Blog Post

IAVA Daily News Brief 07.31.12
Posted by Gretchen Andersen on July 31 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.) Record Number of Veterans Expected to Use New GI Bill for Higher Education

The Dallas News reports on Texas veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill to further their education. According to the article, Texas was second behind California in the bill’s use, with 49,938 veterans enrolled. IAVA Member Jeff Hensley is featured in the piece. Hensley is pursuing a master’s degree in mental health counseling at the University of North Texas.

2.) Afghanistan Veterans With Genital Wounds Receive Little Help From Pentagon

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist David Wood reports on the challenges of starting a family for soldiers and Marines whose genitals are damaged or destroyed by blasts from improvised explosive devices while in combat. In a new policy affecting up to 1800 wounded veterans, the Department of Defense states that "third-party donations and surrogacy are not covered benefits."

3.) Army to expand training periods for Guard, Reserve troops

Gen. Ray Odierno, Army chief of staff, said in an interview with USA Today that the Army’s National Guard and Reserve training will increase despite troops drawing down in Afghanistan. There will be more training periods away from home each year that would grow from a two-week block to up to seven weeks. The change will take place next year. 

AFGHANISTAN

• Will Afghanistan’s economy be stable when troops withdraw in 2014? According to the World Bank, 97 percent of Afghanistan’s gross domestic product comes from foreign money.
• The Defense Department has identified several casualties: Sgt. 1st Class Bobby L. Estle, Pfc. Jose Oscar Belmontes,  Spc. Benjamin C. Pleitez, 1st Lt. Sean R. Jacobs, Sgt. John E. Hansen, Gunnery Sgt. Daniel J. Price, and Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan W. Gifford.

IRAQ

• How should the United States react to the increasing violence in Iraq? The Associated Press interviews Iraq War veterans for answers. 
• Two cars exploded in Karradah today, killing 20 people and wounding 57. The violence brought the July death toll to 244 people killed in shootings and bombings in al-Qaeda attacks.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

• “Should the Increase in Military Pay Be Slowed?”, a new report by Rand Corp, says “smaller military raises are “unlikely to hurt capability and readiness.”
• Baumholder, a town in Germany, has hosted about 13,000 American troops and family members since the 1950s, however that will change when the 170th and 172nd infantry brigades are inactivated. 
• A Vietnam veteran on his way to work was stabbed on a subway by a rowdy gang of eight girls and women. 

THE NEW GREATEST GENERATION

• The amphibious assault ship Bataan will serve as the basketball court for the Navy-Marine Corps Classic.
• VA officials said they won’t be asking Congress for any more money for the new Orlando VA Medical Center because they are well under budget. According to the VA, the center is 67% complete. 

INSIDE WASHINGTON

• The bipartisan bill, Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act, is expected to pass the House and Senate this week. The bill will implement tougher sanctions on Iran and companies that help Iran develop its energy resources or advance its nuclear program that help this week.
• Senator Harkin’s report, released yesterday, slammed for-profit schools.

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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