F.M.L.A. CHANGE GRANTS MILITARY FAMILY MEMBERS TIME TO DEAL WITH DEPLOYMENTS

Allows federal employees to take up to 12 weeks off to deal with situation at home
Photo by Lance Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez


OCT. 11, 2011 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – Many service members will say one of the toughest parts about a deployment is saying goodbye to their family. Soon new changes to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) will make that farewell easier to handle. Beginning October 31, federal employees who have an active duty family member will be allowed to take up to 12 weeks off of unpaid time to deal with the emotional stress at home that often times accompanies deployment.

“If you haven’t experienced this moment of goodbye then you just don’t get it. This law change allows a person to take the time off and deal with the emotional toll that this farewell imposes. It gives them the mental security of knowing their job will be safe when they return” said Lisa Windsor, retired Army colonel currently practicing Military Law at Tully Rinckey PLLC. “Someone is looking into the eyes of their loved one who they will not see again for months if not years so the last thing they should be concerned about is their job.”

The new changes will also apply to all military-run, deployment related counseling services for the employee and the service member’s child. Finding child care, attending school related conferences and making financial and legal preparations could qualify as FMLA-covered leave. It will even allow a family member to spend some quality time (up to 5 days) with the service member when he or she returns home on leave.

“This law change is brand new and many employers will not be aware of it. Employees face a personal crisis when a loved one is called to active duty. Employers who give them a hard time for attempting to address such a crisis will soon be facing one of their own – only it will be prompted by a civil lawsuit” said Ms. Windsor, a former Army JAG attorney.

The FMLA was created in 1993 to provide job protection for employees taking time off to deal with approved medical and family reasons. In 2008 Congress made the first of what would be many revisions to the act to further protect employees with family members serving in the military.

Live from Capitol Hill: Senate Discusses Claims Backlog; House to Tackle Suicide

This morning on Capitol Hill both the House and Senate committees on Veterans Affairs will hear testimony on critical veterans issues.

First, at 9:30 a.m., in Russell Senate Office Building room 418, the Senate committee will host a hearing to discuss the daunting VA claims backlog. Joseph Violante from Disabled American Veterans will testify on behalf of the Independent Budget partners, including AMVETS. Lists of witnesses have not been published, but live video from the hearing is available on the committee's Web site. To view the video, Click Here.

At 10 a.m., in Cannon House Office Building room 334, the House VA Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will discuss VA's suicide prevention and outreach efforts. AMVETS National Deputy Legislative Director Christina Roof will be on hand for the hearing, where leaders from other veterans' groups and VA and Department of Defense officials will testify. To view a full list of witnesses and to read their prepared remarks, Click Here.

To view live video from the hearing, Click Here.

AMVETS leaders will be following both hearings closely, as the VA claims backlog is AMVETS top legislative priority for 2010, and AMVETS National Commander Duane Miskulin has made veterans' mental health and suicide prevention a personal priority for his year in office.

In an effort to augment VA and DoD's efforts to quell veteran suicides, Miskulin drove AMVETS' partnership with Freedom & Honor earlier this year to commission AMVETS Warrior Transition Workshops--a series of national workshops designed by combat veterans for combat veterans, offering peer support to help veterans contextualize their experiences and successfully transition back to civilian life.

Check back with American Veteran Online later for highlights from today's hearings.

OPM Launches Veterans' Federal Employment Web Site

Yesterday, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management launched its new Web site designed exclusively to assist in recruitment and employment of veterans for federal jobs. The Web site, www.fedshirevets.gov, is part of the broad federal initiative to connect federal agencies to the growing pool of talented veterans seeking employment following their time in the military.

The initiative was launched the night before Veterans Day when President Barack Obama signed an executive order creating an interagency council on veterans' employment, setting new ambitious standards for hiring veterans in the federal workforce. AMVETS was on hand two days later for the roll-out of the Veterans' Employment Initiative at the Department of Labor.

The Web site is a partnership among the departments of Labor, Veterans Affairs, Defense, and Homeland Security, among others interested in matching veterans' skills to federal positions worthy of their expertise.

The site allows veterans and transitioning service members to search for positions around the country and also provides agencies with the ability to seek out veterans who meet their criteria. The Web site also offers tools to guide veterans in the federal job-hunting process.

