Veterans News January 20, 2016

Happy Wednesday good people! Skipped the News for Monday as it was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday and the Federal Government was closed (which means my sources of certain information are diminished).

For we folks in the DC, Northern Virginia, Maryland area - supposed to be a huge Winter storm on the way. Let us all be careful out there; drive safely, stay warm, stay safe. Wishing you the best!

For Today: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it. - Groucho Marx

Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more. - H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

--------------------------------

--------------------------------

Veterans News

---------------------------------

---------------------------------

Marine Corps Times Men and women at Marine boot camp will continue training separately. Male and female Marine recruits are likely to continue training separately at boot camp, but the service will look at ways for further gender integration, Marine Corps Times has learned.

--------------------------------

DOD Contracts Awarded for Wednesday, January 20, 2016.

http://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/643762

-------------------------------

DOD Contracts Awarded for Tuesday, January 19, 2016.

http://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/643560/source/GovDelivery

-------------------------------

Defense News Early Bird Brief for Wednesday, January 20, 2016.

http://view.exacttarget.com/?j=fe5211797c6305757411&m=ff011577756600&ls=fdcc1574746702797514777266&l=fe8b13707d6c007d7c&s=fe1f13787563037a761273&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe241173756107787d1d75&r=0

-------------------------------

Defense News Early Bird Brief for Tuesday, January 19, 2016.

http://view.exacttarget.com/?j=fe4c11797c60027a7c16&m=ff011577756600&ls=fdcc1574746702797514777266&l=fe8b13707d6c007d7c&s=fe1f13787563037a761273&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe2b11737566017a701578&r=0

------------------------------

VA Media Summary and News Clips for Wednesday, January 20, 2016. Please see attached pdf.

-----------------------------

SBA, Washington Metropolitan Area District Office Presents - Responding to a Federal Request for Proposal (RFP) 101: How to submit a compliant, persuasive and WINNING Bid. Wednesday, February 3, 2016, 10:00 AM 11:30 AM. U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 3rd St SW, Washington, D.C. 20416. For more information and to sign up for this cost-free event: http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USSBA/bulletins/1315ef7

------------------------------

Marine Embassy Guard Association Newsletter for Winter 2016. Please see attached pdf.

------------------------------

DAV Virginia January 2016 Newsletter. http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=a1f6c10f-c5fe-4003-acde-ada775687331&c=32d93ff0-b3f7-11e4-bae4-d4ae5275509e&ch=3436d420-b3f7-11e4-bb90-d4ae5275509e

-------------------------------

TRICARE is hosting a webinar to help educate beneficiaries about their preventive health benefit on January 25, 2016 at noon EST. Webinar to Discuss TRICAREs Preventive Care Benefit This webinar supports the transition from healthcare to health that society has experienced the past few years. This transition, from treating illnesses as they develop, to avoiding them by making healthier lifestyle choices, has also been adopted by the Military Health System. To sign up, go tohttps://conference.apps.mil/webconf/PreventiveCare. No prior registration is required; simply click on the link on the specified day and time. For audio, dial 1-888-970-4135, passcode 3399022.

------------------------------

Virginia War Memorials Popular Artifacts Roadshow Returns Saturday, January 30, 2016. For detailed information, please see the attached pdf.

-----------------------------

Veterans Health Administration Update Well Being for Aging Veterans.

http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVHA/bulletins/1312568

Nahthis couldnt apply to me and my fellow young Vietnam Veterans! J

-----------------------------

VHA Bulletin New Year New Treatment, PTSD Monthly Update, January 2016.

http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVHA/bulletins/1312769

----------------------------

Reserve Officers Association (ROA) SmartBrief for Wednesday, January 20, 2016.

http://www2.smartbrief.com/servlet/encodeServlet?issueid=439186F3-F673-4013-9717-26687404FFD6&sid=22cbe9eb-3ef0-4eca-8105-ef9f466dc32d

--------------------------------

Reserve Officers Association (ROA) SmartBrief for Monday, January 18, 2016.

http://www2.smartbrief.com/servlet/encodeServlet?issueid=4CF8B906-AF63-4D52-94AB-B06219043F2D&sid=22cbe9eb-3ef0-4eca-8105-ef9f466dc32d

--------------------------------

The Washington Post (Federal Eye): VA strikes against Hill assertions over corrupt agency, Federal Diary (19 January, Joe Davidson, 23.7M online visitors/mo; Washington, DC)

When two members of Congress took a shot at the Department of Veterans Affairs in an op-ed last week, management decided it was not going to duck and cover. Rather than issue another string of VA mea culpas, as the agency has appropriately done for the cover-up of excessive patient wait times, Deputy Secretary Sloan D. Gibson is punching back.

