to re9ie<

the A records and <rite a letter& , :our disa7ilit: com2ensation <ill 7e :our 2rimar: or onl: source o, income and

:ou ha9e limited assets such as :our house and car it ma: not 7e ad9isa7le to 2a: a doctor ,or an o2inion& ;erha2s

:our eterans Ser9ice ,,icer <ill Eno< o, a doctor <ho can hel2 2ro 7ono& , :ou ha9e a la<:er ,or an a22eal :our

la<:er can hel2 :ou e9aluate :our o2tions& , :ou ha9e a doctor <ho <ill 7e <ritin+ a medical o2inion ,or :ou :ou

<ill <ant to +i9e the doctorK

• Hour militar: medical records includin+ :our enlistment e)amination re2ort&

• Medical records ,rom the A or other treatment 2ro9iders&

• A co2: o, :our A claims ,ile and

• An: other records the doctor reLuests or that :ou ,eel are rele9ant to :our claim&

'he 2s:chiatrist or doctor should o2en the letter 7: talEin+ a7out ho< lon+ he or she has Eno<n :ou and the t:2e

o, treatment he or she has 2ro9ided to :ou& octors should also discuss their Luali,ications and credentials& A doctor

<ho s2ecializes in the t:2e o, disa7ilit: :ou su,,er ,rom (such as a 2s:chiatrist can ha9e more in,luence on the A

than a doctor <ho is un,amiliar <ith :our t:2e o, condition&

'he doctor should talE a7out an: tests :ouT9e 7een +i9en and <hat the test results ha9e 7een and <hat t:2e o, treatment :ou ha9e recei9ed& t is im2ortant that the doctor list the medical records used to de9elo2 the o2inion so

that the A <ill +i9e the o2inion more <ei+ht& 'he doctor should note <hen :our condition 7e+an <hat :our

s:m2toms are ho< se9ere :our condition is and :our 2ro+nosis (meanin+ <hether :our condition can 7e e)2ected

to im2ro9e&

'he doctor should discuss an: e9ents or incidents that occurred <hile :ou <ere in ser9ice that ma: ha9e caused

or <orsened :our current disa7ilit:& 'he main 2oint o, the letter <ill 7e ,or the doctor to e)2lain i, the: 7elie9e :our

current disa7ilit: <as caused 7: :our militar: ser9ice& t hel2s i, the doctor can use le+al lan+ua+e such as as liEel:

as not or more liEel: than not& *or e)am2le :our doctor could sa: it is more liEel: than not that the 9eteranTs

com7at e)2eriences caused her current condition o, 2ost-traumatic stress disorder& !ut an: statement su22ortin+ a

linEa+e 7et<een an incident in :our militar: ser9ice and :our current condition <ill 7e hel2,ul&

octors should also mention that the: ha9e re9ie<ed :our A claims ,ile so that their o2inion <ill 7e +i9en more

<ei+ht& *or doctors <ritin+ the o2inion that do not s2ecialize in :our t:2e o, disa7ilit: asE them to include 2art o,

their curriculum 9itae (thatTs a ,anc: <ord ,or resume that demonstrates their e)2ertise <ith :our t:2e o, disa7ilit:&

'his is im2ortant 7ecause the A <ill +i9e more <ei+ht to a doctorTs o2inion i, the: are ,amiliar <ith :our t:2e o,

disa7ilit:&

[SourceK NF Fa< ,or All @ Mar+aret 6ads<orth @ ec 0%. ]


+A Ro&oti# L%", ^ R%Wa$ D )+A Ha, A"r%%d to !ay 8or +%t,

'he e2artment o, eterans A,,airs has a+reed to 2a: ,or ro7otic le+s that could allo< scores o, 2aral:zed 9eterans

<ith s2inal cord in4uries to <alE a+ain& eterans ha9e 7een 2etitionin+ the A to do this 7ecause man: cannot a,,ord

the $//000 needed to 2a: ,or the 2o<ered e)osEeleton called the "e6alE& 'he de9ice <as a22ro9ed 7: the U&S&

*ood and ru+ Administration in 0%# ,or indi9iduals to use at home& A o,,icials told 'he Associated ;ress that

that the a+enc: sent a memorandum %0 C outlinin+ its 2lans to train sta,, to 7e a7le to 2ro9ide the "e6alE& 'he

research su22ort and e,,ort to 2ro9ide eli+i7le 9eterans <ith 2aral:sis an e)osEeleton ,or home use is a historic mo9e

on the 2art o, the A 7ecause it re2resents a 2aradi+m shi,t in the a22roach to reha7ilitation ,or 2ersons <ith

2aral:sis said r& Ann S2un+en <ho led A research on the s:stem&

1



'he com2an: "e6alE "o7otics said it has e9aluated #5 2aral:zed 9eterans <ho meet the hei+ht and <ei+ht

reLuirements ,or the technolo+: \ <hich consists o, le+ 7races <ith motion sensors and motorized 4oints that

res2ond to su7tle chan+es in u22er-7od: mo9ement and shi,ts in 7alance& Gene Faureano 53 is 2ra:in+ his

a22lication ,or ro7otic le+s <ill +o throu+h soon& 'he ,ormer Arm: cor2oral remem7ers the da: he ,irst tried the

"e6alE at Ne< HorETs ames & ;eters A Medical Center in the !ron) t<o :ears a+o& 'he tears came do<n said

Faureano <ho <as le,t 2aral:zed ,i9e :ears a+o a,ter ,allin+ o,, a ladder& hadnTt s2oEen to some7od: standin+ u2in so lon+& 4ust Ee2t remem7erin+ the doctor told me it <as im2ossi7le ,or me to <alE and then crossed that

threshold ,rom the im2ossi7le to the 2ossi7le he added& 6hen the stud: ended ho<e9er so did his a7ilit: to <alE&

BeTs 7een <aitin+ to +et the ro7otic le+s e9er since& ;aral:zed 9eterans ,ired o,, letters to A Secretar: "o7ert

Mconald this summer& +uess 2eo2le <ho ha9e 7een <atchin+ the research <ere 9er: an)ious and had

e)2ectations this <ould suddenl: ha22en once *A a22ro9al came out 7ut <e <ere still 7uildin+ the in,rastructure

to su22ort this +reat de9ice A s2oEesman im Connell said&

'he "e6alE <as in9ented 7: sraeli entre2reneur Amit Go,,er <ho <as 2aral:zed in an accident in %88/&

Se9eral com2etin+ 2roducts that use similar technolo+: \ nicEnamed electronic le+s\ are also 7ein+ tested in

U&S& reha7 hos2itals& None includin+ the "e6alE are ,ast enou+h or can 7e <orn lon+ enou+h to re2lace

<heelchairs& t no< has a to2 <alEin+ s2eed o, &. Em>h (%&. m2h& Accordin+ to the com2an: this is ,aster than

that o, an: other e)osEeleton&A 2ilot studies ,ound 2ara2le+ics <ho used the e)osEeleton as little as ,our hours a

<eeE ,or three to ,i9e months e)2erienced 7etter 7o<el and 7ladder ,unction reduced 7acE 2ain im2ro9ed slee2 andless ,ati+ue& A7out #000 9eterans are 2aral:zed& , them a ,raction <ould meet the reLuirement ,or an

e)osEeleton& 'he a22aratus reLuires s2eci,ic hei+ht and <ei+ht reLuirements and <orEs ,or 2ara2le+ics 7ut not ,or

Luadri2le+ics& A su22orti9e 7elt around the 2atientTs <aist Eee2s the suit in 2lace and a 7acE2acE holds the com2uter

and rechar+ea7le 7atter:& Crutches are used ,or sta7ilit: and the *A reLuires an assistant 7e near7:&

"e6alE "o7otics C Farr: asinsEi said a dozen A centers are e)2ected to start trainin+ sta,, to 2ro9ide the

s:stem& 'he 2ro+ram <ill liEel: 7e e)2anded in the ,uture& *ormer Arm: S+t& 'err: Banni+an a .-:ear-old

2aral:zed ietnam 9eteran <as the ,irst 9eteran to +et the ro7otic le+s as 2art o, a test o, the s:stem& She uses them

to <alE throu+h the mall and sho2 at the +rocer: store& t de,initel: is a sho< sto22er es2eciall: in the mall <ith

Eids& Some sa: thin+s liEe T6o< looE at "o7oco2RT 'he: asE a lot o, Luestions 7ut donTt mind Banni+an said&

6hen she <as con,ined to a <heelchair she said she had to asE 2eo2le to 2ass her thin+s out o, her reach& 'o 7e

a7le to hear the con9ersation not miss hal, o, <hatTs 7ein+ said 7ecause itTs o9er :our head that in itsel, is a 7i+ 2lus she said& No< can <alE u2 shaEe someoneTs hand& can hu+ Eiss them& 'hat mi+ht 7e a small thin+ 7ut

the onl: other time <ould +et 7od: contact <as <hen a ,amil: mem7er or care+i9er <ould 2icE me u2 and 2ut me

in 7ed& [SourceK Associated ;ress @ ulie 6atson @ ecem7er %/ 0%5 ]


+A )ata Br%a# U/dat% 5@ No<%.&%r !HI In#id%nt,

8



'he e2artment o, eterans A,,airs (A e)2erienced a22ro)imatel: a 3. 2ercent increase in 2rotected health

in,ormation (;B data 7reach incidents durin+ the month o, No9em7er accordin+ to the a+enc:?s most recent

re2ort to Con+ress& Althou+h the A sa< an increase in ;B-related incidents the di,,erence in the total num7er o,

healthcare data 7reaches <as ne+li+i7le <ith .#1 re2orted in cto7er and .83 re2orted in No9em7er& !et<een

cto7er and No9em7er the num7er o, lost or stolen de9ices and lost ; cards remained almost e)actl: the same&

n cto7er there <ere #8 lost or stolen de9ices and #/ in No9em7er& Similarl: there <ere %51 lost or stolen ;

cards in cto7er and %5. in No9em7er& 'here <as a sli+ht decrease in the num7er o, mishandled incidents in

No9em7er +oin+ do<n ,rom 1% incidents in cto7er to .# incidents in No9em7er& FiEe<ise there <as a sli+ht

decrease in mis-mailin+ incidents this month <ith %3 incidents in cto7er and %%# incidents in No9em7er&

'he A also includes a ,e< e)am2les o, healthcare securit: cases that occurred this 2ast month& *or e)am2le

one mis-mailin+ incident in9ol9ed t<o 2acEa+es 7ein+ la7eled incorrectl:& A,ter one 9eteran recei9ed another

9eteran?s 2acEa+e and 9ice 9ersa the incidents <ere re2orted and ne< corrected 2acEa+es <ere sent to 7oth

9eterans& 'he A also sent 7oth 9eterans B;AA data 7reach noti,ication letters due to their ;B 7ein+ disclosed&

'he re2ort also details a mishandled incident durin+ <hich a clinic list <as le,t in a 2u7lic restroom in a hi+h-tra,,ic

location& 'he A determined that the list <as an %%-2a+e clinic list that encom2assed the entire month o, cto7er

and included 2atient names ,ull Social Securit: num7ers and 2rocedure details ,or a total o, 15 9eterans& Althou+h

the A re2orts that the list <as 2rinted on No9em7er # and reco9ered on No9em7er 5 the a+enc: does not 7elie9e

that it <as le,t in the restroom o9erni+ht due to the restroom?s re+ular maintenance 2er,ormed 7: the houseEee2in+

sta,,& 'o remed: the issue the A conducted re-education 2rotocol and issued letters o,,erin+ credit monitorin+

ser9ices to the 2otentiall: a,,ected indi9iduals&

'he A also descri7es one o, the #/ incidents o, lost or stolen de9ices ,or the month o, No9em7er detailin+ one

case <here a A Contractor re2orted a 2ersonal la2to2 stolen& 'he A Contractor used this la2to2 ,or 2art o, his or

her 2ro,essional duties thus storin+ some 2atient in,ormation on it& nitiall: the em2lo:ee claimed no ;B <as

included on the la2to2& Bo<e9er 7ecause the A could not con,irm the 9alidit: o, that claim it la7eled this as a data

7reach& U2on ,urther in9esti+ation the A determined that no Social Securit: num7ers <ere included on the la2to2

7ut that some 2atient names or dia+nostic in,ormation could ha9e 7een on it& Ultimatel: the A ,ound that the

2otentiall: disclosed in,ormation includes 2atient names and some medical in,ormation ,or 1# 2atients& 'he A

states that it <ill issue data 7reach noti,ication letters to those 1# 2atients&

'he A has 7een dealin+ <ith some other healthcare data securit: issues <ithin recent months& !acE in

Se2tem7er the ,,ice o, the ns2ector General in9esti+ated alle+ations that the A ;alo Alto Bealth Care S:stem

(;ABCS had entered into an ille+al a+reement <ith tech com2an: J:ron& G ,ound that althou+h it could not

con,irm the alle+ations o, an a+reement 7et<een the t<o entities em2lo:ees at J:ron <ere a7le to 9ie< 2atient

in,ormation ina22ro2riatel:& X!ased on our inter9ie<s re9ie< o, a9aila7le documentation and rele9ant criteria and

our 4ud+ment <e determined the Chie, o, n,ormatics <ho <as also the local 2ro+ram mana+er ,or the 2ilot

2ro+ram ,ailed to ensure J:ron 2ersonnel met the a22ro2riate 7acE+round in9esti+ation reLuirements 7e,ore

+rantin+ access to A 2atient in,ormationY the re2ort e)2lained& X'he Chie, o, n,ormatics also ,ailed to ensure

J:ron 2ersonnel com2leted A?s securit: and 2ri9ac: a<areness trainin+&Y 'his lacE o, trainin+ <as a ma4or issue

accordin+ to G 7ecause it 9iolated se9eral as2ects o, the A 2atient 2ri9ac: hand7ooE& !ecause unauthorized

so,t<are accessed 2atient in,ormation health data securit: and 2atient 2ri9ac: <ere 2ut at si+ni,icant risE& [SourceK

Bealth ' Securit: @ Sara Beath @ ecem7er %5 0%5 ]


+A Fraud: Wa,t% A&u,% R%/ort%d 15 tru 1 )EC 2015

Mia.i FL – A ,ormer e2artment o, eterans A,,airs em2lo:ee 2led +uilt: %0 C to destro:in+ alterin+ and

,alsi,:in+ records and committin+ com2uter ,raud& Enriu% Martin%3 3/ o, Miami 2led +uilt: 7e,ore United

30



States Ma+istrate ud+e onathan Goodman to destruction alteration and ,alsi,ication o, records in 9iolation o,

'itle %1 United States Code Section %5%8 and com2uter ,raud in 9iolation o, 'itle %1 United States Code Section

%030& Martinez ,aces a statutor: ma)imum 2enalt: o, u2 to 0 :ears in 2rison& Accordin+ to court records and

in,ormation 2resented in court Martinez a ,ormer nurse at the eterans? A,,airs (A Medical Center in Miami

o7structed a ,ederal in9esti+ation and caused dama+e to the com2uter s:stem o, the U& S& e2artment o, eterans?

A,,airs& Martinez ,alsi,ied the medical records o, a /.-:ear old 9eteran <ho <as 7ein+ treated at the medical center

and <as directl: under Martinez?s res2onsi7ilit:& 'he 9eteran-2atient died <hile hos2italized at the medical center&

Martinez made these chan+es and alterations in an attem2t to a9oid res2onsi7ilit: ,or the 2oor Lualit: o, care he had

2ro9ided the 9eteran-2atient& Mr& *errer commended the in9esti+ati9e e,,orts o, the A-G?s ,,ice o,

n9esti+ations and the A-G?s ,,ice o, Bealthcare ns2ections& Martinez is set ,or sentencin+ 7e,ore United

States istrict ud+e ose & Martinez on *e7ruar: %8 0%.& [SourceK Ne<s "elease @ U&S& Attorne:?s ,,ice

Southern istrict o, *lorida @ ecem7er %0 0%5 ]

?o?o?O?o?o?

!rairi%<i$$% LA U&S& Attorne: 6alt Green re2orted %5 C o, a #5-:ear-old <oman <ho 2leaded +uilt: %5 C

to the the,t o, more than $//000 eterans? A,,airs 7ene,its that <ere intended ,or her mother <ho died ,our :ears

a+o Mi#%$$% Arid"% admitted to U&S& istrict ud+e ames & !rad: that she stole the eterans? A,,airs

e2endenc: and ndemnit: Com2ensation& Green said that AErid+e ,ailed to re2ort her mother?s death and ille+all:collected the 7ene,it checEs ,or ,our :ears& X'his Eind o, criminal conduct is an a,,ront to all those <ho ha9e ser9ed

honora7l: in this countr:?s armed ser9icesY Green said in a release& 'his in9esti+ation is 7ein+ conducted 7: the

e2artment o, eterans? A,,airs ,,ice o, ns2ector General& 'he matter is 7ein+ 2rosecuted 7: Assistant United

States Attorne: essica M&;& 'hornhill& [SourceK North<est 'imes (N6 @ Giles !ruce @ ecem7er %# 0%5 ]

?o?o?O?o?o?

)i,tri#t o8 Co$u.&ia *ederal 2rosecutors ha9e decided not to 2ress criminal char+es a+ainst t<o ,ormer

e)ecuti9es at the e2artment o, eterans A,,airs <ho <ere accused o, mani2ulatin+ the a+enc:Ts hirin+ s:stem ,or

their o<n +ain& 'he U&S& Attorne:Ts ,,ice ,or the istrict o, Colum7ia said on # C it has declined a re,erral

,rom the A ins2ector +eneral ,or criminal 2rosecution o, )iana Ru&%n, and i.&%r$y ra<%,& 'he ins2ector

+eneral said in a re2ort this ,all that "u7ens and Gra9es ,orced lo<er-ranEin+ re+ional mana+ers to acce2t 4o7

trans,ers a+ainst their <ill& "u7ens and Gra9es then ste22ed into the 9acant 2ositions themsel9es Eee2in+ their 2a:<hile reducin+ their res2onsi7ilities&

"u7ens had 7een earnin+ $%1%#8/ as director o, the ;hiladel2hia re+ional o,,ice ,or the eterans !ene,its

Administration <hile Gra9es earned $%/38#8 as leader o, the St& ;aul Minnesota re+ional o,,ice& !e,ore taEin+

the re+ional 4o7s "u7ens <as a de2ut: undersecretar: at the ATs 6ashin+ton headLuarters <hile Gra9es <as

director o, !ATs %#-state North Atlantic "e+ion& "u7ens and Gra9es <ere accused o, o7tainin+ more than

$#00000 in Luestiona7le mo9in+ e)2enses throu+h a relocation 2ro+ram ,or A e)ecuti9es the ins2ector +eneralTs

re2ort said& 'he U&S& Attorne:Ts o,,ice said it has re,erred the matter to the A ,or an: administrati9e action that is

deemed a22ro2riate& "u7ens and Gra9es <ere demoted in No9em7er 7ut their demotions <ere rescinded this

month a,ter a 2a2er<orE mi)-u2& 'he A has said it <ill reissue the demotions a,ter the 2ro7lem is resol9ed&

[SourceK 6ashin+ton A; @ ecem7er 1 0%5 ]


+A M%di#a$ Mari'uana U/dat% 16 F%d%ra$=Stat% La;, O<%r !ot Co$$id%

aniel ;orras? doctor told him that o, all o, his 2atients he <as the onl: one <ho asEed ,or ,e<er 2ain 2ills& ;orras

dama+ed his anEle and Achilles tendon and su,,ered se9ere ner9e dama+e in his le,t le+ as a result o, a motorc:cle

accident a decade a+o& Be ori+inall: tooE mor2hine 7ecause the 2ain <as so 7ad& !ut it EnocEed him out to the 2oint

3%



<here he could 7arel: ,unction& Bis o74ection to more 2ills <as not that his discom,ort <as 7e+innin+ to ease&

Medical mari4uana 4ust <orEed 7etter& X, :ou can dro2 2ain 2ills out o, :our li,e :ou ha9e a 7etter li,eY said the

.%-:ear-old Arm: 9eteran ,rom Sultan 6ashin+ton& Medical mari4uana Xhas +i9en me a ,ull li,eY ;orras said& Xt?s a

true medicine&Y And it?s +ainin+ <ider acce2tance&

)ani%$ !orra,: 61: i, an Ar.y <%t%ran ;o, d%a$in" ;it ,%<%r% n%r<% and .u,#$% in'uri%, to i, $%8t $%" 8ro. a

.otor#y#$% a##id%nt* H% a, no an$% or A#i$$%, t%ndon on t% $%"* H% /rodu#%, and ,%$$, a to/i#a$ #r%a. #ontainin"

#anna&inoid oi$: t% %a$in" ,u&,tan#% in .ari'uana: to .ana"% /ain

'he 7ud+et 7ill that Con+ress ho2es to 2ass in late C to a9oid a 2artial +o9ernment shutdo<n contains se9eral

measures that <ould Eee2 the ,ederal +o9ernment?s o,,icial o22osition to the use o, 2ot medicall: and recreationall:

,rom 7locEin+ state 2olicies that are more 2ermissi9e& '<ent:-three states the istrict o, Colum7ia and Guam ha9e

a22ro9ed medical mari4uana 2ro+rams and ,our states and &C& ha9e a22ro9ed recreational use& A Gallu2 2oll

recentl: ,ound that 51 2ercent o, Americans su22ort le+alizin+ mari4uana& Medical mari4uana use recei9es e9en

more su22ort& !ut resistance remains& ru+ n,orcement Administration irector ChucE "osen7er+ recentl: said

that medical mari4uana <as Xa 4oEeY 2rom2tin+ calls ,or his resi+nation& "e2 im& Mcermott (-6A <ho is also

a 2h:sician told the 6hite Bouse in a letter si+ned 7: si) other la<maEers that the director?s comment <as a

Xthro<7acE ideolo+: rooted in the ,ailed <ar on dru+s&Y

n Ca2itol Bill ,our amendments <ould le+islate the ,ederal +o9ernment?s hands-o,, a22roach on state

mari4uana 2olicies& ne <ould +i9e 2h:sicians at the U&S& e2artment o, eterans A,,airs in states <ith 2ot 2ro+rams the a7ilit: to maEe medical mari4uana re,errals ,or 2eo2le liEe ;orras and another ietnam 9et errel

'hom2son& Current A 2olic: ,ollo<s the ,ederal 2rohi7ition on all medical mari4uana treatment e9en in states <ith

a22ro9ed 2ro+rams& 'hom2son .8 o, Moses FaEe 6ashin+ton has 7een usin+ medical mari4uana mainl: to hel2

<ith the 2ost-traumatic stress disorder that he de9elo2ed a,ter ser9in+ in ietnam& t has hel2ed and his A doctors

Eno< he relies on it& !ut the: can do little more than 4ust 2rescri7e more 2ills& Xeterans shouldn?t ha9e to lea9e the

A ,or an: ser9icesY said Michael Jra<itz e)ecuti9e director ,or eterans ,or Medical Canna7is Access&

Another con+ressional measure <ould 2ro9ide le+al 2rotection ,or 7anEs that <orE <ith 7usinesses 2artici2atin+

in mari4uana 2ro+rams& X6e ha9e had three accounts closed on us 7ecause <e ha9e canna7is in the nameY said

Feslie !ocsEor an in9estment 7anEer and ,oundin+ chairman o, the Ne9ada Canna7is ndustr: Association a trade

+rou2& X'he 7i++est challen+es are o79iousl: <orEin+ at undoin+ man: decades o, 2ro2a+anda&Y ther measures

<ould continue to allo< states to create their o<n 2olicies on recreational and medical mari4uana use and 2rotect

industrial hem2 research& X'he 7i+ 2icture +oal is to maEe the ,ederal acti9ities <orE in harmon: <ith the e,,orts o,

the states to address mari4uanaY said Sen& e,, MerEle: -re& <ho introduced three o, the mari4uana 2ro9isions to

the Senate A22ro2riations Committee& Xt re,lects that <e are essentiall: at this 2oint <here 2rohi7ition ,or

mari4uana is at an end&Y

!ut state and national la<s continue to con,lict& ne 2ro7lem is that mari4uana is classi,ied as a Schedule dru+

and considered to 7e dan+erous and o, no re2uta7le medical use accordin+ to the A& 'hat maEes it di,,icult ,or

mari4uana-related 7usinesses to o2erate le+itimatel:& X ha9e a 7anE ?9e 7anEed <ith ,or :earsY said Alan

3



Schrei7er an a+ricultural researcher ,rom *ranElin Count: 6ashin+ton <ho 7e+an +ro<in+ mari4uana on his

HaEima Count: ,arm to hel2 his <orE& X'he:?9e said the: <ould call in m: loan i, 2ut an: o, the 2roceeds ,rom

canna7is in m: 7anE& 6hat do :ou do <ith the mone:PY ne o, the ,ocuses o, his research com2an: ,or instance is

7est 2ractices ,or canna7is +ro<ers 7ecause he ,ound a hu+e in,ormation +a2 on thin+s liEe irri+ation ,ertilizer and

<eed control& !ocsEor said that +i9in+ these 7usinesses le+itimac: is im2ortant as mari4uana +ro<s 2ossi7l: into a

$00 7illion industr: <ithin the ne)t decade or so& Xt?s a +lo7al 2henomenonY he said&

'he ournal o, the American Medical Association re2orted in une that mari4uana can hel2 2atients <ith chronic

2ain neuro2athic 2ain and s2asticit: due to multi2le sclerosis& Certain canna7inoids the acti9e chemicals in

canna7is ha9e demonstrated a7ilities to mana+e side e,,ects o, cancer and cancer thera2ies such as nausea loss o,

a22etite an)iet: and slee2 trou7le accordin+ to 'he National Cancer nstitute& Mari4uana o22onents discredit the

research& XA lot o, 2eo2le don?t Eno< <hat the: are reall: inhalin+ or eatin+Y said "icE Miller a commissioner in

*ranElin Count: 6ashin+ton a state <here mari4uana 2roduction distri7ution and 2ossession ,or 2eo2le % and

older 7ecame le+al in 0%#& X do not thinE the research is 9er: stron+&Y

;aul Armentano de2ut: director o, National r+anization ,or the "e,orm o, Mari4uana Fa<s Eno<n as

N"MF said the ste2s 7: Con+ress re9eal Xthat there is a 7elie, that <hen such 2ro+rams are <ell re+ulated 7: the

state the: can 7e enacted sa,el: and e,,ecti9el:&Y Con+ress denied the ustice e2artment ,unds last :ear to 2re9ent

states ,rom im2lementin+ their o<n la<s on Xdistri7ution 2ossession or culti9ation o, medical mari4uana&Y 'hat9ote <as cited in cto7er in a 9ictor: ,or a Cali,ornia medical mari4uana +rou2& A ,ederal 4ud+e ruled that 7ecause

the or+anization <as in com2liance <ith state la< that 2ermitted the use o, mari4uana the ustice e2artment could

not inter,ere&

;orras mean<hile continues his dail: re+imenK a to2ical mari4uana-7ased cream a cou2le o, hits ,rom a 2en

9a2orizer and occasionall: some 2ot in an edi7le ,orm& Be <ent outside the A s:stem to access medical mari4uana

treatment 2artl: 7ecause he <ants com2rehensi9e care ,rom his doctor& !ut it?s not as i, medical mari4uana has

eliminated his 2ain& t?s 4ust made it 7eara7le& X'o den: 9eterans the o22ortunit: to consider <hether or not this

maEes sense to them usin+ their 2rimar: care doctor <ho Eno<s them the 7est seems reall: ludicrousY said "e2&

arl !lumenauer (-" <ho hel2ed introduce the A 2ro9ision a7out medical mari4uana& Chan+in+ the rules

+o9ernin+ medical mari4uana he said X<ill hel2 dra+ the A into the %st centur:& [SourceK Miami Berald @ Grace

'oohe: @ ecem7er %5 0%5 ]


+ISN 16 ^ N%;$y A,,i"n%d )ir%#tor Sy% M#)ou"a$$

South Central A Bealth Care Net<orE (SN %. is one o, % eterans Ser9ice Net<orEs (SNs o, the

e2artment o, eterans A,,airs (A& SN %. co9ers a 9ast area o, %/0000 sLuare miles ser9in+ eterans in

Elahoma ArEansas Fouisiana Mississi22i and 2arts o, 'e)as Missouri Ala7ama and *lorida& More than ##5000

eterans annuall: seeE care ,rom SN %.Ts ten medical centers and #0 communit: 7ased out2atient clinics& 'he

medical centers are located in the ,ollo<in+ cities&

• Ale)andria Fouisiana

• !ilo)i Mississi22i

• *a:ette9ille ArEansas

• Bouston 'e)as

• acEson Mississi22i

• Fittle "ocE ArEansas

• MusEo+ee Elahoma

• Ne< rleans Fouisiana

• Elahoma Cit: Elahoma

33



• Shre9e2ort Fouisiana

n C Mississi22i?s con+ressional dele+ation told eterans Administration Secretar: "o7ert Mconald that the

ne< A net<orE head SE:e Mcou+all 7elon+s some<here else& XMississi22i 9eterans deser9e moreY U&S& Sens&

'had Cochran and "o+er 6icEer and U&S& "e2s& !ennie 'hom2son Gre++ Bar2er Ste9en ;alazzo and 'rent Jell:

<rote in a 4oint letter to Mconald& Mcou+all accused o, +i9in+ ,alse testimon: to Con+ress is slated to 7e the

ne< head o, the South Central A Bealth Care Net<orE <hich includes Mississi22i& n March Mcou+all asdirector o, the esert ;aci,ic Bealth Care Net<orE co9erin+ Southern Cali,ornia testi,ied 7e,ore the Bouse

Committee on eteransT A,,airs that Fos An+eles 9eterans <ere <aitin+ 4ust ,our da:s ,or doctor a22ointments& CNN

res2onded in a re2ort that the actual <ait <as %0 times lon+er& 'he re2ort said internal A documents sho<ed more

than %/00 2atients seeEin+ s2ecialist consults had to <ait at least three months ,or a22ointments and the a9era+e

dela: ,or a ,irst-time 2rimar:-care a22ointment <as #1 da:s& Mcou+all also told the Bouse committee that mental-

health 2atients on a9era+e <ere a7le to +et a22ointments in ,our da:s 7ut records o7tained 7: CNN sho<ed an

a9era+e <ait o, 3. da:s&

Sy% M#)ou"a$$

Mississi22i?s con+ressional dele+ation com2lained that Mcou+all had XmisledY Con+ress a7out <ait times and

Xhas 2ro9en to 7e at the 9er: least untrust<orth: as it relates to the 9itall: im2ortant tasE o, 2ro9idin+ ,or the health

care needs o, our 9eterans&Y r& Carol:n Clanc: actin+ undersecretar: <ith the eterans Bealth Administration has

de,ended Mcou+all?s testimon:& Accordin+ to Clanc: the A uses t<o methods to calculate <ait times <ith

dramaticall: di,,erent results& She contended the documents o7tained 7: CNN re,lected lon+ <aits ,or a22ointments

7ut an alternati9e data set sho<in+ ra2id ser9ice is the 7est indicator o, the 9eteran?s actual <ait time e)2erience&Y

'he A ori+inall: named Mcou+all to taEe o9er as director o, the South<est Bealth Care Net<orE 7ut a,ter U&S&

Sen& ohn McCain o74ected to her o9erseein+ the net<orE that included the trou7led A hos2ital in ;hoeni) she

announced she <ouldn?t taEe that 4o7 a,ter all choosin+ to <orE in the net<orE that o9ersees acEson A <hich has

seen its share o, <oes&

Mississi22i?s con+ressional dele+ation said the e2artment o, eterans A,,airs has 7een Xho2scotchin+Y

Mcou+all Xaround the countr: \ ,rom Southern Cali,ornia to Ne< Me)ico and ,rom Arizona to Mississi22i \

searchin+ ,or a so,t landin+ ,or her& 6e are determined to see to it that her so,t landin+ is not in Mississi22i&Y 'he

letter 2ointed out that XMississi22i 9eterans ha9e su,,ered due to mismana+ement in the A s:stem includin+ 7ut

not limited to understa,,in+ o, essential care stations 2ro7lems in meetin+ esta7lished health care standards and

2re9alent medical errors leadin+ to serious harm to our 9eterans and in some cases death& 'he A s:stem in

Mississi22i is maEin+ 2ro+ress in addressin+ recent 2ro7lems 7ut <e 7elie9e the a22ointment o, r& Mcou+all

<ould onl: im2ede this 2ro+ress and e)acer7ate e)istin+ issues&Y Gi9en her tracE record Xand the A?s on+oin+

e,,ort to earn 7acE the trust o, 9eterans in Mississi22i and across the countr: <e stron+l: ur+e :ou to rescind this

selection and instead a22oint a senior leader <ho <ill <orE to 2ro9ide the 7est 2ossi7le ser9ice ,or our 9eterans&Y

Mcou+all <ho has # :ears o, A e)2erience <rote in an email to 'he Arizona "e2u7lic that the contro9ers:

2la:ed no role in her chan+e o, heart a7out taEin+ o9er the South<est Bealth Care net<orE& A,ter care,ul

consideration o, the 2osition and the needs o, m: ,amil: decided to 2ursue other o22ortunities and looE ,or<ard to

leadin+ SN %. (South Central A Bealth Care Net<orE&Y Cochran said %5 C that he has 7een concerned a7out

recent sta,,in+ decisions in 6ashin+ton that could ne+ati9el: a,,ect our 9eterans& 6hile ha9e 7een assured that

ste2s are 7ein+ made to im2ro9e A health care and o2erations in Mississi22i thinE relocatin+ r& Mcou+all to

3#



our state is a mistaEe that could im2ede this 2ro+ress&Y [SourceK 'he Clarion-Fed+er @ err: Mitchell @ ecem7er

%5 0%5 ]


+AMC To.a WI U/dat% 14 R%,torin" Tru,t 100?)ay !$an

A X%00-da: 2lanY to re+ain the trust o, 9eterans at the se9erel: trou7led 'omah 6isconsin e2artment o, eterans

A,,airs hos2ital calls ,or 2raisin+ its em2lo:ees more increasin+ em2lo:ee di9ersit: and esta7lishin+ an m2lo:ee

6ellness Center& eterans do not ,i+ure 2rominentl: in the 2lan <hich 2rimaril: consists o, ,a9ors ,or em2lo:ees

and their union& 'he hos2ital has 7een ,orced to Xre7uild trustY <ith 9eterans a,ter :ears o, its sta,, do2in+ 2atients

into zom7ies rather than treatin+ them& 'he 7lue2rint adds monthl: Xlistenin+ sessionsY to air em2lo:ee +ri2es 7ut

onl: t<ice-a-:ear to<n halls ,or 9eterans to +i9e ,eed7acE on the Lualit: o, care the: recei9ed and to maEe

su++estions& t sa:s nothin+ a7out <hat A o,,icials 7elie9e caused 9eterans? lacE o, trust in the ,acilit:& 'he lacE o,

understandin+ o, the 2ro7lem seems to ensure the ,i) <ill ,ail o7ser9ers said&

Under the headin+ Xrestorin+ trustY the 7ulE o, the 2lan is de9oted to doin+ more Xunion 2artnerin+&Y t <ill +i9e

em2lo:ees more X2raiseY and create a Xdi9ersit: committee&Y 'he ,our-2a+e 2lan then adds a shorter section on

restorin+ trust 7: Xim2ro9in+ the 9eteran e)2erience&Y n addition to the t<ice-a-:ear 9eterans meetin+s \ <hich

are also o2en to non-9eteran XstaEeholdersY and unliEe the em2lo:ee meetin+s are not termed Xlistenin+Y sessions

\ A o,,icials <ill Xcontinue to de9elo2 in,ormational and educational articles ,or eteransY and three other minor

2oints& 'he most si+ni,icant 2atient-centered action in9ol9es e)2lorin+ Xe)2ansion o, o2eratin+ hoursY <hich <ould

also create more hours ,or sta,,&

'omah A s2oEesman Matthe< Go<an 2ointed to in9esti+ations and media stories \ not the underl:in+ conduct

disco9ered or 9ets? ,irst-hand e)2erience \ as a 2rimar: source o, 9eterans? mistrust& X'omah A realizes that

recent in9esti+ations and media stories co9erin+ hi+h 2ro,ile incidents o9er the 2ast :ear ha9e contri7uted to a lacE

o, trust <ithin the medical center and the communit:Y he told 'he ail: Caller Ne<s *oundation& X'his is a 9isi7le

e,,ort to mo9e ,or<ard in a 2ositi9e manner ,or the 7etterment o, 2atient care and em2lo:ee satis,actionY he said

addin+ that ha22ier em2lo:ees is e)2ected to lead to ha22ier 9ets& Xach strate+: has a 2ur2ose and has 7een

reLuested 7: the hos2ital staEeholdersY he said& 'he 2lan <as <ritten 7: hos2ital leadershi2 ,ollo<in+ Xmore than

#0 Fistenin+ Sessions <ith em2lo:ees in the 2ast si) months&Y Be did not sa: ho< man: sessions <ith 9eterans had

7een held 7ut said that in addition to the semi-annual 9eteran to<n halls in the 2lan the hos2ital has <eeEl: o,,ice

hours ,or 9ets to meet <ith its director&

Multi2le con+ressional in9esti+ations ins2ector +eneral re2orts and media e)2oses ,rom across the ideolo+ical

s2ectrum ha9e sho<n that lacE o, 2raise ,or 'omah em2lo:ees isn?t the cause o, the ,acilit:?s 2ro7lems& an+erous

com7inations o, do<ner dru+s <ere sho9ed do<n the throats o, 9eterans so that the: <ere sedated rather than

ena7led to <orE throu+h their 2ro7lems <ith 2h:sical and mental thera2:& ru+s <ere routinel: 2rescri7ed to Eno<n

addicts and dru+s sold on the street in 6isconsin could o,ten 7e traced 7acE to the A& Career lo<-le9el 7ureaucrats

at the A looEed the other <a: <hile a ,e< 7rand ne< em2lo:ees <ho <ere shocEed at the <a: the hos2ital ran

<ere 2ushed out <hen the: raised o74ections& 'he %00-da: 9ision doesn?t mention o2iates&

9en a,ter the 2lan?s roll-out the ,acilit: has demonstrated that a2ath: 7: lo<-le9el em2lo:ees misleadin+

o,,icial s2in 7: ima+e-culti9atin+ s2oEesmen union rules 7locEin+ disci2line and +ross mismana+ement continue to

2la+ue 'omah not a lacE o, mone: or clout ,or em2lo:ees& n No9em7er a 'omah nurse?s aide alle+edl: 2ushed a

2atient re2eatedl: <hile another nurse?s aide <atched and did nothin+ to sto2 it the FaCrosse 'ri7une re2orted&

;olice con,irmed the incident occurred and <as se9ere enou+h that the em2lo:ee <as char+ed <ith disorderl:

conduct& Het <eeEs later the de2artment had 7een una7le to esta7lish the ,acts sa:in+ there <as a X,ollo<-u2

in9esti+ation 7: administration and union o,,icialsY the 'ri7une re2orted ecem7er %& Go<an initiall: said Xit

35



<ould o79iousl: 7e disin+enuous o, me to sa: nothin+ ha22enedY 7ut the A declined to sa: <hen asEed 7:

'heCN* i, the em2lo:ee had 7een ,ired or other<ise disci2lined&

n9esti+ations ha9e also documented that 'omah?s 2ro7lems stem ,rom 2oor hirin+ choices 2uttin+ em2lo:ee

con9enience o9er 9eteran health and co9erin+ u2 ,or and re,usin+ to disci2line 7ad <orEers at all le9els& ne o, the

most recentl: hired doctors 7rou+ht on around the time the 2lan <as 7ein+ dra,ted is ileen Ga9in <ho onl:

months 2rior <as ,ound 7: the state medical e)aminin+ 7oard to ha9e en+a+ed in un2ro,essional conduct related to 2atient health records and to ha9e im2ro2erl: ,unneled 2ain medication to a ,riend& 'hose are the same issues the

A is tr:in+ to 2ut 7ehind it the ,ormer nationall: and the latter at 'omah s2eci,icall:& *ormer 'omah Chie, o, Sta,,

a9id Boulihan re2ortedl: Eno<n to 9eterans as the XCand: ManY 7ecause o, his 2enchant ,or thro<in+ o2iates at

e9er: 2ro7lem came to 6isconsin a,ter 7ein+ re2rimanded 7: o<a?s 7oard o, medical e)aminers& "ather than

,irin+ the hos2ital director durin+ the scandals the 7oard entered into a secret settlement <ith him&

A e2ut: Secretar: Sloan Gi7son told the Associated ;ress that 9eterans had lost XtrustY in 'omah 7ecause o,

7ad treatment 7: its sta,, and that a second crisis <as other em2lo:ees? ,ailure to sto2 7ad a22les& XClearl:

2articularl: as it relates to the ,irst crisis there is eroded trust in the A ,acilit: here in 'omahY Gi7son told A;& X

don?t e)2ect an:7od: to +i9e that trust 7acE& e)2ect that <e?re +oin+ to ha9e to earn it 7acE&Y m2lo:ees alread:

ha9e time dedicated to their o<n morale& ideo sho<s 'omah em2lo:ees mostl: middle-a+ed <omen s2endin+

cto7er 30 cra<lin+ on the ,loor 2retendin+ to 7e hi22o2otamuses& ets ha9e 7een clear a7out <h: the: don?t trustthe 'omah A e9en 2a:in+ to erect a 7ill7oard near7: sa:in+ XA is l:in+ 9eterans are d:in+&Y 'he A the: said

Xis currentl: o2erated ,or the 2ro,it and lu)ur: o, A em2lo:ees&Y

'he A em2lo:ee union \ its num7ers 7oosted 7: the ,act A has more ci9il ser9ants than an: other ,ederal

ci9ilian a+enc: \ has 7een a 2rimar: dri9er in maEin+ em2lo:ees a more 2o<er,ul constituenc: <ithin the A& n

%/ C the union sent an email to mem7ers sa:in+ XM"GNCHK A "e2rimand and !onus "ecou2ment !ill

Mo9in+ to Senate *loorY asEin+ them to 2ressure Con+ress to maEe sure that under no circumstances could

discretionar: 7onuses ,or e)em2lar: ser9ice 7e diminished& 'he union also encoura+ed its mem7ers to 2ush

Con+ress to chan+e the la< so that em2lo:ees <ith marEs on their records indicatin+ that the: ma: 2ose a dan+er to

2atients should ha9e them automaticall: remo9ed ,rom their ,ile a,ter a time& t has not 2u7licl: descri7ed the

mismana+ement o, 'omah and the 9eterans e)2osed to o2iate and 7enzo to)icit: there as an Xemer+enc:&Y Neither

o, 6isconsin?s senators "e2u7lican Sen& "on ohnson and emocrat Sen& 'amm: !ald<in res2onded to reLuests,rom 'heCN* ,or comment on the 2lan& [SourceK 'he ail: Caller @ FuEe "osiaE @ ecem7er %1 0%5 ]

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

+AMC L%a<%n;ort S Ey% C$ini# Wait Ti.%,

An ins2ector +eneral?s re2ort ,ound an e:e care clinic at <i+ht & isenho<er A Medical Center in Fea9en<orth

used unauthorized <ait lists 7ut ins2ectors couldn?t su7stantiate claims the lists <ere used to ,alsi,: <ait times ,or

9eterans& 'he eterans A,,airs ns2ector General?s ,,ice in9esti+ated claims o, ,alsi,ied <ait lists ,ollo<in+ a

com2laint Se2t& %1 0%#& *ederal ins2ectors 9isited A medical centers in 'o2eEa and Fea9en<orth three times in

late 0%# and released their re2ort C&

3.