AMVETS legislative department, which has made veterans' reintegration a top priority for 2010, looks to play an integral role in the implementation of the Veterans Employment Initiative in the coming months. Check back regularly for updates.

(Image: Screen grab of www.fedshirevets.gov, accessed on Jan. 21, 2009.)

This Week at American Veteran

This week at American Veteran, we will follow the AMVETS legislative team to Capitol Hill for a series of hearings in the House Committee on Veterans Affairs on VSO priorities for the coming year, transition issues for today's veterans, and Post-9/11 G.I. Bill (Chapter 33) solutions.

AMVETS discussed Chapter 33 in this week's print editions of Military Times publications, citing conflicting reports from within the veterans' community about the current state of the Chapter 33 backlog and from VA, which expects to be current on all claims by Feb. 1.

In a press release yesterday, the Army announced its suicide statistics for 2009, marking a significant increase over 2008 figures. In 2009, the Army had 160 reported suicides, compared to 140 in 2008. AMVETS leaders have been working on new ideas to help curb this disturbing trend, with AMVETS participating in recent discussions across DoD and VA on the issue of military mental health, including last week's joint suicide prevention conference and the upcoming VBA/VHA Mental Health Summit.

This week, the second annual AMVETS Leadership Conference will take place in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. AMVETS and AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary members from across the country will convene on Pigeon Forge to participate in the three-day conference designed to foster more effective leadership skills at all levels of the organization. To view details on the conference, including an agenda, Click Here. American Veteran Online will post photos and details from the conference next week.

As always, we're eager to hear what's happening at posts and departments around the country. If you have any photos or stories you would like to share, we're eager to post them on this blog and in the Keeping Posted section of the American Veteran print edition.

VA Secretary Shinseki Delivers Keynote at Suicide Prevention Conference

Yesterday, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki delivered the keynote at the VA/DoD suicide-prevention conference at the Capitol Hill Hyatt Regency in Washington.



AMVETS is on hand at the conference today to participate in breakout sessions ranging from collaborative assessment and management of suicide, rural and remote veterans' mental health care, substance abuse and suicide, social media and suicide prevention, and ongoing research within VA and DoD.

American Veteran Online will continue to follow the conference, reporting on developments throughout the week.

(Video: Pentagon Channel video of Shinseki's address discussing military and veterans' suicide.)

AMVETS Response to President Obama's Afghanistan Strategy

Tonight, President Obama outlined his plan to send an additional 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan with an ambitious plan to start withdrawing combat troops within 18 months. Below is the President's address in its entirety from www.WhiteHouse.gov:



AMVETS' interests have always been in preserving America's interests and holding those who attacked us on 9/11 accountable for their actions.

That being said, AMVETS leaders cannot speculate on whether or not the President's plan will succeed, we can only hope that his words are sincere, that our nation's top military advisors have prudently considered the options for success, and that, as a nation, we will consider the needs of these additional 30,000 troops now called to serve long after they have returned from duty.

The need for additional troops on the ground in Afghanistan only reinforces the need for timely VA and defense funding. Both the VA and Defense budgets are now more than two months late, and our leaders in Congress must act quickly to ensure that we meet the needs of those brave enough to fight our nation's wars.

As AMVETS Legislative Director Ray Kelley says all the time, "if you're going to fund the war, you have to fund the war-fighters."

Throughout our nation's history, we've proven time and again that our military men and women are capable of overcoming insurmountable odds against brutal enemies. However, American memories tend to be short. After nearly every conflict, our veterans seem to be neglected almost as soon as the last muzzle falls silent.

This cannot happen to today's veterans, which is why AMVETS will continue to fight for improved care for those on today's battlefield long after they have returned. We have made great strides over the last couple of years with the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, improved military mental health screening and treatment, and advance VA health care funding, but the work continues.

With tonight's announcement and the holiday season upon us, AMVETS thoughts and prayers remain with the hundreds of thousands of American troops serving in harm's way, those who will soon be called to serve, and their loved ones.

Live from Capitol Hill: Senate Democratic Policy Committee Hosts Hearing on Burn Pits

AMVETS leaders are on Capitol Hill this morning for the Senate Democratic Policy Committee hearing on burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan and the health impact on American troops.

To view live video of this morning's hearing, Click Here.

AMVETS is concerned that the health effects associated with burn pit exposure could turn into the next Agent Orange debacle for today's veterans.