---------------------------------

Special Job Announcement - Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Open Position.

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=c8c79dd5-5504-439c-9a8b-df69b4e20189&c=8dbaae20-aaae-11e3-9e26-d4ae52844390&ch=8e909bc0-aaae-11e3-9e79-d4ae52844390

-------------------------------

POLITICO Morning Defense for Wednesday, January 20, 2016. A Daily Briefing from Inside Washingtons National Security Apparatus.

http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/morning-defense/2016/01/gunmen-attack-pakistan-university-carter-looking-for-more-commitment-in-europe-csis-calls-for-asia-pacific-buildup-212245

-------------------------------

Your 5:00 pm Daily ExecutiveBiz Headlines.

http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=9447c61bfb9058cb4553aedbf&id=f3e169bb48&e=a823c4dfb6

--------------------------------

Your 12:00 pm Daily ExecutiveBiz Headlines.

http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=9447c61bfb9058cb4553aedbf&id=cf6b6abb8e&e=a823c4dfb6

---------------------------------

Your 6:00 am GovConWire - Top News from Executive Mosaic.

http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=9447c61bfb9058cb4553aedbf&id=a448817e34&e=a823c4dfb6

--------------------------------

Code of Support Foundation Presents Toast to Our Troops! Wednesday, February 10, 2016, 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Women in Military Service for America Memorial - 1 Memorial Ave., Arlington National Cemetery, VA. Come share in the camaraderie, and if you can, please consider sponsoring.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/toast-to-our-troops-tickets-19551817011?ref=ebtnebtckt

-----------------------------------

A Variety of Veterans Related News from a Variety of Sources.

Stars and Stripes 92-year-old World War II Navajo code talker dies in Utah. A Navajo man who helped stump the Japanese during World War II using a code based on his native language has died in suburban Salt Lake City.

Daily Beast Exclusive: Pentagon May Demote David Petraeus. The Pentagon is considering retroactively demoting retired Gen. David Petraeus after he admitted to giving classified information to his biographer and mistress while he was still in uniform, three people with knowledge of the matter told The Daily Beast.

Military Times 2016: Another lukewarm year for military compensation. The 2016 Military Times Pay Book is your guide to the complex world of military compensation. And as has been the case for a few years now, the increases in pay and allowances this year are slight.

Defense News HASC Chair Adds Pressure To Raise War Budget. Weeks ahead of President Obama's budget submission to Congress, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry is already putting pressure on the White House, suggesting a looming fight in Congress to increase defense spending.

Military Times Military moms face no more health risk than other deploying women. Conventional wisdom and some research suggests that deployments affect military moms more than other female troops- that stress, worry and concern for kids increases warrior moms' susceptibility to mental and physical strains and can carry long-term consequences for a healthy family life.

Army Times Army spouses, kids can apply now for millions of dollars in scholarships . Spouses and military kids can apply now for scholarships through Army Emergency Relief.

Navy Times Navy secretary Mabus leads far-reaching personnel changes. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has been the driving force for some of the biggest personnel policy changes felt in the Fleet Marine Force and on the deckplates in the past decade.

Air Force Times USAF tech. sergeant, wife petition to keep their family together. An Air Force family is petitioning the service, members of Congress and the public to help keep their family together during their child's time of need.

Stars and Stripes Hekmati says support from fellow Marines sustained him through Iran captivity. Former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati said Tuesday that knowing he had the support of

his fellow Marines helped sustain him through more than four years of captivity in an Iranian prison.