At the time o, the com2laint in Se2tem7er 0%# the <ait time ,or cataract sur+er: <as si) months& !: No9& %8

0%# <hen ins2ectors arri9ed e:e clinic sta,, had 7een told to reduce the <ait time to 80 da:s <hich the: did 7:

sendin+ 9eterans to non-A clinics& n Fea9en<orth ins2ectors ,ound e:e clinic schedulin+ sta,, used <ait lists that

hadn?t 7een a22ro9ed 7: the A raisin+ concerns a7out trans2arenc:& *urthermore sta,, mem7ers at Fea9en<orth

<eren?t trained to use the A-a22ro9ed electronic <ait lists& 6ait lists at A medical centers across the countr: ha9e

7een 2laced under a microsco2e ,ollo<in+ re2orts last :ear o, 9eterans d:in+ <hile a<aitin+ care at a A center in

;hoeni)& 'he ensuin+ outra+e ended in the resi+nation o, A secretar: ric ShinseEi&

'he eterans Bealth Administration a com2onent o, the A doesn?t tracE <ait times ,or cataract sur+er:& As a

result ins2ectors concluded the Fea9en<orth ,acilit: didn?t use una22ro9ed lists to distort its <ait times as a

com2laint had claimed& ;hone calls to the A astern Jansas Bealth Care S:stem <eren?t ans<ered 'uesda:& n a

<ritten res2onse to the ins2ector +eneral?s re2ort A Beartland Net<orE director 6illiam ;atterson said the list o,

cataract sur+er: 2atients <as a checElist not a <ait list& "ud: Jlo2,er director o, the A astern Jansas Bealth

Care S:stem said the checElist <as used 7: his sta,, 7ecause the BA didn?t 2ro9ide a com2ara7le tracEin+

mechanism ,or cataract sur+eries& X;lease note this <as not a <ait listY he <rote&

'he ins2ector +eneral?s re2ort recommended Jlo2,er instruct his sta,, to use onl: a22ro9ed <ait lists ,or

schedulin+ cataract sur+eries& 'hou+h he maintained e:e clinic sta,, used a checElist not a <ait list Jlo2,er

concurred <ith the recommendation and said his sta,, has im2lemented the chan+e& Some issues at the e:e careclinics can 7e traced to a lacE o, leadershi2 in9esti+ators ,ound& Se9eral em2lo:ees had asEed to 7e relocated

7ecause o, con,licts and se9eral em2lo:ees <ho <orEed alon+side each other hadn?t s2oEen in :ears& 'he 2osition o,

director o9er the t<o clinics had 7een 9acant since 008& XSe9eral sta,, <e inter9ie<ed <ere una7le to name their

direct su2er9isor and <ere unclear re+ardin+ the chain o, commandY the re2ort ,ound& 'hou+h in9esti+ators

criticized the local A centers ,or Xless than e)2ectedY 2roducti9it: ,rom their o2hthalmolo+ists the: lar+el:

dismissed the most serious alle+ations& *or e)am2le a com2lainant told ins2ectors the clinics <ere 2er,ormin+

unnecessar: cataract sur+eries& 'he ins2ectors X,ound no concerns a7out the Lualit: or a22ro2riateness o, cataract

sur+eriesY accordin+ to the re2ort& A com2lainant also alle+ed 2atients <ere harmed 7: the len+th: <ait time ,or

sur+eries& !ecause the sur+eries <ere 7: choice and not emer+encies ins2ectors ,ound the alle+ation <as

unsu7stantiated&

U&S& "e2& F:nn enEins <ho re2resents Fea9en<orth and 'o2eEa in Con+ress said her sta,, had recei9ednumerous com2laints a7out <ait times ,or e:e care at the t<o A medical centers& X6hile recent 2ro+ress a22ears to

7e occurrin+ <ithin our local A?s culture it is 9er: distur7in+ to see that these 2ro7lems continue to occur and are

a,,ectin+ our AMCs 7acE homeY enEins said& n a statement 'uesda: U&S& "e2& 'im BuelsEam2 2laced the 7lame

on ;resident !aracE 7ama& X'he on+oin+ use o, secret unauthorized <aitin+ lists more than a :ear a,ter to2 A

leadershi2 2romised other<ise ,urther 2ro9e the lacE o, accounta7ilit: and leadershi2 ,ailures in 7ama?s A

s:stemY BuelsEam2 said& BuelsEam2 <ho is a mem7er o, the Bouse eterans A,,airs Committee said the re2ort is

e9idence o, leadershi2 2ro7lems <ithin the A& X <ill continue to demand the A hold accounta7le those

res2onsi7leY he said& XMani2ulatin+ data to +i9e the a22earance o, 2roducti9it: is unacce2ta7le and Tm committed

to endin+ the leadershi2 crisis in 7ama?s A&Y [SourceK 'o2eEa-Ca2itol ournal @ ustin 6in+erter @ ecem7er

0%5 ]

3/




+A HCS !o%ni7 U/dat% 19 R%.ain, Mir%d In !ro&$%.,

'he ;hoeni) A remains mired in 2ro7lems a <histle7lo<er told Con+ress on %# C more than a :ear a,ter she

i+nited a national scandal 7: re9ealin+ that some #0 9eterans died <hile stucE on secret <aitlists at the health care

,acilit:& r& Jatherine Mitchell a ,ormer emer+enc: room 2h:sician said she <ould not seeE care at her ,ormer hos2ital <hich she said still ,ails to adeLuatel: train tria+e nurses to determine <hich 2atients need to 7e seen

immediatel:& And <hile the clinic is no lon+er su22osed to maintain secret <aitlists <ait times at the hos2ital are

still a ma4or 2ro7lem Nicole Morris told a ,ield hearin+ o, the Senate Committee on eterans? A,,airs in Gil7ert

Arizona& Ms& Morris <ent to the A?s emer+enc: room earl: one mornin+ and sat there until late at ni+ht then had

to +o home and return the ne)t da:& She said sta,, did not checE in on her or +i9e her u2dates a7out her <ait time&

XAt the end o, that e)2erience did not <ant to +o 7acE to AY the Na9: 9eteran said& X?m a sin+le mother and a

student& don?t ha9e an: other insurance& t <as 9er: disheartenin+ and 9er: stress,ul to +et an a22ointment&Y

A to2 eterans A,,airs o,,icial said the de2artment is a 9ictim o, its o<n success& r& a9id ShulEin A?s

undersecretar: ,or health said the a+enc: has im2ro9ed care in the <aEe o, the scandal 7ut that means more

9eterans are o2tin+ to use the A rather than 2a: ,or their o<n 2ri9ate sector care <hich means <ait times at the A

<ill ha9e to +ro<& mer+enc: room sta,, also ha9e an ethical o7li+ation to +i9e 2riorit: to 2atients <ith serious

conditions <hich <ould ine9ita7l: lead to <ait times ,or 2atients <ho ,eel 9er: ill 7ut are a lo<er 2riorit:& r&

Mitchell said the nurses <ho maEe those decisions need 7etter trainin+ to reco+nize s:m2toms o, dan+erous

conditions& She said the current trainin+ on <hat?s Eno<n as the mer+enc: Se9erit: nde) is not adeLuate& X'here?s

no standardized tria+e trainin+ and it?s the lucE o, the dra< i, :ou ha9e a tria+e nurse <ho Eno<s <hat the:?re

doin+Y r& Mitchell said& X'he nurses <ho im2eded the care did <ho retaliated a+ainst me the:?re still here and

don?t trust them not to im2ede m: care&Y r& Mitchell also said the hos2ital continues to ,ace a culture o, retaliation

a+ainst an:one <ho 7rin+s 2ro7lems to the attention o, the hos2ital& She said a memo ,rom A leaders outlined

harsh 2enalties ,or an:one <ho retaliates a+ainst em2lo:ees <ho re2ort 2ro7lems and also said esta7lishin+ an

inde2endent 7oard to conduct 2er,ormance re9ie<s <ould hel2 sol9e the issue&

For.%r !o%ni7 +A H%a$t Car% Sy,t%. ;or%r )r* at%rin% Mit#%$$ ta$, ;it +i%tna. <%t%ran Cu# By%r, &%8or%

t% t;o t%,ti8y a&out t% #urr%nt ,tat% o8 t% +AMC in !o%ni7 durin" a S%nat% +%t%ran, A88air, Co..itt%% 8i%$d %arin"

)%#* 14: 2015: in i$&%rt: Ari3*

31



Sen& ohn McCain Arizona "e2u7lican said he <as ,rustrated that onl: one administrati9e em2lo:ee at the

;hoeni) hos2ital had 7een ,ired ,or the <aitlist scandal and <histle7lo<er retaliation& r& ShulEin said that A

leaders Xhear that ,rustration loud and clearY and are tr:in+ to s2eed u2 decisions <ithout <aitin+ ,or outside

in9esti+ations to 7e com2lete& !ut he also said the A <ill not 7e 2ressured 7: ne<s re2orts& Xt?s 9er: im2ortant to

understand that i, 2eo2le aren?t ,ollo<in+ our 9alues the: don?t 7elon+ in the AY he told the committee& A,ter the

hearin+ Mr& McCain and his ,ello< Arizona Sen& e,, *laEe continued to 2ush ,or more accounta7ilit: in a letter to

A Secretar: "o7ert Mconald callin+ on him to ,ire a senior mana+er at the ;hoeni) hos2ital ,or <histle7lo<er

retaliation& es2ite an ,,ice o, Accounta7ilit: "e9ie< in9esti+ation the senior mana+er remains in his 2osition

Mr& McCain and Mr& *laEe <rote& X"etaliation a+ainst <histle7lo<ers undermines con,idence in A em2lo:ees

9eterans and their ,amilies that chan+e has occurred at the AY the t<o senators <rote& XSuch actions run counter

to the A?s mission to care ,or our 9eterans&Y [SourceK 'he 6ashin+ton 'imes @ An4ali Shastr: @ ecem7er %5 0%5

]

( +%t, (

Ca.&odia Li8% 8or +%t, Lot, o8 O//ortunity&

'he scent o, 7urnin+ mari4uana mi)es <ith the 2un+ent odors ,rom ,ood 2ush carts and +ar7a+e 2iles& Scantil: clad

<omen lure tourists to 7ars that o,,er ice-cold 7eer to sta9e o,, the steam: heat Cam7odia has come a lon+ <a: since

the 7rutal Jhmer "ou+e massacred more than % million 2eo2le in the in,amous XEillin+ ,ieldsY in the %8/0s& Het italso remains a nation rooted in the 2ast a land o, ,riendl: locals and immense cultural 7eaut: <ith darEness and

de7aucher: lurEin+ 7eneath the sur,ace& ;hnom ;enh its ca2ital is a 2lace <here the 7usiness o, sur9i9al ne9er

slee2s \ 2anhandlers carr:in+ 7a7ies meander in a seemin+l: endless 2arade motorized ricEsha< dri9ers o,,er

chea2 rides at all hours ,ast-talEin+ children 2eddle homemade <ares and nearl: e9er: 2rice is dirt chea2 \ and

ne+otia7le& n man: <a:s it?s ,rozen in time reminiscent o, Sai+on at the hei+ht o, the ietnam 6ar&

*or a hand,ul o, American ietnam 9eterans <ho le,t a little 2iece o, themsel9es 7ehind durin+ the ,erocious

4un+le <ar and sa: the: <ere 9ili,ied <hen the: <ent 7acE to the states ;hnom ;enh has 7ecome home& X'he <ar

<as the <orst thin+ that e9er ha22ened to meY And: "ichards .5 said as he sat in a 7ar 7ooth s<irlin+ <ine in a

+lass& X?9e had three o2en-heart sur+eries& "ichards a 7ar mana+er <ith a handle7ar mustache and sun7aEed sEin

+enerall: attri7utes his heart 2ro7lems to the <ar& Be is <arm ,riendl: and eas:+oin+& X liEe Cam7odiaY said

"ichards <ho arri9ed in 00& X liEe the lacE o, rules& 'here?s more 2ersonal ,reedoms here than an:<here else&t?s ine)2ensi9e& 'he 2eo2le are 9er: nice&Y

'he Madison 6is& nati9e 4oined the Arm: in %8.1 at %1 7ecause he e)2ected to 7e dra,ted& Be s2ent a short time

in the storied 1nd Air7orne i9ision 7ut disliEed it 7ecause it <as Xtoo s2it-shined&Y Be trans,erred to the %0%st

Air7orne and headed ,or ietnam?s 4un+les& "ichards <ent ,rom a 2aratroo2er to a 7andana-<earin+ +runt liEe

somethin+ out o, the %81. ,ilm X;latoon&Y Be and his ,ello< soldiers s2ent time in the most northern 2art o, South

ietnam the re+ion <ith the hi+hest concentration o, North ietnamese Arm: ,orces& 'he: o2erated near Jhe Sanh

in the hi+hlands and made ,ora:s into the demilitarized zone& "ichards le,t the Arm: and ietnam 7ehind in A2ril

38



%8/% and earned a 4ournalism de+ree ,rom the Uni9ersit: o, 6isconsin& Be <orEed at small local ne<s2a2ers 7ut

7attled the 7ottle and his an+er ,or :ears& X'he: considered us <hinersY "ichards said o, his return stateside& X6e

<ere a 2ariah&Y

n %888 at the 2roddin+ o, a ,riend he <ent 7acE to ietnam to Xrelease the +hosts&Y X <as scaredY "ichards

said& X <as a22rehensi9e& !ut a,ter m: ,irst da: in Sai+on <as talEin+ <ith e)-NA tellin+ <ar stories& +ot that

monEe: o,, m: 7acE& t <as the 7est thin+ ,or me&Y n southern ietnam "ichards +ot the thanEs he ne9er recei9edat home& 'he: <ere Eind to himV the: shooE his hand and thanEed him ,or tr:in+ to hel2 them& Be then tra9eled to

'hailand and Faos& A,ter 7rie,l: returnin+ to the U&S& "ichards <ent 7acE to Southeast Asia ,or +ood in No9em7er

%888 li9in+ ,irst in 'hailand then ietnam and Cam7odia <here he decided to 2ut do<n roots& A,ter :ears o,

searchin+ he had ,ound a home&

ohn Muller .. ,rom Seattle told a similar tale& Be 4oined the Arm: in %8.8 and s2ent the ne)t :ear in ietnam&

X <ish ?d ne9er +oneY he said& Xt <as a real <aste o, li9es and a hu+e e)2ense&Y A,ter the <ar he returned to the

States and liEe "ichards <ent to school earnin+ a 2olitical science de+ree& Be too ,elt that he and his ,ello<

9eterans <ere treated liEe criminals and a,ter se9eral 4o7s he decided to lea9e ,or +ood as <ell& Muller had 9isited

Southeast Asia se9eral times 7e+innin+ in %8/. and returned there to li9e %0 :ears later& X <anted to come 7acE and

do somethin+ +oodY he said& X'hat?s m: <hole moti9e ,or <h: ?m out here&Y Muller <ho runs a 2ri9ate securit:

com2an: said his le+ac: has 7een <orEin+ <ith the Cam7odian +o9ernment to re+ulate the industr: taEin+ +uns o,, the streets and 2ro9idin+ 4o7s to e)-troo2s& Xt?s eas: to <orE hereY Muller said& X'here is a lot o, o22ortunit:& t?s

eas: ,or me to +et around and do 7usiness&Y

*or le+endar: and eccentric 2hoto+ra2her Al "ocEo,, \ 2ortra:ed 7: ohn MalEo9ich in the Academ: A<ard-

<innin+ ,ilm X'he Jillin+ *ieldsY <hich he derides \ his continued <orE in Cam7odia is the ne)t cha2ter in a lo9e

a,,air that 7e+an <hen he <as an Arm: com7at 2hoto+ra2her in ietnam& "ocEo,, <as Eno<n to +o to e)treme

len+ths to +et his iconic ima+es that toda: adorn the <alls o, the U&S& m7ass: and the *orei+n Corres2ondents?

Clu7 in ;hnom ;enh& Be said he once died on the ta7le a,ter a 2iece o, shra2nel 2ierced his heart <hile taEin+

2ictures at the ,ront as the Jhmer "ou+e ad9anced throu+h the countr:side& A S<edish sur+eon sa9ed him& Be s2lits

his time 7et<een *lorida and his ado2ted countr: and can still 7e seen ridin+ around ;hnom ;enh on the 7acE o, a

mo2ed camera in hand sna22in+ 2ictures o, the color,ul 2eo2le he encounters& X'his countr: has o22ortunit: liEe

'hailand did 0 to 30 :ears a,ter 6orld 6ar Y he said& Xt has a +ood ni+htli,e 'he 2olice deal <ith 2eo2le allri+ht& ?m +ettin+ 7acE to <here le,t o,, in the Arm:& <ant to sho< 2eo2le <hat?s +oin+ on&Y

"ichards Muller and "ocEo,, 7elon+ to a small clu7& 6hile 'hailand has man: Air *orce and Arm: 9eterans

li9in+ there and ietnam has a +ro<in+ num7er Cam7odia still has ,e<& "ichards said ;hnom ;enh dra<s him

2artiall: 7ecause it is a 7i+ cit: <ith a small-cit: ,eel and has 7ecome almost Xcosmo2olitanY in recent :ears&

"ocEo,, liEened its charm to Monaco& Het des2ite all the +ro<th and de9elo2ment <hich <as ine9ita7le as

Cam7odia came out o, the darE Jhmer "ou+e 2eriod in the earl: Z80s the men sa: their ado2ted countr: <ill ne9er

lose its luster& X <ill sta: hereY "ichards said& X <ouldn?t li9e an:<here else& 'his is the end o, the road dude&Y

[SourceK Stars I Stri2es @ Matthe< M& !urEe @ ecem7er 0 0%5 ]


+%t F%rti$ity Tr%at.%nt, In,uran#% Co<%ra"% Lo,t U/on )i,#ar"%

n the b :ears Je9in a:e <as reco9erin+ at 6alter "eed National Militar: Medical Center ,rom in4uries he

su,,ered a,ter ste22in+ on an im2ro9ised e)2losi9e de9ice in A,+hanistan in 0% startin+ a ,amil: <as not the ,irst

thin+ on his mind& , Arm: S+t& a:e had 7een thinEin+ a7out a ,amil: and had 7een married then his militar:

insurance <ould ha9e co9ered the cost o, the ,ertilit: 2rocedures he needs ,or him and his ne< <i,e Fauren to

maEe a 7a7:& Be lost a le+ and a testicle 7ecause o, the e)2losion and no< reLuires s2erm e)traction and in 9itro

,ertilization to im2re+nate his <i,e& n anuar: he ,inall: <ent home ,rom the hos2ital to Ba+ersto<n and he and

#0



Fauren married in Au+ust& 6aitin+ until he le,t the Arm: to start a ,amil: ho<e9er meant losin+ insurance 7ene,its

that 2a: ,or the ,ertilit: treatments he needs each round o, <hich can cost $1000 to $%0000& nsurance co9ers those

costs ,or acti9e-dut: ser9ice mem7ers <hose ,ertilit: <as com2romised 7: a com7at in4ur:& 'hose 7ene,its do not

e)tend to 9eterans a,ter the: lea9e acti9e dut:&

Nan#y Hu%n: $%8t: t% in <itro 8%rti$i3ation $a& ,u/%r<i,or: and %.&ryo$o"i,t Sa$u Ri&%iro

#%# ,tora"% r%#ord, at t% R%/rodu#ti<% S#i%n#% C%nt%r in San Ra.on: Ca$i8*

'he American Societ: ,or "e2roducti9e Medicine the Societ: ,or Assisted "e2roducti9e 'echnolo+: and the

a:es are lo77:in+ Con+ress to chan+e the la< that a,,ects the insurance co9era+e& X thinE it?s de,initel: &&& an

o9ersi+htY Je9in a:e said& 'he societies and the a:es aim to see the ,ertilit: 7ene,its e)tended to non-acti9e-dut:

9eterans 7: the end o, the 0%. con+ressional session& n No9em7er the Societ: ,or "e2roducti9e Medicine

announced that man: o, its mem7ers <ould discount the 2rice o, ,ertilit: ser9ices to in4ured 9eterans <ho do not

ha9e insurance to 2a: ,or the treatments&

X'his is <hat <e?9e tried to do to sol9e this 2ro7lem until Con+ress <ill le+islate a solutionY said r& ason !romer

a re2roducti9e endocrinolo+ist at Shad: Gro9e *ertilit: Center in *redericE& XAs a mem7er o, the societ: am

interested and in9ol9ed in maEin+ this 2ro+ram success,ul&Y !romer has had the a:es as 2atients as the: 2lanned

their ,amil:& 'he a:es ha9e 7een a7le to 2a: !romer ,or their in 9itro treatments 7ecause Fauren has insurance

throu+h her 4o7 as a 2u7lic school teacher in 6ashin+ton Count:& Ber insurance ho<e9er has a $30000 li,etime

ca2 on ,ertilit: treatments& 'he e2artment o, eterans A,,airs is <illin+ and ea+er to 2ro9ide in 9itro 7ene,its to

<ounded com7at 9eterans <hen * <ould 7e their onl: means o, conce2tion !romer said& !ut Xthere is an old la<

that 7ans in 9itro 7ene,its to 9eteransY he said& n 2art the matter is cau+ht u2 in a7ortion 2olitics 7ecause the

,ertilit: treatments ma: in9ol9e ,ertilizin+ more than one e++ and creatin+ e)cess em7r:os& iscardin+ unused

em7r:os has dra<n criticism ,rom anti-a7ortion ad9ocates&

'he 7ill to chan+e the insurance has come u2 and stalled se9eral times in Con+ress 7ut the a:es are 2u7licizin+

the situation to +et the la< chan+ed& Mean<hile Je9in a:e has started stud:in+ com2uter technolo+: at

Ba+ersto<n Communit: Colle+e& Je9in and Fauren used nearl: hal, o, her $30000 co9era+e on their ,irst round o,

* <hich <as unsuccess,ul& Xt?s not +oin+ to last 9er: lon+Y Je9in a:e said o, their remainin+ 7ene,its& !ut he

and Fauren +ot an earl: holida: 2resent this :ear& 'he: learned ec& % that a second round o, * has 7een

success,ul and she is 2re+nant&

An estimated %100 to 300 9eterans ha9e lost re2roducti9e a7ilities related to com7at in4uries !romer said& 'heAS"M has %03 ,ertilit: centers a+reein+ to 2ro9ide Xdee2l: discounted * treatments to <ounded com7at

9eterans &&& in 2artnershi2 <ith 2harmacies <ho <ill 2ro9ide dru+sY !romer said& XBo2e,ull: <ith <hat <e?9e 7een

doin+ that can li+ht a ,ire under Con+ressY Je9in a:e said& X don?t thinE the: realize 7asicall: the necessit: [o,

* ,or] &&& <ounded 9eterans liEe m:sel,Y a:e said& X'he: <ant us to re2roduce& ur Eids are +oin+ to ha9e all the

9alues and e9er:thin+ that :ou <ant the ne)t +eneration to ha9e&Y [SourceK 'he *redericE Ne<s-;ost Md& @ ;atti

!orda Mullins @ ecem7er 30 0%5 ]


#%



SB! )IC O88,%t U/dat% 4 Und%r R%<i%; &y Hou,% Co..itt%%

n a ho2e,ul si+n ,or .0000 militar: <ido<s and <ido<ers <ho lost s2ouses to ser9ice-connected illnesses or

in4uries a Ee: Bouse su7committee is taEin+ a ,resh looE at ho< Con+ress mi+ht allo< a ,urther easin+ the XS!;-

C o,,setY to 2ro9ide heartier and ,airer sur9i9or 7ene,it 2acEa+es& "e2& oe BecE ("-N chairman o, the Bouse

armed ser9ices su7committee on militar: 2ersonnel isn?t 2romisin+ :et s2eci,ic relie, ,rom the o,,set <hich

sur9i9in+ s2ouses 2re,er to call the militar: <ido<s? ta)& !ut BecE and collea+ues did +ather ane< com2laints a7out

the o,,set durin+ a s2ecial ecem7er hearin+ and 9o<ed to looE ,or <a:s to end it or at least to continue to dull its

e,,ect on the <ido<s? ,inancial health& BecE understands as do or+anizations ad9ocatin+ ,or the <ido<s that

2artial o,,set relie, throu+h a S2ecial Sur9i9or ndemnit: Allo<ance (SSA is set to e)2ire in ,all o, 0%/& So

unless Con+ress acts 7: then to end the o,,set or more liEel: to continue or e9en to 7olster the SSA then sur9i9in+

s2ouses a+ain <ould ,eel the ,ull 7runt o, the S!;-C o,,set&

'he e2artment o, eterans A,,airs 2a:s e2endenc: and ndemnit: Com2ensation (C to sur9i9in+ s2ouses

o, mem7ers <ho die o, ser9ice-connected causes& 'his includes deaths <hile on acti9e dut: or in retirement i, due

to in4uries su,,ered or diseases contracted durin+ acti9e ser9ice& 'he e2artment o, e,ense se2aratel: 2ro9ides a

+o9ernment su7sidized Sur9i9or !ene,it ;lan& S!; co9era+e no< is automatic ,or deaths on acti9e dut:& "etirin+

mem7ers must o2t in a+reein+ to 2a: a 2remium o, .&5 2ercent o, retired 2a: to ensure sur9i9in+ s2ouses +et an

annuit: u2on the mem7er?s death eLual to 55 2ercent o, co9ered retired 2a:& Under the S!; o,,set la< <hich has

e)isted ,or ,our decades sur9i9in+ s2ouses cannot recei9e 7oth C and ,ull S!;& Sur9i9or annuities must 7e

reduced dollar ,or dollar 7: C& 6ith 7asic C no< set at $%5#&%8 a month it usuall: <ill <i2e out or 9astl:

reduce an: S!; annuit:&

6ido<s do +et a re,und o, 2remiums their s2ouses 2aid 2erha2s o9er man: :ears ,or that annuit: co9era+e 7ut

the +o9ernment adds no interest to the re,unds no matter ho< lon+ a+o it recei9ed the 2remium 2a:ments& More

im2ortantl: ar+ue <ido<s and lon+-time ad9ocates ,or S!; re,orm liEe dith Smith o, S2rin+,ield a& their

s2ouses 2aid ,or that annuit: 2rotection as i, the: 7ou+ht an insurance 2olic: e)2ectin+ that it <ould 7e 2aid& t

should not 7e reduced 7: com2ensation ,or a ser9ice-related death& X'hese are t<o di,,erent sur9i9or 2ro+rams and

2aid ,or t<o 9er: di,,erent 2ur2osesY e)2lained i9ianne Cisneros 6ersel in <ritten testimon: ,or the

su7committee& Ber late hus7and a Marine Cor2s lieutenant colonel died in *e7ruar: 005 a <eeE a,ter returnin+

,rom a second tour in raL&

'he creaE: lo+ic 7ehind the o,,set is that <ido<s thou+h ri+htl: com2ensated ,or loss o, a s2ouse ,rom ser9ice-

related in4ur: or ailment shouldn?t also +et a +o9ernment-su7sidized annuit:& 'hat lo+ic colla2sed a decade a+o

<hen Con+ress ended a similar 7an on Xconcurrent recei2tY ,or militar: retirees <ho Luali,: 7oth ,or lon+e9it:

retirement and A com2ensation ,or serious ser9ice-connected disa7ilities or com7at-related in4uries or ailments&

;re9iousl: militar: retired 2a: al<a:s <as reduced dollar ,or dollar 7: A disa7ilit: 2a:& n ,act the 7an on

concurrent recei2t still holds ,or retirees <ith non-com7at disa7ilities 7elo< 50 2ercent& 6ido<s ar+ue the: should

7e allo<ed concurrent recei2t o, S!; and C& Most mem7ers o, Con+ress a+ree 7ut so ,ar leaders re,use to

remo9e the o,,set citin+ costs& ndin+ the o,,set <ould add $/ 7illion to U&S& annuit: o7li+ations o9er the ,irst

decade the Con+ressional !ud+et ,,ice estimates& Con+ress e,,ecti9el: acEno<led+ed that the <ido<?s o,,set is

un,air <hen it 7e+an to so,ten its im2act 7: creatin+ SSA in 001& 'he allo<ance 7e+an as $50 e)tra a month and

clim7ed steadil: on a schedule set in la<& t reached $/5 last cto7er and <ill rise to $3%0 ne)t cto7er <hich

<ould 7e enou+h to re2lace a7out a Luarter o, S!; lost to the C o,,set&

SSIA i, ,%t to %nd O#t* 1: 201@*

Current 7ud+et rules said "e2& Susan a9is o, Cali,ornia ranEin+ emocrat on the su7committee reLuire cuts

to other mandator: s2endin+ accounts to ,ree u2 the ri+ht Eind o, dollars to allo< more S!; o,,set relie,&

XUn,ortunatel: the mandator: o,,sets reLuired to address this issue ha9e 7ecome e)tremel: di,,icult to ,ind no<

#



es2eciall: in the amounts reLuired& And o, course <e looE to :ou to hel2 us do thatY a9is told association

re2resentati9es <ho testi,ied at the ecem7er hearin+& Ste9e Stro7rid+e director o, +o9ernment relations ,or

Militar: ,,icers Association o, America tooE an immediate ste2 in that direction& deall: Con+ress should

eliminate the o,,set he said& At a minimum it needs to e)tend SSA so that <ido<s aren?t Xmade to ,or,eit the $3%0

monthl: allo<ance this committee <orEed so hard to <in ,or them&Y

!ut on the mandator: s2endin+ issue that a9is raised Stro7rid+e noted that t<ice 7e,ore the armed ser9icescommittee <as a7le to con9ince Bouse and Senate leaders to use outside 7ud+et o,,sets to ,und the SSA& XAnd

<hen leadershi2 recentl: mana+ed to ,ind ,ar lar+er o,,sets to 2ro9ide Medicare 2remium relie, to millions o,

<ealthier 7ene,iciaries it?s hard to e)2lain to S!;-C <ido<s <ho su,,ered ,i9e-di+it annual losses ,or decades

<h: their situation should ha9e a lo<er 2riorit:Y Stro7rid+e said& ther re2resentati9es 2iled on the ar+uments ,or

o,,set relie,&

• XBo< man: 2eo2le in this countr: could li9e on $%5# a month and ,or our militar: <ido<s to [ha9e to]

sur9i9e on that is horri7le 4ust horri7leY said Chris Jinnard re2resentin+ Gold Star 6i9es o, America&

• C is sur9i9or com2ensation ,or <hen Xa mem7er?s ser9ice caused his or her 2remature deathY said on

stro<sEi <ith Non-Commissioned ,,icers Association& t Xshould 7e added to the S!; annuit:not

su7stituted ,or it&Y

• 'he o,,set Xe)ists onl: to sa9e the +o9ernment mone:Y said oe a9is 2u7lic a,,airs director ,or eterans

o, *orei+n 6ars X<hich is 2erha2s the ultimate insult our +o9ernment can in,lict onY sur9i9in+ s2ouses&

Gi9en the ,undin+ challen+e no la<maEer that da: could 2romise o,,set relie,& !ut at the 2anel?s in9itation a

coalition o, associations are no< stud:in+ alternati9es to reduce the o,,set and <ill share those ideas <ith the

committee earl: in 0%.& [SourceK Stars I Stri2es @ 'om ;hil2ott @ ecem7er 30 0%5 ]


+%t Brain Trau.a Undia"no,%d Brain In'uri%,

Scientists at ohns Bo2Eins Uni9ersit: anal:zed a cohort o, American com7at 9eterans returnin+ ,rom raL and

A,+hanistan& 'he: unco9ered tens o, thousands o, undia+nosed and untreated 7rain in4uries amon+st the 2artici2ants

<hich had 7een incurred durin+ com7at 7ut had ,ailed to 7e identi,ied 7: militar: medical sta,,& 'he resultin+

2h:sical 2ain and mental distress u2on return to ci9ilian li,e had a 2ro,ound im2act on the 9eterans the scientists

su++est& Bi+her risE o, memor: loss co+niti9e stru++les mood disorders mi+raine headaches addiction insomnia

and suicide <ere amon+st the risE ,actors associated <ith undia+nosed 7rain trauma& "esearchers re2orted that the

9eterans su7seLuentl: res2onded 7: hidin+ the e)tent o, their s:m2toms ,rom their ,riends and ,amil: 7: 7oth

2la:in+ do<n their <ounds and decidin+ to <ithdra< ,rom close relationshi2s&

'he stud: noted a di9ision 7et<een those <ho su,,ered in4uries 7e,ore 0%0 and those <ho incurred them

a,ter<ards& 'he results re2ortedl: indicated that the militar: had e)2erienced a 2ositi9e cultural shi,t around this

time relatin+ to the mental health and emotional <ell7ein+ o, their soldiers& 'hose <ho <ere in4ured a,ter 0%0 <ere

much more liEel: to 7e dia+nosed and treated& Bo<e9er the researchers re2orted that 2ro+ress <as still needed and

that man: 9eterans said that the: <ere 2assed 7et<een di,,erent 7ranches o, the militar:?s medical in,rastructure

<ithout recei9in+ a22ro2riate treatment&

"esearcher "achel ;& Chase told armed ,orces media outlet Militar:K Xne o, the 9ets in the stud: told us <hat it

<as liEe& Hou +o to one clinic and the: tell :ou Zh that?s '!? ['raumatic !rain n4ur:]& 'hen :ou +o to another

clinic and the: sa: ZNo that?s ;'S? [;ost 'raumatic Stress isorder]& !acE and ,orth and :ou?re still untreated&Y

She said that she ho2es the research <ill hel2 ,acilitate +reater understandin+ and communication 7et<een 9eterans

and medical <orEers <hilst in9ol9in+ ,amilies <ho mi+ht 7e con,used a7out their relati9e?s altered 7eha9iourK X*or

health 2ro9iders our stud: +i9es :ou a <a: to talE a7out the 2ro7lem <ith the ,amil: to sho< them that this isn?t

#3



unusual and that there is ho2e ,or the 9eterans&Y Accordin+ to the latest ,i+ures ,rom the US census there are

currentl: %&1 million 9eterans in the countr:& [SourceK nde2endent @ Sio7han *enton @ ecem7er 8 0%5 ]


L%"ion o8 Honor A;ard%% )r* Ed M#Anin#

'here <as a nota7le entr: in r& d McAninch?s medical rsum 7e,ore he e9en attended med schoolK t?s <hen he

<as a 2atient& 'o 7e more 2recise McAninch <as a casualt:& Be <as <ounded in the le+ 7: a 7urst ,rom a German

mortar shell durin+ 6orld 6ar and that actuall: 2la:ed a role in McAninch 7ecomin+ a doctor& A,ter the <ar

McAninch tooE ad9anta+e o, a la< desi+ned to 2ro9ide reha7ilitation ,or disa7led 9ets& t <as similar to the G&& !ill

that 2ut millions o, 9eterans throu+h colle+e 7ut the ,ocus <as on 9ocational trainin+& X6hen <as <ounded had

a 35 2ercent ser9ice-connected disa7ilit:Y he said& 6hen he accessed the reha7ilitation 7ene,its X <as a7le to

stretch that throu+h medical school&Y

'hose 2ost-<ar 7ene,its resulted in McAninch?s #0-:ear career as a ,amil: 2h:sician in Camas 6ashin+ton&

McAninch retired ,rom ,amil: 2ractice almost 5 :ears a+o& !ut earlier this month there <as another distant echo o,

his 66 ser9ice& McAninch 7ecame the most recent ClarE Count: 9eteran to recei9e the Fe+ion o, Bonor medal

,rom *rance& t <as 2resented in ;ortland 7: honorar: consul *ranoise A:lmer the *rench +o9ernment?sre2resentati9e in ;ortland&

'he medal is *rance?s <a: o, thanEin+ Americans <ho hel2ed li7erate uro2eV its reci2ients no< are Jni+hts o,

the Fe+ion o, Bonor& Se9ent: :ears a+o the soldiers o, McAninch?s 381th n,antr: i9ision earned an e9en more

color,ul title& ;art o, their 2ush throu+h uro2e included taEin+ the ,orti,ied to<n o, !itche& t anchored the south

end o, *rance?s Ma+inot Fine and <as taEen o9er 7: German de,enders a,ter the *rench ca2itulated& t <as a

,ormida7le challen+e ,or the men o, the 381th& 'aEin+ the stron+ 2oint earned them a ;residential Unit Citation as

<ell as a nicEname& X6e <ere the Sons o, !itcheY said McAninch <ho <as stud:in+ en+ineerin+ at <hat no< is

Carne+ie Mellon Uni9ersit: in ;itts7ur+h <hen he <as dra,ted in %8##&

'he medal is *rance?s <a: o, thanEin+ Americans <ho hel2ed li7erate uro2eV its reci2ients no< are Jni+hts o,

the Fe+ion o, Bonor& Se9ent: :ears a+o the soldiers o, McAninch?s 381th n,antr: i9ision earned an e9en more

color,ul title& ;art o, their 2ush throu+h uro2e included taEin+ the ,orti,ied to<n o, !itche& t anchored the southend o, *rance?s Ma+inot Fine and <as taEen o9er 7: German de,enders a,ter the *rench ca2itulated& t <as a

,ormida7le challen+e ,or the men o, the 381th& 'aEin+ the stron+ 2oint earned them a ;residential Unit Citation as

<ell as a nicEname& X6e <ere the Sons o, !itcheY said McAninch <ho <as stud:in+ en+ineerin+ at <hat no< is

Carne+ie Mellon Uni9ersit: in ;itts7ur+h <hen he <as dra,ted in %8##&

!e,ore he <as <ounded McAninch hel2ed another G <in our nation?s to2 militar: a<ardK the Medal o, Bonor&

n No9& 3 %8## Ft& d<ard SilE led his <ea2ons 2latoon u2 to a *rench ,armhouse <here a German sentr: <as

standin+ +uard& X6e learned later it <as a hi+h-9alue tar+et a headLuarters o, some sortY McAninch said& A,ter the

##



2latoon traded machine-+un ,ire <ith Germans inside the house ,or se9eral minutes Ft& SilE ,i+ured it <as time ,or a

direct assault& X'he lieutenant decided he <ould taEe a sacE,ul o, hand +renadesY McAninch said& X <as +i9in+

him co9erin+ ,ire <ith a &30-cali7er li+ht machine +unY as SilE s2rinted u2 to lo< stone <all in ,ront o, the house&

ashin+ ri+ht u2 to the side o, the house he thre< a +renade throu+h a <indo< silencin+ one German machine +un&

As McAninch and other men in the 2latoon maintained their ,ire SilE mo9ed to another 2osition and Eilled another

t<o-man +un cre< <ith more +renades accordin+ to the Medal o, Bonor citation&X'he: decided to surrenderY

McAninch 80 said&

McAninch <as <ounded a cou2le o, <eeEs later& X6e had 4ust ,inished di++in+ in ,or the ni+ht& t <as an air

7urst& A mortar shell hit some trees and <as hit 7: a shell ,ra+ment&Y t could ha9e 7een <orse McAninch 2ointed

out& X'he usual drill is :ou di9e ,eet ,irst into the hole& *or some reason decided ?d 7etter +o in head ,irst& So m:

le+s <ere e)2osed instead o, m: head&Y [SourceK 'he Colum7ian ancou9er 6A @ 'om o+t ecem7er 8 0%5

]


Honor F$i"t, U/dat% 0> S/rin" WWII F$i"t Cou$d &% t% La,t

Matthe< !urEett <as still a teena+er <hen he <as dra,ted into the Arm: near the end o, 6orld 6ar & Be ser9ed inthe Luartermaster cor2 in uro2e then re-enlisted and <ould +o on to a %-:ear militar: career& n Ma: !urEettno< 18 <ill +o on a ,ree Bonor *li+ht to 6ashin+ton to see the National 6orld 6ar Memorial& !urEett is one o, onl: three 6orld 6ar 9eterans si+ned u2 ,or the %00-9eteran ,li+ht <hich ma: 7e the last ,or 6orld 6ar 9eterans 7ecause so ,e< mem7ers o, the Greatest Generation are le,t& Sara Matthe<s? <i,e o, .1 :ears said at ,irsthe didn?t <ant to +o on the ,li+ht ,irst 7ecause o, his a+e& !ut he <as con9inced 7: his +randdau+hter Jrist: G<:na teacher in the Fe)in+ton school district in Ca:ce>6est Colum7ia& XShe 4ust didn?t taEe no ,or an ans<erY Sarasaid ,rom the !urEett?s home in 6est Colum7ia& (Matthe< is too hard o, hearin+ to s2eaE on the 2hone& X!ut thinE he?s e)cited no<& Eno< ?m e)cited ,or him&Y

Since 001 Bonor *li+ht o, South Carolina has carried more than 000 6orld 6ar 9eterans in % ,li+hts tosee their memorial& 'hat?s the eLui9alent o, a lar+e U&S& Arm: re+iment& ther cha2ters ha9e carried 9ets ,rom theU2state M:rtle !each and Charleston& !ut no< ,indin+ those 9eterans is 2ro9in+ di,,icult& 9en a %.-:ear-old 7o:<ho 4oined the Na9: <ith his 2arents? 2ermission at the end o, the <ar in %8#5 <ould 7e 1. toda:& Most still li9in+

are in their 80s& !ut Colum7ia restauranteur !ill uEes hasn?t +i9en u2& Be?s the chairman o, Bonor *li+ht o, SouthCarolina <ho started the or+anization a,ter a tri2 to the memorial <ith his ,ather 6illiam an in,antr:man in the;aci,ic durin+ the <ar& 'he tri2 <as so emotional and cathartic ,or his ,ather that uEes 9o<ed to host as man: o, the old <arriors as he could&

For.%r ,tat% S%n* Jon )ru..ond K$%8t: a Wor$d War II /i$ot: arri<%, 8ro. an Honor 8$i"t* )ru..ond r%#%i<%d a,ur/ri,% ;%$#o.% 8ro. Lt* o<* $%nn M#Conn%$$ and S%nator Nii S%t3$%r* Fran M%$iti Kri"t 'oin, 8%$$o; Honor

F$i"t +%t%ran, a, t%y ar% ;%$#o.%d at t% Co$u.&ia M%tro/o$itan Air/ort a8t%r r%turnin" 8ro. a day?$on" tri/ to

Wa,in"ton )*C*

#5



'he other t<o 6orld 6ar 9ets set ,or the Ma: ,li+ht are ,rom M:rtle !each& And uEes is also reachin+ out tothe Green9ille Bonor *li+ht or+anization to tr: to ,ind 9eterans ,rom the U2state& X Eno< there are more out thereYuEes said ,rom a corner ta7le o, his !lue Marlin restaurant in Colum7ia the <alls ,illed <ith 2hoto+ra2hs o, 2re9ious Bonor *li+hts and the 9eterans <ho <ere on them& X6e?re reall: tr:in+ to stir the 2otY he said& X'herealit: is this mi+ht 7e our ,inal o22ortunit:&Y 'he Bonor *li+ht is ,ree to 9eterans and includes meals and snacEsthrou+hout the da:& Guardians accom2an: each 9eteran on the ,li+htV there is a $500 ,ee 2er +uardian ,or the honor&Medical 2ersonnel are also 2art o, the tra9el +rou2& 'he 9eterans are treated to a 2atriotic send-o,, in Colum7ia andthe: recei9e an eLuall: enthusiastic <elcome in 6ashin+ton&

n the nation?s ca2ital the 9eterans tour the 6orld 6ar Memorial the Jorean 6ar Memorial ietnamMemorial Fincoln Memorial and the <o ima Memorial& n the a,ternoon the: are s2ecial +uests at Arlin+ton National Cemeter: as the: o7ser9e the Chan+in+ o, the Guard ceremon: at the 'om7 o, 'he UnEno<n Soldier& 'he9eterans return to Colum7ia in the e9enin+ a,ter the one-da: tri2 <here the: are treated to :et another hero?s<elcome& 'he 2u7lic is encoura+ed to <elcome the 9eterans home& !ut it is o,ten the camaraderie and sharin+ o, oldstories o,ten 2re9iousl: untold that maEes the tri2 ,or the 9eterans& XNinet:-ei+ht 2ercent come 7acE ,ati+ued 7ut so ha22: and 2leased the: <entY said ernon !rantle: 8% a 9eteran o, the !attle o, the !ul+e ,rom *orestAcres <ho <ent on an Bonor *li+ht in A2ril 0%& Xt taEes a 7urden o,, o, them&Y X*or a7out 50 :ears most o, us 4ust tried to shut thin+s outY he said& X didn?t liEe Christmas trees ,or a lon+ time 7ecause the: smelled liEe thetrees around us (at the !attle o, the !ul+e that <ere shattered 7: artiller: shells& !ut <e +o on these ,li+hts <ith theother 9eterans and talE a7out the ha22: thin+s& t hel2s&Y

Bonor *li+ht <as ,ormed to honor 6orld 6ar 9eterans& !ut <ith the Greatest Generation ,adin+ Bonor *li+hto, South Carolina also is reachin+ out to the 9eterans o, the Jorean 6ar men and <omen o, the same +enerationno< in their 10s <ho sacri,iced 4ust as much as their comrades in 6orld 6ar 7ut ha9e rarel: 7een thanEed ,or their ser9ice& X!ut the: are a7out the same a+e as the 6orld 6ar 9eteransY uEes said& XSo the: are 7ecomin+harder to ,ind too&Y And i, an: 6orld 6ar 9eteran ca2a7le o, tra9elin+ is located a,ter the Ma: ,li+ht X?ll ,indtrans2ortation ,or them m:sel, he said& 9er: one o, them should 7e a7le to see their memorial 4ust once&Y *or Matthe< !urEett that is 2lanned ,or Ma:& And his +randdau+hter Jrist: <ill 7e +oin+ alon+ <ith him& X?m e)cited 7ecause +et to do somethin+ <ith himY she said& X Eno< he <ill en4o: it& And 4ust <ant to share in thate)citement&Y [SourceK 'he State @ e,, 6ilEinson @ ecem7er 1 0%5]


+%t Fun%ra$, 21 un Sa$ut%,

An announcement that the %5th 6in+ at oint !ase ;earl Bar7or-BicEam in Ba<aii is discontinuin+ %-+un salutes

at 9eteransT ,unerals 7rou+ht online an+er last <eeE& !ut it turns out the 2olic: is a chan+e that <as authorized Air

*orce-<ide in 0%3& Focal Bonolulu tele9ision station Jhon re2orted that the %5th 6in+ had decided to reduce the

num7er o, honor +uards assi+ned to a ,uneral detail ,rom se9en to t<o airmen& 'hat <ould mean 9eteran 7urials

<ould no lon+er recei9e the three-9olle: ,irin+ o,ten re,erred to as a %-+un salute& n 0%3 the Air *orce

im2lemented a 2olic: allo<in+ 7ases to cut ,uneral details ,or 9eterans ,rom se9en airmen to t<o& 'he chan+e <as

due to seLuestration and 7ud+et cuts& An American ,la+ is still to 7e ,olded and +i9en to the ,amil: and X'a2sY is

still to 7e 2la:ed 7ut the salutin+ 9olle: o, +un ,ire is no lon+er reLuired&

#.