Today, the Pentagon and VA are aware of the risks associated with burn pits appearing all across the combat zone and VA plans to study the effects on veterans known to have been exposed.

However, AMVETS is concerned that hundreds of thousands of veterans may slip through the cracks since they may have deployed early on in the conflicts.

American Veteran will be following this hearing closely. Check back later today for updates.

VA, DoD Wrap Up Successful Mental Health Summit

Last week, VA and DoD hosted the first joint summit to discuss military and veterans' mental health. AMVETS leaders were on hand alongside leaders from the nation's top military and veterans' organizations, health care practitioners, and other public interest groups to discuss an issue that affects veterans of all conflicts, past and present.

AMVETS Deputy Legislative Director Christina Roof took part in the summit and viewed it as a critical first step in addressing a broad range of issues facing today's war fighters, but acknowledged that both VA and DoD have a long way to go on issues such as suicide-prevention and disclosure procedures.

"It was easy to understand all points of views on medical treatments and disclosure information to superiors," said Roof. "On one hand you want service members to feel comfortable reaching out for help and not worrying they will be deemed non-deployable or discharged, but on the other hand you could see the validity in DoD’s concerns about mentally unstable individuals not being ready for a combat zone, or posing a danger to themselves or others in their units."

During the week, summit participants heard from a variety of experts on the topic presenting a variety of potential solutions and candid commentary on the problems facing today's affected service members.

One of the most memorable presentations during the week came from IAVA Chief Legislative Counsel Patrick Campbell, who for the first time publicly shared his personal struggles with combat stress. Campbell acknowledged that it had taken him years since returning from Iraq to come to terms with many of his experiences, and he pulled no punches in criticizing VA and DoD processes for handling situations like his.

From the week's symposium, VA and DoD plan to compile a comprehensive report that will outline critical issues that remain within the military and veterans' communities and new ways to address these challenges in an effort to develop a public health model for mental health care throughout all communities.

This week, VA is hosting another summit outlining the department's plan to eliminate veterans' homelessness, which will once again touch on the topic of mental health and mental health care. American Veteran will be on hand tomorrow during the summit. Check back for updates.

VA, DoD Host Summit to Discuss Mental Health

Yesterday VA Secretary Eric Shinseki and Defense Secretary Robert Gates opened the first-ever VA and Department of Defense summit on mental health at the Capitol Hilton in Washington. The summit brings together leaders across both departments, medical practitioners, and military and veterans' advocates, including AMVETS, to discuss mental health issues related to military service.

Since the start of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the invisible wounds of war have become a major concern for the veterans' community. A recent RAND report shows that up to twenty percent of all service members who deployed in support of the conflicts have exhibited some symptom associated with post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury.

Pentagon and VA have come together in an effort to better serve those affected by service-related mental health issues at the summit, which runs through Thursday.

In his opening remarks, Shinseki tasked the summit with three goals: Build on current levels of mental health care; maintain advances by promoting psychological health, resilience and prevention; and establish a mental health care model that leverages national resources beyond the military.

AMVETS National Commander Duane Miskulin has made military and veterans' mental health his top priority since taking office in September, making this summit critical to the work of AMVETS and its partners.

AMVETS National Deputy Legislative Director Christina Roof was on hand for the first day's activities, listening to a variety of speakers who brought a wealth of expertise in the mental health field to the summit.

American Veteran will be following the summit closely over the next three days. Check back regularly with American Veteran Online for updates.

(Photos: Top: VA Secretary Shinseki addresses the VA/DoD mental health summit at the Capitol Hilton. Hyperlink to official DoD story by Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden. DoD photo by Cherie Cullen, released. Right: Defense Secretary Gates addresses the summit. Photo by Christina Roof.)

Live from Capitol Hill: Senate hearing on veterans' chemical exposure

This morning, the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs is hosting a hearing on DoD and VA's response to veterans' chemical exposure while on active duty. To view live video of the hearing on the committee's Web site, Click Here.

AMVETS National Deputy Legislative Director Christina Roof is on hand at the Russell Senate Office Building for this morning's hearing.

Check back later today with American Veteran Online for details.

Post-9/11 G.I. Bill Update: Military Coalition calls for G.I. Bill equity

On Monday, the Military Coalition, a consortium of the nation's top military and veterans' service organizations, sent a letter to Congress calling for expanded transferability benefits under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, which took effect Aug. 1.

