Twenty-First Century Vets Deliver Their Findings to AMVETS

This morning, participants in the 2010 AMVETS Symposium for 21st Century Veterans presented their findings and recommendations to the AMVETS National Convention floor at the Galt House in Louisville, Ky.

Some of the most prominent recommendations from this year's participants included increased family integration in the transition and treatment processes, equitable treatment for female veterans in VA medical facilities, codified "warning signs" for veterans at risk for homelessness, and comprehensive transition programs available to all branches, including the National Guard and Reserve.

From this morning's presentation, AMVETS National Headquarters will compile the raw data from the week's working groups, follow up with participants, compare notes with VA, Department of Defense and Department of Labor codes, and compile a comprehensive symposium report to be released on Oct. 1.

AMVETS will then use the report to guide its legislative agenda and inform key national leaders on Capitol Hill about the current needs of America's warfighters.

From AMVETS' last symposium for post-9/11 veterans in 2006, more than 25 issues have been addressed, but this year's participants pointed to new issues and some unforeseen consequences of past corrective actions.

One unintended consequence, which came from the women veterans' roundtable, was the concern that today's female veterans were being pigeon-holed into women's clinics for non-gender-specific care, exacerbating access issues to routine primary care treatment.

Veterans also clamored for more family integration into the overall transition and treatment process, saying that veterans' spouses and children play pivotal roles in ensuring that veterans receive all of their proper benefits and entitlements. Family members are also directly impacted by reintegration issues that their loved ones face, potentially leading to relationship issues.

AMVETS National Legislative Director Ray Kelley, the symposium's facilitator, said the input from the diverse group of veterans will also help to guide AMVETS organizationally to better serve today's warriors.

AMVETS asked for anonymous feedback from each participant and plans to take their recommendations to the AMVETS National Executive Committee to host future events.

Participants said they enjoyed the opportunity to participate in the symposium and that no other veterans' groups had offered them similar opportunities to candidly discuss what is important to them. They also said that they wanted to see similar events take place every year until all of America's service members return home.

More than 50 veterans who have served after Sept. 11, 2001 participated in the symposium, representing a broad cross-section of today's veterans including current service members, recent retirees, wounded warriors, female veterans, urban and suburban veterans, rural veterans, and members of the National Guard and Reserve from coast to coast.

AMVETS National Commander Duane J. Miskulin thanked each of the participants personally after the presentation and said it was the kind of work AMVETS needed to continue down the road.

(Photos: Top: Post-9/11 veteran Joe Leal delivers the findings of the health care breakout group from the symposium, while his fellow participants and AMVETS National Commander Duane Miskulin looks on. Bottom: AMVETS members thank symposium participants for their hard work following this morning's presentation on the floor of the National Convention. Photos by Luis Jimenez.)

Symposium Day Two: Compiling Reports

This morning, each breakout session for the 2010 AMVETS Symposium for 21st Century Veterans reconvened to review yesterday's notes, discuss their findings and begin compiling the final report.

After yesterday's charged discussions on issues critical to Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans, the small subgroups are now comparing notes on veterans' health care, benefits, and transition assistance. This afternoon, the three breakout groups will come together to compile final recommendations, which will be delivered on the floor of the AMVETS National Convention tomorrow morning.

"Yesterday's subgroups really picked up the ball and ran with it, making this symposium their own," said AMVETS National Legislative Director Ray Kelley, who is facilitating this week's work. "AMVETS has taken a hands-off approach to these discussions in an effort to really learn what today's issues are from the veterans, themselves, and I'm happy to see it working."

Kelley went on to say that closing the sessions to the public helped to ensure candid discussion among participants--some of whom continue to serve on active duty.

"I've really learned something watching the conversations unfold," said Kelley, "and I'm eager to see tomorrow's final report."

Tomorrow's final symposium report is open to the public and will take place at 7:30 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom at the Galt House in Louisville. AMVETS delegates from around the country will be on hand to listen to the recommendations and AMVETS will use this week's findings to compile a new report to bring to Washington.

If you were unable to join us in Louisville, but think there is an issue AMVETS should address at the symposium, please let us know by commenting on this blog.

For more updates on the symposium and this week's AMVETS National Convention, check back regularly with American Veteran Online.

(Photo: Veterans fill out name tags as the second day of the symposium convenes. Photo by Ryan Gallucci.)

AMVETS Symposium Commences in Louisville

This morning, the 2010 AMVETS Symposium for 21st Century Veterans commenced at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Ky. A diverse working group of nearly 50 current service members, veterans, and recent military retirees gathered to discuss issues critical to today's veterans community pertaining to health care, benefits and the transition from military life.

Congressman John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) joined the symposium early in the morning to address the veterans and discuss why veterans' issues are critical to him and his constituents in Louisville. During his comments, Yarmuth touched on the persistent issues of PTSD and suicide, which AMVETS is addressing in the symposium.

Yarmuth shared a personal story from recently visiting with a hospitalized veteran who attempted to take his own life, and how seeing first-hand the impact of the invisible wounds of war has driven him and other leaders in Congress to seek ways to stymie the disturbing trend.

AMVETS National Legislative Director Ray Kelley, who is leading the symposium, took the time to introduce each subject matter expert tasked to lead discussions in each of the breakout groups. AMVETS National Commander Duane J. Miskulin also took a few moments to thanks the participants, calling their work critical to the AMVETS mission.

This afternoon, the veterans broke into smaller sessions. In the health care breakout, veterans discussed patient care and staff attitudes, the invisible wounds of war, and women's needs. In the benefits breakout, veterans discussed delivery and availability of benefits and education. In the transition breakout, veterans discussed transition assistance, employment and homelessness.