Air For#% Honor uard .%.&%r, 8ro. Sa; Air For#% Ba,% /r%/ar% to /%r8or. a 21?"un ,a$ut% durin" a M%.oria$ )ay

#%r%.ony at Bu8ord Ma&ry !ar: Su.t%r: S*C*

Airmen <ho die <hile on acti9e dut: are still entitled to a 0-2erson detail o, si) 2all 7earers ei+ht-2erson ,irin+

2art: a 7u+ler ,our-2erson color +uard and a detail o,,icer or noncommissioned o,,icer in char+e& XBistoricall: <e

al<a:s <ent a ste2 ,urther 2ro9idin+ a se9en-mem7er detail ,or [9eteran] ,uneral honorsY said Ca2t& !rooEe!rzozo<sEe a s2oEes<oman ,or Air *orce BeadLuarters& X6hile a se9en minimum team is desired a t<o minimum

is reLuired&Y ;aci,ic Air *orces re,erred inLuiries to the %5th 6in+ 7ut noted that the unit <as in com2liance <ith

;enta+on directi9es& ndeed <hen the Air *orce chan+ed ,unerar: honors in 0%3 it le,t the decision u2 to unit

commanders on <hether the: could still su22ort a ,ull ,uneral detail& 'he %5th 6in+ <as a7le to 2ro9ide a se9en-

2erson detail lon+er than some other units until it a22ears the mone: ran out&

n 0%3 then-Ca2t& riEa He2sen told Air *orce 'imes that ti+ht 7ud+ets <ere at the heart o, the decision& X'he

Air *orce <ill sa9e more than $% million in material and tra9el e)2enses [7ecause o, this decision] aloneY He2sen

said& XAlthou+h <e don?t ha9e an e)act calculation ,or <hat <e <ill 7e sa9in+ on militar: 2ersonnel e)2enses <e

<ill realize a su7stantial sa9in+s&Y !ase commanders can still ,ield a se9en-2erson team ,or retirees i, the honor

+uard mem7ers are a9aila7le& , not commanders ma: contact mem7ers ,rom eteran Ser9ice r+anizations other

retirees or "eser9e ,,icer 'rainin+ Cor2s units 2ro9ided the: are <illin+ to X2a: a statutor: sti2endY accordin+ toAir *orce re+ulations& Militar: 9eterans also ma: contact a S other retirees or "'C units to reLuest an u2+rade

to a se9en-mem7er team& [SourceK Air*orce'imes @ ;hilli2 S<arts and riana ;a<l:E @ ecem7er % 0%5 ]


+%t )%/ortation, U/dat% 04 I..i"rant )%8%n,% !ro'%#t

Bector !ara4as came to the United States ,rom Me)ico <hen he <as / :ears old and 7ecame a +reen card-carr:in+

resident meanin+ he could le+all: li9e and <orE in the U&S& 7ut <as still su74ect to de2ortation& ecidin+ that he

<anted to +i9e 7acE to his ado2ted countr: he enlisted in the Arm: at %1& !ara4as ser9ed in the 1nd Air7orne ,rom

%88500% <hen he le,t the ser9ice <ith an honora7le dischar+e& A,ter the militar: !ara4as made a strin+ o, 7ad

decisions that landed him in 2rison ,or a :ear and a hal, ,or dischar+in+ a ,irearm 7ut 7ecause o, his immi+rant

status he <as de2orted to Me)ico in 00#& 6hen he <as de2orted !ara4as <as 7anned ,rom the U&S& ,or 0 :ears a

7an he 7roEe <hen he ille+all: re-entered the countr: to 7e <ith his dau+hter& Be <as e)iled in 0%0 and <as once

a+ain sent 7acE o9er the 7order to a 2lace he didn?t +ro< u2 in and had ,e< ties to&

And !ara4as isn?t alone& 'here?s also Bo<ard !aile: a Na9: 9eteran o, the Gul, 6ar and ,ather o, t<o <ho <as

de2orted to amaica si) :ears a+o <here he stru++les to maEe a li9in+ as a 2i+ ,armer& A,ter ser9in+ %5 months in a

state <orE cam2 ,or dru+ 2ossession !aile: turned his li,e around 7ut <as 2icEed u2 7: immi+ration o,,icers :ears

later <hen he ,iled ,or U&S& citizenshi2& Mauricio Bernandez an Arm: com7at 9eteran ,rom the <ar in A,+hanistan

#/



<as de2orted to Me)ico a,ter recei9in+ con9ictions ,or dru+ 2ossession and the 2ossession o, an ille+al ,irearm& Be

<orEs as a martial arts trainer ,or trou7led :outh in 'i4uana Me)ico& !ara4as !aile: and Bernandez are three o, the

9eterans that <ill 7e 2ro,iled in MiEe Seel:?s u2comin+ documentar: X)iledK America?s e2orted eterans&Y

!ara4as and !aile: recei9ed honora7le dischar+es and Bernandez recei9ed a +eneral dischar+e under honora7le

conditions& All three <ere le+al +reen card holders 7ut <ere de2orted ,or committin+ a crime& 'heir de2ortation

occurred a,ter the:?d alread: 2aid their dues to societ: sometimes in the ,orm o, 4ail time or a 2rison sentence

Seel: told 'asE I ;ur2ose&

KL%8t to ri"t )%/ort%d U*S* .i$itary <%t%ran, H%#tor Bara'a,: Ho;ard Bai$%y: and Mauri#io H%rnand%3*

6hen 9eterans are de2orted man: return to countries the: ha9en?t seen since the: <ere children& 'he: o,ten

ha9e ,e< ,amilial ties there and little su22ort& Seel: said he didn?t realize that 9eterans could e9en 7e de2orted

addin+ that he 7ecame a<are o, the issue <hen his <i,e returned ,rom a 9acation in 'i4uana Me)ico <ith a 2am2hlet +i9en to her 7: a de2orted U&S& 9eteran& 6hen de2orted 9eterans are ,orced lea9e their ,amilies as 7oth

!aile: and !ara4as <ere ,orced to do their li9es are com2letel: disru2ted& n addition 9eterans <ho are recei9in+

treatment ,rom the e2artment o, eteran A,,airs ,or ser9ice-connected disa7ilities ,ind themsel9es suddenl: cut o,,

<hich means that in addition to ,acin+ cultural and ,inancial 7arriers some ma: ,ace si+ni,icant health challen+es

Seel: e)2lained& 6hile militar: ser9ice can 7e a ,ast tracE ,or citizenshi2 it is not +uaranteed& n addition a militar:

9eteran still needs to a22l: to 7e a citizen said Seel: addin+ that man: o, the 9eterans he s2oEe <ith ne9er +ot

around to ,ilin+ ,or citizenshi2 <ere unin,ormed o, the 2rocess or chose not to 7ecause the: <ere le+al residents&

Seel: said that he?s ,ocusin+ on de2orted 9eterans 7ecause he doesn?t ,eel that the 2unishment ,its the crime& X

thinE it?s a sla2 in the ,ace to a 9eteran to de2ort themY said Seel:& X9en i, the: ha9e committed a crime& , :ou?re

<illin+ to 2ut :our li,e on the line ,or :our countr: that sa:s a lot and the: should 7e a,,orded that res2ect&Y

mmi+rant 9eterans ,ace de2ortation 7ecause the:?9e 9iolated immi+ration la<s ho<e9er it shouldn?t 7e ane)tension o, criminal 2unishment said Seel:& Xs2eciall: a,ter these +u:s ha9e ser9ed their time ,or thin+s the:?9e

done&Y

Alisa 6elleE is the e)ecuti9e director ,or the mmi+rant e,ense ;ro4ect <here she has <orEed ,or ei+ht :ears

hel2in+ those ,acin+ de2ortation 7: ensurin+ the: ha9e access to 2ro2er le+al re2resentation& 6ellecE has 7een

<orEin+ <ith !aile: to tr: to o9erturn his de2ortation rulin+ ,or the last t<o :ears& t <asn?t al<a:s the case that

2eo2le <ere su74ect to mandator: detention and de2ortation 6ellecE told 'asE I ;ur2ose& n %88. the la<s

chan+ed to include somethin+ called a++ra9ated ,elonies <hich can result in immediate de2ortation& 6ellecE

e)2lained that Xa crime doesn?t ha9e to 7e a++ra9ated or a ,elon:Y to 7e considered an a++ra9ated ,elon: and can

include minor o,,enses liEe dru+ 2ossession& Additionall: in a++ra9ated ,elon: cases 4ud+es ha9e little discretion to

<ei+h the merits o, a 9eteran?s ser9ice&

t?s unclear ho< man: U&S& 9eterans ha9e 7een de2orted since the la< <as chan+ed in %88. \ the +o9ernmentdoesn?t tracE those statistics e)2lained Gillian Christensen a 2ress secretar: ,or U&S& Customs mmi+ration

n,orcement in an email to 'asE I ;ur2ose& 6hat is clear is the si+ni,icant toll it taEes on indi9idual 9eterans <ho

ha9e 7een de2orted& Xt u2sets me that our +o9ernment is doin+ these Einds o, thin+sY said 31-:ear-old !ara4as in a

2hone inter9ie< <ith 'asE I ;ur2ose& X'hese 2oliticians <ill easil: send :ou to another <ar or dra,t these +u:s 7ut

the: <on?t ste2 u2 to the 2late and su22ort the troo2s liEe e9er:7od: talEs a7out&Y

#1



H%#tor Bara'a, ,it, at i, #o./ut%r d%, at t% )%/ort%d +%t%ran, Su//ort Hou,% in Ti'uana: M%7i#o*

A,ter he <as 2ermanentl: de2orted !ara4as stru++led <ith homelessness and su7stance a7use 7e,ore +ettin+ a

second start <hen he ,ounded the e2orted eterans Su22ort Bouse in 'i4uana Me)ico in cto7er 0%& 'he

su22ort house du77ed 'he !unEer o,,ers room and 7oard to de2orted 9eterans ,ree o, char+e and has housed 0

9eterans since it <as ,ounded& 'here are currentl: t<o 9eterans sta:in+ at the house and !ara4as is in contact <ith

more than %00 militar: 9eterans ,rom more than 30 countries& X, :ou come to the 7unEer :ou?re +oin+ to see there?s

more than 30 American ,la+sY said !ara4as& X6e?re as American as a22le 2ie 4ust di,,erent cultures&Y Bo<e9er he

still holds out ho2e e9en thou+h he ,aces a li,etime 7an ,rom the countr: he ser9ed and <here his %0-:ear-old

dau+hter li9es +ro<in+ u2 <ithout him& Xne o, the thin+s liEe a7out the United States is i, there?s somethin+that needs to 7e chan+ed and it?s a <orth: cause it?ll ha22en said !ara4as& XA 2iece o, 2a2er shouldn?t de,ine

<hether or not :ou?re an American& t?s <hat :ou 7elie9e&Y Hou can learn more a7out the mmi+rant e,ense ;ro4ect

and their su22ort o, de2orted 9eterans at their <e7site htt2K>>immi+rantde,ense2ro4ect&or+& [SourceK 'asE I ;ur2ose

@ ames ClarE @ ecem7er %/ 0%5 ]


+%t To7i# E7/o,ur%GL%'%un% U/dat% 5@ +A Wi$$ Co<%r 9 Condition,

eterans <ho contracted cri22lin+ diseases a,ter drinEin+ cooEin+ <ith and 7athin+ in the tainted <ater at a North

Carolina Marine Cor2s 7ase <ere ,inall: +ranted disa7ilit: status ,rom the e2artment o, eterans A,,airs %/ C

des2ite the ,act that the +o9ernment has Eno<n a7out contaminants there ,or decades& 'he eterans A,,airs

e2artment has determined that ei+ht medical conditions are linEed to ser9ice at Cam2 Fe4eune N&C& ,rom %853 to

%81/ and 9eterans <ith these diseases <ho <ere stationed at the s2ra<lin+ Marine Cor2s 7ase are eli+i7le ,or

disa7ilit: com2ensation& A o,,icials said the ei+ht diseases that ha9e 7een determined to 7e ser9ice-connected to

consumin+ contaminated drinEin+ <ater at the 7aseK Eidne: cancer li9er cancer non-Bod+Ein l:m2homa leuEemia

multi2le m:eloma scleroderma ;arEinsonTs disease and a2lastic anemia or other m:elod:s2lastic s:ndromes&

MCB Ca./ L%'%un% In,i"nia

A Secretar: "o7ert Mconald said research 7: health e)2erts at the eterans Bealth Administration and the

A+enc: ,or 'o)ic Su7stances and isease "e+istr: an arm o, the Centers ,or isease Control and ;re9ention

indicated that the risE o, de9elo2in+ these illnesses is ele9ated 7: e)2osure to contaminants ,ound in the <ater

includin+ 2erchloroeth:lene trichlorothe:lene 7enzene and other 9olatile or+anic com2ounds& 'he <ater at Cam2

#8

http://immigrantdefenseproject.org/

http://immigrantdefenseproject.org/



Fe4eune <as a hidden hazard and it is onl: :ears later that <e Eno< ho< dan+erous it <as Mconald said& 6e

thanE A'S" ,or the thorou+h re9ie< that 2ro9ided much o, the e9idence <e needed to ,ull: com2ensate 9eterans

<ho de9elo2 one o, the conditions Eno<n to 7e related to e)2osure to the com2ounds in the drinEin+ <ater&

Nearl: a million 2eo2le includin+ troo2s ,amil: mem7ers and ci9ilian em2lo:ees <orEin+ at Cam2 Fe4eune

,rom the %850s throu+h the %810s <ere e)2osed to these chemicals and other cancer-causin+ a+ents in the 7aseTs

drinEin+ <ater su22lied 7: t<o <ater treatment ,acilities 2olluted 7: dr: cleanin+ com2ounds leaEin+ under+round

stora+e tanEs industrial s2ills and 2oor dis2osal 2ractices& 'he A has 2ro9ided health care or reim7ursement ,or

medical costs ,or 9eterans <ho ser9ed at Cam2 Fe4eune at least 30 da:s durin+ the a,,ected 2eriod or ,amil:

mem7ers <ith %5 illnesses related to e)2osure to <ater contaminated 7: sol9ents and ,uels 7ut it had not a<arded

2resum2ti9e status to an: condition until no<& 'he chan+es <ill taEe e,,ect a,ter A 2u7lishes re+ulations

re+ardin+ these 2resum2tions and <ill a22l: to ne< disa7ilit: claims& eterans <ho ha9e 2re9iousl: 7een denied on

such claims ma: seeE to 7e re-e9aluated& Also an: 2endin+ claims that mi+ht 7e denied under current re+ulations

<ill 7e 2laced on hold until the A issues its ,inal rules accordin+ to a de2artment 2ress release&

'he 7edrocE eli+i7ilit: rules <ill 7e that 9eterans must ha9e one o, the ei+ht s2eci,ied conditions and must ha9e

ser9ed at Cam2 Fe4eune 7et<een Au+& % %853 and ec& 3% %81/& 'he ne< rules also <ill e)2and eli+i7ilit: to

reser9e and National Guard mem7ers <ho ser9ed at Cam2 Fe4eune ,or an: len+th o, time durin+ that 2eriod& A As2oEes<oman said com2ensation a<arded as a result o, the 2ro2osed re+ulations i, ado2ted <ill 7e e,,ecti9e no

earlier than the date the ,inal rule is 2u7lished& eterans ha9e e)2ressed ,rustration o9er the lo< rate o, claims

a22ro9als ,or illnesses related to the Cam2 Fe4eune <ater& Bundreds o, 9eterans attended a meetin+ o, the Cam2

Fe4eune Communit: Assistance ;anel on 5 C in 'am2a to e)2ress ,rustration <ith the ATs handlin+ o, claims

and 2lead <ith A o,,icials to im2ro9e the 2rocess& ;aul Maslo< a 9eteran <ho <alEs <ith a cane and said he has

ino2era7le tumors on his s2ine and else<here said he and thousands o, ,ormer troo2s need assistance& Hou are not

hel2in+ us :ou are hurtin+ us Maslo< told A o,,icials attendin+ the meetin+& And the more :ou dela: the more

o, us &&& are +oin+ to die&

'<o senators <ho 2ressed A to chan+e its 2olicies re+ardin+ 7ene,its ,or Cam2 Fe4eune 9eterans said %/ C

the: a22laud the ATs decision callin+ it a 9ictor: ,or those <ho ha9e su,,ered& 'he A has conceded that it <ill

no lon+er den: disa7ilit: 7ene,its to Cam2 Fe4eune 9ictims 7ased on ridiculous scienti,ic claimsY Sen& "ichard!urr "-N&C& said& A is ,inall: +rantin+ some 4ustice to 9eterans <ho <ere e)2osed to contaminated drinEin+

<ater <hile assi+ned to Cam2 Fe4euneY said Sen& 'hom 'illis "-N&C& 'he 9ictims o, this tra+ed: ha9e <aited ,ar

too lon+ to recei9e disa7ilit: 7ene,its&

A is <orEin+ on re+ulations that <ould esta7lish these 2resum2tions maEin+ it easier ,or a,,ected eterans to

recei9e A disa7ilit: com2ensation ,or these conditions& 6hile A cannot +rant an: 7ene,it claims 7ased on the

2ro2osed 2resum2tion o, ser9ice connection ,or these conditions until it issues its ,inal re+ulations it encoura+es

eterans <ho ha9e a record o, ser9ice at Cam2 Fe4eune 7et<een Au+ust % %853 and ecem7er 3% %81/ and

de9elo2 a condition that the: 7elie9e is related to e)2osure to the drinEin+ <ater at the 7ase to ,ile a disa7ilit:

com2ensation claim <ith A& A <ill continue to +rant claims ,or disa7ilities claimed to 7e associated <ith

e)2osure to the contaminants that can 7e +ranted under current re+ulations and re9ie< o, the e9idence in each case&, a claim ,or ser9ice connection ,or one o, the 2ro2osed 2resum2ti9e conditions <ould 7e denied under current

re+ulations the denial <ill 7e sta:ed until A issues its ,inal re+ulations& A <ill announce <hen the re+ulations are

,inal and 2resum2ti9e 7ene,its can 7e+in to 7e a<arded& *or more in,ormation on a22l:in+ ,or these 7ene,its 9isitK

htt2K>>7ene,its&9a&+o9>com2ensation>claims-2ostser9ice-e)2osures-cam2`le4eune`<ater&as2&

eterans <ho ser9ed at Cam2 Fe4eune ,or 30 da:s or more 7et<een Au+ust % %853 and ecem7er 3% %81/ are

alread: eli+i7le to recei9e A healthcare ,or u2 to %5 health conditions& More in,ormation includin+ a ,ull list o,

co9ered conditions can 7e ,ound online atK htt2K>><<<&2u7lichealth&9a&+o9>;U!FCBAF'B>e)2osures>cam2-

50

http://benefits.va.gov/compensation/claims-postservice-exposures-camp_lejeune_water.asp


http://www.publichealth.va.gov/PUBLICHEALTH/exposures/camp-lejeune/index.asp





le4eune>inde)&as2& eterans can esta7lish eli+i7ilit: ,or healthcare 7ene,its 7: su7mittin+ A *orm %0-%0 online

at <<<&%0%0ez&med&9a&+o9 do<nloadin+ it at <<<&9a&+o9>9a,orms>medical>2d,>%0%0-,illa7le&2d, and

returnin+ it to an: A Medical Center or Clinic or 7: callin+ %-1//--'S (131/ Monda: throu+h *rida:

7et<een the hours o, 1K00 AM and 1K00 ;M (astern 'ime& A is reim7ursin+ certain 9eterans? ,amil: mem7ers

,or eli+i7le out-o,-2ocEet medical e)2enses related to the %5 co9ered conditions& More in,ormation can 7e ,ound atK

htt2sK>><<<&cl,amil:mem7ers&,sc&9a&+o9& [SourceK Militar:'imes I A Ne<s "elease @ ;atricia Jime @ ecem7er

%/ 0%5 ]


>, 8or +%t%ran, ^ E7/and%d Ro$% o8 S%r<i#% )o",

eterans ,rom recent con,licts ha9e e)2anded the role o, ser9ice do+s& 6hile man: Americans still identi,: Xser9ice

do+sY as X+uide do+sY ,or the 9isuall: im2aired Xser9iceY no< e)tends into man: other dimensions& A 008 6all

Street ournal article (htt2K>><<<&<s4&com>articles>S!%#//315/#81.%.8 traces the recent e9olution o, ser9ice

do+s to 7ecomin+ Xseein+ e:e do+s ,or the mindY in aidin+ the emotional transition to ci9ilian li,e& 'his 2ast Au+ust

the A o,,iciall: amended its 2olic: to allo< all certi,ied ser9ice do+s to accom2an: eterans to a22ointments&

CNN (htt2K>><<<&cnn&com>0%5>%>%>us>+i,-shari-du9al>inde)&html recentl: hi+hli+hted one o, the eteransser9ice do+ 2ro+ramsK J8s ,or 6arriors & A,ter realizin+ that her son could 7ene,it ,rom a ser9ice do+ com2anion

Shari u9al esta7lished a non-2ro,it to ensure matchin+ and trainin+& Ber son !rett Simon u9al <ho <orEed <ith

e)2losi9e-tracEin+ do+s in raL no< ser9es as the or+anization?s irector o, J8 2erations&

An indication o, the e,,ecti9eness o, the 2ro+ram is a letter o, +ratitude <ritten 7: XFindaY a ,emale 9eteran to

her ser9ice do+& n it she sa:s X stand taller toda:7ecause :ou stand alon+side me read: to hear m: cries or hear m: lau+hter&Y 'his 7ond o, course 7et<een humans and do+s is not ne<& !ut the care,ul selection o, the ri+ht

do+ ,or the ri+ht eteran marEs an inno9ati9e a22roach to ena7lin+ a success,ul emotional transition& can 9ouch ,or

the im2ortance o, this inno9ation as can m: Fa7radoodle (name <ho e9en hel2s me Eee2 7alanced <orE hours 7:

remindin+ me <hen it?s time to +o home& *or more in,ormation 9isit the J8s ,or 6arriors <e7site

<<<&E8s,or<arriors&or+ or search eterans ser9ice do+s in :our ,a9orite search en+ine& [SourceK Anta+e ;oint @

ecem7er %/ 0%5 ]


O&it E$i3a&%t Laird 24 )EC 2015

5%


http://www.1010ez.med.va.gov/


http://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/1010EZ-fillable.pdf



https://www.clfamilymembers.fsc.va.gov/

http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB124727385749826169

http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/21/us/gif-shari-duval/index.html

http://www.k9sforwarriors.org/




https://www.clfamilymembers.fsc.va.gov/

http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB124727385749826169

http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/21/us/gif-shari-duval/index.html

http://www.k9sforwarriors.org/



She <as Eno<n sim2l: as the hu+ lad: and ,or a +eneration o, soldiers de2lo:ed ,rom *ort Bood to raL andA,+hanistan the diminuti9e +randmother <as a stead:in+ 2resence o9er the 2ast % :ears& liza7eth Faird doled outhundreds o, thousands o, hu+s em7racin+ soldiers as the: shi22ed o,, and then +reetin+ them in Eind <hen the:arri9ed 7acE home& She made her hu+s a9aila7le at all hours o, the da: re+ardless o, the <eather 7ecomin+ amilitar: le+end alon+ the <a:& 'his is m: <a: o, thanEin+ them ,or <hat the: do ,or our countr: Faird told*o)Ne<s&com last month& <asnTt hu++in+ in 003& used to 4ust shaEe their hands& !ut one da: a soldier hu++edme and thatTs the <a: it started& *or much o, that time Faird <as Luietl: <a+in+ a 7attle o, her o<n a+ainst 7reastcancer as 'he 6ashin+ton ;ostTs Col7: tEo<itz re2orted a,ter Faird <as hos2italized in earl: No9em7er& n #C Faird succum7ed to her illness 2assin+ a<a: at Metro2le) Bos2ital in Jilleen 'e)& accordin+ to *o) Ne<s&She <as 13&

Ca/t* Randy R%ady K$%8t r%turn, 8ro. > .ont d%/$oy.%nt in ,u//ort o8 Mu$tinationa$ Batt$% rou/?Ea,t: o,o<o

For#%, 1@ and r%#%i<%, a u" 8ro. Hu" Lady 8or a 'o& ;%$$ don% F%&* 15: 2014* Ma'* %n* Mi#a%$ Bi$$, Kri"t

#o..andin" "%n%ra$: 1,t Ca<a$ry )i<i,ion: /r%,%nt, a &ouu%t o8 y%$$o; ro,%, to t% Hu" Lady: durin" a #%r%.ony onCoo/%r Fi%$d at Fort Hood: T%7a,: O#t* 1@: 2014*

Col& Christo2her C& Gar9er a militar: s2oEesman released the ,ollo<in+ statement on FairdTs 2assin+K n 7ehal, o, the Soldiers Airmen Ci9ilians and *amilies o, Cor2s and *ort Bood <ant to e)tend our sincerecondolences to the ,amil: o, Mrs& liza7eth Faird Eno<n throu+hout Central 'e)as as 'he Bu+ Fad:& She haslon+ 7een associated <ith *ort Bood ,or her dedication su22ort and +enuine care ,or our Soldiers *amilies andCi9ilian em2lo:ees& *or more than a decade she has 7een 2ersonall: sa:in+ ,are<ell to our troo2s as the: de2lo:

and +reetin+ them as the: return& t is <ith hea9: hearts that <e e)2ress our +ratitude ,or liza7eth not onl: ,or her ser9ice <ith the U&S& Air *orce 7ut also in reco+nition o, her tireless e,,orts to sho< her a22reciation ,or our Soldiers and her reco+nition o, their man: sacri,ices& ur thou+hts and 2ra:ers are <ith her ,amil: and lo9ed onesVshe <ill 7e dee2l: missed&

n a 0%% 2ro,ile o, Faird the *ort Bood Sentinel re,erred to her as a 7it o, a cele7rit: to the soldiers& She toldthe 2a2er that she considered the militar: her e)tended ,amil: and recounted 7ein+ in9ited to a 'hanEs+i9in+ meal ata *ort Bood dinin+ ,acilit:K looEed around at all the soldiers sittin+ there and told "a: :ou Eno< this is m:,amil: Faird told the Sentinel& 'he: are so <onder,ul and 4ust ,eel liEe a 2art o, them 7elon+s to me and ho2e 7elon+ to them& FairdTs hos2italization didnTt cut her o,, ,rom the soldiers she lo9ed& Ber son "ichard e<eestold 'he ;ost that dozens o, soldiers 9isited his mother durin+ her hos2ital sta: to o,,er their encoura+ement& Ber le+ac: li9es on in a Go*undMe 2a+e set u2 7: e<ees to hel2 2a: ,or FairdTs medical 7ills& 'he 2a+e raised almost$85000 ,rom more than 3000 2eo2le o9er the 2ast month or a7out $15000 more than ,amil: mem7ers ori+inall:asEed ,or&

n the 2a+eTs descri2tion e<ees estimates that his mother hu++ed close to 500000 troo2s& 'he ,undraisin+ siteis ,ull o, 2osts ,rom soldiers <ho donated mone: to Faird and shared memories o, 7rie, 7ut memora7le encounters<ith her&

• Hou <ere there <hen le,t in 001 ,or raL and then a+ain <hen returned in 008 Michael Sin+leton

<rote& <as ner9ous 7ecause had ne9er 7een outside o, the countr: and 4ust lost m: Grandmother thatone hu+ made a hu+e di,,erence that :ear 7ecause it reminded me ho< m: +randmother <as&

• lo9e her Claudia aneza Mohead <rote& de2lo:ed tear: e:ed and scared (secretl: <orried m:

almost t<o :ear old dau+hter <ould ,or+et me (sic she <his2ered in m: ear that e9er:thin+ <ould 7e oE (and meant the <orld to me& <ish had millions to +i9e her&

5



• M: hus7and had the 7lessin+ o, 7ein+ hu++ed # times in and out o, *ort Bood and m:sel, and our Eiddos

once Am: Schae,er <rote& She is an amazin+l: 7eauti,ul lad: inside and out& Ber s2irit made me smileand her sense o, humor a<esomeR She <ill 7e in our thou+hts and 2ra:ersR

AsEed 7: the Sentinel <hat 2rom2ted her to start o,,erin+ hu+s her ans<er <as strai+ht,or<ardK 9olunteeredshe said& 'he 2a2er noted that Faird had 9olunteered 7e,ore 4oinin+ the Air *orce <hen she <as %1& +re< u2 in6orld 6ar and <anted to do somethin+ ,or m: countr: she told the Sentinel& t <as a di,,erent time 7acE

then she added& Hour mo9ie stars <ent to <ar and the: <ere out on the ,ront lines& t <as a 9er: di,,erentatmos2here& [SourceK 'he 6ashin+ton ;ost @ ;eter Bolle: @ ecem7er 1 0%5 ]

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

R%tir%% A//r%#iation )ay, A, o8 2> )EC 2015

"etiree A22reciation a:s ("As are desi+ned <ith :ou in mind& 'he:Tre a +reat source o, the latest in,ormation

,or retirees and *amil: mem7ers in :our area& "As 9ar: ,rom installation to installation 7ut in +eneral the:

2ro9ide an o22ortunit: to rene< acLuaintances listen to +uest s2eaEers rene< Cards +et medical checEu2s and

9arious other ser9ices& Some "As include s2ecial e9ents such as dinners or +ol, tournaments& ue to 7ud+et

constraints some "As ma: 7e cancelled or rescheduled& Also scheduled a22earances o, *AS re2resentati9es

ma: not 7e 2ossi7le& , :ou 2lan to tra9el lon+ distances to attend a "A 7e,ore tra9elin+ :ou should call thes2onsorin+ "S to ensure the "A <ill held as scheduled and i, a22lica7le <hether or not *AS re2s <ill 7e

a9aila7le& 'he current schedule is 2ro9ided in the attachment to this !ulletin titled R%tir%% A#ti<ityPA//r%#iation

)ay, KRA) S#%du$%Q* Note that this schedule has &%%n %7/and%d to in#$ud% dates ,or retiree9eterans related

e9ents such as to<n hall meetin+s resource ,airs stand do<ns etc& *or more in,ormation call the 2hone num7ers o,

the "etirement Ser9ices ,,icer ("S s2onsorin+ the "A as indicated in the attachment& An u2-to-date list o,

"etiree A22reciation a:s can al<a:s 7e accessed online atK

• B'MFK htt2K>><<<&hostmt7&or+>"Asànd`ther`"etiree-eterans`9ents&html

• ;*K htt2K>><<<&hostmt7&or+>"Asànd`ther`"etiree-eterans`9ents&2d,

• 6ordK htt2K>><<<&hostmt7&or+>"Asànd`ther`"etiree-eterans`9ents&doc

[SourceK "A Fist Mana+er @ Milton !ell @ ecem7er 8 0%5 ]


+%t Hirin" Fair, 1 JAN tru 2> F%& 2016

'he U&S& Cham7er o, Comm%rce?s (USCC Birin+ ur Beroes 2ro+ram em2lo:ment <orEsho2s are a9aila7le in

con4unction <ith hundreds o, their hirin+ ,airs& 'hese <orEsho2s are desi+ned to hel2 9eterans and militar: s2ouses

and include resume <ritin+ inter9ie< sEills and one-on-one mentorin+& *or details o, each :ou should clicE on the

cit: ne)t to the date in the 7elo< list& 'o 2artici2ate si+n u2 ,or the <orEsho2 in addition to re+isterin+ (i, indicated

,or the hirin+ ,airs <hich are sho<n 7elo< ,or the ne)t month& *or more in,ormation a7out the USCC Birin+ ur

Beroes ;ro+ram Militar: S2ouse ;ro+ram 'ransition Assistance G m2lo:ment 6orEsho2s "esume n+ineetc& 9isit the U&S& Cham7er o, Comm%rce?s <e7site at htt2K>><<<&hirin+ourheroes&or+>hirin+ourheroes>e9ents &

Wa,in"ton: )C ? 2016 Hirin" Our H%ro%, )C NBC4 H%a$t and Fitn%,, E7/o )%tai$, R%"i,t%r

anuar: 1 - 1K30 am to %K00 2m

Fort Ca./&%$$: - ? Fort Ca./&%$$ Mi$itary S/ou,% 2?)ay E<%nt )%tai$, R%"i,t%r

anuar: 0 - .K00 2m to anuar: % - %K00 2m

53

http://www.hostmtb.org/RADs_and_Other_Retiree-Veterans_Events.html


http://www.hostmtb.org/RADs_and_Other_Retiree-Veterans_Events.pdf



http://www.hostmtb.org/RADs_and_Other_Retiree-Veterans_Events.doc


http://www.hiringourheroes.org/hiringourheroes/events

https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/event/2016-hiring-our-heroes-dc-nbc4-health-and-fitness-expo


http://www.cvent.com/d/vfq9fj/4W

https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/event/fort-campbell-military-spouse-2-day-event


http://www.cvent.com/d/0fqk2z/4W




http://www.hiringourheroes.org/hiringourheroes/events



http://www.cvent.com/d/vfq9fj/4W



http://www.cvent.com/d/0fqk2z/4W



C$%<%$and: OH ? C$%<%$and Hirin" E7/o ;it C$%<%$and Ca<a$i%r, )%tai$, R%"i,t%r

anuar: 5 - 8K00 am to K00 2m

Fort St%;art: A ? Fort St%;art Tran,ition Su..it )%tai$, R%"i,t%r

anuar: . - K30 2m to anuar: / - #K00 2m

Au,tin: T ? Au,tin Hirin" Fair )%tai$, R%"i,t%r

anuar: / - 1K30 am to %K30 2m

San Antonio: T ? San Antonio Mi$itary S/ou,% N%t;orin" R%#%/tion )%tai$, R%"i,t%r

*e7ruar: - /K00 2m to 8K00 2m

San Antonio: T ? San Antonio Hirin" E7/o ;it San Antonio S/ur, )%tai$, R%"i,t%r

*e7ruar: 3 - 8K30 am to K00 2m

St* !au$: MN ? Minn%a/o$i,=St* !au$ Hirin" E7/o ;it Minn%,ota Wi$d )%tai$, R%"i,t%r


M#Cord AFB: WA ? Joint Ba,% L%;i,?M#Cord Mi$itary S/ou,% 2?)ay E<%nt )%tai$, R%"i,t%r

*e7ruar: 8 - /K00 2m to *e7ruar: %0 - %K00 2m

Ca./ !%nd$%ton: CA ? Ca./ !%nd$%ton Mi$itary S/ou,% 2?)ay E<%nt )%tai$, R%"i,t%r

*e7ruar: %/ - /K00 2m to *e7ruar: %1 - %K00 2m

)%n<%r: CO ? )%n<%r Hirin" E7/o ;it )%n<%r Nu""%t, )%tai$, R%"i,t%r


[SourceK U&S& Cham7er o, Commerce Assn ecem7er 30 0%5 ]


WWII +%t, >@ O;%n,GBud

!ud <ens a 7ra9e :oun+ man ,rom ;itts7ur+h died in %8#3 in the sno<: ;:renees Mountains at the end o, a

des2erate treE to esca2e occu2ied *rance into S2ain a,ter 7ein+ shot do<n o9er Normand:& 'he !-%/ +unner?s

remains are 7uried in the Ardennes American Cemeter: in !el+ium under a <hite cross one amon+ thousands

marEin+ the +ra9es o, Americans <ho hel2ed li7erate uro2e ,rom Bitler?s <ar machine& Bis is another o, the

millions o, sad <ar stories ,rom that time 7ut he has not 7een ,or+otten \ in *rance or in America&

<ens <as one o, %0 children +ro<in+ u2 on Cal9in Street in Fa<rence9ille +raduatin+ ,rom Schenle: Bi+h

School and enlistin+ in the Arm: a,ter ;earl Bar7or& !: Ma: %8#3 he <as in n+land as a !-%/ +unner <ith the

31%st !om7 Grou2& Be LuicEl: distin+uished himsel, <ith an act o, coura+e in une& As his unit <as 2re2arin+ ,or a 7om7in+ run to *rance a 7om7 7ein+ loaded on a 2lane 7le< u2 leadin+ to a cascade o, e)2losions& S+t& <ens

<ho had 7een cleanin+ the machine +uns on his o<n 2lane risEed his li,e to 2ull an in4ured man to sa,et:& '<ent:-

three others died&

Be ,le< se9eral missions as a <aist +unner and on ul: # %8#3 his unit attacEed an aircra,t en+ine ,actor: in Fe

Mans *rance& As the ,ormation a22roached the tar+et an anti-aircra,t shell 7urst 7elo< his 2lane?s radio room

Eillin+ three o, the %0 cre< mem7ers and cuttin+ the o):+en lines to the 7acE o, the shi2& 'he 2ilot descended to

%000 ,eet and headed 7acE to n+land 7ut German ,i+hters shot u2 the 2lane and Ft& la, !allin+er +a9e the order

5#

https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/event/cleveland-hiring-expo-cleveland-cavaliers


http://www.cvent.com/d/zfq84r/4W

https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/event/fort-stewart-transition-summit



http://www.cvent.com/d/lfq9c1/4W

https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/event/austin-hiring-fair-0




http://www.cvent.com/d/1fqm05/4W

https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/event/san-antonio-military-spouse-networking-reception-0



http://www.cvent.com/d/wfql2z/4W

https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/event/san-antonio-hiring-expo-san-antonio-spurs




http://www.cvent.com/d/cfqktz/4W

https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/event/minneapolisst-paul-hiring-expo-minnesota-wild-0



http://www.cvent.com/d/vfqkg9/4W

https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/event/joint-base-lewis-mcchord-military-spouse-2-day-event



http://www.cvent.com/d/3fq8k2/4W

https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/event/camp-pendleton-military-spouse-2-day-event



http://www.cvent.com/d/9fqkt8/4W

https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/event/denver-hiring-expo-denver-nuggets



http://www.cvent.com/d/xfq9yq/4W



http://www.cvent.com/d/zfq84r/4W



http://www.cvent.com/d/lfq9c1/4W



http://www.cvent.com/d/1fqm05/4W



http://www.cvent.com/d/wfql2z/4W



http://www.cvent.com/d/cfqktz/4W



http://www.cvent.com/d/vfqkg9/4W



http://www.cvent.com/d/3fq8k2/4W



http://www.cvent.com/d/9fqkt8/4W



http://www.cvent.com/d/xfq9yq/4W



to 7ail& S+t& <ens realizin+ that no one had heard ,rom the radio o2erator ohn Fane made his <a: to the radio

room ,ound S+t& Fane unconscious re9i9ed him <ith o):+en hel2ed him into a 2arachute and held the door <hile

he 4um2ed& 'hen S+t& <ens 7ailed too& 'he 2lane crashed near the 9illa+e o, Fa Coulonche in Normand:& S+t&

<ens and ,our others 2arachuted into the *rench countr:side <here the: <ere taEen in 7: the *rench resistance

and sheltered in 7arns and ,armhouses&

S+t& <ens landed in a ,ield <here a ,armer tooE him to a local teacher <ho in turn tooE him to another home<here he met u2 <ith Ft& !allin+er& *rom there the: <alEed # miles to Saint-22ortune <here the: <ere taEen in

7: Andre Geslin and housed in a stone 7arn& 'he: remained there ,or three months hidin+ ,rom German 2atrols and

onl: comin+ out at ni+ht& A,ter three months in the 7arn the resistance mem7ers orchestrated 7: Mr& "ou+e:ron

mo9ed S+t& <ens and Ft& !allin+er to a 2ost o,,ice in Cham2secret and ,rom there to a series o, sa,e houses in

;aris <here the: met <ith other do<ned airmen and *rench o,,icers tr:in+ to +et to neutral S2ain& *ood <as in

short su22l: and clothin+ a constant 2ro7lem& S+t& <ens <as . ,eet 3 inches hu+e 7: *rench standards and Ft&

!allin+er <as 7i+ too& ld 2hotos sho< S+t& <ens in an ill-,ittin+ *rench 4acEet&

*rom ;aris the resistance 2ut the men on the ni+ht train to 'oulouse and then to Giron and ,rom there the:

<alEed to the to<n o, Suc <here the: <ould 7e+in their ascent into the ;:renees& ne airman Barold !aile:

7ecame sicE and colla2sed a,ter taEin+ too man: !enzedrine ta7lets in an attem2t to +enerate enou+h ener+: to

maEe the clim7& S+t& <ens and another airman 6illiam ;lasEet had to dra+ him throu+h the sno<& 'heir attem2tto sa9e him 2ro7a7l: sealed their ,ate& X<ens and ;lasEet had 7een dra++in+ !aile: ,or a22ro)imatel: ei+ht hours

and <ere themsel9es almost com2letel: e)haustedY a %850 Arm: re2ort sa:s& XAt this 2oint the 2art: <as at an

altitude o, a22ro)imatel: %100 meters& 'he sno< <as a7out three ,eet in de2th& 'he +arments o, the men <ere thin

and the: had no under<ear or o9ercoats& ue to an insu,,icient ,ood su22l: o9er a 2eriod o, <eeEs their 2h:sical

condition <as 9er: 2oor&Y

'he 2art: had 7een hiEin+ ,or 30 hours 7ut as the: neared Arinsal in Andorra S+t& <ens S+t& ;lasEet and Ft&

!aile: could not +o on& 'he ,our other mem7ers o, the 2art: couldn?t hel2 them& 'he *rench +uides tried to +et the

three to mo9e 7ecause it <as +ettin+ darE and there <as no shelter to no a9ail& ne o, the *rench +uides mile

el2: dre< his +un and said he?d shoot them i, the: didn?t +et u2& 'he: didnTt res2ond and he ,ired a shot into the

sno< 7ut the: still didnTt mo9e& 'he 2art: le,t them 7ehind and mo9ed on& No one Eno<s ,or sure 7ut the three men

liEel: died o, e)2osure in late cto7er& 'he 7odies de9oid o, an: identi,ication <ere disco9ered the ,ollo<in+s2rin+ 7: an Andorran mountain 2atrol and 7uried in a local cemeter:& An Arm: mortuar: unit tracEed the missin+

airmen to the cemeter: in %850& At the reLuest o, his ,amil: S+t& <ens? remains <ere remo9ed and interred at the

Ardennes cemeter: on ct& % %85%& [SourceK ;itts7ur+h ;ost-Gazette @ 'orsten 9e @ ul: / 0%5 ]

M%.ora&i$ia and t% "ra<%,it% o8 Fran#i, Bud O;%n, in Ard%nn%, A.%ri#an C%.%t%ry: B%$"iu.*


Stat% +%t%ran, B%n%8it, )i,#ount, Mi,,ouri D 2015

55



'he state o, Missouri 2ro9ides se9eral 7ene,its to 9eterans as indicated 7elo<& 'o o7tain in,ormation on these re,er

to the attachment to this !ulletin titled X+%t%ran Stat% B%n%8it, MOY ,or an o9er9ie< o, the 7elo< 7ene,its&

!ene,its are a9aila7le to 9eterans <ho are residents o, the state& *or a more detailed e)2lanation o, each re,er to

htt2K>>m9c&d2s&mo&+o9 I htt2K>>militar:and9eteransdiscounts&com>location>missouri&html K

• Bousin+ !ene,its

• *inancial Assistance !ene,its

• m2lo:ment !ene,its

• ther State eteran !ene,its

• iscounts

[SourceK htt2K>><<<&militar:&com>7ene,its>9eteran-state-7ene,its>missouri-state-9eterans-7ene,its&html ec 0%5

]

( +%t L%"i,$ation (

+%t Bi$$, Su&.itt%d to 114t Con"r%,, 151216 tru 15121

"e,er to this !ulletin?s XHou,% S%nat% +%t%ran L%"i,$ationY attachment ,or a listin+ o, Con+ressional 7ills o,

interest to the 9eteran communit: introduced in the %%# th Con+ress& 'he list contains the 7ill?s num7er and name

<hat it is intended to do it?s s2onsor an: related 7ills and the committees it has 7een assi+ned to& Su22ort o, these

7ills throu+h cos2onsorshi2 7: other le+islators is critical i, the: are e9er +oin+ to mo9e throu+h the le+islati9e

2rocess ,or a ,loor 9ote to 7ecome la<& A +ood indication o, that liEelihood is the num7er o, cos2onsors <ho ha9e

si+ned onto the 7ill& An: num7er o, mem7ers ma: cos2onsor a 7ill in the Bouse or Senate& At

htt2sK>>7eta&con+ress&+o9 :ou can re9ie< a co2: o, each 7ill?s content determine its current status the committee it

has 7een assi+ned to and i, :our le+islator is a s2onsor or cos2onsor o, it 7: enterin+ the 7ill num7er in the site?s

search en+ine& 'o determine <hat 7ills amendments :our re2resentati9e>senator has s2onsored cos2onsored or

dro22ed s2onsorshi2 on +o toK

htt2sK>>7eta&con+ress&+o9>searchPL=/!source3A5!le+islation5/ Select theZS2onsor? ta7 and clicE on :our con+ress 2erson?s name& Hou can also +o to

htt2K>>thomas&loc&+o9>home>thomas&2h2.

Grassroots lo77:in+ is the most e,,ecti9e <a: to let :our Con+ressional re2resentati9es Eno< :our <ants and

disliEes& , :ou are not sure <ho is :our Con+ressman +o to htt2sK>>7eta&con+ress&+o9>mem7ers& Mem7ers o,

Con+ress are rece2ti9e and o2en to su++estions ,rom their constituents& 'he Ee: to increasin+ cos2onsorshi2 su22ort

on 9eteran related 7ills and su7seLuent 2assa+e into la< is lettin+ le+islators Eno< o, 9eteran?s ,eelin+s on issues&

5.

http://mvc.dps.mo.gov/


http://militaryandveteransdiscounts.com/location/missouri.html

http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-state-benefits/missouri-state-veterans-benefits.html

https://beta.congress.gov/


https://beta.congress.gov/search?q=%7B%22source%22%3A%5B%22legislation%22%5D%7D


http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.php

https://beta.congress.gov/members



http://militaryandveteransdiscounts.com/location/missouri.html

http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-state-benefits/missouri-state-veterans-benefits.html



http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.php




Hou can reach their 6ashin+ton o,,ice 9ia the Ca2ital 2erator direct at (1.. /-.. (100 11-0#81 or (1..