The letter, which was sent to the chairmen and ranking members of both the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs, outlines the coalition's concern that transferability does not apply to uniformed officers in the U.S. Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

These officers who fall under the department of Health and Human Services and Commerce, respectively, have access to Chapter 33 benefits, but they cannot transfer these benefits to dependents in the same manner that Department of Defense uniformed service members can.

The coalition points out that transferability was added as a retention incentive for DoD, encouraging service members to stay in the military by offering tremendous educational opportunities to dependents. The coalition believes that HHS and Commerce could use transferability as another incentive to ensure retention among USPHS and NOAA Corps, which are experiencing critical manpower shortages.

On Sept. 9, the coalition also sent a letter to Congress, asking for key changes in the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill to ensure equity in the new benefit. To view the Sept. 9 letter, Click Here.

The coalition recognized that certain individuals and certain types of education were excluded from coverage under Chapter 33. The coalition also recognized a need to address private and graduate school shortfalls, such as the California debacle, which we have discussed on this blog.

The coalition recommended that Congress consider authorizing National Guard members activated under Title 32 orders to take advantage of the benefit, similar to active duty Title 10 counterparts. The coalition also asked for living stipends for full-time distance learners, setting a national reimbursement standard for private schools and graduate programs, and adopt rules similar to the Montgomery G.I. Bill in regard to vocational and other non-degree training programs.

The Military Coalition is comprised of more than 30 of the nation's top military and veterans' service organizations, including AMVETS, representing more than 5.5. million current and former service members, their families, and survivors.

(Image: First page of the Military Coalition letter to Congress on G.I. Bill transferability. A full version of the letter should be available on the coalition's Web site shortly.)

Senate listens to tesimony on VA claims process

Yesterday, the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs heard testimony from VA, Department of Defense, DAV, and the Government Accountability Office on the VA claims process and progress on mitigating the daunting VA claims backlog.

To view video from yesterday's hearing, Click Here.

To review each witness' written statements, Click Here.

Perhaps the most eye-opening aspect of the hearing was the new GAO report highlighting improvements and continued shortcomings in VA's efforts to mitigate the claims backlog, which veterans' advocates believe is approaching one million claims.

The GAO report notes that the VA experienced a dramatic increase in the overall time it takes to process a claim between 2005 and 2007, topping out at 200 days. Over the last year, VA has managed to reign in the average claims-processing time to about 180 days. The GAO believes that the initial increase was due not only to an overall increase in volume of claims resulting from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also because of legislative and policy changes, entitling veterans to a variety of new benefits.

However, the GAO also reported that the overall time for VA to adjudicate claims appeals has actually increased to a time of about 21 months--a number that AMVETS leaders balk at--in spite of the overall number of appeals dropping dramatically. VA claims that repeated submissions of new evidence and multiple pending appeals have exacerbated the situation.

Since 2005, GAO reports that VA has increased its claims-processing personnel by 58 percent, with plans to hire an additional 1,500 employees in the coming year. VA has also relaxed its rules on redistributed claims work, allowing overtaxed regional offices to ship claims to offices capable of handling the workload.

During the hearing, DAV outlined its plan to mitigate the claims backlog, a system that would take full advantage of 21st century technology, with a single point-of-entry for claims, and the capability to digitally track all records which have been submitted. For a full overview of DAV's proposal, Click Here.

The claims backlog is a critical issue to AMVETS and many leaders across the veterans' community. AMVETS encourages veterans seeking service-connected compensation from the VA to visit with a certified veterans' service officer who offer their services free of charge. To view the most up-to-date list of AMVETS National Service Officers on the official AMVETS Web site, Click Here.

American Veteran will continue to follow work on Capitol Hill to ensure that the VA claims backlog is properly addressed. As always, we welcome your comments on this issue.

This Week at American Veteran

This week at American Veteran, we will look back at the Fourth of July and ways in which AMVETS commemorated our nation's birth around the country.

We will also catch up with the AMVETS Legislative Department, as Congress reconvenes. On Wednesday, American Veteran will cover another hearing on the VA brachytherapy issue, as well as the development of the VA and Defense budgets in the Senate.

American Veteran's editorial staff is also in the final stages of building the summer issue of the magazine, where we will discuss the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, which is set to roll out on August 1.

