Blog Post

IAVA Daily News Brief 07.16.12
Posted by Gretchen Andersen on July 16 2012

Here are some of today's top stories and happenings that IAVA is tracking. Prefer to receive real-time updates about major stories and legislation that IAVA is tracking? Follow us on Twitter @IAVAPressRoom and click here to get the News Brief delivered to your inbox every morning.

MUST READS

1.) Backlash Builds as For-Profit Schools Rake in GI Bill Funds

Veterans groups, Congress and the White House are cracking down on for-profit schools for preying on veterans with misleading ads and inadequate educations. The Los Angeles Times reports that since the Post-9/11 GI Bill took effect in 2009, eight of the top 10 colleges collecting money from the program are for-profit schools. 

2.) Study Calls for Better Assessment of Government P.T.S.D. Programs

The Institute of Medicine released a report last week recommending the Department of Defense screen soldiers for post-traumatic stress disorder annually. The New York Times reports that the study -- financed  by the Pentagon -- also concludes that both the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs need to “improve their assessment of how well their many treatment programs work, as well as find better ways of coordinating care that can begin overseas and then continue on bases or in small towns across the country.” 

3.) Army Releases June Suicide Data

On Friday, The U.S. Army reported last month’s figures for soldier suicides. Among active-duty soldiers, there were 11 potential suicides, one has been confirmed as suicide and 10 remain under investigation. Among reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were 12 potential suicides and all 12 remain under investigation.  

AFGHANISTAN

• Two troops with the U.S.-led international military coalition were killed in an insurgent attack.

IRAQ

• Jeremy Gilley, an Iraq War veteran, lost his legs last year after helping an accident victim. Now, organizations are stepping up to help pay his medical bills.
• Two off-duty soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb attack near Mosul.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

• Troops are better equipped to detect improvised explosive devices with improved high-tech sensors.
• The court-martial for Staff Sgt. Luis Walker begins today. Walker faces 28 counts, including rape, aggravated sexual contact and multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault.
• A health task force has found that the military fails to educate women about how to stay healthy.
• Despite the Army dropping NASCAR, the National Guard announced it has no plans to drop its sponsorship.

THE NEW GREATEST GENERATION

• A photographer captured a service member proposing to his girlfriend and needs help identifying the couple.
• Read about at the 25th annual Stand Down in San Diego, where Navy dentists, technicians and volunteers helped provide care to veterans’ teeth.
• Players and coaches from USA Basketball honored servicemembers and their families this weekend at the D.C. Armory.
• The Silver Star was presented to Staff Sgts. Scott Anderson and James L. Wilbur for their separate actions in Afghanistan.

INSIDE WASHINGTON

• Plans were approved for the Education Center at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington.
• The Boston Globe profiles Ash Carter, the Pentagon’s second in command, reporting that he “gained a reputation for making strides in redirecting the recalcitrant military bureaucracy and taking steps to improve the Pentagon’s buying power.”

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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