3#0-81% to e)2ress :our 9ie<s& ther<ise :ou can locate their 2hone num7er mailin+ address or email><e7site to

communicate <ith a messa+e or letter o, :our o<n maEin+ at either htt2K>><<<&house&+o9>re2resentati9es or

htt2K>><<<&senate&+o9>+eneral>contact`in,ormation>senators`c,m&c,m

FOLLOWIN IS A SUMMAR- OF +ETERAN RELATE) LEISLATION INTRO)UCE) IN THE

HOUSE SINCE THE LAST BULLETIN WAS !UBLISHE)

• B&"&#%.% K SCRA Ri"t, !rot%#tion A#t o8 2015* A 7ill to amend the Ser9icemem7ers Ci9il "elie, Act to

reLuire the consent o, 2arties to contracts ,or the use o, ar7itration to resol9e contro9ersies arisin+ under the

contracts and su74ect to 2ro9isions o, such Act and to 2reser9e the ri+hts o, ser9icemem7ers to 7rin+ class

actions under such Act and ,or other 2ur2oses&

• B&"&#5 K For%#$o,ur% R%$i%8 and E7t%n,ion 8or S%r<i#%.%.&%r, A#t o8 2015* A 7ill to e)tend

tem2oraril: the e)tended 2eriod o, 2rotection ,or mem7ers o, uni,ormed ser9ices relatin+ to mort+a+es

mort+a+e ,oreclosure and e9iction and ,or other 2ur2oses&

• B&"&#.0 K S%r<i#%.%.&%r Hi"%r Edu#ation !rot%#tion A#t& A 7ill to 2rotect ser9icemem7ers in

hi+her education and ,or other 2ur2oses&

• B&"&#/8 K To dir%#t t% S%#r%tary o8 +%t%ran, A88air, to di,#$o,% #%rtain in8or.ation to Stat%

#ontro$$%d ,u&,tan#% .onitorin" /ro"ra.,* A 7ill to direct the Secretar: o, eterans A,,airs to disclose

certain in,ormation to State controlled su7stance monitorin+ 2ro+rams&

• B&"&#81 K +i%tna. H%$i#o/t%r Cr%; M%.oria$ A#t* A 7ill to direct the Secretar: o, the Arm: to 2lace

in Arlin+ton National Cemeter: a memorial honorin+ the helico2ter 2ilots and cre< mem7ers o, the

ietnam era and ,or other 2ur2oses&

• B&"&#30. K Ad<i,ory Co..itt%% on Minority +%t%ran, A#t o8 2015* A 7ill to maEe 2ermanent the

Ad9isor: Committee on Minorit: eterans&

FOLLOWIN IS A SUMMAR- OF +ETERAN RELATE) LEISLATION INTRO)UCE) IN THE

SENATE SINCE THE LAST BULLETIN WAS !UBLISHE)

• S&35/ K For%#$o,ur% R%$i%8 and E7t%n,ion 8or S%r<i#%.%.&%r, A#t o8 2015* A 7ill to e)tend

tem2oraril: the e)tended 2eriod o, 2rotection ,or mem7ers o, uni,ormed ser9ices relatin+ to mort+a+es

mort+a+e ,oreclosure and e9iction and ,or other 2ur2oses&

[SourceK htt2sK>>7eta&con+ress&+o9 I htt2K >><<<&+o9tracE&us>con+ress>7ills ecem7er 30 0%5 ]

( Mi$itary (

Mi$itary S.oin" Ban Ha;aii Ba,%d Troo/, Und%r 21

5/

http://www.house.gov/representatives


http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm



http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills




http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm





t <ill soon 7e ille+al ,or troo2s under the a+e o, % to 2urchase or use ci+arettes or other to7acco 2roducts in

Ba<aii& n an& % Ba<aii <ill 7ecome the ,irst state to 7an to7acco sales and use ,or an:one under the a+e o, %&

'he la< <ill a22l: to e9er:one in Ba<aii includin+ ser9ice mem7ers their ,amilies and +uests on U&S& militar:

installations accordin+ to Na9: and Marine Cor2s messa+es& Na9: and Marine Cor2s )chan+es <ill sto2 sellin+

to7acco 2roducts \ includin+ smoEeless to7acco and ci+arettes \ to an:one under % the messa+es sa: 7ecause

militar: installations in Ba<aii are su74ect to concurrent 4urisdiction&

Under the ne< la< an:one :oun+er than % <ho is cau+ht 7u:in+ usin+ or 2ossessin+ to7acco 2roducts can 7e

,ined 7et<een $%0 and $50 and 7e sentenced to 7et<een #1 and / hours o, communit: ser9ice accordin+ to Marine

administrati9e messa+e .#8>%5& An:one <ho sells or 2ro9ides to7acco 2roducts to someone :oun+er than % ,aces

,ines 7et<een $500 and $000& XFocal commanders <ill en,orce com2liance o, the la< and disseminate the details

o, this ra2idl: a22roachin+ chan+e to state la< to militar: 2ersonnel and their ,amilies to ensure their Eno<led+e

and understandin+ o, the la< and its im2licationsY Ft& Gen& MarE !rilaEis de2ut: commandant ,or Man2o<er and

"eser9e A,,airs <rote in the messa+e&

'here is an e)ce2tion to the la< ,or some troo2s in Ba<aii thou+h& 'he ne< a+e restrictions <onTt a22l: to

ser9ice mem7ers a7oard na9al 9essels e9en i, the: are docEed in Ba<aii 7ecause all U&S& shi2s are su74ect

e)clusi9el: to ,ederal la< and e,ense e2artment 2olic: accordin+ to Na9: o,,icials& 'hat means shi2sT stores

a7oard Na9: shi2s could still sell to7acco 2roducts to those under %& XState la< is not a22lied a7oard na9al 9esselso, the United States on the 7asis o, so9erei+n immunit: and there,ore state la<s do not re+ulate stores o2erated

a7oard such 9esselsY a Na9: o,,icial said& Bo<e9er Na9: e2artment 2ro2ert: in Ba<aii is su74ect to 7oth ,ederal

and state la<s the o,,icial added& 'hat means state and local 2olice ha9e the authorit: to en,orce state la<s at 7oth

oint !ase ;earl Bar7or-BicEam on ahu and ;aci,ic Missile "an+e *acilit: on Jauai&

'he commander o, Na9: "e+ion Ba<aii and Na9al Sur,ace Grou2 Middle ;aci,ic is ur+in+ sailors to see the

Ba<aii la< as an o22ortunit: to Luit smoEin+& XSome sailors s2end %0 dollars a da: on their nicotine ha7itY "ear

Adm& ohn *uller <rote in a No9& %8 commentar:& X'hat leads to nearl: $#000 a :ear and close to $#0000 in %0

:ears&Y !ut the 2h:sical conseLuences o, smoEin+ are ,ar more dama+in+ *uller <rote& A e,ense e2artment

o,,icial noted in a memorandum last :ear that smoEin+ can shorten oneTs li,e 7: %0 :ears& X'he ne< smoEin+ a+e

la< in Ba<aii maEes +ood sense and su22orts the +ood health o, our ser9ice mem7ers and their ,amiliesY *uller

<rote& Xt?s reall: hard to maEe a lo+ical ar+ument a+ainst im2ro9ed health and readiness and cost sa9in+s to 7othindi9iduals and the +o9ernment ?m 4ust sa:in+&Y

*or the Marine Cor2s en,orcin+ com2liance <ith the ne< la< ma: 7e a challen+e in a culture in <hich smoEin+

is ,ar more 2re9alent than it is in the +eneral 2o2ulation& Accordin+ to a 0%% o sur9e: nearl: 3% 2ercent o,

Marines smoEe the hi+hest rate o, all the Armed *orces& nl: %/ 2ercent o, the total American 2o2ulation smoEes

accordin+ to the Center ,or isease Control& 'he same 0%% sur9e: ,ound that the Marine Cor2s also had the hi+hest

rates o, smoEeless to7acco use o, all militar: 7ranches at %&3 2ercent& 'he sur9e: did not 7reaE do<n MarinesT

smoEin+ ha7its 7: a+e 7ut Marine Cor2s data sho<s that nearl: 30 2ercent o, all enlisted Marines are under a+e %&

*or those <ho alread: smoEe !rilaEis recommended to7acco cessation 2ro+rams and counselin+ a9aila7le ,rom

militar: treatment ,acilities and 7ranch health clinics& Be also directed troo2s to the e2artment o, e,ense uit

'o7acco 2ro+ram <hich <as launched in 00/& [SourceK Militar:&com I MarineCor2s'imes @ Bo2e Bod+e SecE

I e,, Scho+ol @ ecem7er 8 I 30 0%5 ]


Na<y F$%%t Si3% S%t to ro; in 2016

'he ,leet is set to +ro< in 0%. commissionin+ %% ne< hulls and decommissionin+ 4ust three \ all Fos An+eles-

class attacE 7oats& 'he shi2 count <ill 7e 7olstered 7: si) ne< littoral com7at shi2s includin+ the etroit

Mont+omer: Ga7rielle Gi,,ords Fittle "ocE and maha& 'he ,leet <ill also <elcome t<o technolo+ical mar9els to

51



the <ater,ront the destro:er um<alt and the carrier Gerald "& *ord <hich is set to 7e commissioned 7: earl:

summer o,,icials sa:& 'he ir+inia-class attacE su7marines llinois and 6ashin+ton <ill 4oin the silent ser9ice 7ut

the su7 communit: <ill lose the attacE su7marines Al7uLuerLue Cor2us Christi and Bouston& 'he latest am2hi7ious

trans2ort docE the ohn ;& Murtha is also slated to 7e commissioned in 0%. as is the latest Arlei+h !urEe-class

destro:er the ohn *inn named ,or a chie, a9iation ordnanceman <ho earned the Medal o, Bonor ,or machine

+unnin+ a2anese 2lanes durin+ the sur2rise attacE on ;earl Bar7or& 'he )2editionar: *ast 'rans2orts \ ,ormerl:

desi+nated as 4oint hi+h s2eed 9essels \ !runs<icE and Carson Cit: <ill 7oth 4oin the ,amil: at Militar: Seali,t

Command 7ut the ,ast com7at su22ort shi2 "ainier is 7ein+ decommissioned& [SourceK Na9:'imes @ a9id Farter @

ecem7er 5 0%5 ]


To/, in B$u% 2016 S%a,on Can#%$$%d

!acE-to-7acE trucE <recEs includin+ a ti22ed-o9er tractor trailer& Alle+ations o, to)ic leadershi2& And ram2ant and

2ersistent se)ual harassment& 'he misste2s and misconduct that occurred durin+ 'o2s in !lue?s 0% tour led to t<o

commander-directed in9esti+ations 7oth o, <hich su7stantiated some o, the concerns raised 7: ,ormer mem7ers&

'he Air *orce?s contro9ersial 'o2s in !lue tra9elin+ sho< 7and has 7een canceled in 0%. <hile the ser9iceconducts Xan e)tended re9ie<&Y !ut an internal in9esti+ation ne<l: o7tained 7: Air *orce 'imes sho<s si+ni,icant

2ro7lems 7ehind the scenes durin+ the 7and?s 0% tour&

ra<n ,rom the ranEs o, the Air *orce 'o2s in !lue is made u2 o, a7out three dozen amateur musicians and

technicians <ho s2end a :ear tra9elin+ the <orld to 2ut on sho<s ,or airmen and their ,amilies& 'he: 2er,orm a

mi)ture o, modern 2o2 and rocE son+s as <ell as classic rocE and oldies& Some airmen ha9e loudl: o74ected to 'o2s

in !lue sa:in+ its 2er,ormances are outdated and <aste o, mone:& 'hose criticisms and others in o,,icial sur9e:s

conducted earlier this :ear led to the cancellation o, the 0%. season ,or the 2ro+ram to 7e re9ie<ed 7: senior 7rass&

'he ,irst commander-directed in9esti+ation <as launched in *e7ruar: 0%3 <hen ,ormer Ca2t& Ga9in Fi+ht <ho

s2ent a :ear as a technician and 2iano 2la:er ,or 'o2s in !lue ,iled a com2laint alle+in+ a Xculture o, <aste a7use

and disre+ard ,or [Air *orce] instructionsY and X7latant disre+ard ,or sa,et:&Y

Air *orce 'imes ,iled a *reedom o, n,ormation Act reLuest ,or 'o2s in !lue in9esti+ations in A2ril& A,ter

months o, inLuiries ,rom Air *orce 'imes asEin+ ,or the results o, the *A reLuest the Air *orce ;ersonnel Center

mailed the commander-directed in9esti+ation on % C the same da: the Air *orce announced it <as cancelin+the 7and?s 0%. tour& 'he Air *orce said the 0%3 re2ort <as not a ,actor in the decision to cancel the 0%. season&

urin+ that in9esti+ation a ,emale senior airman <ho <as a 'o2s in !lue mem7er descri7ed a7usi9e leadershi2 and

,reLuent se)ual harassment <hile on tour& As a result a second commander-directed in9esti+ation <as launched later

in 0%3 to looE into alle+ed misconduct and se)ual harassment& A*;C said that the second in9esti+ation

su7stantiated se)ual harassment alle+ations a+ainst one mem7er& Air *orce 'imes has reLuested the results o, that

second in9esti+ation&

58



'he Air *orce nstallation and Mission Su22ort Center said that the commanders o, the units <here 7and

mem7ers <ere su7seLuentl: assi+ned recei9ed the in,ormation unco9ered ,rom the second in9esti+ation and it <as

u2 to those commanders to decide <hat i, an: disci2line the: <ould recei9e& A*MSC said it did not Eno< <hether

or ho< an:one mi+ht ha9e 7een 2unished& n the re2ort on the ,irst command-directed in9esti+ation in9esti+ators

2artiall: su7stantiated some o, Fi+ht?s alle+ations and concludedK

• An unnamed technical ser+eant recei9ed a se9ere electric shocE at Cam2 Ari,4an Ju<ait in ul: 0%<hile tr:in+ to hooE u2 eLui2ment to a 2oorl: +rounded tem2orar: 2o<er 7oard& 'hat tech ser+eant <as

taEen to the cam2?s hos2ital e9aluated and cleared 7: medical sta,, and released a,ter # hours o,

o7ser9ation& 'he Arm: Cor2s o, n+ineers conducted a sa,et: in9esti+ation decided the 2o<er source and

eLui2ment <as sa,e and the sho< <ent on that ni+ht& !ut in the re2ort in9esti+ators concluded that <hile

the electrocution X<as sim2l: an un,ortunate accidentY the e9idence sho<ed 'o2s in !lue did not ,ollo<

the rules and 2ro2erl: re2ort it&

• n ct& 1 0% that same technical ser+eant 4acEEni,ed and rolled a / %>-ton tractor trailer onto its side

<hile taEin+ an interstate e)it ram2 too ,ast near Ne<7ur+h Ne< HorE& 'he in9esti+ators said <hen the

trucE started to ti2 the tech ser+eant a22lied the 7raEes <hich caused a 4acEEni,e& Be then tried

unsuccess,ull: to correct the 4acEEni,e and the tractor-trailer rolled onto the dri9er?s side& 'he tech ser+eantdri9in+ the trucE re2orted 7reaEin+ his le,t anEle the re2ort said 7ut did not recei9e immediate medical

care& 'hat crash caused $/%000 in dama+e to<in+ and cleanu2 costs includin+ $%.000 to re2air musical

and other eLui2ment dama+ed in the trailer and $%000 to to< the 9ehicle and clean u2 the accident scene&

n a hand<ritten statement included in the re2ort the dri9er said his trucE <hich <as rated to haul #5000

2ounds at most <as estimated to 7e 3000 2ounds o9er<ei+ht&

• 'he ne)t da: ct& 8 0% another dri9er an unnamed senior airman crashed another tractor-trailer

into a lam2 2ost in a church 2arEin+ lot in Fi7ert: hio 2ro7a7l: 7ecause the dri9er <as not usin+ a

s2otter& 'hat trailer <hich <as rented to re2lace the one <recEed the 2re9ious da: <as e)tensi9el:

dama+ed the re2ort said& ts 7ell: 7o) <as torn o,, its cross ,rame <as 7roEen a <heel <as 7ent and the

trailer sEirt <as dented& 'he dri9er said in his o<n testimon: the lam2 2ost <as EnocEed to the +round&

*or 7oth trucE accidents in9esti+ators said that <hile it did not a22ear the Xaccidents <ere intentionall: Zs<e2t

under the ru+?Y as Fi+ht alle+ed there <as no e9idence that 'o2s in !lue ,ollo<ed the 2ro2er sa,et: 2rocedures to

re2ort them& t should cause concern in9esti+ators concluded that the incidents ma: not ha9e 7een raised u2 the

chain o, command& *or that reason in9esti+ators 2artiall: su7stantiated Fi+ht?s alle+ation that the incidents <ere not

7rou+ht to the attention o, o,,icials <ho needed to Eno< a7out them& X'he se9erit: o, 7oth incidents should ha9e

<arranted an immediate re9ie< o, sa,et: 2rocedures <ithin '! o2erationsY the re2ort said& XFiEe<ise 7oth

incidents should ha9e <arranted immediate concern ,or '!?s [A*;C directorate o, ser9ices] chain o, command&

Bo<e9er there is insu,,icient e9idence to 2ro9e to <hat le9el and de2th the incident <as 7rie,ed u2 the [directorate

o, ser9ices] chain& ne <ould 2resume that incidents o, this se9erit: should 7e 7rie,ed u2 to the hi+hest le9els o,

A*;C leadershi2&Y

Neither dri9er surrendered their +o9ernment dri9ers license the A* *orm 83 as reLuired a,ter an accident 7:Air *orce re+ulations the re2ort said& 'he tech ser+eant recei9ed remedial dri9in+ trainin+ and Ee2t dri9in+ ,or 'o2s

in !lue accordin+ to the re2ort& t did not sa: i, the senior airman Ee2t dri9in+& All told 'o2s in !lue?s accidents

cost $%3501 in eLui2ment re2lacement ,i)in+ the church?s lam2 2ost to<in+ and scra22in+ the trashed trailer that

<as ,li22ed&

n <itness testimon: attached to the in9esti+ation re2ort some 'o2s in !lue mem7ers su++ested the +ruelin+

2ace o, the tour and ,ati+ue contri7uted to the dan+erous en9ironment& XSometimes the lacE o, slee2 made the <orE

situation unsa,eY a senior airman said& X6hile de2lo:ed <e a9era+ed %- hours o, slee2 a ni+ht 7ut <ere still

.0



reLuired to 2er,orm our duties as i, <e had sle2t 1 hours&Y X'he schedule <as al<a:s demandin+ and o,ten 9er:

ta)in+ on 2eo2leY one master ser+eant said& X!ecause the 2ro+ram al<a:s seems to 7e on the cho22in+ 7locE it <as

also im2ortant to maEe sure that <e com2leted e9er: sho< and maintain[ed] the demandin+ schedule& *ailure <as

not an o2tion&Y

n an ct& 3 0%3 memo A*;C Commander Ma4& Gen& Mar+aret ;oore ,ollo<ed the re2ort?s recommendations

and ordered sa,et: trainin+ instructions on 2ro2er sa,et: re2ortin+ 2rocedures and a reduction in the num7er o, sho<s on 'o2s in !lue?s tour to alle9iate the strain on its sta,, and team mem7ers& ;oore also ordered an

in9esti+ation into alle+ations o, ina22ro2riate conduct and se)ual harassment descri7ed 7: one 'o2s in !lue

mem7er& 'hat mem7er a ,emale senior airman said in her <ritten statement that se)ual harassment <as ram2ant on

the tour& Some 'o2s in !lue mem7ers re+ularl: made comments a7out +irls in the audience and 2ointed out

attracti9e ones she said in her statement& A male master ser+eant o,ten hit on a male senior airman Xe)2licitl:

sa:in+ <hat he?d liEe to do to himY the ,emale senior airman said in her <ritten testimon:& 'he senior airman said

she heard her master ser+eant e)2licitl: s2eculate a7out her se) li,e to other 'o2s in !lue mem7ers o9er the headset

and 7ecause her mic <as 7roEen she couldn?t asE him to sto2& X?9e hardl: 7een more em7arrassedY she said&

urin+ a sto2 at Andre<s Air *orce !ase in Mar:land in anuar: 0%3 the master ser+eant a+ain 7rou+ht u2 the

senior airman?s se) li,e& XBe insisted that <as slee2in+ <ith e9er: aircre< mem7er and 9olunteer that couldY the

senior airman said& X in,ormed him that had ne9er sle2t <ith a 9olunteer or aircre< mem7er& Be dismissed thatand continued to tell the other technicians <hat he thou+ht had 7een doin+&Y 'he senior airman descri7ed instances

o, a7usi9e leadershi2 <hile on tour& A tech ser+eant <ould threaten her 2h:sicall: she said and threaten to maEe

sure she +ot a 2oor ratin+ on her enlisted 2er,ormance re2ort& And the same senior airman said another ci9ilian

leader 7e+an screamin+ at her durin+ a multi-da: marathon <orE session& X'he lon+est da: e9er <orEed ,or 'o2s

in !lue <as # hours strai+htY she said& A,ter <orEin+ ,or 31 hours Mr& [redacted] <as still :ellin+ and screamin+

at me& Be <as u2set a7out mistaEes 'S+t [redacted] had made and <as too 7us: tr:in+ to ,i) 'S+t [redacted] <orE

to do m: o<n& <as literall: too tired to handle the added stress&Y

'he senior airman said an unnamed tech ser+eant o,ten 7ra++ed to her a7out 7eatin+ a ,irst lieutenant <ith a

cro<7ar <hich she said ,urther intimidated and scared her& X!ecause o, his 9olatile mood s<in+s <as scared he?d

lash out at me or someone else on the teamY she said& 'he <orE en9ironment <as unsa,e she said in her testimon:&

*or e)am2le 'o2s in !lue mem7ers <ere not +i9en the ri+ht Eind o, harnesses to clim7 u2 3-,oot-tall trusses shesaid so X<e clim7ed <ithout harnesses all the time&Y ;ri9ac: <as none)istent she said and an: time a 'o2s in !lue

mem7er had a medical a22ointment includin+ 9isits to 7eha9ioral health the entire team <as 7rie,ed& 'his made

the senior airman reluctant to s2eaE u2 a7out an: medical 2ro7lems she <as ha9in+&

t +ot so 7ad the senior airman said that at one 2oint she 7ou+ht a 7ottle o, ':lenol sat do<n in the loadin+ docE

o9er dinner 7reaE and started XtaEin+ more 2ills than should ha9e&Y Xmotionall: <as so ,ar +one didn?t Eno<

<hat to doY she said in her testimon:& called m: 7est ,riend and he <anted to 2ut me on suicide <atch&

mana+ed to talE him out o, it and <ent 7acE to <orE& thou+ht a7out +oin+ to mental health or +oin+ to a cha2lain

7ut there <as no <a: that could ha9e +one <ithout the rest o, the team Eno<in+& 'here <as too much <orE to 7e

done ,or me to 7e a7le to taEe the time to talE to someone&Y [SourceK Air*orce'imes @ Ste2hen Fose: @ ecem7er

30 0%5 ]


r%at r%%n F$%%t Maid%n +oya"% S#%du$%d Lat% January

More than si) :ears a,ter it <as ,irst announced the Great Green *leet <ill maEes its maiden 9o:a+e in late anuar:&

'he carrier striEe +rou2 <ill de2lo: ,ueled <ith a mi) o, 7io,uel and ,ossil ,uel to sho<case the Na9:Ts +oal to cut

2etroleum use 7: 00 a s2oEesman ,or the Na9: secretar: said& 'his carrier striEe +rou2 <ill o2erate the same as

an: other de2lo:ed striEe +rou2 and 2ro9ide the ,le)i7le na9al ,orce that can o2erate in con,ined <aters or o2en

.%



ocean durin+ da: and ni+ht around the <orld Ft& ric urie told Na9: 'imes& 'he carrier ohn C& Stennis is

e)2ected to helm the Great Green ,lotilla <hen it de2lo:s earl: ne)t :ear ,rom San ie+o& n addition to <orEin+ on

a mi) o, 7io,uel ,or 2o<erin+ shi2s \ urie could not 2ro9ide the e)act 2ercenta+e \ the Na9: has <orEed to

u2+rade in,rastructure 7oth a,loat and ashore to sa9e ener+:& arlier this :ear Na9: nstallations Command

announced it <ould re2lace ,luorescent li+ht 7ul7s in o,,ices +:ms streetli+hts and 2arEin+ lots <ith Fs& 'hat

mo9e adds to sa9in+s ,rom shi27oard Fs <hich 7e+an rollin+ out in 00/& [SourceK Na9:'imes @ Me+hann

M:ers @ ecem7er %# 0%5 ]

USS Jon C* St%nni, KC+N?@4


Looin" A%ad to 2016 USN

*rom additions to the acti9e-dut: and reser9e ,orces to ne< uni,orms and <elcomin+ ne< shi2s to the ,leet 0%.

<ill 2la: out as a 7i+ :ear ,or the Na9:& Bere?s a looE at some o, the chan+es in storeK

N%; Uni8or., A#ro,, t% Board* 'he iconic %3-7utton ser9ice dress 7lue trousers <ill soon disa22ear ,rom

histor: and 7e re2laced 7: a ,ront-,acin+ zi22er trouser <ith a non,unctional %3-7utton ,la2& !e+innin+ ct& % 0%.

sailors ranEed -. and 7elo< <ill 7e a7le to 2urchase u2dated ser9ice dress 7lue uni,orms and ne< recruits <ill start

7ein+ issued their ne< threads& 'he uni,orm <ill looE the same 7ut <ill ha9e side zi22ers on the 4um2er in addition

to the more modern trouser& 'o<ard the end o, the :ear the Na9: e)2ects the ne< <hite uni,orms to 7e read: ,or

2urchase and distri7uted to ne<l: minted recruits in trainin+& 'he u2dated uni,orm <ill ,eature tailored cu,,s and

7lue 2i2in+ on the cu,,s and 4um2er ,la2& 'he ,amous di)ie cu2s co9ers ,or -. and 7elo< <ill also 7ecome a unise)

co9er& t is authorized ,or <ear 7: 7oth male and ,emale sailors 7: A2ril and <ill 7e reLuired ,or the ser9ice dress

<hite and 7lue uni,orms 7: cto7er& n addition to u2dated duds ,or ,ormal situations sailors <ill also ha9e a ne<

uni,orm ,or 2h:sical trainin+& 'he moisture-<icEin+ <orEout <ear <ill 7e called a *itness Suit and is intended to 7e

<orn on trainin+ da:s <hen it is too cool ,or the Na9:-issued '-shirt and shorts set and too <arm ,or Na9:-issued

s<eats&

.



Fitn%,, Standard, to Ea,% U/* !e+innin+ an& % 0%. the ne< !od: Com2osition Assessment <ill taEe e,,ect toease the reLuirements o, <ei+ht and 7od: ,at standards& 'his <ill also allo< sailors <ho ,ail the 7od: com2ositione9aluation to still taEe the 2h:sical readiness test& 'he ne< rules add a sin+le-ste2 a7dominal measurement ,or those<ho don?t meet the Na9:?s ma)imum <ei+ht allo<ances 7: hei+ht and the: raise 7od: ,at limits to a ma)imum . 2ercent ,or men and 35 2ercent ,or <omen ,ollo<in+ e2artment o, e,ense standards& 'he: also reduce thenum7er o, 2ermitted ,ailures to t<o in three :ears ,rom three in ,our& Na9: o,,icials said the chan+es are the ,irstste2 in the Na9:?s mo9e a<a: ,rom an em2hasis on 7od: size and to<ard stren+thenin+ the e)ercise test Eno<n asthe 2h:sical readiness test or ;"'& X <ant them taEin+ ;"'sY Chie, o, Na9al ;ersonnel ice Adm& !ill Moran saido, the chan+es in a 9ideo released 7: the Na9:& X <ant them testin+& <ant them 2h:sicall: acti9e& 'hat?s +oin+ toim2ro9e our o9erall health at the end o, the da:&Y 'he ne< 2h:sical ,itness assessment standards are 2art o, an e,,ortto em2hasize a more holistic looE at health and ,itness 7: the Na9:&

Wo.%n in Su&.arin%,* 6hile the militar: 7e+ins <orEin+ on ho< to inte+rate <omen into com7at roles the Na9:

continues mo9in+ ,or<ard <ith its inte+ration o, ,emale enlisted sailors a7oard su7marines& Man: o, the ,irst 31

<omen <ho 9olunteered and <ere selected ,or su7marine dut: are alread: in trainin+& 'he ,irst ,our are scheduled to

+raduate and re2ort to dut: in earl: 0%.& Currentl: onl: the lar+er hio-class su7marines are ca2a7le o, housin+

7oth men and <omen& 'he Na9: inte+rated ,emale o,,icers into the su7marine communit: in 0%% a7oard 7allistic

missile and +uided-missile su7marines and is on tracE to inte+rate 7oth commissioned o,,icers and enlisted <omen

into the smaller ir+inia-class su7marines 7: 00&

N%; Si/, In&ound* Si) ne< shi2s are e)2ected to 7e commissioned in 0%. headlined 7: the ne<est aircra,t

carrier the $%3 7illion USS Gerald "& *ord& 'he *ord is the ,irst o, the *ord-class nuclear-2o<ered carriers and set

to re2lace the current Nimitz-class ,latto2s& 'hou+h similar in a22earance the ne< carrier?s technolo+ical

su2eriorit: to its older cousin is e)2ected to reduce cre< reLuirements 7: automatin+ hundreds o, tasEs <hile

7oastin+ a ne< cata2ult launch s:stem \ the lectroma+netic Aircra,t Faunch S:stem \ to re2lace the traditional

steam s:stems currentl: in use alon+ <ith a ne< nuclear reactor desi+n and re9am2ed <ea2ons s:stems& 'he

contro9ersial ne< destro:er class G-%000 series shi2s led 7: USS um<alt are also e)2ected ,or deli9er: in

0%.& um<alt is currentl: 2er,ormin+ sea trials& Also set ,or commission are the nde2endence 9ariant littoral

com7at shi2s USS Mont+omer: USS maha the *reedom 9ariant USS etroit to+ether <ith the am2hi7ious

trans2ort docE shi2 USS ohn ;& Murtha&

A$t%rnati<% Fu%$, 8or Si/,* *or the last si) :ears the Na9: has 7een talEin+ o, de2lo:in+ the Great Green *leet&

'hat is ,inall: e)2ected to ha22en in 0%.& 'he San ie+o-7ased aircra,t carrier USS ohn C& Stennis is scheduled to

lead the 7attle +rou2 o, shi2s and aircra,t desi+ned to use alternati9e ,uel sources <hen it de2arts it?s Southern

Cali,ornia home in late anuar:& 'he alternati9e ener+: sources include nuclear 2o<er and ad9anced 7io,uel 7lends

made ,rom used cooEin+ oil and al+ae and 2etroleum-7ased marine diesel or a9iation ,uel the U&S& Na9: said in a

,act sheet& 'he Na9: demonstrated the Green *leet in 0% durin+ the annual "im o, the ;aci,ic e)ercise the

<orld?s lar+est international maritime e)ercise& 'here a22ro)imatel: #50000 +allons o, 7io,uel <ere 2urchased and

used the Na9: said& 'he ener+: +oals are desi+ned to im2ro9e com7at ca2a7ilit: and increase ener+: securit: 7:

cuttin+ de2endence on ,orei+n oil& ther ener+:-sa9in+ ,eatures hi+hli+hted in the Great Green *leet include F

li+htin+ a shi27oard ener+: dash7oard to 2ro9ide real-time ener+: usa+e a tracEin+ de9ice to recommend more

,uel-e,,icient routes and stern ,la2s that decrease the amount o, dra+ and resistance 2ro9idin+ the shi2 a more

h:drod:namic 2ro,ile&

My Na<y !orta$* 'he Na9: <ill start rollin+ out M: Na9: ;ortal in 0%. <ith the +oal o, consolidatin+ sailors?

online career needs& 'he ser9ice <ill 7e+in inte+ratin+ se9eral Na9: <e7sites into one in an e,,ort to +i9e sailors a

one-sto2 sho2 ,or 9arious 2ersonnel and trainin+ resources& 'he rollout <ill occur in multi2le 2hases o9er a cou2le

o, :ears the ,irst occurrin+ durin+ 0%. said Ft& Cmdr& Nathan Christensen s2oEesman ,or the Na9:?s 2ersonnel

chie,& Be said the 2hased rollout is to allo< ,or a continuin+ con9ersation to ensure e9er:thin+ is done ri+ht as more

and more 2ro+rams are inte+rated& ne o, the ,irst s:stems to 7e consolidated is Na9: Jno<led+e nline <hich

,ocuses on educatin+ and trainin+ sailors and is the source ,or man: trainin+ modules& Creatin+ the ne< s:stem is

.3



2art o, the Na9:?s lar+er 2ush to modernize the Na9:?s a+in+ 2ersonnel s:stem& M: Na9: ;ortal is e)2ected to 7e

,ull: o2erational in ,iscal 0%8&

[SourceK Stars I Stri2es @ Chris Church and ames Jim7er @ ecem7er 8 0%5 ]


L%,,?Tan?Honora&$% )i,#ar"% 52:000 Sin#% 2000

No medical or mental health care& No su7sidized colle+e or <orE trainin+& *or man: <ho lea9e the U&S& militar:

<ith less-than-honora7le dischar+es includin+ thousands <ho su,,ered in4uries and an+uish in raL A,+hanistan and

else<here standard 9eterans 7ene,its are o,, limits& 'he dischar+e ser9es as a scarlet letter o, dishonor and the

e,,ects can 7e se9ereK )-militar: mem7ers <ith mental health 2ro7lems or 2ost-traumatic stress disorder can?t turn

to eterans A,,airs hos2itals or clinicsV those <ho <ant to +o to colle+e aren?t eli+i7le ,or the G !illV the 4o7less +et

no assistance ,or career trainin+V the homeless are e)cluded ,rom 9ouchers& Xt?s an indeli7le marE o, their ser9ice

that ,ollo<s them ,or the rest o, their li9es into the <orE,orce throu+h 7acE+round checEs social relationshi2s and

it 2recludes them ,rom +ettin+ the Eind o, su22ort that most 9eterans en4o:Y said ;hil Carter an raL 6ar 9et and

senior ,ello< at the Center ,or A Ne< American Securit:&

'he e2artment o, e,ense said o, nearl: 0/000 2eo2le <ho le,t the militar: last :ear 4ust 8 2ercent recei9ed

<hat?s re,erred to as X7ad 2a2er&Y Still that?s more than %1000 2eo2le last :ear and more than 35000 since 000

e,ense e2artment data sho<s& U&S& "e2& MiEe Co,,man a Colorado "e2u7lican <ho?s on the Bouse Armed

Ser9ices Committee 7elie9es man: o, those men and <omen su,,ered 7attle-related 2ro7lems that a,,ected their

7eha9ior es2eciall: ;'S and traumatic 7rain in4ur:& A 005 stud: sho<ed Marines de2lo:ed to com7at <ho <ere

dia+nosed <ith ;'S <ere %% times more liEel: to recei9e less-than-honora7le dischar+es said !rad Adams an

attorne: <ho <orEs <ith the San *rancisco-7ased or+anization S<ords to ;lo<shares&

osh "edm:er 30 ser9ed in the Marines ,or se9en :ears includin+ three stints in raL <here he <atched a close

,riend die and de9elo2ed ;'S& "edm:er said he de9elo2ed alcohol and dru+ addictions that led to 7ad 7eha9ior

and he recei9ed an other-than-honora7le dischar+e in 0%& Be said he?s sur9i9ed suicide attem2ts and Xnear-deathY

o9erdoses& No< li9in+ in Cali,ornia "edm:er?s <orEin+ as a deli9er: dri9er and tr:in+ to restore his A medical 7ene,its& Be said he taEes res2onsi7ilit: ,or XmistaEe a,ter mistaEe a,ter mistaEeY 7ut can?t understand ho<

someone <ho risEed his li,e ,or his countr: can?t +et treatment ,or ;'S& X6hat it did to m: li,e a,ter <hat +a9e

to them don?t thinE it?s ethical or moral or ,airY he said&

In ti, /oto ta%n Tur,day: )%#* 1@: 2015: Jo, R%d.y%r: a 8or.%r Marin% ;o ,%r<%d tr%% tour, in Ira: /o,%, ;it

Mi$o: ;o % #a$$, i, t%ra/y do": in Oro<i$$%: Ca$i8* R%d.y%r: ;o ;a, dia"no,%d ;it !o,t?Trau.ati# Str%,,

)i,ord%r in 200>: r%#%i<%d a $%,,?tan?onora&$% di,#ar"% in 2012* H% i, a.on" t% tou,and, o8 <%t%ran, ;o #annot

r%#%i<% <%t%ran, %a$t &%n%8it, &%#au,% o8 a $%,,?tan?onora&$% di,#ar"%* R%d.y%r turn, to Mi$o: ;o i, a &irtday

/r%,%nt 8ro. i, roo..at%: ;%n % &%#o.%, d%,/ond%nt*

.#



ar:in+ le9els o, 7ad 2a2er dischar+es e)ist& A +eneral dischar+e is ,or those <hose ser9ice <as +enerall:

satis,actor: 7ut <ho en+a+ed in minor misconduct or recei9ed non-4udicial 2unishment& "eci2ients are usuall:

eli+i7le ,or A medical and dental ser9ices A home loans and 7urial in national cemeteries 7ut can?t recei9e

educational 7ene,its throu+h the G !ill& irtuall: no 2ost-militar: 7ene,its are a9aila7le 7elo< that le9el& An other-

than-honora7le dischar+e is an administrati9e action ,or those <ith 7eha9ior 2ro7lems such as 9iolence or use o,

ille+al dru+s& A 7ad conduct dischar+e is 2unishment ,or a militar: crime and dishonora7le dischar+es are ,or

o,,enses such as murder or desertion& 6ith those dischar+es the A doesn?t consider the ,ormer ser9ice mem7ers

9eterans ,or the 2ur2oses o, A 7ene,its& X'here is a small 2ercenta+e o, ,olEs <ho <ere court-martialed and

con9icted and the: ha9e earned their 7ad 2a2erY Carter said& X'he 9ast ma4orit: o, this 2o2ulation <as dischar+ed

administrati9el: +enerall: 7ecause o, some minor misconduct&Y

Ma4& !en SaErisson a e,ense e2artment s2oEesman said there is Xsu7stantial due 2rocessY ,or all cases <here

2eo2le recei9e a less-than-honora7le dischar+e& ts statistics sho< that last :ear #%#3 ser9ice mem7ers recei9ed

other-than-honora7le dischar+es .3/ recei9ed 7ad conduct dischar+es and %5/ <ere dishonora7l: dischar+ed& nce

2eo2le are dischar+ed the e2artment o, eterans A,,airs can e)tend medical and mental health 7ene,its on a case-

7:-case 7asis to those <hose disa7ilities <ere ser9ice-connected the A said& !ut Adams said that recourse is hel2

to 9er: ,e<& X'he onus is on the 9eteranY he said& X'he standards ha9e im2osed a 9er: hi+h 7urden&Y Studies sho<

those <ho are less-than-honora7l: dischar+ed are ,ar more liEel: to end u2 in 2rison than honora7l: dischar+ed

9eterans and more liEel: to 7e suicidal& o7s are harder to +et 7ecause 7acE+round checEs hi+hli+ht an undesira7le

militar: dischar+e& X'he: ha9e a hard time maintainin+ em2lo:ment and na9i+atin+ the transition 7acE to ci9ilian

li,eY said amison *ar+o associate 2ro,essor o, 2s:cholo+: at Utah State Uni9ersit:&

An anal:sis 2u7lished this ,all in the ournal o, the American Medical Association <hich *ar+o co-<rote

tracEed nearl: #50000 A 2atients <ho ser9ed in raL and A,+hanistan ,rom 00% to 0%%& 6hile 5&. 2ercent had

+eneral dischar+es ,or misconduct the: accounted ,or 1&% 2ercent o, those <ho?d 7een homeless <ithin their ,irst

:ear out o, the militar:& 'hat didn?t e9en taEe into account those <ith dischar+es that made them ineli+i7le ,or A

care and <ho <ere 2otentiall: more liEel: to 7e homeless&

SaErisson said the e,ense e2artment has made a Xconcerted e,,ortY to assist those <ith ;'S <ho seeE to

ha9e their dischar+e u2+raded throu+h media cam2ai+ns outreach to ad9ocac: +rou2s and militar: ser9ice

or+anizations e9en tracEin+ do<n homeless e)-ser9ice mem7ers identi,ied 7: the A& Co,,man said a 7etter a22roach <ould 7e ,or the militar: to <orE <ith trou7led ser9ice mem7ers earlier so more lea9e <ith honora7le

dischar+es& And <hile 7ein+ dischar+ed ,or 7ad 7eha9ior mi+ht dra< little s:m2ath: Adams said X6e?re talEin+

a7out 2eo2le <ho ha9e de2lo:ed multi2le times ser9ed in com7at& 'hat has to account ,or somethin+&Y [SourceK

Associated ;ress @ im Salter @ ecem7er 5 0%5 ]


REA! U/dat% 0 La; Can"% End, R%,%r<% Tuition !ro"ra.

Students alread: enrolled in courses throu+h the "eser9e ducational Assistance ;ro+ram <ill see no disru2tion in

their tuition 2a:ments \ 7ut the:?ll ha9e to turn out the li+hts a,ter classes end& 'hat?s 7ecause "A; o,,icials

<on?t 7e acce2tin+ ne< enrollments& 'he 0%. e,ense Authorization Act si+ned into la< in 7e,ore 'hanEs+i9in+

ended the 2ro+ram lea9in+ onl: a ,our-:ear <indo< ,or current 2artici2ants to ,inish their de+ree 2ro+rams& "A;

<as created to 2ro9ide education 7ene,its to National Guard and reser9e mem7ers <ho s2ent time on acti9e dut: 7ut

<ere not eli+i7le ,or traditional G !ill o,,erin+s& Nearl: %#000 9eterans used "A; ,unds to attend colle+e classes

in ,iscal 0%# at a cost o, $5. million& !ut the 2ro+ram is considered redundant no< in li+ht o, the ;ost-8>%% G

!ill <hich o,,ers education 7ene,its to most troo2s <ho s2ent an: time on acti9e dut: a,ter Se2tem7er 00%& "A;

re2resented a little more than % 2ercent o, A education 2a:outs in ,iscal 0%#&

.5



ndi9iduals <ho are enrolled and attendin+ classes throu+h the no<-de,unct 2ro+ram are eli+i7le to continue

recei9in+ 7ene,its until No9& 5 0%8& ,,icials antici2ate that should co9er nearl: all 2artici2ants currentl: <orEin+

on de+rees& Students <ho recei9ed "A; mone: in the 2ast 7ut <ere not in classes last semester <ill see their

7ene,its cut o,,& A o,,icials said most o, those indi9iduals <ill 7e a7le to use ;ost-8>%% G !ill ,unds instead 7ut

are reachin+ out to a,,ected students to +au+e the 2otential im2act o, the chan+es& XA is acti9el: <orEin+ to

identi,: a,,ected 9eterans <ho ha9e 2re9iousl: a22lied ,or A 7ene,its to noti,: them o, this chan+e and their

2otential eli+i7ilit: ,or other A educational assistance 2ro+ramsY o,,icials said in a statement& 'he: added that

<ould-7e ne< enrollees also can contact A o,,ices to see i, the: Luali,: ,or other education 2ro+rams& Additional

in,ormation on the 2ro+ram chan+e is a9aila7le on A?s <e7site htt2K>><<<&7ene,its&9a&+o9>+i7ill>rea2&as2&

[SourceK Militar:'imes @ Feo Shane @ ecem7er 30 0%5 ]


Mi$itary )i,#ar"% Studi%, T;o )u% in 201@

U&S& Sen& Michael !ennet ho2es a 2air o, studies due in 0%/ <ill +i9e la<maEers a 7etter 9ie< o, ho< the Arm: is

treatin+ its troo2s& 'he re9ie<s 7: the Go9ernment Accounta7ilit: ,,ice and the e2artment o, e,ense ns2ector

General <ill e)amine <hether the Arm: im2ro2erl: dischar+es soldiers ,or misconduct dri9en 7: <ar-caused mentalillness& 'he GA re2ort <as ordered last :ear a,ter a series o, Gazette stories re9ealed that the Arm: <as

dischar+in+ <ounded and mentall: ill soldiers <ith other-than-honora7le dischar+es ,or minor misconduct& 'he

latest stud: <as ordered this month 7: the Arm: a,ter !ennet -en9er and other senators demanded an

in9esti+ation a,ter ne< media re2orts includin+ a Gazette in9esti+ation that re9ealed the ser9ices increasin+l: use

disci2linar: measures to do<nsize& 6e are still hearin+ a lot o, concerns a7out mental health dischar+e issues

!ennet told 'he Gazette this month&

U*S* S%n* Mi#a%$ B%nn%t

!ennet said he e)2ects the re9ie<s to sho< <hether Arm: leaders 2ur2ose,ull: EicE out mentall: ill soldiers <ith

7ene,it-den:in+ dischar+es& 'hat is to +i9e us the data <e need to reall: understand <hatTs +oin+ on he said&

!ennet said 7oth studies are mo9in+ ,or<ard 7ut results could 7e months a<a:& 'hin+s mo9e at a +lacial 2ace and

<eTre +oin+ to ha9e to sta: on it and +et it done he said& !ennet said he <ill Eee2 2ushin+ the e2artment o,

eterans A,,airs in 0%/ to reduce <ait times Colorado S2rin+s 9eterans ,ace to +et health care& 'he senator o,,ered

an amendment to increase ,undin+ ,or A health care sta,, that <as shot do<n this month as Con+ress made ,inal

ad4ustments to its 0%. 7ud+et& 9en <ithout that e)tra cash A canTt e)2lain <aitin+ times in Colorado S2rin+s -<here accordin+ to estimates ,rom the a+enc: 3 2ercent o, 9eterans <aited more than a month ,or a22ointments

!ennet said& 6e ha9e 7een 2ushin+ those +u:s to shorten those <ait times in Colorado S2rin+s he said& ur 9ie<

is thereTs no 4usti,ication ,or those lon+ <aits&

Another item on !ennetTs a+enc: is the trou7led A hos2ital 2ro4ect in Aurora& 'he $%&/ 7illion hos2ital has 7een

at the center o, contro9ers: <ith a 2rice ta+ that tri2led amid mismana+ement that led to the remo9al o, se9eral

o,,icials& !ennet said the 2ro4ect should sta: on tracE and re,orms a22ro9ed 7: Con+ress should 2re9ent similar A

construction <oes& Amon+ the re,orms is a sti2ulation that A 7rin+ in another a+enc: to o9ersee lar+e construction

..

http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/reap.asp





<orE& tTs more 7elt and sus2enders to maEe sure <e donTt <ind u2 in the situation <eTre in !ennet said& [SourceK

Colorado S2rin+s Gazette @ 'om "oeder @ ecem7er / 0%5 ]


Mi$itary S%/aration !ay U/dat% 01 I./a#t on +A Co./%n,ation

Under ,ederal la< until 9eterans 2a: 7acE their in9oluntar: se2aration 2a: the: can ha9e their A disa7ilit:

com2ensation <ithheld& A,ter 3%-:ear-old Marine 9eteran 'im *oster recei9ed a 50 disa7ilit: ratin+ ,rom the

e2artment o, eterans A,,airs in anuar: he <as shocEed to disco9er the com2ensation 7ene,its <ould 7e <ithheld

until Ma: 0%.& 'he reason *oster e)2lained to 'asE I ;ur2ose is that he recei9ed $30000 in in9oluntar:

se2aration 2a: ,rom the Marine Cor2s <hen he <as ,orced out in Au+ust 0%# due to 2ersonnel cuts& *oster said he

acce2ted the se2aration 2a: not realizin+ he <ould ha9e to 2a: it 7acE i, he ,iled ,or disa7ilit:& And he isn?t alone&

n the last ,i9e :ears the A <ithheld more than $#0% million in disa7ilit: com2ensation ,rom #811 9eterans

<ith $.% million scheduled to 7e <ithheld ,rom ,uture 7ene,its accordin+ to Mea+an Futz a s2oEes2erson ,or the

A& 'he de2artment?s 2u7lic a,,airs o,,ice 2ro9ided 'asE I ;ur2ose <ith statistics 7reaEin+ do<n these ,i+ures&

'he reason ,or this is due to %0 USC %%/# a ,ederal la< 2recludin+ du2lication o, 7ene,its& 'he la< reLuires thatthe A recou2 militar: se2aration 7ene,its 2aid 7: the e2artment o, e,ense in cases <here a 9eteran is

su7seLuentl: a<arded A com2ensation e)2lained 'err: emison another s2oEes2erson ,or the A in an email to

'asE I ;ur2ose& A disa7ilit: 7ene,its can 7e <ithheld i, a 9eteran recei9es read4ustment 2a: non-disa7ilit:

se9erance 2a: se2aration 2a: reser9ist in9oluntar: se2aration 2a: s2ecial se2aration 7ene,its 9oluntar: se2aration

2a: or disa7ilit: se9erance 2a:& 'he A is reLuired to <ithhold some or all o, a 9eteran?s monthl: com2ensation

until this recou2ment is com2lete& 'he 2rocess can taEe :ears and ,or some 9eterans liEe *oster their 7ene,its are

still 7ein+ <ithheld lon+ a,ter the:?9e s2ent their se2aration 2a:&

*oster a com7at 9eteran o, the <ars in raL and A,+hanistan ser9ed ,rom une 003 to Au+ust 0%# as an

assaultman 7e,ore he chan+ed 4o7s to 7e a missileman& Fater he s2ent three :ears as a recruiter 7e,ore 7ein+

se2arated as a ser+eant& *oster ,iled ,or disa7ilit: 7ene,its in cto7er 0%# and since he <as a22ro9ed ,or

com2ensation in anuar: he?s had his ratin+ increased t<ice ,irst to /0 and to 10 <here it stands no<& ue tohis health concerns *oster said he is una7le to <orE and <ith his disa7ilit: 7ene,its <ithheld until his se2aration 2a:

is recou2ed it 2uts him under ,inancial strain& A,ter lea9in+ the militar: *oster mo9ed ,rom Cali,ornia to 6est

ir+inia <here he no< li9es and attends American Militar: Uni9ersit: on the 2ost-8>%% G&& !ill& 6hen he le,t the

Marines *oster s2ent three months looEin+ ,or <orE 7ut in Ma: o, this :ear he lost his 4o7 and ,iled ,or indi9idual

unem2lo:a7ilit:&

./



Ti. Fo,t%r in i, &arra#, at Ca./ L%'%un%: Nort Caro$ina: in 2005

'u,t &%8or% i, ,%#ond d%/$oy.%nt to Ira

t <as also at this time that he 7e+an stru++lin+ <ith 2ost-traumatic stress he said& Althou+h he is una7le to

recei9e com2ensation ,rom the A he is still a7le to recei9e care& Xt doesn?t maEe an: sense at allY said *oster

<ho com2ared it to recei9in+ a se9erance 2acEa+e a,ter 7ein+ laid o,, ,rom a com2an: onl: to ha9e social securit:

reLuire :ou to 2a: that mone: 7acE& XSe2aration 2a: and disa7ilit: 2a: come ,rom t<o se2arate 2ots o, mone: and

the:?re t<o totall: se2arate thin+s&Y As ,or the $30000 in se2aration 2a: that he recei9edP t?s lon+ +one said*oster <ho e)2lained that it <ent to<ard mo9in+ housin+ and li9in+ e)2enses& X, didn?t ha9e to 2a: 7acE that

se2aration 2a: ?d at least ha9e somethin+Y said *oster& [SourceK 'asE I ;ur2ose @ ames ClarE @ ecem7er 30

0%5 ]


!ERM U/dat% 01 000 Mortar Round, Ord%r%d D 120..