We also continue to follow the situation in Afghanistan, where an American soldier remains missing in action and Marines have commenced major operations against the Taliban.

As always, we're eager to hear from Posts and Departments about the unique programs and events taking place around the country. We also continue to look for submissions for our "Women in Service" feature.

Be sure to check in regularly with American Veteran Online for updates.

BREAKING: U.S. Soldier Captured in Afghanistan

This morning, the U.S. military publicly acknowledged that a U.S. Army soldier went missing on Tuesday night in Afghanistan.

This afternoon, CNN reported that the soldier had been captured by "low-level militants" along with three Afghan soldiers. The American was subsequently sold to an anti-American war lord Siraj Haqqani and the Taliban claims he is being held in a "safe location."

Though the Pentagon confirms that the soldier's family has been notified, the soldier's name remains unavailable to the public.

Nevertheless, the thoughts and prayers of AMVETS' leaders go out to the missing soldier and his loved ones as they cope with this ordeal.

Today, there remains one additional soldier listed as missing, Army Sgt. Ahmed Altaie, an Iraqi expatriate who disappeared while visiting with family in Iraq. As always, AMVETS calls on the Pentagon and the Department of State to do everything within their power to bring all of our missing soldiers home safely.

Check back with American Veteran Online for updates as this story develops.

Tragic Baghdad Shooting Rekindles Combat Stress Debate

Yesterday's tragic shooting of five mental health counselors at Camp Liberty in Iraq has reopened the national dialogue on combat stress. Immediately following the news out of Baghdad that a U.S. service member took the lives of five of his fellow troops, speculation began as to the causes of such a heinous act. This morning, we learned that the soldier was a patient at the clinic struggling to cope with combat stress.

On CNN and the BBC yesterday, I reiterated the fact that combat stress and traumatic stress are germane to the combat experience. Where a veteran's reaction to combat stress develops into "post-traumatic stress disorder" is when a veteran becomes overwhelmed by the stressors, or cannot put experiences into the proper context, leading to patterns of self-destructive behavior.

When I returned from Iraq, I faced my own hurdles in coping with combat stress running the gamut from self-medication, to panic attacks, nightmares, anger and avoidance issues. However, I was able to quickly enroll with the VA health care system and sought proper counseling.

Don't get me wrong. This was by no means a "cure-all" to coping with combat stress. Anger issues still crop up, as do bouts with insomnia and avoidance. However, by working with the VA, I have been able to adapt properly.

In the military, we are taught to be tough, to be strong. These are necessary character traits when faced with the dangerous situations and difficult decisions that come in the heat of battle. When you're deployed to the combat zone, your body is at a chemically heightened state of alertness. Recent studies have even demonstrated that thought patterns may literally change to respond to now commonplace life-threatening situations.

When troops return home, this heightened state of alertness does not simply "go away." In fact, it's the natural reaction to such a profound experience. In this state, returning veterans may find that what had been commonplace in civilian life can now trigger thoughts and reactions reminiscent of combat--whether it's adverse reactions to crowded situations, unexpected loud noises, traffic, or even something as benign as traditional Muslim garb.

For troops who seek proper counseling and discuss their experiences, reintegration after combat often goes smoothly. However, troops who are unwilling to admit that they have gone through a life-altering experience, or who choose to self medicate as a coping mechanism will often degrade into patterns of self-destructive behavior, as I did in the beginning. In fact, the VA has acknowledged that PTSD is the leading cause of substance abuse and homelessness among veterans.

If you are a veteran who has had difficulty readjusting, the responsible course of action is not to "suck it up and drive on." The responsible course of action is to seek counseling from the VA.

Over the years, AMVETS has fought to dispel the negative stigma associated with seeking treatment for mental health issues. Many troops believe they are tough enough to face these challenges on their own and that seeking treatment will somehow have a negative effect on their military or private sector careers. Many times, this is not the case.

Today, the Department of Defense has made significant strides in identifying potential combat stress issues and implemented new policies designed to encourage troops to seek treatment, rather than punishing those who admit they have trouble coping with combat-related issues. The department has also acknowledged that long, repeated deployments only exacerbate the situation, and Defense Secretary Gates has taken steps to alleviate the strain on service members and their families.