The Washington Post (Federal Eye): VA Strikes Against Hill Assertions Over Corrupt Agency, Federal Diary. When two members of Congress took a shot at the Department of Veterans Affairs in an op-ed last week, management decided it was not going to duck and cover. Rather than issue another string of VA mea culpas, as the agency has appropriately done for the cover-up of excessive patient wait times, Deputy Secretary Sloan D. Gibson is punching back.

Washington Examiner: Gates calls for more Veteran choice at VA. Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates called for further expansion of a program at the Department of Veterans Affairs that allows veterans to seek healthcare outside the broken government system. "Why wouldn't you go into VA and basically say, until we get it fixed, I want the authority for every veteran to be able if he can't get an appointment with a physician within two weeks at a VA hospital

The News & Observer: A home base for Veterans. A multitude of efforts exists to help North Carolina veterans find medical care, land work or cope with family problems. But what so many need, before they can address their challenges, is some place to call home. As reported by The News & Observers Martha Quillin, there are worthy agencies authorized through the Veterans Administrations Supportive Services for Veteran Families to help veterans find that place.

FOX News (Video): Stigma of the damaged Veteran a barrier to treatment, as suicides claim more US troops. While other families were looking forward to the holidays, Rachel Clinger was awaiting news of her husband, who had disappeared a week before Christmas from his New Jersey military base. The wait did not last long -- Marine Sgt. Tristan Clingers body was found days later. Clinger, she said, had battled depression but feared he would be discharged if he got help. He is not the only one.

Pentagram: VA undertakes depression, seasonal affective disorder amongst Vets. Fifty-four-year-old Glenn Davis is not an official spokesperson for the Washington, D.C., Veterans Affairs Medical Center, but he is a current patient with a cautionary tale for Marines and Soldiers: Get help. A former member of the U.S. Armys 82nd Airborne Division, he told the Pentagram he suffered from depression throughout his military career, and claims due to social pressure and stigmas he wasnt man enough to seek professional help.

Motherboard Veterans Are Fighting the War on Sleep. No small number of Iraq and Afghanistan war vets have trouble sleeping. Among patients of the Veterans Health Administration, the healthcare arm of the Department of Veterans Affairs, in 2015, 1,262,393 veterans - over 20 percent - had a sleep disorder diagnosis in the past two years, according to a VA representative.

Military.com: Veteran Blood Bank May Play Key Role in Cancer Moon Shot. Veterans are likely to play a significant part in what has been called "the Moon shot" in cancer research -- the plan announced by President Barack Obama last week for a cancer fight effort to equal the country's determination to put a man on the moon during the 1960s. Fittingly, the veterans' role in the cancer Moon shot, as well as in scores of other research projects into illnesses that impact vets and non-vets alike

The Tampa Tribune: Editorial: VA Secretary should pay a visit and demand answers in St. Pete. Theres more troubling news from the Veterans Affairs office in St. Petersburg, and that means more outrage from our local congressional delegation and assurances from the VA that things are getting better. But those pledges get tougher to swallow with each revelation. Its time VA Secretary Robert McDonald came to the Bay Pines facility in Pinellas County to see firsthand what needs to be done.

Health IT Security: VA Sees 60% Decrease in PHI Health Data Breaches in December. From November to December, the VA has seen a decrease in healthcare data breaches, resulting in fewer veterans affected. In its December monthly report to Congress, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has reported a near 61 percent decrease in PHI-related healthcare data breaches since November. This is a welcomed change to last months 36 percent increase in PHI-related healthcare data breaches.

Medical Xpress: Journal shares discoveries on women Veterans long-term health outcomes. A new supplemental issue of The Gerontologist contains 13 articles by Veterans Affairs (VA) researchers and colleagues looking at differences in aging and mortality between veteran and non-veteran women. The findings are taken from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), a long-term study funded by the National Institutes of Health's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and begun in 1991. The study included more than 3,700 women veterans among nearly 162,000 postmenopausal women from 40 centers across the U.S.