'he )2editionar: *ire Su22ort S:stem 4ust +ot a <hole lot 7adder and 7etter& Marine Cor2s S:stems Command

a<arded a $81 million contract to "a:theon Missile S:stems to 7uild more than 3000 ;recision )tended "an+e

Munitions or ;"M& 'he %0mm mortar round <ill dou7le the current ran+e to %. Eilometers or %0 miles and

2ro9ide G;S accurac: <ell <ithin %0 meters o, the tar+et (industr: o,,icials 2lace it <ithin meters& ;"M also

increases the lethalit: o, the %0mm mortar 7: as much as 50 2ercent de2endin+ on the tar+et said oe

Mc;herson 2roduct mana+er ,or Marine Cor2s S:stems Command& Still it is the 2in2oint accurac: that has turned

most heads& !allistic mortars reLuire tar+etin+ ad4ustments ,or <ind and other ,actors and their e,,ects increase

e)2onentiall: as distance len+thens& Sometimes the 9aria7les are so man: and chan+e so drasticall: <ith each

2assin+ mile that com2lete com2ensation is nearl: im2ossi7le& ;"M?s G;S +uidance s:stem eliminates the need

,or these Einds o, calculations&

Such accurac: is not ne< to artiller: 7atteries& !ut unliEe )cali7ur \ ;"MTs %00-2ound %55mm 7i+ 7rother

\ this 35-2ound shell is li+ht enou+h to 7e handled 7: a sin+le Marine& ;"M is li+hter 7ecause it does not use

rocEet motors& 'he "a:theon-made mortar round instead uses tail ,ins ,or sta7ilization and ,la2s near the nose called

.1



XcanardsY to maEe in-,li+ht ad4ustments& 'he resultant 2recision thus increases ,irst-round e,,ects and <ill minimize

collateral dama+e Mc;herson said& 'he )2editionar: *ire Su22ort S:stem introduced in 008 is the third le+ o,

the am2hi7ious ,ires triad& t consists o, t<o hi+hl: mo7ile 9ehicles that can ,it inside an M- s2re: or CB-53

Su2er StallionV its <ei+ht does not diminish the ma)imum ran+e o, either 7ird& ne 9ehicle 2ulls an M3/ %0mm

mortar tu7e and the other a trailer o, ammunition& 'he *SS 7atter: is rou+hl: 50 Marines sli+htl: less than one-

third the size o, an M/// ho<itzer 7atter:&

)2editionar: maneu9er is the name o, the +ame as the ;enta+on looEs to 7ee, u2 re+ional securit: and LuicE

res2onse throu+hout the ;aci,ic <ith an e:e to<ard an e)2andin+ Chinese militar:& Current 2lans call ,or a Marine

air-+round tasE ,orce or 7etter in Australia Guam Ba<aii and Eina<a& 'he Cor2s? )2editionar: *orce % conce2t

o, o2erations is centered on 2re2ositioned Marines de2lo:in+ as a sel,-contained ,orce ca2a7le o, inde2endent

o2erations ,or <eeEs at a time& ;recision ,ires <ill 7e critical in such scenarios& As the num7er o, rounds needed to

destro: a tar+et is reduced the com7at load needed to su22ort the ,orce is reduced \ and more rounds are a9aila7le

,or su7seLuent tar+ets&

Ground ,orces and commanders ha9e antici2ated the G;S-+uided mortar since 005 <hen the *SS reLuirement

<as made o,,icial& 'hou+h al<a:s a 2art o, that strate+: ;"M had to <ait until initial com2onents <ere ,ielded

namel: the 9ehicle the %0mm mortar and the 7allistic munitions& 'he e,,ort to de9elo2 the round Xreall: +ot

rollin+ in 0%%Y Mc;herson said& 'he 2ro+ram came in t<o months ahead o, schedule and 33 2ercent under 7ud+etMc;herson said& 'he cost threshold <as $/500 7ut each round came in at $%1000& 'he ,irst rounds <ill 7e

deli9ered in mid-0%1 <ith a total 2urchase o, 3%%3 rounds o9er ,i9e :ears& [SourceK MarineCor2s'imes @ Fance

M& !acon @ ecem7er %. 0%5]


Ro&oti# Car"o Mo<%r, U/dat% 02 ^ USMC Mu$% !ut Out to !a,tur%

A,ter :ears o, 7ein+ ,eatured at trade sho<s and trotted out ,or hi+h-ranEin+ Marine Cor2s o,,icials the MarinesT

7arrel-chested Fe++ed SLuad Su22ort S:stem -- Eno<n a,,ectionatel: as the ro7otic mule -- has 7een 2ut out to

2asture& 'he machine <hich resem7les a headless 2acE mule made o, metal came a7out throu+h a $3 million

t<o-and-a-hal, :ear contract 7et<een the ;enta+onTs research arm Eno<n as the e,ense Ad9anced "esearch

;ro4ects A+enc: (A";A and Goo+le nc&Ts !oston :namics o, 6altham Massachusetts& A";A teamed u2

<ith the Marine Cor2s 6ar,i+htin+ Fa7 to create an autonomous ,our-le++ed creature that could li+hten troo2sT load

7: carr:in+ #00 or more 2ounds o, <ei+ht accordin+ to re2orts a7out the 0%0 contract&

A second contract <orth almost $%0 million <as a<arded in 0%3 ,or an additional 2hase o, the FS3 2ro+ram that

<ould demonstrate ho< the le++ed ro7ot <ould <orE 7: ,ollo<in+ troo2s on ,oot throu+h ru++ed terrain carr:in+

their +ear and inter2retin+ 9er7al and 9isual commands& 'he contract also 2ro9ided ,or the construction o, an

enhanced 9ersion o, FS3 that ,eatured a Luieter 2o<er su22l: and 7etter sur9i9a7ilit: a+ainst small arms ,ire& n

0% Marine Cor2s Commandant Gen& ames Amos attended a demonstration o, the 2rotot:2eTs ca2a7ilities at oint

!ase M:er-Benderson Ball ir+inia& At the time Amos e)2ressed 2ride in the de9elo2in+ technolo+: and said it

<as +ettin+ close to somethin+ the Marines mi+ht use accordin+ to re2orts&

.8



Marin%, ;it 1,t Batta$ion: 5t Marin% R%"i.%nt: t%,t t% #a/a&i$iti%, o8 t% L%""%d Suad Su//ort Sy,t%. KLS: a&oard

Fort )%<%n,: Ma,,*: No<* 5: 201*

'he ro7o-mule had its 7i+ moment in summer 0%# at "im o, the ;aci,ic the lar+est militar: e)ercise in the

;aci,ic re+ion& t <as ,eatured in hi+h-2ro,ile ,ield tests <ith Marines <ho 2ut it throu+h its 2aces on 2atrols and

demonstrated its a7ilit: to res2ond to commands and cross ru++ed +round& !ut the e)2eriment also e)hi7ited the

shortcomin+s o, the 2rotot:2e J:le lson a s2oEesman ,or the 6ar,i+htin+ Fa7 told Militar:&com& As Marines<ere usin+ it there <as the challen+e o, seein+ the 2otential 2ossi7ilit: 7ecause o, the limitations o, the ro7ot

itsel, lson said& 'he: tooE it as it <asK a loud ro7ot thatTs +oin+ to +i9e a<a: their 2osition& n addition to the

la<nmo<er-liEe noise o, the muleTs +as-2o<ered en+ine there <ere other challen+es <ithout clear solutions

includin+ ho< to re2air the hulEin+ ro7ot i, it 7reaEs and ho< to inte+rate it into a traditional Marine 2atrol&

6ith the ,inal ,unds remainin+ in the second !oston :namics contract the A";A-6ar,i+htin+ Fa7 team 7uilt

S2ot a ro7otic Luadru2ed the size o, a lar+e do+ that ,unctioned on Luieter electric 2o<er& Fast Se2tem7er

Marines 2ut the smaller ro7ot to the test in the <oods o, uantico ir+inia& !ut <hile S2ot eliminated the noise

2ro7lem its sli+hter ,rame could onl: carr: loads o, #0 2ounds or so and didnTt dis2la: the ad9anced autonomous

technolo+: that FS3 had& see S2ot ri+ht no< as more o, a +round reconnaissance asset said Ca2t& ames ;ineiro

the Ground Com7at lement 7ranch head ,or the 6ar,i+htin+ Fa7& 'he 2ro7lem is S2ot in its current con,i+uration

doesnTt ha9e the autonom: to do that& t has the a7ilit: to <alE in its en9ironment 7ut itTs com2letel: controller-dri9en&

*or no< 7oth S2ot and FS3 are in stora+e <ith no ,uture e)2eriments or u2+rades 2lanned& ;ineiro said it <ould

taEe a ne< contract and some ne< interest ,rom Marine Cor2s to2 7rass to resurrect the 2ro+ram& 6hile it ma:

seem as thou+h :ears o, <orE <ith the ro7ot Luadru2eds has <ra22ed u2 <ithout a tan+i7le result 6ar,i+htin+ Fa7

o,,icials said the Marine Cor2s did +ain im2ortant insi+hts a7out autonomous technolo+: and its 2otential& 6e tend

to 2la: <ith thin+s that are ,anci,ul and stran+e lson said& Fearnin+ ,rom it <as a 7i+ 2art and <eTre still

learnin+& Mean<hile the la7 has on+oin+ e)2eriments ,eaturin+ drones and other unmanned 9ehicles and are

e)2lorin+ uses ,or them includin+ medical resu22l: and reconnaissance& [SourceK Militar:&com @ Bo2e Bod+e SecE@

ecem7er 0%5 ]


Mi$itary En$i,t.%nt Standard, 2015 U/dat% 0> Cri.ina$ Hi,tory

'he United States Militar: Ser9ices maEe e9er: attem2t to assess the moral Lualit: o, 2otential recruits and se9eralcate+ories o, moral o,,enses ma: 2reclude enlistment& 'his is 2rimaril: accom2lished 7ased on criminal record& tshould 7e noted here that there is no such thin+ as a sealed record or an e)2un+ed record as ,ar as the militar: isconcerned& 'he recruitin+ ser9ices ha9e access to la< en,orcement and *! in9esti+ati9e records <hich -- Luiteo,ten <ill list arrests in these cate+ories& 9en i, an o,,ense is not ,ound durin+ the recruiter criminal 7acE+round

/0



checE it is liEel: to come u2 durin+ a 2ossi7le (2ro7a7le securit: clearance criminal records checE& , an a22licant,ails to disclose criminal histor: and it is later disco9ered the indi9idual ma: 7e char+ed under ,ederal la< or theUni,orm Code o, Militar: ustice ,or *alse Statement and>or *raudulent nlistment&

An: o,,ense <hich resulted in a con9iction or ad9erse ad4udication counts& Usuall: i, the char+es <eredismissed (<ithout conditions or resulted in an acLuittal (,indin+ o, not +uilt: the: donTt& Bo<e9er sometimesthe militar: <ill count an o,,ense <hich resulted in a dismissal& *or e)am2le i, :ou <ere cau+ht sho2li,tin+ and

the char+es <ere dismissed 7ecause the store o<ner didnTt <ant to 2ress char+es the militar: mi+ht count it& n theother hand i, the char+es <ere dismissed 7ecause the A determined there <asnTt enou+h e9idence to 2ro9e :oucommitted the crime the militar: 2ro7a7l: <ouldnTt count it& 6hen determinin+ <hether or not an o,,ense counts,or enlistment 2ur2oses the ser9ices are 2rimaril: interested in <hether or not the a22licant actuall: committed theo,,ense not <hether or not a le+al con9iction resulted& Criminal o,,enses that ,all into one o, the 7elo< cate+oriescounts <hen it comes to enlistment 2ur2osesK

• Con<i#tion* 'he act o, ,indin+ a 2erson +uilt: o, a crime o,,ense or other 9iolation o, la< 7: a court or

com2etent 4urisdiction or other authorized ad4udicati9e authorit:& 'his includes ,ines and ,or,eiture o, 7ondin lieu o, trial&

• Ad<%r,% Ad'udi#ation* An: con9iction ,indin+ decision sentence 4ud+ment or dis2osition other than

unconditionall: dro22ed unconditionall: dismissed or acLuitted& ;artici2ation in a 2retrial inter9ention 2ro+ram as de,ined 7elo< must 7e 2rocessed in the same manner as an ad9erse ad4udication&

• !r%tria$ Int%r<%ntion=)%8%r.%nt& 9er: state has a 2ro+ram 7: <hich o,,enses are di9erted out o, the

re+ular criminal 2rocess ,or a 2ro7ationar: 2eriod& 6hile the 2ro+rams 9ar: ,rom state to state the: allreLuire the de,endant to meet some reLuirement (e&+& re2ortin+ or non-re2ortin+ 2ro7ation restitution or communit: ser9ice a,ter success,ul com2letion o, <hich the char+e is dis2osed o, in a <a: that does notresult in a ,inal ad4udication o, +uilt& Char+es dis2osed in this manner are 2rocessed as an ad9ersead4udication&

'he <ai9er 2rocess is a 9er: su74ecti9e one& ach o, the ser9ices ha9e their o<n standards <hen it comes tocriminal o,,enses and <hether or not the o,,ense(s are disLuali,:in+& ChecE outK

• Arm: - htt2K>>usmilitar:&a7out&com>od>arm:4oin>a>criminal&-u58&htm&

• Air *orce - htt2K>>usmilitar:&a7out&com>od>air,orce4oin>a>criminal&htm &

• Na9: - htt2K>>usmilitar:&a7out&com>od>na9:4oin>a>na9crime&htm &

• Marine Cor2s - htt2K>>usmilitar:&a7out&com>od>marine4oin>a>criminal&-um-&htm &

[SourceK A7out&com Ne<sletter @ "od ;o<ers @ une 0 0%5 ]


M%da$ o8 Honor Citation, H%rda Fran A* D +N

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress

takes pleasure in presenting the

Medal of Honor

To

FRAN A* HER)A

/%

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http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforcejoin/a/criminal.htm

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/navyjoin/a/navcrime.htm

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marinejoin/a/criminal.-um-.htm


http://usmilitary.about.com/od/armyjoin/a/criminal.-u59.htm

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforcejoin/a/criminal.htm

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/navyjoin/a/navcrime.htm




Rank and organization: S2ecialist *ourth Class U&S& Arm: Com2an: A %st !attalion (Air7orne 50.th n,antr:

%0%st Air7orne i9ision (Airmo7ile

Place and date: Near aE 'o uan+ 'ran+ ;ro9ince "e2u7lic o, ietnam 8 une %8.1

Entered service at: Cle9eland hioin %8.5

orn: Se2tem7er %3 %8#/ Cle9eland hio

Citation

*or cons2icuous +allantr: and intre2idit: in action at the risE o, his li,e a7o9e and 7e:ond the call o, dut:& S2#c&

Berda (then ;,c& distin+uished himsel, <hile ser9in+ as a +renadier <ith Com2an: A& Com2an: A <as 2art o, a

7attalion-size ni+ht de,ensi9e 2erimeter <hen a lar+e enem: ,orce initiated an attacE on the ,riendl: units& 6hile

other enem: elements 2ro9ided di9ersionar: ,ire and indirect <ea2ons ,ire to the <est a sa22er ,orce o,

a22ro)imatel: 30 men armed <ith hand +renades and small char+es attacEed Com2an: ATs 2erimeter ,rom the east&

As the sa22ers <ere maEin+ a last 9iolent assault 5 o, them char+ed the 2osition de,ended 7: S2#c& Berda and

comrades % o, <hom <as <ounded and la: hel2less in the 7ottom o, the ,o)hole& S2#c& Berda ,ired at the

a++ressors until the: <ere <ithin %0 ,eet o, his 2osition and % o, their +renades landed in the ,o)hole& Be ,ired % last

round ,rom his +renade launcher hittin+ % o, the enem: soldiers in the head and then <ith no concern ,or his

sa,et: S2#c& Berda immediatel: co9ered the 7last o, the +renade <ith his 7od:& 'he e)2losion <ounded him

+rie9ousl: 7ut his sel,less action 2re9ented his comrades ,rom 7ein+ seriousl: in4ured or Eilled and ena7led the

remainin+ de,ender to Eill the other sa22ers& !: his +allantr: at the risE o, his li,e in the hi+hest traditions o, the

militar: ser9ice S2#c& Berda has re,lected +reat credit on himsel, his unit and the U&S& Arm:&

Berda 4oined the Arm: ,rom his 7irth cit: o, Cle9eland hio and 7: une 8 %8.1 <as ser9in+ as a ;ri9ate

*irst Class in Com2an: A %st !attalion (Air7orne 50.th n,antr: "e+iment %0%st Air7orne i9ision (Airmo7ile&

urin+ an enem: attacE on that da: near aE 'o in uan+ 'ran+ ;ro9ince "e2u7lic o, ietnam Berda smothered

the 7last o, an enem:-thro<n hand +renade <ith his 7od: to 2rotect those around him& Be sur9i9ed the 7last

althou+h se9erel: <ounded and <as 2romoted to S2ecialist *our and a<arded the Medal o, Bonor ,or his actions&

Bis other medals ,or 9alor include the istin+uished Ser9ice Cross Sil9er Star !ronze Star and the ;ur2le Beart&

*ranE Berda <as 2romoted ,rom Colonel to Ma4or General and <as a22ointed as the Commandin+ General ,or the

hio *irst n,antr: i9ision& Be retired ,rom the e2artment o, e,ense a,ter thirt:-three :ears o, ser9ice as an

em2lo:ee o, the *ederal Go9ernment&

Berda 2u7lished the 4u9enile s<ord and sorcer: no9el 'he Cu2 o, eathK Chronicles o, the ra+ons o, the Ma+i

in 00/& Be is currentl: <orEin+ on !ooE '<o o, the Chronicles o, the ra+ons o, the Ma+i& n addition to <ritin+

his current 2assions include 2la:in+ massi9el: multi2la:er online +ames (MMG includin+ the 6orld o, 6arcra,t

and 9eruest&

[SourceK htt2K>><<<&,ranEherda&com>a7out and <<<&histor:&arm:&mil>html>moh>9ietnam-a-l&htmlQBA"H

ec 0%5 ]

/

http://www.frankherda.com/about


http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/vietnam-a-l.html#HARVEY


http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/vietnam-a-l.html#HARVEY



( Mi$itary Hi,tory (

Mi$itary Tri<ia 11@ WWII, 1,t 25 Mi,,ion Air#r%;

n %8%/ and %8%1 the United States +o9ernment issued Fi7ert: !onds to raise mone: ,or our in9ol9ement in 6orld

6ar & !: the summer o, %8#0 <hen it a22eared the United States <ould 7e dra<n into 6orld 6ar 7onds a+ain

<ere 7ein+ sold as a <a: to remo9e mone: ,rom circulation as <ell as reduce in,lation& A,ter the a2anese attacEed

;earl Bar7or on ec& / %8#% the 7onds 7ecame Eno<n at 6ar !onds& 'o 2romote sellin+ the 6ar !onds rallies

<ere held throu+hout the countr: <ith ,amous cele7rities usuall: Boll:<ood ,ilm stars s2orts 2ersonalities and <ar

heroes such as ohn !asilone and Audie Mur2h:& *amous American artists includin+ Norman "ocE<ell created a

series o, illustrations that 7ecame the center2iece o, <ar 7ond ad9ertisin+&

Althou+h the U&S& Arm: Air *orce sent its indi9idual <ar heroes to 6ar !ond rallies it 2re,erred sendin+ %0-man

hea9: 7om7ers cre<s& 'hat 7ecause the American 2u7lic Ene< hea9: 7om7er cre<s ,aced death on e9er: mission

<ith onl: one in ,our chance o, actuall: com2letin+ their tour o, dut:V thatTs an a9era+e li,e e)2ectanc: o, onl: ei+ht

<eeEs& So dan+erous <as ,l:in+ hea9: 7om7er com7at missions the USAA* had a 2olic: that <hen an aircre<

<ra22ed u2 5 missions it <as deemed to ha9e com2leted their tour o, dut:& 'he 6ar e2artment <ould then

7rin+ the 7om7er and its cre< home to conduct nation<ide 2romotional tours to sell <ar 7onds to hel2 ,und the <ar

e,,ort&

M%./i, B%$$%

Accordin+ to decades o, 6orld 6ar a9iation histor: the cre< o, the Mem2his !elle 7ecame the ,irst !-%/*

*l:in+ *ortress cre< to com2lete 5 missions ,ollo<in+ a striEe a+ainst Jiel German:& She and her cre< <ere

2rom2tl: sent home to the United States to 4oin the 6ar !ond sellin+ tours& A %8## documentar: ,ilm <as 2roduced

detailin+ its e)2loits and in %880 a Boll:<ood ,eature ,ilm entitled the Mem2his !elle 2er2etuated its +lor: ,or

decades& ;ro7lem <as the Mem2his !elle <as not the ,irst hea9: 7om7er to sur9i9e 5 com7at missions& Nor <as

she the second& She <as the third&

Hot Stu88

/3



'he ,irst to com2lete 5 com7at mission <as the cre< o, !-# Fi7erator named Bot Stu,, dro22in+ 7om7s on

Na2les tal: on *e7ruar: / %8#3 - three-and-a-hal, months 7e,ore Mem2his !elle ,le< her 5th mission& Bot

Stu,, and her cre< <ent on to ,l: ,i9e additional missions 7e,ore she and her cre< <ere recalled to the United

States <here the: <ere scheduled to +o on a 6ar !onds 'our& n earl: Ma: %8#3 as the cre< 2re2ared ,or their

,li+ht to the States ,or their 6ar !onds 2u7licit: tour the: +ot a call ,rom the o,,ice o, Ft& General *ranE M&

Andre<s Commander o, the uro2ean 'heater o, 2erations asEin+ i, he could hitch a ride 7acE to the States&

Andre<s an e)2erienced instrument-rated 2ilot 7um2ed the normal co-2ilot o,, the 2lane and ,le< in his 2lace&Also a7oard <ere Andre<sT sta,, and ,our cler+:men& *i9e other cre<men <ere 7um2ed to maEe room ,or Andre<s

and his entoura+e&

Lt* %n%ra$ Fran M* Andr%;,

'he ,irst re,uelin+ sto2 7e,ore headin+ out o9er the Atlantic <as scheduled ,or ;rest<icE Scotland 7ut the cre<

decided to ,l: directl: to their second re,uelin+ sto2 at "e:E4a9iE celand& Closin+ in o, "e:E4a9iE the: ran into

sno< sLualls lo< clouds and rain& A,ter se9eral landin+ attem2ts Bot Stu,, crashed into the side o, %.00-,oot-tall

Mount *a+radals,4all near Grinda9iE celand& U2on im2act the aircra,t disinte+rated e)ce2t ,or the tail +unnerTs

turret <hich remained relati9el: intact& , the %5 a7oard %# died& Miraculousl: the in4ured tail-+unner S+t& Geor+e

isel sur9i9ed the crash& !ecause his le+ +ot tan+led u2 in hea9: <recEa+e he couldnTt mo9e& '<ent:-,our hours

later he <as rescued and the 7odies reco9ered& n %8#5 Cam2 S2rin+s Air !ase in ;rince Geor+es Count: Mar:land

<as renamed Andre<s *ield in Gen& Andre<s honor& t has since 7een renamed oint !ase Andre<s& 'he Bot

Stu,, and her cre< <ere soon ,or+otten&

H%$$, An"%$,

BellTs An+els a !-%/* *l:in+ *ortress 7ecame the ,irst 1th Air *orce !-%/ to com2lete 5 com7at missions in

une %8#3& At the end o, their tour the cre< o, BellTs An+els si+ned on ,or a second tour and continued to ,l:

+oin+ on to ,l: #1 missions <ithout e9er turnin+ 7acE ,rom their assi+ned tar+et& 'he aircra,t <as returned to the

states on anuar: 0 %8## ,or itTs o<n 2u7licit: tour&

So <h: did the U&S& Arm: Air *orce 2romote the Mem2his !elle as the ,irst hea9: 7om7er to ,l: 5 com7atmissionsP Accordin+ to 6ar7ird Ne<s our +o9ernment <as an)ious to re2ort u2li,tin+ and ins2irin+ stories o, the

<ar that <ould ca2ture the American 2u7licTs ima+ination& *or the USAA* it <as hea9: 7om7ers cre<s that

success,ull: reached 5 com7at mission in de,iance o, actuarial norms& !ecause the Mem2his !elle hit that

momentous milestone <ithout a cre<manTs death it made her the liEel: candidate to 7e ,irst to return home ,or a

6ar !ond tour& Americans ,or 7etter or <orse are conditioned to res2ond to a ha22: endin+ es2eciall: <hen it +oes

a+ainst all 2ro7a7ilit:& [SourceK 'o+ether 6e Ser9ed @ is2atches @ A2ril 0%5 ]


/#



A<iation Art >> T% Jo%r

T% Jo%r&y Ja# F%$$o;,

lements o, the 3%th !om7ardment Grou2 or the "oarinT 0Ts s<ee2 across a2anese-occu2ied ClarE *ield near

Manila on the island o, Fuzon ;hili22ines on %# anuar: %8#5& Ft& "&6& Cle9eland 31/th !om7 SLuadron ,l:in+

an A-0G s2ortin+ a <innin+ 2oEer hand <ith the ,ace o, !atmanTs nemesis the oEer narro<l: a9oids collidin+

<ith the sLuadron commandin+ o,,icer aEe Alsu2Ts mortall: <ounded A-0 <hich <as hit 7: accurate anti-

aircra,t ,ire 2ut u2 7: the man: AA em2lacements that dotted the ,ormer US Arm: air,ield&

[SourceK htt2K>><<<&a9iationarthan+ar&com>a9artha4o7:4&html ec 0%5 ]


Mi$itary Hi,tory Ci#i Ji.a In#id%nt

!: the summer o, %8## continuous successes a+ainst the a2anese 2laced Allied ,orces on the doorste2s o, its

mainland& Con9inced an in9asion o, a2an <as necessar: ,or a ,inal 9ictor: militar: commanders 7e+an 2lannin+

,or an am2hi7ious landin+ on the strate+icall: located <o ima rou+hl: 5/5 miles ,rom the a2anese coast& nce in

the hands o, the Allies <o ima <ould 7e a 2er,ect 2lace <here !-8 7om7ers dama+ed o9er a2an could land

<ithout returnin+ all the <a: to the Mariana slands retaEen ,rom the a2anese a,ter 7rutal ,i+htin+ on Guam Sai2an

and 'inian& t <ould also ser9e as a 7ase ,or escort ,i+hters that <ould assist in the 7om7in+ cam2ai+n&

n une %8## ice Admiral Marc MitscherTs 'asE *orce 7e+an na9al shi2 7om7ardments and air raids a+ainst<o ima in 2re2aration ,or an am2hi7ious assault& ne hundred and ,i,t: miles north o, <o ima <as Chichi ima

another tar+et o, multi2le 7om7in+s 7e+innin+ on une %8## and endin+ Se2tem7er %8##& 'hese earlier raids and

those 2rior to the landin+ on <o ima on *e7ruar: 3 %8#5 the total num7er o, shi2 7arra+es and air raids <ere

amon+ the lon+est and most intense o, the ;aci,ic theater&

/5

http://www.aviationarthangar.com/avarthajobyj2.html

http://www.aviationarthangar.com/avarthajobyj2.html



n Chichi ima the 5000 a2anese o2erated a Na9al !ase a small sea2lane 7ase a <eather station and 9arious

+un7oat su7-chaser and mines<ee2in+ units as <ell as rela: communications and sur9eillance o2erations ,rom t<o

radio rela: stations ato2 its t<o mountains& 6hile destro:in+ the su22l: and re2air o2erations <ere Ee: one o, the

2rimar: tar+et <as the destruction o, the radio rela: transmitter& At /K%5 am on Se2t& 3 %8## ,our A9en+ers <ere

launched ,rom the USS San acinto to 4oin ,our Bellcats ,rom the USS nter2rise& ach o, the ,i+hters carried ,our 500 2ound 7om7s& '<ent:-:ear-old Fieutenant unior Grade Geor+e B& 6& !ush <as one o, the A9en+er 2ilots&

6hen the aircra,t arri9ed o9er Chichi ima shortl: a,ter 1 am the: 7e+an attacEin+ desi+nated tar+ets& !ush <as

the third 2ilot to di9e on the radio to<er transmitter& A,ter nosin+ o9er into a 30 de+ree di9e !ush lined u2 on the

tar+et <hen his A9en+er 2lane <as hit 7: antiaircra,t ,ire en+ul,in+ it in ,lames& Be continued unto the tar+et and

<ith his 9isi7ilit: 7linded 7: the smoEe released his 7om7s& All ,our made direct hits on the radio to<er& *l:in+

a<a: ,rom the island his 7urnin+ 2lane lost 2o<er& Be radioed his cre< "adioman Second Class ohn elane: and

+unner Fieutenant unior Grade 6illiam 6hite to Bit the silER 6antin+ to +et a ,e< more miles a<a: ,rom the

island !ush sta:ed at the controls as lon+ as he could allo<in+ "adioman ohn elane: to 7ail out onl: to die <hen

his 2arachute ,ailed to o2en& Ft+ 6illiam 6hite <ent do<n <ith the aircra,t&

6hen !ush 4um2ed o9er the side o, his aircra,t the sli2stream cau+ht his lanE: ,rame and sent it crashin+ into

the tail o, the A9en+er& Bis head +razed the star7oard ele9ator and his 2arachute sna++ed on the tail and ri22ed& 6ith

a ,e< torn 2anels the chute 2lummeted too ,ast dro22in+ !ush hard into the ocean& nl: sli+htl: 7ruised ,rom the

,all he <aited ,or ,our hours in an in,lated ra,t <hile se9eral ,i+hters circled 2rotecti9el: o9erhead until he <as

rescued 7: the li,e+uard su7marine USS *in7acE& *or the ne)t month he remained on the *in7acE and 2artici2ated

in the rescue o, other 2ilots& Se9eral other American ,l:ers on the same 7om7in+ mission <ere also shot do<n and

those ,e< <ho sur9i9ed <ere ca2tured 7: a2anese soldiers and held 2risoners on Chichi ima sland&

As the date ,or the *e7ruar: 3 %8#5 am2hi7ious in9asion on <o ima +re< closer 7om7in+ intensi,ied o9er <o

ima and near7: Chichi ima& urin+ these 7om7in+ o2erations more than one hundred American airmen <ere shot

do<n o9er and around the !onin slands 7ut American su7marines <ere a7le to rescue onl: three o, them includin+

,uture U&S& ;resident Geor+e B& 6& !ush& Most o, the others died <ith their aircra,t or succum7ed to the cold <aters

o,, <o ima and Chichi ima& nl: a ,e< <ere ca2tured and taEen to Chichi ima as ;risoners o, 6ar& 'hat 7rou+ht

a total o, nine American airmen Eno<n to ha9e 7een ca2tured& 'hen the: seemed to disa22ear ,rom the ,ace o, the

earth& 6hen the <ar <as o9er records ,rom a to2-secret militar: tri7unal <ere sealed the li9es o, ei+ht o, the nine

a9iators <ere erased and the 2arents 7rothers sisters and s<eethearts the: le,t 7ehind <ere le,t to <onder& ames

!radle: - author o, *la+s o, our *athers - set out to sol9e the almost si)t: :ear m:ster: on <hat ha22ened to the

a9iators

n his 2ursuit to ,ind the ans<ers !radle: conducted a massi9e search o, e:e-<itnesses in American and a2an

com7ed throu+h unta22ed +o9ernment archi9es containin+ classi,ied documents and ,inall: a tri2 to Chichi ima

/.



itsel, to tr: to ,ind out <hat reall: ha22ened to the ei+ht missin+ ;6s& 'he ninth a9iator <as released at the <arTs

end in %8#5& Bis 2rimar: source ,or the truth Ee2t secret until little o9er a decade a+o <ere the records o, the <ar-

crimes trial o, Gen& Hoshio 'achi7ana and a2anese o,,icers in his command at Chichi ima& 'he ,ascinatin+

un7elie9a7le ,indin+s unco9ered ,rom his search are contained in his 00. 7ooE *l:7o:sK A 'rue Stor: o,

Coura+e&

n late %8#5 as 2art o, a2anese <ar crime trials a 0-man Marine ;olice *orce led 7: Col& ;resle: M& "e)es <as

s2eci,icall: detailed to 2ro7e the <herea7outs o, American 2ilots that 7ailed out o9er the slands a,ter their aircra,t

<ere disa7led durin+ 7om7in+ missions& Be disco9ered <hat he <as looEin+ ,or in the records o, General Hoshio

'achi7ana <ar crime trial in %8#/& nternational ournal o, Na9al Bistor: also hel2ed com2lete the details on <hat

ha22ened to the ei+ht missin+ a9iators&

Accordin+ to the in9esti+ation 7: mid-%8#5 due to the Allied na9al 7locEade a2anese troo2s on Chichi ima

ran lo< on su22lies and <ere star9in+ so 'achi7anaTs senior sta,, turned to canni7alism& n Au+ust %8## and

*e7ruar:>March %8#5 in <hat came to 7e Eno<n later as the +asa<ara ncident 'achi7ana - a notorious sadistic

alcoholic commander - issued an order that all American 2risoners o, <ar (do<ned a9iators 7e Eilled& Ft& Col&

JiEu4ima and Ca2t& No7oru NaEa4ima clu77ed 7a:oneted 7eheaded and mutilated the ei+ht American airmen& Not

onl: the ones <ho 7ailed out o9er the island 7ut those <ho landed o,,shore and <ere 2icEed u2 7: a2anese 2atrol

7oats& ;er an account in 'ime Ma+azine t<o o, the 2risoners <ere 7eheaded in a 2u7lic ceremon: and their li9ers

immediatel: cut ,rom their 7odies roasted and ser9ed as an a22etizer to 9isitin+ Senior a2anese Na9: ,,icer

durin+ a SuEi:aEi 2art:& 'he a2anese Na9: o,,icers su7seLuentl: reci2rocated 7: hostin+ a 2art: <here the:

7utchered and ser9ed their o<n American ;6Ts& ther 2arts o, the airmenTs 7odies <ere 7oiled as meat ,or ste<&

'he names o, the ei+ht a9iators e)ecuted <ereK

• Na9: A9iation "adioman imm: :e ,rom Mount 2hraim Ne< erse:

• Na9: ;ilot *lo:d Ball ,rom Sedalia Missouri

• Na9: A9iation "adioman Mar9e Mershon ,rom Fos An+eles Cali,ornia

• Marine ;ilot 6arren arl au+hn ,rom Childress 'e)as

• Na9: A9iation "adioman icE 6oellho, ,rom Cla: Center Jansas

• A9iation Gunners Grad: HorE ,rom acEson9ille *lorida

• Na9: A9iation Gunner Glenn *razier ,rom Athol Jansas

•

Na9: ;ilot 6arren Bindenlan+ o, *o)7oro Massachusetts&

'he ninth a9iator Na9: ;ilot 6illiam F& Connell ,rom Seattle 6ashin+ton <as held as a ;risoner o, 6ar until

the end o, hostilities in Se2tem7er %8#5& n %8#. 30 a2anese soldiers <ere court-martialed on Guam on char+es

o, e)ecutin+ 2risoners& Bo<e9er as canni7alism <as not co9ered under international la< at the time Gen&

'achi7ana Ma4or Sueo Mato7a Admiral Junzio Mori and Ca2t& Hoshii <ere char+ed <ith 2re9ention o, honora7le

7urial& 'he ,our 2lus a ,i,th o,,icer <ere ,ound +uilt: and sentenced to death 7: han+in+& All o, the enlisted men

<ere released <ithin ei+ht :ears&

'he e)ecution and canni7alism o, American ;6s at Chichi ima <as not an isolated incident& Man: <ritten

re2orts and testimonies collected 7: tri7unals indicate that a2anese 2ersonnel in man: 2arts o, Asia and the ;aci,ic

committed acts o, canni7alism a+ainst Allied 2risoners o, <ar& n man: cases this <as ins2ired 7: e9er-increasin+

Allied attacEs on a2anese su22l: lines and the death and illness o, a2anese as a result o, hun+er& Accordin+ to

historian HuEi 'anaEa Canni7alism <as o,ten a s:stematic acti9it: conducted 7: <hole sLuads and under thecommand o, o,,icers& ;erha2s the most interestin+ detail a7out the e)ecution and canni7alization o, the ei+ht

a9iators <as the ,act that Geor+e B&6& !ush narro<l: esca2ed the same destin:& !ut <hat i, he hadnTtP ne)ora7l:

the histor: o, AmericaTs 2residential and ,orei+n 2olic: <ould ha9e 7een dramaticall: di,,erent& [SourceK 'o+ether

6e Ser9ed @ is2atches @ A2ril 0%5 ]


//



WWII Ad<%rti,in" ► RCA


)?)ay ^ Ti.% to Ju./

Ti.% to 'u./ at .idni"t &%ind %n%.y $in%, /rior to &%a# $andin",


/1



WWII !r%;ar E<%nt, 1>1 o%&&%$, W%ddin" ;=B%,t Man Hit$%r

Jo,%/ and Ma"da o%&&%$, on t%ir ;%ddin" day* B%,t .an? Ado$8 Hit$%r K1>1


WWII !o,tWar E<%nt, 1>46 B%$,%n Con#%ntration Ca./ C%.%t%ry

T% n%; #%.%t%ry at B%$,%n: %r.any on Mar# 29: 1>46: ;%r% 1:000 /%o/$% ;o di%d a8t%r B%$,%n Con#%ntration

Ca./ ;a, $i&%rat%d ar% &uri%d*


S/ani, A.%ri#an War I.a"%, 90 Ca./ M#Ca$$a Jun% 19>9

/8



T% Fir,t Marin% Batta$ion KUnit%d Stat%,: #o..and%d &y Li%ut%nant Co$on%$ Ro&%rt W* Huntin"ton: $and%d on t%

%a,t%rn ,id% o8 uantna.o Bay: Cu&a on 10 Jun% 19>9* T% n%7t day: an A.%ri#an 8$a" ;a, oi,t%d a&o<% Ca./

M#Ca$$a ;%r% it 8$%; durin" t% n%7t %$%<%n day,*


WWI in !oto, 14 %r.an A@+ tan, D 1>19

W%,t%rn Front: %r.an A@+ tan, dri<% trou" a <i$$a"% n%ar R%i., in 1>19*


Fa#%, o8 WAR KWWII I in Ro.%: Ita$y May 2:1>44

10



A.%ri#an ,o$di%r tain" a .%a$ &r%a durin" t% dri<% to;ard, Ro.%: WWII* Ita$y May 2:1>44


o,t, o8 Ti.% T%n No; !oto, o8 WWII SITES K0@


1%



Mi$itary Hi,tory Anni<%r,ari%, 0% thru %5 an

Si+ni,icant e9ents in U&S& Militar: Bistor: o9er the ne)t %5 da:s are listed in the attachment to this !ulletin titled

Mi$itary Hi,tory Anni<%r,ari%, 01 tru 15 JanQ*

( H%a$t Car% (

TRICARE )ura&$% M%di#a$ Eui/.%nt ^ Co<%ra"% Li.itation,

'"CA" co9ers dura7le medical eLui2ment (M <hen 2rescri7ed 7: a 2h:sician& M is de,ined as an item

that can withstand repeated use; 2rimaril: and customaril: ser9es a medical 2ur2oseV and +enerall: is not

use,ul to an indi9idual in the a7sence o, an in4ur: or illness& '"CA" co9ers M thatK

• m2ro9es restores or maintains the ,unction o, a mal,ormed diseased or in4ured 7od: 2art or can

other<ise minimize or 2re9ent the deterioration o, the 2atientTs ,unction or condition

• Ma)imizes the 2atientTs ,unction consistent <ith the 2atientTs 2h:siolo+ical or medical needs

• ;ro9ides the medicall: a22ro2riate le9el o, 2er,ormance and Lualit: ,or the medical condition 2resent

• s not other<ise e)cluded 7: the re+ulation and 2olic:

M ma: 7e rented or 2urchased& Bo<e9er :our re+ional contractor <ill decide i, a M should 7e rented or

2urchased 7ased on <hether it is more economical and a22ro2riate& '"CA" also co9ersK

• Medicall: necessar: customization or attachments to the M to accommodate :our medical disa7ilit:<hen :our 2h:sician has 2rescri7ed the eLui2ment as medicall: necessar: and a22ro2riate&

• Medicall: necessar: co9ered accessories and attachments to a M necessar: to maEe the M

Xser9icea7leY ,or a 2articular disa7ilit:& *or e)am2le a car li,t that is an accessor: to a <heelchair&

• "e2airs to eLui2ment that :ou o<n <hen needed to maEe the item ser9icea7le&

• "e2lacement o, M that :ou o<n <henK

'hereTs a chan+e in :our 2h:sical condition'hereTs accidental dama+e to the M or 'he M is ino2erati9e and canTt 7e re2aired or 'he U&S& *ood and ru+ Administration ha9e declared the M adulterated&

• u2licate items (those that ser9e the same 2ur2ose 7ut ma: not 7e an e)act du2licate such as a 2orta7le

o):+en concentrator as a 7acEu2 ,or a stationar: o):+en +enerator that are essential to 2ro9ide a ,ail-sa,ein-home li,e-su22ort s:stem&

'"CA" ma: co9erK

• lectric-2o<ered cart-t:2e 9ehicles as an alternate to an electric <heelchair&

• !ene,its <ill not 7e e)tended ,or the use o, 7oth an electric-2o<ered cart-t:2e 9ehicle&

'"CA" doesnTt co9erK

1



• M ,or a 7ene,iciar: <ho is a 2atient in a t:2e o, ,acilit: that ordinaril: 2ro9ides the same t:2e o, M

item to its 2atients at no additional char+e in the usual course o, 2ro9idin+ its ser9ices is e)cluded&

• M a9aila7le to the 7ene,iciar: ,rom a militar: hos2ital or clinic

• M <ith delu)e lu)ur: or immaterial ,eatures <hich increase the cost o, the item to the +o9ernment

relati9e to similar item <ithout those ,eatures&

• "outine 2eriodic ser9icin+ such as testin+ cleanin+ re+ulatin+ and checEin+ <hich the manu,acturer

doesnTt reLuire 7e 2er,ormed 7: an authorized technician&

• u2licate items o, other<ise allo<a7le M to 7e used solel: as a 7acE-u2 to currentl: o<ned or rented

eLui2ment&

• )2enda7le items such as incontinent 2ads dia2ers ace 7anda+es etc&

• Non-medical eLui2ment (e&+& humidi,ier electric air cleaners e)erc:cle sa,et: +ra7 7ars etc&&

[SourceK htt2K>><<<&tricare&mil>M @ ecem7er 0 0%5 ]


Tri#ar% Auti,. Car% U/dat% 15 ^ F%% Cut, o8 U/ to 15 in 2016

6hen '"CA" this month announced cuts o, u2 to %5 2ercent ne)t :ear in ,ees ,or a22lied 7eha9ior anal:sis

(A!A thera2: o, children <ith autism some A!A 7usinesses in res2ondin+ to an online sur9e: said the: <ould

sto2 treatin+ '"CA" clients& Most res2ondents ho<e9er said the: need more time to assess ho< the reduced

rates <ould a,,ect their ser9ices& Mar: Ja:e ustis director o, the '"CA" Bealth ;lan said she doesnTt e)2ect

the ,ee cuts to cause a si+ni,icant shi,t o, 2ro9iders ,or the %0500 militar: children recei9in+ A!A ser9ices&

'"CA" reim7ursements still <ill 7e hi+her than o,,ered 7: most commercial health insurance 2lans she said&

6e <ill continue to 7e a 9er: reasona7le 2a:er ustis said& 6e ma: not 7e the 7est 2a:er in the countr: 7ut <e

certainl: ha9e the most com2rehensi9e 7ene,it&

A!A thera2ists <orE <ith children o,ten in their homes to increase or decrease tar+eted 7eha9iors and to hel2

them acLuire lan+ua+e dail: li9in+ or 2la: sEills& t also can in9ol9e intensi9e 7eha9ioral inter9entions& '"CA"

co9era+e o, A!A thera2: has 7een amon+ the 7est in the countr: <ith no a+e limits on children treated and no ca2s

on total '"CA" costs 2er ,amil:& '"CA" has 7een reim7ursin+ ,or A!A thera2: at $%5 an hour ,or 2ro9iders

<ith doctorate or master de+rees $/5 ,or those <ith 7achelor de+rees and $50 ,or technicians <ith hi+h school

di2lomas and A!A trainin+& Ne)t A2ril ne< national '"CA" rates <ill 7e $%%# ,or ;hs $%0/ ,or masters

de+rees $./ ,or 7achelor de+rees and $#0 2er hour ,or technicians& Actual rates could 7e hi+her or lo<er 7ased on

local li9in+ costs& !ut the ,irst :ear decline in A!A ,ees an:<here <ill not e)ceed %5 2ercent&

'"CA" decided to ad4ust rates a,ter disco9erin+ it routinel: 2aid more than commercial insurance 2lans& t

learned this a,ter the American Medical Association in ul: 0%# ado2ted Current ;rocedure 'erminolo+: (C;'

codes ,or 9arious A!A ser9ices <hich allo<ed 7etter 9isi7ilit: on e)actl: <hat 2rocedures are 7ein+ done and <ho

is doin+ them& 'he education le9el o, 2ro9iders is Ee: to settin+ a22ro2riate ,ees ustis said& 6e <ill looE at <hat

Eind o, thera2: and ser9ices are 2ro9ided ensure [the:] are reall: connected to the treatment 2lan and needs o, the

indi9idual child and <hat 7est su22orts the ,amil: ustis said& '"CA" had discussed ,ees <ith +rou2s

re2resentin+ 7ene,iciaries and 2ro9iders and also re9ie<ed t<o e)ternal studies on A!A ,ees nationall:& 6hat <e

,ound&&&is that in man: cases <e <ere 2a:in+ su7stantiall: more than either Medicaid or commercial 2lans ustis

said& 79iousl: <e <ant to 2a: a reasona7le amount&&&to ensure our ,amilies ha9e access to ser9ices& !ut <e also

<ant to 7e +ood ste<ards and not o9er2a:&

'"CA" t:2icall: sets care reim7ursements com2ara7le to <hat Medicare allo<s& !ut Medicare doesnTt co9er

A!A thera2: so in resettin+ these rates '"CA" tooE <hat Medicaid 2a:s and added 0 2ercent& nl: #0 2ercent

o, .000 militar: children <ith autism s2ectrum disorder are usin+ A!A ser9ices 7ut that 2ro2ortion is e)2ected to

13

http://www.tricare.mil/DME

http://www.tricare.mil/DME



rise& Most o, those <ho do are acti9e dut: ,amil: mem7ers& A7out %500 are children o, retirees& '"CA"

s2endin+ on A!A ser9ices dou7led o9er a recent three-:ear 2eriod ,rom $1# million in 0%% to $%.3&# million in

0%#& Some A!A ser9ices reLuire that 2ro9iders ha9e ad9ance de+rees in 7eha9ioral anal:sis& thers need onl:

7achelor de+rees or technicians <ith some sEill trainin+& State and 2ro,essional or+anizations endorse and set

standards ,or this tiered model o, thera2:& *or e)am2le technicians usuall: are allo<ed to 2ro9ide ,i9e or %0

hours o, unsu2er9ised thera2: ,or e9er: hour the: must <orE <ith an ad9anced de+ree thera2ist su2er9isin+& n this

<a: A!A 7usinesses contend the: can hire lar+er sta,,s hea9: on lo<er-2aid technicians and 2ro9ide more

ser9ices to more 2atients&

Me+an Miller a thera2ist <ith a ;h <ho co-o<ns Na9i+ation !eha9ioral Consultin+ an A!A 7usiness in

ir+inia !each a& said 10 2ercent o, her clients are militar: children& Current '"CA" rates she said su22ort

tiered ser9ices 7ecause current ad9ance de+ree 2ro9ider ,ees are su,,icient to co9er hours <hen 7oth a su2er9isor

and technician 2ro9ide care& !ecause '"CA" 2a:s ,or onl: one 2ro9ider at a time the <orr: ,or some 7usinesses

is that lo<ered ,ees <onTt su22ort the tiered model ,orcin+ them to use onl: ad9ance de+ree thera2ists and not

technicians <ho canTt al<a:s <orE alone& 9erall a9aila7ilit: o, ser9ices could ,all Miller said&

n ecem7er % the da: '"CA" announced 2lans ,or cuttin+ A!A reim7ursements Miller launched an online

email sur9e: o, 7usinesses that are 2art o, the !eha9ior Anal:sis Ad9ocac: Net<orE& t asEed ho< the lo<ered ,ees