Recently, AMVETS testified before Congress on PTSD and pointed out the importance of proper implementation of the VA's recommendations outlined in the Uniformed Mental Health Services Handbook.

Over the last five years, VA has looked into discrepancies across the board in their treatment of combat stress, and a recent report suggests that progress has been slow coming. AMVETS hopes that the implementation of a new uniformed service and health record for DoD and VA will help alleviate some of the enrollment shortfalls for VA, but AMVETS also reiterates the need for additional counselors and increased access to services for rural and remote veterans.

We've heard all sorts of horror stories from veterans around the country in regards to enrollment with the VA, difficulty in scheduling appointments, and frustration over paperwork inconsistencies and bureaucracy. Many of these complaints are quite valid and have driven the work of AMVETS National Headquarters to demand systemic change.

Fortunately, we have made significant progress and leaders in Washington seem to recognize the gravity of this issue. Plus, AMVETS offers a cadre of national and state service officers who stand ready to assist veterans at VA Regional Offices across the country. An up-to-date list of service officers and contact information can be found by Clicking Here.

Some people think that PTSD is a new issue and have attempted to discredit those who seek treatment through the VA. However, I want to point this out: I've noted several times that simply discussing your experiences and placing them into the proper context is often the best step in alleviating combat stress issues.

When the WWII generation returned from war, not only were they the majority of the adult male population in the United States, but they were organized. AMVETS developed out of WWII with posts all across the country where veterans could gather socially and discuss their time overseas.

Organizations such as AMVETS provided an acceptable outlet for veterans to place wartime experiences into the proper context and our country became considerably stronger for it.

Today, AMVETS and our 1,200 posts nationwide have the unique opportunity to offer this kind of support once more to our newest generation of war heroes. So to find a list of AMVETS posts near you, Click Here.

Sometimes all it takes is a sympathetic ear who can tell you that everything is just fine.

-Ryan

If you are a veteran in immediate need of counseling, call the VA's 24-hour hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Press "1" for veterans.

If you have any questions or comments for AMVETS on the issue of combat stress, please post below. We read every comment and we do our best to respond to every question in a timely fashion.

UPDATE: Army identifies remains of Staff Sgt. Vile

Late yesterday, The Department of Defense identified the remains of Army Staff Sgt. William Vile of Philadelphia who was previously listed as "whereabouts unknown" following a firefight in the Konar Province of Afghanistan. Our condolences go out to Vile's family in Pennsylvania and his colleagues in the 1st Infantry Division.

DoD officially updated Vile's status in a release after the Armed Forces Medical Examiner positively identified his remains.

One soldier remains missing in action in the Global War on Terrorism, Army Sgt. Ahmed Altaie. AMVETS continues to call on DoD to do everything in its power to ensure the return of all our service members listed as POW/MIA.

Philadelphia Soldier Listed As "Whereabouts Unknown" in Afghanistan

Yesterday, The Department of Defense issued an official release regarding an attack on U.S. forces in the Konar Province of Afghanistan where two U.S. soldiers were killed and another is now listed as "whereabouts unknown."

The two soldiers killed in the attack were Sgt. James Pirtle of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Spc. Ryan King of Dallas, Ga. Both were assigned to Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Hood.

Following the attack, Staff Sgt. William Vile of Philadelphia, Pa., assigned to 1st BCT, 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Riley, Kansas, was listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN).

The thoughts and prayers of AMVETS and the editorial staff of American Veteran go out to the families of Pirtle, King, and Vile, and we implore DoD to do everything in its power to ensure the safe return of Vile to his unit.

We will keep tabs on this story as it develops. As of today, two U.S. troops are listed as missing or "whereabouts unknown." AMVETS calls for action on the part of our nation's military to ensure the safe and timely return of Staff Sgt. Vile and Army Spc. Ahmed Altaie.

G.I. Bill Update: VA to accept apps TODAY, DoD clarifies transferability

This morning, the VA will begin to accept applications for Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits, or Chapter 33. Eligible veterans should visit the VA's new G.I. Bill Web site, www.gibill.va.gov, to print out an application form and to learn more about the new benefit.

Last week American Veteran reported that veterans eligible for Chapter 33 should play close attention to their usage of any previous G.I. Bill chapters, as this will effect your eligibility for the new benefit. Veterans with fewer than twelve months remaining on their previous G.I. Bill entitlements should completely use their old benefits before enrolling in Chapter 33. Veterans who have any time remaining on their old benefits will only be eligible for that limited amount of time under the new benefit. However, if a veteran has completely exhausted their previous G.I. Bill benefits, they will automatically be eligible for an additional 12 months of Chapter 33.