KWTX-TV (CBS-10): Temple: VA launches new volunteer liaison program. The Temple VA hospital has a new volunteer liaison program to help veterans navigate their way around the

hospital. The volunteers will also escort people who need assistance getting to and from their appointments. The goal of this program is to help with customer service and to greet people with a smile. James Horton a disabled Navy veteran says he loves volunteering at the hospital and he is going to help people as long as he is able to help them.

The Springfield News-Leader: Four days after her death, Springfield woman indicted for stealing disabled Veterans benefits. Four days after her death, a Springfield woman was indicted Tuesday for embezzling more than $280,000 from federal benefits designated for disabled veterans. Beverly Sue Wright, 64, of Springfield, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, according to a release. Shortly after announcing the charges, the Office of the United States Attorney Western District of Missouri learned Wright had died Friday.

DefenseOne Pentagon Sends Obama Plan to Close Guantanamo, Move Detainees to US. Hours after 10 percent of the remaining detainees leave Cuba, the defense secretary said he's handed the president a plan for "Gitmo North."

Washington Blade Pentagon expects decision on trans military ban in spring. The Pentagon has affirmed it intends to make a determination on the transgender military ban this spring after the conclusion this month of an internal six-month review.

New York Times Investigation of SEAL Conduct in Afghanistan Is Reopened. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service has reopened its investigation into allegations that Navy SEALs and Afghan police militiamen beat several detainees, including one who died, at an isolated outpost in Afghanistan in 2012, agency officials said Thursday.

Army Times New Army reenlistment bonuses take effect Jan. 27: Earn up to $90,000. A new menu of Selective Retention Bonuses and reclassification opportunities will be available to Regular Army soldiers Jan. 27.

Marine Corps Times Marines train Ugandans to fight Al-Shabaab terror group. The Ugandan military is now better able to take on Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia, courtesy of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Navy Times Ray Mabus stands fast despite criticism of women serving in all Navy, Marine jobs. In a speech before hundreds, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus quipped about the grousing some of his initiatives have sparked with sailors and Marines, including top leaders, as he has changed traditions that go back decades.

Air Force Times Air Force women are still 'airmen,' despite gender neutral moves. The Air Force is not considering dropping gender-specific references to "man" from its titles - but that could change.

Stars and Stripes The end of 'midshipman'? Ray Mabus, the secretary of the Navy, issued a memo to the chief of naval operations on Jan. 1: "Please review the position titles throughout the Navy and ensure that they are gender-integrated ... removing 'man' from their titles."

Matter of Fact with Fernando Espuelas (Video): More Veterans finding place to call home. In this three-minute video, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald discusses changes that are helping those who have served in the military.

The Hill: Veterans group oppose bill harming asbestos victims. Most members of Congress never miss a chance to publicly praise the brave men and women who serve in or are veterans of our nations armed forces. But the House of Representatives has just passed a bill that will bring unnecessary and unjustified financial hardship to thousands of veterans and their families. The so-called FACT Act (H.R. 1927) will make it harder for Americans who are sick and dying from asbestos-triggered disease to obtain compensation from the corporations responsible

FOX News (Video): Rep. Jeff Miller talks chronic indifference of the VA. In this three-minute interview, Rep. Jeff Miller says the VA, has improved on the margins, in the last 16 months. However, he argues that federal civil service laws are preventing VA staff from being held accountable, and that the laws need to be changed for the entire government.

Examiner.com: The VA finally demotes two corrupt senior executives. You have to give the VA credit where credit is due, even if the VA was a day late and a dollar short when it finally did something about two corrupt senior executives in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Maybe the VA is finally beginning to understand the concepts of: Better late than never and If at first you dont succeed, try, try again.

FOX News (Reuters): Study yield clues to explosions effect on brain. Damage to the filter that protects the brain from toxins may partly explain why explosions have been leaving soldiers with lasting brain injuries, researchers say. In a study of U.S. veterans after hazardous tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, the researchers found that the higher the exposure to blasts, the lower the activity in a brain region called the cerebellum.

Fayetteville Observer: Rising use of opioid painkillers and efforts to curb them may lead soldiers, Vets to heroin. Studies show that soldiers and veterans use opioid painkillers - essentially the chemical equivalent of heroin - far more frequently than civilians because their military training and combat lead to far more injuries. A report by the American Public Health Association in 2011 found that the fatal overdose rate among VA patients is nearly double the national average.