<ould im2act ser9ices to their '"CA" 7ene,iciaries& 6ithin a <eeE more than %00 7usinesses res2onded& Si) 2redicted no im2act& Se9ent: said the: <ere still determinin+ the a,,ect& !ut %3 7usinesses said the: no lon+er

<ould 2ro9ide ser9ices to '"CA" ,amilies im2actin+ 350 children& i+ht other com2anies said ,ee cuts

2otentiall: <ould im2act '"CA" clients onl: in certain locales 2erha2s ,orcin+ u2 to 500 current clients to +o

else<here ,or A!A ser9ices& Miller and ustis in se2arate inter9ie<s a+reed on one critical 2ointK '"CA" has

7uilt e,,ecti9e channels o, communication 7oth <ith 2ro9iders o, A!A thera2: and <ith ad9ocac: +rou2s ,or

children <ith autism& 6hen the: ,irst started out it didnTt +o that smoothl: Miller said& !ut o9er the 2ast t<o

:ears the:T9e reall: <orEed <ith us&

ustis said '"CA" <ould monitor the im2act o, ne< rates closel:& 'hat 9o< to 7e 9i+ilant is e)actl: <hatTs

needed Miller said& Ber 7usiness doesnTt 2lan to dro2 an: militar: children 7ut <ill ha9e to maEe internal

chan+es in li+ht o, the lo<ered rates& t is un,ortunate <e need to modi,: <hat <eT9e doin+ and that ,undin+ <ill

7e di,,erent Miller said& !ut <e should all Eee2 <orEin+ to+ether to maEe sure 7ene,iciaries +et the ser9ices the:need& And '"CA" she added needs to continue to listen and reall: acce2t ,eed7acE ,rom 2ro9iders and

7ene,iciaries a7out ho< this is im2actin+ them& tTs +reat to sa: <hat :ou thinE <ill ha22en& !ut listen to the 2eo2le

tellin+ :ou <hat reall: is ha22enin+& [SourceK Militar:&com @ 'om ;hil2ott @ ecem7er 3 0%5 ]


Tri#ar% !ar.a#y Co/ay U/dat% 16 ^ Can"% F%&ruary 1: 2016

Militar: 2harmacies and '"CA" ;harmac: Bome eli9er: <ill remain the lo<est cost 2harmac: o2tion ,or

'"CA" 7ene,iciaries <hen some '"CA" 2harmac: co2a:s chan+e in 0%.& n *e7 % 0%. most co2a:s ,or

2rescri2tion dru+s at Bome eli9er: and retail net<orE 2harmacies <ill increase sli+htl:& 'he 0%. National

e,ense Authorization Act (NAA reLuires '"CA" to chan+e its 2rescri2tion co2a:s& All dru+s at militar:

2harmacies and +eneric dru+s throu+h Bome eli9er: are still a9aila7le at no cost to 7ene,iciaries& Co2a:s ,or

7rand name dru+s throu+h Bome eli9er: increase ,rom $%. to $0 ,or u2 to a 80-da: su22l:& At retail 2harmacies

+eneric dru+ co2a:s +o ,rom $1 to $%0 and 7rand name dru+ co2a:s +o ,rom $0 to $# dollars ,or u2 to a 30-da:

su22l:& Co2a:s ,or non-,ormular: dru+s and ,or dru+s at non-net<orE 2harmacies <ill also chan+e&

!ene,iciaries can sa9e u2 to $01 in 0%. ,or each 7rand name 2rescri2tion dru+ the: s<itch ,rom retail

2harmac: to Bome eli9er:& Bome eli9er: o,,ers sa,e and con9enient deli9er: o, :our 2rescri2tion dru+s ri+ht to

:our mail7o)& 'o see the ne< '"CA" 2harmac: co2a:s learn more a7out the '"CA" ;harmac: 7ene,it or

1#



mo9e :our 2rescri2tion to Bome eli9er: 9isit <<<&tricare&mil>2harmac:& [SourceK '"CA" Ne<s "elease @

ecem7er 30 0%5 ]


+%t Or"an )onation Ar.y Sta88 S"t* Matt%; Wa$%n

A,ter Arm: Sta,, S+t& Matthe< 6halen su,,ered a 7rain hemorrha+e ,rom <hich he <ould not reco9er his li,e o,

sacri,ice and ser9ice continued a,ter death& n 0 C 6halen su,,ered a s2oradic su7arachnoid 7rain 7leed and

the ,ollo<in+ da: his ,amil: made the decision to taEe him o,, li,e su22ort so his or+ans could 7e donated to t<o

sa9e the li9es o, t<o other 9eterans re2orts *o) Ne<s& An honor +uard o, more than %00 current and ,ormer ser9ice

mem7ers <ho ser9ed alon+side 6halen durin+ his de2lo:ments to raL and A,+hanistan +athered to sa: their

+ood7:es at ;laza Medical Center in *ort 6orth 'e)as& X'hat?s <hat Matt deser9edY said his <i,e Bannah o, the

ceremon:& XBe <as a ,our-time com7at 9eteran& Be <as an e)ce2tionall: lo9in+ dad& 'hat ceremon: that the:

did he deser9ed that reco+nition&Y t can 7e 9ie<ed at htt2K>>tasEand2ur2ose&com>,ormer-soldier-recei9es-emotional-

,inal-salute-7e,ore-donatin+-his-or+ans-to--9ets>&

Hanna Mat%; Wa$%n

Bannah <as 6halen?s medic durin+ his second tour in A,+hanistan and the: married in *e7ruar: 0%

accordin+ to 'oda:&com& Sean Batton a close ,riend o, 6halen?s u2loaded a 9ideo o, the som7er salute to

*ace7ooE at the reLuest o, 6halen?s <i,e& Since the 9ideo <as 2osted on ec& % it has reached more than %0

million 9ie<s and has 7een shared more than 3.000 times& Xn his ,inal act on this arth it?s onl: ,ittin+ that he

+a9e his li,e and in return sa9ed t<o othersY Batton <rote on the *ace7ooE 2ost& XAnd it?s almost as i, it <ere

meant to 7e that the t<o donor reci2ients ha22ened to 7e 9eterans&Y 6halen <as 35 and is sur9i9ed 7: his <i,e

Bannah and their three children& !oth Bannah and 6halen ser9ed <ith nd !ri+ade Com7at 'eam %0%st Air7ornei9ision& A Go*undMe 2a+e at htt2sK>><<<&+o,undme&com>Matthe<<halen-com <as set u2 7: !randon !ledsoe to

hel2 6halen?s <i,e and children deal <ith e)2enses sur2assed its +oal o, $50000 in si) da:s reachin+ nearl:

$/3000& [SourceK 'asE I ;ur2ose @ ames ClarE @ ecem7er 8 0%5 ]


TRICARE Catara#t Co<%ra"% ^ On% o8 t% Mo,t Co..on O/%ration,

Cataract remo9al is one o, the most common o2erations 2er,ormed in the United States& Accordin+ to the National

:e nstitute it also is one o, the sa,est and most e,,ecti9e t:2es o, sur+er:& n a7out 80 2ercent o, cases 2eo2le <ho

ha9e cataract sur+er: ha9e 7etter 9ision a,ter<ard& '"CA" co9ers cataract sur+er: and related su22lies andser9ices& More s2eci,icall: '"CA" co9ers the standard intraocular lens (F a ,i)ed lens desi+ned to tar+et

9ision at a sin+le ,ocal 2oint& urin+ cataract sur+er: the natural clouded lens is remo9ed and then re2laced 7: an

F to 7ecome a 2ermanent 2art o, :our e:e& 'his 2ro9ides +ood distance 9ision 7ut 2atients t:2icall: need +lasses

,or near and intermediate tasEs such as readin+ and com2uter use& '"CA" also co9ers one 2air o, e:e+lasses or

contact lenses as a 2rosthetic de9ice a,ter each medicall: necessar: cataract sur+er: <here an F is inserted& , :ou

<ould liEe a non-standard F instead o, a standard mono,ocal F :ou <ill 7e res2onsi7le ,or the di,,erence in the

char+es& *or more in,ormation a7out :our co9ered 9ision ser9ices contact :our re+ional contractor at

htt2K>><<<&tricare&mil>ContactUs>CallUs&as2)or 9isit the :e Sur+er: and 'reatment 2a+e on the '"CA" <e7site

15

http://www.tricare.mil/pharmacy


http://taskandpurpose.com/former-soldier-receives-emotional-final-salute-before-donating-his-organs-to-2-vets/


https://www.gofundme.com/Matthewwhalen-com

http://www.tricare.mil/ContactUs/CallUs.aspx




https://www.gofundme.com/Matthewwhalen-com

http://www.tricare.mil/ContactUs/CallUs.aspx



htt2K>><<<&tricare&mil>Co9eredSer9ices>stCo9ered>:eSur+er:'reatment&as2)& [SourceK 'ricare Communications @

ecem7er 8 0%5 ]


TRICARE !ro<id%r A<ai$a&i$ity U/dat% 05 ^ B%;ar% Non?C%rti8i%d

, 2atients recei9e medical care ,rom a non-certi,ied 2ro9ider '"CA" <ill not 2a:& , the: +et care in a certi,ied

hos2ital ,rom a non-certi,ied 2ro9ider '"CA" <ill not 2a:& , the: recei9e care ,rom a non-certi,ied 2ro9ider

the: <ill need a <ai9er letter ,rom the 2ro9ider& !U' i, the 2ro9ider does not 7ecome certi,ied '"CA" <ill not

2a:& , a 2ro9ider sa:s that the: are '"CA" certi,ied the 2atient needs to +et somethin+ in <ritin+ 2ro9in+ that

the 2ro9ider is trul: certi,ied& ther<ise '"CA" <ill not 2a:& A lot o, 2atients are losin+ mone: 7ecause o, these

issues& , the: use a non-certi,ied 2ro9ider it must 7e 7ecause there are no other 2ro9iders a9aila7le (and '"CA"

still ma: not 2a:& , a 2atient uses a certi,ied 2ro9ider and the: 2a: u2,ront '"CA" <ill not 2a:& 'he certi,ied

2ro9ider is e)2ected to ,ile a claim to '"CA"& *or in,ormation a7out chan+es to '"CA"?s 2harmac: 7ene,it

9isit <<<&tricare&mil>")Ne<"ules& [SourceK *6 ;ost 818 @ Ser9ice ,,icer @ ecem7er %5 0%5 ]

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((

TRICARE !ar.a#y E.%r"%n#y !ro#%dur%, Stor. o$iat

'he +o9ernors o, Missouri Ala7ama Ne< Me)ico and 'e)as ha9e declared a State o, mer+enc: ,or all ,our states

(the entire states due to Storm Goliath& m2acted Areas include all counties in the states o, Missouri Ala7ama

Ne< Me)ico and 'e)as& mer+enc: 2rescri2tion re,ill 2rocedures are in 2lace ,rom ecem7er 1 0%5 throu+h

anuar: / 0%.& 'o +et an emer+enc: re,ill taEe :our 2rescri2tion 7ottle to an: '"CA" retail net<orE

2harmac:& 'o ,ind a net<orE 2harmac:K

• Call )2ress Scri2ts at %-1//-3.3-%303

• Search htt2sK>><<<&e)2ress-scri2ts&com>'"CA">2harmac:>,ind2harmac:&shtml the net<orE 2harmac:

locator

, 2ossi7le 9isit the 2harmac: <here the 2rescri2tion <as ,illed&

• , :ou use a retail chain :ou can ,ill :our 2rescri2tion at another store in that chain&

• Hou can reLuest assistance at another 2harmac: 7ut itTs at that 2harmac:Ts discretion to hel2 :ou&

[SourceK 'CA" Communications @ ecem7er 8 0%5 ]


TRICARE H%$/ A 15121

Ba9e a Luestion on ho< '"CA" a22lies to :our 2ersonal situationP 6rite to 'ricare Bel2 'imes Ne<s Ser9ice

.113 Commercial ri9e S2rin+,ield A %58V or tricarehel2_militar:times&com& n e-mail include the <ordX'ricareY in the su74ect line and do not attach ,iles& n,ormation on all 'ricare o2tions to include linEs to Band7ooEs

,or the 9arious o2tions can 7e ,ound on the o,,icial 'ricare <e7site at this <e7 addressK

htt2K>><<<&tricare&mil>;lans>Bealth;lans&as2) or :ou can :our re+ional contractor& *ollo<in+ are some o, the issues

addressed in recent <eeEs 7: these sourcesK

1.

http://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/EyeSurgeryTreatment.aspx

http://www.tricare.mil/RxNewRules

https://www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE/pharmacy/findpharmacy.shtml





http://www.tricare.mil/Plans/HealthPlans.aspx

http://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/EyeSurgeryTreatment.aspx

http://www.tricare.mil/RxNewRules



http://www.tricare.mil/Plans/HealthPlans.aspx



K M: hus7and is in the 2rocess o, enlistin+& 6e 4ust ,ound out ?m 2re+nant& 6ill 'ricare co9er the 2re+nanc:once he +oes to 7asic trainin+P

A* A7solutel:& 'ricare 2laces no restrictions on co9era+e o, 2re-e)istin+ conditionsV once :ou 7ecome eli+i7le ,or

'ricare :ou?re co9ered ,or an: health ser9ices or 2rocedures that 'ricare normall: co9ers to include 2renatal care

,or alread:-2re+nant <omen& nce :our hus7and +oes on acti9e dut: all he has to do is re+ister :ou as his

de2endent in the e,ense li+i7ilit: nrollment "e2ortin+ S:stem and :ou must +et a de2endent s2ouse card&

Hou can +et +eneral in,ormation ,rom the main "S su22ort o,,ice at 100-531-855&

?o?o?O?o?o?

K ser9ed in the Marines ,or 1%f :ears and <as medicall: retired <ith a 80 2ercent disa7ilit: ratin+& ?m +ettin+

married soon& 6ill 7e a7le to +et medical co9era+e ,or m: ne< <i,eP , so <hat ste2s <ould need to taEe to

maEe that ha22enP

A* , :ou recei9ed ,ormal medical retirement ,rom the militar: then :ou?re eli+i7le ,or all the same retirement

7ene,its as a ser9ice mem7er <ho sta:s in ,or at least 0 :ears \ to include 'ricare co9era+e ,or :ou and :our

immediate ,amil:& nce married all :ou ha9e to do is re+ister :our 7ride in "S under :our s2onsorshi2 as :our

de2endent and +et her a de2endent card& She?ll then 7e a7le to use 'ricare& Hou can en+a+e "S 7: 9isitin+

the Card>"S o,,ice on an: militar: installation& Hou can also +et +eneral in,ormation ,rom the main "S

su22ort o,,ice&

?o?o?O?o?o?

K 6hen +o to the doctor is m: militar: de2endent card also m: 2roo, o, insurance or do need a 'ricare

insurance card as <ellP

A* 'here is no 'ricare insurance card& As lon+ as :ou are 2ro2erl: re+istered as a de2endent under a militar:

s2onsor in "S :our militar: de2endent card is all :ou need <hen :ou 9isit the doctor&

?o?o?O?o?o?

K ?m a traditional drill-status National Guardsman& n m: ci9ilian li,e ?m a ,ederal em2lo:ee ,or the nterior

e2artment& Am eli+i7le ,or 'ricare "eser9e SelectP

A* Un,ortunatel: an:one <ho has access to the *ederal m2lo:ee Bealth !ene,its 2ro+ram cannot use 'ricare

"eser9e Select& t doesn?t matter <hether :ou?re actuall: enrolled in the *B!V i, :ou?re e9en eli+i7le ,or it '"S is

not an o2tion& More details on '"S and its eli+i7ilit: rules are at <<<&tricare&mil>trs&

?o?o?O?o?o?

K n a res2onse to a 'ricare Bel2 Luestion a <hile 7acE :ou used the 2hrase X, :ou?re <illin+ to 2a: the

Medicare ;art ! monthl: 2remium &&&Y As a retired Arm: "eser9e o,,icer <ith a retired Arm: "eser9e <i,e 7oth o,

us o9er a+e .5 our understandin+ is that :ou must 2a: the ;art ! 2remium to 7e eli+i7le ,or '*F& s that not the

caseP Hou also mentioned that a 7ene,iciar: could use a third insurance 2lan such as Bumana i, :ou 2a: the ;art !

2remium& , m: <i,e and <ere to +o that route \ ha9in+ co9era+e ,rom Medicare '*F and Bumana \ <hich

<ould 7e the 2rimar: co9era+eP Could <e choose Medicare as 2rimar: and Bumana as secondar:P

1/



A& n :our ,irst Luestion a7out ;art ! :ou are correct \ :ou cannot use 'ricare ,or Fi,e i, :ou do not si+n u2 ,or

Medicare ;art ! out2atient insurance& 'hat said no one is ,orced 7: la< to si+n u2 ,or Medicare ;art !& Also <orth

notin+K !ene,iciaries <ho are no lon+er <orEin+ at a+e .5 and <ho do not si+n u2 ,or ;art ! <hen the: ,irst 7ecome

eli+i7le 7ut decide the: <ant to si+n u2 later liEel: <ill ,ace a Xlate enrollmentY 2enalt: eLual to a7out %0 2ercent

o, the ;art ! 2remium ,or each :ear the: could ha9e si+ned u2 7ut ,or <hate9er reason did not&

Hour second Luestion is reall: a Medicare issue not a 'ricare issue& 6hen Medicare and other health insuranceare 7oth in the 2icture either ma: 7e considered the X2rimar: 2a:erY 7ased on Xcoordination o, 7ene,itsY rules that

in turn de2end on a num7er o, 9aria7les& ne o, the 7i++est such 9aria7les is <hether the 7ene,iciar: intends to

continue <orEin+ 2ast a+e .5 and has access to em2lo:er-2ro9ided +rou2 health 2lan co9era+e& n those situations

the num7er o, com2an: em2lo:ees can determine <hether Medicare or the em2lo:er-2ro9ided B 2a:s ,irst& , the

other insurance is +rou2 co9era+e and the com2an: has 0 or more em2lo:ees the +rou2 2lan +enerall: 2a:s ,irst

Medicare second& !ut i, the com2an: has less than 0 em2lo:ees Medicare +enerall: 2a:s ,irst the em2lo:er

co9era+e second& 'hat?s onl: one o, man: 2otential 9aria7les that can come into 2la:& Hes it can +et con,usin+&

!elo< are t<o online sources ,or more in,ormation on :our Luestion& 'he ,irst linE is to a Medicare 6e7 2a+e that?s

a 7asic 2rimer on <ho 2a:s ,irst <hile the second linE is another Medicare <e7 2a+e that +oes into a 7it more detail

<ith in,ormation tailored to 9arious 7ene,iciar: scenariosK

• <<<&militar:times&com>medicare-other

• <<<&militar:times&com>medicare-<ho2a:s

, :ou?d 2re,er to s2eaE <ith a li9e human a7out the a7o9e as it relates to :our o<n circumstances :ou can call

Medicare?s !ene,its Coordination I "eco9er: Center at 155-/81-./& 'he one unaltera7le constant in the a7o9e

discussion is that 'ricare 7: la< is al<a:s last 2a:er to an: and all other health insurance co9era+e&

?o?o?O?o?o?

Ba9e a Luestion ,or the '"CA" Bel2 column& Send it to tricarehel2_militar:times&com and include the <ord

X'ricareY in the su74ect line& o not attach ,iles& [SourceK Militar:'imes @ %. thru 3% ec 0%5 ]

( Finan#%, (

ISIS War Surta7 S%n* Cri, Coon, !ro/o,a$

Sen& Chris Coons (- is 2ro2osin+ a tem2orar: surta) to 2a: ,or the <ar a+ainst the slamic State in raL and

S:ria (SS& n an o2-ed Sunda: in 'he ;hiladel2hia nLuirer Coons criticized Con+ress ,or not 2a:in+ ,or the <ar&

'he latest ;enta+on statistics sho< that as o, 30 N the U&S& has s2ent nearl: $5&# 7illion on the <ar since Au+ust

0%# and the a9era+e dail: cost is $%% million& ne <a: to o,,set risin+ costs <hile allo<in+ all Americans to

contri7ute is a tem2orar: <ar surta) that includes an e)em2tion ,or our troo2s and their ,amilies Coons <rote& As

<e 2ursue our +oal o, Tde+radin+ and destro:in+T SS <e cannot <rite another 7lanE checE ,or <ar said Coons a

mem7er o, the *orei+n "elations Committee&

Coons said Con+ress has taEen ste2s to 2a: ,or e9er: ma4or con,lict o,ten throu+h ne< ta)es since the 6ar o,

%1%& 'hat 2ractice ended <ith the 2ost-8>%% <ars in raL and A,+hanistan he said& 'he raL 6ar <ould e9entuall:

cost $%&.# trillion and the A,+hanistan 6ar $/%5 7illion& Coons said those costs <ould include an additional $.

11

http://www.militarytimes.com/medicare-other

http://www.militarytimes.com/medicare-whopays




http://www.militarytimes.com/medicare-other

http://www.militarytimes.com/medicare-whopays




trillion i, lon+-term care ,or in4ured 9eterans <ere ,actored in& ;a:in+ ,or the <ars <e ,i+ht is a matter o,

con+ressional res2onsi7ilit: and national securit: he said& A lar+e national de7t <eaEens our a7ilit: to res2ond to

+lo7al threats undermines our ,iscal 2osition and limits our di2lomatic ,le)i7ilit:&

Be also ar+ued that de7t ,rom the <ar <ould also disad9anta+e ,uture +enerations and that it <as a moral

res2onsi7ilit: to share the 7urden o, the <ar <ith those <ho are sent to ,i+ht it& 6hen <e 2a: ,or our <ars <ith a

credit card and <hen the 2ain o, <ar is ,elt onl: 7: our troo2s and their ,amilies it is ,ar too eas: ,or our nationTsleaders to send soldiers into harmTs <a: <ithout a national con9ersation a7out the merits o, our in9ol9ement and ,ar

too eas: ,or those con,licts to dra+ on he said& Coons also ar+ued Con+ress should de7ate the <ar and 9ote to

authorize it& A 2ro2er national de7ate o, the anti-SS con,lict <ill demand that Con+ress and the American 2eo2le

7etter understand the human cost o, the <ar too he added& 6e should not declare <ar toda: onl: to declare

7anEru2tc: tomorro< Coons said& [SourceK 'he Bill @ Jristina 6on+ @ ecem7er 1 0%5]


F$ood In,uran#% Wat i,=i, not Co<%r%d

I./ortant 8a#t, a&out your /o$i#y*

%& Contents co9era+e must 7e 2urchased se2aratel:& & t is not a 9alued 2olic:&

3& t is not a +uaranteed re2lacement cost 2olic:&

#& 6hile :ou are not e)2ected to Eee2 recei2ts ,or e9er: household item and article o, clothin+ do tr: to Eee2

recei2ts ,or electronic eLui2ment <all-to-<all car2etin+ ma4or a22liances and other hi+her-cost items& Hour

ad4uster <ill 7e a7le to 2rocess :our claim more LuicEl: <hen :ou can 2ro9e ho< much items cost at the time o,

2urchase& Also Eee2 recei2ts ,or an: re2airs made <ith a ,lood insurance settlement&

!ro/%rty #o<%ra"%* ;h:sical dama+e to :our 7uildin+ or 2ersonal 2ro2ert: Xdirectl:Y caused 7: a ,lood is co9ered

7: :our ,lood insurance 2olic:& *or e)am2le dama+es caused 7: a se<er 7acEu2 are co9ered i, the 7acEu2 is a

direct result o, ,loodin+& , the 7acEu2 is caused 7: some other 2ro7lem the dama+es are not co9ered& 'he ,ollo<in+

2ro9ides +eneral +uidance on items co9ered and not co9ered 7: ,lood insurance&

Wat i, in,ur%d und%r Bui$din" !ro/%rty #o<%ra"%

• 'he insured 7uildin+ and its ,oundation&

• 'he electrical and 2lum7in+ s:stems&

• Central air-conditionin+ eLui2ment ,urnaces and <ater heaters&

• "e,ri+erators cooEin+ sto9es and 7uilt-in a22liances such as dish<ashers&

• ;ermanentl: installed car2etin+ o9er an un,inished ,loor&

• ;ermanentl: installed 2anelin+ <all7oard 7ooEcases and ca7inets&

• 6indo< 7linds&

• A detached +ara+e (u2 to %0 2ercent o, !uildin+ ;ro2ert: co9era+eV detached 7uildin+s (other than

detached +ara+es reLuire a se2arate !uildin+ ;ro2ert: 2olic:&

• e7ris remo9al&

Wat i, in,ur%d und%r !%r,ona$ !ro/%rty #o<%ra"%

• ;ersonal 7elon+in+s such as clothin+ ,urniture and electronic eLui2ment&

• Curtains&

• ;orta7le and <indo< air conditioners&

• ;orta7le micro<a9e o9ens and 2orta7le dish<ashers&

• Car2ets not included in 7uildin+ co9era+e (see a7o9e&

• Clothes <ashers and dr:ers&

• *ood ,reezers and the ,ood in them&

• Certain 9alua7le items such as ori+inal art<orE and ,urs (u2 to $500&

18



Wat i, not in,ur%d und%r %it%r Bui$din" !ro/%rty or !%r,ona$ !ro/%rty #o<%ra"%

• ama+e caused 7: moisture milde< or mold that could ha9e 7een a9oided 7: the 2ro2ert: o<ner&

• Currenc: 2recious metals and 9alua7le 2a2ers such as stocE certi,icates&

• ;ro2ert: and 7elon+in+s outside o, a 7uildin+ such as trees 2lants <ells se2tic s:stems <alEs decEs

2atios ,ences sea<alls hot tu7s and s<immin+ 2ools&

•Fi9in+ e)2enses such as tem2orar: housin+&

• *inancial losses caused 7: 7usiness interru2tion or loss o, use o, insured 2ro2ert:&

• Most sel,-2ro2elled 9ehicles such as cars includin+ their 2arts (see Section &5 in :our 2olic:&

Li.itation, in Ar%a, B%$o; t% Lo;%,t E$%<at%d F$oor and in Ba,%.%nt,

Wat i, in,ur%d und%r Bui$din" !ro/%rty #o<%ra"%

• *oundation <alls anchora+e s:stems and staircases attached to the 7uildin+&

• Central air conditioners&

• Cisterns and the <ater in them&

• r:<all ,or <alls and ceilin+s (in 7asements onl:&

• Non-,lamma7le insulation (in 7asements onl:&

• lectrical outlets s<itches and circuit-7reaEer 7o)es&• *uel tanEs and the ,uel in them solar ener+: eLui2ment and <ell <ater tanEs and 2um2s&

• *urnaces <ater heaters heat 2um2s and sum2 2um2s&

Wat i, in,ur%d und%r !%r,ona$ !ro/%rty #o<%ra"%

• 6ashers and dr:ers&

• *ood ,reezers and the ,ood in them (7ut not re,ri+erators&

• ;orta7le and <indo< air conditioners&

Wat i, not in,ur%d und%r %it%r Bui$din" !ro/%rty or !%r,ona$ !ro/%rty #o<%ra"%

• ;anelin+ 7ooEcases and <indo< treatments such as curtains and 7linds&

• Car2etin+ area car2ets and other ,loor co9erin+s such as tile&

• r:<all ,or <alls and ceilin+s (7elo< the lo<est ele9ated ,loor&

• 6alls and ceilin+s not made o, dr:<all&

• n certain cases staircases and ele9ators&

• Most 2ersonal 2ro2ert: such as clothin+ electronic eLui2ment Eitchen su22lies

[SourceK Nat *lood ns ;ro+ram *MA *-./1 @ No9 0% ]


COLA 201@ A )%%/%r )i<% Into R%d

Un,ortunatel: it looEs liEe the Consumer ;rice nde) (C; is ,ollo<in+ the trend o, the 2ast ,e< :ears 7: dro22in+

si+ni,icantl: at the 7e+innin+ o, the ,iscal :ear& n order ,or a 2ositi9e +ain ne)t :ear CFA has to maEe 2rett:

si+ni,icant +ains& 'he No9em7er 0%5 C; is 3%&/% declinin+ to %&% 2ercent 7elo< the *H 0%# CFA 7aseline&!ecause there <as not a 2ositi9e CFA in *H 0%5 the *H 0%# 7aseline is used& 'he C; ,or ecem7er 0%5 is

scheduled to 7e released on anuar: 0 0%5& [SourceK MAA Fe+ U2 @ ecem7er %1 0%5 ]

80



Not% Mi$itary r%tir%% COLA i, #a$#u$at%d &a,%d on t% C!I 8or Ur&an Wa"% Earn%r, and C$%ri#a$ Wor%r, KC!I?W: not

t% o<%ra$$ C!I* Mont$y #an"%, in t% ind%7 .ay di88%r 8ro. nationa$ 8i"ur%, r%/ort%d %$,%;%r%*


Carita&$% i<in" Ta7 )%du#tion no; t% Ru$%,

ach :ear as ec& 3% dra<s near Americans are 7om7arded 7: reLuests ,or donations& Man: ans<er those

solicitations ha22il: +i9in+ to their ,a9orite charities& 'his :ear-end +enerosit: also mi+ht 2a: o,, at ta) time as

lon+ as :ou Eno< and ,ollo< the "ST rules on ta) deductions ,or donations& Hou can +i9e thousands o, dollars 7ut i,

:ou claim the standard deduction amount on :our ta) return :our charita7le +i,ts <ill do :ou no ta) +ood& Hou must

itemize e)2enses on Schedule A to deduct charita7le donations& 'he +ood thin+ a7out donations is that in most

cases there is no limit on ho< much :ou can deduct&

Ti.in" i, %<%rytin"* onations must 7e made 7: the end o, the ta) :ear ,or <hich :ou <ant to claim the

deduction& , :ou 2ut a checE dated ec& 3% in the mail 7: that da: :ouTre J& So are donations char+ed 7: :earTs

end to :our credit card e9en i, :ou donTt 2a: the cardTs 7ill until the ne)t :ear&

C%# out t% #arity* nl: contri7utions to "S-Luali,ied charities are deducti7le& 'his means the +rou2 meetsUncle SamTs reLuirements to 7e classi,ied as a ta)-e)em2t or+anization& HouT9e 2ro7a7l: heard this re,erred to as

50%(c(3 status so-called 7ecause that is the section o, the nternal "e9enue Code that +o9erns such +rou2s& AsE

the charit: to <hich :ou 2lan to +i9e ,or in,ormation on its ta) status& "e2uta7le non2ro,its <ill 7e more than ha22:

to o,,er 2roo,& Hou also can checE out +rou2s 9ia 9arious online data7ases such as GuideStar and Charit: Na9i+ator

as <ell as 7: usin+ the "ST o<n online searcha7le data7ase o, e)em2t or+anizations&

no; your $i.it,* "emem7er that 2hrase in most cases there is no limit on ho< much :ou can deduct

mentioned earlier in connection <ith itemizin+P 'hat a22lies to most 2eo2le 7ut ,or some 9er: +enerous ,olEs there

are limits on ta) deductions ,or donations& Most 2u7lic charities are Eno<n as 50 or+anizations& 'he: +et this

name 7ecause donorsT deductions are limited to 50 o, their ad4usted +ross income& *or e)am2le i, :our ad4usted

income is $50000 and :ou +i9e $30000 to a Luali,:in+ non2ro,it :ou canTt claim :our ,ull charita7le +i,t in the ta)

:ear in <hich :ou +i9e& Hou can claim onl: u2 to $5000& Bo<e9er the other $5000 isnTt lost& Hou can claim thee)cess donation amount on :our ne)t :earTs ta) return& Hou ha9e u2 to 5 :ears o, rollo9ers to claim the ,ull

charita7le +i,t& Most o, us <onTt ha9e to <orr: a7out this limit 7ut in case :ou come into some une)2ected cash and

<ant to share it <ith a charit: taEe into account the deduction limit&

'here also are 0 and 30 donation deduction limits ,or s2eci,ic +i,ts and the +rou2s -- t:2icall: 2ri9ate

charities -- that recei9e them& 'hese rules are more com2licated so :ou should talE to a ta) 2ro,essional i, :ouTre

2lannin+ a +i,t that ,alls into this cate+or:& Also hi+her-income ta)2a:ers mi+ht not +et the ,ull 7ene,it o, their total

8%



itemized deductions includin+ charita7le +i,ts& *or 0%5 ta) :ear ,ilin+s the Schedule A total is reduced ,or

ta)2a:ers <ho maEe more thanK

• $5150 i, sin+le&

• $1#050 i, head o, household&

• $308800 i, married ,ilin+ 4ointl: or a Luali,:in+ <ido< or <ido<er&

Ma% ,ur% "ood, ar% in "ood ,a/%* n addition to cash +i,ts -- <hich in the "ST e:es include not onl: currenc: 7ut also the 2re9iousl: mentioned donations made <ith checEs and credit cards -- :ou mi+ht donate household

+oods& n this case :ou +et to count the itemTs ,air marEet 9alue as :our donation amount& onated 2ersonal

2ro2ert: ho<e9er must 7e in +ood or 7etter sha2e ,or :our deduction to count& 'his rule <as enacted se9eral :ears

a+o to 2re9ent 2eo2le ,rom +i9in+ a<a: <orthless items to charities and then claimin+ e)cessi9e 9alue amounts as

ta) deductions& S2ecial rules also a22l: to donations o, motor 9ehicles& No lon+er can :ou sim2l: deduct the Jelle:

!lue !ooE 2rice o, the auto& Hou need to ,ind out ho< the charit: <ill use the 9ehicle and i, the +rou2 sells it <hat

2rice it recei9es& 'hat <ill determine ho< much :ou can claim&

%t r%#%i/t,* "e+ardless o, the t:2e o, +i,t its amount and to <hich charit: :ou donate it +et a recei2t& 'he "S

actuall: demands recei2ts <hen a donation is more than $50& n some cases a22raisals also are reLuired& n most

cases the recei2ts are ,or :our records onl: 4ust in case the "S later has Luestions a7out :our deduction& , :ou

donTt +et a recei2t or other ,ormal acEno<led+ment ,rom the charit: <hen :ou donate asE ,or one& A le+itimate ta)-e)em2t or+anization <ill ha9e no 2ro7lem +i9in+ :ou a recei2t <hen :ou maEe :our donation or later mailin+ (or

emailin+ one to :ou&

[SourceK !anErate&com @ Ja: !ell ecem7er 3 0%5 ]


So#ia$ S%#urity A 160101 tru 160115

K 6hat in,ormation is a9aila7le ,rom Social Securit: records to hel2 in +enealo+ical researchP

A Hou mi+ht <ant to start 7: checEin+ out the Social Securit: eath nde) <hich is a9aila7le online ,rom a

9ariet: o, commercial ser9ices (usuall: the search is ,ree& 'he eath nde) contains a listin+ o, 2ersons <ho had aSocial Securit: num7er <ho are deceased and <hose death <as re2orted to the Social Securit: Administration&

('he in,ormation in the eath nde) ,or 2eo2le <ho died 2rior to %8. is sEetch: since SSATs death in,ormation <as

not automated 7e,ore that date& eath in,ormation ,or 2ersons <ho died 7e,ore %8. is +enerall: onl: in the eath

nde) i, the death <as actuall: re2orted to SSA a,ter %8. e9en thou+h the death occurred 2rior to that :ear& , :ou

,ind a 2erson in the eath nde) :ou <ill learn the date o, 7irth and Social Securit: Num7er ,or that 2erson& ('he

Social Securit: eath nde) is not 2u7lished 7: SSA ,or 2u7lic use 7ut is made a9aila7le 7: commercial entities

usin+ in,ormation ,rom SSA records& SSA does not o,,er su22ort o, these commercial 2roducts nor can <ill the:

ans<er Luestions a7out the material in the eath nde)& ther records 2otentiall: a9aila7le ,rom SSA include the

A22lication ,or a Social Securit: Num7er (,orm SS-5& 'o o7tain an: in,ormation ,rom SSA :ou <ill need to ,ile a

*reedom o, n,ormation Act (*A reLuest& 'o do so checE out htt2sK>><<<&ssa&+o9>,oia

?o?o?O?o?o?

K M: ,ather <orEed ,ull time until he <as 1% :ears old& Be ne9er ,iled ,or Social Securit: 7ene,its until he retired

at a+e 1%& Can he recou2 an: o, the %% :ears o, lost Social Securit: 7ene,its that he should ha9e ,iled ,or at a+e /0P

A Un,ortunatel: the Social Securit: Administration allo<s onl: ,or u2 to . months o, retroacti9e retirement

insurance 7ene,its <hen the <orEer a22lies ,or 7ene,its more than . months a,ter his or her ,ull retirement a+e& ,

:our ,ather at some 2oint on or a,ter his ,ull retirement a+e contacted the Social Securit: Administration a7out ,ilin+

,or 7ene,its there ma: 7e a <ritten record sho<in+ his intent to ,ile& , certain criteria are met a 2rotecti9e ,ilin+ is

esta7lished on the date that the Social Securit: Administration recei9es a <ritten statement o, intent to ,ile& Be

8

https://www.ssa.gov/foia

https://www.ssa.gov/foia



<ould need to <orE <ith the Social Securit: Administration i, he 7elie9es this is the case& , he ,alls into this

scenario he ma: 7e eli+i7le ,or more than 4ust the . months o, retroacti9e 7ene,its& *rom <hat :ouT9e <ritten it

doesnTt a22ear there <as an earlier attem2t to ,ile ,or 7ene,its 7e,ore a+e 1%& Hour ,atherTs is a cautionar: tale ,or

<orEers <ho Eee2 <orEin+ 2ast their ,ull retirement a+e to maEe sure to ,ile ,or Social Securit: 7ene,its at a+e /0&

Seniors donTt earn dela:ed retirement credits 2ast a+e /0 so thereTs no reason not to ,ile at /0&

[SourceK arious @ ecem7er 3% 0%5 ]


Id%ntity t%8t !rot%#tion U/dat% 01 Li8%$o# 100M S%tt$%.%nt ;=FTC

A com2an: that consumers 2a: to hel2 them 2rotect their 2ersonal in,ormation is in hot <ater <ith the *ederal 'rade

Commission ,or alle+edl: ,ailin+ to sa,e+uard that sensiti9e in,ormation and maEin+ 7o+us statements a7out its

ser9ices& Fi,eFocE has a+reed to 2a: $%00 million to settle *'C char+es that it 9iolated a 0%0 ,ederal court order

that 7arred it ,rom usin+ ,alse claims to 2romote its ser9ices and reLuired that the com2an: taEe ste2s to more

thorou+hl: 2rotect customers? 2ersonal in,ormation& 'he *'C said the $%00 million settlement <ith the Arizona-

7ased identit: the,t 2rotection ,irm is the lar+est sum the a+enc: has e9er im2osed in an order en,orcement action&

Fi,eFocE 2aid $% million in 0%0 to settle char+es that it used dece2ti9e ad9ertisin+ to 2romote its ser9ices&

X'he ,act that consumers 2aid Fi,eFocE ,or hel2 in 2rotectin+ their sensiti9e 2ersonal in,ormation maEes the

char+es in this case 2articularl: trou7lin+Y *'C chair<oman dith "amirez said in a statement& Fi,eFocE?s

ser9ices <hich start at $8&88 a month include monitorin+ customers? accounts 2ro9idin+ an earl: <arnin+ i,

identit: the,t occurs and hel2in+ customers? restore their stolen identit:& Most o, the $%00 million in settlement ,unds

<ill 7e used to reim7urse Fi,eFocE customers& Fi,elocE <hich has neither con,irmed nor denied the *'C?s

alle+ations said it has im2lemented s:stem u2+rades to 7etter 2rotect its customers? data& X'he alle+ations raised 7:

the *'C are related to ad9ertisements that <e no lon+er run and 2olicies that are no lon+er in 2laceY the com2an:

said in a statement& X'here is no e9idence that Fi,eFocE has e9er had an: o, its customers? data stolen and the *'C

did not alle+e other<ise&Y

!ecause data 7reaches are seemin+l: common2lace these da:s man: consumers are understanda7l: <orried

a7out sa,e+uardin+ their 2ersonal in,ormation& !ut the *'C said it?s im2ortant to do :our home<orE 7e,ore :ou

2on: u2 the cash to hire an identit: the,t 2rotection com2an:& !e,ore :ou 2a: an: ,ees e9aluate the com2an: and its

tracE record& ':2e the name o, the com2an: or 2roduct into a search en+ine alon+ <ith <ords liEe Xre9ie<Y

Xcom2laintY or Xscam&Y !e sure to read a ,e< re9ie<s \ don?t rel: on 4ust one source& r :ou ma: decide to taEe

matters into :our o<n hands 7: re9ie<in+ :our credit re2orts on a re+ular 7asis or 2lacin+ a credit ,reeze on :our

re2ort& A checE on the internet at htt2K>>consumer2roductad9isor&com>li,elocE-re9ie< re9ealed that Fi,elocE

<as rated on a 5-star scale& [SourceK Mone:'alEsNe<s @ Jr:stal Steinmetz @ ecem7er %/ 0%5 ]


Sa<in" Mon%y R%8ri"%rator )o, and )ont,

83

http://consumerproductadvisor.com/lifelock-review





Bo< :ou arran+e :our re,ri+erator can a,,ect ho< ,ood tastes and ho< lon+ it Eee2s& So in9estin+ a little time into

or+anizin+ the ,rid+e can s2are :ou ,rom losin+ mone: to 2rematurel: s2oiled ,ood \ and e)tra tri2s to the +rocer:

store& *ortunatel: im2lementin+ the ,ollo<in+ ti2s <ill cost :ou onl: a ,e< minutes&

%& %%/ tin", at V%y% $%<%$& 'he a9era+e American s2ends $5 a :ear on ,ood that +oes to <aste accordin+ to

the latest estimates ,rom the U&S& e2artment o, A+riculture& (ChecE out X%3 Sim2le 6a:s to Sto2 6astin+ *ood and Mone:Y ,or more& Xut o, si+ht out o, mindY can 7e costl: <hen it comes to the re,ri+erator& So store 2roduce

near e:e le9el i, :ou?re 2rone to ,or+ettin+ <hat?s in the cris2er dra<ers until it?s alread: s2oiled& t also hel2s to

store healthier ,oods at e:e le9el i, :ou?re on a diet or ha9e a ha7it o, reachin+ ,or the least health: o2tion <hen

searchin+ ,or a snacE&

& )ont ,tor% /%ri,a&$% 8ood, in door, & 'he doors are the <armest 2art o, the ,rid+e accordin+ to the hio State

Uni9ersit: )tension& So store items liEe condiments and 4uice there and Eee2 ,oods liEe e++s and meats inside the

,rid+e&

3& A<oid #ro,,?#onta.ination& ;oor ,rid+e or+anization risEs the s2read o, in,ection-causin+ 7acteria ,rom one

,ood to another& 'he Jitchn 7lo+ re2orts that 2ro,essional Eitchens and restaurants store ,oods 7ased on ho< much

cooEin+ the: reLuire to 7e eaten sa,el:& *oods that reLuire cooEin+ at the hi+hest tem2eratures are stored in the

lo<est 2arts o, the ,rid+e& So ra< e++s or ra< chicEen ,or e)am2le should 7e stored on shel9es that are lo<er thanshel9es <here le,to9ers and read:-to-eat snacEs are Ee2t&

#& %%/ 8i, in t% &a# & 'his is the coldest 2art o, the ,rid+e accordin+ to the hio State Uni9ersit: )tension

and ,ish stored at de+rees *ahrenheit <ill Eee2 ,or t<ice as lon+ as ,ish stored at #% de+rees& 'he e)tension

recommends storin+ ,ish in zi22er-locE 7a+s on ice in the 7acE o, the ,rid+e&

5& A<oid o<%r#ro;din" t% 8rid"%& *oods cannot chill 2ro2erl: <ithout cold air circulatin+ around them accordin+

to the U&S& *ood and ru+ Administration& , :ou can?t create enou+h room in a 4am-2acEed ,rid+e the ,reezer can

store ,oods liEe 7reads and man: ,ruits and 9e+eta7les&

.& %t #r%ati<% ;it unu,ua$ too$,& on?t 7e a,raid to thinE outside the 7o) <hen or+anizin+ :our re,ri+erator& *or

e)am2le a sho<er or+anizer can hel2 :ou Eee2 thin+s <here the: need to 7e& Smaller caddies desi+ned to 7e stucE

to sho<er <alls can also 7e stucE to ,rid+e <alls to add 9ertical stora+e or to corral small items& A laz: Susan ises2eciall: hel2,ul on shel9es that ha9e a lo< clearance maEin+ it harder to reach items in the 7acE& Hou can also

corral items into 2lastic 7ins& 'his maEes it easier to access ,oods in the 7acE es2eciall: i, :ou use dee2 stora+e

containers that can easil: 7e 2ulled out& Use 7ins made o, dish<asher-sa,e 2lastic so :ou can easil: clean them&

/& no; ;at not to r%8ri"%rat%& !ananas lemons limes melons 2otatoes and tomatoes are amon+ the ,oods that

should 7e Ee2t out o, the ,rid+e accordin+ to the *ood Net<orE& 'heir taste and te)ture under+o Xstran+e chan+esY

<hen the:?re stored at too cold o, a tem2erature&

8#



1& B%;ar% o8 %ty$%n%& Some t:2es o, 2roduce emit this odorless and in9isi7le naturall: occurrin+ +as as the:

ri2en accordin+ to 6ashin+ton State Uni9ersit:?s 'ree *ruit "esearch I )tension Center& 'he: re,er to it as the

"i2enin+ Barmone (htt2K>>2osthar9est&t,rec&<su&edu>2a+es>;C000*0& th:lene can also cause other 2roduce to

ri2en so Eee2 eth:lene-2roducin+ ,oods a<a: ,rom eth:lene-sensiti9e ,oods to a9oid 2remature s2oilin+& "eal

Sim2le ma+azine and 'he Jitchn re2ort thatK

• th:lene 2roducers includeK A2ricots A9ocados !ananas Cantalou2es Bone:de< melon Ji<i Man+oes

Nectarines ;a2a:as ;eaches ;ears ;lums and 'omatoes&

• th:lene-sensiti9e ,oods includeK As2ara+us !roccoli Carrots Cucum7ers ++2lants Green 7eans

Fettuce and other lea,: +reens ;otatoes SLuash and 6atermelon&

[SourceK Mone:'alEsNe<s @ im Gold @ une %0 0%5 ]


Syrian R%8u"% S#a. Ho; it Wor,

Scammers al<a:s seem to taEe ad9anta+e o, current e9ents and the tra+ic circumstances o, others& 'he S:rian

re,u+ee crisis is 4ust the latest disaster to +et the scam treatment&

Ho; t% S#a. Wor,

• Hou +et an email ,rom someone claimin+ to 7e in S:ria& Be or she is contactin+ :ou to +et hel2 trans,errin+

mone: out o, the countr:& am looEin+ ,or honest 2erson to hel2 us sell our +old reads one 9ersion& So

<e can lea9e S:ria 7ecause o, <ar here&

• , :ou re2l: the scammer <ill o,,er :ou a 2ercenta+e o, the ,unds he>she is looEin+ to trans,er a7road&

onTt taEe the 7ait& Gettin+ the mone: out o, S:ria doesnTt 2ro9e to 7e eas:& 'he scammer <ill encounter

2lent: o, set7acEs that :ou <ill need to 2a: such as 7ri7es ta)es etc& 9en i, :ou 2a: all these demands

the mone: <ill ne9er materialize& 'here are no ,unds and itTs all a con&

• 'his isnTt the ,irst time these t:2es o, scams ha9e used a <ar torn re+ions to lend credi7ilit: to their con& n

other 9ersions scammers 2retend to 7e ,rom A,+hanistan or raL& 'he scam is e9en sometimes re,erred to

as the #%8 Scam a,ter a section o, the criminal code in Ni+eria 7ecause scammers use to 2ose as Ni+erian 2rinces and others tr:in+ to +et ,unds out o, that countr:&

Ti/, to S/ot a 41> S#a. No matter the stor: these scams ,ool 9ictims <ith the 2romise o, a lot o, mone: ,or

little e,,ort&

• Use the too +ood to 7e true rule& , an o22ortunit: 4ust ,alls in :our la2 (or in7o) and a22ears too +ood

to 7e true thereTs 2ro7a7l: a catch&

• onTt share 7anEin+ in,ormation& o not re2l: to emails asEin+ ,or 2ersonal 7anEin+ or credit card

in,ormation&

• !e <ar: o, indi9iduals claimin+ to 7e o9erseas& n man: di,,erent t:2es o, scams con artists claim to 7e

li9in+ a7road to a9oid in 2erson contact& Consider this a red ,la+&

• !e sus2icious o, transactions that in9ol9e additional ,ees& Scammers <ill o,ten tem2t 9ictims <ith a +reat

o,,er (lotter: <innin+s 4o7 o,,er and reLuest additional ,ees to ,urther the transaction&

• Bit delete& onTt re2l: clicE an: linEs or do<nload attachments in sus2icious emails&

ChecE out the *!Ts in,ormation on common ,raud schemes at htt2sK>><<<&,7i&+o9>scams-sa,et:>,raud to learn

more a7out this t:2e o, scam and ho< to s2ot it& 'o ,ind out more a7out other scams checE out !!! Scam

Sto22er ( 777&or+>scam& 'o re2ort a scam +o to !!! Scam 'racEer ( 777&or+>scamtracEer & [SourceK !!! Scam

Alert @ cto7er 30 0%5 ]

85

http://postharvest.tfrec.wsu.edu/pages/PC2000F

https://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/fraud

http://www.bbb.org/council/bbb-scam-stopper

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0012MYzIckWIYPYKdGXpjq5-3kTdtxWn0sbIIBxQUdcw6To1UMRexCSc3jS6IxgKIx-z3n2HwmWvP2JNZVIVrGr5aLiuZe8kTaDz-FijXnSHoU2z1qYRos3kRzxTMedG86zUOjvEtidcA_HinFRjHdjh38pJip3E52p5owsGJ2JVFTe8N5RgE9yMcdkhTepXXZJ&c=ft4U3NxquGE8f3Jw0EQETnNgUzoqE5bCLVf9dvYEy42JJET1tudLkQ==&ch=C5sT_w9AXx8WFn34PLDGyTqJkaiAmg1dICTQySp6c5kIFoCzzi6Uqg==

http://postharvest.tfrec.wsu.edu/pages/PC2000F

https://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/fraud

http://www.bbb.org/council/bbb-scam-stopper

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0012MYzIckWIYPYKdGXpjq5-3kTdtxWn0sbIIBxQUdcw6To1UMRexCSc3jS6IxgKIx-z3n2HwmWvP2JNZVIVrGr5aLiuZe8kTaDz-FijXnSHoU2z1qYRos3kRzxTMedG86zUOjvEtidcA_HinFRjHdjh38pJip3E52p5owsGJ2JVFTe8N5RgE9yMcdkhTepXXZJ&c=ft4U3NxquGE8f3Jw0EQETnNgUzoqE5bCLVf9dvYEy42JJET1tudLkQ==&ch=C5sT_w9AXx8WFn34PLDGyTqJkaiAmg1dICTQySp6c5kIFoCzzi6Uqg==




Ho$iday Hi" !ay Jo& S#a. Ho; it Wor,

'he holida: season <ill soon 7e in ,ull s<in+ and stores are sta,,in+ u2 <ith tem2orar: em2lo:ees& Seasonal <orE

can 7e a +reat <a: to maEe e)tra mone: durin+ the holida:s 7ut <atch out ,or ,aEe 4o7 scams&

Ho; t% S#a. Wor,

• Hou recei9e an email that a22ears to 7e ,rom the human resources de2artment o, a ma4or retailer or a

recruitment ,irm& 'he email sa:s the com2an: is hirin+ em2lo:ees ,or the holida: season and claims to 2a:

a hi+h hourl: <a+e& And a22l:in+ is eas:& Hou donTt need to +o into the store& All :ou ha9e to do is clicE the

linE at the 7ottom o, the messa+e and ,ill out an online a22lication&

• onTt let the messa+e ,ool :ouR 'his email traces 7acE to China not a cor2orate o,,ice in the United States

or Canada& , :ou clicE :ou ma: do<nload mal<are to :our de9ice& r i, :ou com2lete the a22lication:ou <ill 7e sharin+ :our 2ersonal in,ormation <ith scammers and o2enin+ :oursel, u2 to identit: the,t&

• As the holida: season ram2s u2 <atch out ,or scams& !us: schedules mean that 2eo2le ma: 7e less

9i+ilant in No9em7er and ecem7er and can easil: ,all 2re: to cons&

Ho; to S/ot a Jo& S#a.

