Blog Post

IAVA Daily News Brief 8.4.11
Posted by Caitlin Kenney on August 4 2011

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 or subscribe at www.IAVA.org/DailyNewsBrief.

MUST READ

1) Under debt deal, military pay, veterans programs in play for cuts

The debt deal signed by President Obama on Tuesday calls for $350 billion in cuts to the Defense Department’s budget. In a time of austerity, government officials have made clear that no item is off-limits. Possible targets include the annual cost-of-living increase for veterans, premiums for the TRICARE healthcare system, and even the post-9/11 GI Bill. New VA mental health programs that treat patients for Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD are also threatened.

2)Unemployment crisis among veterans spurs call to action in Congress 

Unemployment continues to plague new veterans returning from deployments overseas. The rate of unemployment is particularly high among young veterans, and even college-educated veterans are struggling to find work in the current environment. Employers can be hesitant to hire veterans because of exaggerated perceptions regarding PTSD. The transition to civilian life is also a daunting task that complicates the job search. If passed, the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011 will counter veteran unemployment by providing more transition and rehabilitation resources to veterans.

3) On War, Guilt and ‘Thank you for your service’

With less than 1% of the nation serving in the Armed Forces, the relationship between civilians and enlisted Americans has become an awkward ritual for many, Elizabeth Samet writes in an op-ed piece. Samet argues that the words ‘Thank you for your service’ have become an obligatory salute offered by strangers in checkout lines and on sidewalks. The author suggests that the heartfelt outpouring experienced by service members is in part a tribute to the volunteer system, and also a sign of guilt stemming from the mistreatment of veterans in the Vietnam era.

AFGHANISTAN

• After the departure of Gen. David Petraeus from supreme command in Afghanistan, the number of American air strikes has dramatically increased with 652 sorties in the month of July alone.

• On Thursday a service member of the International Security Assistance Force was killed when a man wearing an Afghan National Police uniform shot him to death. A second ISAF soldier was killed in a separate insurgent attack.

IRAQ

• The Iraqi government has begun negotiating with U.S. officials on whether U.S. troops will be invited to stay beyond the December 31st deadline.

• In Iraq, where grievances run deep, America still bears the brunt of the blame when things go wrong, even as Iraqi soldiers continue to lead more operations in the country.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

• Following the repeal of “Don’t ask, don’t tell,” ROTC programs are returning to the campuses of Ivy League schools after a 40 year absence. 

• A new study published by the American Medical Association has found that a drug commonly prescribed to veterans with PTSD is no more effective than a placebo.

INSIDE WASHINGTON

• In a letter to staff, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta supports commonsense cuts to the Pentagon’s budget but vigorously opposes deeper cuts that would threaten military capability.

• On Tuesday the Senate confirmed Army General Martin Dempsey to become the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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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