The Huffington Post: Putting a face on Addiction: The Urgent Need to Address Our Nations Heroin Epidemic. The statistics surrounding drug addiction and overdose are truly staggering. Since 2010, the rate of heroin-related overdose deaths has more than tripled nationwide and the numbers are only increasing. In 2014, there were 10,574 deaths due to heroin overdose, a 26 percent increase over the previous year. There were also 18,983 deaths from prescription opioids, an annual increase of 16 percent.

Star Tribune: The Department of Veterans Affairs struggles with how it dispenses painkillers. The Department of Veterans Affairs continues to struggle with how it dispenses opioid medications for vets in chronic pain. A new VA Inspector General report faults the VA San Diego Healthcare System for failing to care for a patient with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder before he took his own life on a California gun range in October 2014.

Stars and Stripes (The Augusta Chronicle): Meditation helps calm Veterans PTSD. Meisner suffers from anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder and is being treated at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center. He has received an unusual intervention for a military hospital: Transcendental Meditation.

FierceHealthIT: Teledermatology helps improve access to face-to-face care. A teledermatology program helped improve patient access to face-to-face care in a study at the Mann-Grandstaff Spokane Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center in Spokane,

Washington. Most teledermatology research focuses on specialist visits avoided, notes the report, published in Telemedicine and e-Health.

EMS World: Ariz. Fire Department Announces Telehealth Pilot Program for Veterans. The Chandler Fire, Health & Medical (CFHM) Department is collaborating with the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Healthcare System on an innovative six-month pilot project that both organizations hope will not only improve healthcare outcomes for thousands of area veterans, but also serve as a model program for fire departments around the nation. The new Community Involvement and Intervention Project is bringing CFHM and Veterans Administration (VA) medical resources together to help ensure Chandler

Courthouse News: Ill in Cuba, Veteran Seeks Years of VA Benefits. A decorated Vietnam veteran trapped behind the tatters of the Cuban trade embargo has sued the United States for 35 years of unpaid veteran's benefits. Otto Macias, born in Cuba, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1964. He spent three years in Vietnam and was honorably discharged.

The Wall Street Journal: University of Phoenix Taken Off Probation by Defense Department. The Department of Defense has removed University of Phoenix from probationary status, restarting the spigot of military tuition-assistance funds for the for-profit college operator. The Defense Department placed Phoenix on probation in October, barring the school from recruiting on military bases and preventing it from enrolling new students who use the tuition-assistance program, which provides financial aid to currently serving troops, because of alleged recruiting violations.

The Washington Times (AP): Dept. of Defense lifts suspension of University of Phoenix. The U.S. Department of Defense has lifted its suspension of the University of Phoenix over concerns about improper use of military logos and other government inquiries. Fridays move comes three months after the department barred the Phoenix-based school from recruiting students on its bases and from tapping new funds from a tuition assistance program for active-duty personnel.

WFED-AM (AM-1500): Surprises in the SBA reauthorization bill. House lawmakers began the process earlier this month of reauthorizing the Small Business Administration. While much of the Defending Americas Small Contractors Act of 2016 (H.R. 4341) is routine, several interesting provisions are worth highlighting. One of the most significant provisions is the extension of the ability of vendors to protest task orders worth more than $10 million. The current law will sunset in September, leaving only the Defense Department with this authority.

Washington Post U.S. veteran finds lost love in Vietnam - and she has a surprise for him. Alone in a hotel room in a small Vietnamese town, Jim Reischl waited restlessly. Recounting the story later, the Vietnam veteran said he had traveled 8,500 miles, with an arthritic knee, for this long-sought reunion.

Stars and Stripes Vietnamese 'boat people' overcame rough waters. They were among the close to 800,000 boat people who left Vietnam between 1975 and 1995 and arrived safely in another country. According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, between 200,000 and 400,000 boat people died at sea because of overcrowded boats, storms, pirates and other dangers. Davis Nguyen knows all about that.