• onTt ,all ,or an o9er2a:ment scam& No le+itimate 4o7 <ould e9er o9er2a: an em2lo:ee and asE him>her

<ire the mone: else<here& 'his is a common tricE used 7: scammers&

• Some 2ositions are more liEel: to 7e scams& Al<a:s 7e <ar: o, <orE-,rom-home o,,ers secret sho22er

2ositions or an: 4o7 <ith a +eneric title such as care+i9er or customer ser9ice re2resentati9e& 'hese

2ositions o,ten donTt reLuire s2ecial trainin+ or licensin+ so the: a22eal to a <ide ran+e o, a22licants&

Scammers Eno< this and use these other<ise le+itimate titles in their ,aEe ads&

•

, a 4o7 looEs sus2icious search ,or it online& , the result comes u2 in other cities <ith the e)act same 4o7 2ost it is liEel: a scam& Also checE the real com2an:Ts 4o7 2a+e to maEe sure the 2osition is 2osted there&

• 6atch out ,or on-the-s2ot 4o7 o,,ers& Hou ma: 7e an e)cellent candidate ,or the 4o7 7ut 7e<are o, o,,ers

made <ithout an inter9ie<& A real com2an: <ill <ant to talE to a candidate 7e,ore hirin+ him or her&

• FooE ,or 2a: or 2erEs <ell a7o9e similar 2ositions& , similar 4o7s o,,er to 2a: $%0>hour and this 2osition

2a:s $0>hour chances are that thereTs a catch&

'o ,ind out more a7out other scams checE out !!! Scam Sto22er (<<<&777&or+>scam& 'o re2ort a scam +o to

!!! Scam 'racEer (<<<&777&or+>scamtracEer & [SourceK !!! Scam Alert @ No9em7er . 0%5 ]


i8t E7#an"% S#a. Ho; it Wor,

t ma: onl: 7e No9em7er 7ut scammers are alread: taEin+ ad9anta+e o, holida: +ood<ill& 'he latest seasonal scamis a +i,t e)chan+e thatTs actuall: a 2:ramid scheme& FooE out ,or this con on *ace7ooE nsta+ram and other socialsites&

8.

http://www.bbb.org/scam

http://www.bbb.org/scamtracker






Ho; t% S#a. Wor,

Hou s2ot a ,riendTs 2ost on :our *ace7ooE or nsta+ram ,eed& tTs in9itin+ :ou to 4oin a +i,t e)chan+e and it

sounds liEe a +reat deal& , :ou 7u: one $%0 +i,t ,or a stran+er :ou <ill recei9e as man: as 3. +i,ts 7acE&

Some 2eo2le are e9en 2ostin+ 2hotos o, all the +i,ts the: ha9e recei9ed in the mail&

• 'his +i,t e)chan+e is the latest 9ersion o, a hoa) thatTs 7een around ,or :ears& tTs the same 2remise as a

2:ramid scheme and or the 2re-nternet chain letters& 'he idea is that :ou send mone: (or a +i,t to the

2erson at the to2 o, the list cross them o,, add :our name to the 7ottom and send the list to more ,riends&

9entuall: :ou ho2e :our name <ill 7e at the to2 and :ou <ill recei9e all the mone:>+i,ts& Bo<e9er the

scheme relies on constantl: recruitin+ ne< 2artici2ants maEin+ it mathematicall: im2ossi7l: to sustain&

'his ma: seem liEe a harmless hoa) 7ut these schemes are a ,orm o, +am7lin+ and ille+al in the U&S& and

Canada&

!rot%#t -our,%$8 Fro. So#ia$ M%dia S#a., ? 'aEe the ,ollo<in+ ste2s to 2rotect :oursel, and others,rom scam linEs shared throu+h *ace7ooE '<itter and other social mediaK

• onTt taEe the 7ait& , it sounds too +ood or outlandish to 7e true itTs 2ro7a7l: a scam& Sta: a<a: ,rom

2romotions o, an:thin+ e)clusi9e shocEin+ or sensational&

• !e care,ul o, shortened linEs& Scammers use linE-shortenin+ ser9ices to dis+uise malicious linEs& onTt ,all

,or it& , :ou donTt reco+nize the linE destination donTt clicE&

• onTt trust :our ,riendsT taste online& t mi+ht not actuall: 7e them liEin+ or sharin+ scam linEs to 2hotos&

'heir account ma: ha9e 7een hacEed or com2romised 7: mal<are&

• "e2ort the scam to *ace7ooE& n *ace7ooE re2ort scam 2osts and other sus2icious acti9it: 7: ,ollo<in+

these instructions&

• "e2ort the scam on nsta+ram& n nsta+ram re2ort scam 2osts and other sus2icious acti9it: 7: ,ollo<in+

these instructions&

For Mor% In8or.ationK See e)am2les o, the social media 2osts in !uzz,eedTs co9era+e o, the scam and learn morea7out US ;ostal ns2ectorsT stance on chain letters& 'o ,ind out more a7out other scams checE out !!! ScamSto22er (<<<&777&or+>scam& 'o re2ort a scam +o to !!! Scam 'racEer (<<<&777&or+>scamtracEer & [SourceK

!!! Scam Alert @ No9em7er . 0%5 ]


Ta7 Burd%n 8or Aran,a, R%tir%d +%t, A, o8 )%# 2015

Man: 2eo2le 2lannin+ to retire use the 2resence or a7sence o, a state income ta) as a litmus test ,or a retirement

destination& 'his is a serious miscalculation since hi+her sales and 2ro2ert: ta)es can more than o,,set the lacE o, a

state income ta)& 'he lacE o, a state income ta) doesn?t necessaril: ensure a lo< total ta) 7urden& States raise

re9enue in man: <a:s includin+ sales ta)es e)cise ta)es license ta)es income ta)es intan+i7le ta)es 2ro2ert:

ta)es estate ta)es and inheritance ta)es& e2endin+ on <here :ou li9e :ou ma: end u2 2a:in+ all o, them or 4ust a

,e<& *ollo<in+ are the ta)es :ou can e)2ect to 2a: i, :ou retire in Aran,a,*

Sa$%, Ta7%,

Stat% Sa$%, Ta7%, .&50 (2rescri2tion dru+s e)em2t& *ood ta)ed at cit: and count: sales ta)es could add

another 5&5& 'o 9ie< local rates clicE here&

8/

https://www.facebook.com/help/181495968648557



http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001FOTb0LjjfXd2buGHOZcTzJx3ZuSU9YLBmtZhsVusibBL5zJ9QqQHudWdNz0HQ50fGGYZLO12iRz82iMQgQH-S62Wf5dEKrhUmf1L-F7xnkV1QwFJesGN6wpXVxjdPaIeej75tjfHVY4Ok0s1CPfCmCFvcgqC_9PHf_-5tj5sBwK_u7wzZLZ36zAIvc_mDFUJjBumsU5dPwQ=&c=TBb1j5Cl3joRfXkjRthKhV5QK5OLCQ5o225H4SQq6QRlpSuKc3LfSw==&ch=nfdDY06zuGvjyW1c8KcyZl8AZC128kDC0S2II6YK_h_PoHbcTBbkHg==


http://www.buzzfeed.com/stephaniemcneal/ho-ho-hoaxed#.bspd9MVYK


https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/investigations/MailFraud/fraudschemes/sweepstakesfraud/ChainLetters.aspx





http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/exciseTax/salesanduse/Pages/RecentChangesinLocalTaxes.aspx













a,o$in% Ta7 #0&0 cents>+allon (ncludes all ta)es

)i%,%$ Fu%$ Ta7 #/& cents>+allon (ncludes all ta)es

Ci"ar%tt% Ta7 $%&%5 cents>2acE o, 0

!%r,ona$ In#o.% Ta7%,

Ta7 Rat% Ran"% Fo< %&0V Bi+h /&0 W

In#o.% Bra#%t, Si)& Fo<est $#%88V Bi+hest $3#.00Ta7 Cr%dit, Sin+le $.V Married $#.V e2endents $.

Additional deduction i, .5 :ears o, a+e or older $.

Standard )%du#tion Sin+le $000V Married ,ilin+ 4ointl: $#000

M%di#a$=)%nta$ )%du#tion Same as *ederal ta)es

F%d%ra$ In#o.% Ta7 )%du#tion None

R%tir%.%nt In#o.% Ta7%, Social Securit: is e)em2t as are A 7ene,its 6orEers? Com2ensation 'ier % and 'ier

"ailroad "etirement 7ene,its and unem2lo:ment com2ensation& U2 to $.000 in militar: ci9il ser9ice state>local

+o9ernment and 2ri9ate 2ensions are e)em2t& 'he e)em2tion re,ers to income ,rom 2u7lic or 2ri9ate retirement

s:stems 2lans or 2ro+rams& "A distri7utions can 7e included as 2art o, the $.000 e)em2tion i, the ta)2a:er is

58b or older& ut-o,-state +o9ernment 2ensions also Luali,: ,or the e)em2tion& 'a)2a:ers <ho recei9e an "A

distri7ution a,ter reachin+ a+e 58-%> do not ha9e to 2a: ta)es on the ,irst $.000 ,rom the account& ther

e)em2tions include acti9e dut: militar: 2ersonnel ($8000 retired militar: 2ersonnel and li,e insurance 2roceeds&

R%tir%d Mi$itary !ay U2 to $.000 o, ,ederal retirement 2a: and>or sur9i9or 7ene,its e)cluded&

Mi$itary )i,a&i$ity R%tir%d !ay "etirees <ho entered the militar: 7e,ore Se2t& # %8/5 and mem7ers recei9in+

disa7ilit: retirements 7ased on com7at in4uries or <ho could recei9e disa7ilit: 2a:ments ,rom the A are co9ered 7:

la<s +i9in+ disa7ilit: 7road e)em2tion ,rom ,ederal income ta)& Most militar: retired 2a: 7ased on ser9ice-related

disa7ilities also is ,ree ,rom ,ederal income ta) 7ut there is no +uarantee o, total 2rotection&

+A )i,a&i$ity )%/%nd%n#y and Ind%.nity Co./%n,ation A 7ene,its are not ta)a7le 7ecause the: +enerall: are

,or disa7ilities and are not su74ect to ,ederal or state ta)es&

Mi$itary SB!=SSB!=RCSB!=RSF!! Generall: su74ect to state ta)es ,or those states <ith income ta)& ChecE <ith

state de2artment o, re9enue o,,ice&

!ro/%rty Ta7%,

ArEansas 2ro2ert: ta)es are le9ied 7: counties munici2alities and school districts& All households are eli+i7le ,or ahomestead ta) credit o, u2 to $350 re+ardless o, income or a+e& ;olitical su7di9isions collect ta)es on real 2ro2ert:(house and land and 2ersonal 2ro2ert: (motor 9ehicles 7oats and motors motorc:cles and all-terrain 9ehicles&Assessment is 7ased on 0 2ercent o, the true marEet 9alue& 'he ta)a7le assessed 9alue o, homesteads <ill notincrease more than 5 a7o9e the 2re9ious ta)a7le assessed 9alue e)ce2t <hen ne< additions or su7stantialim2ro9ements are made to the 2ro2ert:& Bo<e9er the ta)a7le 9alue o, the homestead <ill continue to increase each:ear until it eLuals 0 o, marEet 9alue& 'he ta)a7le assessed 9alue o, homesteads o, residents a+ed .5 or older or those <ho are disa7led are ca22ed at the 2re9ious :ear 9alue unless im2ro9ements are made or the 2ro2ert: is sold&*or more in,ormation a7out real 2ro2ert: ta)es re,er to htt2K>><<<&d,a&arEansas&+o9>;a+es>de,ault&as2) andhtt2K>><<<&d,a&arEansas&+o9>o,,ices>income'a)>indi9idual>ocuments>#0-'a)es&2d,

n certain cases disa7led 9eterans are e)em2t ,rom all state ta)es on real and 2ersonal 2ro2ert:& 'his ta) e)em2tionalso is a9aila7le to <ido< or <ido<ers <ho do not remarr: as <ell as to de2endent minor children o, militar:

2ersonnel <ho <ere Eilled in action died o, ser9ice-related disa7ilities or <ho are missin+ in action& *or additionalin,ormation +o to http://www.veterans.arkansas.gov.

In%ritan#% and E,tat% Ta7%,

'here is no inheritance ta)& n 003 the estate ta) <as re2ealed ,or those deceased a,ter anuar: % 005&

*or ,urther in,ormation 9isit the ArEansas e2artment o, *inance and Administration site or call 50%-.1-//5%&

*or +eneral ta) in,ormation clicE here& Go to

<<<&arEansas&+o9>d,a>income`ta)>documents>mo9in+``arEansas&2d, ,or a 7ooElet on mo9in+ to ArEansas

81

http://www.arkansas.gov/dfa/income_tax/tax_general_county_questions.html

http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/incomeTax/individual/Documents/402-Taxes.pdf


http://www.arkansas.gov/dfa/income_tax/documents/moving_2_arkansas.pdf

http://www.arkansas.gov/dfa/income_tax/tax_general_county_questions.html

http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/Pages/default.aspx


http://www.arkansas.gov/dfa/income_tax/documents/moving_2_arkansas.pdf



[SourceK htt2K>><<<&retirementli9in+&com>ta)es-ala7ama-io<a ec 0%5 ]

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

Ta7 Burd%n 8or Mary$and R%,id%nt, A, )%# 2015

!%r,ona$ in#o.% ta7

• Mar:land collects income ta)es ,rom its residents utilizin+ ei+ht ta) 7racEets& *or sin+le married ,ilin+

se2aratel: de2endent ta)2a:ers or ,iduciariesK 2ercent on the ,irst $%000 o, ta)a7le income&

3 2ercent on ta)a7le income 7et<een $%00% and $000&

# 2ercent on ta)a7le income 7et<een $00% and $3000&

#&/5 2ercent on ta)a7le income 7et<een $300% and $%00000& (,or married 4oint Luali,:in+

<ido<(ers and head-o,-household ,ilers the #&/5 2ercent rate a22lies to $300% to $%50000 5 2ercent on ta)a7le income 7et<een $%0000% and $%5000& (,or married 4oint Luali,:in+

<ido<(ers and head-o,-household ,ilers the 5 2ercent rate a22lies to $%5000% to $%/5000 5&5 2ercent on ta)a7le income 7et<een $%500% and $%50000& (,or married 4oint Luali,:in+

<ido<(ers and head-o,-household ,ilers the 5&5 2ercent rate a22lies to $%/500% to $5000

5&50 2ercent on ta)a7le income o, $%5000% and $50000& (,or married 4oint Luali,:in+<ido<(ers and head-o,-household ,ilers the 5&50 2ercent rate a22lies to $500% to $300000

5&/5 2ercent on ta)a7le income o, $5000% and more& (,or married 4oint Luali,:in+ <ido<(ers

and head-o,-household ,ilers the 5&/5 2ercent rate a22lies to $30000% and more

• Nonresidents are su74ect to a s2ecial nonresident ta) rate o, %&5 2ercent in addition to the state income ta)

rate&

• "esidents o, Mar:land must ,ile state ta) ,orms 7: A2ril %5 or the ne)t 7usiness da: i, that date ,alls on a

<eeEend or holida:&

• !altimore and Mar:landTs 3 counties le9: local 2i++:7acE income ta)es at rates 7et<een %&5 2ercent

and 3&0 2ercent o, Mar:land ta)a7le income& Focal o,,icials set the rates and the re9enue is returned tothe local +o9ernments Luarterl:&

• Focal income ta)es are <ithheld and collected on the same ,orms as state income ta)es&

• Mar:land o,,ers a 9ariet: o, 2ersonal income ta) credits and deductions to eli+i7le ,ilers& "e,er to

htt2K>>ta)es&mar:landta)es&com>ndi9idual`'a)es>General`n,ormation>'a)`Creditsàndèductions>eter mine`'a)`Creditsàndèductions&shtml&

Sa$%, ta7%,

• Mar:landTs state sales ta) is . 2ercent&

• 'here are no +eneral local sales ta)es in Mar:land&

• Mar:land also has a . 2ercent use ta) a22lied to ta)-,ree 2urchases made out o, state and <hich must 7e

re2orted and 2aid 7: ,ilin+ the stateTs use ta) return&

!%r,ona$ and r%a$ /ro/%rty ta7%,

• All real 2ro2ert: in Mar:land is su74ect to the 2ro2ert: ta)&

• Generall: 2ro2erties that are o<ned and used 7: reli+ious charita7le or educational or+anizations or

2ro2ert: o<ned 7: the ,ederal state or local +o9ernments are e)em2t&• ;ro2ert: ta) 7ills are issued in ul: or Au+ust o, each :ear 7: the 3 counties !altimore and the %55

incor2orated munici2alities in Mar:land& 'a) 7ills are rendered ,or the u2comin+ ,iscal :ear and aree,,ecti9e as o, ul: %&

• "eal 2ro2ert: is reassessed on a three-:ear c:cle 7: the "eal ;ro2ert: aluation i9ision& 9er: :ear one-

third o, all 2ro2ert: in Mar:land is re9ie<ed includin+ an e)terior 2h:sical ins2ection o, the 2ro2ert:&

• 'he amount o, the ta) 7ill is determined 7: t<o ,actorsK the assessment and the 2ro2ert: ta) rate&

Assessments are 7ased on the ,air marEet 9alue o, the 2ro2ert: and are issued 7: the e2artment o,

88

http://www.retirementliving.com/taxes-alabama-iowa


http://taxes.marylandtaxes.com/Resource_Library/Tax_Forms_and_Instructions/Individual_Tax_Forms_and_Instructions/default.shtml

http://taxes.marylandtaxes.com/Individual_Taxes/Individual_Tax_Types/Income_Tax/Tax_Information/Tax_Rates/Local_and_County_Tax_Rates.shtml



http://taxes.marylandtaxes.com/Individual_Taxes/General_Information/Tax_Credits_and_Deductions/Determine_Tax_Credits_and_Deductions.shtml




http://taxes.marylandtaxes.com/Individual_Taxes/Individual_Tax_Types/Sales_and_Use_Tax/


http://taxes.marylandtaxes.com/Individual_Taxes/General_Information/Individual_Tax_Forms_and_Instructions/Sales_and_Use_Tax_Forms/2014_Sales_and_Use_Tax_Forms.shtml




http://taxes.marylandtaxes.com/Resource_Library/Tax_Forms_and_Instructions/Individual_Tax_Forms_and_Instructions/default.shtml









Assessments and 'a)ation an a+enc: o, state +o9ernment& ;ro2ert: ta) rates are set 7: each unit o, +o9ernmentK the state counties and cities&

• ;ro2ert: ta) rates 9ar: <idel:& No restrictions or limitations on 2ro2ert: ta)es are im2osed 7: the state

meanin+ cities and counties can set ta) rates at the le9el the: deem necessar: to ,und +o9ernmentalser9ices& 'hese rates can increase decrease or remain the same ,rom :ear to :ear& , the 2ro2osed ta) rateincreases the total 2ro2ert: ta) re9enues the +o9ernin+ 7od: must ad9ertise that ,act and hold a 2u7lic

hearin+ on the ne< ta) rate& 'his is called the Constant Hield 'a) "ate 2rocess&• 'he Bomestead ;ro2ert: 'a) Credit commonl: re,erred to as the Assessment Ca2 limits the ta)ation o,

lar+e annual assessment increases on o<ner-occu2ied residential 2ro2ert:& *or state ta) 2ur2oses an:annual assessment increase ,or a home that is +reater than %0 2ercent is not ta)ed& Counties andmunici2alities ma: limit assessment increases ,or local ta) 2ur2oses to less than %0 2ercent annuall:&

• Mar:land also o,,ers real 2ro2ert: e)em2tions credits ,or 2ro2ert: o<ners and renters and e)em2tions ,or

historic 2ro2erties& etails on these 2ro+rams can 7e ,ound at Mar:landTs ta) <e7site athtt2K>><<<&dat&state&md&us>sdat<e7>ta)credits&html&

• 'o ,ind :our local 2ro2ert: ta) o,,icial checE the State e2artment o, Assessments and 'a)ation 6e7 2a+e

htt2K>>msa&mar:land&+o9>msa>mdmanual>5ind>html>0.asses&html or :ou can call (#%0 /./-##33 ,rom the!altimore area&

In%ritan#% and %,tat% ta7%,

•

A Mar:land estate ta) return is due ,or residents <ho died a,ter ec& 3% 00% i, the decedentTs ,ederal+ross estate 2lus ad4usted ta)a7le +i,ts eLualed or e)ceeded $% million and the decedent <as either aresident o, Mar:land at the time o, death or o<ned real or tan+i7le 2ersonal 2ro2ert: in the state&

• Mar:land im2oses an inheritance ta) on the 9alue o, 2ro2ert: 2assed ,rom a decedent to some

7ene,iciaries&

• Common Luestions and ans<ers a7out Mar:landTs estate and inheritance ta)es can 7e ,ound at

htt2K>>ta)es&mar:landta)es&com>ndi9idual`'a)es>ndi9idual`'a)`':2es>state`and`nheritance`'a)> onthe Com2troller o, Mar:landTs 6e7 2a+e&

Ot%r Mary$and Ta7 Fa#t,

• 6ith i-*ile Mar:land at htt2sK>>interacti9e&mar:landta)es&com>ndi9iduals>i*ile`Choose*orm>de,ault&as2

the stateTs ta)2a:ers can e-,ile 2ersonal income ta) returns alon+ <ith the most commonl: associated

schedules and ,orms&

•Under Mar:land la< all 2ersons o,,erin+ indi9idual ta) 2re2aration ser9ices must 7e licensed <ith theState !oard o, ndi9idual 'a) ;re2arers& More in,ormation is a9aila7le at the e2artment o, Fa7or

Ficensin+ I "e+ulation <e7site htt2K>><<<&dllr&state&md&us>license>ta)2re2&

[SourceK htt2K>><<<&7anErate&com>,inance>ta)es>state-ta)es-mar:land&as2) ec 0%5 ]

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

Tri8t Sa<in", !$an 2015 R%turn, a, o8 0 )EC 2015

'here are currentl: %0 in9estment ,unds in the 'hri,t Sa9in+s ;lan& *i9e are indi9idual stocE and 7ond ,unds and the

other ,i9e are tar+et retirement date ,unds& 'he ta7le 7elo< summarizes the historical 2er,ormance and risE

characteristics o, the ,i9e 2rimar: 'S; n9estment *unds& ClicE on an: linE in the ta7le header to see 2er,ormance

charts and other details ,or that ,und&

TS! In<%,t.%nt Fund,

9=1=1>>0 ? 12=0=2015

TS!

Fund

TS!

F Fund

TS!

C Fund

TS!

S Fund

TS!

I Fund

La,t !ri#% K12=0=2015 14*>146 16*>24> 2@*92> 5*5126 24*4194

Can"% K1?)ay 0*01 0*06 ?0*@1 ?0*92 ?0*2

%00

http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/taxrate.html

http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/homestead_percent.html

http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/taxcredits.html


http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/mdmanual/25ind/html/06asses.html

http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/25ind/html/06asses.html


http://taxes.marylandtaxes.com/Individual_Taxes/Individual_Tax_Types/Estate_and_Inheritance_Tax/



https://interactive.marylandtaxes.com/Individuals/iFile_ChooseForm/default.asp


http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/taxprep.

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/state-taxes-maryland.aspx


http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/taxrate.html

http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/homestead_percent.html



http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/mdmanual/25ind/html/06asses.html





http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/taxprep.




TS! In<%,t.%nt Fund,

9=1=1>>0 ? 12=0=2015

TS!

Fund

TS!

F Fund

TS!

C Fund

TS!

S Fund

TS!

I Fund

-T) R%turn 2*04 0*@ 2*42 ?2*16 0*9

1?-%ar R%turn 2*05 0*99 1*@ ?2*>0 ?0*06

?-%ar R%turn 2*09 1*9 16*22 14*12 5*50

5?-%ar R%turn 2*0 *60 12*94 10*@2 4*1@

10?-%ar R%turn 2*>4 4*@2 @*46 9*12 *

Annua$ R%turn Sin#% 9=1=1>>0 4*9 6*4 >*> 10*@ 5*6Annua$i3%d Standard )%<iation 2X 0* *> 19*1 1>*> 1@*>

Ma7i.u. )ra;do;n X ? ?6*6 ?55*2 ?5@*4 ?60*>

Sar/% Ratio 4X ? 0*40 0*5 0*@ 0*1

+a$u% o8 1:000 in<%,t%d on 9=1=1>>0 :1@ 4:905 10:>25 1:2@5 :>41

Not%,

% Standard de9iation also Eno<n as historical 9olatilit: is used 7: in9estors as a +au+e ,or the amount o, e)2ected 9olatilit:&olatile 'S; ,unds liEe the C S and ,und ha9e a hi+h standard de9iation <hile the de9iation o, the G and * ,unds is lo<er&6hen com2arin+ in9estments a lo< standard de9iation is 2re,era7le&

ra<do<nK the 2eaE-to-trou+h decline in the 'S; ,und 9alue measured as a 2ercenta+e 7et<een the 2eaE and the trou+h&;erha2s 7est e)2ressed in the historical dra<do<n charts ,or each ,und <hich sho< the ma+nitude and duration o, each

2eriodic decline& A +ood in9estment strate+: aims to minimize dra<do<ns&3 'he Shar2e "atio measures risE-ad4usted 2er,ormance& tTs calculated 7: su7tractin+ the risE-,ree interest rate ,rom the rate o,

return ,or a s2eci,ic ,und and di9idin+ the result 7: the standard de9iation o, the ,und returns& Since <e onl: tracE 'S; ,unds

on this <e7site <e use the G ,und returns as our risE-,ree in9estment& 6hen com2arin+ in9estments a hi+h Shar2e "atio is 2re,era7le&

'he 'hri,t Sa9in+s ;lan also o,,ers ,i9e Fi,ec:cle *unds& 'he ta7le 7elo< sho<s their historical 2er,ormance sincethe: 7ecame a9aila7le ,or in9estment on 1>%>005K [5]

TS! Li8%#y#$% Fund,9=1=2005 ? 12=0=2015

TS!L In#o.%

Fund

TS!L 2020

Fund

TS!L 200

Fund

TS!L 2040

Fund

TS!L 2050

Fund

La,t !ri#% K12=0=2015 1@*9066 2*216 25*226@ 26*@@0@ 15*1556

Can"% K1?)ay ?0*11 ?0*29 ?0*9 ?0*45 ?0*50

-T) R%turn 2*04 1*95 1*@0 1*49 1*2

1?-%ar R%turn 1*96 1*@ 1*09 0*@9 0*52

?-%ar R%turn 4*4 @*@5 >*2@ 10* 11*25

5?-%ar R%turn *>5 6*61 @*@4 9*51 ?

Annua$ R%turn Sin#% 9=1=2005 4*2 5*6 6*1 6*4 9*9

Annua$i3%d Standard )%<iation 4*1 12*0 14*6 16*@ 14*0

Ma7i.u. )ra;do;n ?11*0 ?6*> ?4* ?49*4 ?1>*9

Sar/% Ratio 0*0 0*2@ 0*29 0*29 0*54

+a$u% o8 1:000 in<%,t%d on 9=1=2005 1:54 1:@60 1:94> 1:>09 1:516

TS! Li8%#y#$% Fund,

'he ,i9e 'S; Fi,ec:cle *unds are tar+et retirement date ,unds in9ested in a 2ro,essionall: desi+ned mi) o, domestic

and international stocEs 7onds and +o9ernment securities& ach F *und is in9ested in the ,i9e indi9idual 'S; ,unds

(G * C S and *und& 'S; in9estors choose a ,und 7ased on <hen the: e)2ect to retire and start maEin+

<ithdra<alsK

g 'he 'S; F 050 *und is ,or 2artici2ants <ho <ill need their mone: in the :ear 0#5 or later&

g 'he 'S; F 0#0 *und is ,or 2artici2ants <ho <ill need their mone: 7et<een 035 and 0##&g 'he 'S; F 030 *und is ,or 2artici2ants <ho <ill need their mone: 7et<een 05 and 03#&

g 'he 'S; F 00 *und is ,or 2artici2ants <ho <ill need their mone: 7et<een 0%5 and 0#&

g 'he 'S; F ncome *und is ,or 2artici2ants <ho are alread: <ithdra<in+ their accounts in monthl: 2a:ments or <ho 2lan to

need their mone: 7et<een no< and 0%#&

[SourceK htt2K>><<<&ts2,olio&com>ts2,unds ecem7er 3% 0%5 ]

%0%

http://www.tspfolio.com/tspgfund


http://www.tspfolio.com/tspffund


http://www.tspfolio.com/tspcfund


http://www.tspfolio.com/tspsfund


http://www.tspfolio.com/tspifund


http://www.tspfolio.com/tspfunds#notes







http://www.tspfolio.com/tsplincomefund



http://www.tspfolio.com/tspl2020fund












http://www.tspfolio.com/tspfunds






























http://www.tspfolio.com/tspfunds



( %n%ra$ Int%r%,t (

Not%, o8 Int%r%,t 16 tru 1 )%# 2015

• Bio, Urn& Fet?s con9ert cemeteries into ,orestsR ChecE out the !ios Urn at htt2sK>>urna7ios&com& t is a

,ull: 7iode+rada7le urn desi+ned to con9ert :our ashes into a tree a,ter li,e& Mainl: com2osed o, t<o 2arts

the urn contains a seed <hich uses the nutrients ,rom the ashes to +ro< in the name o, :our lo9ed one or

:oursel,&

• !TS)& Second-line res2onders to tra+ed:\humanitarian <orEers thera2ists social <orEers la<:ers and

4ournalists\can de9elo2 traumatic-stress disorders that mimic the ;'S o, their clients 2atients and

sources do<n to the ima+es o, 9iolence that can haunt a traumatized mind&• +i%tna. 50t& Secretar: o, eterans A,,airs "o7ert Mconald has desi+nated March 8 0%. as the date

,or our nation?s ietnam 6ar Commemoration

• For"ott%n H%ro%,* 'o 9ie< Crai+ ;atricE?s *o)%3 series X*or+otten Beroes 'he 6ar at BomeY +o to

htt2K>><<<&7in+&com>9ideos>searchP

L=9ideo,or+ottenheroes9a7lundersI9ie<=detailImid=.%C50#3!!351.5AC8.%C50#3!!3

51.5AC8I*"M="%&

• S%a$,* 'he le+endar: Na9: SAFs ha9e no 2lans to alter their strenuous 2h:sical ,itness standards as the:

o2en the doors to <omen in 0%. accordin+ to the Na9:Ts 2ersonnel 7oss&

• TRICARE* Medicare-eli+i7le militar: retirees and their s2ouses are amon+ the most satis,ied users o,

'ricare <hile those enrolled in 'ricare ;rime \ man: o, <hom recei9e health care at militar: hos2itals

and clinics \ are less ha22: <ith the militar: health s:stem accordin+ to a recent 2oll conducted 7: theMilitar: ,,icers Association o, America&

• Mi$itary Sui#id%,* 'he num7er o, suicides amon+ acti9e-dut: ser9ice mem7ers has remained relati9el:

stead: in 0%5 accordin+ to ;enta+on data& As o, ec& %5 /5 ser9ice mem7ers had Eilled themsel9es

com2ared <ith /3 in 0%# and 53 in 0%3&

• Han8ord Nu#$%ar R%,%r<ation* 'he nationTs most 2olluted nuclear <ea2ons 2roduction site is no< its

ne<est national 2arE& 'housands o, 2eo2le are e)2ected ne)t :ear to tour the Ban,ord Nuclear "eser9ation

home o, the <orldTs ,irst ,ull-sized nuclear reactor near "ichland a7out 00 miles east o, Seattle in south-

central 6ashin+ton&

• S%#)%8* e,ense Secretar: Ash Carter has ordered U&S& Na9: leaders to 7u: ,e<er shi2s so the ser9ice can

s2end more on 4ets such as the *-35 as <ell as munitions and u2+raded s:stems ,or electronic <ar,are&

• To7i# E7/o,ur%* 'he e2artment o, eterans A,,airs sa:s it <ill taEe at least a :ear to ,ormulate

re+ulations ena7lin+ Cam2 Fe4eune 9eterans to recei9e automatic 7ene,its ,or an: o, ei+ht diseases linEedto contaminated drinEin+ <ater at the 7ase&

• I,$a.i# Stat%* 'he cost o, 7attlin+ the slamic State came to a7out $%% million a da: 7et<een S; 0%#

and N 0%5 totalin+ a7out $5&3. 7illion accordin+ to data released 7: o& 'he Air *orce is s2endin+

the most at .8 ,ollo<ed 7: the Arm: <ith %3 the Na9: <ith %% and S2ecial 2erations Command at

/&

• R%,/on,% ti.%* , :ou dri9e +o to htt2sK>><<<&4ust2arE&com>creati9e>reaction-time-test to see <hat a+e

dri9er :our 7raEin+ res2onse time correlates to&

%0

https://urnabios.com/


http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=video+forgotten+heroes+va+blunders&view=detail&mid=6D1DC5043BB35865DAC96D1DC5043BB35865DAC9&FORM=VIRE1




https://www.justpark.com/creative/reaction-time-test





https://www.justpark.com/creative/reaction-time-test



• Hi,tory ui3* 'aEe the 30 Luestion multi2le choice Luiz at htt2K>>histor:&ho<stu,,<orEs&com>historical-

e9ents>us-histor:-e)2ert-Luiz&htm to see ho< <ell :ou Eno< American histor:&

• Tru./* ChecE out htt2sK>><<<&:outu7e&com>em7ed>MJi5HeNt" to 9ie< a 5 :ear old 9ideo on

onald 'rum2 discussin+ his 9ie<s on runnin+ ,or 2resident&

• WWII S%7 S$a<%,* An a2olo+: ,rom a2anTs 2rime minister and a 2led+e o, more than $1 million sealed a

7reaEthrou+h deal 1 AN on a decades-lon+ im2asse <ith South Jorea o9er Jorean <omen ,orced into

a2anese militar:-run 7rothels durin+ 6orld 6ar &

• R%Wa$ E7o,%$ton& 'he e2artment o, eterans A,,airs has announced co9era+e o, the "e6alE 2o<ered

e)osEeleton ,or Luali,ied 9eterans <ho ha9e lo<er-lim7 2aral:sis marEin+ the ,irst ,ederal co9era+e

decision ,or the technolo+:&

• Ar., Sa$%,& 'he US made $3.& 7illion in ,orei+n arms sales in 0%# a 4um2 o, a7out 35 o9er 0%3

accordin+ to a con+ressional stud:& "ussia <as a distant second in arms sales nettin+ $%0& 7illion

,ollo<ed 7: S<eden ($5&5 7illion *rance ($#&# 7illion and China ($& 7illion& US all: South Jorea <as

the 7i++est 7u:er <ith $/&1 7illion ,ollo<ed 7: raL <ith $/&3 7illion and !razil <ith $.&5 7illion&

• USS Ni.it3 KC+N?69* 'he carrier <hich is scheduled ,or a de2lo:ment a,ter it +ets out o, the :ard this

summer is +oin+ to sta: in !remerton throu+h its 0%1 maintenance a9aila7ilit: the Na9: announced

C&

[SourceK arious @ ecem7er 3% 0%5 ]


M%di#a$ I) T%8t 100 Mi$$ion R%#ord, in 2015

'here?s nearl: a % in 3 chance that :our medical records <ere com2romised in 0%5 accordin+ to Cale7 !arlo<

9ice 2resident o, !M Securit:& !arlo< tells CN!C that retailers had their 7est :ear in the 2ast ,i9e :ears in terms o, in,ormation securit:& Be sa:s that it?s e9idence that retailers are <orEin+ hard to sol9e the 2ro7lem <ith ne<

securit: tools and technolo+: liEe the chi2 and ;Ns& n the health care sector ho<e9er hi+h-2ro,ile 7reaches o,

ma4or insurance com2anies liEe Anthem and !lue Cross made headlines this :ear& n ,act %00 million records <ere

com2romised 7: hacEers !arlo< sa:s&

'he current U&S& 2o2ulation is a7out 33 million& !arlo< addsK X'his re2resents 7asicall: a7out % in 3 Americans

ha9e had their health care records com2romised o9er the course o, this :ear&Y 'he rise in medical identit: the,t is

es2eciall: 7ad ne<s ,or consumers& !arlo< e)2lainsK Xt?s stucE <ith :ou ,or the rest o, :our li,e so this in,ormation

in the health care record could 7e used 0 :ears ,rom no< to esta7lish credit ,ile a ta) return on :our 7ehal, or ,ile

a ,alse medical claim&Y Medical data is also more 9alua7le to hacEers than ,inancial data accordin+ to the non2ro,it

Medical dentit: *raud Alliance& 6hile stolen credit cards sell ,or a ,e< dollars on the 7lacE marEet electronic

health records sell ,or as much as $50& 'o learn a7out ho< :ou can +uard a+ainst medical identit: the,t checE outK

• X Je:s to A9oidin+ Medical dentit: 'he,tY htt2K>><<<&mone:talEsne<s&com>-Ee:s-a9oidin+-medical-

identit:-the,t

%03

http://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/us-history-expert-quiz.htm




https://www.youtube.com/embed/MOKi5YeNtRI

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/12/24/data-breaches-down-92-in-retail-but-soaring-in-health-care-industry.html


http://www.moneytalksnews.com/what-you-need-know-about-your-new-chipped-credit-cards/

http://www.moneytalksnews.com/massive-anthem-cyberattack-are-you-risk/

http://www.moneytalksnews.com/major-data-breach-exposes-premera-blue-cross-customers/


http://www.census.gov/popclock/

http://medidfraud.org/5-tips-to-keep-your-health-info-secure/


http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2-keys-avoiding-medical-identity-theft/

http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2-keys-avoiding-medical-identity-theft




https://www.youtube.com/embed/MOKi5YeNtRI


http://www.moneytalksnews.com/what-you-need-know-about-your-new-chipped-credit-cards/

http://www.moneytalksnews.com/massive-anthem-cyberattack-are-you-risk/


http://www.census.gov/popclock/


http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2-keys-avoiding-medical-identity-theft/





• X*'C Faunches *ree dentit: 'he,t 'oolY htt2K>><<<&mone:talEsne<s&com>,tc-launches-,ree-identit:-

the,t-tool

[SourceK Mone:'alEsNe<s @ Jarla !o<sher @ ecem7er 8 0%5 ]


US +ot%r )ata Br%a# In8or.ation on 1>1 Mi$$ion +ot%r,

An inde2endent com2uter securit: researcher unco9ered a data7ase o, in,ormation on %8% million 9oters that is

e)2osed on the o2en nternet due to an incorrectl: con,i+ured data7ase he said on 1 C& 'he data7ase includes

names addresses 7irth dates 2art: a,,iliations 2hone num7ers and emails o, 9oters in all 50 U&S& states and

6ashin+ton researcher Chris icEer: said in a 2hone inter9ie<& icEer: a tech su22ort s2ecialist ,rom Austin

'e)as said he ,ound the in,ormation <hile looEin+ ,or in,ormation e)2osed on the 6e7 in a 7id to raise a<areness

o, data leaEs& icEer: said he could not tell <hether others had accessed the 9oter data7ase <hich tooE a7out a da:

to do<nload&

Si"n, ar% /i#tur%d durin" a <ot%r r%"i,tration dri<% 8or Nationa$ +ot%r R%"i,tration )ay out,id% Con<%ntion C%nt%r in Lo,

An"%$%,: Ca$i8ornia S%/t%.&%r 22: 2015*

6hile 9oter data is t:2icall: considered 2u7lic in,ormation it <ould 7e time-consumin+ and e)2ensi9e to +ather

a data7ase o, all American 9oters& A tro9e o, all U&S& 9oter data could 7e 9alua7le to criminals looEin+ ,or lists o,

lar+e num7ers o, tar+ets ,or a 9ariet: o, ,raud schemes& 'he alarmin+ 2art is that the in,ormation is so

concentrated icEer: said& icEer: said he has not 7een a7le to identi,: <ho controls the data7ase 7ut that he is

<orEin+ <ith U&S& ,ederal authorities to ,ind the o<ner so the: can remo9e it ,rom 2u7lic 9ie<& Be declined to

identi,: the a+encies& A re2resentati9e <ith the *ederal !ureau o, n9esti+ation declined to comment& A

re2resentati9e <ith the U&S& *ederal lections Commission <hich re+ulates cam2ai+n ,inancin+ said the a+enc:

does not ha9e 4urisdiction o9er 2rotectin+ 9oter records&

"e+ulations on 2rotectin+ 9oter data 9ar: ,rom state to state <ith man: states im2osin+ no restrictions&

Cali,ornia ,or e)am2le reLuires that 9oter data 7e used ,or 2olitical 2ur2oses onl: and not 7e a9aila7le to 2ersons

outside o, the United States& ;ri9ac: ad9ocates said icEer:Ts ,indin+s <ere trou7lin+& ;ri9ac: re+ulations arereLuired so a 2erson?s 2olitical in,ormation can 7e Ee2t 2ri9ate and sa,eY said e,, Chester e)ecuti9e director o, the

6ashin+ton-7ased Center ,or i+ital emocrac:& 'he leaE <as ,irst re2orted 7: CS nline and ata7reaches&net

com2uter and 2ri9ac: ne<s sites that icEer: said hel2ed him attem2t to locate the data7aseTs o<ner& CS nline

said the e)2osed in,ormation ma: ha9e ori+inall: come ,rom cam2ai+n so,t<are 2ro9ider Nation!uilder 7ecause the

leaE included data codes similar to those used 7: that ,irm&

n a statement Nation!uilder Chie, )ecuti9e ,,icer im Gilliam said the data7ase <as not created 7: the Fos