For example, I have only three months remaining of my Chapter 1607 Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) G.I. Bill benefits. If I chose to enroll in Chapter 33 today, I would only be eligible to receive three months worth of Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits. However, if I use my remaining three months of Chapter 1607, I will then be eligible for another 12 months of Chapter 33 benefits.

The decision to enroll in Chapter 33 is IRREVOCABLE, so be sure to understand your personal entitlements before filing for the new benefit.

In regards to transferability, service members who wish to pass along their Chapter 33 benefits to dependents must be on active duty on August 1, 2009, when the new benefit takes effect. Service members must also have at least six years of service on active duty with a commitment to serve an additional four.

However, DoD has also outlined special rules for service members who are slated to retire before August 1, 2012 or who have a minimum of 10 years in service, so that they will also be able to take advantage of Chapter 33 transferability. These special criteria only apply to service members up to 2012 and will not be extended. To view a DoD fact sheet on transferability, Click Here.

Service members who opt to transfer their Chapter 33 benefits may transfer any or all of the benefit to eligible dependents for up to 36 months worth of schooling.

Check back regularly with American Veteran Online for further updates on this summer's implementation of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, and, as always, please let us know if you have any specific questions.

-Ryan

Pentagon to End Stop Loss

This afternoon, the Associated Press reported that defense officials will curb implementation of the controversial Stop Loss policy this summer. AP also reported that troops held past their ETS dates will be entitled to an additional $500 per month for the duration of their extended service. The new benefit, called Stop Loss Special Pay, will be retroactive for members of the military held beyond their ETS after Oct. 1, 2008.

Stop Loss is the oft-criticized military policy to hold mission-critical troops beyond their contract or retirement dates. Stop-loss is often referred to as a "backdoor draft" which is responsible for forcing thousands of troops to continue serving in the military long beyond their prescribed time in service. (It was also the subject of the controversial 2008 MTV Film "Stop Loss.")

According to a Department of Defense press release, the Army Reserve and National Guard will deploy their first Stop Loss-free units in August 2009. The active component will follow in January 2010.

Personally, I couldn't be happier to see DoD give Stop Loss the axe. During my time in the Army Reserve, I saw the ways in which the policy affected the morale of troops, both in the field and in garrison. Once Stop Loss in enacted, the sense of hopelessness can permeate well beyond the affected soldier. Their battle buddies feel the same loss of purpose and motivation when faced with a suddenly open-ended military obligation.

When my unit returned from Iraq in 2004, our MOS, civil affairs, was held under Stop Loss. Though the policy did not directly affect me, since I was still under contract, the loss of morale was palpable. Some of my closest friends--friends with ambitions of college, ambitions of a normal family life, ambitions of a civilian life--were suddenly deciding to reenlist!

Naturally, I asked why. After all, they were quite adamant about leaving the military after a rough year in Iraq. They simply told me that they had no other option. The Army was going to hold onto them anyway, so they might as well cash in on the bonus.

In no way do I intend to disparage the service of career military men and women. Nothing is more noble than to dedicate your life to serving your country. But I must ask what might have been for the men and women who epitomized the mantra "Army life is not my style," yet decided to re-up.

The military has repeatedly touted the necessity of the program over the years, saying that it was essential to the mission to retain the best and brightest. I'm happy to see that DoD has changed its tone, despite of continued operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Bill Carr, deputy undersecretary of defense for military personnel policy reiterated my thoughts in his statement on Stop Loss today:

"Stop Loss disrupts the plans of those who have serve their intended obligation. As such, it is employed only when necessary to ensure minimal staffing in deploying units, when needed to ensure safe and effective unit performance. It is more easily rationalized in the early stages of conflict when events are most dynamic; but tempo changes in this war have frustrated our efforts to end it altogether."

If you have stories of your experiences with DoD's Stop Loss policy, let us here about it!

-Ryan

(Photo: In 2007, then-Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno delivered the oath of enlistment to soldiers from 2nd Infantry Division at Joint Security Station East in Iraq. Photo by Staff Sgt. Curt Cashour, released.)