Colorado Springs Gazette Combat veteran beat paralysis to become hotshot recruit. Bower, a former Fort Carson sergeant and combat veteran with two Purple Hearts who gave up a 12-year military career to become a firefighter, is the real deal.

Stars and Stripes Special section: 25th anniversary of the Gulf War. The Gulf War's combat operations began 25 years ago this week. When it was all over, some saw victory, others saw a job unfinished. And where some in the Middle East thanked the U.S. for its help, others thought it was time for the Americans to go home. The seeds of the next war in Iraq were planted in part in 1991, and future victories there would prove much more elusive. A Stars and Stripes special report.

Stars and Stripes MOH recipient Williams, at ship-naming ceremony: 'My life has been blessed'. When World War II veteran Hershel Woody Williams first heard of the effort to get a U.S. Navy ship named in his honor, he didnt think it was possible.

Macomb Daily: Golden Age Games for Veterans will take place in Detroit in July. The 30th National Veterans Golden Age Games are coming to Detroit in July. All veterans enrolled in the Detroit VA Health Care System are eligible to compete. The Department of Veterans Affairs health care system and its partner, the Detroit Sports Commission, host the games July 10-14.

-------------------------------------

-------------------------------------

VETERANS EVENTS

-------------------------------------

-------------------------------------

Federal Business Council (FBC) 2016 List of Conferences and Events: Lot of events going on and set-up and managed by FBC. Here is the list that takes us through to October 2016.

https://www.fbcconferences.com/search.aspx

-------------------------------------

Job ZONE Listing of Job Fairs for 2015 through 2016.

http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=0990c1fbb840ccb617b5992e6&id=383110f983&e=4c98ba860d

--------------------------------

Virginia Department of Veterans Services, Virginia Values Veterans V3 Program, Training Schedule for January 12 31, 2016.

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=9cf88308-4cba-4f11-99bb-19263b9e9666&c=f0bce490-c33d-11e4-887e-d4ae5292b9a6&ch=f0f7a3a0-c33d-11e4-887e-d4ae5292b9a6

---------------------------------

Engineer Job Fair. Sponsor: Corporate Gray / Washington Post. January 27, 2016, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Location: Army Navy Country Club, Arlington, VA. If you have an engineering background, you are invited to meet face-to-face with Northrop Grumman, Amtrak, Federal Aviation Administration, ACT-I, Pepco, and other top companies seeking engineering talent at the Corporate Gray / Washington Post Engineer Job Fair on Wednesday, January 27, 2016. All engineering disciplines are welcome, including but not limited to software engineers, mechanical engineers, civil engineers, chemical engineers, computer engineers, electrical engineers, nuclear engineers, aerospace engineers, RF engineers, systems engineers, and more! Go here for detailed information and to register. http://www.corporategray.com/jobfairs/372

--------------------------------

January 2016 Objective Rally Point (ORP) Breakfast - Veterans Business Networking Event. Thursday, January 28, 2016, 7:15 AM to 9:15 AM, Army-Navy Country Club, 1700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202. Dont pass up this opportunity to network with other Veterans focused on success in business. If you are a company looking for a VOSB or SDVOSB to team with there is no better place to find qualified Veteran owned businesses than at ORP. Although the focus of the ORP is on the connections made between and with Veterans, we do have a speaker each month. The speaker for January is Harrison Smith, Department of Homeland Security, Industry Liaison. Mr. Smith has a long distinguished career in government acquisition. He joined DHS in 2005 as a contracting officer. He later supported the Office of the Chief Information Officer as an Associate Director in the Information Technology Acquisition Center before transitioning full-time to the award and administration of enterprise-wide contracts. In this role, he acted as the Contracting Officer for several multi-billion dollar procurements in the services and IT arenas, most notably the PACTS, FirstSource II, and Enterprise Software Solutions procurements. In 2011, Harrison joined the newly-formed Enterprise Acquisitions Division (EAD) as an Associate Director, ultimately becoming the Division Director in 2013. During his tenure there, EADs portfolio of enterprise-wide contracts included more than 25 procurement vehicles with a combined ceiling of $68 billion. Hope to see you at ORP! For more information and to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/objective-rally-point-january-2016-tickets-20592257998

--------------------------------

Don't Miss the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Government Contracting Forum. Thursday, January 28, 2016, 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, Bethesda Pooks Hill Marriott. Cost is $60.00. Go here for more detailed information and to register:

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Don-t-Miss-the-MCCC-Government-Contracting-Forum.html?soid=1101128334983&aid=z6UtFBDgJ8o

--------------------------------

Virginia War Memorials Popular Artifacts Roadshow Returns Saturday, January 30, 2016. For detailed information, please see the attached pdf.