An+eles-7ased com2an: 7ut that some o, its in,ormation ma: ha9e come ,rom data it ,reel: su22lies to 2olitical

%0#

http://www.moneytalksnews.com/ftc-launches-free-identity-theft-tool/

http://www.moneytalksnews.com/ftc-launches-free-identity-theft-tool




http://www.moneytalksnews.com/ftc-launches-free-identity-theft-tool/





cam2ai+ns& *rom <hat <eT9e seen the 9oter in,ormation included is alread: 2u7licl: a9aila7le ,rom each state

+o9ernment so no ne< or 2ri9ate in,ormation <as released in this data7ase Gilliam said& [SourceK "euters @ im

*inEle and ustin olz @ ecem7er 8 0%5 ]


F%d%ra$ Ho$iday, 2016

*ederal la< (5 U&S&C& .%03 esta7lishes the 2u7lic holida:s listed 7elo< ,or ,ederal em2lo:ees& ;lease note that most*ederal em2lo:ees <orE on a Monda: throu+h *rida: schedule& *or these em2lo:ees <hen a holida: ,alls on a non-<orEda: -- Saturda: or Sunda: -- the holida: usuall: is o7ser9ed on Monda: (i, the holida: ,alls on Sunda: or*rida: (i, the holida: ,alls on Saturda:&

)at% Ho$iday

*rida: anuar: % Ne< HearTs a:

Monda: anuar: %1 !irthda: o, Martin Futher Jin+ r&

Monda: *e7ruar: %5W 6ashin+tonTs !irthda:

Monda: Ma: 30 Memorial a:

Monda: ul: # nde2endence a:Monda: Se2tem7er 5 Fa7or a:

Monda: cto7er %0 Colum7us a:

*rida: No9em7er %% eterans a:

'hursda: No9em7er # 'hanEs+i9in+ a:

Monda: ecem7er .WW Christmas a:

W 'his holida: is desi+nated as 6ashin+tonTs !irthda: in section .%03(a o, title 5 o, the United States Code<hich is the la< that s2eci,ies holida:s ,or *ederal em2lo:ees& 'hou+h other institutions such as state and local+o9ernments and 2ri9ate 7usinesses ma: use other names it is our 2olic: to al<a:s re,er to holida:s 7: the namesdesi+nated in the la<&WW ecem7er 5 0%. (the le+al 2u7lic holida: ,or Christmas a: ,alls on a Sunda:& *or most *ederal em2lo:ees

Monda: ecem7er . <ill 7e treated as a holida: ,or 2a: and lea9e 2ur2oses& (See section 3(a o, )ecuti9e order

%%51 *e7ruar: %% %8/%

[SourceK htt2K>><<<&m:,ederalretirement&com>2u7lic>0%.-*ederal-Bolida:s&c,m @ ec 0%5 ]


War on .a, Hou,% R%,o$ution 564

t?s the most uncom,orta7le time o, the :ear& A +rou2 o, conser9ati9es in Con+ress do not <ant Christmas traditions

and s:m7ols to recede ,rom 2u7lic li,e& 'he: ha9e 7anded to+ether in their ,i+ht to Eee2 nati9it: scenes on dis2la: in

to<n sLuares and the <ords XMerr: ChristmasY in our con9ersations this season& "e2u7lican Colorado "e2& ou+

Fam7orn introduced a resolution in the Bouse o, "e2resentati9es on %% C that <ould a,,irm the 7od:?s XsenseY

that Christmas should 7e 2rotected Bouse "esolution 5.# <hich in9oEes the *irst Amendment 2osits that

re,erences to reli+ion or God should not 7e 2rohi7ited in ci9ic dialo+ueK XNo< there,ore 7e it "esol9ed 'hat the

Bouse o, "e2resentati9es \ (% reco+nizes the im2ortance o, the s:m7ols and traditions o, ChristmasV ( stron+l:

disa22ro9es o, attem2ts to 7an re,erences to ChristmasV and (3 e)2resses su22ort ,or the use o, these s:m7ols and

traditions 7: those <ho cele7rate Christmas&Y

'he resolution has 7een re,erred to the Bouse Committee on 9ersi+ht and Go9ernment "e,orm& Accordin+ to

Fam7orn seasonal reli+ious e)2ression must 7e 2rotected ,or all Americans and e,,orts to remo9e reli+ious as2ects

%05

http://www.myfederalretirement.com/public/2016-Federal-Holidays.cfm

http://www.myfederalretirement.com/public/2016-Federal-Holidays.cfm



o, Christmas ,rom the 2u7lic s2ace are not merel: mis+uided \ the: are unconstitutional& XChristmas is a

<onder,ul time o, :ear <hen a ma4orit: o, Americans taEe time to remem7er the hum7le 7irth o, esus Christ on a

hol: ni+ht more than 000 :ears a+o& 'he messa+e o, Christmas is one o, lo9e ho2e and 2eaceY Fam7orn said in a

statement& Xt is a messa+e that our countr: and this <orld needs more than e9er in the midst o, e9er increasin+

con,lict and chaos&Y Be taEes issue <ith the Xtrou7lin+ e,,ort 7: some in AmericaY to eliminate Xan: and all

Christmas cele7rations and traditions ,rom the 2u7lic arena&Y

Fir,t $ady Mi#%$$% O&a.a: a##o./ani%d &y 8ir,t do" Bo: r%ad, T;a, t% Ni"t B%8or% Cri,t.a,Q to #i$dr%n at t%

Ci$dr%n, Nationa$ H%a$t Sy,t%. in Wa,in"ton on 14 )EC*

Fam7orn sent a letter to his collea+ues in the Bouse encoura+in+ them to co-s2onsor the resolution& 'he 2ro2osed

resolution is onl: the latest 9olle: in the annual so-called X6ar on Christmas&Y 9er: :ear social conser9ati9es

lament <hat the: consider secular attem2ts to su22ress the Christian holida:& Man: others ho<e9er contend that

there is no such X<arY and that Americans ha9e sim2l: 7ecome more culturall: inclusi9e& arlier this month the

Uni9ersit: o, 'ennessee Jno)9ille?s ,,ice o, i9ersit: and nclusion released a statement ur+in+ students not to

thro< Christmas 2arties 7ecause the: mi+ht o,,end some students& XBolida: 2arties and cele7rations should

cele7rate and 7uild u2on <orE2lace relationshi2s and team morale <ith no em2hasis on reli+ion or culture& nsure

:our holida: 2art: is not a Christmas 2art: in dis+uiseY read the messa+e <hich has since 7een altered accordin+

to the ail: !east&

Uni9ersit: Chancellor imm: G& CheeE a2olo+ized ,or the statement a,ter it <as roundl: criticized in the media

as tone dea, and an a,,ront to ,ree s2eech& XAs an educational institution it?s our 4o7 to listen and to learnY he said

in a ne<s release& X6e are sorr: that <e did not communicate 9er: <ell& 6e?9e learned a lesson ,rom this& 6e <ant

to mo9e ,or<ard and to ,ocus on the 7i+ 2icture and our +oals ,or creatin+ and sustainin+ a learnin+ en9ironment

<here all communit: mem7ers and all 2oints o, 9ie< are 9alued and res2ected&Y [SourceK

htt2sK>><<<&:ahoo&com>2olitics @ Michael 6alsh @ ecem7er %5 0%5 ]


114t Con"r%,, 2015 !%r8or.an#% D Co./arati<%$y Not Bad

Fo and 7ehold Con+ress actuall: +ot some 7i+ thin+s done this :ear& !: 4ust a7out an: standard the Bouse and

Senate 2assed more si+ni,icant 2ieces o, le+islation in 0%5 than at an: 2oint since ;resident 7ama?s ,irst t<o

:ears in o,,ice <hen emocratic ma4orities +a9e him a ra,t o, landmarE 2olic: achie9ements& 'he la<s Con+ress

enacted this :ear <ere not as e)2ansi9e 7ut <ith "e2u7licans controllin+ Ca2itol Bill ,or the ,irst time since 00.

the: <ere all 7i2artisan& 'he list o, ma4or con+ressional actions includesK

• 'he ,irst re<rite o, ,ederal education la< since the 2assa+e o, No Child Fe,t !ehind in 00&

%0.

https://www.yahoo.com/politics

https://www.yahoo.com/politics



• A ,i9e-:ear $305 7illion in,rastructure 7ill\the lon+est reauthorization o, ,ederal trans2ortation 2ro+rams

in a decade&

• A lon+-term ,i) to the Medicare 2a:ment s:stem 2artiall: 2aid 7: modest re,orms to entitlement 2ro+rams&

• nactment o, 'rade ;romotion Authorit: <hich +rants 7oth 7ama and his successor additional 2o<er to

ne+otiate trade deals that can?t 7e re9ised 7: Con+ress&

• ;assa+e o, a $%&%5 trillion s2endin+ 7ill <hich loosens 7ud+et ca2s and li,ts a #0-:ear-old 7an on the

e)2ort o, U&S& oil&

• A $. 7illion ta) 2acEa+e <hich maEes 2ermanent dozens o, ta) 7reaEs aimed at 7usinesses and lo<-

income indi9iduals and ,amilies&

Usin+ the last ,our :ears as a 2oint o, com2arison is admittedl: settin+ a lo< 7ar ,or 4ud+in+ the ,irst session o,

the %%#th Con+ress& As an:one 2a:in+ e9en occasional attention to 6ashin+ton 2olitics could tell :ou not much

made it out o, the Ca2itol 7et<een 0%% and 0%#& 'he "e2u7lican-controlled Bouse 7icEered <ith a Senate run 7:

emocrats and la<maEers lurched ,rom one crisis to the ne)t& Most o, the note<orth: le+islation that did 2ass\a

de,icit-reduction 7ill in 0%% the ,iscal-cli,, deal in 0%3\<ere si+ni,icant merel: 7ecause the: ,orestalled a

calamit: o, Con+ress?s o<n maEin+ not 7ecause the: esta7lished ne< la< or 2roacti9el: addressed a national

2ro7lem& And so althou+h none o, the le+islation 2assed in 0%5 matches sa: the A,,orda7le Care Act or the 008

economic stimulus 2acEa+e in sco2e this :ear sa< the Bouse and Senate return to a sem7lance o, normal

+o9ernance& X'he:?9e reall: nailed do<n some ,esterin+ issues that ha9e 7een on the a+enda ,or Luite a <hileY said

Sarah !inder a senior ,ello< <ho studies Con+ress at the !rooEin+s nstitution& XAnd the:?9e done it in this sort o,

remarEa7l: 7i2artisan <a:&Y

6hat chan+edP 'he ,irst and most o79ious di,,erence is that "e2u7licans tooE o9er the Senate ma4orit:& 6hile

this could ha9e 7een the reci2e ,or e9en more +ridlocE ne< Ma4orit: Feader Mitch McConnell made a deli7erate

decision to demonstrate in his ,irst :ear that "e2u7licans could run in his <ords a Xres2onsi7le ri+ht-o,-center

+o9ernin+ ma4orit:&Y 'he im2erati9e as he descri7ed to re2orters earl: on <as to la: the +round<orE ,or the 0%.

election and to sho< 9oters that the: needn?t 7e ,ri+htened o, +i9in+ "e2u7licans 7oth the Con+ress and the 6hite

Bouse& McConnell +ot o,, to a slo< start and G; leaders stum7led in an earl: sho<do<n <ith emocrats 7:

<ithholdin+ ,unds ,or the e2artment o, Bomeland Securit: in a stando,, o9er immi+ration& !ut ultimatel:

McConnell deli9ered on his 2romise and durin+ :ear-end inter9ie<s and 2ress con,erences he tooE a 9ictor: la2 on

leadin+ a more o2en and 2roducti9e Senate& X!: an: o74ecti9e standardY he said a,ter the cham7er closed u2 ,or the

:ear Xthe Senate is clearl: 7acE to <orE&Y

Het 7ecause the "e2u7lican ma4orit: is not ,ili7uster-2roo, McConnell needed emocratic coo2eration& *or the

most 2art he +ot it& n the closin+ <eeEs o, the :ear emocrats 2ointed out that the issues on <hich Con+ress made

2ro+ress\2articularl: the in,rastructure and education 7ills\came out o, the lar+e 7acElo+ that had 7uilt u2 <hen

the: <ere in the ma4orit:& XAll the thin+s that m: ,riends 7oast a7out m: "e2u7lican ,riends <e could ha9e done

:ears a+o 7ut the: o7structed themY lamented Barr: "eid the ,ormer ma4orit: leader <hom "e2u7licans rele+ated

to the minorit:& Senator Charles Schumer tooE the ar+ument a ste2 ,urtherK X'he 7ills <e?re 2assin+ re,lect

emocratic 9aluesY he told re2orters& X9en thou+h <e?re in the minorit: <e?re 2assin+ a 2ro+ram that <e?9e 7een

,or all alon+&Y

ictor: o, course has a thousand ,athers\or at least a cou2le hundred <hen a 7ill 2asses Con+ress& And mucho, the 7acEsla22in+ in the Ca2itol re,lected the Eind o, credit-taEin+ :ou?d e)2ect ,rom mem7ers o, an institution

held in lo<-esteem 7: most o, the American 2u7lic& emocrats ma: ha9e hel2ed "e2u7licans 2ass 7ills that ali+ned

<ith their 2riorities 7ut the: <ere ,rustrated that the G; tooE no action to com7at climate chan+e address +un

9iolence raise the minimum <a+e or o9erhaul the nation?s immi+ration\all Ee: 2arts o, 7ama?s a+enda&

'he ,inal ,lurr: o, le+islation came a,ter a 2eriod o, intense turmoil in the Bouse <hen S2eaEer ohn !oehner

resi+ned rather than ,ace a re9olt 7: conser9ati9es in the "e2u7lican con,erence& 6hile most o, the si+ni,icant 7ills

<ere in the <orEs 7e,ore !oehner le,t la<maEers said his de2arture created more 2olitical s2ace ,or ;aul ":an to

%0/



steer them o9er the ,inish line& X9er a 2eriod o, time S2eaEer !oehner had lost some +ra9itas <ithin the

con,erence and ;aul hasn?tY said "e2resentati9e "eed "i77le a 6isconsin "e2u7lican& , nothin+ else ":an made

2roducti9e use o, the hone:moon a,,orded him 7: the conser9ati9es <ho <ould raise o74ections <hene9er !oehner

7rou+ht le+islation the: didn?t liEe to the ,loor& !inder said the com7ination o, McConnell and ":an in the t<o

leadershi2 2osts X2ro7a7l: +reased the sEids&Y 'here <as she said Xa little more <illin+ness to clean out the 7arn

+et it +oin+ and 2ut these 7ehind them to ,ocus on 0%.&Y

6ill the 7i2artisan 7onhomie continue in the ne< :earP )2ectations ,or ma4or le+islati9e action are al<a:s lo<

in a 2residential-election :ear& 'he ri2est area ,or 7i2artisanshi2 is criminal-4ustice re,orm <hich has attracted the

interest o, la<maEers ,rom across the 2olitical s2ectrum& 7ama has listed it as a 2riorit: and ad9ocates 7elie9e

the: ha9e a small <indo< earl: in the :ear 7e,ore the 2residential and le+islati9e 2rimar: cam2ai+ns maEe a ma4or

7ill im2ossi7le& !ut des2ite 2assa+e o, 'rade ;romotion Authorit: earlier this :ear there is a d<indlin+ liEelihood

that Con+ress <ill a22ro9e the 'rans-;aci,ic ;artnershi2 7e,ore the election& 7ama also is e)2ected to 2ress

Con+ress to act on his 2lan to ,inall: close the detention center at Guantanamo !a: to ,ormall: authorize the use o,

militar: ,orce a+ainst the slamic State and to address +un 9iolence& n a :ear-end ne<s con,erence he sounded

realistic a7out the lo< chances that la<maEers <ill mo9e on an: o, those 2riorities&

Het as he considered a le+islature that has so o,ten ,rustrated him the 2resident added X9er: once in a <hile

the:?ll sur2rise :ou&Y 'he: certainl: did in 0%5& [SourceK 'he Atlantic @ "ussell !erman @ ecem7er 3 0%5 ]


Hou,%o$d Ti/, U/dat% 0 A$t%rnat% U,% It%.,

Can?t +et rid o, that ,unE: odor ,rom :our mudroomP ut o, laundr: deter+ent and 2a2er to<els tooP A tri2 to

6almart 7ecEonsor does itP As it turns out :ou don?t need F:sol to ,reshen the air nor do :ou need 2a2er to<els

to clean :our 7athroom mirror& i+ throu+h :our ca7inets and :ou?ll ,ind some little-Eno<n (and in man: cases

7etter uses ,or somethin+ :ou alread: ha9e&

%& %t#u/ - A little 7it o, Eetchu2 remo9es tarnish and stains ,rom 2ots and 2ans&

& A$u.inu. 8oi$ - !elie9e it or not aluminum ,oil is not onl: sa,e to 2ut in the dr:er it?s also a +ood re2lacement,or dr:er sheets&

3& Co88%% 8i$t%r, - Co,,ee ,ilters are lint-,ree and t:2icall: <orE 7etter than 2a2er to<els <hen it comes to cleanin+

:our <indo<s or mirrors& 79iousl: ,ilters aren?t chea2er than 2a2er to<els 7ut in a 2inch the: could sa9e :ou a

tri2 to the store&

#& Wit% <in%"ar - ;racticall: a <onder-su7stance& Sure it?s a +reat co,,ee 2ot cleaner 7ut it can relie9e sun7urn

2ain athlete?s ,oot a sore throat and hiccu2s& t?s also a remed: ,or acne and 7od: odor&

5& Ru&&in" a$#oo$ - id the Eids +et a hold o, the 2ermanent marEers a+ainP on?t ,ret& "u77in+ alcohol <ill

remo9e those dra<in+s ,rom ta7leto2s and <alls&

.& Cat $itt%r - "ice is commonl: used to cure a <et 2hone 7ut i, there?s none in the 2antr: cat litter <ill also do the

tricE&

/& Cinna.on - Cinnamon acts as a natural re2ellent ,or mice and ants& Sim2l: di2 a ,e< cotton 7alls in cinnamon

and 2lace them in 2ro7lem areas&

1& Bain" ,oda - Commonl: Eno<n as an alternati9e to tooth2aste (thou+h not one that should 7e used e9er: da: it

also acts as an antacid& Sim2l: mi) b teas2oon o, 7aEin+ soda <ith a ,e< ounces o, <ater&

%01



8& Co88%% "round, - 6hat do :ou do <hen the a<,ul odor o, le,to9er ,ood <on?t lea9e :our ,rid+eP Hou?ll o79iousl:

ha9e to dis2ose o, the cul2rit 7ut a,ter it?s 7anished sticE some co,,ee +rounds in a 2lastic container and 2unch a

,e< holes in the to2& ;ut the container in the ,rid+e and a,ter a ,e< hours the odor <ill 9anish&

%0& ro#%ry &a", - Most o, us ha9e a stash o, 2lastic 7a+s ,rom the +rocer: store thou+h <e hate to admit it& MaEe

use o, the 7a+s <hen :ou send a ,ra+ile 2acEa+e the:?re a +reat alternati9e to 7u77le-<ra2&

%%& Hair dry%r - Bair dr:ers ha9e a sur2risin+ multitude o, 2ur2oses includin+ remo9in+ dust ,rom :our Ee:7oard

stretchin+ out :our ne< shoes and remo9in+ the isne: sticEers that maEe it onto :our toddler?s <all&

%& Nai$ /o$i, r%.o<%r - nE stains on :our sEin or scu,, marEs on :our 2atent leather shoes <ill +o a<a: <ith a

cotton 7all and some nail 2olish remo9er&

%3& Br%ad - !reaE a +lassP !read <ill easil: and sa,el: 2icE u2 tin: +lass :our 9acuum missed&

[SourceK Mone:'alEsNe<s @ Amanda GeroniEos @ ul: 03 0%5 ]


S#anda$, o8 2015 15 o8 t% Bi""%,t

n a :ear marEed 7: 2ri9ate email shenani+ans and underco9er 9ideos 2olitical scandals that mi+ht ha9e shocEed

the 2u7lic an: other time seemed relati9el: tame& !ut 2u7lic ,i+ures ,rom all le9els <ere u2 to no +ood in 0%5

<astin+ ta)2a:er mone: and tr:in+ to co9er their tracEs at e9er: turn& 6hile this timeline o, scandals doesnTt 7e+in

to co9er all the 2olitical 7ad 7eha9ior that trans2ired in 6ashin+ton this :ear it does 2ro9ide a <indo< into <hat

some leaders <ill do <hen the: thinE no one is <atchin+&

Fir,t $ady o8 Or%"on, #on8$i#t o8 int%r%,t* re+on Go9& ohn Jitzha7er <as ,orced ,rom his 2ost in *e7ruar: a,ter

months o, scrutin: o9er the role o, his ,iancee C:l9ia Ba:es in his o,,icial administration& Ba:es an en9ironmental

acti9ist ran a 2ri9ate consultin+ ,irm that re2resented clients <hose 7usiness intersected <ith the state +o9ernment&

Critics accused Jitzha7er o, allo<in+ his ,iance to use her access to re+onTs hi+hest o,,ice in ser9ice to her

clients a 2ractice man: sa< as a 7latant con,lict o, interest& re+onians hei+htened their calls ,or the emocratic

+o9ernorTs resi+nation a,ter Ba:es re,used to release emails related to her role as the stateTs ,irst lad: e9en thou+h

the attorne: +eneral had ordered her to maEe them 2u7lic& *our da:s 7e,ore Jitzha7er ste22ed do<n the attorne:

+eneral announced she had o2ened a criminal in9esti+ation into the alle+ations o, corru2tion surroundin+ the

+o9ernorTs o,,ice& 'hat <as in addition to a re9ie< alread: in 2ro+ress 7: the re+on Go9ernment thics

Commission& Jitzha7er made histor: 7: 7ecomin+ the onl: re+on +o9ernor to resi+n amid scandal in addition to

his standin+ as the stateTs lon+est-ser9in+ +o9ernor&

So#in" E7/%n,%,& Aaron SchocE resi+ned in March o9er Luestions a7out his o,,ice decorations that s2iraled into

a national scandal& 'he llinois "e2u7licanTs <oes 7e+an in *e7ruar: <hen a 6ashin+ton ;ost re2orter inLuired

a7out the o<nton A77e: theme o, SchocETs la9ishl:-a22ointed o,,ice& [S]ometimes a ,riendl: outsider can

inad9ertentl: ruin a communications directorTs da: <rote !en 'erris the ;ost re2orter <ho touched o,, the

,irestorm that cost SchocE his seat in a *! stor: a7out an a<E<ard encounter <ith the con+ressmanTs 2ress

<ran+ler& ournalists soon 7e+an 2orin+ o9er SchocETs ,inancial records ,or e9idence o, im2ro2riet:& 'he: raised

Luestions a7out his use o, ta)2a:er and cam2ai+n ,unds to charter 4ets 2urchase concert ticEets and to reim7urse

himsel, ,or dri9in+ more miles in his o,,icial ca2acit: than <ere e9en on his carTs odometer& 6hile SchocE initiall:

attem2ted to maEe amends ,or his ,ri9olous s2endin+ 7: hirin+ a third 2art: to tracE his e)2enses he ,olded under

the 2ressure o, a con+ressional ethics 2ro7e and a seemin+l: endless onslau+ht o, headlines a7out his 2olitical

e)2enditures&

Ta7?d%$inu%nt 8%d,* An nternal "e9enue Ser9ice re2ort made 2u7lic in March re9ealed more than %00000

,ederal em2lo:ees had e9aded all or 2art o, their ta)es in 0%# costin+ ta)2a:ers $%&# 7illion& 'he amount o,

%08



re9enue loss to ta)-delinLuent +o9ernment <orEers had hit a ten-:ear hi+h accordin+ to the contro9ersial re2ort& Het

all %%3105 ci9ilian +o9ernment em2lo:ees named in the re9ie< Ee2t their ta)2a:er-,unded 4o7s des2ite ,ailin+ to

2a: their o<n ta)es& 'he re2ort s2arEed <ides2read outra+e and 2rom2ted Bouse "e2u7licans to 2ut ,or<ard a 7ill

that <ould ha9e +i9en ,ederal o,,icials the 2o<er to ,ire +o9ernment em2lo:ees <ho are delinLuent on their ta)es&

'hat 7ill ,ailed to clear the Bouse in A2ril& emocrats re2ortedl: ar+ued that the 7ill un,airl: tar+eted ,ederal

em2lo:ees o9er 2ri9ate ones&

Hi$$ary, %.ai$?"at%* Billar: ClintonTs email scandal ecli2sed e9er: other 2olitical contro9ers: this :ear in interest

and intensit: a,ter the slo< dri2 o, re9elations a7out her use o, a 2ri9ate email ser9er threatened to ho77le her

2residential cam2ai+n& Critics contend Clinton used a 2ersonal ser9er to hide her communications ,rom the 2u7lic

althou+h the ,ormer secretar: o, state ,irst ar+ued in March that she had set the s:stem u2 at her Cha22aLua N&H&

home 7ecause she <anted to carr: 4ust one de9ice ,or 7oth 2ersonal and o,,icial emails& 6ithin hours re2orters had

dred+ed u2 2hoto+ra2hs o, Clinton usin+ multi2le mo7ile de9ices renderin+ her de,ense useless& She has not o,,ered

an alternati9e e)2lanation& 9en so the 2u7licTs a22etite ,or stories a7out the Clinton email sa+a has <aned&

'housands o, 2a+es o, her emails ha9e 7een 2u7lished 7: the State e2artment at the end o, each month since Ma:

7ut her 2oll num7ers ha9e 7ounced 7acE ,rom the hit the: tooE at the hei+ht o, the contro9ers: in the summer and

earl: ,all& ClintonTs cam2ai+n has attem2ted to mudd: the <ater on the issue o, the classi,ied materials ,ound <ithin

her records& 6hile her cam2ai+n has ar+ued the hundreds o, classi,ied emails released so ,ar <ere onl: desi+nated

as such a,ter the: <ere sent or recei9ed the intelli+ence communit: maintains se9eral <ere classi,ied <hen the:

<ere <ritten& Clinton also ,aces an *! in9esti+ation into <hether she mishandled classi,ied material on her 2ersonal

ser9er a char+e she denies& She remains the emocratic ,rontrunner ,or 2resident&

C$inton Foundation, 8or%i"n 8und,* ust as ne< in,ormation a7out her 2ri9ate email use <as 7u77lin+ to the

sur,ace on a dail: 7asis this s2rin+ Clinton 7e+an taEin+ heat on an unrelated matterK contri7utions to her ,amil:Ts

2hilanthro2ic em2ire& 'he contro9ers: o9er Clinton *oundation donors man: o, <hom had 7usiness 7e,ore the

State e2artment <hile Clinton ser9ed as secretar: o, state reached a ,e9er 2itch <ith the 2u7lication in Ma: o,

Clinton Cash 7: ;eter Sch<eizer& 'he hi+hl:-antici2ated 7ooE e)2lored connections 7et<een State e2artment

actions and lar+e donations to the Clinton *oundation re9ealin+ a 2attern o, seemin+l: ,a9ora7le treatment ,or some

o, the charit:Ts lar+est donors& Amid the scrutin: other re2orters unco9ered e9idence that the Clinton *oundation

had not disclosed all o, its ,orei+n donations durin+ ClintonTs di2lomatic tenure as it had 7een reLuired to do under

an a+reement <ith the 6hite Bouse& Clinton has re2eatedl: denied her ,amil:Ts charit: e9er en+a+ed in im2ro2er 7eha9ior&

Ha,t%rt, u, .on%y* *ormer S2eaEer o, the Bouse ennis Bastert <as indicted in Ma: ,or his alle+ed attem2ts

to conceal a trail o, mone: he 2aid to co9er u2 a se2arate more sinister scandal ,rom decades earlier& Fa<

en,orcement o,,icials said Bastert 2aid more than $3 million to a student he molested <hen he <as a teacher in

llinois& Althou+h authorities said the: did not ha9e enou+h e9idence to 7rin+ char+es in the molestation case the:

did ha9e indications that the ,ormer "e2u7lican la<maEer <ithdre< a lar+e sum o, cash in small increments in an

attem2t to ,lout 7anEin+ la<s that ,la+ ma4or <ithdra<als ,or re9ie<& 'he scandal has e,,ecti9el: destro:ed the

re2utation o, the lon+est-ser9in+ "e2u7lican Bouse s2eaEer in histor:&

)i,"ra#%d ;at#do"* 'odd inser ,ormer ins2ector +eneral ,or the e2artment o, Commerce resi+ned in une

a,ter la<maEers 7e+an 2ushin+ ;resident 7ama to remo9e the <atchdo+& inser <as accused o, retaliatin+ a+ainst<histle7lo<ers in his o,,ice hirin+ and then 2romotin+ his +irl,riend s2:in+ on the emails o, em2lo:ees he re+arded

as enemies and hidin+ o,,icial records ,rom in9esti+ators& inser e9en s2ent $50000 o, ta)2a:er mone: on a

2ri9ate attorne: to 2rotect himsel, ,rom the le+al ,irestorm&

Anot%r /ri<at% %.ai$ du,t?u/* 'hree months a,ter "a,ael Moure-raso ste22ed do<n ,rom his 2osition as head

o, the Chemical Sa,et: !oard in March la<maEers called ,or a criminal in9esti+ation into his conduct as head o, the

a+enc:& Moure-raso <as accused o, usin+ a 2ersonal email account to hide o,,icial communications then l:in+

%%0



a7out it to a con+ressional committee& 'he em7attled o,,icial <as also accused o, secretl: s2:in+ on the emails o,

t<o o, his em2lo:ees as <ell as attem2tin+ to hide records ,rom ins2ector +eneral in9esti+ators&

O&a.a#ar% $o,%, &i$$ion,* *ederal o,,icials lost tracE o, $&1 7illion in insurance su7sidies issued throu+h

7amacare ,rom anuar: to A2ril 0%# alone the e2artment o, Bealth and Buman Ser9ices ins2ector +eneral

,ound in une& 'he <atchdo+ disco9ered BBS had not set u2 a s:stem to 2re9ent ma4or 2a:ment errors nor had it

esta7lished a <a: to Eee2 tracE o, mistaEes& 'he ,indin+s this summer added to a tou+h :ear ,or 7amacare and itse)chan+es man: o, <hich su,,ered ,rom hi+h-2ro,ile ,ailures as co-o2s around the countr: shut their doors&

+A .%,,* 'he e2artment o, eterans A,,airs <eathered a num7er o, contro9ersies this :ears ,rom re,usin+ to ,ire

a 2air o, o,,icials <ho had stolen $#00000 ,rom the a+enc: to 7locEin+ thousands o, com7at 9eterans ,rom

recei9in+ their 2romised 7ene,its& n eterans a: the A ,ended o,, criticism a7out its decision to a<ard millions

o, dollars in em2lo:ee 7onuses the same :ear it <as cau+ht co9erin+ u2 lon+ dela:s in care <ith ,aEe 2atient <aitin+

lists at ,acilities across the countr:& n ul: a <histle7lo<er made 2u7lic documents that sho<ed one in three

9eterans had died <hile <aitin+ to 7e enrolled in the ATs 7ene,its 2ro+ram& 'he 7acElo+ o, a22licants had reached

nearl: 150000 7: this summer e9en as administration o,,icials 9o<ed to cut the lon+ list do<n&

!$ann%d !ar%ntood <id%o,* A series o, underco9er 9ideos recorded 7: the Center ,or Medical ;ro+ress shed li+ht

on a little-Eno<n ;lanned ;arenthood 2olic: o, 2ro9idin+ ,etal tissue ,rom a7ortions to researchers& 'he 9ideos

<hich <ere released seLuentiall: startin+ in ul: sho<ed ;lanned ;arenthood em2lo:ees casuall: discussin+ the

har9est and sale o, ,etal or+ans& "e2u7licans in Con+ress LuicEl: seized on the issue orderin+ in9esti+ations and

demandin+ the ,ederal +o9ernment 2ull its ,undin+ o, the massi9e a7ortion 2ro9ider& Critics ar+ued the ,oota+e

sho<ed ille+al acti9it: 7ecause the sale o, ,etal tissue ,or 2ro,it is a+ainst the la< <hile ;lanned ;arenthood

su22orters contended the 2rices ne+otiated on camera co9ered the health care +rou2Ts o9erhead costs onl:&

!%nn,y$<ania, ,#anda$?/$a"u%d attorn%y "%n%ra$& Jathleen Jane the attorne: +eneral o, ;enns:l9ania hit a

ne< lo< in the months-lon+ contro9ers: surroundin+ her conduct in o,,ice <hen the state su2reme court sus2ended

her la< license in Se2tem7er& 'he month 7e,ore she <as <as char+ed <ith 2er4ur: and leaEin+ in,ormation ,rom a

008 +rand 4ur: in9esti+ation in <hat critics called an e,,ort to hurt her ad9ersaries& 'he slo<-7re<in+ scandal

7e+an earl: last :ear a,ter the ;hiladel2hia nLuirer 2u7lished a stor: indicatin+ Jane had shut do<n an

in9esti+ation that had success,ull: cau+ht se9eral emocratic 2oliticians acce2tin+ EicE7acEs on ta2e& 'hat

in9esti+ation <as led 7: "e2u7lican-a22ointed 2rosecutor *ranE *ina <ho re2ortedl: disa+reed <ith the decision tosto2 the 2ro7e& Jane alle+edl: leaEed sealed in,ormation a7out a 008 case on <hich *ina had <orEed su++estin+

*ina had i+nored leads and ,ailed to taEe action in an in9esti+ation o, a ci9il ri+hts leader& !: No9em7er o, last :ear

Jane had hired Fann: a9is a ,ormer attorne: ,or !ill Clinton durin+ his im2eachment trial to de,end her a+ainst a

+rand 4ur: in9esti+ation into <hether she had im2ro2erl: leaEed the in,ormation a7out the 008 case in order to +et

7acE at *ina& She testi,ied that she had 7roEen no la<s althou+h 2rosecutors ar+ued she had ille+all: leaEed the

in,ormation and then lied a7out it 7ecause she sus2ected *ina <as 7ehind the ori+inal stor: a7out her decision to

shut do<n the 2olitical 2ro7e o, emocrats& es2ite losin+ her la< license and ,acin+ multi2le criminal char+es

includin+ o7struction Jane has re2eatedl: dismissed calls ,or her resi+nation and remains in 2osition as

;enns:l9aniaTs emocratic attorne: +eneral&

S%#r%t S%r<i#% ,%nani"an,* 'he Secret Ser9ice has 7een under near-constant ,ire since Se2tem7er o, last :ear

<hen an intruder ho22ed the 6hite Bouse ,ence and scram7led across the ,ront la<n undetected in a hi+h-2ro,ilesecurit: la2se& A re2ort made 2u7lic earlier this month 7: the Bouse 9ersi+ht and Go9ernment "e,orm Committee

,ound the a+enc: had allo<ed a series o, 7reaches o9er the 2ast se9eral :ears and that Secret Ser9ice a+ents had

solicited 2rostitutes on o,,icial tra9el amon+ other acts o, de7aucher:& !ut the 2ro7e +ot 2ersonal ,or "e2& ason

Cha,,etz 9ersi+ht Committee chairman <hen dozens o, Secret Ser9ice o,,icials cons2ired to leaE 2otentiall:

em7arrassin+ in,ormation a7out the Utah "e2u7lican as his committeeTs in9esti+ators closed in& A <atchdo+ re2ort

released in Se2tem7er ,ound Secret Ser9ice a+ents had 2lanted a stor: a7out Cha,,etzTs unsuccess,ul 003

%%%



a22lication to 7ecome an a+ent himsel,& *ollo<in+ the 2u7lication o, the 9ersi+ht CommitteeTs scathin+ re9ie< o,

the a+enc: on ec& 3 Cha,,etz called the Secret Ser9ice an a+enc: in crisis&

+W #%at,* n9ironmental ;rotection A+enc: o,,icials disco9ered olEs<a+en had 7een cheatin+ on emissions

tests 7: 2ro+rammin+ en+ines in some o, its cars to mani2ulate readouts durin+ mandator: emissions tests& 'he

;ATs announcement in Se2tem7er touched o,, a 7arra+e o, criticism ,rom 2u7lic ,i+ures 7oth in German: <here

olEs<a+en is 7ased and in the U&S&

Ra., #o<%r?u/* "ahm manuel em7attled ma:or o, Chica+o 2resentl: ,aces a +ro<in+ chorus o, calls ,or his

resi+nation amid alle+ations that his cit: +o9ernment concealed a contro9ersial 9ideota2e durin+ his re-election

cam2ai+n& 'he dash7oard-camera ,oota+e in Luestion a22ears to sho< a 2olice o,,icer shootin+ an unarmed 7lacE

teena+er re2eatedl:& FaLuan Mconald the %/-:ear-old in the 9ideo <as Eilled in the ct& 0%# incident 7ut the

o,,icer <ho 2ulled the tri++er <as not char+ed <ith an: <ron+doin+ until No9em7er o, this :ear& n the %3 months

7et<een the shootin+ and the state attorne:Ts decision to 7rin+ char+es a+ainst ,,icer ason an :Ee the cit: o,

Chica+o entered into a $5 million settlement <ith MconaldTs ,amil: and re2ortedl: ,ou+ht o,, %5 se2arate *reedom

o, n,ormation Act reLuests ,or the 9ideo& t <as not until No9em7er # <hen a *A la<suit ,iled 7: a ,reelance

re2orter ,inall: 2ried the ,oota+e loose that the CooE Count: state attorne: decided to char+e an :Ee <ith ,irst-

de+ree murder& 7ser9ers <onder <h: the cit: <aited to char+e the o,,icer until the same da: as the release o, the

9ideo <hich s2arEed <ides2read 2rotests and <h: o,,icials <a+ed such a 2rotracted <ar to Eee2 the cli2 under <ra2s& manuelTs critics su++est the 2ercei9ed dela: in 4ustice <as due to his tou+h re-election ,i+ht earlier this :ear&

Si) months a,ter Mconald <as Eilled manuel <on a ma:oral run-o,, that <as seen as historicall: contentious&

6hile some o, the ,ormer 6hite Bouse chie, o, sta,,Ts allies ha9e stucE 7: him throu+h the contro9ers: others such

as the "e9erend Al Shar2ton ha9e called ,or his resi+nation& manuel is 2resentl: <eatherin+ the <inter scandal in

Cu7a <here he is on 9acation&

[SourceK 6ashin+ton )aminer @ Sarah 6est<ood @ ecem7er 8 0%5 ]


Int%rn%t S/%%d Ho; 8a,t ,ou$d your i"?,/%%d #onn%#tion &%Y

Consumer "e2orts su++ests 9eri,:in+ that :ou are +ettin+ the s2eed :ou need es2eciall: i, :ou?re 2a:in+ ,or 7etter

2er,ormance than :ou?re recei9in+& 'he 2o2ular mo9ie and ' sho< streamin+ ser9ice Net,li) recommends a

do<nload s2eed o, 5 me+a7its 2er second ,or B-Lualit: 9ideo& Bo<e9er Consumer "e2orts sa:s that is

insu,,icient ,or a multi2le-2erson householdK Gi9en ho< much data Americans consume 5 M72s isn?t +oin+ to cut it

since 2er,ormance can su,,er as :our 7road7and s2eed is s2lit amon+ more simultaneous users and>or acti9ities& Hou

can checE :our nternet s2eed on <e7sites liEe oEla?s S2eedtest&net (htt2K>><<<&s2eedtest&net& Consumer "e2orts

recommends testin+ it multi2le times o9er the course o, a ,e< da:s includin+ at 9ar:in+ times o, da:&

%%

http://www.speedtest.net/





*or streamin+ 9ideo it?s im2ortant to ,ocus on the do<nload s2eed& , :ou u2load a lot o, 2hotos or 9ideos or

2la: +ames online 2a: close attention to the u2load s2eed& , :our nternet isn?t deli9erin+ the s2eed :ou need

Consumer "e2orts o,,ers the ,ollo<in+ ti2sK

• 'o hel2 determine i, an older modem or router is 2art o, the 2ro7lem 9eri,: that :our router su22orts the

10&%%n standard Xat the 9er: leastY Consumer "e2orts sa:s& , not asE :our nternet ser9ice 2ro9ider

a7out +ettin+ a ne<er model that su22orts a ne<er standard called AC that is ca2a7le o, ,aster s2eeds&

• 'o determine <hether :our <ireless connection is 2art o, the 2ro7lem s<itch to a <ired connection and

retest :our nternet s2eeds&

• , :our <ireless connection is s2ott: tr: mo9in+ :our router to a more central location& Also maEe sure it?s

a<a: ,rom o7structions liEe <alls or ceilin+s and ne9er Eee2 it in a closet or ca7inet&

• , :ou sus2ect inter,erence ,rom a micro<a9e o9en or cordless 2hone s:stem ,or e)am2le consider

s<itchin+ to a dual-7and router that can o2erate on 7oth the &# GBz and 5 GBz ,reLuencies& XS<itchin+ to

the hi+her 5 GBz 7and can hel2 a9oid inter,erence ,rom other de9ices that o2erate in the &# GBz ran+eY

Consumer "e2orts e)2lains&

• *or intermittent 2ro7lems tr: re7ootin+ :our modem and routers 7: un2lu++in+ their 2o<er connections

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"e2orts sa:s&

[SourceK Mone:'alEsNe<s @ Jarla !o<sher @ une %1 0%5 ]


!oto, Tat Say it A$$ Lo,in" A Fri%nd 2


Mo,t Cr%ati<% Statu%, !ra"u%: C3%# R%/u&$i# D Man Han"in" Out

Man Han"in" Out

%%3




Int%r%,tin" In<%ntion, S/o%?$%,, &i#y#$%

Mo.%nt, o8 US Hi,tory Con%y I,$and N%; -or 1>40


%%#



!arin" R%<%n"% Ta#ti# Z10 A"ain,t In#on,id%rat% !ar%r,


Brain T%a,%r ► )o -ou no; 1Y

%& 6hat is +reater than God

More e9il than the de9il

'he 2oor ha9e it

'he rich need it and

, :ou eat it :ouTll dieP

& , :ou looE at the num7er on m: ,ace :ou <onTt ,ind thirteen an:2lace&

3& 'ear one o,, and scratch m: head <hat <as red is 7lacE instead&

#& 'he ei+ht o, us +o ,orth not 7acE to 2rotect our Ein+ ,rom a ,oes attacE&

5& 'here are three men in a 7oat <ith ,our ci+arettes 7ut no matches& Bo< do the: mana+e to smoEeP

.& 6hat room can no one enterP

/& 6hat is it thatTs al<a:s comin+ 7ut ne9er arri9esP

1& 6hen is a man dro<ned 7ut still not <etP

8& 6ho maEes it has no need o, it& 6ho 7u:s it has no use ,or it&

6ho uses it can neither see nor ,eel it&

6hat is itP

%0& *eed me and li9e :et +i9e me a drinE and die&

%%& A man is 2ushin+ his car alon+ the road <hen he comes to a hotel& Be shouts Tm 7anEru2tR 6h:P

%& Bo< man: o, each s2ecies did Moses taEe on the arE <ith himP

%%5



%3& *or<ard am hea9: 7ut 7acE<ard am not& 6hat am P

%#& Be has married man: <omen 7ut has ne9er 7een married& 6ho is heP

%5& 'aEe o,, m: sEin - <onTt cr: 7ut :ou <illR 6hat am P


Ha<% -ou H%ardY But# t% Roo,t%r

Sarah <as in the ,ertilized e++ 7usiness&

She had se9eral hundred :oun+ 2ulletsT and ten roosters to ,ertilize the e++s&

She Ee2t records and an: rooster not 2er,ormin+ <ent into the sou2 2ot and <as re2laced&

'his tooE a lot o, time so she 7ou+ht some tin: 7ells and attached them to her roosters&

ach 7ell had a di,,erent tone so she could tell ,rom a distance <hich rooster <as 2er,ormin+&

No< she could sit on the 2orch and ,ill out an e,,icienc: re2ort 7: 4ust listenin+ to the 7ells&

SarahTs ,a9orite rooster old !utch <as a 9er: ,ine s2ecimen 7ut this mornin+ she noticed old !utchTs 7ell hadnTt

run+ at allR

6hen she <ent to in9esti+ate she sa< the other roosters <ere 7us: chasin+ 2ullets 7ells-a-rin+in+ 7ut the 2ullets

hearin+ the roosters comin+ <ould run ,or co9er&

'o SarahTs amazement old !utch had his 7ell in his 7eaE so it couldnTt rin+&

BeTd sneaE u2 on a 2ullet do his 4o7 and <alE on to the ne)t one&

Sarah <as so 2roud o, old !utch she entered him in the o<erin Sho< and he 7ecame an o9erni+ht sensation

amon+ the 4ud+es&

'he result <as the 4ud+es not onl: a<arded old !utch the No !ell ;eace ;rize the: also a<arded him the

;ulletsur2rise as <ell&

Clearl: old !utch <as a 2olitician in the maEin+&

6ho else 7ut a 2olitician could ,i+ure out ho< to <in t<o o, the most co9eted a<ards on our 2lanet 7: 7ein+ the

7est at sneaEin+ u2 on the unsus2ectin+ 2o2ulace and scre<in+ them <hen the: <erenTt 2a:in+ attentionP

ote care,ull: in the ne)t election&

Hou canTt al<a:s hear the 7ells&

, :ou donTt send this on :ouTre chicEen no :oEeR


Ha<% you H%ardY Wat Con8u#iu, )id Not Say

Man <ho <ants 2rett: nurse must 7e 2atient&

;assionate Eiss liEe s2ider <e7 leads to undoin+ o, ,l:&

Fad: <ho +oes cam2in+ <ith man must 7e<are o, e9il intent&

%%.



SLuirrel <ho runs u2 <omanTs le+ <ill not ,ind nuts&

Man <ho lea2s o,, cli,, 4um2s to conclusion&

Man <ho runs in ,ront o, car +ets tired 7ut man <ho runs 7ehind car +ets e)hausted&

Man <ho eats man: 2runes +et +ood run ,or mone:&

6ar does not determine <ho is ri+htV it determines <ho is le,t&

Man <ho ,i+ht <ith <i,e all da: +et no 2iece at ni+ht&

t taEes man: nails to 7uild a cri7 7ut onl: one scre< to ,ill it&

Man <ho dri9es liEe hell is 7ound to +et there&

Man <ho stands on toilet is hi+h on 2ot&

6ise man not Eee2 sled+e hammer and slo< com2uter in same room&

Man <ho li9e in +lass house should chan+e clothes in 7asement&

And CN*UCUS N'

SAH& & &

A lion <ill not cheat on his <i,e 7ut a 'i+er 6ood


H%$/[[[ ^ Tin", tat .i"t .a% you ,ay it K0

********************************

Brain T%a,%r An,;%r ► )id -ou no; AnyY

%%/



% Nothin+& A clocE&3 A matchsticE&# Chess 2a<ns&5 'he: thro< one ci+arette o9er7oard and made the 7oat a ci+arette li+hter&. A mushroom&/ 'omorro<&1 6hen heTs tra22ed in LuicEsand&8 A co,,in&%0 *ire&

%%& Be <as 2la:in+ Mono2ol:& %& None Moses <asnTt on the arE Noah <as %3& *or<ard am ton 7acE<ards am not& %#& A 2reacher& %5& An onion&


%%1



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