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IAVA Daily Brief 07.31.09
Posted by Michael Houston on July 31

Here are some of today's top stories and happenings at IAVA.  Prefer to receive real-time updates about major stories and legislation that IAVA is tracking?  Follow us on Twitter @iavapressroom.

MUST READS

(1) New GI Bill Answer to Veteran’s Dreams

The new Post-9/11 GI Bill takes effect tomorrow, August 1, and veterans across the country are gearing up for their graduate and undergraduate studies come September, like Aubrey Arcangel featured in today's Washington Post article and slideshow. The new benefits, described as “the most extensive educational assistance program for veterans since the original GI Bill was signed in to law in 1944,” will provide upfront tuition payments, a monthly living allowance, and a yearly book stipend.  ”This type of investment is going to build the next Greatest Generation,'' said Patrick Campbell, chief legislative counsel for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans for America, a national advocacy group in an article in today’s Houston Chronicle. ``Service members are going to come home from Iraq and Afghanistan, and they're going to be able to make school their full-time jobs. They're going to be able to graduate without crushing student loan debts.''  But veterans must still navigate a confusing VA application process, and colleges and universities not totally prepared for an influx of student-veterans.  To counter that, many schools are quickly learning how to help ease the transitions to civilian life, offering additional academic advising, tutoring, and counseling for veterans.  More information about the new GI Bill at www.NewGIBill.org. 

(2) House Strikes F-22, Passes Defense Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a $636.3 billion military spending bill, but killed new funding for the highly disputed F-22 fighter jet program, opposed by the White House.  However, the House did not back away from additional funding for a new presidential helicopter and another program the White House also opposes, prompting WH spokesman Robert Gibbs to restate an earlier threat that “Obama's top advisers would recommend he veto any spending measure” they did not approve. 

(3) Adviser Cites Ability of Iraqi forces, Cooling of Relations as Reasons to Hasten Withdrawal

In an internal memo on Iraqi security and U.S. involvement in Iraq, Col. Timothy Reese argued that  “Iraqi forces already are good enough to defend the government against the weakened terrorist and insurgent forces that remain” and that the US should “declare victory and go home” next year, 16 months ahead of schedule.”   A running commentary at the New York Times provides insight from a group of military experts and scholars.  Click here to read more.

AFGHANISTAN

General Stanley McCrystal, the U.S commander in charge of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, is gearing up for a significant increase in the size of Afghan security forces, part of a new strategy to root out corruption among local government officials, reports Newsweek.  However, the plan is likely to require an increase in American troop deployments to Afghanistan, which could receive an unfavorable reception at the White House, where members of Obama’s national security team have expressed reluctance to authorize more deployments. 

Meanwhile, at the Pentagon on Thursday, Inspector General Arnold Fields stated that there is poor coordination between Americans and Afghans in reconstruction work, leading to disjointed efforts and slow progress. He also said that "there isn't always a direct connection between what the Afghans feel that they need and what the reconstruction effort is delivering."  Arnold Fields is the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction.  To read more about his leadership and objective, click here. 

In southern Afghanistan, a U.S. soldier working for NATO forces was killed by direct fire with insurgents last night. Meanwhile, 11 Taliban insurgents were killed during an ground/air assault Afghan and NATO-led troops in the southwestern Ghazni province.

IRAQ

At lease 4,329 U.S. servicemembers have died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.  Meanwhile, the U.S. military says a team of medical professionals is evaluating the wounded at an Iranian exile camp north of Baghdad where two days of clashes with Iraqi police left at least seven dead.

Across the pond, former Prime Minister Tony Blair will join an independent inquiry into Britain’s role in the Iraq war, and it is reported that he will not “shy away from making criticism,” even though it was his decision to join the U.S. led invasion in 2003.  The panel will serve as Britain’s widest-ranging inquiry yet into the Iraq war, and will be conducted in public. 

MILITARY AFFAIRS

A new program in Montana has been established to provide returning troops with mental health tests to screen for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  The provision, backed by Senator Max Baucus, is part of the Senate-approved reauthorization bill.  To view IAVA’s issue report on PTSD and mental health injuries, click here.

Meanwhile, a Fort Dix job fair drew nearly 800 veterans seeking employment in the troubled economy.  Previously, the fair was only open to wounded veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, but was opened up to all veterans this year.  Only companies with open positions were invited, which included over 70 different companies, ranging from Best buy to the IRS, according to Sgt. Maj. James Clark, the program coordinator.   Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan have been hit harder by the current economic condition than their civilian peers.  To learn more, click here.

And in Arizona, another example of older generations helping the young is taking place at the Southeast Extension Clinic of the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center.  Vietnam veterans have occupied their free time in retirement by shuttling patients from the parking lot to the clinic at the ASU Polytechnic campus. Eric Guyton, a medical administration officer at the clinic, said retired veterans are “their lifeblood,” helping with smaller tasks that can be time consuming.

INSIDE WASHINGTON

The House has now passed its versions of all 12 appropriations bills for 2010, but passage of the Defense spending bill is just one step in a long legislative process. Meanwhile, the Senate has not moved its version of the measure through committee yet, and a final version of the bill won't emerge from conference negotiations until this fall at the earliest.

Brandon Friedman, author of “The War I Always Wanted,” has accepted a position the Department of Veterans Affairs, working in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Intergovernmental Affairs, an office run by Assistant Secretary Tammy Duckworth.

CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE

THE SENATE 
The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m.
FUTURE COMMITTEE HEARINGS  of  INTEREST
August 2, 2009 - SVAC will conduct a field hearing on VA’s outreach to returning Guardsmen.  10:00 a.m.; Oahu Veterans Center (Vasquez)
August 28, 2009 - SVAC will conduct a field hearing on the state of VA’s services on Maui, to include an OIG report of the same.  10:00 a.m.; Maui Cultural Center (Vasquez)

THE HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES

The House will convene at 9:00 a.m.

HOUSE COMMITTEE  REPORTS and PRESS RELEASES of  INTEREST

Paralympians Inspire Others to Be Better and Do More 

FUTURE  HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of  INTEREST
September 10, 2009 - Joint House and Senate Full Committee Hearing:  Legislative Presentation of the American Legion 9:30 a.m.; 345 Cannon

IAVA IN THE NEWS

Outlet: The Washington Post/Associated Press
Title: New GI Bill sending veterans to school this fall
Date: Friday, July 31
Representative: Marco Reininger, Aubrey Arcangel 

Outlet: CNN
Program: Newsroom with Heidi Collins
Date: Friday, July 31
Representative: Patrick Campbell

WHAT THE BLOGS ARE SAYING

Blog: The Official Star Wars Blog
Title: Milo Ventimiglia Inducted by 501st Legion
Date: Friday, July, 31
Representative: IAVA
 
A wide-range of views, positions, and publications are represented in these articles.  These views, positions and publications are not endorsed by nor do they necessarily represent the views of IAVA.

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