--------------------------------

SBA, Washington Metropolitan Area District Office Presents - Responding to a Federal Request for Proposal (RFP) 101: How to submit a compliant, persuasive and WINNING Bid. Wednesday, February 3, 2016, 10:00 AM 11:30 AM. U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 3rd St SW, Washington, D.C. 20416. For more information and to sign up for this cost-free event: http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USSBA/bulletins/1315ef7

--------------------------------

Code of Support Foundation Presents Toast to Our Troops! Wednesday, February 10, 2016, 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Women in Military Service for America Memorial - 1 Memorial Ave., Arlington National Cemetery, VA. Come share in the camaraderie, and if you can, consider sponsoring.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/toast-to-our-troops-tickets-19551817011?ref=ebtnebtckt

---------------------------------

SBA Workshop Pricing for Government Contractors. Thursday, February 11, 2016 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA), 4224 Cox Road, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060. This event is at NO Cost. Go here to register:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pricing-for-government-contractors-tickets-20481441543?utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=new_event_email&utm_term=viewmyevent_button

--------------------------------- Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce National Center for Veteran Institute for Procurement once again announces VIP. March 1 3, 2016, and June 21 23, 2016. VIP Grow is a 3-day, 27-hour comprehensive certification program designed for veteran businesses to increase their ability to win government contracts by establishing best business practices. Classes are instructed by industry experts, government officials, and agency representatives. To date, 546 Veteran-owned businesses nationwide have graduated from the program. VIP is offered at no cost to participants. Enrollment is open to Veteran-owned businesses nationwide and limited to one executive from each business. Class size is limited to 50 individuals per session. As I understand from a number of Veterans that have attended VIP, this is an OUTSTANDING program. Two sessions are now available but better sign up quick! Go here for more detailed information. http://myemail.constantcontact.com/VIP-Grow---Spread-the-Word-to-Arm-Vets-to-Win.html?soid=1101128334983&aid=D95rd9q3xcc

--------------------------------

VA OSDBU Announces the NASA/JPL and the City of Pasadena Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Industry Day. Tuesday, March 1, 2016 7:00 AM, Pasadena Convention Center, 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101. Registration is Free. Go here for details and to register:

http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVAOSDBU/bulletins/12b94ae

--------------------------------

Early Bird Registration - Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) GovConNet Procurement Conference. Thursday, May 12, 2016, 7:30am - 3:00pm, The Universities at Shady Grove, 9630 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, MD 20850. For more information and to register: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=08c96955-1f83-4caf-b177-027760fb00db&c=654b34e0-c049-11e3-b39b-d4ae529cddd3&ch=665b4550-c049-11e3-b39d-d4ae529cddd3

---------------------------------

Save the Date: VA OSDBU Announces the 2016 National Veterans Small Business Engagement. November 1 3, 2016, Minneapolis, MN.

http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVAOSDBU/bulletins/12dadbb

--------------------------------

Folks! If you want to be REMOVED from the Vets News Distribution List, just send me an e-mail with the subject line "REMOVE!"

Prayers and blessings for you and your loved ones and for our amazing Troops and their loved ones everywhere.

Godspeed all....Wayne

Wayne M. Gatewood, Jr., USMC (Ret)

Founder, President, CEO

Quality Support, Inc.

Established 1989, VA CVE-Verified SDVOSB

AIMS Consolidated Schedule GS-00F-0068M

MOBIS - Schedule 874

8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 220

Landover, MD 20785

301-459-3777 - Fax 301-459-6961

http://www.qualitysupport.com/