Tomorrow, the groups will reconstitute to discuss their findings--identifying which problems demanded the most attention and proposing fresh solutions. On Wednesday morning, participants will present their recommendations to the AMVETS delegates gathered for the 66th AMVETS National Convention. From here, AMVETS will compile a comprehensive report to guide national leaders' work in Washington.

To learn more about the symposium, Click Here.

To learn more about AMVETS National Convention, Click Here.

(Photos: Top: Congressman John Yarmuth speaks to veterans gathered to participate in the AMVETS Symposium for 21st Century Veterans. Photo courtesy of Congressman John Yarmuth, by Dustin Alsey. Middle: Veterans participating in this year's symposium listen as subject matter experts explain why the symposium is important to their work. Photo by Jay Agg.)

Microsoft Launches Initiative to Assist Veterans in the Workforce

Yesterday, Microsoft officially announced its new Elevating America's Veterans Initiative to assist veterans with developing the necessary technology skills to compete in today's job market.

Building upon the successful Elevate America program, Microsoft will bring together a coalition of public, private and non-profit organizations to provide veterans and their family members with the requisite skills and resources to succeed in the civilian work force.

“Our servicemen and women are amazing leaders, but to be able to compete in the tough job market when they return from duty, many of them need access to technology training,” said Pamela Passman, corporate vice president of Microsoft Global Corporate Affairs, who announced the initiative at yesterday’s National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) forum in Washington. “We are bringing together organizations and companies that can combine their competencies and resources with ours to make the greatest possible impact to help veterans and their spouses.”

Passman went on to say that every sector of the economy should be open to veterans and that Microsoft hopes to leverage existing infrastructures within the veterans' community, such as veterans' service organizations, to ensure that Microsoft resources reach those looking to compete in today's job market.

As part of the initiative, Microsoft will contribute $2 million in cash and up to $6 million in software over the next two years to assist members of the military and military spouses looking to reintegrate into the civilian work force.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, or IAVA, was the first veterans' group to officially partner with Microsoft on the day of the launch. Microsoft is also looking for other eligible veterans' service organizations, work force agencies, community colleges, and other non-profits to ensure access to these resources for veterans from coast to coast.

"Microsoft wants to use all of the tools at our disposal to bring forth the skilled individuals from today's veterans' community," said Bill Kamela, Microsoft's senior director for education and workforce law and corporate affairs.

Microsoft has acknowledged that veterans bring to bear skills that many employers seek, yet the unemployment situation remains dire for those transitioning from today's military.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, more than 180,000 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan are currently unemployed and total veterans' unemployment far eclipses the nations' already-daunting civilian unemployment figures.

AMVETS leaders have spoken out on the veterans' unemployment crisis, calling on Congress to develop better reintegration programs for today's transitioning service members and pushing Congress to pass the landmark Post-9/11 G.I. Bill in 2008, offering unprecedented educational opportunities to today's veterans.

In 2010, two of AMVETS' top legislative priorities include reintegration and education, with AMVETS Deputy Legislative Director Christina Roof currently sitting on the advisory board for the Federal Government Veterans' Employment Initiative with the Department of Labor.

AMVETS has also launched new programs on the local and national levels to address job training and education ranging from AMVETS partnership with Supportive Education for the Returning Veteran, to the AMVETS Department of Ohio pilots Ohio Vets CAN and AMVETS Career Centers.

AMVETS National Legislative Director Ray Kelley applauded yesterday's Microsoft announcement.

"This is a critical step by Microsoft that will help veterans and their spouses launch viable 21st century careers--not just find jobs," said Kelley. "The Elevate America's Veterans Initiative is about making real connections and providing real resources to help our veterans excel, which is why we hope Microsoft will explore any and all resources to reach today's transitioning vets."

(Image: Microsoft's Pamela Passman announces the Elevate America's Veterans Initiative at yesterday's NAWB forum in Washington. Photo courtesy of Merritt Group and Microsoft.)

AMVETS Discusses "Hurt Locker" on MSNBC

Yesterday, MSNBC discussed the recent veterans' backlash against rampant inaccuracies in the critically-acclaimed film "Hurt Locker," which is nominated for nine Academy Awards this weekend.

I had the opportunity to discuss with MSNBC's David Schuster in Washington.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Live from Capitol Hill: House VA Subcommittees to Discuss Vets' Transition and Post-9/11 G.I. Bill.

This morning, the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will host a hearing on transition issues for today's veterans. Panelists will include representatives from the Pentagon, VA, and OIF/OEF-era veterans. To view a list of panelists and to read their prepared remarks, Click Here.

The hearing will commence at 10 a.m. in the committee's chambers, room 334, of the Cannon House Office Building. To view live video from the hearing, Click Here.

This afternoon, the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Development will host a hearing on long term solutions for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill (Chapter 33). Witnesses for the afternoon's hearing will include representatives from VA who have handled Chapter 33 implementation and representatives from Navy SPAWAR responsible for implementing the digital enrollment solution slated for completion in Dec. 2010. To view a list of panelists and to read their prepared remarks, Click Here.

The hearing will commence at 1 p.m. A video link should be available early this afternoon. Check back around 12:30 for more details.

AMVETS leaders, who have been focusing on both issues, will be watching each hearing closely. Check back with American Veteran Online this afternoon for reaction.

Spring Preview: American Veteran on Capitol Hill

Recently, Jay and I had the opportunity to sit down with freshman California Congressman Duncan D. Hunter, a Marine Corps veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan. In the spring issue of American Veteran, we speak with some of our nation's newest veteran leadership as they seek to address issues ranging from the surge of forces in Afghanistan, to veterans' transition issues and the economic crisis. Be on the lookout for the latest issue of American Veteran magazine later this month.

-Ryan

(Photo by Jay Agg)